Happy New Years,
I spilled my guts about some of our 2014 moves, and I realized some were not strictly within the carefully outlined and strict Bikernet Code of the West. How about that deal with the fastener company based in India?
It’s not exactly within the motorcycle industry. I’ve often said over the years, that if we really wanted to make serious money, we would build vacuum cleaners or art deco toasters, not custom motorcycles. Still I had to take a hard look at this situation and how it could help my friends in the motorcycle industry. How could it work for members of our staff and our feeble future. The investigation started and it’s not concluded yet.
For some shops this winter has been the worst in their history. Is it still the economy? Was the weather severe in the Midwest? Are fewer and fewer folks building motorcycles because of regulatory threats from the EPA, or state governments.
So, if the little old Bikernet staff could provide quality fasteners to everyone in the motorcycle industry at a life-saving price, would that be a bad thing. Let’s see how it unfolds. Believe me, if we see a hiccup we will immediately pull back. Everything we do is for this industry. If it’s wrong, we will be the first to stop and let you know.
Let’s hit the post, we need to start tuning my old TIG welder for some smooth aluminum welding.
THE UNKNOWN QUOTE OF THE DAY–This, then, is the union: free and restless, growing and full of hope. So, it was in the beginning. So, it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith.
Does this hit the nail on the head or what?–Bandit
FIRST BIKERNET EXCLUSIVE FOR THE NEW YEAR–
To get things started, here’s an “exclusive” – recently I had the great pleasure of meeting the History Channel’s Roger McGrath
who told me the tale of his unmatchable Matchless….definitely Old School cool…
and at this point in time circa 2014 I guess we all went to that same school…
–Pablo
MOTORCYCLE CLUBS FEED HOMELESS, community at McClatchy Park–Della Fort was enjoying a home-cooked holiday meal – ham, turkey, spaghetti, green beans, sweet potatoes, and collard greens – at one of the picnic tables in James McClatchy Park on Sunday.
“I think it’s a beautiful thing for people who also have family or homeless to come here and eat,” said Fort, who lives nearby. “I wish everyone would do this and pay it forward.”
Fort, her 7-year-old son, Makiah Ewing, and 8-year-old nephew, Samaiya Barron, had dropped by the park Sunday after church to participate in the second annual “Christmas In the Park” – a community feed put together by a number of motorcycle clubs in Sacramento.
The event is the brainchild of Monique Webb of Sacramento, president of the Mo’Better Stunnas, a motorcycle club she started last year.
“There are so many people who just need a hot meal,” said Webb, who goes by the moniker “Mo’ Diddley.” “We know what it’s like to be hungry, so once I was able, I started giving.”
Last year, she got together with 17 other Sacramento MC’s (motorcycle clubs) and SMC’s (social motorcycle clubs in which the women members do not necessarily ride) to feed the homeless at McClatchy Park.
“We had about 100 people, and they (the hungry) had bags and stuff (to wear) – they were prepared for the rain last year,” she recalled.
This year, Webb was more ambitious, contacting 30 clubs in Sacramento and hoping to feed about 300 people.
By early afternoon, about 50 people from 20 clubs had shown up with foil-covered pans of ham, turkey, hot wings, stuffing, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, salad, green bean casserole and collard greens. Rolls and cornbread were also provided, along with cranberry sauce. Cases of water, tea and chocolate-flavored coconut water were stacked for the drinks station, and the dessert table was piled with cakes, cupcakes, cookies, doughnut holes, and the most popular, Hostess Twinkies and cupcakes.
Most of the motorcycle club members were easily identified by their jackets, which bore names like Breakin Bread, Sophistikated Souljas, Head Woman in Charge, Second II None, Valley Diamonds and Showstoppaz.
Many echoed the sentiments of Yolanda “Boss Lady” Brown president of Sacramento Game Ready SMC, who said it was important for motorcycle clubs to participate and contribute to charitable events to change public perception.
“We’re not outlaws,” she said. “Many of us give back to the community and help the less fortunate. We also support other organizations and clubs as well.”
“A lot of people from the neighborhood asked me if we were just feeding the homeless, and I told them, ‘You just have to be hungry and you can get some food,’” she said. “Next year, we want to fill the whole park. We want to get our people to come out to see what we do for the community.”
–By Tillie Fong
–from Rogue
BAD JOKE LIBRARY OPEN ON SUNDAYS– There are only two four letter words that are offensive to men – ‘don’t’ and ‘stop’, unless they are used together.
–from Jerry
BAD COP FILE STILL OPEN–Deputy in question in fatal motorcycle pursuit.
Jason Ycaza, killed in a Sept. 23 crash, is seen with his family at their Hephzibah home. He was riding a motorcycle when a deputy gave chase over invalid plates.
A Richmond County sheriff’s deputy might have broken department policy earlier this year when he pursued a suspect on a motorcycle that ended in a fatal crash.
Jason Steven Ycaza died Sept. 23, just moments after Deputy Bill Wright said he quit chasing him and a friend on Windsor Spring Road because their motorcycles did not have valid license plates.
The victim’s mother, Ana Ycaza, said eyewitnesses tell a different story.
They say Wright never stopped pursuing her son and that the deputy was on a motorcycle, a vehicle that – because of the risk involved – is “strongly discouraged” from initiating or participating in chases in Richmond and Columbia counties unless extenuating circumstances exist, policy states.
Ycaza has contacted a lawyer and is considering taking legal action against the city for a death she feels could have been avoided.
“It’s been very hard to lose my son,” said Ycaza, who lives in Hephzibah, fewer than five miles from her son’s crash site. “Every minute he’s on my mind. I see his pictures at work, at home and on Facebook, and I cry almost every day.”
Lt. Calvin Chew, a spokesman for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, said Wright followed protocol, calling off the chase moments after it started around 5 p.m. because he lost sight of the suspects near Windsor Spring Elementary School.
A Georgia State Patrol investigation showed Ycaza, 30, raced almost another full mile up the four-lane highway, unaware he was no longer being followed. Consequently, he ran a red light at Rosier Road, collided with a left-turning motorist and was thrown 35 feet nearly 10 minutes after the chase began. His friend got away.
“There’s nothing to critique,” Chew said of the chase. He said Wright was not required to file a pursuit report or complete a supervisor review, as required by policy, because the chase was so short.
“There was not even an opportunity to get a marked unit involved because the pursuit only lasted maybe five seconds at the most,” Chew said.
Police recordings on file at the Richmond County 911 Center indicate the pursuit lasted between 90 seconds and 2½ minutes, and nowhere on the tape does Wright specifically call it off.
“The last place I saw them was at northbound Windsor Spring Road and Meadowbrook Drive,” the deputy says 90 seconds after starting the chase. Twenty seconds later, he says, “It looks like he’s still out at Rosier Road.” Ten seconds after that he calls for an ambulance.
Incident and crash reports filed by the Georgia State Patrol and the sheriff’s office do not state where Wright suspended his chase. Chew said he has reviewed Wright’s file but has not listened to the tapes.
“Whatever the tape says, I cannot change that,” Chew said of the pursuit. “If it’s more than a minute, then it’s more than a minute.”
According to policy, deputies in Richmond, Columbia and Aiken counties are justified in beginning a chase even when the only information available is that the suspect hasn’t stopped as ordered.
Chew said the two motorcyclists pulled to the shoulder of Tobacco Road as if they planned to stop. However, Chew said, when the officer approached, they turned right on Windsor Spring Road and sped away.
After a chase has started, policy states that deputies must continuously evaluate the circumstances, such as the initial reason for the pursuit; traffic and weather conditions; time of day; direction of travel; the possible consequences; and most importantly, the safety of the public, the deputy and other law enforcement personnel.
“Pursuits may continue if there are reasonable grounds to believe the suspect presents a clear and immediate threat to the safety of others or if the suspect has committed or is attempting to commit a forcible felony,” policy states.
On those grounds, Ycaza said she feels her son’s chase was unnecessary.
“We’re still in shock,” she said. “We shouldn’t have lost him that way.”
By Wesley Brown Staff Writer
–from Rogue
BAD JOKE FILE STILL OPEN–The phone rings and the lady of the house answers, “Hello.”
”Mrs. Sanders, please.”
”Speaking.”
”Mrs. Sanders, this is Doctor Jones at Saint Agnes Laboratory. When your husband’s doctor sent his biopsy to the lab last week, a biopsy from another Mr. Sanders arrived as well. We are now uncertain which one belongs to your husband. Frankly, either way, the results are not too good.”
”What do you mean?” Mrs. Sanders asks nervously.
“Well, one of the specimens tested positive for Alzheimer’s and the other one tested positive for HIV(AIDS). We can’t tell which is which.”
”That’s dreadful! Can you do the test again?” questioned Mrs. Sanders.
“Normally we can, but Obamacare will only pay for these expensive tests one time.”
”Well, what am I supposed to do now?”
”The folks at Obamacare recommend that you drop your husband off somewhere in the middle of town. If he finds his way home, don’t sleep with him.”
–from Rogue and Jerry
SIGN OF A “JOB WELL DONE”!
–from Chris T.
XTREME MACHINE SADDLEBAG LATCH COVERS–Made from CNC machined aluminum in the USA, sold in pairs, and available in black, black cut, or chrome. Matches Xtreme Machine wheels, and fits 93-13 Touring models.
For more information on this product visit www.BikersChoice.com
METALSPORT MEETS V-TWIN MARKETING–
V-Twin Marketing is proud to announce the addition of a new account…Metalsport, Inc. Metalsport, Inc. is known not only for their “excellence” in quality, but for making the world’s largest wheels…32″ front and 18″ x 14″ rear, as well as all of the standard sizes.
Metalsport wheels roll under many of the world’s most respected builders like Matt Hotch, Shannon Davidson, KEITH BALL FROM BIKERNET, Eddie Trotta, Russell Marlowe, Donnie Smith, Dave Perewitz, Jim Nasi and custom car extraordinaire Chip Foose to name a few.
Ron Loynds, President of Metalsport, Inc. stated, “We chose V-Twin Marketing because of the profound success they’ve had with other aftermarket billet wheel manufacturers and are quite aware of their proven track record.” Ron added, “We also chose V-Twin Marketing due to their 30+ years experience in the motorcycle industry and the industry relations they have established over the years. V-Twin Marketing will be responsible for our advertising, marketing, and public relations and will work side by side with me on new business development” Loynds ended.
Raus concluded, “I’m proud to have been chosen by Metalsport, Inc. I’ve had the utmost respect for their wheels and look forward to finalizing their marketing plan and begin implementing a new advertising campaign. Matt Hotch and Shannon Davidson are both an integral part of our marketing efforts and will have their latest bikes displayed in the Metalsport, Inc. booth in Cincinnati.”
V-Twin Marketing is a full service advertising and public relations agency that focuses on the V-Twin market with 30+ years of “hands on” experience. Current clients include Corbin Seats, Roaring Toyz, Wire Plus, Metalsport, Inc., DesignWraps Brands, Wana-Ryd Motorcycle, Custom Cycle Control Systems, Dynacycle Oil and MGS Customs.
–RickRaus
V-Twin Marketing
714-280-8537
Rick@Vtwinmarketing.com
vtwinreport.com
LIFESTYLE CYCLES MEET EASYRIDERS IN ANAHEIM–Lifestyle Cycles will be attending the 2014 Easy Riders Bike Show in full force!!!
Be sure to wear your Lifestyle Cycles T-Shirt to show your support!No kidding! Lifestyle Cycles will take anything in trade. Take a look in your garage, attic, cellar …. whatever!
We’ve taken cars, trucks, planes, jewelry, land, pinball machines, RV’s, quads … heck, we might even take your ex-wife in on trade! We have a ton of pre-owned Harley Davidson Motorcycles on our showroom floor, and need to move them out! You won’t find cooler, cleaner or more custom bikes anywhere! Stop by today and see why Lifestyle Cycles is your #1 motorcycle destination!
From oil changes and repairs, to chrome and paint, and everything in between. Our highly trained service technicians have all the knowledge and skills necessary to bring new life into your bike. Don’t put it off any longer, get your bike down to our service department today. You won’t regret it!
We may bring you more on his report on Bikernet Baggers, then again, you never know. We may not hear from Art again until he surfaces in Thailand.
–Wrench
BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
New BDL EVO-3000 Installation
THANK YOU GENTS ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE SEAL, FOUND WHAT YOU MEANT ON THE WEB…NO ONE DOWN HERE WILL HELP THE POOR AS I DO THING FOR MYSELF…USE TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP UNTIL THEY SCRATCHED IT & NEVER PAID UP…CHEERS 🙂
–PLACEBO
THASKALA@HOTMAIL.COM
DOWN UNDER, vic, Australia
EASYRIDERS 2014 Bike Show Tour is rolling into Anaheim, CA on January 4, 2014 at the Anaheim Convention Center and into Sacramento, CA on January 11 & 12, 2014 at the Sacramento Convention Center– Witness hundreds of the planets hottest bikes on display as competitors compete for 59 total awards, cash, and the chance to have their bike featured in one of our magazines.
Meet Mark Boone “Bobby” from the #1 hit TV show Sons Of Anarchy signing autographs and taking pictures with guests. Meet the world’s top bike builders including Bagger Nation’s own Paul Yaffee. Dave Mann “Originals” will be on display as well as prints available for purchase. Other show features include the Purrfect Angelz from “America’s Got Talent” performing live, Easyriders Roadware Fashion Shows, live music, and more.
For complete event details, vendor info, and more please go to www.EasyridersEvents.com
Check out the 2013 Easyriders Sacramento Bike Show highlight video!
Check out the 2014 Easyriders Anaheim Bike Show radio commercial!
http://easyridersevents.com/audio/audio/2014anaheim-commercial.mp3
Check out the 2014 Easyriders Sacramento Bike Show radio commercial!
http://easyridersevents.com/audio/audio/2014sacramento-commercial.mp3
[page break]
BIKERNET 5-BALL RACING BELLY PAN ARRIVES IN TEXAS IN ONE PIECE—Kent Weeks, from Lucky Devil Metal Works in Houston, immediately called excitedly discussing the various construction elements. We are scouring the internet for the perfect aerodynamic front end.
Now the process begins to make this puppy sing onto the salt in grand style.
–Bandit
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY OPEN 24/7 LIKE DENNY’S RESTAURANTS, INCREDIBLE–
“Please?” Significant pause and oeillade. Eugene thought of his hopes with Rapunzel, of badly wanting to start a clean slate, baleful of all the miseries Laura had caused whenever they had resumed even a friendship…
Another coarse laugh, and another oeillade to the Princesses, showed me clearly enough how the Queen construed my relationship to Anne of England.
Oeillade entered English in the late 1500s from the French oeillide, and ultimately comes from the Latin ocuclus meaning “eye.”
23rd ANNUAL LAS VEGAS ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE AUCTION AND RACES–
• January 9-11, 2014 •
Visit our Website and become a
Bidder Today!
www.MidAmericaAuctions.com
The Auction catalog is currently on line.
–MidAmerica Auctions
MidAuction@aol.com
Phone: 651-633-9655
Fax: 651-633-3212
BREAKING NEWS: Michigan nullifies NDAA’s indefinite detention–NASHVILLE, December 27, 2013 — Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan signed Senate Bill No. 94 into law yesterday. The bill seeks to nullify section 1021 of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “It is important to recall that indefinite detention first appeared in section 1021 of the 2012 NDAA, which provided warrant for indefinite detention of U.S. citizens,” said Snyder.
Michigan State Senator Rick Jones says that no American citizen should fear being thrown in jail or prison without charges.
“Historically Michigan first asserted Tenth Amendment rights in 1855 when we passed a law to block the fugitive slave act,” says Jones. “I thought of this great history when I drafted and pushed this bill to nullify section 1021 of the NDAA within the state of Michigan.”
Maharrey suggests that the legislation should be expanded to include all people, not just U.S. citizens.
“After all, every person has a right to basic due process, no matter who they are or where they are from,” says Maharrey.
His final recommendation is that the bill be expanded to ban any future law or regulation that warrants indefinite detention, as the current bill is specific only to section 1021 of the 2012 NDAA.
Maharrey points out that the bill is a great first step.
“By including a caveat — if such aid would place that state agency, political subdivision, employee, or member of the Michigan national guard in violation of the United States constitution, the state constitution of 1963, or any law of this state — the bill is not an express prohibition. Rather, since no official determination has been made on such constitutionality as of yet, it leaves the decision of constitutionality to discretion. But, the new law does provide legal backing for those sheriffs, law enforcement officers, and other agencies and employees, who refuse to assist the federal government in such activities based on their own constitutional determination.”
–from Rogue
HAWAYA RACING PRODUCTS–
Our machine shop manufactures parts such as nitro carburetors, slipper clutches, injected nitro systems, racing engines, drive train components and turn-key drag racing motorcycles.
Check out www.hawayaracing.com/
Go to products, then tools.
–PSD
TOYOTA TO MARKET HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLE IN 2015– Toyota Unveils Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle
Sheikh Zaki Yamani the famous Saudi Arabian oil minister of the 1970s once said that the stone age came to an end not for a lack of stones but because the human race moved on. Similarly the oil industry will come to an end not for a lack of oil but because the human race would have moved on.
About 10 days ago a tectonic movement of sorts hit the world automotive industry. This is a game changer. A paradigm shift and a bold (and very expensive) breakthrough by the Toyota Motor Company of Japan.
They have introduced a production model car that runs on the hydrogen fuel cell. These cars will not need petrol or diesel anymore.
“A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. Hydrogen is the most common fuel. Fuel cells are different from batteries in that they require a constant source of fuel and oxygen/air to sustain the chemical reaction; however, fuel cells can produce electricity continually for as long as these inputs are supplied”
The hydrogen fuel cell engine does not use fuel oil at all. It uses hydrogen and oxygen both of which can be extracted from the air or through electrolysis of water (H2O). And here is the most interesting part – the hydrogen fuel cell has zero exhaust gases. The byproduct is water (H2O).
Now General Motors, Hyundai, Nissan and a host of other car makers have also announced their own hydrogen fuel cell vehicle programs. This is because if they do not innovate they will die.
A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will be more fuel efficient than a petrol driven car. A “litre” of hydrogen (or natural gas) should be a lot less cheaper than a litre of petrol. Plus it has 100% non exhaust gases (other than water). Since 40% of the world’s oil consumption goes into transportation (cars, ships, trains, planes) this hydrogen fuel cell technology will have a significant effect on oil consumption and automotive technology.
The stone age is coming to an end again – in the rest of the world.
–from Ray Russell
BIKERNET OPENS GOLF COURSE IN 2014–One morning three women are golfing on the fourth green at the club when suddenly a guy runs by wearing nothing but a bag over his head.
As he passes by the first woman, she looks down and says:
“Well, he’s certainly not my husband”.
As he passes by the second woman, she also glances at his genitalia and says:
“He’s not my husband either!”
He then passes by the third woman, who stares carefully as he runs by her:
“Wait a minute, she says. He’s not even a club member!”
–from Wags
BEAN’RE REPORT TO BIKERNET FROM VIETNAM–First day on the road in Vietnam
I was told to take highway 14 north because it is a great new highway and it is the best road. Getting out of the city of Ho Chi Minh proved to be difficult and then missing a turn, I almost went into Cambodia. When I finally got to 14, I was expecting something entirely different.
Road construction is going on in many places with no flagmen or safety devices. You just figure it out as you go and try not to get hit.
I was wondering who you would like me to submit my story? Here is my latest blog and I was going to write it this style with a lot of pictures. I’m not real computer savey.
http://www.everythingbeanre.com/2013/12/first-day-on-road-in-vietnam.html
NEW BIKERNET INVESTIGATION–This is Roslyn Wells and she is the Director of Outreach and Enrollment for the Heartland Community Health-care Center (HCHC) – and is “the only full-time Affordable Care Act navigator in Lawrence, (Kansas.)” according to the Lawrence Journal-World.
She’s in charge of Obamacare in her part of Kansas , meaning she has access to information like Social Security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, checking account information, age and other private information on anyone who signs onto the Healthcare.gov website. (Which you have to input FIRST.)
She also has an outstanding warrant for her arrest for writing bad checks at Midwest Checkrite, Inc…see that above??
But that’s not all. Her financial history also includes a bankruptcy in 2003, the 2007 charge from that local check cashing business, she is more than $1700 behind on her state tax bill, and has an outstanding arrest warrant in nearby Shawnee County. Shawnee County can’t discuss the charges (no doubt because the investigation is currently ongoing) –WHILE SHE IS RUNNING THE KANSAS OBAMACARE OFFICE.
Don’t you just want to sign right up?? House Oversight Committee issued a report only two weeks ago warning that navigators would not be properly vetted to protect consumers. (Hmmm, guess they were right…)
The report pointed out navigators would have access to all sorts of personal data. (Oh, oops! Guess the White House missed that.)
“The main concern for consumers is the heightened risk of identity theft and financial loss from a poorly managed outreach campaign,” the Oversight Committee report said. “Navigators and Assisters will come into contact with a plethora of personally identifiable information (PII), including an applicant’s Social Security number, date of birth and income, as well as the PII of
everyone in an applicant’s household.”
By the way, with your name, date of birth and SS#, you’re toast. It is the basis of identity theft.
You couldn’t escape, even by moving to Costa Rica . You’re dead meat.
I used to work in Human Resources, and the first thing we checked before hiring was a person’s arrest record. And I worked in a store! Clearly, security for us was much more important than Obamacare’s!!
Don’t believe me?
Check it out here: http://dailycaller.com/2013/10/14/obamacare-navigator-in-kansas-has-outstanding-arrest-warrant/
NEBRASKA CITY MAN INVENTS MOTORCYCLE STIRRUPS– Love of motorcycles and horse riding inspires invention heading for Harley Davidson shelves.
Nebraska City, Devin Santana, has a contagious smile, but he was struggling to find it while rolling down the countryside on his motorcycle and thinking about the horse he had lost when he moved into town. He and his wife Sarah started Nebraska City Iron Works in 1993, but their recent move from a rural acreage meant new homes had to be found for their horses.
Santana earned his living erecting steel rebar for the concrete construction industry, but says he enjoyed a lot of life on the back of his white quarterhorse named Dude. Somewhere between recalling the lyrics of Bon Jovi’s song, “on a steel horse I ride,” and a love for Harley-Davidson stretching as far as America’s roadways can take him, Santana turned his predicament into an invention.
“I saw my foot on the peg going down the highway and the idea came to me. People called Harley Davidson motorcycles hogs for some reason, I’ve never understood it, but that’s not what they are. They’re iron horses, the songwriter says they’re steel horses,” he said.
The moment he arrived back the Iron Works shop on Sixth Street he called to his son Dylan and started work to design his first “motorcycle stirrup.” “I’ve been tying steel since I was 16, it’s all I have ever known, but I have also been riding motorcycles since I was 16,” he said.
A few years ago he custom built a motorcycle with handle bars made of rebar, the steel rods used to strengthen concrete, but the stirrups would need stainless steel and a way to attach them to the bikes. Santana got a stirrup from the Fort Western Store in Nebraska City, drilled space to fit the mount on a motorcycle crash bar and within two hours had his first motorcycle stirrup.
On his first ride with the new invention, Santana said he found they were more than just a novelty, but actually a safety improvement. He said motorcycle riders have to keep their legs somewhat tense as their feet rest on the pegs.
Over long distances, riders need to stretch their legs, but Santana said it poses a risk because a bump in the rode could cause their foot to slip. It cold be disastrous, he said, if their foot makes contact with the roadway below.?With the stirrup, he said, the foot has more support and the rider can stretch out with confidence and style. He took his motorcycle and stirrups to Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson in Omaha and said he was thrilled with the reaction.
“They all came out and sat on the bike and put their feet in the stirrups. They said you have a million dollar idea here, you need to patent it,” he said.
You can’t patent the stirrup, which has been made since the domestication of the horse and used widely in medieval times, but Santana’s invention has a locking mechanism so it can be adjusted to the rider’s liking.
He said manufacturing the stirrups posed a new set of obstacles, primarily the discovering that stirrup manufacturing is usually done overseas. Santana found a metal worker in Pickrell, Neb., Twisted Metal Works, and said he was relieved to achieve a product made entirely in America.
Santana is hoping his Motorycle Stirrups Inc. will have sales all around the world, but he has his smile beaming just to have them on the shelves at the Harley Davidson store. “It’s amazing to have something I made, something that comes right here from Nebraska City on the shelves at Harley Davidson,” he said. “People are going to love these. They belong on a Harley,” he said.
By Dan Swanson
–from Rogue
JUST ONE MORE BAD JOKE– Panties: Not the best thing on earth, but next to the best thing on earth.
–from Rogue and Jerry
5-BALL APPAREL LINE EXPANDING—Watch for our new leathers and new logo in the shop this week.
First the team expanded with Andrew and his wife, then our t-shirt line entered the J&P catalog, and now Jeff Najar and Bob Kay’s highly researched and super cool leather line recently became apart of the team.
LOCAL LAWMAKER CLOSES MOTORCYCLE LICENSE LOOPHOLE–Seth Grove People who perpetually renew their motorcyclist permits to avoid having to take the state’s motorcycle safety course will soon have their strategy derailed.
A bill to limit the number of times people can renew their permits passed both chambers of the Legislature and was signed by Gov. Tom Corbett on Monday. House Bill 892, introduced by Rep. Seth Grove, R-Dover Township, passed the House and Senate with little dissent and with the support of all York County lawmakers.
Under current law, riders are charged a $10 fee for a permit and must pass vision screenings and knowledge tests. They’re only permitted to ride in daylight and can’t carry passengers.
The permit is valid for one year, but some motorcyclists apply for it year after year so they are never required to take the safety course that’s required to receive the full four-year license, said Charles Umbenhauer, spokesman for the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education.
He said the group supports the bill, under which the number of permits issued to a person would be limited to three in a five-year period.
“Right now it’s unlimited,” he said. “They could do it forever.”
Matter of safety: The class, which is free, gives new motorcyclists important safety information and training that increases their safety on the road, Umbenhauer said. They learn how to properly brake and steer and avoid dangerous situations, he said.
Class M licenses are renewed every four years, but motorcyclists must only take and pass the course one time, he said.
Umbenhauer said the legislation is a continuation of other safety measures for which the organization has pushed.
Grove also introduced legislation that, when signed into law last year, required minors who hold motorcycle permits to successfully complete a free 15-hour riding course.
“We have been dealing with individuals who continually violate the restrictions of motorcycle permits because they treat permits like actual licenses,” Grove said. “Permits are temporary, and their purpose is to get riders to obtain full driver’s licenses. This legislation will enable riders to learn properly while pushing them to actually get their motorcycle licenses.”
—CHRISTINA KAUFFMAN The York Dispatch
–from Rogue
ANOTHER YEAR CLOSING OUT—It’s incredible. I have one more confession. It’s not really a confession, but we have another product we stumbled into several years ago. It is not directly involved with motorcycling, but could help folks all over the world. It is also built overseas, in Australia.
I have known the mastermind behind this effort for over 15 years, Ray Russell. His water separator kills or suspends bacteria in water. We are running water tests here in the United States through the labs at Test America. If we can document the usefulness of this product, we might be able to save water used in chrome shops, chicken farms, you name it. Plus we might be able to save these shops and industries tons of cash in the process. So, we can’t give up on this effort until we prove it’s effectiveness and make it available, or not.
All the rest of our efforts are pure motorcycle, custom motorcycle, and redheads. The redhead of redheads is headed this way for the New Year’s celebration. She was the forth Mrs. Ball. At over 50, she’s working on her masters degree at Portland, State, and then will face attempting to start a career at that age. It’s tough, but she will do it.
We are also going to announce a Bikernet product over the next couple of weeks. We are all excited about it, and will be working on the jigs later this afternoon in the shop. Hang on for reports. This will blow your mind.
Next week, we will bring you a report on the Long Beach Ultimate Builder Show, our first 650 ATK report, and finally the Rivera Primo headlight tech, sorta. It’s a mess, but you’ll get the picture.
Have a helluva new year, and make every minute count.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
