It’s been an unbelievable week since returning from the Meeting of the Minds. As I often do, I captured some notes from the “Meet the Board” session, which I personally prefer to call the “Roll call of States”. To me, this is the most amazing session of any similar conference because it’s a unique opportunity to share what’s going on around the country with regard to our victories, and our challenges. It’s an opportunity to see what we might be facing in the not-too-distant future, and to reach out to our fellow freedom fighters for assistance.

This year, 30 States were represented at the Roll Call!

While I wish I could write faster, and I wish I could capture these notes without error, I’m sure there may be an opportunity or two (or nine) for correction, update, or addition. Please accept these notes in the spirit with which they’ve been captured.

Alabama (Kris Cook)
Working with Alabama State Department of Education, Transportation and Driver Education. Office of Supporting Services.
Driver Ed program – Alabama education now includes ABATE module and curriculum!
Special session – Polaris created subclass of motorcycle for auto-cycle
Requires helmet but not an endorsement

Alaska (Dave Monroe)
Membership is dwindling
Trying to get organization to focus on federal issues

Arizona (Scott Reilly)
1359 motorcycle safety advisory Council
passed in the Senate and House but stopped at third reading
plan to reintroduce in next session
plan to introduce anti-profiling legislation

Arkansas (Rodney Farley, AKA “Fred”)
Legislators meet in January, working on a profiling bill.
Meeting with NCOM and COC representatives.

Colorado (“Stump”)
Lane splitting Bill killed in house transportation committee
CDOT recognition ignored
Transponder required on toll roads
Motorcycles are free in CO – Bill Killed
E-15 fought against, bill dropped
MOST program
15% dedicated for admin, but MSF spending 75%!!
Audits of CDOT
Insurance on Bikes

Connecticut (Sandra Clark)
2017 legislative change
2016 no helmet bills and no motorcycle-only legislation!
Successful because working issues behind the scenes:
Auxiliary lighting, cable barriers (European ideas for netting)
3E: Engage, Education, Enforcement

Georgia
Organize strategic plan
Georgia motorcycle safety program highlighting motorcycle training in schools
Safer roadways
Motorcycle task force (Governors Highway safety)
Legal action for distracted driving
Did read vetoed – resubmit legislatively
Lane filtering
include motorcycling in safety plan
Handlebar height 15” passed

Kentucky

Idaho (Dave Cazel)
Fatalities are on the rise:
74% rider error
19% Trained (81% not trained!)
38% not endorsed

Illinois (Bob Myers)
Blue dot taillight legalized
Ethanol issue-coalition with classic car clubs, boaters, tractors
PureGas.org

Indiana (Mike Meyer)
Want to eliminate spinal cord and brain injury trust fund “donation” by motorcyclists
House Bill 1246 off-highway temporary trail use tag for out-of-state
House Bill 1087 regulates fees for endorsement, so only first time instead of every time
Held a ride with their governor!

Iowa (Dave Duffy)
Auto-cycles – HB24037 to create its own class
partnering with gun rights since similar freedom issues
DOT motorcycle safety fund recovered
Share the road and writer education
Developing apps for younger people with links to MRF

Kansas
42 fatalities
trike classification-separate test
watching “solo” auto-cycle from Canada

Long Island (Jim Barr)
Leveraging court systems if motorcyclist is killed
Please cannot dismissed without DA permission
Attending court four days per month
Bring media

Louisiana (Donnie Brown)
Also membership issue
Helmet bill passed committee lost in house by four votes
All road users bill also lost in house by same margin

Massachusetts (Rick Gleason)
end of two-year legislative session
8 Bills filed – M/C Fund Rebate for Junior Training passed out of Transportation Committee
Opposed and stopped numerous bill including:
Vulnerable Roadway Users (2 similar bills)
Motorcycle Sound Emissions (2 similar bills concerning SAE j2825)
Junior Operator Bill which would have prevented <18 motorcycle licensing

Michigan (Jinx)
$50 Rider Ed
waived written test for course
developed coalition with bicyclists
requires three hours of bicycle and motorcycle safety in driver Ed
Drug DUI mandatory 15-year sentence
8 trailers on the road with “Look for motorcycles” messaging

Minnesota (Mack)
Red light bill
Handlebar bill
Opposed insurance bill: put motorcycles in no-fault category ($1400 per motorcycle additional)
Documenting profiling cases
Developed motorcycle dial-a-ride program

Missouri (Amy Almon)
Renewable fuel testimony provided by FORR
human liabilities on consumer
license plate vertical
helmet bill passed unanimously in-house, ran out of time in Senate
right-of-way bill passed in the house-existing legislation, but not enforced
COC created

Nevada (Russell Radke)
Lane splitting bill
Handlebar height bill
build relationships – bridge the gap!

New Hampshire (Candy Alexander)
Lost two founding members
Transition period for NHMRO – reviewing organizational structure
Challenge to attract new and non-Harley riders

North Carolina (Charlie Boone)
Helmet Bill
Equal Access Bill (Parking facilities built with public funds)
Auto-cycle Law not what they wanted (lobbied for my Manufacturers)
Anti-profiling based on Pennsylvania Bill
No-texting – Want to add distracted driving

North Dakota (Lonnie Burkes)
Working issue of beehives on roadways as a distraction
12% decline in traffic, but 30% increase in motorcycle fatalities
expecting helmet law push next session

Oklahoma (John Pierce)
Gunner’s law: $3 on motorcycle Tag
$1.4M to Motorcycle Safety
Share the Road Program
No texting bill passed, disappointed about way being enforced
House Bill 2260-no training/no endorsement (< 18 must take MSF BRC)

Pennsylvania (Andy Kelly)
Auto-cycle bill being pushed by manufacturers-need to separate motorcycles
Red light bill passed!

South Carolina (Shelley Holcomb)
Lemon law for motorcycles past
Fixed issue with learners permit which required an adult on motorcycle!
Working towards changing age minimum of 6 years-old to making sure passenger reaches foot-pegs
Motorcycle study committee being worked in Senate
Working on separating scooters and mopeds from motorcycles

South Dakota (Jiggs)
Still to remove restriction requiring two license plates on every vehicle for motorcycles
CoC started
Hosted Hartland STEAM – very successful

Texas (Paul Landers)
Motorcycle safety recovery fund passed – $18 million recovered!
Share the road program

Vermont
Declining membership
2015 highest accidents and fatalities
Rider error #1, < 1?2 endorsed, & < 1?2 that are trained
Left turn violations are included
Share the road and training working with the state
Fighting repeal of helmet choice for 18 years and older
Noise ordinance killed

Virginia (Wes Hurst)
auxiliary lighting – 11th hour compromise to allow
helmet Bill didn’t get to house floor – “Organ Donor” attached to bill
“DIANGI” – Dig In And Never Give In

Wisconsin (Chubby)
Prefer to avoid motorcycle specific legislation-avoid special class discussion
Auto-cycle
Blackbox-data belongs to individual owner
Right-of-way violations
Collecting data on profiling cases
Partner with DOT-quote respect” program
Motorcycle safety advisory Council

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

CONGRESS TO CONSIDER ANTI-MOTORCYCLE PROFILING RESOLUTION
House Resolution 831 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 13, 2016 to “Promote awareness of motorcycle profiling and encourage collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement officials to prevent instances of profiling.”

The non-binding resolution defines motorcycle profiling as “the arbitrary practice of law enforcement using 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 United States Constitution,” and cites complaints surrounding motorcycle profiling in all 50 states.

The National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) is working with other state and national motorcycle organizations to address profiling legislatively, and with Washington enacting the first anti-profiling law in 2011, followed recently by Maryland, a national motorcycle anti-profiling measure would advance the efforts in every state.

H.Res.831 specifies that the House of Representatives:
(1) promotes increased public awareness on the issue of motorcycle profiling;
(2) encourages collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement to engage in efforts to end motorcycle profiling; and
(3) urges State law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcycle profiling in written policies and training materials.

MARINE CORPS PROHIBITS “GANG COLORS OR SYMBOLS” ON CAMP PENDLETON
“Open and visible association with supremacist, extremist, or criminal gangs, to include outlaw motorcycle gangs, by individuals aboard Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton (Calif.) poses a criminal and security threat; inhibits the mission of MCB CamPen; interferes with the loyalty, morale, good order, and discipline of MCB CamPen personnel; and discredits the reputation of the installation and the United States Marine Corps,” states MCIWEST-MCB CAMPEN ORDER 5530.2 dated 30 June 2016, and orders that “…the wearing or displaying of supremacist, extremist or criminal gang colors and symbols by any person aboard MCB CamPen is hereby prohibited.”

Effective upon the date of signature, the order from Brigadier General Edward Banta, commanding general of Camp Pendleton, is pursuant to an earlier directive in which “the Secretary of Defense was directed to prescribe regulations prohibiting active participation by members of the Armed Forces in a criminal street gang.”

YELP CENSORS CHRISTIAN BIKERS
In a July 18th e-mail feedback from internet business review giant Yelp, the Yelp Support Team in San Francisco informed the elder of a Christian motorcycle group that his review of a coffee shop had been removed after it “was brought to our attention by the Yelp community, and we found that it fell outside our Content Guidelines…” which were attached.

The offending post? “Removed Content: The Bikers for Christ Motorcycle Ministry is a Christian clean and sober group. We meet there (The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf) because they just serve great coffee with a great group of baristas, and a clean and neat facility and no political agenda like Starbucks.
Pastor Tom
BFC M/M

REGISTERING “AUTOCYCLES” AS MOTORCYCLES IN NEW JERSEY; VETO S-1155
Despite lobbying efforts launched by ABATE of the Garden State, the New Jersey state Senate and Assembly disregarded input from motorcyclists and approved a bill that will register so-called “Autocycles” (typically a 3-wheeled vehicle with a steering wheel and cockpit) as motorcycles. As states across the country legislatively define Autocycles as a separate class of vehicle, and similar federal regulations loom, Trenton bucks the trend.

“Both Houses have approved a version that will register Autocycles as Motorcycles,” writes ABATE of the Garden State in an e-mail request for legislative action, further disseminated through the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) to NCOM Member Groups; “The only hope is to convince the Governor that this is an inappropriate action so that he vetoes the bill.”

Please address your concerns to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at constituent.relations@nj.gov, and ask that he veto S-1155 (Regulates autocycles as motorcycles), because “Autocycles bear no resemblance to motorcycles and have more in common operationally with two-seater sports cars,” and in addition “NHTSA is currently in the process of issuing a nationwide regulation that would mandate a completely new class of vehicle called ‘Autocycle’,” so “if S-1155 is enacted it will have to be repealed to comply with the new federal regulation.”

MICHIGAN CITY MAKES IT EASIER TO TICKET LOUD MOTORCYCLES
Royal Oak, Michigan is making it easier for police to ticket revving motorcycles, noisy cars and loud music. City Commissioners recently approved a new ordinance making it a civil infraction with a fine of up to $100 for vehicles to emit music, vibrations or noise that can be heard from 50 feet away or more.

The Police Chief requested the ordinance amendment under the city’s disorderly conduct code that covers disturbing the peace and noise. Previously, such violations were a criminal misdemeanor, which have a higher burden of proof for police.

The new measure adopted July 13, 2016 makes the noise violations a civil infraction with no criminal penalties and a lesser burden of proof to make violations stand up in court. With noise tickets being handled as criminal misdemeanors and requiring proof beyond a reasonable doubt, police have had a challenge stopping violators.

“It’s above a seat belt violation but below a moving violation,” said the Chief of the civil infraction penalty, adding that the new local law will help police address public noise problems from motorcycles and other vehicles with after-market upgrades and louder mufflers.

Officers writing tickets for noise violations before the new change in the ordinance had to carry devices to measure decibel levels at the time the violations happened. Under the new measure, the City Attorney said it would be sufficient for officers to use the patrol vehicle cameras and outside microphones when issuing noise violations.

SOUTH CAROLINA LAW RESTRICTS OPERATORS WITH BEGINNER’S PERMITS
A person with a beginner’s permit in South Carolina is only allowed to operate a motorcycle solo between the hours of 6am and 6pm, and under the new traffic code changes “A permittee may not operate a motorcycle at any other time unless accompanied by a licensed motorcycle operator twenty-one years of age or older who has at least one year of driving experience.”

FLASHING BRAKE LIGHTS NOW ALLOWED ON BIKES IN DELAWARE
As promoted in the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles Motorcycle Operator Manual, it is recommended to motorcycle operators that they temporarily flash brake lights when stopping in order to increase visibility to other motorists. There are aftermarket products available that will automatically flash the brake lights up to five times, but such strobes have been illegal in the Delaware Code under the prohibition on flashing lights.

House Bill No. 114, signed into law by Governor Jack Markell on June 9, 2016, amends the traffic code to now allow bikes to be equipped with this safety equipment “when included in a motorcycle, Moped, or Motorized Scooter brake light system in which the brake lamp pulses rapidly for no more than five (5) seconds when the brake is applied, and then converts to a continuous light as a normal brake lamp until the time that the brake is released.”

BIKERS ARE MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN DRIVERS
The results of a new research study in England finally validate what we all know to be true: motorcycle riders are more attractive than car drivers.

The study, by U.K. insurance specialists Carole Nash, asked over 1000 adults to rate the looks of the opposite sex when dressed in normal attire and riding kit. The aim of the experiment was to try and change perceptions of motorcyclists and overturn any negative stereotypes.

In five out of six cases, members of the public dressed as motorcyclists were voted as more desirable than when dressed as drivers. It’s not just levels of attractiveness which came out in the bikers’ favor, because riders are also seen to have more positive personality traits – people who own a motorcycle are viewed as adventurous by a third of the opposite sex (34%), closely followed by daring (28%) and fun (26%).

The research also revealed that “one in four blokes would pretend they owned a motorbike to impress a woman and almost a third (31%) said they’d go the whole way and learn to ride one if they knew it would impress a potential partner.”

GOLDWING AIRBAG RECALL
Recall, after recall, after recall, one thing has remained constant in the Takata airbag quagmire: The disaster has been confined to the four-wheeled realm. Not any longer, as the Honda Goldwing, the first and so far the only motorcycle equipped with an airbag from the factory, has now been recalled.

The gist of the recall is the same, two wheels or four — Takata’s airbag inflators can rupture, potentially propelling shards of metal shrapnel at the vehicle’s occupants. Or in this case, the motorcycle riders.

LONDON SET TO SURCHARGE OLDER MOTORCYCLES
Another European capital city has committed to hitting riders of older motorcycles with a fee in an attempt to improve EU air quality.

Recently, Paris announced a ban on motorcycles made before 1999 from certain parts of the city during the day. Violators of the ban face a €35 (US $40) fine. The French capital has some of the worst air pollution in the world, and the thinking behind the new law is that older motorcycles will not have been built to meet Euro emissions standards and are therefore inclined to pollute disproportionately.

London, too, is desperate to reduce its pollution levels, which are consistently in violation of EU regulations. Within the first week of 2016, London exceeded its pollution limit for the entire year.

The British capital has long had a daily congestion charge — currently set at £11.50 (US $17) — to discourage cars from entering the heart of the city. Motorcycles and scooters have hitherto been exempt from the charge, but plans are in the works to start charging two-wheeled vehicles made before 2007, when Euro 3 emissions standards were first applied to motorcycles.

 

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make good use of it! If you do not, I shall repent it in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it!”
~ John Adams – April 26, 1777

“I love it,” said Ray Wheeler, the former Bikernet Performance Editor. “It reminds me of the ‘60s.” Born Free Number 8 rocked Oak Canyon Park behind the almost dry Irvine Lake Park this year. Each year, it shifts and evolves. The Born Free of today is nothing like the first free event in an alley behind an industrial park adjacent to a Triumph shop sharing the facility with Circle City Hot Rods. It was completely free, with no vendors and maybe beer and tacos.

The bikes were all hand-built, bobbers, very old school choppers and a handful of vintage bikes. In a short eight years, it has evolved into a Harley-Davidson sponsored bike show with hundreds of vendors from the big dogs like Performance Machine, Roland Sands and S&S to the little guys, such as Chop Cult, Dice, Noise Cycles and Loser Machine. Some were immediately disillusioned by corporate consumption.

“I’m not coming back,” said Yaniv of Power Plant, who hosted one of two pre-parties on Melrose in Hollywood Friday night.

In today’s day and age, shit happens fast, too fast. According to Buddha, everything is changing constantly, so get used to it. Also, everything is coming or going. There’s no way to stop it. Shit grows, and then it dies, bada-bing. The key is to enjoy and celebrate everything for a myriad of reasons, while we can.

“Born Free is the Woodstock of events,” said an anonymous donor. “You see more Knuckleheads there than at any other event, and I don’t mean the two-legged version.”

So, come to the party, embrace it, honor it, dig it, and ride. If you get tired of it, or it goes in a direction you don’t care for, ride to another party. There are five new gigs busting out every weekend around Los Angeles. But currently, Born Free is the hippest bit in town and all the cool cats came out, including Arlen Ness, Cory Ness, Willie G and Nancy Davidson, and Bert and Lisa Baker.

“We needed to find an event on the West Coast representing the custom industry,” Lisa said. “We had to check this out.”

Unfortunately, it’s not free anymore, and there’s a growing rulebook, including no colors. Ah, but Grant cut a deal with the park to minimize the traffic, congestion and enhance parking. That was a serious break for spectators. In order to grow and continue to succeed, the promoters, who include Grant Peterson and Mike Davis, must stay flexible, malleable and willing to adapt and change quickly.

Journalists came from far and wide to cover BF-8 but Mike called them free-loaders as he was forced to hand out complimentary (free) passes to the working press devoting their weekends away from their families to document the happenings.

Here’s an example of another quick venue change. Where it was previously all about the garage-built bikes, FXRs are now honored with their own area handled by San Diego Customs. More and more Dynas and baggers rolled into the event. And the show bikes changed from basket bobbers to slick Bondo-coated choppers with tall sissybars from the ‘60s right down to long-haired fury seats 2 inches wide as they slithered up old narrow ribbed fenders to a chromed-out sissybar reaching for the stars.

Brothers commented, “You won’t be riding these bikes very far.”

“Maybe to the bar or grocery store, but then you couldn’t buy a six-pack. No place to put it.”

Fortunately, there were classic barn-find relic Knucklehead flat trackers and a couple of the late-model high-performance racers from Suicide Machine on Signal Hill in Long Beach. This crew races with Roland Sands on hopped-up Indian Scouts at all the Hooligan class flat track events. They taught me to change my thinking when it came to the new world available to FXRs.

I grew up around lowered cars and long choppers, but they seek a new hot-rod performance-handling alternative with tall shocks, performance front suspension kits, or upside down front ends, Sons of Anarchy fairings and super hopped-up Evo engines.

Eric Bennett from Bennett’s Performance in Long Beach wandered the isles checking new products and styles.

“I love seeing the new spins on old custom notions,” Eric said. “They may not be my cup of tea, but I enjoy seeing new innovations.” Eric is all about performance and generally late model bikes from Evos up. If you want a hot rod FXR, Dyna, or dresser, these guys know the drill and can build anything. They love modifying an FXR chassis to accept a monster touring Twin Cam. He played in the Road Kill Kings band at one of the pre-parties.

“Born Free is one of the directions for the future of the motorcycling hobby that needs tapping into,” said Ben Lamboeuf, Bikernet’s Advertising Director and carver of vast canyons on fast motorcycles.

Born Free has quickly become the place for old and young from all over the world to ride in, see, and talk about old iron for two days. This year, 25,000 folks showed up. Over 150 vendors and sponsors peppered the park with activities including live music, the Wall of Death, and an AMCA regional swap meet. Over 6000 show and spectator bikes graced the grounds, while that many were parked outside.

“I’ve been attending Born Free for the last half dozen years and this was by far the most sorted out version to date” said David Zemla from S&S. “Born Free is a great mix of vintage and contemporary bike enthusiasts. A perfect fit for S&S Cycle.”

Inside the show there is a special Invited Builder area where 25 up and coming motorcycle builders from all around the world showed off the bikes they’ve been building just for this event over the past year.

“These guys are craftsmen, small shop owners, and garage builders doing their best to push themselves to build something truly unique,” said Grant.

Best In Show gets a trip for themselves and their motorcycle to the Mooneyes Hot Rod & Custom show in Yokohama, Japan in December!

 “Disorganized was the word of the day,” said Ben Kudon, the Executive Director of Rivera/Primo. “Fortunately that did not translate into a bad show; in fact, quite the opposite. I liked it! Questions were mostly for the older vintage type products we sell, i.e. Pan & Shovel stuff.”

 One of the rules this year included no camping on the site, but they did set up Born Free Camping down the street. It may be the last time, though. “The Born free campsite got out of control,” said a wounded veteran. “This is a gathering of righteous folks having a righteous time, while not endangering the lives of others.”

Let’s see how this culmination of vintage and today’s iron evolves into Born Free 9.

Best In Show Jeff Leighton 1942 Harley UL
Invited Builder First Place-Kiyo’s Garage dual engine CB750
Invited Builder Second Place-Arie Vee 1941 Knucklehead
Invited Builder Third Place-Jeff Leighton 1942 Harley UL
People’s Choice-Ryan Grossman 1947 Harley Knucklehead
Best Chopper- Ryan Grossman 1947 Harley Knucklehead
Born-Free Award-Dalton Walker Triumph PreUnit
Founder’s Pick-Prism Motorcycles 1941 Harley Knucklehead

Best Knucklehead-Arie Vee 1941 Harley Knucklehead
Best Panhead-Max Schaaf
Best Shovelhead-Andy Carter
Best Sportster-F’N’A Cycles
Best Falthead-Mike Silvio Harley 45
Best Bobber-Go Takamine 1939 Indian
AMCA Pick- Matt Walksler 1928 Harley JDH
Best Original-Matt Walksler Harley Knucklehead

Coker Tire Award-Matt Walksler 1928 Harley JDH
Best Japanese-Kiyo’s Garage dual engine CB750
Best Indian- Brian Bell Indian Chout
Best PreUnit-Brian Thompson
Best British-Choppahead
Best Modern-Oliver Jones FXR
Best Competition-Justin Walls 1927 Harley JD
Best Paint-Matt Motorcycle Tire Center Dyna

Arlen Ness Digger Show
First-Dalton Walker Harley Panhead
Second-Pascal Boyer Harley Shovelhead
Thrid-Eric Allard

San Diego Customs FXR Show
Home Built
First-Carey Hart

Shop Built
First-Oliver Jones

Mason Burke won the 1953 Panhead we gave away Saturday, Phoenix Peterson won the 1940 Knucklehead and Jacob Johnston won the 2016 Dyna Lowrider S we gave away Sunday.

Read to the end to vote for YOUR top pick!

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1969 Honda CB750 Four

Photo: Motorcycle Classics

1959 Triumph Bonneville

Photo: Auto Evolution

1950 Norton Manx

Photo: Motorcycle Classics

1948 Vincent Black Shadow

Photo: Motorcycle Classics
Often described as the epitome of a classic British motorbike, the Black Shadow was widely renowned as the fastest of her generation. In ’48, American racer Rollie Free took the Shadow to set a 150mph world record at Bonneville Salt Flats. She was frequently the primary topic of cycle conversations all over the US, with her primary advertising slogan literally reading:

“The Fastest Motorcycle in the World-

1943 Harley WLA

Photo: The Liberator

1940 Indian Chief

Photo: Bucks Indian

1939 Ariel Square Four

Photo: Classic Motorbikes

1937 Triumph Speed Twin

Photo: Motorcycle Specs

1936 Harley EL

Photo: Hemmings Daily
Nicknamed “The Knucklehead” due to the “clenched fist” appearance of its rocker arm nuts and pushrod tubes, Harley’s 1936 EL took the world by storm with its overhead valve engine.

Yet, its success didn’t truly proliferate until nearly a year after its initial launch. Test versions of the EL were kept largely secret, with experimental models test ridden away from busy roads. Fear of potential leaks from the radical new recirculating oil system didn’t help the situation, keeping the bike out of HD’s 1936 catalog. While “sump oilers” were used in cars and high-end cycles of the time, compacting a process like this into a simple, streamlined look was at first a struggle, but eventually a massive success.

1931 Royal Enfield Bullet

Photo: Cyber Motorcycle
Our #1 throwback: the incredible 1931 Royal Enfield Bullet. The very first Royal Enfield model to feature the Bullet name, this single cylinder, four-stroke engine has proven herself the ultimate icon. With the longest running continuous production record of any cycle to date, the Bullet is still actively manufactured today.

Upon her original test runs at the ’48 International Six Days Trial, she stole the spotlight, with multiple riders earning medals that year. With 80+ years of reliable production and sales, we think it’s pretty clear that this timeless bike will only continue her legacy in years to come.

Find some of these icons for sale on Cycle Trader today!

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)

H-D CEASES SALES OF PERFORMANCE DEVICES THAT ADD TO AIR POLLUTION
Without conceding, Harley-Davidson will pay $15 million in fines and penalties to settle a federal lawsuit brought by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) accusing the American motorcycle-maker of selling illegal performance devices that increase pollution.

Under terms of the settlement on Thursday, August 19, 2016 Harley is to stop selling its “Screamin’ Eagle” Pro Super Tuners by August 23, and to buy back and destroy all such tuners in stock at its dealerships. H-D must also deny warranty claims if owners continue to use the “illegal devices.”

The consent decree resolves government allegations that Harley-Davidson sold roughly 340,000 “super tuners” since 2008 that, once installed, cause motorcycles to emit higher amounts of certain air pollutants than what the Milwaukee-based manufacturer certified to the EPA. According to the EPA, the modified settings increase power and performance, but also increase the motorcycles’ emissions of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.

Harley did not admit liability, and said in a statement it disagrees with the government’s position arguing that the devices were designed and sold to be used in “competition only.” The Motor Company said the settlement represents “a good faith compromise with the EPA on areas of law we interpret differently, particularly EPA’s assertion that it is illegal for anyone to modify a certified vehicle even if it will be used solely for off-road/closed-course competition.”

An EPA spokesman said that the vast majority of these tuners were used on public roads, and the sale of such “defeat devices” violates the federal Clean Air Act. Harley was also accused of selling more than 12,600 motorcycles that were not covered by an EPA certification that ensures a vehicle meets federal clean air standards.

“Given Harley-Davidson’s prominence in the industry, this is a very significant step toward our goal of stopping the sale of illegal after-market defeat devices that cause harmful pollution on our roads and in our communities,” said John Cruden, head of the Justice Department’s environmental and natural resources division.

The EPA has been investigating after-market part emission issues for more than five years. In 2012, Suzuki Motor Corp paid an $885,000 fine to EPA for selling 25,458 ATVs and dirt bikes because they were built to allow for the installation of an after-market part that increased horsepower and emissions.

CALIFORNIA LEGALIZES LANE SPLITTING, GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL INTO LAW
California has become the first state to formally recognize lane splitting as a legal maneuver for motorcyclists, as Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 51 into law on Friday, August 19, 2016.

The legislation does not specify rules for lane splitting, but simply a) defines lane splitting as “driving a motorcycle, that has 2 wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, as specified”; and b) authorizes the California Highway Patrol (CHP), in consult with other agencies and organizations, to “develop educational guidelines relating to lane splitting in a manner that would ensure the safety of the motorcyclist, drivers and passengers.”

Lane splitting has long existed in a legal gray area in California, without being expressly prohibited nor allowed, but permitted by law enforcement. The CHP published educational guidelines on lane-splitting in 2012, but regulators later ruled the agency had no authority to make public policy.

The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Assembly members Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) and Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale), passed unanimously through the state Senate 38-0 and the Assembly 74-0 and essentially clarifies that the CHP does in fact have the authority and permission to devise guidelines for splitting lanes.

Many studies have found proper lane splitting to be safe, and the practice of “filtering” through traffic to reduce congestion is legal in much of the world.

RESTRICTING ETHANOL LIMITS IN AMERICA’S FUEL
NCOM Board Member Dave “Animal” Reid (Touring Groups Liaison to the National Coalition of Motorcyclists) recently reported that; “I sent a letter to my congresswoman about the EPA’s desire to increase the ethanol content up from E-10 to E-15, and what it might do to all manner of small and air cooled motors.

She responded, saying that a congressman from Texas had introduced a bill that would prohibit the EPA Administrator from introducing anything greater than 9.7% into the fuel supplies.

Folks of both our Confederation of Clubs (COC) and ABATE inquired about the bill, and I’ve tracked it in the U.S. House of Representatives – it’s fresh and has quite a list of co-sponsors, so with other changes happening in the world, with the bipartisan support it seems to have, it may see some forward movement.”

That measure, House Resolution 5180, was introduced on May 10, 2016 by U.S. Representative Bill Flores (R-TX) “to alleviate the ethanol blend wall under the renewable fuel program,” and has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 5180 currently has 103 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle.

The bill effectively circumvents the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandates for increasing levels of ethanol in our gasoline, capping the level at E-10, stating “the Administrator shall not determine any renewable fuel obligation for a calendar year that would result, directly or indirectly, in the introduction into commerce in the United States of a total volume of ethanol contained in transportation fuel that is greater than 9.70 percent of the total volume of gasoline projected to be sold or introduced into commerce in the United States for such calendar year.”

ILLINOIS OKAYS BLUE-DOT TAIL LIGHTS
“Blue Dot” tail lights, so-called because a blue crystal mounted in the center of the red lens cover emits a violet hue when actuated, have become popular with motorcyclists for both customization and conspicuity, but most states’ traffic codes specify that a tail light must be red in color, and therefore they are illegal.

Supported by ABATE of Illinois, House Bill 4105 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to “Provide that motorcycles may be equipped with a blue light or lights of up to one inch in diameter located on the rear of the motorcycle as a part of the motorcycle’s rear stop lamp or lamps,” and was signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner on July 22, 2016, becoming effective January 1st.

RIDERS AND DRIVERS NOW HAVE OPTION TO “RIDE ON RED” IN PENNSYLVANIA
Motorcyclists and motorists in Pennsylvania will no longer have to wait at a traffic light that is locked on red, as Governor Tom Wolf signed into law a bill sponsored by Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) that allows drivers of all vehicles the option to proceed with caution through an intersection when a traffic signal is unresponsive, only after exercising due care as provided by law.

“If the vehicle detection system fails to recognize the vehicle and the driver has come to a complete stop, the driver must then make sure it is safe to continue, and only then would they be able to lawfully proceed with caution through the intersection,” Bloom explained to FOX43 News in Harrisburg, PA.

Originally intended only for motorcycles, which often fail to trigger traffic lights due to their smaller size, Senate Bill 1267 was expanded to apply to all vehicles.

Deemed “Ride on Red,” Bloom added that the goal of the legislation is to solve practical problems while ensuring safety. “This law does not give drivers a free pass, but ensures a safe and legal option to avoid the danger and inconvenience of being trapped in perpetuity at a locked red light,” Bloom said. “This issue is more common than many people realize, especially on rural roads or during late hours when long periods often elapse before a heavier vehicle comes along to finally trip the unresponsive light.”

Signed into law on July 20, 2016 as part of Act 101, the new law takes effect 60 days after the bill-signing, near the end of September.

CRASHES INVOLVING DISTRACTED TEENAGERS ON THE RISE
Not only have inattentive Pokémon GO players caused accidents with everything from motorcycles to police cars, it gets even more dangerous when teenagers get behind the wheel with their phones. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that 59% of teen crashes involve distractions behind the wheel, and highlights a disturbing trend showing that texting and social media use are on the rise amongst teen drivers.

– Talking or attending to other passengers in the vehicle: 15% of crashes
– Talking, texting or operating a cell phone: 12% of crashes
– Attending to or looking at something inside the vehicle: 11% of crashes

This supports findings by Pew Research Center, which shows text messaging has become a key component in day-to-day interactions among teenagers. Fifty-five percent of teens spend time every day texting, sending an estimated 80 text messages per day.

Research by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that texting creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted. A recent AAA Foundation survey shows that nearly 50% of teen drivers admitted they had read a text message or email while driving in the past 30 days.

NHTSA’s National Occupant Protection Use Survey also shows that from 2007 to 2014, the percentage of young drivers seen visibly manipulating a hand-held device quadrupled.

Some states have laws against using a cell phone while driving for any reason, but most do not.
Of states, 39% ban cell phone use for under 18 and 46% ban texting while driving.

MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS PSA WARNS: ONE MISTAKE CAN HAUNT YOU FOREVER
“This has been a bad year for motorcycle crashes,” says Annette Torrez, chair of the New Mexico Motorcycle Rights Organization (NMMRO) and member of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) Board of Directors.

“Please take a moment to watch this PSA on motorcycle safety awareness…. ONE MISTAKE CAN HAUNT YOU FOREVER (www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edzg4XjDPZY).

Richard Sturgeon, a New Mexico Motorcycle Safety Advocate from Los Alamos National Lab, stars as the Dead Zombie biker in this powerful film produced by Sam Crooks of Sam’s Commercials to be presented at the Reel Deal movie theater in Los Alamos.

“I am hoping NM DOT will use this PSA,” Torrez said, adding that “we are also waiting to hear about the LOOK OUT FOR MOTORCYCLES signs to go up soon in high motorcycle crash locations in the Albuquerque area, all purchased with private donations.”

YAMAHA TO USE A.I. TO ENHANCE MOTORCYCLE SAFETY
Yamaha Motor Co. is working on the use of artificial intelligence to enhance motorcycle safety. The system, developed jointly with a U.S. research body, is based on the same one revealed last year that allows humanoid robots to test ride motorcycles.

The objective is to reduce motorcycle spills, said company President Hiroyuki Yanagi. “We want to facilitate driving operations of our motorcycles and reduce the burden on riders to allow them to pay more attention to safety,” said Yanagi.

Yamaha hopes to reverse slumping domestic sales by adopting advanced technologies to reduce motorcycle accidents such as overturns and collisions.

“We’ll use the expertise we’ve acquired from robots for our motorcycles,” Yanagi said. “We’ll promote the development of technologies to make motorcycle driving easier.”

~ Kathleen Norris (1880-1966) novelist and columnist

“India Shining!” said the Tourism Advertisement in international magazines. Then came the popular government in 2014 launching “Make in India” campaign. The major objective behind the initiative focused on job creation and skill enhancement in 25 sectors of the economy.

Ray-Ban sunglasses has a manufacturing unit in India. Microsoft is building “smart-city” in India. IBM has only one research lab outside American territory and it is in India. Indian scientists launched Mars orbit mission which was a lot cheaper than the budget of movie “Gravity” which won Oscar nominations.

India became the first nation in history to succeed in Mars orbit in first attempt. Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is a multilateral export control regime which has India as a member but China has as yet not qualified because their missiles are not as advanced.

In 2016, India became the biggest international trade partner of USA. Indian Prime Minister got a standing welcome and later a standing ovation at US Congress on his historic speech addressing the members of the US Congress.

About 8.02 million foreign tourists arrived in India in 2015 recording a growth rate of 4.4%. Tennis champion and ever beautiful Steffi Graf is Kerala State’s Ayurveda Tourism brand ambassador.

In 2015, India received US $63 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) hoping to surpass the United States of America as well as the People’s Republic of China. Lenovo, Motorola, Foxconn, Xiaomi are some latest technology manufacturers making their goods in India. In February 2016, Lockheed Martin stated that it was ready to manufacture F-16 fighter jets in India. CEO of Microsoft, Google, Adobe, Pepsi, MasterCard are immigrants from India. World’s largest alcoholic beverages company Diageo has an Indian immigrant as CEO.

As I discussed last year at: http://www.bikernet.com/pages/Commuting_to_a_Lifestyle.aspx
Royal Enfield is now wholly an Indian company with its imperial British legacy intact.

Enfield motorcycles have upgraded their engines and stylised their range with branded merchandise to boost fan following.

But these cosmetic steps are not the only leaps made by this Indian predator. The Enfield India company announced vast expansion by opening exclusive dealerships in France, Spain, UK, USA, Germany, Italy, Russia, Japan, Dubai and Thailand. If you are at a pretty looking destination wanting to stroll the streets and beaches and mountains – you will now find an Enfield motorcycle dealership to enable your trip.

Eicher Motors which has a large investment holding in Enfield motorcycles plans to make Enfield a leading player in the mid-sized motorcycling segment of 250-750cc in Europe and North America. Back in 2014, Enfield India was exporting 1000 motorcycles to USA annually. Now it has Authorised Dealers and Authorised Service Centers in USA.

Royal Enfield has 80 dealership across France and 25 in Spain and is expanding its presence in these markets. These include exclusive showrooms in Madrid and Paris. In France, Royal Enfield witnessed 60% growth in the first seven months of 2015. In Spain, while the two-wheeler market has grown 23%, the company has received a very encouraging response, reporting a sales growth of over 300% between January-August 2015 compared to same period in 2014.

Enfield has been participating in events like Goodwood Revival Festival in the UK, Bonneville Speed Trails in the US. In August, it had appointed KSR group as its distributor in Germany. This has got the vintage looking motorcycle many eyeballs in news and magazines worldwide. Famous bike designer Pierre Terblanche who has worked for over 10 years with Ducati is a fulltime designer for Royal Enfield now.

At the same time, they are not allowing Harley-Davidson, Triumph or Ducati to gain foothold in home market of India. Enfield’s new plant will manufacture 600,000 units per year. In year 2014, India had 300 Authorised Dealers of Enfield. It became 400 Authorised Dealers by 2015. The goal is to surpass 500 Authorised Dealers in India in 2016. To avoid inflation in price due to taxation, Enfield too is ready to assemble their motorcycles in foreign countries just as competitor Harley-Davidson assembles their motorcycles in India to avoid tough custom / import duties.

With a combined sales figure of 51,320 motorcycles including both domestic as well as exports, Royal Enfield posted a growth of 51% in March 2016. Domestic sales recorded an increase of 52.4% at 50,059 units during the month, as compared to 32,854 units during March, 2015. Exports has seen a growth of 52.85% to 1261 units as against 825 units same month last year. Reaching sales of over fifty thousand motorcycles in a single month is a significant milestone for Royal Enfield.

Harley-Davidson was so threatened by the massive growth and incredible expansion rate of Enfield that they introduced a poor-man’s Harley-Davidson in India called Street 750cc in 2015. People would rather ride a premium motorcycle at a competitive price than a cheap looking foreign model targeted at low-income group riders in India.

However, it has not been all candy and sugar for the management at Enfield. Their much hyped and over ambitious all-terrain motorcycle named “Himalayan” opened to poor reviews for diverting from the tradition Enfield look and design. Problems worsened with immediate factory recall of thousands of sold Himalayan motorcycles which had a problem in their rocker shaft and clutch assembly. This was a big investment of money, time and energy and it has seemed to bomb at the boxoffice. Yet in 2016, Enfield is the fastest growing motorcycle brand in the world.

Can you imagine James Dean or Marlon Brando in their youth without a motorcycle? Harley-Davidson rode the fame and infamy and the Sales figures from Hollywood depiction of rebels on motorbikes.

Enfield has entered into prime and creamy endorsement deals with some of the biggest movie production houses and directors to promote their classic looking Enfield motorcycles.

Past year’s biggest movies “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”, “Jab Tak Hain Jaan”, “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” had huge posters and advertisements featuring Enfield Desert Storm 500cc motorcycle. Some of the biggest celebrity actors such as Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgan were seen riding the “Bullet” – the unforgettable unvanquished unbeatable icon of Indian motorcycling history.

The Harry Potter movie Deathly Hollows part-1 has a 1960 Royal Enfield in it. Brad Pitt rode and repaired an Enfield motorcycle in the role of Benjamin Button.

India and its citizens are drenched in American culture since the explosion of MTV in the 1980s to the launch of Hollywood Studios such as 20th Century Fox, Disney, Warner Brothers, etc. who are producing local language movies in Mumbai. Even before India’s independence from the British, the USA and its leaders were a prime and key inspiration for democratic India and liberation from colonialism. A global economy does benefit all parties if all parties participate fully. It would be great to buy a Harley-Davidson at the same price as Americans do, but it costs twice as much because of the taxation on imports. Hell, I can’t even afford a bottle of Jack Daniels due to the import costs. As USA steers the world into a new age of WTO and mobile human resources, we do hope for a modern world full of pleasures with an end to any mediocre product or service.

Meanwhile, do share your experience of visiting an Enfield dealership outside India or of having straddled the Enfield on any adventure. Ride On!

Copyright by Ujjwal Dey
www.iqmind.org