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Hey,
We’ve faced storm after storm her in Los Angeles. Then we get three days of sun before the next wave. With each storm the reports are more extreme. It must be Climate Change caused by the last set of drag pipes sold black-market to a Knucklehead owner in Nebraska.
So, while the sun breaks through the cloud cover over Los Angeles, let’s party, ride and enjoy. If you want to know what may happen to us rebels in the future read my book: Sam “Chopper” Orwell. Sometimes I look forward to it…
MICHAEL LICHTER Presentation at IRON HORSE HOTEL today– During this Mama Tried weekend in Milwaukee, I will be giving a presentation amongst my prints currently on display at the Iron Horse Hotel.
With the ice racing cancelled, this is the perfect opportunity to hear the stories behind the photos from 40 years of a life behind the lens and motorcycles in front of it. There’s never been a better time than now to be photographing the motorcycle scene & I’ll explain why.
Please join me on February 19th, Sunday morning at 9:30 AM in the library of the Iron Horse Hotel. There will be a Bloody Mary bar & a free coffee bar to help you get going!
The Iron Horse Hotel, 500 West Florida St, Milwaukee, WI – (888) 543-4766
I hope to see you there, Michael
STAFF COMMENT ON SPORTSTER FEATURE— SPORTSTERS RULE.
Reinventing an old wheel : Harley-Davidson Sportster 2017
My first Harley was a ’69 XLCH. It’s still an amazing motorcycle for shorter riders. Hell, I wish I was short. I would have ridden Sportsters forever. They have classic lines, and all the power you need to do anything.
Ujjwal, the most powerful editor of Bikernet Trikes, did a good job with his review of the 2017 Roadster Sportster. I’m not sure anyone can put the Sportster legacy, design, lines, and riding sensation in writing. The Sportster is just plain cool. May Sportsters live forever.
SFFS
–Bandit
ANOTHER BUCKET LIST RIDE, SORTA– The 2017 Taste of Dakar promises something for everyone, including good times in the deep sand.
To celebrate it’s sixth consecutive year bringing together adventure riders from around the world, AltRider’s 2017 Taste of Dakar will introduce ADV enthusiasts to a new location and all-new routes for every skill level.
From winding dirt trails and cracked riverbeds to towering sand dunes and everything in-between, the 2017 Taste of Dakar will take riders on an epic weekend adventure in Gold Point, Nevada, March 17th-19th.
With GPS-led routes near Death Valley, five square meals, two nights of camping, entertainment and drinks, riders will also have a chance to win exciting giveaways, including a gift certificate for a complete set of Raiden gear: helmet, jacket, gloves, boots and pants from Icon Motorsports, as well as one of five all-new Voyager Pro GPS units from TrailTech.
“While we’re primarily an ADV gear company, this event is about opening up the adventure riding experience in a way that everyone, whether they’ve been riding for years or just getting their feet wet, can feel safe and secure with,” said AltRider President Jeremy LeBreton. “When the riding community comes together to make inclusive events that combine a safe recreation structure with the opportunity to enjoy epic scenery and build meaningful relationships with riders around the world, you have the formula for a good time.”
This year’s taste of Dakar will take riders on an excursion covering up to 150 miles of off-road riding, at the novice, intermediate or expert levels. GPS-equipped riders will run point and sweep for each route, which cover terrain ranging from boulder fields, dry lake and river beds to mountaintop single track and pristine dunes.
After a full day in the saddle, riders meet back at camp to enjoy dinner, adult beverages and live entertainment from some of the most well known ADV legends.
For those looking to brush up on their ADV basics prior to Saturday’s ride, Black Swan Moto will be conducting a one-day class on Friday, March 17th. Riders will have the chance to learn proper techniques from off-road instructors with 10+ years training experience. Body position, clutch control, throttle control and braking on large ADV bikes, terrain and traction over hills, dirt & gravel and sand, motorcycle pitch and attitude management, ADV bike balance, and picking up down motorcycles are all covered.
Riders looking to join the ride that need an adventure bike can rent a BMW F800 GS or R1200 GSW at a special event price from MotoQuest by filling out this form. Riders can sign up for this year’s Taste of Dakar by clicking here.
“At the end of the day, this event is about creating bonds with those who share a passion for adventure and enjoying the natural beauty of the Mohave that can only be seen on two wheels” said LeBreton. “Riders come back year after year because it’s an awesome experience, plain and simple. That’s why we love this sport, and that’s what drives us to always venture on.”
Learn more at www.altrider.com.
–Scott Shaffstall
KYLE PETTY CHARITY RIDE ACROSS AMERICA– Rides the Pacific Northwest
for its 23rd Annual Route 23 years of revving up for the cause – to raise funds to send deserving kids to camp at Victory Junction
The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, one of the most successful and popular charity rides in the country, today announced the route for its 23rd annual motorcycle trek. For the first time in almost a decade, the Ride led by former NASCAR driver and NBC Sports racing analyst Kyle Petty, will travel across the Pacific Northwest.
With Manheim, North America’s leading provider of used vehicle services, as returning presenting sponsor, the Ride will leave Portland, Oregon, on May 13 and arrive in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on May 19, covering eight states in seven days. Petty will lead 200 bikers on the weeklong, 2,400-mile route to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
What started out as Petty and a small group of friends riding together for fun in 1995, has grown into one of the most successful and popular charity rides in the country. This year, more than 20 first-time riders will join the dedicated team of men and women riding for the cause, along with new sponsors and a continued sense of passion.
“It’s pretty straightforward: every single mile we ride is for one cause, and that is to send chronically ill children to camp at Victory Junction at no cost to their families,” said Petty. “The Ride is an enriching experience for everyone involved, and this year we’ll be riding through some spectacular parts of the country like Mount Rushmore, and for the very first time the Columbia River Gorge.”
The Ride will see many of our country’s historic landmarks including Yellowstone and Badlands National Parks; Bighorn National Forest; and the iconic Harley-Davidson Museum, the birthplace of the all-American motorcycle manufacturing company. Emblematic of the American open road, riders will also take in roadside attractions, including the world’s largest ball of twine rolled by one man in Darwin, Minnesota.
Fans are encouraged to come support the cause and greet riders at one of the Ride’s seven overnight stops or daily pit stops. Spectators along the route may also purchase memorabilia or contribute to the Ride’s “Small Change. Big Impact.” program, which accepts donations at each stop.
23rd Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:
(Information about scheduled pit stops can be found on the Ride’s Facebook page.)
· Day 1, Saturday, May 13 – Portland, Oregon to Walla Walla, Washington
· Day 2, Sunday, May 14 – Walla Walla, Washington to Missoula, Montana
· Day 3, Monday, May 15 – Missoula, Montana to Cody, Wyoming
· Day 4, Tuesday, May 16 – Cody, Wyoming to Deadwood, South Dakota
· Day 5, Wednesday, May 17 – Deadwood, South Dakota to Mitchell, South Dakota
· Day 6, Thursday, May 18 – Mitchell, South Dakota to Minneapolis, Minnesota
· Day 7, Friday, May 19 – Minneapolis, Minnesota to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
As a result of the Ride, 7,985 children have attended Victory Junction at no cost to their families. Last year alone, the Ride raised more than $1 million, sending 100 children to camp. Victory Junction has served as the Ride’s primary beneficiary since its establishment by Petty and his family in 2004 in honor of his late son, Adam.
This year’s Ride will feature several celebrity riders, including:
· NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time champion Richard Petty
· NASCAR legends Harry Gant, Hershel McGriff and Donnie Allison
· Former NFL great and ESPN’s 2016 Coaches Poll greatest college football player of all time, Herschel Walker
· Heisman Trophy winner (1980) and Super Bowl champion (XXII) George Rogers
· NBC Sports NASCAR personalities Rick Allen and Rutledge Wood
· Harley-Davidson Museum president, Bill Davidson, who comes from a long list of Harley-Davidson greats starting with his great grandfather who founded the company.
“As we travel to new parts of our country – or ones we haven’t seen in a while – the Ride brings with it a passion for sharing the great work of Victory Junction and a comradery that can’t be matched. That’s what makes it one of the most popular motorcycle rides in the country,” said Kyle’s father Richard Petty.
The 2017 Ride is made possible by presenting sponsor Manheim, as well as Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, FCA Fleet, Racing Electronics, WinCraft Racing, FLUIDYNE Racing Products, Petty Family Foundation, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Headbands of Hope, Piedmont Moving Systems, ArticBlu, and Goody’s.
“Giving back to the community is a core value of Manheim, so we’re thrilled once again to be supporting Victory Junction and the children who camp there,” said Janet Barnard, president, Cox Automotive Inventory Solutions. “Our teams are excited to welcome the Ride at two of our operating locations, Manheim Portland and Manheim Minneapolis, and offering their local support to this worthwhile cause.”
To keep up with Petty and the riders live, follow along on social media:
· Facebook: www.facebook.com/kpcharityride and www.facebook.com/kylepetty45
· Instagram: www.instagram.com/kpcharityride and www.instagram.com/kylepetty
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/kpcharityride and www.twitter.com/kylepetty
For more information about the 23rd Annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America or to make a donation, please visit www.kylepettycharityride.com.
Now in its 23rd year, more than 7,950 riders have logged 11.6 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised more than $17.5 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.
To learn more, please visit www.victoryjunction.org.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim North America is a Cox Automotive brand. For more information, visit http://press.manheim.com.
–Chantal O’Connell
–Kent
Monday is President’s Day at LOWBROW, and in celebration of that fact we are offering 10% off of all USA-made products now through Monday at 11:59 pm EST. There are thousands of American-made products available, and we have added an American flag icon to the corner of each to make it easy for you to spot.
Enter coupon code 2017USA10 at checkout for your savings!
Southern Bike Night TV is a biker reality series about the life of a biker.
–Midnight Express
RESEARCHERS BLAME “OTHER DRIVERS” FOR MOST MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS– An Australian study states “failure of other drivers to give way” as the most common factor in motorcycle accidents.
Research by Monash University in Melbourne has found that human error was the primary contributing factor for 94% of bike accidents.
“Whilst with single-bike crashes, rider error and loss of control were found to be the most common causes, for incidents involving more than one vehicle, it was found that ‘motorcycle crashes occurring in lighter traffic more likely involved an error by another driver, including such things as failure to give way’.”
The motorcycle crash research studied over two hundred and thirty accidents between January 2012 and August 2014, with nurses at the hospitals and crash scene investigators aiding with the compilation of the data.
“Whilst car drivers were responsible for the majority of accidents in less-dense traffic, it was the motorcyclist to be more likely at fault for most ‘urban’ crashes and collisions however,” Trevor Allen of the Monash University Research Centre told The Herald Sun newspaper, adding that this was most likely due to the greater frequency of danger; “Higher traffic density leads to more hazards and a higher level of difficulty for riders to move safely in and among traffic, compared with other vehicles.”
The research also found that the older the rider, the less likely it was that the rider was primarily to blame for the accident.
–Bill Bish
NCOM NEWS BYTES
You’ll see the whole monthly report from Bill this week on Bikernet.–Bandit
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5-BALL RACING ORDER— We are modifying a couple of 5-Ball leathers and taking the zippers out of the side pockets. They bother me, and there are plenty of pockets for storage. When you want to slip your hand in a pocket to relax or get warm, you don’t need zipper teeth to disturb your Wa.
–Ming Ball
THE PERPETUATION OF A SPEED-TRAP TOWN–
A tacit arrangement between the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Rosendale, WI (pop. 1,063) has fueled the tiny village’s notoriety as a stereotypical speed-trap town. Rosendale lives up to its reputation by handing out speeding convictions at a per capita rate of more than 50 times that of state capitol Madison.* Rosendale, 80 miles northwest of Milwaukee and situated along a popular route between Madison and Green Bay, is the motorist’s perfect storm.
Wisconsin State Highways 23 and 26 intersect at the center of Rosendale. The speed limits of both highways drop from 55 to 45 to 30 mph in short order upon approach to the village. The changes in limits are posted but as the consistently high, year-over-year rate at which the village’s police chief and his five part-time officers write tickets indicates, that isn’t affecting driving habits much.
Village officials cite safety as their primary concern when enforcing the lower limits. And it is true enough that some homes, schools and a church face the highways as each bisects Rosendale. But if handing out a slew of speeding tickets isn’t slowing drivers down and safety truly is the issue, why don’t WisDOT and Rosendale team up to find another solution to address traffic through town?
Einstein’s definition of insanity – trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results – would seem to apply. More likely the village has grown dependent on ticket revenue.
Rosendale points to the state when asked about adjusting the speed limits because WisDOT sets those criteria on state roads. When contacted by the NMA about the justification for the speed limits through town on the state roads, WisDOT noted that it reviews speed limits when requested by local officials or if there is a state highway project in the location. The agency suggested that we contact the local municipality if we wanted a review of the limits on State Highways 23 and 26.
So without the blessing of the village, the state isn’t inclined to change the 30 mph limits of the state roads that flow through Rosendale or to build a bypass around the village to keep those incessant speeders from endangering residents. And Rosendale has shown no apparent interest in changing the status quo of collecting a little over $100,000 each year from speeding tickets.
The perfect speed trap stalemate isn’t about to be broken anytime soon. Drivers are better served finding their own alternate routes around Rosendale rather than adding to the village’s coffers.
* Rosendale handed out 4,512 speeding convictions over the three years ending in 2015. Madison, population 248,950, turned speeding citations into 18,800 convictions during the same period.
WEEKEND GUN NUT REPORT– Senate Votes to Block Obama Social Security Administration Gun Ban; Legislation Heads to President Trump
On Wednesday morning, the U.S. Senate voted 57-43 in favor of H.J.Res.40, which would block the implementation of an Obama-era rule under which the Social Security Administration (SSA) would report the names of tens of thousands of beneficiaries annually to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in order to prohibit them from purchasing firearms.
Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress is permitted to overrule a federal regulation, within a 60-day window, using an expedited legislative procedure that is not subject to the Senate’s filibuster rule. Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed this measure by a vote of 235-180. This important legislation now heads to President Donald Trump.
At issue is a December 19, 2016 SSA rule, set to be implemented by December 19, 2017, that broadly prohibits many with what SSA considers to be a mental disorder from purchasing firearms. Under the rule, those with a mental health impairment, who meet SSA’s criteria to receive benefits and also have a representative payee designated to receive these benefits, would be reported to the NICS database as “adjudicated as a mental defective,” and thus prohibited from possessing firearms.
Mental health professionals recognize that there is no connection between mental illness and dangerousness, and that those who suffer from mental health disorders are more likely to be the victims than the perpetrators of violent crime.
The SSA rule does not require that an individual’s underlying mental health records indicate dangerousness. In fact, an individual who is receiving benefits via a representative payee could be swept into NICS for mental conditions that span the gamut of diagnoses; including intellectual disabilities and eating disorders. The Obama administration estimated that this rule could strip the rights of 75,000 individuals per year.
The fact that this rule has no basis in evidence, would serve to further stigmatize an already vulnerable group, and has inadequate due process protections, has led a wide-ranging coalition of organizations to support its cancelation. In addition to the NRA, the legislation to block the SSA rule is supported by the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Association of People with Disabilities, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and many others.
In order for the federal government to strip an individual of a constitutionally protected right, the procedure for removing that right must comport with due process of law. Further, the burden of justifying the removal of a right rests on the government. Here, the designation of a representative payee does not involve adequate process for the removal of a person’s Second Amendment rights.
Proponents of the SSA rule have all but acknowledged this fact, often pointing to the procedure under which an individual can appeal their firearms prohibition once it has been imposed. During floor debate, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) contended that those affected by this rule, “have due process to contest the determination,” and that there is the “full ability for the individual or for the family to contest this limitation, which makes it completely constitutional.” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) took to the Senate floor to register a similar contention.
Senators Murphy and Wyden could use a civics lesson. The SSA rule would impermissibly shift government’s burden of proving an individual should not be allowed to exercise their Second Amendment right, to the individual, requiring that they prove that they are capable of safely exercising their constitutional right.
Moreover, aside from the fact that this perverts our constitutional structure, one might rightly question how legitimately SSA would administer any appeal of a prior agency determination regarding a representative payee designation, or a relief from disability petition. As a matter of policy, one might also question whether a typical Social Security beneficiary has access to the resources necessary to launch and navigate such an appeal process, particularly if appeals to SSA are unfruitful and a judicial remedy is required.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who introduced a Senate version of H.J.Res.40, challenged proponents of the SSA rule on this point just prior to the vote. During debate, Grassley stated, “If the supporters of this regulation want to take away people’s gun rights then they need to acknowledge the government must carry the burden to actually prove a person is dangerously mentally ill and the government must provide due process in that process.”
Akin to a bully choosing their victim, gun control supporters have repeatedly demonstrated that they are not above attacking the constitutional rights of the most vulnerable among us if it serves their over-arching anti-gun agenda. In fact, at this point it is safe to say that targeting the rights of those who are subject to unwarranted prejudice is part of the anti-gun movement’s comprehensive strategy.
It is important for gun owners to understand that efforts to curtail the due process rights of some in relation to the Second Amendment right, have grave implications for all gun owners. While much of the gun control movement’s recent energy has been used to target groups that portions of the public have shown little sympathy towards, gun owners can be assured that, if successful, gun control advocates will seek to similarly diminish the due process rights of ever wider segments of the population.
H.J.Res.40 protects the due process and Second Amendment rights of Social Security beneficiaries. However, given the amount of misinformation that anti-gun politicians, gun control organizations, and the media have peddled about H.J.Res.40 and the SSA rule, it is also important to understand what this legislation and rule would not do.
H.J.Res.40 Does Not Weaken the National Instant Criminal Background Check System
In materials on his website, Murphy has repeatedly contended that H.J.Res.40 will “weaken” the background check system. This is not true. H.J.Res.40 does not remove the names of any individuals from the NICS database. The notice of the SSA rule in the Federal Register makes clear that “compliance is not required until December 19, 2017.” H.J.Res.40 merely prevents SSA from using an incorrect interpretation of the law to place new individuals into the NICS database going forward.
Further, some media outlets have run misleading headlines that give the impression that Congress has voted to broadly curtail background checks. An Associated Press item carried the headline, “House votes to roll back Obama rule on background checks for gun ownership.” The BBC ran an article that claimed, “The US House of Representatives has voted to scrap regulations that require background checks for gun buyers with mental health issues.”
H.J.Res.40 does not alter the circumstances under which a background check must be conducted pursuant to a firearms transfer. Just as now, a background check would still be required for firearm transfers between federally licensed gun dealers and non-licensees.
The SSA Rule is Not Required to Comply with the NICS Improvement Amendments Act
Contrary to media reports and the contention of the Obama administration, the SSA rule is not required in order for the SSA to properly comply with the NICS Improvement Amendments Act (NIAA). The NIAA requires federal agencies to submit prohibiting records for inclusion in the NICS. The NIAA did not change the underlying categories of persons prohibited from possessing firearms, outlined 18 U.S.C. §922(g).
Under the guise of facilitating compliance with NIAA, the SSA rule is an expansion of a prohibited persons category, those “adjudicated as a mental defective,” to encompass individuals never covered by federal statute. The NIAA requires federal agencies to report relevant records to the NICS, not to invent new categories of relevant records in order to prohibit new segments of the population.
Further, if at any point since the advent of the NICS in 1998 SSA had believed it was in possession of relevant prohibiting information on an individual, it was authorized to forward such information to the FBI for inclusion in the NICS. Up until the Obama administration made the political decision to pervert existing federal law to further scrutinize gun owners, SSA had correctly determined that the records covered by the new rule were not prohibiting.
The SSA Rule Would Not Have Prevented the Tragedy in Newtown, Conn.
Some media outlets have reported that the SSA rule was “inspired” by the December 2012 shooting in Newtown, Conn. The language these outlets use gives the impression that this rule could have helped to prevent that tragedy.
The perpetrator of that attack did suffer from mental illness, however, background checks were irrelevant to the crime. The shooter did not go through a background check to procure the rifle used in the attack, he stole the firearm from his mother after he murdered her.
The Obama administration’s SSA rule is a callous attempt to restrict Second Amendment rights by targeting a vulnerable and misunderstood population, and we look forward to President Trump signing H.J.Res.40.
NEW OLD FEATURE COMING FROM BRAT STYLE TO BIKERNET— We cruised over to Brat Style on the West Side of Long Beach yesterday to discuss his Indian Chout feature on Bikernet. You’ll be blown away.
That’s his wife’s Panhead.
–Bandit
NEW FROM THE BIKERNET TRIKES MONK–
www.Bikernet.com Trikes editor Ujjwal Dey will review urban bikers club called Metro Allies. They don’t go cross country. They visit local city events together and form a gang of gatecrashers at pubs, cafes, malls, museums, art galleries, bookstores, et al. Indian Trike Bajaj Autorickshaw is included.
Soon on Bikernet.com bring your Vespa and Cafe Racers to this club.
DAV RESTRICTS ACCESS TO VA HELP–Please make an appointment with our Support Staff. If you would like to file for an increase with your current disabilities please complete VA FORM 21-526EZ.
We no longer accept WALK-INS please make an appointment and we will help you.
Thank you sir and have a great day!
–DAV
National Service Officer
Los Angeles VARO
(310) 477-2530
NEVER DULL—We adjusted our goals for the better this week. We cut the three major goals to two. I was working on a screenplay notion I shared with a movie producer last year. He turned the notion down, so I started to write it myself.
Then the Harley series came out. He may have shared my notion with the producers. Did you watch the three-part Harley series. They did a helluva job, but it covered some of the same topics included in my screenplay, so I decided to table my effort. Just as well, screenplays are a dime a dozen.
“They produced it in Canada, and they don’t honor our copyright laws there,” said Mike Jones.
So, that leaves two major goals for this year: First, our Salt Torpedo for Bonneville. The Paughco team is working on the frame. This effort could be extremely fun and historic. Hang on for the next report.
Second, we are going to try our hands at a bronze sculpture effort for a Hamster Charity event each year in Sturgis to support the children’s hospital. Just recently, I recruited another Hamster, who carves on leather, Tony Spilleni, to help me.
I’m hoping to have all the materials in the next couple of weeks and get to work. Hang on for reports.
I mentioned slowing down at the beginning of the year, so we can ride and relax more. More on this difficult task in the next couple of weeks.
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit
