Hey,
I’m scrambling to ride out of town, sort out a business deal, help my grandson fix his Dyna, and get his FXR registered, make progress on my 1916 Sculpture project, write three articles, deal with accounting, feed the dogs, and what the hell did I do? I started to build another Harley.
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown and BorntoRide.com, Sturgis Museum.
MOTORCYCLE CAUCUS UPDATE–
Some positive news out of our nation’s Capital. Today, Senators Joni Ernst and Gary Peters, two of Capitol Hill’s biggest biker enthusiasts, are launching the Senate’s first-ever bipartisan Motorcycle Caucus. The caucus will focus on issues impacting both riders and manufacturers.
On his website, Senator Peters, a friend of ABATE of Michigan and the MRF, said this of the launch:
“Motorcyclists come from all walks of life, and I can’t think of a better way to bring together a diverse and dedicated group of advocates to discuss everything from safety concerns to manufacturing. I’m looking forward to working with Senator Ernst as co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Motorcycle Caucus to foster these important discussions and find common ground with motorcycle lovers across the country.”
As a reminder, the House of Representatives also has a Motorcycle Caucus, chaired by Reps. Tim Walberg and Michael Burgess. Their caucus recently made a push for more members….see the attached letter.
The MRF is pleased with the activities in the Senate and looks forward to working with both caucuses on our 2017 legislative agenda.
–Megan J. Ekstrom
Vice-President, Government Affairs & Public Relations
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
Phone: (202) 725-5471
Fax: (202) 546-0986
www.mrf.org
MEMPHIS SHADE FAIRING TECH— Here are the initial part numbers, although we made some adjustments to the final order.
Fairing, mounting bracket, headlight relocation bracket and windshield:
2330-0165
2320-0194
2320-0195
2001-1362
2350-0447
Rob Scroggie is going to mount this fairing on his FXR and we will cover it on Bikernet in the near future.
Hang on.
–Wrench
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK– SignalWear Transforms the Motorcycle Safety Industry with The World’s First ‘Smart’ Motorcycle Gloves, Giving Riders Added Visibility, Now Available on Kickstarter
Share Article
After an accident, motorcycle rider of more than 20 years creates a new way for motorcyclists to be seen by other drivers and reduce collisions, and help bikers avoid distracted driving with a special, handsfree Bluetooth navigation app
News Image
The motorcycle safety industry hasn’t evolved since the introduction of motorcycle helmets in the early 1900’s…with the introduction of SignalWear, we are moving the safety industry into the future.
SignalWear, the world’s first smart gloves to help motorcyclists signal lane changes and turns more visually to other drivers, launched today on Kickstarter.
“SignalWear’s Smart Signal Blinking Gloves automatically blink when you change lanes or turn, which is when most deadly motorcycle accidents happen,” said SignalWear CEO and Co-Founder Troy De Baca. “Since the rider’s gloves are higher than the turn-signals on the bike, the flashing is more in the line of vision for other drivers, providing added safety to motorcycle riders – especially when they’re navigating in a crowded, urban environment.”
De Baca emphasizes that the reason SignalWear is a Smart Glove is because the gloves already contain built-in technology that can be unlocked. Riders have the option to upgrade and use the SignalWear GPS App to help them navigate when they travel without looking away from the road, reducing distractions and affording motorcyclists an extra degree of safety.
De Baca says that as SignalWear gains more interest and support through the Kickstarter campaign, more smart features will be activated on the gloves.
SignalBox – Another glove-activation mode that is hardwired into the motorcycle’s existing blinker system, signaling the glove to blink in conjunction with the turn signal.
With enough funding, SignalWear will introduce The Navigators – Heads Up, Hands Free GPS Navigation: SignalWear Gloves coupled with the functionality of “The Lane Changer” will alert the rider of upcoming turns and lane changes through vibration. This technology links via Bluetooth to a navigational phone app, which vibrates via haptic motors.
For more information, visit http://www.signalwear.co/.
5-BALL RACING TESTIMONIAL– Hey Bandit.
I got my 5/8 Jak shirt on Saturday, and I love it. Sizing is damn near perfect. I appreciate all the swag too. I will most likely buy another one in Xl, to fit over a hoodie or something. Very sweet piece of gear.
Thanks for everything.
— Ellis Peterson 
CHOPPERTOWN DEAL OF THE WEEK– Just a reminder, the special deal for this title ends tomorrow so grab it today before the price goes up! Flake and Flames raided their vault and put together an incredible collection of 20 short films of the stars of the original Flake and Flames movie and it’s all been wrapped up together in Flake and Flames Overdrive together with the original film!
Twenty shorts, plus the original film all together = over 4 hours of Kustom Kontent. Today is the last day to grab it for only $14.95 – (price goes up to $19.95 tomorrow night). Support the Flake and Flames guys and grab your Overdrive bundle today.
–Stay independent,
Zack and Scott
Flake and Flames Overdrive
Cackling Pipes
www.facebook.com
Holy Crap! At Radial Revenge Tour from Tulsa Raceway Park.
–El Waggs
THE BIKERNET THOUGHT FACTORY– Is Profiling OK?
By Walter E.Williams
Profiling is needlessly a misunderstood concept. What’s called profiling is part of the optimal stock of human behavior and something we all do. Let’s begin by describing behavior that might come under the heading of profiling.
Prior to making decisions, people seek to gain information. To obtain information is costly, requiring the expenditure of time and/or money. Therefore, people seek to find ways to economize on information costs. Let’s try simple examples.
You are a manager of a furniture moving company and seek to hire 10 people to load and unload furniture onto and off trucks. Twenty people show up for the job, and they all appear to be equal except by sex. Ten are men, and 10 are women. Whom would you hire?
You might give them all tests to determine how much weight they could carry under various conditions, such as inclines and declines, and the speed at which they could carry. To conduct such tests might be costly. Such costs could be avoided through profiling — that is, using an easily observable physical attribute, such as a person’s sex, as a proxy for unobserved attributes, such as endurance and strength. Though sex is not a perfect predictor of strength and endurance, it’s reliable.
Imagine that you’re a chief of police. There has been a rash of auto break-ins by which electronic equipment has been stolen. You’re trying to capture the culprits. Would you have your officers stake out and investigate residents of senior citizen homes?
What about spending resources investigating men and women 50 years of age or older? I’m guessing there would be greater success capturing the culprits by focusing police resources on younger people — and particularly young men. The reason is that breaking in to autos is mostly a young man’s game.
Should charges be brought against you because, as police chief, you used the physical attributes of age and sex as a crime tool? Would it be fair for people to accuse you of playing favorites by not using investigative resources on seniors and middle-aged adults of either sex even though there is a non-zero chance that they are among the culprits?
Physicians routinely screen women for breast cancer and do not routinely screen men. The American Cancer Society says that the lifetime risk of men getting breast cancer is about 0.1 percent. Should doctors and medical insurance companies be prosecuted for the discriminatory practice of prescribing routine breast cancer screening for women but not for men?
Some racial and ethnic groups have higher incidence and mortality from various diseases than the national average. The rates of death from cardiovascular diseases are about 30 percent higher among black adults than among white adults. Cervical cancer rates are five times greater among Vietnamese women in the U.S. than among white women. Pima Indians of Arizona have the world’s highest known diabetes rates. Prostate cancer is nearly twice as common among black men as it is among white men.
Using a cheap-to-observe attribute, such as race, as a proxy for a costly-to-observe attribute, such as the probability of some disease, can assist medical providers in the delivery of more effective medical services. For example, just knowing that a patient is a black man causes a physician to be alert to the prospect of prostate cancer.
The unintelligent might call this racial profiling, but it’s really prostate cancer profiling.
In the real world, there are many attributes correlated with race and sex. Jews are 3 percent of the U.S. population but 35 percent of our Nobel Prize winners. Blacks are 13 percent of our population but about 74 percent of professional basketball players and about 69 percent of professional football players.
Male geniuses outnumber female geniuses 7-to-1. Women have wider peripheral vision than men. Men have better distance vision than women.
The bottom line is that people differ significantly by race and sex. Just knowing the race or sex of an individual may on occasion allow us to guess about something not readily observed.
Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University.
–from Rogue
Interesting, but full of holes. Motorcyclists are black, white, Hispanic, young, old, Jewish, you name it. So, why are they profiled?
–Bandit
NEWS FROM THE JIMS MACHINE GROUP TO A BIKERNET READER— I’m really considering replacing my ‘05 deuce twin cam 88 with a 120 JIMS
Does the 120 have the auto compression relief valves or do you have to have relief valves installed, also would like to know the cost of these engines & if I ordered one can I get the jugs diamond cut I know that
would be extra.
I do realize that i’d have the change transmission over to the Screamin’ Eagle race. Would this engine require a high torque
starter & the bigger 64mm intake?
If you can i’d like to get a quote on a
120 w/diamond cut jugs, & any information on anything else that would be require to change my bike over to the 120 engine.
Thank you
–Jeff Jewel
Thank you for your e-mail. JIMS 120-inch engines mount very nicely to your 2005 Softail Deuce. As for upgrading your transmission, JIMS Fast-5 would be an unmatched pairing.
JIMS Fat-5 Overdrive Transmission.
This is a powerful 5-speed overdrive transmission manufactured for big horsepower, which JIMS 120 Race Engine has! This transmission has gears that are 18-53% wider over stock. The transmission is also constant mesh, so you don’t have any parasitic power loss from dragging a gear across a shaft to change gears.
JIMS Fat 5 uses shift ring technology to change gears, much like the Screamin’ Eagle 6-Speed. JIMS Fat-5 transmission is a true overdrive transmission as 4th gear is 1 : 1 and 5th gear is .886 : 1, overdrive.
JIMS Fat 5 Transmission Part No. 8274. Retail Price $ 3,201.70. Please let me know if you have further questions.
JIMS manufactures these engines. Our cases are true Twin Cam cases and you will not have to reroute any of your oiling. These engines drop right in and mount right up to your transmission and frame. You can see our engines in the Screamin Eagle Catalog at your local Harley Davidson Dealer.
JIMS Race Engine Specs.
• 120” 4 1/2 Stroke x 4.125” Bore
• Intake Valve 2.120”
• Exhaust Valve 1.625”
• Compression Ratio 10.5:1
• ARP Cylinder Studs
• ARP Case Bolts
• Timken Bearing
• Black or Chrome High Lift Rocker Covers
• JIMS Roller Rocker Arms
• Billet Cam Support Plate
• CNC Ported Heads
• JIMS Forged Pistons
• Increased Press & Welded Flywheels
• Forged Rocker Support Plates
• Screamin’ Eagle High Flow Oil Pump
• Hydraulic Cam Chain Tensioners
JIMS 120″ Softail Race Engine $7950.99
Diamond Cut $ 1025.00
Automatic Compression $ 116.10
Shipping Estimate $300.00
JIMS Engines have a 1 year warranty. I have attached an order form and price list. Please let me know if you have further questions.
Check out JIMS new YouTube Channel!!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbD_QxUn1pbjaHkFRvy2GBw
— Margot Durham
Technical /Sales
Phone: 805-482-6913 Ext. 123
Direct: 805-322-9141
Fax: 805-482-9224
Note: JIMS is closed every other Friday.
http://www.jimsusa.com/index.php
http://statigr.am/jimsusa
www.facebook.com/pages/JIMS/337270619646
http://www.linkedin.com/company/2567643
“Our goal is to have our customer service exceed your expectations every time”.
SPECTRO OIL FOR INDIANS— I know when guys stumble across an unfamiliar model of bike you can be intimidated by manufacturer claims. So, this week I checked with Spectro Oils. Do they make oils for Indians?
“Of course,” said Joe Russo from Spectro. “We make a perfect manufacturer called-for 10-60 Semi-Synthetic for Scouts.” They also make a compatible 15-50 Semi-Synthetic for the Chiefs and the whole line of big twin Indians.
So, if you’re a Spectro fan and want to use Spectro oils in your new Indian, go for it. You’re covered.
–Wrench
LATEST FROM BRASS BALLS– Our Piston-Helmet Ignition Cover is the latest example of our commitment to design cool parts for your bike.
A skilled artisan expertly sculpted our Piston/Helmet logo by hand to create the molds used to cast these covers.
Once cast they are carefully “antiqued” creating an organic patina-like finish.
Resulting in an ignition cover like no other, and a great addition to your bike.
Fitment: HD Twin Cam, EVO, Sportster 2004-up, Sportster 2003-earlier.
$39.95 MSRP
Order direct from our site http://store.BrassBallsCycles.com or from one of our Super Fine Dealers.
QUICK, OPEN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY– A balding, white haired man walked into a jewelry store this past Friday evening with a beautiful much younger gal at his side. He told the jeweler he was looking for a special ring for his girlfriend.
The jeweler looked through his stock and brought out a $5,000 ring.
The man said, ‘No, I’d like to see something more special.’
At that statement, the jeweler went to his special stock and brought another ring over. ‘Here’s a stunning ring at only $40,000
the jeweller said.
The lady’s eyes sparkled and her whole body trembled with excitement. The old man seeing this said, ‘We’ll take it.’
The jeweler asked how payment would be made and the man stated, ‘By check. I know you need to make sure my check is good, so I’ll write it now and you can call the bank Monday to verify the funds; I’ll pick the ring up Monday afternoon.’
On Monday morning, the jeweler angrily phoned the old man and said ‘Sir…There’s no money in that account.
”I know,’ said the old man…’But let me tell you about my weekend.’
Not All Seniors Are Senile…
–El Waggs
NASCAR RETURNS TO IRWINDALE:
FULL CARD SET FOR SATURDAY NIGHT
Irwindale, Calif. – – After an early start ( way back on March 11) for the track’s premiere division (the Pick Your Part Late Models), and a special event featuring “touring pros” from both the K&N Pro Series West and the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series … it’s back to some great “live and local” NASCAR Home Track races at Irwindale this Saturday night, April 8th.
With one down and 19 to go (including a double-points finale on November 23) Nick Joanides from Woodland Hills has the max number of Irwindale race points after his name with 50. Right behind him is last year’s champion Agoura Hills’ own Trevor Huddleston with 48.
Last season a promising rookie in the Pick Your Part machines, and this year with a “podium” in the first race out the box … young Ryan Vargas, from La Mirada, with 46 points looks like he’s serious about winning some races this year.
Crowd favorite Toni McCray (Highland) will back in the Late Models this year and Karting champ Jagger Jones (Scottsdale, AZ), grandson of the legendary Parnelli Jones, and son of racing champion PJ Jones begins his big car racing career in the LMs. Irwindale 2016 Bandolero points champ Kayla Eshelman from Fontana now competes in the Late Models as well. That trio finished 5th, 9th, and 12th respectively in the division back on opening night.
This Saturday night the Pick Your Part Late Models will start their regimen of “twin” events: two separate races (one early, one late and BOTH pay 50 points each). The racecraft involved there dictates that a driver needs to race hard and finish well in the first race without doing any sort of irreparable damage to the race car.
And, of course hurting a car badly enough to not finish the first race and then not even be able to start the second, puts a very big dent in the points all during only one trip to the track very early in the season. Conversely doing well in both events makes the road to a Whelen All-American Championship look pretty bright early-on.
Of course every short track fan knows the secret is speed and smarts and on a half-mile track like Irwindale it’s easy to see that strategy play out in each race. Aggressiveness edged with savvy is the order of the day in every race at Irwindale … And the fans really love it and keep coming back for more!
On Saturday night the Seidner’s Collision Centers Irwindale Race Trucks, the touring Race Car Factory Spec Late Models, INEX Legends Cars, and Bandoleros will each be starting their own chase for a 2017 track championship at the track that they call “LA” Half-Mile SuperSpeedway”.
GET OUT TO THE TRACK EARLY!: Gates open to the fans at 4PM, with the track’s special “up close and personal” On-Track Autograph Session (PARTY) at 5:45PM (where everyone is a kid in a candy store), and racing firing off at 7PM on the dot.
Discounted tickets are available on-line at right up until midnight on Friday. They not only save $5 per ticket adult ticket, but time by not waiting in line to buy (full price) tickets on raceday…
[page break]
All true! Every bit of it. It’s just whatever you’re willing to put up with,…I guess.
— Pauly D.
Chicago, IL
ULTIMATE MOTOGP PACKAGE UP FOR AUCTION WITH CHARITYSTARS.COM
The MotoGP season has got underway and there has been some exciting racing so far, with Maverick Vinales currently holding top spot and motorbike legend Valentino Rossi in third place.
CharityStars, the world’s leading charity auction website, is offering the ultimate package to see all the action from the inside in the USA from 21 – 23, April, Spain from 5 – 7 May, Malaysia from 27 – 29 October and Japan from 13 – 15 October. At the same time as getting a privileged view of what is arguably the most thrilling form of motorsport in the world, these auctions directly benefit life-saving charities.
The packages include a pair of paddock passes for the race weekend, which are not for sale anywhere else, giving you the opportunity to look behind-the-scenes of MotoGP and see the current riders up close as they prepare for the race weekend ahead.
Proceeds from these auctions will support Two Wheels for Life, which is the official charity of MotoGP and the Fédération Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM). Thanks to their support, Two Wheels for Life runs events that give racing fans once in a lifetime opportunities in the world of motorsport, including exclusive bike-based experiences and auctions of memorabilia from the stars.
The funds raised will support the work of Riders for Health International and African programmes to ensure that life-saving healthcare gets to rural communities, thanks to the use of well-maintained motorcycles.
The USA auction closes on April 6, while the Spain, Malaysia and Japan auctions close on 20 April. For more information and to enter please visit: https://www.charitystars.com/tag/twowheelsforlife-en
NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL MOTORIST ASSOCIATION– Alexander City, Alabama has agreed to give $680,000 to nearly 200 people who were jailed because they were too poor to pay their court fines. The suit filed in September 2015 by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) claimed that the town ran “a modern-day debtors prison.” Indigent debtors served time in the municipal jail to pay off fines at the rate of $20 per day.
Alexander City’s lawyer Larkin Radley said that almost as soon as the suit was filed the city of 15,000 immediately changed its policies to allow poor people to pay fines either in installments or through community work. Although the city moved quickly to reform its jail system, the two sides needed a mediator to agree on how much to pay the plaintiffs in the class-action.
SPLC Deputy Legal Director Sam Brooke said that he hopes this suit and the settlement reached will encourage other court systems similar to Alexander City to change. He added, “The thing about modern-day debtors’ prisons is you never know where they’re going to be. They happen in places with local jurisdictions that have little oversight. That’s the only way a modern-day debtors prison can flourish. It only happens with people who are otherwise not accountable and no one is paying attention to them.”
In 1983, a U.S. Supreme Court decision banned jailing people because they cannot afford to pay fines. This standard has been eroding as more local governments have been using ticket fines to bolster revenues which has led to the jailing of more people who can’t pay.
This pernicious money grab by cities has ruined lives. When motorists cannot pay their traffic fines, they are faced with losing their driver’s licenses, their jobs, their housing and can go to jail. Trying to dig out of this spiral of poverty can be devastating to families.
One of the plaintiffs in the Alabama case is mother of five, Amanda Underwood, who was jailed twice for failing to pay traffic fines. According to court documents, Underwood will receive $15,000 and she said in an interview she plans to use the money to get back her suspended driver’s license and to find stable housing. She added, “I just want to get my life back with my children.”
In more than a dozen states – Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington – civil rights groups have filed suits targeting court systems in large cities and smaller communities such as Alexander City. Ferguson, Missouri is one of the most notorious examples of a court system that emphasized revenue over justice.
One year ago, the America Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) testified before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights hearing on Municipal Policing and Courts: A Search for Justice or a Quest for Revenue. In their statement, the ACLU outlined 10 best practice reforms of Policing for Profit based on measures brought about by a suit in Biloxi, Mississippi.
1) Elimination of for-profit probation.
2) Adoption of Detailed court procedures and a “Bench Card”
3) Judge’s consideration of ability to pay at sentencing.
4) Establishment of a full-time public defender’s office.
5) Termination of failure-to-pay warrants and establishment of compliance hearings.
6) Alternatives to incarceration without additional participation fees.
7) Adoption of a clear standard for determining the inability to pay.
8) Limitation on jail for non-payment.
9) Limitation on third-party collections.
10) Robust procedural protections before reporting of nonpayment pursuant to driver’s license suspension.
The NMA would like to add a Number 11 to the ACLU list: Cessation of predatory enforcement practices in locations where sound traffic engineering principles aren’t applied.
Modern-day debtors’ prisons need to stop and so does policing for profit. Perhaps the best way for this to happen is by filing more legal actions against cities to bring their policies to light.
–NMA
Billy Lane’s Inaugural Sons of Speed Race Report
How many laps? What kind of times? I know this is a unique race, but no one has reported on it like it was an actual racing event. Over eighty? Were there any actual times or speeds recorded? DNF’s, accidents, break downs?
–Sam
Texas
Hey Sam, did this cover it? http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=13217
–Bandit
ANTIQUE MOTORCYLE CLUB OF AMERICA NEWS– Did you know that you can keep up with Chapter Events by going to the AMCA Website and clicking on “Chapters” then “Chapter Events” to see what’s going on in your area?
If your Chapter is planning an event for the Summer and you want listed, please send the event poster or flyer to AMCA Executive Director
Johnny’s Vintage Motorcycle Company in Wadsworth, Ohio has been in business for 33 years now. Johnny got his start racing, then working on older Harley-Davidsons, building, collecting, etc. As we built our business the Kawasaki focus took hold, and we started buying out old motorcycle dealers and shops. As parts became obsolete, they were of no value to the dealer, and actually cost money to keep them on their shelves.
We were also buying many Kaw 900 parts, and Triple parts off of ex-Kawasaki drag racers. Our very talented Japanese mechanic has been with me for over 20 years now, and we’ve built our business around the Kawasaki 4 cylinder, 1973-80 as well as the Kawasaki Triples from 1969-76.
Once our obsolete parts started to run low we began reproducing vintage Kawasaki parts such as bolts, tool box trays, lock washers, etc. If it was metal, we were having it specially reproduced, and all in northeast Ohio. We also have gaskets reproduced and have aluminum parts refurbished locally. I am a true believer in keeping the jobs here in Ohio.
Metro Detroit Chapter
May 7th – 9:00am – 2:00pm
1st Annual Motorcycle Swap Meet
Waterford, Michigan
Click on MDC logo for details or call Dustin @ (810) 533-4746 or email at MetroDetroitAMCA@gmail.com
Binks Carburetors
10% Discount for AMCA Members
Up to 15% Discount to AMCA Members
All new Kiwi Indian Riders Instruction Book by Mike Kiwi Tomas. 14.99
Oil Filters $9.99
Kiwi designed performance pistons $64.99 ea (includes rings, pin, clips)
Discount with Active AMCA Membership
The Automatic Brake Light
that has your Back
10% Discount to AMCA Members
MEMBER’S RIDES
“The Pioneer Woman”
By: Bonnie French
Member #28907
People ask. “What is a Pioneer Woman?” For 24 days last summer, I rode my 1947, 74-inch Flathead Harley- Davidson (Sonny) west from Dinwiddie, Virginia to Pickerington, Ohio to The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Then, I traveled
to Colorado Springs’ Pikes Peak, honoring the Pioneer Women of motorcycling 100 years ago. I wanted to see if I could master Pikes Peak, which is over 14,000 ft. I made it to the 13,000 feet because Sonny, my Flathead, was tired. Then I continued on to the West Coast, San Diego.
Everyone knows what Pioneer Motorcyclist means, but I want to live it, breathe it, eat it and sleep it so that I could experience it. They rode on dirt. I rode asphalt. They had knobby tires to ride the dirt. I had modern tires for today’s highways. I slept on the ground and on the asphalt, in alleys on dirt, and sometimes in people’s houses when offered. I ate out of cans and also what people offered.
If you would like to have your bike featured, please submit up to four photos and information about your bike and yourself to AMCA Executive Director, Keith Kizer.
Want more information? Visit our website for more Chapter information or check out the Forum to see the latest discussions on topics that are pinpointed to your interest.
Like us on Facebook View on Instagram
AMCA Website
Join AMCA
Community Forum
AMCA Judging
National Meets & Road Runs
Sample the Magazine
Who Are We
In 1993 I led the club to Westerville, Ohio, the original site of the Hall of Fame, and accepted a plaque for the York Motor Company Employees. From this, other branches of the club were formed.
I would like to say Thanks to:
The Red Knights of Virginia promoters
All my friends and family from Virginia
My son, David and my granddaughter, Lilly.
Bonnie at her California destination
BA Enterprise for support of all travel parts.
Café Custom Cycle for knowledge and sponsor for future race
Black Top Choppers and staff
Blue Star Cycle and staff
Antique Motorcycle Club of America
Departure Bikeworks and staff
Tuttles Family and Friends
The West Family
Athens Harley-Davidson in Ohio.
Small Engines in Petersburg and staff.
If you would like to contribute to the “Member’s Ride” section, please contact AMCA Executive Director, Keith Kizer.
.jpg)
THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRAY IS STILL OPEN– When people see a cat’s litter box they always say, “Oh, have you got a cat?” Just once I want to say, “No, it’s for company!”
Two men were sitting next to each other at Murphy’s Pub in London. After awhile, one bloke looks at the other and says, “I can’t help but think, from listening to you, that you’re from Ireland.”
The other bloke responds proudly, “Yes, that I am!”
The first one says, “So am I! And where about from Ireland might you be?”
The other bloke answers, “I’m from Dublin , I am.”
The first one responds, “So am I!”
“Mother Mary and begora. And what street did you live on in Dublin?”
The other bloke says, “A lovely little area it was. I lived on McCleary Street in the old central part of town.”
The first one says, “Faith and it’s a small world. So did I! So did I! And to what school would you have been going?”
The other bloke answers, “Well now, I went to St. Mary’s, of course.”
The first one gets really excited and says, “And so did I. Tell me, what year did you graduate?”
The other bloke answers, “Well, now, let’s see. I graduated in 1964.”
The first one exclaims, “The Good Lord must be smiling down upon us! I can hardly believe our good luck at winding up in the same place tonight. Can you believe it, I graduated from St. Mary’s in 1964 my own self!”
About this time, Vicky walks up to the bar, sits down and orders a drink.
Brian, the barman, walks over to Vicky, shaking his head and mutters, “It’s going to be a long night tonight.”
Vicky asks, “Why do you say that, Brian?”
“The Murphy twins are drunk again.”
— from Rogue and Sidehack Jerry
LAS VEGAS BIKEFEST NEWS–
We are very proud to announce that Las Vegas BikeFest has been selected to be part of the AMA 2017 National Gypsy Tour Series. One of the original experiences in motorcycling; gypsy tours are gatherings of riders from all over the country, converging upon a single destination. And one of the destinations will be Las Vegas BikeFest.
If you are not familiar, go to AMA National Gypsy Tour Series. I know you will agree this will bring a tremendous amount of riders to our event from all over the country.
I hope you are as excited about the Gypsy Tour as I am. Please contact me to sign up for your booth today or click here www.LasVegasBikeFest.com/buyabooth to complete the application.
–Mindi
Las Vegas BikeFest
www.LasVegasBikeFest.com
P: 702-216-5832 | E: mcherry@LasVegasBikeFest.com
P. S. Please take a look at our overview map. We’re assigning booths next month, so don’t waste a minute. If you have not signed up for booth space yet, the time is now as we have already sold 40% more vendors than at this time last year
17th Annual Las Vegas BikeFest – October 5 – 8, 2017
[page break]
Government Threatening To Revoke Biker Bar Licenses Nationally–
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) of Virginia recently sent 30 letters to bars and restaurants in the Central part of the state warning that their licenses could be revoked for allowing Outlaw Motorcycle Gang members to patronize their establishments.1 Although not directly demanding action in the form of “no motorcycle club colors” policies, that is the intended result of this coercion.
Government discrimination is illegal in any form. Wearing motorcycle club colors, including those labeled OMG’s by law enforcement, is protected by the 1st Amendment. Independently, coercing bar owners violates their constitutional right to pursue an occupation as established by case law.
Unfortunately, what’s happening in Virginia is a national epidemic occurring in states coast-to-coast. The unconstitutional practice of government agents coercing public establishments that serve club members must stop. The 1st and 14th Amendments demand it.
Law Enforcement Coercion Is A National Epidemic
According to the National Motorcycle Profiling Survey 2015-2016, an alarming 42% of survey participants reported knowing of a business being forced not serve club members. Forms of harassment and coercion includes excessive code enforcement violations, threatening denial or renewal of liquor license and or permits, and police harassment of customers and business owners.
Motorcycle Club Colors and the 1st Amendment
There is a fundamental friction between the idea that wearing motorcycle club colors is expressive conduct protected by the 1st Amendment and the idea that motorcycle club colors are gang colors that represent a threat to the public environment. The ABC in Virginia, like agencies across the country, justify pressuring bars to not allow members of motorcycle clubs labeled OMG’s to patronize their establishments based on a generalized gang stereotype or historical actions of other members.
Although maintaining a safe environment is definitely in the state’s interest, federal case precedent says that government restrictions on motorcycle club colors are unreasonable, and therefore unconstitutional, “absent a showing in the record of an actual (or realistic threat of) interference or disruption.” Any restrictions must be narrow and “specific to particular cases involving rival organizations.”
The government pressuring for a general access ban on persons wearing motorcycle club clothing (including clubs labeled OMG’s) would therefore be an unreasonable restriction on 1st Amendment expression.
Federal Case Precedent Specific To MC Colors
The longtime Supreme Court Precedent case Cohen v. California (1971) says individuals have the 1st Amendment right to wear clothing, which displays writing or designs free from unreasonable government restrictions.3
This precedent has been specifically applied to motorcycle club colors, including those labeled OMG’s by law enforcement. In Sammartano v. First Judicial District Court (2002), 10 members of motorcycle clubs, including the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, were denied access to a courthouse in Carson City, Nevada based on the fact that they were wearing their club colors. They refused to remove their colors and were arrested for trespassing. The Court of Appeals concluded that this was unconstitutional because it violated their 1st Amendment rights to expression.4
Federal courts reject the general gang argument.
Police often assert that motorcycle club colors are gang attire and could cause a potential threat of violence and intimidation. But the Court finds these generalizations insufficient, concluding that “a total ban on this expressive activity…is “an unreasonable means” of preserving a safe environment.
Any restrictions must be narrow and specific “to particular (apparently hypothetical) cases involving rival organizations.” But a general ban on motorcycle club colors is unconstitutional “absent a showing in the record of actual (or realistic threat of) interference or disruption.”
General Restrictions Violate The Doctrine Of Personal Guilt
There is “no evidence that by merely wearing [1% motorcycle club] “colors,” an individual is “involved in or associated with the alleged violent or criminal activity of other [1% motorcycle club] members. It is a fundamental principle that the government may not impose restrictions on an individual “merely because an individual belong[s] to a group, some members of which committed acts of violence.” In fact, the Supreme Court has long “disapproved governmental action . . . denying rights and privileges solely because of a citizen’s association with an unpopular organization.” Healy v. James, 408 U.S. 169, 185-86 (1972).
To permit [law enforcement officers] to impose restrictions on any person “who wears the insignia of [a 1% motorcycle club], without regard to or knowledge of that individual’s specific intent to engage in the alleged violent activities committed by other members, is antithetical to the basic principles enshrined in the First Amendment and repugnant to the fundamental doctrine of personal guilt that is a hallmark of American jurisprudence.” 5
Coercion Infringes On A The Constitutional Right To Pursue An Occupation.
The implication of coercion goes beyond the 1st Amendment. The practice of law enforcement or other government actors, such as liquor control agents, harassing and threatening owners of public establishments because they allow motorcycle clubs to patronize their establishments is unconstitutional. The right to pursue an occupation is a fundamental liberty protected under the Due Process Clause. According to the Supreme Court, the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment protects a liberty or property interest in pursuing the “common occupations or professions of life.” 6 The constitutional right infringed in cases of excessive and unreasonable LE conduct is “the right to pursue an occupation.” 7
 (1).jpg)
Other roads are the long and narrow. It is the countryside that sweeps across the horizon. Rises and falls contrast against the steady rhythm of our pipes, the beat of tar snakes under wheel. We can point out where the old barn use to stand in a distant pasture, nod towards where the creek turns back.
Some roads snake us through heavy industrial area to our favorite dive bar or clam bar on the wharf. Big rigs kicking up dust, metallic air as chain link fences race along side of us. The cops wag their finger but never turn around. Concrete and steel spewed on either side. A busy parking lot where anything can be bought, lukewarm beer and warped pool table inside. You would never change it.
Solitary roads remind of friends no longer beside us. Good friends who had our backs when the chips were down, friends that were the ones that flipped the table to begin with. Though gone way to soon, they lived a thousand lives. This was their road and the only place you really feel close to them again. Wind watered eyes are common. Sometimes you just pull off to the approach to have a smoke, cursing a little when you crush a butt out with your heel.
Other roads take us past where we should have been, past the ones that got away. You knew they were too good for you, knew that it was best that you left. You wonder if the sound of straight pipes brings her to the kitchen window, bring a smile to her lips that she explains away to the man who took your place. The convertible in the driveway was replaced with a minivan and car seats. You think about stopping every time but squeeze your old lady’s knee as you pass the past.
A road takes on many meanings. Some good, some bad but all are connected to us and who we are, what we are made of. We ride to feel these; ride to be a part of these because they are all our main streets.
SPEAKING OF BADGES– Take the Plunge On a Supporter Badge.
50 Left!
Become a supporter of our Handbuilt Motorcycle Show by purchasing a Supporter Badge. By buying a badge, you truly become a supporter of what we do to keep this show going and help to improve it with every year.
With your badge, you’ll get admission to the Supporter deck at the Rebel Yell Bourbon Kick Start party on Thursday, April 20th at South Congress Hotel where you will be served some fancy snacks and a selection of cocktails, three days admission to the show itself, and admission to the Builder/Supporter level at the wrap party at The Mohawk on Sunday, April 23rd where you will have access to complimentary drinks.
That’s 2 parties, 3 days of Handbuilt Show, and some live music thrown in. It’s an easy decision.
We have about 50 Supporter Badges left, so act fast!
–Revival
Police work to find Crooks Den killer of Outlaws member ‘Louie the Lip’– By Tony Holt
“Louie the Lip” lay clinging to life on the concrete in the alley near the rear door of a bar with knife wounds to his body Monday night.
His vital signs stopped after he got to the hospital and now police are trying to piece together how he died and what led to the violent encounter among rival biker gang members at the Crooks Den, 126 Orange Ave.
Louie the Lip’s actual name is Christopher Keating, a 59-year-old member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, a notorious biker gang that has a local presence, police said.
No arrests have been made, but video cameras inside the establishment captured footage of a fight that broke out around 8:30 p.m. near the service bar, which carried over toward the end of the rear hallway near the exit and spilled outside, said Daytona Beach Deputy Chief of Police Jakari Young, who held a media conference Tuesday morning.
“We can tell you that it was an altercation between our victim and a couple of other gentlemen inside the bar,” Young said. “Ultimately, from that argument, it led to the rear patio where they engaged in (another) altercation.”
Lyda Longa, a Daytona Beach police spokeswoman, later confirmed that Monday’s fight was between members of the Outlaws and Pagans. She wouldn’t comment on whether those two routinely cause more problems compared to other biker gangs. The department considers all of them dangerous, she said.
The second dispute involved at least one knife and Keating suffered stab wounds to his upper back, Young said. He was rushed to Halifax Health Medical Center and pronounced dead, according to police.
Two 9-1-1 calls were made. One of those calls came from a distraught woman who identified the stabber as “bald” and a Pagan member.
Outlaws Motorcycle Club members gather outside Dirty Harry’s during last month’s Bike Week in Daytona Beach.
[News-Journal/JIM TILLER ]
–from Rogue
Love the article and pics of Rogue and Wille didn’t see dee tho 🙁
But really good information on crowds and location hope to go one day.
— Johnny goetz
Palm Bay , FL
.jpg)
THE INTERNATIONAL BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS OPEN, SORTA–
A French policeman stops the Englishman’s car and asks if he has been drinking.
With great difficulty, the Englishman admits that he has been drinking all day, that his daughter got married that morning, and that he drank champagne and a few bottles of wine at the reception, and many single malts scotches thereafter.
Quite upset, the policeman proceeds to alcohol-test (breath test) the Englishman and verifies that he is indeed completely hammered. He asks the Englishman if he knows why, under French Law, he is going to be arrested.
The Englishman answers with a bit of humor, “No sir, I do not! But while we’re asking questions, do you realize that this is a British car and my wife is driving . . . On the other side?
–from Rogue and Sidehack Jerry
LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK– 2012 Harley-Davidson Road Glide® Custom
Our Price
$18,995
Exterior: Black
VIN: 1HD1KHM36CB608985
Lifestyle Cycles
1510 N. State College Blvd.
Anaheim, California 92806
(714) 490-0155
THE SECRET IS REVEALED– Prosperity of every kind is drawn to me.
—LOUISE HAY
BRADENTONMOTORSPORTS ACTION– All Welcome Test & Tune
Thursday April 6 – 6pm to 11pm
Anyone can come out and run the 1/4 mile dragstrip with their race car, street car, truck or motorcycle!
TO ALL HAMSTERS!–
It is my pleasure to inform you that two of our Hamster brothers, Cory Ness & Mark Shadley are both being inducted in the class of 2017 Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Other inductees will be honored as well. Colleen & Mike Taylor owners of Barnett Clutch & Cables, Jim Thiessen, owner of Jim’s Machine, Terry Vance co-owner of Vance & Hines and Rod Woodruff owner of the Legendary Buffalo Chip.
This year the prestige’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” will be presented to Harley-Davidson brand ambassador, the patriarch of motorcycling Willie G. Davidson.
If you have never attended or you are a regular attendee, This year’s 77th Sturgis rally Hall of Fame Inductee breakfast held at The Lodge at Deadwood, Wednesday 9th 2017 then you don’t want to miss this one.
The tickets are already on sell and going fast. Individual tickets are $35.00 until May 1st. after that they are $45.00. You can buy a reserved table of (8) seats for $350.00 Don’t be left out and get your tickets to honor our friends and industry leaders.
Order tickets here:
http://www.sturgismuseum.com/hall-of-fame
— Keith Terry
Terry Components
Sturgis Hall of Fame Member
ANOTHER READER 5-BALL RACING REVIEW– I got the Special Ops jacket Friday and wore it all weekend riding. I absolutely love it. It fits like a glove. I have a lot of other guys ask about it and I am passing the word around as much as possible.
Thanks for all your help.
–Dave “Dutch” Mann
Vietnam Veteran
1. Informal. a person who opposes a plan, proposed legislation, or any drastic change: He won the election by appealing to the aginners.
QUOTES
In that prickly family atmosphere, McCormick grew up to be a reflexive ”aginner,” a man of epic antagonisms, prodigious crotchets and–here his mother was wrong–fixed, taproot convictions impermeable to evidence or reason.
ORIGIN
The humorous phrase “to be agin the government” dates to the late 19th century. Agin is one of the many, many developments of the Middle English preposition again, agains, against, “opposite, toward” (against became the standard form of the preposition in Modern English). The earliest recorded spellings of agin appeared in the 18th century.
THE OPERATION GRATITUDE REPORT–
During March, our Southern California supporters mobilized, assembled and put their heart into Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving to benefit Operation Gratitude. Last Wednesday, the proceeds of every sub sandwich sold went to our mission.
And we were blown away by the results!
They helped us raise $846,622 for Operation Gratitude. That means we can send
56,441 more care packages to our military, first responders, veterans and their families. Just think of the smiles when they open those boxes.
All of us at Operation Gratitude send our profound thanks to the owners and leadership of Jersey Mike’s in Southern California. Their generosity is immense and knows no bounds. We are humbled and ever grateful for their efforts and support.
So what’s next? Now that we have the funds to ship 56,441 more care packages, please help us fill them!
Thank you for your never-ending kindness and support!
–Carolyn Blashek
Founder, Operation Gratitude
Well, I can appreciate your honesty and wide range of knowledge, but I have never had to remove my linkage to get to my oil filter. Also, if you replace the oil drain plug O-ring with every change, they don’t leak unless someone has overtightened the plug and walleyed out the base.
Harley’s Dyna frame is a very stable frame and great bike to ride but it isn’t a sport endure or rice rocket. Try taking the curviest backroad you can and instead of pushing the bike to it’s limit, lean back and relax. Think of riding this giant gleaming sled down the highway instead of pushing on the bars with a weight forward aggressive feel. Lose yourself in the machine, and you may enjoy it more.
You also have access to some of the coolest aftermarket parts around, customize your bike and visit a few “bike-nights”. Most of the people will be so enthused to talk about your bike that you will keep falling in love with her over again. The more you change, the more she becomes yours.
Oh, and one of the things I have always done is replace as much hardware with stainless steel as I can afford it. You can get great hardware for a decent price and it looks fantastic when you finally finish.
Keep riding her and focus more on the relaxing ride vs. the challenging rides. I too, enjoy pushing my bikes, but have learned that life lasts much longer way you take it easy and ride like you don’t have a problem in the world…in the end, that’s how the bike should make you feel.
–Johnny
Johnny3sal@aol.com
Humble, TX
THE FINAL BIKERNET BAD JOKE, STAFF NEEDS A BREAK–
A Priest was being honored at his retirement dinner after 35 years in the parish.
A leading local figure and member of the congregation was chosen to make the presentation and to give a little speech at the dinner.
However, he was delayed, so the Priest decided to say his own few words while they waited:
“Thank Goodness we Catholics have a wonderful sense of humor! I got my first impression of this parish from the first confession I heard here.
But as the days went on, I learned that my people were not all like that and I had, indeed, come to a fine parish full of good and loving people.”
Just as the Priest finished his talk, the politician arrived full of apologies at being late. He immediately began to make the presentation and gave his talk:
“I’ll never forget the first day our parish Priest arrived,” said the politician. “In fact, I had the honor of being the first person to go to him for confession.”
Moral: Never, never be late!
–El Waggs
WOW, WHAT A DAY— I’m still scrambling. Hunting cylinders for the Bonne Belle, finding Speakers for my grandson. I’m not much for extra gadjets on my bikes, but he’s into tunes while splitting lanes in LA traffic.
Can’t find my bookkeeper who was supposed to be here today. A brother said it was going to be cold tomorrow, so I thought I might try an AeroStich heated vest. Hang on for that.
We made some progress on content this week, but when I roll back, we will crank up all over again. It’s going to be cooking and Hugh King is leaning on me to share the Biker Build-Off story about his ultimate chopper. He may auction it off on Ebay in the near future.
More Spectro oil techs coming. Rogue is working on a Zippers tech. I need to dive into the Bronze tech and Merch is working on a Shovelhead tech. I would like to write a story about Paughco and Kraft Tech frames sort of a tech about what you need to consider before you buy a replacement or custom frame. Could be helpful for young builders.
In the meantime, ride free forever…
–Bandit
