Hey,
This is going to be a good one. I listened to a priest give a seminar on life last night while working out. Here’s a couple of items he mentioned. First there are four elements to our beings: Physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual. Think about that for a moment. Most of us bang through life pinging off just a couple of those most important guide posts.
Then he said, “So what’s the personal goal,” The overall personal goal. We often discuss goals, business goals, physical goals like lift more weights, material goals, like paint that room, or build a deck. His goal was simple, yet complete: Be the best person you can be. Says a lot.
Let’s hit the news and then try to figure it out:
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by Cycle Source Magazine and Iron Trader News.
SADDLEMEN SEAT OF THE WEEK, BW PROFILER—
Slammed, frame hugging two-up style seat for the lowest riding position possible.
Specially designed seat pan mates perfectly with the shape of the bike giving you the
look you want by incorporating our Integrated Design Philosophy (IDPTM), which takes styling cues from each motorcycle and incorporates them into the contours and patterns of each seat.
Features Saddlemen’s famous combination of progressive density foam and SaddleGelTM in the driver’s position, easing tailbone pressure and improving circulation for the smoothest, most comfortable ride you’ll find in a low-profile seat.
Installs easily using the stock seating mounts
Designed and made in the U.S.A.
BW-PROFILER
Contrasting grain basket-weave and SaddleHyde cover
Basket-weave seating area allows for more breathability and extra traction when needed
TTR-PROFILER
Classic, genuine leather with real Tuck ‘n Roll no-show seams
A TAD MORE ABOUT A BIKERNET STAFFER—Markus Cuff has been the Bikernet Feature and tech photographer for 19 years. We started working together on several publications including Easyriders in 1987.
Before that Markus played the drums for Emmylou Harris for about 2 years, “Did the Washington,D.C./ Maryland clubs …and I’m on her 1st album: ‘Pieces Of The Sky’ ‘Queen Of the Silver Dollar’ is the main track on that album,” said Markus. “I’m on it with Elvis Presley’s geetar man, James Burton on dobro, Elvis’ piano man, Glenn D. Hardin, and country star Ricky Scaggs. Plus I played with Linda Ronstadt plus her band….Did her 1st couple of tours ,too.”
You just never know who you’re messing with.–Bandit
THE BIKERNET NRA BOOK LIBRARY OPENS WITH–Adventures of Oregon
A Chronicle of the Fur Trade, by Constance L. Skinner
Skinner recounts the story in graphic style with great emphasis on the dramatic and thrilling incidents, all while keeping historical accuracy. Our luxury edition is an exact replica of the 1921 original, complete with illustrations and a map of the Oregon country.
You can own this collectors edition for the low price of $29.95. That’s a 25% discount from the regular retail price! But you must act now to take advantage of this special offer, as supply is limited. Not Available in Bookstores and Incredibly Priced at $29.95!
THE RACE CAR COMMERCIAL OF THE WEEK–Oh, that sound!
Shell Oil commercial…
Can you just imagine the red tape, permits and cost to pull of this commercial?
This is very cool.
Ostensibly, they’re selling gasoline, but the cars used in the video steal the show.
Ferrari pulled several of their race cars from various ages out of storage, flew them around the world and filmed them running through the streets of Rome, Rio, New York, Hong Kong, Honolulu and Monaco.
No computer graphics, these are the original cars on the original streets.
The best part is the sound from the basso-profundo notes of the early, front-engine era, each scene cuts to a later generation, ending with the wail of a modern F1 car.
The sounds alone bring a tear to the eye.
Even if you’re not a gear head, this video will stir the soul.
There’s just something about 3 liters and 14,000 RPM!
–from Bob Clark
OFFICIAL BIKERNET PHILOSOPHER ON CHOICES—
Right here and right now I choose to have a great day. I will not let anyone or anything take me off this path. I let go of all fears, doubt, negative thinking and conversations. I Know my day is going to be filled with Love, Joy, Peace, Health, Prosperity, Great Conversation, Gratitude, Ease and Grace. Nothing is going to ruffle my feathers!
Today Know:
I act without struggle
I enjoy what I am doing
I get the results I want
I am Grateful
And So It is
Namaste’
–Yale
SIFU SELLING HIS 2001 ELECTRA GLIDE—
I trust you and your family had a Blessed, Happy and Healthy Holiday Season. Now that the dust has settled and the rain stopped, 2015 brings new opportunities and an adventurous year.
If I can get a good price on my 2001 Electric Guild bike, I will sell it. What do you think I can sell my Tour Bike for or what’s it worth? I look forward to your Harley expertise.
–Mahalo, Richard Bustillo
CYCLE SOURCE BUYERS GUIDE COMING UP—If you need to be a part of this call them quick. The deadline was five minutes ago.
The Cycle Source Magazine March 2015 Buyer’s Guide
The Cycle Source Magazine
118 Dellenbaugh Rd.
Tarentum, Pennsylvania 15084
724-226-2867
KUSTOM TECH HAND CONTROLS— KUSTOM Tech’s range of handlebar controls includes the Grimeca brake master cylinder, which is cast in aluminum. The company has the retro styled lever available for 7/8in handlebar and 1in handlebar diameters and with 12mm or 14mm piston bore size. The controls are finished in black anodizing.
To match the Grimeca brake master cylinder, Kustom Tech also has a forged aluminum clutch lever assembly. The lever has two special pins, one for late cable clutch, and one for early cable clutch. Like the brake cylinder it is available for 1in or 7/8in handlebars and finished in black anodizing.
KUSTOM TECH
Monteoriolo Impruneta, Florence, ITALY
Tel: +39 055 208204
info@kustomtech.eu
www.kustomtech.eu
THIS JUST IN FROM KLOCKWERKS–New “Outrider Rad Guard” for Indian Scout
The Indian Motorcycle release of the new Scout at Sturgis in 2014 was exciting news for the motorcycle industry, and now the design team at Klock Werks is excited to announce the first of their parts line designed for the new Indian Scout models! Klock Werks “Outrider Rad Guard” was first shown to the public at the New York Progressive International Motorcycle Show in December 2014, when “Outrider”, the Scout customized by Klock Werks, was featured and unveiled as part of the Indian Motorcycle display.
Klock Werks has developed several other new “Outrider” series parts that are scheduled to be released first quarter of 2015 and will include front and rear fenders, seat pan kit, and more. Be sure to watch for announcements coming soon!
You will find motorcycles, family, and faith at the core of Klock Werks, along with a commitment to caring for the needs of enthusiasts around the world who enjoy their products.
For More Information please Contact Sara Liberte at Sara@kustomcycles.com
So-Cal Speedshop Sacramento Hosts Open House Welcoming Car Lovers From All Over the Globe–Special Events Draw New Consumers and Prospective Business Owners to Del Paso Boulevard.
So-Cal Speed Shop Sacramento is opening it’s doors and closing down the street on February 14th 2015 to host car lovers, car builders and other business owners to Del Paso Boulevard. A chartered bus will run hourly between So Cal Speed Shop Sacramento and the Cal Expo fairgrounds where the annual Autorama will be held.
Hot rodders are encouraged to drive their cars over and enjoy priority parking on Del Paso Blvd between Forrest and Gibson from 3pm to 10pm. There will be refreshments all day and a buffet in the evening. Heavy social media campaigning, flyer distribution, media coverage and print ads will begin January of 2015.
“We are invested in this neighborhood and are focused on bringing more businesses to the boulevard.”
Roger O’Malley, Partner,
So-Cal Speed Shop Sacramento
Established in 2008, So Cal Speed Shop Sacramento is more than a Speed Shop or Auto Parts Store, it’s a destination for anyone interested in or dedicated to the tradition of old school hot rodding and the automotive industry.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Elizabeth Rhoan at 916-924-9744 or email at elizabeth@socalsac.com.
MOTORBOOKS BOOK OF THE WEEK CLUB— The definitive and lasting record of MotoGP motorcycle racing in 2014 published with all the behind-the-scenes access that comes with official status from MotoGP’s organizing body.
Now in its 11th year of publication, this officially endorsed book provides comprehensive coverage of MotoGP World Championship motorcycle racing in 2014, complete with race reports, comment, analysis and statistics, edited by TV commentator Julian Ryder.
Supporting Ryder as lead author, Neil Spalding provides detailed technical analysis – including a special feature about Ducati – and Mat Oxley summarizes the season with his usual thought-provoking insights, while the book’s superb photography is by Andrew Northcott. The supporting categories – Moto2, Moto3 and Red Bull Rookies – are covered in full, along with the activities of Riders for Health, the official charity of MotoGP.
Eight-page reports of each MotoGP race, complete with full statistics and lap-chart graphics. In-depth technical analysis of the year’s talking points from leading MotoGP technical expert Neil Spalding.
Ducati’s progress in 2014, under the leadership of new chief engineer Gigi Dall’Igna, is the subject of a special technical feature.
The unique ‘Rider’s Rider of the Year’ poll ranks the year’s contenders according to votes by the riders themselves.
Superb photography by Andrew Northcott captures all the excitement, action and atmosphere of motorcycle racing at its best.
Supporting Moto2 and Moto3 categories covered in full, as well as the Red Bull Rookies races. Riders for Health, the official MotoGP charity, reports on its achievements in 2014.
Officially endorsed by DORNA, organizers of MotoGP.
Hardcover, 208 pages, 9 x 11.8 in.
Illustrations: 250 color photos
Item Number: 220701
EAN (ISBN-13): 978-0992820985
Publication Date: January 26, 2015
Publisher: Evro Publishing Limited
IN STOCK
$49.95
Email orders to Zak.Welch@quartous.com (tel 612-344-8199)
Or call Customer Service at 800-759-0190
FORREST LUCAS NAMES TOM FREDRICKSON COO OF LUCAS OIL – Corona, CA (January 12, 2015):Tom Fredrickson has been named COO (Chief Operating Officer) at Lucas Oil Products, Inc. After joining the company in 2002, Fredrickson has acted as General Manager and Chief Administration Officer (CAO), and his new title continues his corporate responsibilities encompassing production, marketing, sales, and R&D.
“Tom Fredrickson has been our General Manager for Lucas Oil Products, Inc., for the past 14 years,” said Lucas Oil Founder, President and CEO Forrest Lucas. “Tom is a member of our senior management team with Bob Patison and myself, and his elevation to Chief Operating Officer (COO) is richly deserved.”
Lucas Oil Products, Inc., is a world leader in high performance oils, fuel treatments and problem solving additives with the largest variety of shelf products of any oil company in the United States. Lucas Oil’s premium lubrication products are marketed worldwide and retail at more than 40,000 auto parts stores across the nation and at virtually every truck stop in America.
Said Bob Patison, Executive Vice President of Lucas Oil, “Lucas Oil is very fortunate to have Tom Fredrickson as our COO. We three have worked very closely together through the years and I look forward to continuing our relationship knowing that the day to day management of the Lucas Oil family of companies are safely in his hands as we continue to expand throughout the USA and globally.”
Fredrickson started his career at Lucas Oil in 2002 after 17 years with Lutheran Brotherhood, a ‘Not for Profit’ Financial Services company. He is educated in automotive technology, finance and investments. Born and raised in Southern California, he lives in Corona, CA and is married to wife Christine for 35 years and they have two grown children.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, STURGIS PLAN 75-YEAR AGREEMENT
Deal Names Harley-Davidson Official Motorcycle of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally; Creates Year-Round Main Street Plaza For Riders in Sturgis, S.D.
MILWAUKEE – (Jan. 15, 2015) –Harley-Davidson and the City of Sturgis, S.D., are setting their sights on the future – far into the future. In the spirit of this year’s 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the company and city officials are finalizing an agreement covering the next 75 years making Harley-Davidson the official motorcycle of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
“Harley-Davidson riders have attended the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for decades. This new agreement will help fuel many more years of freedom, independence and rebellion for this iconic gathering,” said Matt Levatich, president and chief operating officer at Harley-Davidson. “Riding is a passion passed down through generations, so it’s important we celebrate the legacy and history of Harley-Davidson in Sturgis, while helping creating new memories.”
As part of the agreement, a permanent plaza will be built on Main Street in Sturgis that will include a stage for events, concerts and even weddings. The year-round location, which will be completed in time for this year’s 75th rally, will be the official Harley-Davidson destination for riders and fans alike.
“For decades, Harley-Davidson has been the motorcycle of choice for Sturgis Motorcycle Rally fans and a great partner to the City of Sturgis,” said Sturgis Mayor Mark Carstensen. “Today it gives me great pleasure to solidify its importance by making it the official motorcycle of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.”
Sturgis: Baked into the bricks of Harley-Davidson
To ensure the new multi-purpose space builds on the legacy of the brand and is pure Harley-Davidson, the plaza will integrate bricks from the company’s Milwaukee headquarters, a building that once housed the company’s factory dating back more than 100 years.
During a news conference at the company’s headquarters, Harley-Davidson announced the planned agreement, which has an initial term and renewals running through 2090. To unveil the deal, Harley-Davidson removed a brick from the historic front entrance using a 2015 Harley-Davidson Street® 750 motorcycle. That brick, alongside one from the Harley-Davidson Museum and 73 bricks from the headquarters’ famous motorcycle-only parking area will be delivered to Sturgis on Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Whether riders are trapped inside for the winter or riding south toward warmer weather, now is the perfect time to plan a trip to the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The party starts Aug. 1, 2015, and for those who’ve had Sturgis on a bucket list, this might just be the year to attend. For inspiration and pictures from the 2014 rally, visit www.h-d.com/sturgis.
For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s website at www.h-d.com
BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–PASSION
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=12058
Beginning to understand!
–Jack
Chadron, NE
BRASS BALLS FINISHES ROCKETEER—
It’s heading to Dubai this week. Putting it in the crate tomorrow.
–Dar Holdsworth
We will bring you a feature on this bike next week. Very sharp.–Bandit
MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION WEEKLY WASHINGTON DC UPDATE—
This is the first week back for the 114th Congress. Lots of changes with the new Republican majority in the Senate. Senator John Thune from South Dakota is the new chair of the Commerce, Science, Transportation Committee, which has jurisdiction over our issues in highway legislation. He has already told me that we should not have a problem including the checkpoint language in the bill.
That being said, we first have to see if the Senate has the political will to craft legislation that President Obama would actually sign.
Representative Boehner was reelected speaker by the Republicans and Representative McConnell was put in as majority leader in the Senate. One notable, and welcome, bit of retirement news: Senator Barbara Boxer from California is retiring at the end of this term. I wouldn’t be surprised if she left office earlier. It’s a long way down to the minority and with the way she treated the Republicans when they were in the minority (lets just say she did not play nice).
This week we saw a flurry of congressional activity first with H.R. 21, the ethanol study bill introduced by Congressman James Sensenbrenner. The language remains identical to that of the previous Congress.
The Senate reintroduced the stop motorcycle only mandatory checkpoints bill with the same original team of sponsors. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Ron Johnson (R-WI), both of whom spoke at last years BITB, continue to serve as the political leads of S. 127. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Susan Collins (R-ME) all joining as co-sponsors. A joint release with the AMA on S. 127 was sent out this week. It’s good to be united with them on this issue. We simply do not have the resources to promote press releases as they do. They pay the AP, Facebook and several other news delivery services to push their releases to the top of google and FB searches.
I attended the swearing in ceremony for the new NHTSA administrator. Get this, they actually invited me! The new guys name is Rosekind, Mark Rosekind. He came from the NTSB where he served on the board as a sleep expert. His degree is in human fatigue. This guy literally studies people at rest. He then uses this info to find ways to eliminate distracted driving.
I’m still not quite sure what being drowsy has to do with texting and driving. His main focus will be on improving the system for detecting when a recall is needed and to improve upon the swiftness of recall delivery. NHTSA has gotten some major hits for not recalling things fast enough, or simply not conducting a recall at all leaving hundreds of thousands of America at risk.
I get the feeling that he will have enough on his plate and won’t come straight after motorcycles. Factor in the huge drops in fatalities in 2013, drop in alcohol related fatalities and drop in injuries and it becomes clear that he doesn’t need to really do anything extra.
Also impressive is the fact that all of those drops were the highest in every category. Lets work to continue this trend of lower fatalities and injuries in the coming year.
–Jeff Hennie
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
NEW PRODUCT FROM ITALY–V-Rod rearsets
FREE Spirits has enlarged its Harley-Davidson product range with the introduction of rearset kits for the V-Rod.
Machined from billet aluminum and anodized in either silver of black, the rearsets are said to fit without any modification needed to the bike. The footpegs fold for clearance and a full range of spare parts is available.
FREE SPIRITS
Carrè (VI), ITALY
Tel: +39 0445 390437
info@freespirits.it
www.freespirits.it
LENO’S GARAGE COMES TO BIKERNET–Leno takes a ride on a 90-year-old Brough Superior SS100.
It only takes a glimpse of Jay Leno’s massive garage to see that he loves just about everything with wheels and an engine, but he certainly has his favorites among the multitude. The 1925 Brough Superior SS100 featured in this week’s Jay Leno’s Garage definitely falls into that favored category. Their bond is so close that Jay even has a drop of his own blood in its tank.
As Leno presents it, the SS100 was the ultimate motorcycle of its day and was favored by Lawrence of Arabia himself, T.E. Lawrence. Based around a roughly 1.0-liter V-twin, the bikes were certified to hit 100 miles per hour, which was absolutely astonishing nearly 90 years ago. One of the highlights of the video is watching the mill at work idling with its exposed valve springs and pushrods on display.
Actually riding this Brough Superior appears to be a bit of a challenge, though. The transmission uses a hand shift located fairly low on the frame and switching gears requires leaning down to access it – not exactly ergonomic. Regardless, Jay exudes a love for this bike that doesn’t even notice any such minor complaints. Check out this fascinating piece of motoring history from Jay Leno’s Garage.
–Chris Bruce
AutoBlog
THE POLICE THREAT TOO HIGH–By Paul Craig Roberts
The hypocrisy of American police is beginning to bother even law and order conservatives. The New York Police Department is rivaling the black community in Ferguson in keeping alive the murders of their community members.
We are constantly reminded of how dangerous it is to be a police officer. A total of 50 police officers were reportedly killed last year in the “line of duty,” but the police themselves managed to kill 1,029 Americans during the same time period, most of whom were unarmed and innocent of wrongdoings.
In other words, any encounter between the public and the police is more than 20 times more dangerous for the public than for the police. That should raise questions about the absence of restraint on the ability of police to use deadly force as a first resort. Yet authorities and white communities invariably defend police violence against the public.
If Americans had half-decent educations, Americans would know that power comes from precedent. The police, like the executive branch, have now established themselves above the law. The laws that apply to the public do not apply to police, US presidents, presidential appointees, NSA, and CIA.
The URL below provides two short videos of Montana police officer Grant Morrison shooting to death in separate incidents two unarmed drivers pulled over by Morrison in routine traffic stops. In both cases, Morrison’s first actions are to scream obscenities and pull the trigger. Morrison comes across as completely crazed. It is inexplicable that Montana permits an armed lunatic to roam the streets pulling over cars. You try doing that.
Clearly the police are privileged and, thereby, unaccountable.
According to news reports, during eight years of what is called the Iraq War more US citizens were murdered by the police than US soldiers were killed in the war.
In other words, US police are a greater threat to Americans than enemy forces are to US soldiers who have invaded a foreign country.
The other day I heard a NY police commissioner on NPR defend the NY police violence against Eric Garner that resulted in Garner’s death. The police commissioner said that Garner more or less brought on his own death by not quickly cooperating with police orders.
When asked if selling single cigarettes out of a pack was a sufficiently dangerous act to justify police use of prohibited choke holds, the commissioner said Garner’s single cigarette sales were depriving NY City of hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues that could be used for more and better schools and hospitals.
I was surprised to learn that selling “loosies” was a billion dollar business. Somehow that seems about as hard to believe as everything else authorities tell us.
Other countries manage to have police forces that do not indiscriminately gun down their citizens. Yet most Americans will support the police until it happens to them, but keep in mind that every time you get in your car you have placed yourself in far greater danger from police than you face from terrorists.
Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal. He was columnist for Business Week, Scripps Howard News Service, and Creators Syndicate. He has had many university appointments. His internet columns have attracted a worldwide following. Roberts’ latest books are The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic Dissolution of the West and How America Was Lost.
QUOTES OF THE DAY—
Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right -Henry Ford
–from the Midnight Express Motorcycle Company
LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK–2002 Harley Davidson Road King Classic FLHRCI
Our Price $9,995
Was $12,995
Exterior: Red
VIN: 1HD1FRW322Y641923
Mileage: 21,812 miles
– See more
UNCLE MONKEY GETS BACK TO WORK–With the holiday rush over it is time to get back into the garage, back to the grind -figuratively and literally.
The last project was polishing the covers on Mrs. Monkey’s HondaMatic. With less than ideal conditions and space I did what I could do but polishing can be a messy job. The motor itself ran good when we picked it up, so it only got a fresh coat of paint. That meant dropping it out of the frame and setting it up on a makeshift workbench.
Now it was time to clean up and make some room to get back at the RoadKing. My initial plan was just to move the motor onto the HondaMatic’s lift but with a bad back I know better than to be tossing around motors like the good old days, so I call Mrs. Monkey to help shimmy it over.
Once we wrestled it into place, I needed to put a 2×4 under the front to balance it. From there I could get it on my small jack, so with Mrs. Monkey help we quickly raised it up into place. A couple bolts later and the motor was back home.
Just then she turned to me, asking if the motor was back in. The bolts needed to be torqued and the chain installed, wiring and plumbing, but yeah, the motor was in. It was then I noticed the pride glowing on her face. It’s her bike and she was the one bolting the motor in herself. A small step but the level of appreciation was considerable.
Forever, she can boast about something other than her husband built it for her. The dramatic change from a barren rolling chassis to a “complete motorcycle” lifts the spirit, quiets the doubts that it will ever be finished. It is no longer a collection of parts but a machine capable of moving the soul. Suddenly, in a flash, Mrs. Monkey understood why I spend my free time in the garage building, creating, breathing life into these machines.
We are all cut from different parts of the same piece of cloth. There are those who love riding across this great nation, about the freedom. For others it is about speed, adrenaline, the rush of an apex of a curve, the bitterness of the salt in the desert. For some riders it is about community, brotherhood, comradely with people who will lay their life down for you as you would for them.
Others, it is about building, fixing, taking a pile of parts and giving life to them. In the end we all live under the same sky, our roads leading in various directions. It’s a journey that may be a million miles or placing the first bolt.
-bad Uncle Monkey
– George Bernard Shaw
–from Andreas
RIVERA PRIMO JOB OFFER—
I just got a call from Keith Ruxton. He said that Ben Kudon at Rivera-Primo is looking for someone to head up their R&D department. It would require someone with CAD skills, with an understanding of materials and metals, and a deep knowledge of motorcycles. They have been without someone in that position for a while, and the pay is said to be decent.
Would you know anyone that is qualified? They are in Whittier, California.
The number over there is 562-907-2600, ask for Ben Kudon.
–Kit Maira
Editor V-Twin News
Associate Editor
Easyriders, V-Twin
Producer Easyriders Video and Television
THE HUPY/ABRAHAM LEGAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT–Who Was That Masked Man? I don’t know, but I wanted to thank him.
–by Tony Pan Sanfelipo
Hey, the Lone Ranger wore a mask, but he was a good guy, right? Well, if state senator Don Barrington has his way, the Lone Ranger would be wrestled off his horse Silver and charged with the crime of wearing a mask in public in Oklahoma.
Senator Barrington is proposing a bill to make it unlawful to wear a mask, hood or covering during the commission of a crime or to intentionally conceal a person’s identity in public. The good senator is most likely basing his reasons on the recent protest marches in places like Ferguson, Missouri and New York City that erupted into violence with masked individuals committing vandalism and other crimes.
Penalties for a violation of the proposed law range from fines of $50 to $500 and up to a year of imprisonment. To some, this might sound like a good law based on the over-drenched media coverage of masked thugs looting and smashing windows in Ferguson. But committing a crime while masked or disguised is already a crime in Oklahoma. In fact, that law has been on the books for over 90 years.
But Barrington’s bill goes a step further making it a crime “to intentionally conceal your identity in a public place by means of a robe, mask, or other disguise whether or not a crime was being committed.” Of course, the obligatory “to make public spaces safer for everyone” claim is added as justification for such extreme measures.
Georgia has had a long-standing law outlawing the use of masks in public and that law was tested in The State v. Miller, S90A1172, (260 Ga.669) (398 SE2d 547) 1990. Known as the Anti-Mask Act, Miller was arrested for wearing the hooded mask with a full Ku Klux Klan robe. He challenged the constitutionality of the law under First Amendment protections of freedom of expression and freedom of association. He won in lower court, but upon appeal by the state was found guilty.
Relying on public safety, the Anti-Mask Act is intended to deter threats and intimidations by persons or groups wearing masks. It’s not hard to see the act was written to thwart the activities of the Klan while wearing masks, which in itself caused intimidation, fear and was considered a threat.
Neither the Georgia law or the proposed Oklahoma law require the actual intent to commit a crime or any conduct suggesting the mask wearer is knowingly acting in a threatening or intimidating way. It is simply stated that concealing your identity “in public” is forbidden.
This contradicts an accepted belief that criminal statutes should favor human liberty and the accused over the state, and require an actual intent on the part of the mask wearer. It’s called Mens Rea– having a guilty mind or a general intent to knowingly commit a crime.
In 2010, after the G-20 Summit protests in Toronto, Bill C-309 amended the Criminal Code to make it illegal to wear masks during a protest march or demonstration. This law was criticized as being redundant (much like the Oklahoma proposal) because there were already laws dealing with committing a crime while masked. Marching in protest of something is not a crime, but vandalizing property is.
The problem with the Toronto Bill was it cast a net over everyone in a protest march who was masked, whether they engaged in criminal activity or the legal activity of assembling or marching in protest of something. For that reason it is ambiguous in its application and violates the expression of speech and right to assemble.
So how do these laws that are apparently in conflict with basic rights of free speech and expression get on the books in the first place?
Usually some incident garnering national attention in the media sparks the initial flame in a lawmaker to address a perceived problem. The media fuels this flame with selective news clips and images portraying the news media’s bias.
Then we come to another legal concept known as Malum Prohibitum. State legislators are paid to make laws. Many times, that which was legal yesterday is illegal today, because some legislator wrote a bill and it passed into law. That’s Malum Prohibitum; made unlawful by statute for the public welfare, not because it was inherently evil or involved moral turpitude.
So, if Barrington has his way, Sooners will be restricted from wearing masks or hoodies in public. That begs the question, what about Muslim women in niqabs, or individuals wearing surgical masks to isolate themselves from airborne pathogens? Will sporting event spectators be prevented from painting their faces with their team’s colors in the future? And the biggest questions of all– will criminals refrain from committing crimes while masked in lieu of the new restrictions? Hi-Yo Silver! Away!
Tony “Pan” Sanfelipo is the senior accident investigator at Hupy and Abraham, S.C., Milwaukee. Read more stories of interest at http://www.hupy.com/news/current-news-for-bikers/
BAD COP FILES NOW OPEN–Ex-police officer guilty of aiding in cocaine deal
–By J.D. Gallop, FLORIDA TODAY
A former Titusville police officer faces up to 40 years in prison after a federal jury found him guilty of taking $500 for being a lookout person in what he thought was a cocaine deal.
The dealers turned out to be working for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the patrol officer, Richard Irizarry, 45, of Viera, was arrested last March by agents and indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges. Irizarry was a patrol officer since 2010 and was taken into custody by DEA agents moments after arriving at police headquarters for an interview about the undercover operation.
The federal jury Monday found Irizarry guilty of attempting to help distribute one kilo of cocaine and using a cell phone to commit a drug trafficking offense. A sentencing hearing will take place March 31 at the U.S. Middle District Court in Orlando.
Investigators said that in the summer of 2013, Irizarry, who served as a gunnery sergeant in the U.S. Marines, was responding to an apartment complex on an unrelated matter and met a person at the scene that he befriended. The unidentified man, it turns out, was a DEA confidential informant.
Investigators said Irizarry went to a New Year’s Eve party last year and told the informant that he knew he was a drug dealer and wanted to get into business with him to make money for himself.
The informant then told DEA agents the next day and within a short time prompted a federal investigation of the officer. Investigators recorded the officer’s phone conversations and checked his use of police databases.
Irizarry frequently met with the informant after his shift was over and would also look up license plate information in a confidential law enforcement database. At one point on Jan. 23, 2014, Irizarry was in uniform and on duty when he parked about 50 feet from the confidential informant and another man who was working undercover as a drug dealer.
Authorities said Irizarry listened to his police radio in his patrol car, then signaled the confidential informer to go ahead with the deal for a kilo of cocaine. Irizarry was later handed $500 for his work, authorities said. Months later, after federal agents arrested Irizarry, he was placed on administrative leave.
It says he faces up to 40 years in prison.
I for one want to see what he actually gets.
The only reason he got busted was he contacted an informant from another department.
More Dirty Cops need to be exposed and prosecuted.
–Rogue
QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!-–
BROKEN SPOKE SALOON BIKETOBERFEST 2013
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=11348
Looking for Danny, someone please pass the message to family, old neighbor from east Albany St., Indianapolis. Asap please, sort of urgent!
–Maurice gardner
mauricegardner@email.phoenix.edu
Cathedral city, CA
FIM BONNEVILLE RULES COMING—
I was just informed by F.I.M. in Geneve that the 2015 World Record Rules and Regulations along with current list of F.I.M. land speed records is to be on their site after Jan 21.
I will email you back with a link to both when they are posted.
–DREW GATEWOOD
AMA/F.I.M. Technical Steward
GEARS – Gatewood Engineering And Race Support
342E 1325N Chesterton, IN. 46304
tele/fax: 219-926-5647
email: gears55@frontier.com
www.gearswebsite.com
EASYRIDERS SHOW REVIEW—The show was damn good. Smaller attendance I think, but decent crowd all day long. You missed that.
I thought it would be lighter attended because of the rain.
A lot of nice bikes. Don’t remember seeing many of them before.
–Art Hall
Most Magnificent Bikernet International Editor
LATE BREAKING NEWS OF THE WEEK—For some odd reason I didn’t receive my week magazine for a few weeks leading up to the end of the year. I don’t want to let this one slip. Maybe, just maybe a couple of us will remember this for the future.
This was called: An end-of-year financial checklist. Here are the items it contained: Everyone is entitled to one free credit report each year from the major credit bureaus. Don’t forget. Before the end of the year make an extra mortgage payment. Make sure it says principle only on the check, and it can help with your taxes.
I don’t know about these, but the article mentions using up you medical flexible spending account, or FSA. You might consider a Roth IRA conversion, and make an additional contribution to your 401K before taxes eat it up, and make larger deposits next year.
Okay, so I know we won’t remember many of these, but maybe we’ll remember to do something, anything, even if it’s wrong.
–Snake
Bikernet’s Poor Financial Wizard
BAD LAWS FILE OPENED—State lawmakers passed a measure in New York to lower its default speed limit to 25 mph from 30 as part of an overall plan to reduce traffic crashes.Of course Gov. Andrew Cuomo was expected to sign the bill.
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said the speed limit reduction is an integral part of the city’s Vision Zero traffic safety plan. –AMA
A few years ago a Vision Zero plan kicked off in Europe and immediately one country tried to ban motorcycles. What the hell? I find all this bullshit confusing. In each case Freedom needs to be factored with safety and security issues. It sorta puts whatever issue into the correct context.–Bandit
FREEDOM RINGS IN ILLINOIS—Senate Bill 2808, known as the Freedom from Location Surveillance Act, would prohibit law enforcement agencies from obtaining location information pertaining to a person or his or her effects without first obtaining a court order based on probable cause to believe tha the person whose location information is sought has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime or the effect is evidence of a crime. Any probable cause order would be limited to 60 days, unless renewed by a judge.
The bill passed the state House and Senate unanimously and was sent to Gov. Pat Quinn for his signature.
—AMA magazine
BONNEVILLE REPORT FROM BIKERNET OFFICIAL CERTIFIED SALT FLATS PHOTOGRAPHER–I know that I have not been really available since the BMST meet the beginning of September and that I am WAAAAY behind on getting pictures posted and the BMST Annual book done and I wanted to get with all you as you deserve to know what has been going on.
Since I got back there was a return of my cancer and I have been in treatment ever since and frankly it can be exhausting. My brother was diagnosed shortly after I was in early 2014 and I lost him 11.1.2014. I was not prepared for the impact that would have on me.
Now, just as I am getting better and back to work, I went on a BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) ride to attend the memorial service of a fallen brother. I arrived in LA on Friday night and really felt good.
Short version is on Saturday AM I woke up, had a cup of coffee and a little breakfast and then had a heart attack. They lost me twice just before surgery and during surgery. I feel as though I have been hit by a truck.
Upside is I now have time to get back to the thing that I really enjoy and that is pictures. I will be home for a couple more weeks and as I sit here my primary objective is to get the BMST 2014 pictures up on my site and get started on the 2014 book.
I will let you know when the pictures are up as I go along.
Thanks again for your friendship and your patience.
–Scooter
www.scootershoots.com
THE BANKING BASTARDS OF THE WEEK—JP Morgan Chase in the hole. They face a $22 Billion capital shortfall under new Federal Reserve rules, said Tom Braithwaite and Gina Chon in the Financial Times. The Fed is introducing strict capital requirements for major banks in an effort to shield the U.S. economy from the collapse of a big financial institution.
—The Week Magazine
ANOTHER BAD COP REPORT–On-duty Florida Cop of the Month fired for allegedly raping woman on patrol car hood, threatening her with arrest, and death.
Boynton Beach police arrested their own Stephen Maiorino Thursday for allegedly raping a woman earlier this month. Police said he held a gun while he assaulted the 20-year-old victim and threated to kill her family if she told anyone. He will be fired, the department said.
BY MEG WAGNER, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Officer Stephen Maiorino — an eight-year Boynton Beach police force veteran who once earned the ‘Officer of the Month’ award — was arrested for allegedly raping a woman on the hood of his police car.
A Florida Cop of the Month allegedly raped a woman on the hood of his patrol car while he was on duty, police said.
Police said the 35-year-old cop picked up a woman earlier this month, raped her while holding a gun and threatened to arrest and kill her.
The nightmare started around 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 15.
A 20-year-old woman was a passenger in a car, but the driver was arrested for DUI, leaving her stranded, the Sun-Sentinel reported. Maiorino, who was on duty, responded to the scene and said he’d take her to police headquarters so her family could pick her up.
WPBF – West Palm Beach, FL
TODAY’S INSPIRATION–Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.
–Jerry and Rogue
The older we get the wiser we become… I’ve disconnected my home alarm system and de-registered from the Neighborhood Watch. I’ve got two Pakistani flags raised in the front yard, one at each corner, and the black flag of ISIS in the center.
In the back yard there is one from Iran. To add to the atmosphere I play some Muslim music from time to time.The local police, sheriff, FBI, CIA, NSA, Homeland Security, Secret Service and other agencies are all watching the house 24/7. I’ve never felt safer and I’m saving $49.95 a month.
HOUSE OF THUNDER H-D SOLD—
One crazy dream…
Coupled with an inordinate amount of hard work, unbridled passion, overwhelming moral support, and a healthy amount of imprudence is all it took to build House of Thunder Harley-Davidson from the ground up, literally.
Harley-Davidson Awards Gallup Poll 2010
2004 The Best Run Harley-Davidson Dealership in the USA
2006 Scored in Gallup Polls 92% Worldwide
2007
2009
2010
2011
2013
Shirley and I have accomplished everything we have set out to do since we opened a Harley dealership in Hollister in 2000.
We wanted the Best Run Dealership with superior staff resulting in superior customer service. Our awards, Customer Service Scores, High ranking in all Harley business measures, is just a small portion of the impact we have had on Harley-Davidson themselves.
We’ve always said we weren’t interested in being the largest just the best run and most profitable. All of this we have accomplished.
And it is to that end we are announcing we have sold House of Thunder Harley-Davidson and we are off to a new adventure – whatever that may be.
We will be traveling, a lot, as we always do. We’d love to hear from you, and we want to Thank You for all of your support for all of these years!
Dan’s cell 408-221-7557
Shirley’s cell 408-221-1348
(Please note we no longer have a land line!)
–Dan & Shirley Stern
PS. This doesn’t mean we’re done with motorcycles – far from it. Two new projects in the works!
Round ‘Em Up Cowgirl!
Round Up of Articles from the Bikernet Family of websites.
Busting Turbulences
Memphis Shades Spoiler windshields for ’14-Up Rushmore FLH fairings. As soon a Harley released their Project Rushmore FLH Memphis Shades went in to high gear to design a successor to their wildly popular line of Spoiler Windshields for the ’96-’13 models.
PASSION
Follow Your Heart, By Scooter Tramp Scotty.
This is a piece I feel compelled to write. It is about my own struggles with the idea of following only the true call of one’s heart. For this I will have to talk of my own dealings with God. But don’t worry because I am not, nor have ever been, even slightly religious, although I have plenty of friends for whom religion works very well. But it would seem that the vast majority of folks have some idea of a Creator. This idea just seems a natural part of the human condition.
J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show – Washington DC
The diversity was outstanding!
Washington DC in January is cold, blustery and icy. And the weather is bad too. But inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center it is hot with ground-up custom Choppers to monster wheel CanAm Spyder trikes.
McQuiston’s Custom Motorcycles in the LB Ghetto
A Custom Shop with a Strange Business Mantra.
Ryan McQuiston was raised by a single mom who worked nights. He grew up on the streets of Long Beach trying to survive. You know the drill. As he skated home from school, she packed her shit and peeled into the neon night. He had the streets of Long Beach to himself until 3:00 a.m. During his high school years, he attended Wilson High (my alma mater), then Pollytechnic on the wrong side of town (my dad went there) and ultimately Reed Continuation School to grab his GED and hit the door. At 17, he scored his first bike, a 175 cc Yamaha and started to tinker.
From the CANTINA we bring you:
Amber, the Most Delicious GOB
A Lesson in the Vast World of Womanhood and What it Means to Us Dogs, By Bandit with Photography by Jack McIntyre
Around the campfire, a couple of bros and I started to discuss a book notion. We called it the Dogs vs. the Evil Nesters. The code was to point out to young men all the pitfalls of chasing women.
From BAGGERS we bring you:
Binford Custom Cycles “No Bullshit”
Modified 2004 Harley RoadGlide, Photography by Jack McIntyre
Modified Harley
Owner: Paul Binford
Bike Name: “No Bullshit”
Make/Model/Year: 2004 Harley Roadglide
Randy Rock n Roll Custom Paint – “Ghost Rider”
Modified ’99 Street Glide, Photography by Jack McIntyre
Rock & Roll Custom Paint has created the ultimate custom paint job (real fire flames, tribal graphics, airbrushed murals and pinstriped artwork) for thousands of Harley motorcycles, Hot Rods, Classic Cars, Trucks, Trailers, Sand Rails, Quads, Helmets, Jet Skis and Speed Boats.
From TRIKES we bring you:
POLARIS SLINGSHOT ROCKS THE TRIKE WORLD
Triking Viking Wrings Her Out, Story: Koz Mraz (The Triking Viking) Photos: Mraz and Bandit.
The earth was flat, until proven otherwise. It’s not hard to understand why people believed in a flat earth, in which the sun circled; that was their point of reference. Then somebody came along and turned everything upside-down. Polaris challenges such convention with the Slingshot. The mind reels at first sight and bystanders freeze in amazement as crowds gather and gawk. Is this a car, a trike, a prop from the Batman movie? They struggle with a point of reference, as do I.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss
–Mistress Chris
Women’s Editor
Internet Content Coordinator
ACCEL bought by MSD & Superchips owner—
Investor Z Capital Partners, the owner of El Paso, Texas based MSD Powersports, has added to its powersports portfolio by acquiring ACCEL.
The Cleveland, Ohio based ACCEL group includes brands such as Mr. Gasket, Mallory Ignition, Lakewood, QuickTime and Hays.
“The acquisition of ACCEL significantly enhances our position in ignition technology and allows MSDP to expand our product portfolio aimed squarely at diehard racing and street performance enthusiasts,” said Rick Ruebusch, Chief Executive Officer of MSDP.
“ACCEL complements our existing brands, providing us with both increased capability and an unmatched footprint in the aftermarket. With this complementary acquisition and ACCEL’s impressive portfolio of brands, MSDP has an even greater ability to serve our customers with new, innovative product offerings.”
Z Capital Partners bought MSDP out of Chapter 11 in December 2013. At that stage it was part of Autotronic Controls, which had been founded in El Paso, Texas, in 1970. The MSDP “portfolio” also includes the (originally British) Florida based Superchips/Vigilante engine tuner operation, meaning that the new group line-up now includes three different brands, engineering pedigrees and performance culture heritages, all of which have product for the Harley-Davidson performance aftermarket.
Z Capital Partners was founded in 2006 as an investment vehicle by James Zenni, who is Chairman of MSDP and CEO of Z Capital.
“ACCEL is a natural fit for MSDP and a valuable addition to the company’s product portfolio,” said Zenni. “Since making our investment in December 2013 [in MSDP via its then named Hot Rod Brands LLC investment vehicle], MSDP has experienced significant growth, as well as enhanced its product innovation, brand marketing and distribution strategies.
“We look forward to the company’s continued success with the addition of ACCEL and its impressive collection of brands.”
James Zenni founded Z Capital in 2006. Having acquired MSD (El Paso, Tx) and Superchips (Sanford, Fl) he has now added Cleveland, Ohio based ACCEL (and the group’s other famous name brands such as Mr Gasket, Mallory, Hays and Lakewood) to his burgeoning powersports industry portfolio: “We look for businesses that have defendable market share and high cash-flow”
According to Bloomberg Business Week, Mr. Zenni “has experience of investing in opportunistic, value-oriented private equity, mergers and acquisitions and related strategies”. He co-founded Black Diamond Capital Management, L.L.C. (BDCM) in 1995, and was responsible for all portfolio management and business operations at the firm until he divested his ownership interest in 2006. Bloomberg went on to say that “he was responsible for numerous distressed debt/private equity transactions at the firm.”
Z Capital Partners has approximately $1.9 billion of assets under management and offices in Lake Forest, IL, and New York, NY. The company says that their approach in private equity “includes making control investments in companies that may require growth capital, balance sheet and or operational improvements.
Z Capital portfolio companies are said to currently have aggregate worldwide annual revenues of approximately $1.5 billion, sell products in over 30 countries, and employ in excess of 190,000 associates directly and through joint ventures.
–AMD
RIVERA/PRIMO PRODUCT OF THE WEEK–Phase 2 HedLED 7in headlamp
RIVERA Primo is continuing its expansion of its lighting product range with the launch of its Phase 2 HedLED 7in headlamp.
When the first stages of the design process began for the Phase 2, Rivera Primo set out to create a 7-inch headlamp that looked more normal, and not like the majority of all LED lights currently available. In order to achieve this, the Phase 2 uses a glass lens. In addition it draws less current then an incandescent lamp, so it can be used with either an older charging system or a new high output system.
The Phase 2 HedLED 7in headlight not only has hi/lo beams, but also incorporates LED turn signals and is DOT and EU compliant.
NEW FEATURE BIKE COMING TO BIKERNET— for once you were right– this IS a really cool bike! We shot ‘normal’ long lens stuff, them we had some fun w/ the wide angle…
–Markus Cuff
This bike won the Editor’s Choice award at the Long Beach Ultimate Builder Show.
BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY NOW OPEN–A doctor was addressing a large audience in Oxford ….
“The material we put into our stomachs should have killed most of us sitting here, years ago. Red meat is full of steroids and dye. Soft drinks corrode your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with MSG. High trans-fat diets can be disastrous and none of us realizes the long-term harm caused by the germs in our drinking water. But, there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and most of us have, or will eat it. Can anyone here tell me what food it is that causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?”
After several seconds of quiet, a 70-year-old man in the front row raised his hand, and softly said, “Wedding Cake.”
BUFFALO CHIP NEWS, Celebrities to Challenge Students in Bike Build–Big changes, more celebrities and new scholarship opportunities are all coming to the 2015 Buffalo Chip Challenge. The student bike build and scholarship program is also now open to all Black Hills high school students with the opportunity to customize two of America’s most iconic motorcycles.
Meet celebrities, students and teachers and get the story When Two Legends Collide on Monday, January 19 at 1:30am.
THE SMOKE OUT COMMANDER ON MATTHEW KELLY–I like Matthew Kelly for stressing the point that spirituality needs to be a constant part of a complete life. Last night I was in kind of a… philosophical, theology class. There was a philosopher and mathematician named Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) who defined what it is to be “human.”
Obviously there are a lot of people who have defined that over the centuries but the philosopher guy leading the class preferred Pascal’s definition which is one word. To be human is to “thirst.” What he meant by that is… take my dog for example, when he has food and feels safe, the temperature is OK and stuff… he is happy. Man isn’t happy based on just his physical needs being met. We have a purpose and if we don’t find that… and live that… we have an insatiable restlessness.
–Edge
LUCKY DEVIL REPORTS IN— Here is a shot of the new fab shop. . .I ought to have the inside put together good enough to send a sneak peak over the weekend, fortunately I have the office services up, so I can get back in touch with the world again haha!
–Kent
BOOK OF THE WEEK— Motorbooks is publishing a book that is unlike anything we’ve published before… and something completely new to motorcyclists’ bookshelves.
In recent years, we have found great interest in books surrounding motorcycle culture and the history of “one percenter” riders. There has also been a significant increase in popularity of graphic novels in recent years. We are combining these genres for the first time in Lucifer’s Sword MC: Life and Death in an Outlaw Motorcycle Club by Phil Cross and Ron Sutton.
A graphic novel by a lifelong motorcycle club member, inspired by the secrets of one-percenters. Phil Cross has been a Hells Angel for over 40 years. In the world of outlaw motorcycle clubs, there are many stories that can’t be told, for a variety of reasons, but they have spurred Phil’s imagination to create a fictional story inspired by real events.
One-percenter antiheroes populate these pages – tougher and wilder than any character ever played by Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, or Marlon Brando. The guys in the tales Phil spins might remind you of Easy Rider and The Wild One, but the hard glint in their eyes proves that they are based on the real deal.
Illustrator Ronn Sutton provides stunning visuals to bring Phil’s stories to life. These bikers aren’t going to ride off into the sunset any time soon. ($22.99)
Phil Cross is a former bodyguard, martial-arts instructor, and amateur photographer. A former member of the Gypsy Jokers Motorcycle Club, he has been a member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club since 1969 and is still active in the club. He is the author of Phil Cross: Gypsy Joker to a Hells Angel, a true chronicle of his life and wild times.
Ronn Sutton is a professional Ottawa-based freelance artist who has worked in comics, animation, illustration, and other related fields. A multiple Aurora Award nominee for Artistic Achievement, he has taught cartooning at the Nepean Visual Arts Centre and has had his work profiled on Life Channel’s TV program Eros.
TRIUMPH DEAL OF THE WEEK—
2014 Triumph Thruxton, IT’S TIME TO BUY SALES EVENT. ALSO RECEIVE $600 IN FREE TRIUMPH ACCESSORIES AND APPAREL. Pricing includes all dealer costs – The Thruxton is born of the café racer culture that dominated motorcycling in the 1960’s.
Back then, British twins, usually Bonneville engines, were used to form the basis of home built bikes. Used to race from one café to another, they featured extensive modifications such as dropped bars, single seats and upswept exhausts. To this day, we’ve kept many of these styling cues for the modern Thruxton.
Price: $8,988
Contact Southern California Triumph-Ducati-Suzuki-Victory
Southern California Triumph-Ducati-Suzuki-Victory
515/ 535 W. Lambert Road
Brea, CA 92821
(866) 578-0056
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE—Wait, what’s next. I need to dive into the Bonne Belle. We have a new/old 45 flathead 1945 engine at Departure Bike Works being built, and I need to revamp the chassis some. We are going to build a new fender from Bare Knuckle Choppers, cover more of the rear wheel, and keep the salt off the back of the transmission and off the battery.
I’ll get into a report shortly.
I met with Ryan, Keith Oliver, and Gard Hollinger at the magnificent ARCH motorcycles for the next chapter. We spent two hours just discussing modifications, geometry, manufacturing and components around the front end. You’ll see a report soon.
If you are a Cantina member you need to see the new Girl of Bikernet and read my story. I need your input.
Peter Linney has been out to lunch for a couple of months, but he’s back and attended the David Mann Chopperfest. He’s hooked up and starting to shoot features again. This will be the first one. Very sharp.
There’s never a dull moment, but we are trying to take time out to relax and study the spiritual side. It’s about time, right?
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit
