Hey,
Life is nuts as you know, but it’s the simple pleasures we rely on, like that tasty cup of coffee in the morning, the touch of her hand, and the way the sun shines on your metal flake paint job as you cruise along the riverbank to the bar.
Maybe governments can’t get along, and bureaucrats want to bury us in regulation, but somehow, we will fight and find freedom, customize shit, have adventures and make every day worthwhile.
Let’s hit the news. It’s sponsored in part by Cycle Source Magazine, Iron Trader, and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE AND THE USO PARTNER TO SUPPORT U.S. TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES–
Year-long partnership includes local activations, celebrities and more.
Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company, today announced a partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs, services and live entertainment to the U.S. troops and their families worldwide. Indian Motorcycle joins the USO as an Official Partner, which will help the USO support our nation’s men and women in uniform, throughout every step of their military journey.
“Indian Motorcycle has a proud track record of supporting U.S. troops dating back to WWI and WWII,” said Steve Menneto, vice president of motorcycles for Polaris Industries. “Today two great American organizations with a passion for supporting our troops come together to continue that heritage. Our year-long partnership is a celebration of those who currently serve and those who have served our country. We look forward to engaging our dealers, Indian Motorcycle Riders’ Group and celebrity partners of the brand in our work with the USO.”
In celebration of this new partnership, Indian Motorcycle will donate $100,000 to the USO in connection with its newly released, limited edition Mark Wahlberg Collection of apparel to the USO in April and May. Launched in February, the 10-piece organic t-shirt line starts at US $34.99 and is available at participating Indian Motorcycle dealers across the U.S. and Canada and online at www.indianmotorcycle.com while supplies last.
The USO will also become the official nonprofit partner of the Indian Motorcycle Riders’ Group (IMRG), allowing Indian Motorcycle riders to partner with local USO centers and give back to their military community through rides and other charitable activities. Indian Motorcycle supporter and USO Tour Vet Zac Brown and Zac Brown Band will also contribute to the partnership through concert tickets for troops and their families in select cities on their 2015 tour.
The partnership is a natural fit for two organizations with such significant ties to the U.S. military. Indian Motorcycle heavily supported World Wars I and II by supplying motorcycles to the Allied Forces, and has been known for its support of the military ever since. For nearly 75 years, the USO has served the U.S. military and their families throughout their service, from the moment they join, through their deployment and as they transition back to their communities. Although congressionally chartered, the USO is not a government agency and relies heavily on the generosity of Americans. Today the USO has over 160 locations around the world in 14 countries and 27 states.
Indian Motorcycle also offers a $1,000 “Honoring Heroes” bonus on all Indian motorcycles for active or retired military, as well as police and fire personnel. (The bonus is reflected as $500 in apparel with purchase of an Indian Scout motorcycle.) The bonus has been in place for the last two years, and will remain a part of Indian’s commitment to the military for at least the remainder of 2015.
To locate an Indian Motorcycle Dealer, please visit http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/dealer-locator, and check back at www.indianmotorcycle.com for details on upcoming events and programs benefitting the USO and U.S. military families. To learn more about the USO’s programs and services for troops and their families visit www.uso.org.
Hey, I believe I received the veterans’ rebate on the 2014 Indian I bought from American Biker, the dealership in Charleston SC.–Bandit
BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
FROGMANS 1000HP TRIKE: Riding the Rocket II
http://www.bikernettrikes.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=11097
Outstanding!! Finally some one has the same brain genes as me. The video is really well done. I need an upgrade from my ’63 A10 BSA I built in 1975.
Your machine is one to be proud of.. I want one ,I want one. Did I mention I need one.
–Lawrence Polanek
silverflag97@comcast.net
Wood dale, IL
BIKERNET AWESOME ADAGE OF THE DAY–
To some, the glass is half full. To others, the glass is half empty. To an engineer, it’s twice the size it needs to be…
-Unknown
LUCAS OIL VINTAGE DEALER OF THE WEEK–
Welcome to R&R Cycles, Inc.
The more you understand about high performance engines the more you will appreciate an engine modified or built by R&R Cycles, Inc. R&R engines and performance packages are the purest, fastest, and most reliable that money can buy.
Whether you are competing in closed course competition, attending a motorcycle event or simply enjoying your motorcycle on a beautiful Sunday afternoon an R&R engine or performance package will work for you. We are proud of our reputation and are committed to continue to build the finest engines and performance packages on the market.
8024 S. Willow St. Manchester, NH 03103
Ph.603-645-1488
Fx.603-645-1650
Contact Us …
Feel free to call or email us with any questions that you may have.
M.T.W.TH.F. 10AM-6PM, SAT 10AM-2PM
Parts Dept. RRPARTS@RRCYCLES.COM
Service Dept. RRSERVICE@RRCYCLES.COM
Sales Dept. BIKESALES@RRCYCLES.COM
–Michael Farabaugh
Lucas Oil
mwfphoto@hughes.net
HALF MOON BAY, CALIFORNIA — There are car shows, air shows, motorcycle shows, tractor shows, maker fairs, music festivals, food festivals, and living history festivals galore. Mix them all together in one venue on one day and you’ve got Half Moon Bay California’s remarkable, one and only Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show– marking its 25th year in 2015 with a massive celebration of mechanical ingenuity, power and style.
It’s quite simply the “Coolest Show on Earth.” The spectacular 25th annual event will be held on Sunday April 26, a single day mega-show, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Half Moon Bay Airport, located in the picturesque seaside town of Half Moon Bay, CA about 20 miles south of San Francisco.
To help celebrate their 25th anniversary event, organizers are bringing back some of the extreme/active attractions this year, freestyle motocross shows, uni-motorcycle drags, monster truck rides and vintage warbird flyovers, plus remote-controlled drones and aircraft aerobatics debut.
Tickets are $30 per person, available at the door.
STD PRODUCT OF THE WEEK—Pan/Shovel Heads. ’48-’84 Pan/Shovel
Pan/Shovel Casting, Pan/Shovel Bolt Pattern
SWAMP FOX COMES TO BIKERNET– Motorcycles and rock n’ roll have long gone together-but only now is the music experience as ‘front and center’ as the motorcycles. It’s a concert series and music experience first, but it’s dedicated to serving the biker community with rally events, rides, attractions, and non-stop live music from multiple stages. What’s more, Swamp Fox Biker Bash is not only delivering the goods to the core group of established American-made motorcyclists-but also targeting both younger riders and female riders.
“By embracing music first as well as the younger riders and female riders, we’re creating a next generation rally,” says Robert Hartmann, the founder and CEO of Swamp Fox Entertainment Complex. Other artists previously announced include southern rock legends The Marshall Tucker Band and Season 7 winner of NBC’s The Voice, Craig Wayne Boyd, on Thursday, May 14th.
Newly launched in 2015, the Swamp Fox Entertainment Complex is home to a 20,000-seat amphitheater, 250-acre festival ground, and is soon-to-claim the world’s largest bar. The complex will host several major festival events per year along with regularly scheduled concerts. The name Swamp Fox has since become synonymous with the city of Marion itself and an endearing nickname for American fortitude and down-home values. www.SwampFoxBikerBash.com
QUICK, BUY SOME BOOT STRAPS–
The sun is coming out – the roads are clearing – It’s time to ride!
The new Biker Boot Strap Emblems that have just been introduced include: Desert Rose, Breast Cancer Ribbon, Free Masons and Dead Skull plus three all new Military designs, including Air Force, US Army and Marine Corps.
Call for Custom Orders
Biker Boot Straps has expanded its manufacturing capacity to pursue new OEM and other licensing and private label opportunities for Biker Boot Strap Products. They also set up to produce custom short run emblems for rallies, clubs and dealerships. Contact Michael Screens at www.bikerbootstraps@gmail.com
BIKERNET BAD JOKE OF THE YEAR–
One day a man decided to retire…
He booked himself on a Caribbean cruise and proceeded to have the time of his life, that is, until the ship sank. He soon found himself on an island with no other people, no supplies, nothing, only bananas and coconuts.
After about four months, he is lying on the beach one day when the most gorgeous woman he has ever seen rows up to the shore. In disbelief, he asks, “Where did you come from? How did you get here?”
She replies, “I rowed over from the other side of the island where I landed when my fishing boat sank.”
“Amazing,” he notes. “You were really lucky to have a row boat wash up with you.”
“Oh, this thing?” explains the woman. ” I made the boat out of some raw material I found on the island. The oars were whittled from gum tree branches. I wove the bottom from palm tree branches, and the sides and stern came from a Eucalyptus tree.
“But, where did you get the tools? “
“Oh, that was no problem,” replied the woman. “On the south side of the island, a very unusual stratum of alluvial rock is exposed. I found that if I fired it to a certain temperature in a volcanic vent I found just down the island, it melted into ductile iron and I used that to make tools and used the tools to make the hardware.”
The guy is stunned. “Let’s row over to my place,” she says “and I’ll give you a tour.” So, after a short time of rowing, she soon docks the boat at a small hand built wharf.
As the man looks to shore, he nearly falls off the boat. Before him is a long stone walk leading to a cabin and tree house.
While the woman ties up the rowboat with an expertly woven hemp rope, the man can only stare ahead, dumb struck. As they walk into the house, she says casually, “It’s not much, but I call it home. Please sit down. “”Would you like a drink? “
“No! No thank you,” the man blurts out, still dazed. “I can’t take another drop of coconut juice. “
“Oh, it’s not coconut juice,” winks the woman. “I have a still. How would you like a Jack Daniels neat?”
Trying to hide his continued amazement, the man accepts, and they sit down on her couch to talk. After they exchange their individual survival stories, the woman announces, “I’m going to slip into something more comfortable. Would you like to take a shower and shave? There’s a razor in the bathroom cabinet upstairs.”
No longer questioning anything, the man goes upstairs into the bathroom. There, in the cabinet is a razor made from a piece of tortoise bone. Two shells honed to a hollow ground edge are fastened on to its end inside a swivel mechanism. “This woman is amazing,” he muses. “What’s next?”
“When he returns, she greets him wearing nothing but a bandanna around her blonde locks and some small flowers on tiny vines, each strategically positioned, she smelled faintly of coconut oil. She then beckons for him to sit down next to her.
“Tell me,” she begins suggestively, slithering closer to him, “We’ve both been out here for many months. You must have been lonely. When was the last time you had a really good ride? She stares into his eyes. He can’t believe what he’s hearing.
“You mean…” he swallows excitedly as tears start to form in his eyes, “You’ve built a Harley?”
–from Sam Burns 
UNCLE MONKEY ON PROJECT PRIORITIES–
Sometimes we pick up a project that we are excited to work on. We have big plans and the finished result will be a knock out. But we don’t get to it right away.
Sometimes it is a matter of space, finishing other projects so you have enough room to start the next great thing.
Sometimes it is collecting obscure parts from the far corner of the earth. Sometimes it is just a dollar and cents thing were money is tight and with a dozen or so projects on the go we stretch ourselves thin.
Whatever the reason the project sits and waits. Sure we keep an eye on it, sure we putter a few minutes here and there but nothing really gets done.
Then comes along another project, an offer of a trade for that neglected project that has been waiting in the wings. You know what you have into it, what you need to get out of it so that you are not just throwing money away.
The new project might just be a cooler project, might be an easier project, may offer a greater return for your investment. So the question weighs on you to trade or keep what you have. How much you emotionally invested in the project has as much importance as the actual cash value. And like many projects waiting in the wings, there is no set street value for what we have. Maybe it is something we picked up for free; maybe it is something we were saddled with as a throw in on another desired project.
So do we say good-bye to the familiar? Do we welcome the unknown into our garage space? We have to figure out a new budget, and new expectations. We have to decide whether we will actually have the time to work on this project. Do we trade straight up? Should someone need to sweeten the deal? At the end of the day it is a roll of the dice knowing sometimes a gamble pays off, sometimes it bites you in the butt.
–bad Uncle Monkey
BDL PART OF THE WEEK, Non-CVO Hydraulic Clutch Upgrade–BDL’s “BPP-500HYD” clutch kit is just the ticket for riders looking for the optimum in touring clutch performance.
The tried and proven system is designed specifically for late touring models with H-D hydraulic clutch (non CVO models). The Patented Ball Bearing lock-up design features 45 – 5/16-inch steel ball bearings.
While the BPP-500HYD is designed to work with the stock spring, retainer and bolts, each kit includes an optional .240-inch thick HIGH PERFORMANCE diaphragm spring which is 30% thicker and stronger than the stock H-D diaphragm.
This is a significant upgrade that is sure to benefit riders of these late model touring machines. Suggested retail for the BPP-500HYD is $238.50.
Available from Belt Drives Limited dealers worldwide. Catch more at www.beltdrives.com
SBI NATION, this is our annual ROAD RACING issue of SPORTBIKES INC MAGAZINE and it is packed with over 150 pages of the finest in MOTOEDUTAINMENT for your reading pleasure! ALL FOR FREE! Click HERE to read the entire issue, absolutely FREE!
On the cover and featured inside is the brand new 2015 YAMAHA R1M, photographed by Michael Spain Smith.
And of course all of the usual suspects are packed in this issue of SPORTBIKES INC MAGAZINE. Click HERE to read it for free, today, right now!
Join the SBI Online Forum today! Interact with SBI staff and contributors, post photos, events, discuss all things motorcycles and then some! Visit the SBI Blog for hot off the press info, breaking news and cool pics and vids.
–Allan
Publisher, Editor in Chief
AMAZING LEGAL NEWS OF THE WEEK:Minnesota Now Requires A Criminal Conviction Before People Can Lose Their Property To Forfeiture–a big win for property rights and due process, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signed a bill yesterday to curb an abusive—and little known—police practice called civil forfeiture. Unlike criminal forfeiture, under civil forfeiture someone does not have to be convicted of a crime, or even charged with one, to permanently lose his or her cash, car or home.
The newly signed legislation, SF 874, corrects that injustice. Now the government can only take property if it obtains a criminal conviction or its equivalent, like if a property owner pleads guilty to a crime or becomes an informant. The bill also shifts the burden of proof onto the government, where it rightfully belongs. Previously, if owners wanted to get their property back, they had to prove their property was not the instrument or proceeds of the charged drug crime. In other words, owners had to prove a negative in civil court. Being acquitted of the drug charge in criminal court did not matter to the forfeiture case in civil court.
As Lee McGrath, the executive director of the Institute for Justice’s Minnesota chapter, put it, “No one acquitted in criminal court should lose his property in civil court. This change makes Minnesota’s law consistent with the great American presumption that a person and his property are innocent until proven guilty.”
The bill faced stiff opposition from law enforcement and a bottleneck in the legislature. In March, the Star Tribune called it an “outrage” that lawmakers were “dragging their feet on one of the big, common-sense changes” to the state’s forfeiture laws. Ultimately, SF 874 found wide, bipartisan support, passing the state senate 55 to 5 and the state house unanimously. The reforms will go into effect starting August 1, 2014.
They couldn’t come at a better time. It can be very costly to hire an attorney for civil forfeiture cases, so many owners do not. That undermines their chances of retaining or regaining their property. In addition, litigation can actually cost more than what the property itself is actually worth. The average value of forfeited property was around $1,250. Barely four percent of all property forfeited between 2003 and 2010 was valued at more than $5,000. Police have even forfeited a nylon bag worth a mere 22 cents. It’s not too surprising then that more than 95 percent of those charged with a drug crime in Minnesota do not file a civil forfeiture case.
Not only was there an appalling lack of due process for civil forfeiture proceedings, law enforcement can keep up to 90 percent of the proceeds from forfeited property. That clearly creates a perverse incentive to police for profit. A report by the Institute for Justice, “A Stacked Deck: How Minnesota’s Civil Forfeiture Laws Put Citizens’ Property at Risk,” found that forfeiture revenue grew by 75 percent from 2003 to 2010, earning police almost $30 million. In 2012 alone, there were 6,851 property seizures worth a collective $6.7 million, according to the state auditor’s office. This growth occurred despite the fact that the crime rate was actually dropping in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
The combination of scant legal safeguards for owners and a profit incentive for cops can engender abuses of power. Officers for Minnesota’s Metro Gang Strike Force seized cars, cash, a flat-screen TV and jewelry from people never even charged with a crime. After horrifying reports of police misconduct, the force was dissolved in 2009. A settlement awarded 96 victims $840,000 and returned some of their property. The outrage spurred lawmakers to pass a law requiring forfeiture reporting. The resulting data was later used by IJ in its “Stacked Deck” report. In turn, that research helped catalyze the passage of SF 874.
Before SF 874, only some crimes, like prostitution and drunk driving, required a conviction before the government could forfeit property. Other crimes, like those involving controlled substances, did not. In Minnesota, drug-related forfeitures made up almost half of all forfeitures in 2012. SF 874 now mandates drug charges to have a criminal conviction before property can be forfeited.
Civil forfeiture extends well beyond drug dealers. Wielding bogus links to drug crimes, the federal government has threatened civil forfeiture against innocent property owners. Russ Caswell nearly lost his Massachusetts motel, which the Caswell family had owned since 1955, because the government argued it was “facilitating” drug crimes. As he noted in an op-ed for The Washington Times, “Over a 14-year period, I rented out rooms to almost 200,000 guests. The government only offered as evidence 15 drug arrests. Not 15,000 or 1,500 — just 15. A local paper found big-box stores down the road had more drug activity than my motel.”
In a similar vein, Tony Jalali almost lost his property over $37 worth of marijuana. He did not buy or sell the plant; he was only renting space to a medical marijuana dispensary, which is legal under California law. Neither Caswell nor Jalali were charged with any crime whatsoever. Thanks to the Institute for Justice, both men kept their properties.
To ensure forfeiture reform would prevail in Minnesota, IJ worked with a diverse group of allies, including the ACLU, the Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Second Chance Coalition. Yet reform should not be limited to Minnesota. Many states are in dire need of similar reform. According to another report by the Institute for Justice, “Policing for Profit,” only three states earned a grade of B or higher for their forfeiture laws. Other states should follow Minnesota’s lead and protect property rights and restore due process.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of civil forfeiture, please contact the Institute for Justice.
–Nick Sibilla
Forbes.com
[page break]
FLATHEAD POVERTY IN SWEDEN SURVIVES–Signed , sealed and delivered!! The Capitol K is a match made in Harley Heaven. Finally, the XLU Engine parts meet for the first time! What started as a Flathead Sportster is now back to basic but with a little more attitude….
Happy Forkin’ Easter to Yall’s from FHP Sweden;o)
–Sheriff
Starting up the Company again with my son.
Done some aluminum ULH parts for both UL and Evo 4-speed XL bottom-ends.
Iron cylinders, aluminum heads, and the crankcase coming soon.
–Anders Nygren/FHP Sweden
MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION, Washington Weekly Updates–
Washington, D.C. has a motorcycle club, and I rode with them last weekend, along with Matt Danielson and Jim Cannon from Richmond. You might think that motorcyclists who live in D.C. would have a keen sense of what is happening on the hill, but sadly that’s not the case.
They’re like most people—until there is a problem or conflict that affects their daily lives, they just don’t care. I spoke to the group and informed them of what’s happening on Capitol Hill with Vision Zero, check points, ITS, etc., and most of the group was clueless about all of it, but they left with a healthy amount of concern. I am hoping to get some of them to come out to Bikers Inside The Beltway (BITB).
Speaking of BITB, I’m hoping you have made your plans to join motorcyclists from across the country to attend the Nation’s only national motorcycle lobby day. May 14th of 2015 is the day bikers take Capitol Hill, so be there.
As to what’s going on with the House, it’s headed toward a short-term highway trust fund patch, with the idea being to give lawmakers time to work on a permanent fix for the funding issues currently plaguing the bill. The one-time repatriation holiday to pay for the bill (repatriation being the act of taxing profits of US businesses that store their profits in overseas banks to avoid paying some US taxes) is not gaining popularity. So now the new solution is some sort of tax reform.
The Wi-Fi Innovation Act is getting some media attention this week. Opponents of the legislation (which would mandate a study using a specific spectrum to facilitate a wireless signal alongside vehicles) believe that the Wi-Fi signal will disrupt or disable the spectrum vehicles, and will be using the spectrum to maintain vehicle-to-vehicle (v2v) or vehicle-to-infrastructure (v2x) communications.
They believe that if disruption occurs, it could allow for a gap in fail-safe technology, thus causing a vehicle to auto-brake at an upcoming intersection. The bill includes many studies to see if this is even a remote problem. In an op-ed this week in the newspaper, The Hill, AAA claims the legislation is too hasty and more study is needed. Of course we should study this inside and out before implementation, but the automotive world that has had sole ownership of the frequency has scarcely used it.
Maybe setting up some goal lines is not such a bad idea. The Wi-Fi Innovation Act even made the morning TV show on CBS—you can see it here: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/wi-fi-innovation-act-could-hamper-v2v-tech-cars/.
And if that’s not enough Wi-Fi news for you, there’s more. A heated exchange occurred between the Senate Wi-Fi bill sponsor, Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) on mandating that the spectrum be shared. Peters is a Detroit diehard who sees this as another stumbling block to American motor vehicle industry resurgence. Rubio is likely a GOP presidential candidate looking to position himself as an innovator.
Thursday night was “vote-o-rama” in the US Senate. Sounds fun? No. The Senate has been debating the budget this week, and with that comes a unique procedural position. When considering the budget, there is no time limit on “considering the bill,” with considering being the equivalent of “debate plus votes.”
So, you have a scenario where unlimited time is allowed in the US Senate. 791 amendments were filed and 254 were brought up, with 146 passing. The Senate can do 4-5 votes an hour. No one knows what amendment will be taken up and what the amendment actually does until it hits the floor, resulting in total chaos. But because just about anything can be germane to the budget resolution, and because amendments run the gamut, you have to watch and read everything that is filed in case it has an impact on transportation or motorcycling.
And that’s why I was up watching and reading until final passage at 3:30 a.m. on Friday when the US Senate passed a balanced budget for the first time since 2013.
–Jeff Hennie
Motorcycle Rider Foundation, Vice President Government Relations and Public Affairs
DIGITAL DISCOVERY FOR THE WEEK—
kinda cool old snapshot.
–Charles Plueddeman
“A Good Man to Have Along”
Oshkosh, Wis.
AUSTRALIAN CLUB NEWS, Tasmanian cop says clubs are in this Australian state to break the law.
One of Tasmania’s top cops Donna Adams has vowed to run motorcycle clubs out of the state, insisting they have arrived in Tasmania to break the law.
In a Q&A ‘puff piece’ with the Sunday Tasmanian newspaper, the assistant commissioner says motorcycle clubs like the Rebels are here to build on their criminal activities around the country.
“They’re not welcome,” Adams said.
“They’re criminal entities that basically are involved in the distribution of illicit drugs, firearms and fairly violent standover tactics.”
Adams said recent criminal proceedings, including the jailing of Nicholas Mark Stebbins after the state’s biggest drug bust, ‘proved’ bikers were involved in the distribution of dangerous drugs.
“We don’t want them here,” she said.
“We’ll continue to do what we can and work with other agencies to disrupt them and put as many of them behind bars as we can.
“They are not here for community-minded pursuits — they’re here to build up their empire through illegal activities.”
Mr Stebbins, a former Rebels associate, was jailed for 12½ years earlier this month following an $11 million drug bust.
The Blackmans Bay man brought amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy into the state from China between 2012 and last year.
“There was a network with the Rebels motorcycle club,” Adams said.
“If those drugs had got out on to the street, there are a number of vulnerable young people who could have been exposed.
“There is a clear link and that is one of the main reasons we want to disband outlaw motorcycle clubs.”
The paper said the Rebels are believed to have eight clubhouses throughout the state, while the Black Uhlans, Devil’s Henchmen, Finks, Outlaws, Satan’s Riders and, most recently, the Mongols, also have a presence in Tasmania.
“While they patch themselves up and they promote that they are part of an outlaw motorcycle club, they are telling the community that they are out there to behave illegally and to basically build an economic empire,” Adams said.
Her comments come just days after the Australian Crime Commission released a report warning that 60 per cent of organised crime groups were profiting from the “mind-eating” drug ice.
Last year, claims that one in seven residents of Smithton could be using the drug resulted in fears of an epidemic in Tasmania.
Adams said Tasmania Police was gathering evidence of any link between ice and lower level crimes, such as burglary.
BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY OPEN FOR LUNCH–
A woman walks into a H & R Block accountant’s office and tells him that she needs to file her taxes.
The accountant says, “Before we begin, I’ll need to ask you a few questions.”
He gets her name, address etc. And then asks, What’s your occupation?”
“I’m a prostitute,” she says….
The accountant is somewhat taken aback and says, “Let’s try to rephrase that.”
The woman says, “OK, I’m a high-end call girl”.
“No, that still won’t work. Try again.”
They both think for a minute; then the woman says, “I’m an elite poultry farmer.”
The accountant asks, “What does poultry farming have to do with being a prostitute?”
Well, I raised a thousand cocks last year.”
“Poultry Farmer it is.”
–from El Waggs
HUPY/ABRAHAM LEGAL WEEKLY REPORT–Which Gang Do You Belong To?
A March 25, 2015, story informed the public that anyone who has registered a motorcycle in the United States between 1994 and 2015 has been placed on a classified FBI gang list. The reasoning behind creating such a list is the fact that motorcycle owners are 67 percent more likely to be involved in criminal activity than those who do not own a motorcycle.
This is an astonishing revelation of facts, but fortunately the facts are false, as is the claim that such a list in the FBI exists. Or does it? We like to think that our government believes in transparency, but there are things that are absolutely hidden from public scrutiny.
The Washington Post article mentioned above caused quite a stir among the motorcycle community, mostly because we are so inclined to believe everything we read or see that discloses some government conspiracy or overreach. That article, a supposed interview with a person working in the national security branch of government, started out as a story in the National Report, a satirical website which publishes fake news for entertainment.
Even though many people are aware that the National Report is a fake, the story was also published on a site which was designed to look like the Washington Post, a well-known source for real news. It turns out that the Post article was just a copy of the satire, and the website had no affiliation with the real newspaper.
With all the increased surveillance techniques, intersection and light pole cameras, wireless black box capabilities, license plate readers, etc., it’s not that far-fetched to wonder what and who is collecting all that data; and what do they intend to use it for?
It may be a stretch of the imagination to think the FBI would collect motorcycle registrations and automatically enter every owner on some “suspected gang member” list. Yet, some lists already exist concerning motorcycle club members. Certain clubs, or gangs as the FBI likes to call them, have been added to a list of suspected homeland terrorists. Along with street gangs like the Bloods, Crypts, Mexican Mafia and a dozen others, certain motorcycle clubs have been added to a terrorist group list.
Even Italian and Russian Mafia figures are on this list. It doesn’t matter if an individual has a criminal record or not, membership in the club alone will disqualify him from leaving, or entering, the country. According to one source, 1.4 million Americans belong to one of the 33,000 gangs reported to operate across the country. Of course, one has to question the credibility of these numbers, given groups like the Juggalo, fans of the Insane Clown Posse musical group, are included on the FBI list of known gangs.
With all the unrest in cities across the country in recent months, there seems to be permissiveness among the masses to tolerate unconstitutional abuses of power in the name of safety or security. Most people probably don’t see a problem with creating lists of certain groups as a means of providing national security. Isn’t that what the Nazi’s did to protect the security, purity and living space for the German people?
We hear about police brutality and shootings almost every day. Although racial profiling is illegal, and many motorcycle rights organizations are pushing for anti-motorcyclist profiling bills, the public is being inundated with newscasts and TV programs that bolster the perception that certain groups are a criminal element. That heightened awareness among police officers causes them to treat those groups differently at a traffic stop or field investigation.
Conversely, members of these groups distrust police and are more agitated or defensive during interactions with police. This is a cocktail for disaster…
–By Tony Sanfelipo
Senior Investigator
Nationally Recognized Freedom Fighter
See the whole report on Bikernet in the next couple of days, unless we are placed on a watch list, investigated and jailed in the meantime.–Bandit
QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
BMC Meets Jack Daniels
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=1553
This bike is amazing! What ever happened to BMC and where is the bike now? I would love to talk more about this bike. What was the original build and sell price?
–Ryan Bultena
heilryanb@yahoo.com
Sioux falls, SD
Haven’t heard from Mike in some time.–Bandit
DIRECT FROM THE BIKERNET PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT–
MEN ARE SELDOM DEPRESSED: Men
Are Just Happier People —
What do you expect from such
simple creatures?
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack…
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don’t have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you’re talking to them.
New shoes don’t cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
If someone forgets to invite you, He or she
can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, even decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes — one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can ‘do’ your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
Men Are Just Happier People!
–from Jim Waggaman
New TECH Bikernet Reader Comment!–
ZIPPER’S RED SHIFT 525 CAM INSTALL
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=10911
I upgraded my new 2015 Road Glide with everything listed in your article and my bike is much more fun to ride than the stock high output 103 everyone is excited about, faster and more torque. I moved up from a ‘07 Road Glide with Joe Minton’s 103-inch build with Andrews 21 cams, which I liked very much. But this combo is better, Great Performance Upgrade without braking the bank. Nice work Zippers!
–Alonzo Melchor
alonzom@slackandco.com
Houston, TX
BIKERNET EXTREME DUMBEST CONTEST EVER WINNERS—Here are our winners from the Dumb and Dumber To contest. Each lucky mofo will receive a vast box of Bikernet bling and a DVD of the latest Dumb and Dumber movie. Hang on.
It was just for signing up to receive our feedblitz announcements. No charge, no survey, no bullshit, no nada.
Dana Gelinas
Mitford, Mass 01757
Eduardo Ramon
San Antonio, Texas 78238
Timothy Graves
Torrance , Ca. 90504
–Lisa Jorgenson
NEW ADVERTISER ON BIKERNET–Motherwell Products USA, Inc. was started in October of 1994 in a garden shed in British Columbia, Canada by the founder and CEO, Kelly Motherwell. Kelly was a welder/ fabricator in the Aerospace industry and loved to build custom motorcycle parts for himself and friends. The first luggage rack produced was for a Harley Sportster. Its tremendous popularity led to the rack being picked up by some large distributors.
With a focus on Harley models the product line grew over the years to what it is today and led to a move in 2008 to a larger manufacturing plant in Washington State.
The current Motherwell Luggage Rack product line encompasses most Harley models, the Honda VT750 Shadow Aero 2004 and up, the Triumph America and Speedmaster models up to 2011, and a new rack coming soon for the 2015 Indian Scout.
Motherwell Products is known for its signature “Solo Luggage Rack” which was creatively designed to beautify the back end of a motorcycle. The shape of the luggage rack hugs the curve of the fender making it not only practical but a beautiful addition to any bike.
Motherwell Products takes great pride in our workmanship and guarantees your satisfaction. All of our products are manufactured in the United States by hand using high quality steel and/ or tubing.
The racks are hand polished and either chrome plated or powder coated in matte or gloss black to compliment the look of your ride.
CUSTOM URN–Once a Rider, Always a Rider: Custom Motorcycle Engine Urn from Une Belle Vie–For many, riding is so much more than a hobby. It’s a way of life. With this passion in mind and at heart, Une Belle Vie Memorial Urns developed a new custom urn in the shape of a motorcycle engine to memorialize true enthusiasts. The Hog Wild Motorcycle urn is a companion urn designed to be the final resting place for two riders. Perfect for a couple who rode together in life, this urn is a fitting tribute for their final ride.
I just wanted to give you a heads up about this urn as it may provide some interesting and quirky news for your readers. Let me know if you’re interested in speaking with Une Belle Vie and feel free to reach out with questions. See the attached image of the motorcycle urn and visit http://decorative-urns.com for more info on Une Belle Vie.
–Leia
[page break]
BIKERNET READERSHIP—Where are Bikernet readers? Did you ever want to know where Bikernet reader hail from? Through Google analytics and Stat Counter we have the information at our fingertips constantly.
74 percent in the United States
4 percent in Canada
3 percent in France
3 percent in Germany
2 percent in the United Kingdom
1 percent in India
1 percent in Switzerland
1 percent in Australia
.8 percent in Indonesia
.6 percent in Thailand
.6 percent in Sweden
.6 percent in Italy
.4 percent in Vietnam
PAUGHCO BILLET 6-DEGREE RAKED TRIPLE TREES–Paughco’s 2015 billet aluminum triple trees are designed to minimize handling, and front-end flop problems associated with altered front-end geometry. Specifically the 6-DEGREE TREES were developed to accommodate a number of their most popular chopper frames with 45° neck rake.
Used in conjunction with these “raked” frames and appropriate length extended front ends, the 6-degree offset provides near stock “trail” dimensions which in turn virtually eliminates radical front end flop.
Trees are CNC machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum, polished and show chrome plated. Currently available in Wide-Glide 6°configurations utilizing 41-millimeter fork tubes and Narrow-Glide with 3° for use with 39-millimeter tubes. MSRP is $500.95 and you can get all the details at www.paughco.com or by calling 775-246-5738
TUNE IN: SEASON FINALE OF ‘OUTLAW COUNTRY,’
AIRS TUESDAY, APRIL 7 AT 10 PM ET
ON WGN AMERICA–
Blood Will Be Shed In This Final Showdown.
Link to “Outlaw Country” trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx1yPYCkzvw
Link to “Outlaw Country” music video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih_vSgkY9Yo
Episode 107 –“The Reckoning”
Premiering Tuesday, April 7th at 10:00 pm ET/9:00 pm CT.
The Alliance gets revenge as the Task Force uncovers new details about another criminal operation.
John Monk’s kidnappers are revealed, and the stage is set for a violent confrontation. John and Josh wrestle with the responsibility they feel to protect their friends and their town from a new criminal menace. Incensed by the lack of action by the task force, Steve Cook goes rogue in his quest to bring down the Monk brothers. With everything on the line, the Alliance is forced into a showdown that erupts into a bloody battle at the Bowling Alley.
“Outlaw Country” follows as an elite team of law enforcement officers attempt to thwart their illegal operations at every pass, doing whatever it takes to break this assemblage of bandits—including running alongside the crew and bending a few laws of their own. When bad blood threatens a good town… whose side are you on?
OFFICIAL BIKERNET PHILOSOPHER ON Trusting My Decisions–
You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.
–Maya Angelou
What we decide is what will unfold in our Lives. We may not always know what the right decision is, in moments like this we should Pause and go within to that inner Intelligence for the guidance we need. In this place we must learn to Trust our Higher Power for the Guidance to make right decisions. When we go within and let go, we will find the answer. We must know and trust that everything is working out for our greater Good, unfolding in Right and Perfect Order.
We must Let Go of the “What Ifs” what is done is done. Do not dwell on past mistakes these are part of learning, remember the lessons of Life are repeated until they are learned. Instead of beating yourself up and having regrets over poor decisions of the past, change this energy to being grateful for the experience and the opportunity to improve and grow because of them.
Know that mistakes are only temporary and part of Life, decide right now that the past decisions have no precedent over the present and you are growing from each and every experience. As we connect with our inner selves we will learn to trust our Higher Power, we will use all past experiences in Life to improve and Live a greater Life.
And So It Is
Namaste’
Today I decide to Live fully in the Present –yALE
Look up the Noble 8-Fold Path. I find it helps focus all decisions.–Ming
New Cutting Edge Products
Available To Ship Immediately–
Louisville, KY. – Gear Brake is pleased to announce the launch of their first catalog to the motorcycle and power-sport industry.
The new catalog features new products, most notably the “Plug and Play” version of the flagship of the product offering, the Smart Brake Light Module.
This is the beginning of what will be an ever growing product line of cutting edge electrical products from Gear Brake.
RUN TO STEVE HUNTZINGER’S COMING UP–
The photographer on the project just grabbed the recent cover of Flash Magazine. Plus there’s a feature on Mark Mahoney shot by Markus De Cuff.
And they featured Markus’ most magnificent coffee table tattoo art book. What could be better?
–Bandit
ART OF THE MONTH FROM ALLAN GORMAN–SteamPunk by Allan Gorman, 102 x 40 inches Oil on Linen
SteamPunk was sold earlier this year to a top ten accounting firm in Buffalo, NY. Many thanks to Amy Lear of Historic Pictoric for brokering the sale.
In February, I moved to a larger studio to work on larger paintings along the lines of SteamPunk and I’ll send images of new works as they become available.
To preview a new painting called “Rocket”, please visit my revamped website.
Va Va Vroom!: The Art of the Vehicle
The Carriage Barn Art Center
Waveny Park | 681 South Avenue | New Canaan CT | 203 972 1895
April 19 – May 16, 2015
A reception for the artists is on Sunday, April 19 from 3-5 pm.
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT VOCABULARY LESSON OF THE DAY—Boodle: BOOD-l
noun
1. the lot, pack, or crowd: Send the whole boodle back to the factory.
2. a large quantity of something, especially money: He’s worth a boodle.
Quotes
He would like to have the whole boodle of them…
— Oliver Wendell Holmes, The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, 1858
Origin
Boodle is an Americanism. It may be related to the Dutch word boedel, which means “property.”
SADDLEMEN SEATS FOR H-D STREET 500 AND 750S–The Harley-Davidson StreetTM 500 and 750 is a great platform to start your own custom look and styled ride. The easiest way to begin is to add either the Saddlemen Street Two Up or the Street Full Fender
Solo seats exclusively offered through Drag Specialties
The Street Two Up features a wide, supportive bucket for the driver with a slim contoured rear seat.
Specially designed base allows the seat to drop down into the bike for the lowest riding position. The refined gel channel design will relieve seating pressure on the perineal area, increase blood flow, thus keeping the rider in the saddle longer.
Features:
– Gel Core Technology Combines the attributes of our proprietary SaddleGel with our advanced Progressive Density Foam (Pd-F) we are able to create exceptional foundations that provide superior comfort and vehicle control. The thickness, shape and location of the SaddleGel is adjusted and combined with the Pd-F producing a seat core best suited for each riding mission.
When it comes to day long comfortable control, you simply cannot get a better fusion of technology, materials and design.
– Supple SaddleHydeTM upholstery offers a combination of comfort, glove-soft leathery feel and weather-resistant, no maintenance good looks.
– Gel Channel design which allows for longer riding times in the saddle.
– Installs easily using the stock seating mounts
The Street Full Fender Solo is a one of a kind which will transform the500/750 into a unique cowl solo.
Anyone can easily create a trophy winning custom with it engineered design to easily disassemble for tail section painting. Soft upholstery seating leather creates the true to detail tuck and roll saddle. With Gel Core technology added you get the show bike appearance and comfort at the same time
Features:
– Gel Core Technology Combines the attributes of our proprietary SaddleGel with our advanced
Progressive Density Foam (Pd-F) we are able to create exceptional foundations that provide superior comfort and vehicle control.
The thickness, shape and location of the SaddleGel is adjusted and combined with the Pd-F producing a seat core best suited for each riding mission.
– Soft upholstery seating leather provides the most luxurious look and ride.
– Solo seat removes easily so that painting the surface ready hard cowl is a snap
– Installs easily using the stock seating mounts
Are You Ready For Your 5-BALL RACING Cut?–5-Ball Racing Leathers cuts are in. The Special Ops Vest is the Right Cut… We got them in and ready to ship. Comes with storage for all your valuables with gun pockets. These buffalo hide leather are boot tough and rattlesnake mean.
http://crankandstroker.com/5-ball-racing.html
TAKE A BREAK IN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY–
A guy brings one of his golf mates home unannounced for dinner after a
great afternoon round of golf.
His wife screams her head off at him while his mate listens open mouthed
to the tirade in the next room.
“My bloody hair and makeup isn’t done, the house is a mess and the
dishes are in the sink! Can’t you see I’m still in my bloody nightie,
I’ve got a headache and I can’t be bothered with cooking tonight? Why
the bloody hell did you bring him home unannounced, you bloody idiot?”
“Because he’s thinking of getting married.”
—
DELAWARE MANDATORY HELMET LAW EFFORT–HB 54, a mandatory helmet law introduced by a rookie representative, failed to receive any votes for release from the Delaware House of Representatives Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee yesterday. There were eight members from ABATE present with ABATE’s web master, Chainsaw pushing all the correct information out on our web site and face book page plus various other multi-media sources. Three of those members were also members of BOLT, Gary “Hildy” Hilderbrand and Jesse “Gator” Wilson, and Ed Berner. Chainsaw is also a member of BOLT.
In 2007 the State tried to pass a mandatory helmet law and it was defeated. In 2011 ABATE tried to take the helmets off the scooters altogether and the Governor vetoed the legislation. In 2015 the State tried to pass mandatory helmet legislation and could not get one vote to get it out of committee. That says a lot for the folks fighting the good fight.
We did it without using once piece of bullshit data. Just FREEDOM of CHOICE and having good friends in legislative hall. It also means we have a good source of freedom fighters ready to take the place of old gray beards like me. I’m proud of those who stood up and fought the good fight.
I just thought you all might like to know Delaware is still lid free if you choose to come visit.
–Hildy
And to those of you who did nothing, you are welcome to enjoy the freedoms others have provided you!
SHORT, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
MetalSports Billet Tour-Pak Rack
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=1682
I have been looking at this Harley Trunk Rack of yours for months and now. I would like to buy one but I am stumped on how to order one! Please make this a LOT easier if you are selling these and tell me the cost and where I can order one.
–Kelly Neibert
kelly_neibert@yahoo.com
Camas, WA
MORE NEWS FROM BDL–Legendary Competitor Clutch now included in SFT Chain Drive Primary Kit.
BDL’s Competitor clutch mechanism pretty much sets the standard for high performance clutch conversions and now it’s been added to the company’s popular CDC-1-90 chain drive primary kit for 1990-2006 Softails.
Developed for street and high performance applications the Competitor provides instantaneous and absolute transfer of power to the rear wheel with a smooth, comfortable lever.
A patented 7-plate Kevlar clutch provides at least 60% more clutch surface than stock and the 9-spring pressure plate provides varying spring pressure needed for use with both stock and highly modified engines. This unique plate allows you to simply add or subtract springs to achieve the tension that is appropriate for your bike and riding style.
Chain drive kit for Big Twin electric start includes front sprocket, rear basket with Competitor Clutch, Diamond primary chain & adjuster assembly.
For additional details, current pricing and ordering information visit your local BDL dealer or visit their all-inclusive site at www.beltdrives.com
Kit components
A. Diamond primary chain CDPC-100
B. Compensator sprocket CS-25A
C. Compensator nut CSN-100
D. Clutch springs CDCS-100
E. Shoulder bolts (for chain drive only) CDSB-100
F. Hardware kit for chain drive CDHK-100
G. Pressure plate CDPP-100
H. Adjusting screw CDAS-100
I. Main shaft hub nut CDHN-100
J. Chain drive clutch kit CDDCP-100
K. 9 tooth starter pinion gear PG-300
THE BIKERNET BAD COP INVESTIGATION–
Brevard officer sentenced to 10 years.
A former Titusville police officer was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison Tuesday, nearly three months after prosecutors successfully argued that he worked as a lookout during an undercover drug-trafficking sting, monitoring police traffic and taking $500 for his service. Richard Irizarry, 45, Viera, was found guilty in January by a jury after prosecutors outlined his plan to act as a lookout and information broker for a drug dealer who was actually working for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency as an informer.
Irizarry was arrested last March at the police department by agents and indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges. Irizarry joined the Titusville Police Department in 2010 and worked as a patrol officer.
He served in the Marines for 20 years, attaining the rank of gunnery sergeant.
By J.D. Gallop, FLORIDA TODAY
–Rogue
AUSSIE JOKE OF THE DAY–
I was walking through the mall and went into a Muslim Bookshop.
The clerk asked if he could help me, so I asked for a book on Australian Muslim Immigration Policy.
The clerk said ‘Fuck off, get out, and stay out ‘ .
I said, ‘Yes, that’s the one’.
SCRAMBLED EGGS—Sometimes I want some pancakes or scrambled eggs for breakfast, but don’t have time for the luxury. Here’s a notion of what’s on our plate for this coming week as we scramble to keep up…
We are working on an extensive Progressive Suspension tech with Jeremiah’s 2012 Dyna, and maybe some new shocks for my Mudflap Girl FXR.
We will peel over to Long Beach for Jessica’s Art Exhibit at the Attic. It’s an upscale eatery, not a dive bar. Who did that?
I’m working on a tech on the fine wooden Urns mentioned in the news.
I’m trying to hide out someplace and work on the final draft of my book, the second Chance book.
We ordered a new battery for the Chopper King’s Discovery Build-off Bike, signed by all the builders. He wants to sell it and retire to the Himalayas. Damn, I made a lot of mistakes in the news today. It’s always a roll of the dice.
Have a terrific weekend!
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit
