Hey,
A friend stopped over last night. He came to Long Beach to be given a lifetime membership in the Southern California Judo Association. He’s a sharp cookie. He mentioned that AR-15s are like the least used weapon for murder in the US, and actually the most-used weapon is a baseball bat. Should we ban them?
He lined up all the elements that lead to mass murder, and the AR-15 comes in last, after a lack of training, parenting, mental malady awareness, etc. Why do we have a government so hell bent on passing more laws?
Let’s hit the news.
D&D DEALER DIRECT PROGRAM UPDATE—We are attempting to catch up with the growing number of D&D Performance Exhaust dealers. If you don’t spot one near you, go to their web site for the full-on list.
47) Fun Bike Center 5755 Kearney Villa Rd San Diego, CA 92123 858-278-6635
48) Bad to the Bone 101 FM 1514 Coldspring, TX 77331 936-653-3989
49) Mackay Motorcycles 26 Peel St Mackay, QLD, Australia, 4740 0749572411
50) Open Road Cycles LLC 1716 Montclair Cove Ct Jacksonville, FL 32259 904-735-5306
51) Smitty’s Cycles 3805 Hwy 180 E Mineral Wells, TX 76067 940-325-3253
52) Family Powersports 4160 Houston Harte Expy San Angelo, TX 76901 325-947-2453
53) PHP Motorsports LLC 9450 7th St # A Rancho Cucamanga, CA 91737 951-257-4033
54) Frisco Custom Cycles 6427 W. Main St Frisco, TX 75034 214-387-0650
55) Zips 45th Parallel Harley Davidson 980 S. Wisconsin Ave Gaylord, MI 49735 989-732-8000
56) Corpus Christi Harley Davidson 502 S. Padre Island Dr Corpus Christi, TX 78405 361-854-3146
57) Yamaha of Warren Inc 4867 Mahoning Ave NW Warren, OH 44483 330-847-7644
58) Pete’s Superbike 60 Maple St Derby Line VT 05830 450-732-1222
59) Tech Master 3333 South Military Trail Lake Worth, FL 33463 561-963-4935
60) Legacy Harley Davidson 1315 Althoff Ave Effingham, IL 62401 217-342-3494
61) Dirt Bag Cycles 155 B. Nardi Ln Martinez, CA 94521 925-212-6602
–Jennifer
D&D
BIKERNET ACCREDITED UNIVERSITY NAUTICAL PIRATE WORD OF THE DAY–
yare yair, adjective:
1. quick; agile; lively.?2. (of a ship) quick to the helm; easily handled or maneuvered.?3. Archaic. a. ready; prepared. b. nimble; quick.
— Jo Goodman, Crystal Passion
Robert Louis Stevenson, The Black Arrow
Yare was used in Middle English before the year 900, but its Old English progenitor gearu meant “ready” or “prepared.”
S&S GOING TO EUROPE–S&S Cycle to exhibit at Big Bike Europe.
Market leading “Proven Performance” parts and engine components manufacturer S&S Cycle is among the latest US vendors to see BIG BIKE EUROPE as “an important element of our European marketing strategy” according to company President Steve Iggens.
The internationally respected Viola, Wisconsin, headquartered specialist is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year and has embarked upon a prolific new product introduction programme that is set to continue throughout the year.
The company recently announced a major initiative with its new Viola V-Twin service parts program and entered the own-brand v-twin oils market with a range of formulations blended to their specification.
BIG BIKE EUROPE is the all-new custom and performance industry expo concept for catering exclusively to the international parts, accessories, custom, performance, service, workshop and tuning vendor community.
BIG BIKE EUROPE is a three day expo offering exhibitors an innovative and unique new Invitational/Open-admittance attendance strategy.
The first day (Friday May 10th, 2013) is an “Invitation Only” day set aside for motorcycle dealers, custom shops, custom motorcycle builders and customizers who receive invitations from AMD magazine and the expo exhibitors themselves.
In turn, invited dealers are able to register and invite up to 25 of their best customers and high mileage large displacement motorcycle riders, as their own ‘VIP Riders’ for complimentary three-day all-area expo access as their own guests, compliments of BBE’s exhibitors.
The weekend (Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th) is open to general public, rider and enthusiast attendance with tickets available from as little as €10 a day (approx $15.00).
It is further estimated that some 65 percent plus of Europe’s large displacement road-registered motorcycles, of all kinds, including Harley-Davidsons are within a 500 to 600 km radius of the venue (sources: International Motorcycle Industry Index, Moto Big Book, AMD Magazine, International Dealer News).
www.BigBikeEurope.com
QUOTE OF THE DAY–This will go down in history, for the first time a civilized nation has full gun registration. Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient and the world will follow our lead into the future.
—-Adolf Hitller
–from Gary Maurer
OHIO MOTORCYCLE RIDER SAFETY TRAINING FUNDS SAVED FROM TRANSFER–
A provision in an Ohio House bill that could have made it difficult to determine how motorcycle rider safety training funds were being spent
was deleted after several motorcycling organizations complained.
The AMA, ABATE of Ohio, the Ohio Motorized Trails Association and others told state
lawmakers that the provision was a bad idea because motorcyclists wanted to ensure
that the funds are used for motorcyclist safety training. Lawmakers removed the provision from the bill, and then on Feb. 28 the full House approve the bill, sending it to the Senate for further consideration.
The provision was in House Bill 35 — the proposed state transportation budget. The language proposed abolishing the Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund and transferring its cash to the State Highway Safety Fund. The Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund, coupled with student tuition fees, funds the Motorcycle Ohio rider education program.
Ohio’s on-highway motorcyclists support Motorcycle Ohio through $6 from each
Motorcycle registration fee paid to the registrar of motor vehicles. That money goes into the
Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund.
Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager, was among those who testified against
the provision before the House Transportation Subcommittee of the House Finance
and Appropriations Committee on Feb. 15.
“The proposed abolishment of the Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund following
transfer of its cash balance to the State Highway Safety Fund is troubling for several
reasons,” Szauter testified.
He said those reasons included:
1. Placing motorcycle registration fee money in the State Highway Safety Fund would make it harder for the motorcycling community to track it.
2. Placing motorcycle registration fee money in the State Highway Safety
Fund would
make it easier to divert it for purposes other than motorcycle safety and
education.
the motorcycling
community because riders know how the money is being used.
specific program used for purposes other than motorcycle safety and education.
Szauter also noted that in 2006 and in 2009, the state of Ohio attempted to raid the Motorcycle Safety and Education Fund. In 2006, the Ohio Controlling Board received, and later rejected, a request to transfer $750,000 from the fund.
In 2009, then-Gov. Ted Strickland reversed a decision to transfer $800,000 from the
fund. In both cases, the motorcycling community spoke up to protect the money
riders paid to support rider education.
Motorcycle Ohio is a nationally recognized respected rider education program
That provides four training courses for motorcyclists of all skill levels. The Basic
RiderCourse, the Basic RiderCourse for returning riders, the Basic RiderCourse 2, and the Advanced RiderCourse are taught by dedicated, experienced RiderCoaches.
For more information, please visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com
EDITOR’S CHOICE BIKE SHOW DAYTONA 2013–The Question “How Do I Get My Bike In A Magazine” Is Answered!
If you have ever wondered how to get your bike featured in a national motorcycle magazine, this year during the First Annual Daytona Bike Week Twisted Tea Editor’s Choice Bike Show, The Broken Spoke and the National Motorcycle Magazines will provide an answer.
For the first time ever Bike Week attendees, scooter tramps, and biker veterans can hang out at the Broken Spoke Saloon on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at noon where 15 of the national motorcycle publications including Bikernet.com, will be hosting a one day motorcycle show.
–Buck Lovell /Editor Bikernetbaggers.com
Lovell Photography & Design
Senior Editorial Contributor: Iron Works Magazine, Easyriders
Magazine, American Iron Magazine, Motorcycle Baggers Magazine, Iron
Works Magazine, Hot Bike Magazine, Hot Bike Baggers Magazine, and
Street Chopper Magazine.
DIRECT FROM H-D FACTORY MANUAL FOR TOURING BIKES 2002—VEHICLE ALIGNMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ENSURE PROPER HANDLING AND VIBRATION CONTROL. FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE CAREFULLY AND IN THE SEQUESNCE GIVEN. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN DEATHE OR SERIOUS INJURY.
I’m in the process of aligning my FXR, and trying to follow factory directions. I better get it right!–Bandit
BRAND NEW BIKERNET READER COMMENT–
Bullet for Da Blues
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=10946
got some go looking bike an lands
–Terrybrooks
BIKERNET 5-Ball RACING REPORT
Adrenaline Junky File
*2nd Grand Child, It’s A Boy, Unknown Today Wheeler, arrival, early June
*Texas Mile* March 22-24 ….www.texasmile.net
*Ohio Mile 2013*
*April 27-28 June 8-9 July 6-7 Sept. 28-29 ….www.ecta-lsr.com
*El Mirage 2013*
*May 18-19, June 9, July 14, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 9-10.. www.scta.org
*Loring Maine* The Maine Event July 12-14 ….www.lta-lsr.com
*Bonneville, SCTA*
*160 Days….August 10-16, 2013* ….www.scta-bni.org
*BUB Speed Trials*
*168 Days…. *August 24-29, 2013* ….www.speedtrialsbybub.com
*Mojave Mile* October, 12-13 ….www.mojavemile.com
Funny how time slips away, altering every imaginable plan in the world. Seems like the summer of ‘86 was just a few days ago and we we’re staged and ready for a shot at the 1/8th mile, Sturgis Drag Strip.
Thus far 2013 has played out like a well oiled, world class roller coaster slowly inching its way to the top of the steepest hill, neon lights with a view of the park, setting the stage for a spine tingling 2013, off the hook, hang-on-to-your-ass-kinda-ride around the big ball. With a little luck gravity will keep working, hang on. March Motorcycle Madness is in full swing.
Our new engine fired the first time November 25 in Morgan Hill, Ca. at the Beach Racing facility on the way out of town, running on the front cylinder only. On Friday December 14th. at Bennett’s Performance in Signal Hill, Ca. we fired the hot rod one more time after checking push rod adjustments, etc. same results, firing on the front cylinder only.
With the Branch facilities in the connecting building it seemed logical at the moment to remove the rear head, walk next door and have the pros take a look. John O’Keefe checked the R&R Cycle cylinder head, perfect. John walked next door and ask for the rear rocker box? Look at the small mark where the intake rocker was touching just enough to hold the valve open. A air tool with a carbide bit and the front and rear rocker boxes were relieved, problem solved.
Our 5-Ball Racing Teams 124 Inch, Turbo-Charged Raycer is resting on a Handy Lift at Colorado Customs, in line for a few of the final pieces. Shift linkage, rear sets, street and track handle bar set-ups, 270-mph speedo mount, wheels and Lyndall composite rotors. We should see some action this week.
Our next scheduled stop is San Jose for a state of the art tune up. Then we hit the highway for real seat time in preparation for the ultimate test during the blistering hot month of August 2013 on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Mark your calendar for a trip to the salt someday, its surreal to say the least.
With one helluva lot of help from my family and Industry friends….Thanks, Thanks, Thanks.
We’re on track for a stellar year on the street and on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
3 Ex-Wives, My 3 Sons, Aerocharger, All Balls Racing, Kent Rich, Dutch and the Crew@Air Tech Streamlining, Arai Helmets, Keith Ball and the Crew@Bikernet, Bikers Choice, Brad Beach@Beach Racing ,Cometic Gaskets, Dan Thayer@vtwinfuelinjection, Allen Alvarez@Daytona Twin Tech, ERC Race Gas, George The Wild Brush, ET Krankvents (Thanks Ted Shrode, Ph.D—- R. I. P.), Fisher Harmonic Damper, Dan Stern@House of Thunder H-D, Horsepower Inc., Ron Williams, Jeff, Kevin@Hardtailz, Randy Torgeson, Michelle and the Crew@Hyperformance, Jim’s Machine USA, K&N Air Cleaner, Paul Kittrell@Lyndall Racing Brakes, Marc Susman@Colorado Custom Cycle Wheels, Ray Whitehead@Pegasus, Pingel, Jim @Sharp Eye Transmission, Reggie and Crew@R&R Cycle, Ben Kudon@Rivera Primo, Matthew Wiley@Race Tech Suspension, Rick Tedder@ R/T Performance, Schnitz Racing, Mr. McCahill@Spyke, S&S Cycle, Matthew Negherbon@Thunder Motorcycles in San Jose, Guy Caputo@Tiger Racing, Steve The Turbo Doc, Tsubaki Chains, Vanderbeck Race Cars, Vanson Leathers, Dr. Willie, World Wide Bearings, Duncan Keller, Yankee Engineuity in San Jose, Ca..
Haul Ass!
Ride for your Life!
–Ray c wheeler
Performance Editor
wheeler@bikernet.com
DWARFS WEARING COLORS ALLOWED INTO BANDIT’S CANTINA–Two dwarfs go into Bandit’s Cantina where they pick up two ‘working girls’ and take them to their separate hotel rooms for an hour of pleasure.
?The first dwarf, however, is unable to get an erection. His depression is made worse by the fact that, from the next room, he hears his friend repeatedly shouting:
“Here I come again! ONE, TWO, THREE …. UGH! ” “Here I come again! ONE, TWO, THREE…. UGH!” “Here I come again! ONE, TWO, THREE … UGH!”
This goes on for the whole hour.
Later, back at the bar, the second dwarf asks the first, ” How did it go?
The first mutters, ” It was embarrassing. I just couldn’t get an erection. “
The second dwarf shook his head. ” You think that’s embarrassing? I couldn’t get on the bed. “
–Jim Waggaman
URAL NEWS–Lots going in the Ural World as usual.
At IMWA we keep busy with recruiting dealers, working with journalists, selling bikes, outsourcing for the factory, fine-tuning our internal systems and in general preparing a Ural world takeover.
US Retail sales are up for Jan and Feb of this year compared to 2012. Factory is cranking up production to keep all of us distributors happy. IMZ new Quality Manager Alexander Tarakanov arrived in the US a couple of days ago to experience first hand the environment and people that sell and buy Urals. His first stop is Boston, where he spends time in a dealership and working side by side with Ural New England’s technical and sales crew.
Our thanks go to Dmitry and Olga of Ural of New England for hosting and immersing Alexander into the world of Ural on this side on the Pond. We look forward to meeting Alexander at IMWA in Redmond in a few days to brainwash him even further. 🙂
Jon Taylor from Ural Australia asked us to remind everyone that there is a Ural Adventure Ride scheduled from March 16 through March 26. Read more on www.imz-ural.com.au
Our new distributor in Russia just launched their website – you can brush up on your Russian here: www.uralmoto.ru. They also offer some really cool tours on Urals – check out the Tours section – inquiries are welcome – feel free to send them an inquiry at info@riderus.ru.
Our northern neighbors in Canada surprised the heck out of us. Just recently Target (the big box retailer) decided to open stores in Canada. For their commercial, which aired during the Oscar broadcast, they chose a red Ural with white stripes. It was definitely one of the coolest commercials to use our bike, and for the rider to be a woman? Even cooler, bravo Target! And awesome job Ural Canada!
The “Quartermaster”-Icon 1000 x Ural Special Project
Last fall Icon (yep, THAT Icon, the very hot Portland based motorcycle apparel company) approached us about using a Ural for their Spring 2013 marketing. Why not? In the past Icon has built some pretty neat bikes and we were intrigued what they would do with a Ural. We got intrigued even more when in their pitch they used words like “post apocalyptic”, “end of days”, “zombie war” and such… so that gave us warm and fuzzy feeling that we should move forward with this. 🙂
The result is called “The Quartermaster” and it is based off a 2012 Ural Solo sT. We like it, and even more, it can wheelie!
MT. VERNON, TEXAS, WHOREHOUSE SUES LOCAL CHURCH–Diamond D’s brothel began construction on an expansion of their building to increase their ever-growing business. In response, the local Baptist Church started a campaign to block the business from expanding — with morning, afternoon, and evening prayer sessions at their church.
Work on Diamond D’s progressed right up until the week before the grand reopening when lightning struck the whorehouse and burned it to the ground!
After the cat-house burned the church folks were rather smug in their outlook, bragging about “the power of prayer.” But late last week ‘Big Jugs’ Jill Diamond, the owner/madam, sued the church, the preacher and the entire congregation on the grounds that the church … “was ultimately responsible for the demise of her building and her business — either through direct or indirect divine actions or means.”
In its reply to the court, the church vehemently and voraciously denied any and all responsibility or any connection to the building’s demise.
The crusty old judge read through the plaintiff’s complaint and the defendant’s reply, and at the opening hearing he commented:
“I don’t know how the hell I’m going to decide this case, but it appears from the paperwork, that we now have a whorehouse owner who staunchly believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that thinks it’s bullshit.”
–from Bob Clark
TRIKE HANDLING–Have you trike guys seen this……….. www.tiltingmotorworks.com/
–Buck Lovell /Editor Bikernetbaggers.com
Lovell Photography & Design
BIKERNET BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS–I’m Cutting Back, just like the federal government
Makes sense to me.
I’m cutting back and you should too…so, pay close attention to this suggestion!!!
I’m going to bite the bullet, too!!!!
President Obama ordered the cabinet to cut $100,000,000.00 ($100 million) from the $3,500,000,000,000.00 ($3.5 trillion) federal budget.
I’m so impressed by this sacrifice that I have decided to do the samething with my personal budget. I spend about $2,000 a month on
groceries, household expenses, medicine, utilities, etc., but it’s time to get out the budget cutting axe, go through my expenses, and cut back.
I’ll just have to do without some things, that are, frankly, luxuries – six cents worth.
“There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation… One is by sword…The other is by debt.”
–from Dr. Willie
HARLEY DEALERS STOCKING NEW SPRING ACCESSORIES
AND A FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE IN MARCH
Receive a 110th Anniversary Commemorative Photo Frame when you Spend $300
MILWAUKEE (March 1, 2013) Harley-Davidson dealers are ready for the start of a new motorcycle season with new Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories® that riders need to get on the road. As an added incentive, participating Harley-Davidson dealers will offer customers a collectible 110th Anniversary gift with a qualifying $300 purchase during the month of March.
Get started by visiting the Parts & Accessories Harley website to see a great selection of new products for each H-D motorcycle. Harley-Davidson offers a wide selection of LED Lighting products that enhance the visibility of many models so you can ride longer until the summer days of more sunshine begin. Also think about starting the season on fresh tires, including the new line of Harley-Davidson branded Michelin Scorcher tires now available as a replacement tire for specified models. When installing those new tires, it is also a smart time to add a set of new Harley-Davidson Custom Wheels, the quickest way to dramatically change the profile of any Harley bike.
During the month of March participating Harley-Davidson dealers will offer customers a collectible 110th Anniversary gift with a qualifying $300 purchase. The commemorative 110th Anniversary cut-out picture frame holds a 5×7-inch photo in an LED-illuminated acrylic insert and features a cast Bar and Shield logo and a bronze metallic finish. The frame has is a $75 value but is free to customers when they spend $300 or more on Harley-Davidson MotorClothes® Merchandise, Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories, Screamin’ Eagle® Performance Parts or Official Licensed Products from March 1 through March 31, 2013, while supplies last.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO CAN GIVE WITHOUT REMEMBERING AND TAKE WITHOUT FORGETTING–
One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you, I’m doing community service this week.’
The florist was pleased and left the shop.
When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a ‘thank you’ card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.
Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you, I’m doing community service this week.’ The cop was happy and left the shop.
The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a ‘thank you ‘ card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.
Then a Member of Parliament came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill , the barber again replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you. I’m doing community service this week.’ The Member of Parliament was very happy and left the shop.
The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Members of Parliament lined up waiting for a free haircut.
And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.
–from Dave Clancy
[page break]
BIKERNET GUN NUT DEPARTMENT NOW OPEN–Feinstein Holds Hearings on Gun and Magazine Ban
On Wednesday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who has been advocating banning one sort of gun or another for over 30 years, held Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on her new gun and magazine ban legislation, S. 150, the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2013.”
Among those testifying in support of the bill were John Walsh, the U.S. Attorney for Colorado, representing the Obama Department of Justice, Milwaukee police chief Edward Flynn, and Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter. Testifying against the bill were former U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams (R-Fla.), Fordham University law professor and longtime Second Amendment scholar Nicholas Johnson, and attorney and constitutional scholar David Hardy.
Feinstein insisted on holding her own hearings because hearings held a month ago by Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) didn’t produce enough support for her bill. In the earlier hearings, NRA Executive Vice-President Wayne LaPierre, University of Denver law professor David Kopel, and attorney Gayle Trotter spoke against banning “assault weapons” and magazines that hold 11 or more rounds, and also against criminalizing private sales, gifts and trades of firearms. Sen. Feinstein and most of her supporters at this hearing demonstrated ignorance, hypocrisy, and bad behavior from start to finish, and never offered evidence to support the restrictions they advocated.
Incredibly, Sen. Feinstein began the hearings with a video showing an after-market device that helps a person pull a semi-automatic rifle trigger faster, citing the existence of the contraption as a reason to ban the rifles themselves. That would be akin to banning automobiles because someone might soup them up to make them go faster. Tellingly, Feinstein proposes to ban the guns themselves, as well as the device.
After Walsh and Flynn advocated the gun and magazine bans, and “universal” background checks, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) asked both of them if they knew how many murders are committed with rifles of any type, and how many prosecutions they had undertaken of criminals who failed background checks when illegally trying to buy guns from dealers.
Easy questions, one would think, but Walsh fumbled his answers like a third-string running back playing his first game of the season in an ice storm, saying that he didn’t know for sure about rifle murders and that his prosecutions had numbered zero.
Flynn then interrupted Sen. Graham to say that prosecuting criminals who illegally try to buy guns was irrelevant. The chief’s attempts to cut Sen. Graham off were so disrespectful that Sen. Feinstein herself intervened, banging the gavel and insisting on civility during the proceedings. By stark contrast, Sen. Graham did the people of South Carolina proud, by distinguishing himself with truly remarkable restraint. And for the record, Sen. Graham noted, rifles of any type are used in only about 2.5 percent of murders, half the percentage accounted for by murders with bare hands.
Prosecutor Walsh may not have had much to say about prosecutions, but he had quite a bit to say about banning guns, and it didn’t help Feinstein’s cause. Asked by the committee’s ranking Republican, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), whether S. 150 would be constitutional, Walsh said that it would be constitutional only if the guns that are banned are not common, are “dangerous and unusual,” and are not relevant to the right of self-defense. Of course, the firearms that would be banned by S. 150 are common, and are not “dangerous and unusual” in the sense in which that term has been used historically in the law. And it should go without saying that magazines that hold 11 or more rounds and firearms designed to use them are certainly relevant to self-defense.
Walsh had even more to say about banning guns when Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) asked him to explain what makes a gun an “assault weapon.” According to Walsh, any rifle that has a “very high” rate of fire and that uses a “very high-capacity” magazine is an “assault weapon.” Assuming that Walsh thinks semi-automatic rifles have “very high” rates of fire, and that any magazine that holds 11 or more rounds is “very high-capacity,” his description might fit with S. 150’s ban on detachable magazine semi-automatic rifles that have any “characteristic that can function as a grip”–in other words, all of them. It wouldn’t, however, explain S. 150’s proposed ban on almost every semi-automatic shotgun, some handguns, and various fixed-magazine rifles.
Sen. Cornyn expressed doubt that S. 150 would reduce crime, for at least two reasons. First, as he pointed out, the congressionally mandated study of Feinstein’s 1994 ban determined that “The evidence is not strong enough for us to conclude that there was any meaningful effect [of the ban on crime]; i.e., that the effect was different from zero.” Second, he noted that “out of 76,000 denied background checks, the FBI referred to the Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco, Firearms, a verdict or plea was reached in 13 cases,” a track record he described as “abysmal.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) disputed Walsh’s claim that Feinstein’s 1994 ban had not been sufficiently evaluated–a claim that put Walsh at odds with Feinstein, who claims that studies show that the 1994 ban reduced crime. Sen. Cruz said, “The Department of Justice has funded at least three studies, on whether that bill had any positive effect. In 1999, the DOJ had concluded that the Assault Weapons Ban, quote, ‘Failed to reduce the average number of victims-per-gun incident, or multiple gunshot wound victims.’ In 2004, the [National] Institute for Justice concluded that the Assault Weapons Ban produced, quote, ‘No discernible reduction in the lethality and injuriousness of gun violence.’ And then, in 1997, the [congressionally mandated study by the Urban Institute] likewise concluded that there was no evidence to say any meaningful effect different from zero.’ Are you aware of any empirical data to the contrary? We have three studies concluded from the Department of Justice that the prior ban had no effect.”
Smart enough to realize that he had been cornered, Walsh simply contradicted the clear evidence, claiming “there’s certainly enough evidence that assault weapons are used disproportionately in attacks with multiple victims and victims with multiple wounds.” In fact, however, the Urban Institute study stated just the opposite–that under the ban, researchers “were unable to detect any reduction to date in two types of gun murders that are thought to be closely associated with assault weapons, those with multiple victims in a single incident and those producing multiple bullet wounds per victim.”
Prof. Johnson explained in considerable detail why S. 150’s definitions of “assault weapon” are “unsustainable under the lowest level of constitutional review [and] fail even to meet the rudimentary, rational basis requirement.” Attorney David Hardy focused on explaining the difference between fully automatic rifles used by the military and semi-automatic rifles that S. 150 would ban, explained that rifles like the AR-15 are not particularly powerful, and showed how S. 150 would ban guns that are functionally identical to guns that would not be banned.
Former Rep. Adams summarized the findings of the congressionally mandated study of Feinstein’s 1994 ban, saying that “the banned weapons, and magazines were never involved in more than a modest fraction of all gun murders” and summarized a follow up study’s conclusions, saying that “assault weapons were used in a particularly small percentage of gun crimes, and that assailants fired less than four shots on average, a number well within the 10 round magazine limit imposed by the ban.” She also cited the success of measures she had sponsored in the Florida Legislature to prevent the purchase of firearms by those whose mental illness might create a risk of violence, and concluded “It is not time for feel-good legislation, so you can say you did something, but it is time for a true discussion on the culture of violence, and how to prevent more violent crime.”
Then, to the regret of every civil human being in the room, came Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Durbin began with a disrespectful attack on Prof. Johnson. After calling the Second Amendment “a suicide pact,” and saying–with apparent reference to commonly owned firearms like the AR-15–that “what has become common in America is unacceptable in a civilized country,” Durbin repeatedly refused to let Professor Johnson answer the questions thrown at him, and then falsely claimed that AR-15s and similar firearms had been “excluded by [the Supreme Court’s decision in District of Columbia v.] Heller.”
Eventually, Durbin allowed Professor Johnson to respond, at which point Johnson politely and articulately handed Durbin his hat, concluding, “If you go before the Supreme Court with what is ultimately a piece of legislation that really just generates more demand for the very type of gun that you’re trying to ban, ultimately you’re going to have the same failure that you had [with the 1994 ban].”
Then, in the most despicable comment of the day, low even by anti-gun zealots’ often subterranean standards, Durbin went after Rep. Adams.
After Rep. Adams acknowledged that her husband–a fellow law enforcement officer–had died in the line of duty, Durbin sarcastically said, “I’m sure you’ll now support the universal background check to keep the guns out of the hands of criminals, won’t you?”
In days gone by, such a heartless attack wouldn’t have been tolerated by fellow senators. But Rep. Adams displayed the cool head that served her well both in law enforcement and in politics, looking Durbin straight in the eyes and saying, “No, sir.”
Some comic relief would have been welcome at that point, but Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), the comedian-turned-politician, instead made a few comments pretending to respect Minnesota’s firearm traditions, then listed several shootings in which semi-automatic rifles or magazines larger than 10 rounds were used, and said he doubted that anyone needed the same kinds of firearms and magazines for self-defense. Franken had apparently missed the comments of Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) earlier in day; Sen. Lee had cited statistics showing that in nearly half of defensive firearm uses, there are two or more attackers, and in nearly 25 percent, there are three or more attackers.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) challenged Professor Johnson’s assessment of S. 150’s constitutionality, saying that legal challenges to the 1994 “assault weapons” ban had been unsuccessful and that “the courts have a responsibility to deem constitutional, to presume constitutional, valid acts of the legislature.”
Professor Johnson disagreed, pointing out that under the Supreme Court’s decision in Heller, declaring the Second Amendment to protect a fundamental, individual right to keep and bear all bearable arms for defensive purposes, for gun-ban legislation to survive “requires something far more than simply rational basis. That is, it’s not an automatic deference to whatever the legislature does, because now, what we’re talking about is a constitutional right.”
The next attack on that right at the federal level is scheduled for next week, when the Senate Judiciary Committee will meet again–this time to mark up several pieces of gun-related legislation including S. 150 and a bill criminalizing private firearm transfers.
Take action now to block those bills. Please contact your elected officials, and respectfully urge them to protect our constitutional right to keep and bear arms. To identify and contact your legislators in Washington, D.C., you can use the “Write Your Reps” feature at www.NRAILA.org, or you can reach your member of Congress by phone at 202-224-3121.
BLUEBIRD OF HAPPINESS, MY ASS–
Do I look happy??
It’s Friggin’ Freezing.
There’s snow up my ass, all the food’s covered with 2 feet of this white shit, and you want ME to sing?
Piss Off!!
Next year, I’m flyin’ to Jamaica and smoking dope!!
ST PATRICK’S DAY IS COMING ——–AN IRISH GHOST STORY–
This story happened a while ago in Dublin, and even though it sounds like an Alfred Hitchcock tale, it’s true.John Bradford, a Dublin University student, was on the side of the road hitchhiking on a very dark night and in the midst of a big storm.
The night was rolling on and no car went by. The storm was so strong he could hardly see a few feet ahead of him. Suddenly, he saw a car slowly coming towards him and stopped. John, desperate for shelter and without thinking about it, got into the car and closed the door…. Only to realize there was nobody behind the wheel and the engine wasn’t on.
The car started moving slowly. John looked at the road ahead and saw a curve approaching. Scared, he started to pray, begging for his life. Then, just before the car hit the curve, a hand appeared out of nowhere through the window, and turned the wheel. John, paralyzed with terror, watched as the hand came through the window, but never touched or harmed him.
Shortly thereafter, John saw the lights of a pub appear down the road, so, gathering strength; he jumped out of the car and ran to it. Wet and out of breath, he rushed inside and started telling everybody about the horrible experience he had just had. A silence enveloped the pub when everybody realized he was crying… And wasn’t drunk.
Suddenly, the door opened, and two other people walked in from the dark and stormy night. They, like John, were also soaked and out of breath.
Looking around, and seeing John Bradford sobbing at the bar, one said to the other…. Look Paddy….there’s that frickin idiot that got in the car while we were pushing it!!!
–from Dr. Willie
BIKERNET TEXAS CORRESPONDENT CHECKS IN– Lindsey Stirling tonight and NHRA Top Fuel Harleys on Saturday & Sunday!!
This young lady rocks! Great show, I just went through and grabbed a couple for you to check out. It will most likely be next week before I get anything to you, I will sort tonight and then tomorrow evening I have to start getting ready for the NHRA.
Dang “real job” today kept me away from the images!
–RFR
ELVIS IS ALIVE AND SUPPORTING THE FXR CULTURE–it’s been a while and hope that all is well. I thought you might enjoy my newest page. Any input/feedback would be appreciated…. feel free to write directly on that page.
Thanks in advance,
E.
Elvis’ Place – THE place for Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts!
Sonoma County, CA
United States of America
http://www.elvisplace.com
NEW CAFÉ BOOK COMING FROM VELOCE PUBLISHING–Forthcoming…
BMW Café Racers
Available February 2013
By Uli Cloesen
About the Author
Hardback • 5x25cm • 128 pages • 180 pictures
ISBN: 978-1-845845-29-2
Features
• A window into the world of the BMW café racer
• The first book detailing this aspect of BMW motorcycles
• Aimed at BMW aficionados and lovers of café racers alike
• Contains bikes from ‘spend a little’ to ‘spend a lot’
• Details the latest café racer custom trends
• Covers BMW singles, twins, four, and six cylinder models
• Features examples from the Ural custom scene
• Explores the less common association of BMW and café racers
• Fills a gap in BMW motorcycle literature
• From an author involved in motorcycling for 35 years
Description
Many books have been published about BMW motorcycles, but this is the first to cover the evolution of the BMW sportsbike to the BMW café racer. A marque not commonly associated with the café racer scene, the growing trend of custom BMW café conversions is illustrated in detail with stunning images of sporting, racing, and ‘caféd’ BMWs. From Airheads to Oilheads, modified singles to parallel twins, Fours and Concept 6s – see the ‘caféd’ side of BMW.
Synopsis
BMW café racers? You bet!
There have been many books published about BMW motorcycles, but until now none has covered the evolution of the BMW sportsbike to the BMW café racer. A marque not commonly associated with the café racer scene, the growing trend of custom BMW café conversions is illustrated in detail with stunning images of sporting, racing, and ‘caféd’ BMWs.
Showcasing fantastic BMW customs from all over the globe, and from the old to the new, this book presents them in all their innovative glory. Featuring owner’s stories and technical descriptions, BMW Café Racers is a book guaranteed to interest BMW fans and members of the café racer scene alike.
From Airheads to Oilheads, modified singles to parallel twins, Fours and Concept 6s – see the ‘caféd’ side of BMW.
–Veloce Publishing
Hey Bandit, read the Tech article by Rouge, good shit . I’m still running my ‘01 ultra “Old Nellie Bell.” I had to take her in the other day, because the check engine light came on. The tec said it was either the engine Temp sensor or the ECM and to bring it back when the light stayed on.
How about some tech articles on sensors?
Hey, I’ll bring this up at the next Bikernet Editorial Bored meeting. First, we will need to have it approved by the girls who make up the bored meeting agendas. If it suits their often sensitive parameters, it might be included on the next meeting agenda. At the next Bored, I mean Board meeting the sensor subject will be discussed and then, since no one will be capable of making a decision without receiving a bonus, or a six-pack of beer, it will be tabled and sent to the ad hoc tech editors’ committee for further review. Or, I can call Rogue, under the table, and I’ll have an answer and a plan in ten minutes.—Bandit
– See more at: http://www.bikernet.com/pages/ASSKICKIN_THURSDAY_NEWS_FOR_FEBRUARY_28_2013.aspx#sthash.7DpVZIGa.dpuf
–
Going by the statement where the mechanic says “Bring it back when the light stays on” Indicates it could be a dirty or bad connection.
There have been many changes to the electrical systems of motorcycles over the years and I feel mostly for the best. With this new technology there comes issues and the most common I have found is dirty connections.
In the old days the wiring was of a heaver gauge to be able to handle the amperage that was needed to operate switches etc. Now the wire is thinner and more relays are used as well as less amperage through them. With less amperage the need to keep connections clean and tight becomes more important.
Since the motorcycles are out in the elements more often it is easy for these connections to become contaminated (dirty). Having a clean motorcycle does not always help because in most cases the actual connections are covered.
Since I ride all over the country and weather conditions I have taken apart the connectors and cleaned them with CRC QD Electronic Cleaner. Do not use Brake Clean or other stronger cleaners because some will hurt the plastic or rubber covers.
I then inspect the connectors and if they are okay I coat them with Dielectric Grease and re-assemble them. Many of the older riders will remember doing this with taillight bulbs through the years.
On my FLHTC I have removed every fuse and performed this as there is no cover on the back side of the panel and it is very easy for road grime to get into the fuse panel. I should note in the case of fuses if the blades of the fuses are contaminated replace them. By trying to clean them you will remove the protective coating they come with and they will only get contaminated again.
Simply by removing a connector, cleaning it and putting it back on you will solve most of your sensor problems. If the problem exists after that consider changing the part.
Stop and think what happens when a mechanic removes the connector to replace a sensor they also clean the connector. In many cases the sensor was not the problem only a dirty connection.
For those of you that regularly ride in the rain did you ever see your oil pressure gauge show higher pressure than normal? Well the oil pressure switch works on a ground system and if moisture gets under the boot in can give a false ground.
If you have electrical connections that get wet easily you may want to try another old trick and that is to spray the connector with a waterproof ignition sealer.
As far as checking sensors or ECMs there is a sequence in the Harley manual. But in many cases it does take some special test equipment.
Carrying a small volt meter or test lite in the tool kit has become a necessity.
I hope this helps.
–Rogue
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT GOES SAILING–leeward LEE-werd; Naut. LOO-erd, adjective:
1. pertaining to, situated in, or moving toward the quarter toward which the wind blows (opposed to windward).
adverb: 1. toward the lee.
— Patrick O’Brian, The Wine-Dark Sea, 1993
— Frederick Marryat, The King’s Own, 1830
KENTUCKY LEGISLATIVE SESSION– is really getting into high gear as time gets close to the end. Bills are starting to move fast and furious here over the next few weeks. We still need to generate plenty of phone calls on several bills. However one that we need to try and stop is HB 441, which is moving fast. This bill sets up the enforcement of tolls on our roadways. We need to do all we can to stop these additional taxes from going into effect. We pay enough in fuel taxes that our roads should be toll free. The folks from the Tea Party have said it best so please read the analysis.
CALL 1-800-372-7181
Ask you House Representative to “PLEASE VOTE NO on HB 441”
The Northern Kentucky Tea Party
Fiscal Responsibility ~ Limited Government ~ Free Markets
The House is rushing through HB 441. This bill must be stopped! It was introduced on the last day and is already set for passage on Friday March 1. This bill sets up the procedure for TOLLS and will serve as a foothold to allow the State to charge TOLLS on road construction throughout the State.
Please send in GREEN SHEETS to your local Legislatures and for the entire State, we need to send tonight up to 11:00 PM and start tomorrow at 7:00 AM. They all must see a large stack of Green Sheets tomorrow opposing HB 441.
From our slide show last week we showed the Federal Governments plan to restrict our driving rights, TOLLS are a large part of the plan and we need to stop them at every opportunity.
“The goal of reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) is an official goal of the U.S. Government policy as it is stated in sections of the Clean Air Act (CAA), the President’s 1993 Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), and in the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) included in both the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), U.S.C. 23, Section 149. The relevant sections of the CAA, CCAP, and CMAQ are reproduced below.”
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/hpms/epastat.cfm
VICTORY LEADS THE INDUSTRY WITH FERST-EVER GUARANTEE– “We build the best bikes on the planet and we’re excited to introduce the Victory Guarantee as a way to back that up,” said Victory Marketing Manager Josh Fulkerson. “We are the fastest-growing manufacturer of heavyweight motorcycles, and we are confident you’ll love your new Victory motorcycle, or we’ll refund your money. That’s the Victory Guarantee.”
Victory builds the world’s best cruisers, baggers, and touring bikes and stands behind them with the industry’s only guarantee that gives riders a chance to buy it, ride it, get the full ownership experience, and if you’re not satisfied, you’ll get your money back.
“The Victory Guarantee” applies to new 2013 Victory models purchased in the United States or Canada from March 1, 2013-April 30, 2013. Complete details and conditions are available from participating Victory dealers and at www.VictoryMotorcycles.com, where you can also see the full line of 2013 Victory models, a complete line of accessories designed for each model, and a new collection of superior technical riding gear and casual wear.
“We’ve been saying ‘Ride One and You’ll Own One’ for over a year, and we’ve seen thousands of riders take the challenge and join the Victory ranks,” Fulkerson said. “We’re so confident you’ll enjoy riding a Victory that we’re stepping up to our own challenge and putting our money where our mouth is. If you buy a new Victory and aren’t completely satisfied riding the best, just bring it back.”
Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at www.polaris.com.
BACK IN THE SHOP—The sun graced us with its presence just a while ago, and I’m itching to jump back into the shop. The Mudflap girl is flying together, and I’m about 3/4s of the way into finishing the wiring. This time around, I’m trying to correct and upgrade every aspect of this bike.
I rode the FXR for about 2000 miles, tore it down and had most of the bare parts powder-coated. Of course the heat from the powder oven changed the shape of my rear fender, and it no longer fit without banging the oil tank. I’m upgrading the electrical system with a Digital Dawg keyless ignition, and their kill switch. Both will had tremendous benefits to the system. All bikes should have a kill switch, which is required at Bonneville.
We discovered a problem with our 1928 Shovel, which has a 1984 driveline. We installed a new Rivera-Primo belt system, but the belt seemed too tight. We tried it anyway, but when we finally fired up the bike with the new Branch repaired heads, the clutch would not disengage.
The belt was attempting to find slack by pulling the clutch shell off the hub, and re-engaging the clutch. I shifted back to the older system and ordered a belt from Biker’s Choice. But the belt was too long, so we looked into an idler system. Then it dawned on me. We hadn’t installed a missing component. It would prevent the walking business.
Okay, so next week we will bring you reports on new Kendon Ride-Up trailers, Rivera Belt Drive system for Shovelheads, adjustable footboards for touring models, a wild Midnight rider story from the ‘60s, and a twisted bike feature. Hang on.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
