Hey,
I’m a disabled Vietnam vet and so is our Performance Editor, Ray C. Wheeler. We have a lot of close brothers who are also disable veterans. My brother, David is also Cambodia veteran.
I was honored to sit at a dinner table recently with my 93-year-old mom and Archie, a veteran from WWII. He was in Okinawa, when the Japanese surrendered. I was moved to know a man who was on the spot.
I also recently read a book by the mother of the Redhead of Redheads, Alison. Her mom, Betty Bettencourt Dodds wrote a book, The McClelland Civil War Letters, after she discovered a passel of letters written by two young brothers to their folks after they left home during the Civil War. Amazing book, easy to read. One of the sons was killed in New Mexico, fighting Apache Indians. The other, John McClelland fought from the beginning of the war until the very end, and was even in the procession for Lincoln’s funeral. Amazing.
I was caught off guard when he said his cousin attended the play at the Ford theater and saw John Wilkes Booth jump onto the stage after he shot the President. Incredible. Over 600,000 died in the Civil War and 60,000 died in Vietnam.
Here’s to all veterans, old and young. We all stood tall for Freedom. I wish our government would put Freedom first. It works, it’s what so many died for.
The Weekly Bikernet News is sponsored in part by Cycle Source Magazine, Iron Trader News, and Chopper Town.
BRASS BALLS CYCLE CELEBRATES VETERANS DAY– On yesterday, of all days, Veteran’s Day honors our veterans for their service to our Country.
We are so grateful to those who put on our Country’s uniform and serve our great Nation. On this day, Veteran’s Day, we’d like to express our sincerest thanks our veterans… and encourage you to do the same in your own special way.
Pros4vets.org is still raffling this amazing original 1974 Honda CB750. Please support their efforts to support our troops and buy a few tickets. You’ll be helping a great cause and You might even win this bike! Click here to get yours today!
Help Us Help Our Troops
Too many soldiers & veterans suffer from PTSD. We’d like to give them something positive to focus on, while also showing our gratitude for their service. If you are a business owner or have the ability, and would like to sponsor a bike kit for a soldier or veteran, please contact us at evolve@DarwinMotorcycles.com
BEST ALL-TIME CLEANEST ORIGINAL PAINT 1914 H-D V-TWIN CONFIRMED— A brother recently came across this amazing 1913 V-Twin and it’s for sale.
He sent detailed shots of it to Steve Huntzinger who is a master restoration expert. Steve was so impressed he almost gave up his rare 1912 Sears for this bike. The Sears was his first and a very prized restoration, residing in his living room.
If you are seriously interested drop a note to Don Whalen.
donwhalen1@gmail.com
NEW CANTINA IMAGES FROM THE MAN-– The end of summer Daytona Biketoberfest parties are the place to be! As you wonder through the images of this gallery, you will understand the point that I am trying to make. Our man on the street, Photographer Chopper Dave puts his all into shooting for you, so make him proud, join the Cantina and check out all of the great shots he has sent in for you all! ENJOY
–JACK MCINTYRE
PHOTOGRAPHER
Co-Editor of Bandit’s Cantina
BIKERNET.COM
JIMS BIKERNET TOOL OF THE WEEK– The Ultimate Clutch Adjusting Tool.
Save time with JIMS Ultimate Clutch Adjusting Tool. Imagine grabbing just one tool for a clutch adjustment, instead of 3 or 4 separate tools that don’t work well. No more open end wrenches that don’t fit due to awkward angles, or multiple attempts to lock the jam nut and adjuster screw in the correct position.
JIMS new clutch tool allows the technician to quickly and accurately tighten the jam nut without changing the adjuster position. Our custom socket driver allows the hex key to work through the driver and the ergonomic handle stores the key when not in use.
JIMS No. 5502- For all Big Twins 1985 to present including most aftermarket lock up and slipper clutches.
Suggested retail is $65.50.
Made in USA and guaranteed for life. For more information contact us at sales@jimsusa.com, visit www.jimsusa.com, or call (805) 482-6913.
–Clark Kirkendall
JIMS USA
555 Dawson Drive
Camarillo, CA 93012
805.482.6913 Fax 805.482.9224
clark.kirkendall@jimsusa.com
BIKERNET’S SCOOTER TRAMP SCOTTY: SPLATTERED IN COLORADO
Hope your doing better Scotty, if you need anything while in south Louisiana, hit me up,
Weasel Thad at, ancientserpent@gmail.com
— Houston Thad Cranford
Clinton, LA
QUICK, OPEN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY–
– I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford. Then I want to move in with them.
-Phyllis Diller
-Burt Reynolds once asked me out. I was in his room.
– What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.
– The only time I ever enjoyed ironing was the day I accidentally got gin in the steam iron.
-Phyllis Diller
–from Jerry and Rogue
EXCLUSIVE: Biker massacre which killed nine in shoot-out started because of parking rage in breastaurant lot – but seven months on NOBODY has been charged with murders
By Shekhar Bhatia In Waco, Texas For Dailymail.com
Nine bikers from rival gangs died and 20 were wounded when the rival Cossacks and Bandidos clashed inside and outside Twin Peaks, Waco
Now Daily Mail Online can disclose that the violence started when leader of one gang, the Bandidos, drove over member of rival gang’s foot.
The victim was actually there to direct bikes in the parking lot – but when he screamed fellow Cossacks started the violence.
Witnesses tell Daily Mail Online how man was shot point blank by rival who said: ‘Take that motherf*****’ and another left to bleed to death.
Police had been monitoring both groups for six weeks because of tensions, which went back months and now face claims of cover-up.
By Shekhar Bhatia In Waco, Texas For Dailymail.com
It was a gun battle that shocked the nation and left nine people dead, twenty wounded and 177 under arrest.
Now six months since the biker massacre at the Twin Peaks ‘breastaurant’ in Waco, Daily Mail Online can reveal the immediate cause of the violence – and how police are accused of having allowed it to happen.
Remarkably, nobody has been charged with murder despite the scale of death and injury, and the fact that 177 people were arrested in the immediate aftermath of the massacre.
The background to the shootings can also now be laid bare – and with it come claims that police knew well that a war was in the offing between the two gangs who clashed, the Cossacks and the Bandidos.
Officers had been trailing rival gang members for up to six weeks before the outbreak of deadly violence.
They had cataloged a string of violent outbursts involving guns and knives between the warring factions.
One Cossack had been attacked on Interstate 35 near Waco by 10 rivals with a hammer and a Bandido had his bike stolen at a fuel stop after being attacked with chains and batons.
At least five other incidents had taken place and in the run up to May 17, police were sure a turf war was brewing between the two rival biker gangs.
Police were also aware that many were planning to attend the Waco gathering with guns and other weapons.
Officers had previously been called to disperse the rival bike groups in March at the same Twin Peaks with the Cossacks warning that the ‘breastaurant’ was in Waco, their territory, so the Bandidos should not be there.
The starting point for the rivalry appeared to be the previous year.
On December 12 last year ten Bandidos were said to have burst into Gator’s Jam Inn Bar in Fort Worth, shot dead Geoff Brady, 41, of Arlington, Texas, and wounded three others.
Brady was a Ghost Rider, who are allies of the Cossacks. Three men, said by police to be Bandidos, are on $100,000 bail after being held on suspicion of that murder.
Then the Cossacks had their meeting place at Mexia, around 50 miles from Waco, burned to the ground in what is believed to have been an arson attack early in the New Year.
The Bandidos had been attempting to elicit payments from Cossacks, which had been refused.
There was also anger among the Bandidos that their hated rivals were wearing badges proclaiming Texas was their rightful home – a direct incitement, they believed.
With this background, a peace summit was called at Twin Peaks by the 12 different districts of the Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents, which seeks to regulate the groups.
But it was not to be peaceful, and it immediately went wrong over parking rage.
David Martinez, president of the Dallas chapter of the Bandidos, rode his new Harley-Davidson ahead of his gang into the Twins Peak parking lot.
Clifford Pierce, 53, who despite his age, was a Cossacks ‘intern’ and had been left outside to direct bikers to leave their machines in designated spaces away from the door.
He tried to direct the Bandidos troop to parking spaces away from the main lot, but screamed when Martinez ran his 2015 bike over his foot. Pierce, although later wounded, survived.
His screams caused fellow Cossacks to confront their rivals and a gun battle ensued.
The Bandidos leader produced his weapon and was followed by others as some groups of men dived for cover inside the restaurant while others went on to confront each other.
It is unclear if both groups knew that they were being watched – but in fact police with sniper rifles were on standby and started firing at people they saw brandishing guns or were perceived to be a threat.
Waco officers were in the lead. They say that they had 24 officers present, of whom three opened fire, discharging 12 rounds. But it is unclear how many rounds were fired in total by the multiple law enforcement agencies who were present.
One father whose son was blasted to death has told Daily Mail Online he would have lived if police hadn’t refused him urgent medical attention to his bleeding wounds.
Speaking for the first time, Rick Kirschner,71, revealed his 47-year-old son Richard jr – nicknamed ‘Bear’ in the motorcycle fraternity – lay dying from three gunshot wounds in his knee, hip and buttocks outside the restaurant for at least 15 minutes before he was taken to hospital.
See the complete article at Dailymail.com
BIKER’S CHOICE NEW BATTERY LINE-UP– Lithium Ion Battery Added to Twin Power Line
Biker’s Choice is excited to announce the addition of Lithium Ion batteries to the Twin Power line. Twin Power is known for their high quality parts and accessories designed for the Harley—Davidson enthusiast.
Considered one of the most durable and reliable batteries currently on the market, Twin Power’s Lithium Ion battery provides the user with ultra-high cranking power but at a third of the weight of a lead acid battery. It also has a service life more than twice that of a conventional lead acid battery. The battery has a low self-discharge that allows it to be stored up to one year if required.
It is perfect for use in low temperature environments. Twin Power’s Lithium Ion batteries are also designed with a built-in charge and equalizing protection so that they can never be over-charged.
The batteries have been constructed with no corrosive liquids or heavy metals, making it ideal for the enthusiast who is concerned about the environment. It is easy to install with heavy-duty terminals already in stock configuration. Superior vibration resistant construction allows multi-directional installation without damaging the battery.
No shimming or adaptors are required to fit the motorcycle factory battery box.
Twin Power’s Lithium Ion batteries offer riders long-lasting performance and comes with a two-year warranty.
For more information, visit Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice online at www.tuckerrocky.com or on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. To inquire about becoming a Tucker Rocky dealer for Offroad products and accessories, contact the New Dealer Development Department at (817) 258-9255 or newdealer@tuckerrocky.com.
–Dawn Zassick, Sr. Director of Marketing, dzassick@tuckerrocky.com
BIKE BUILDS ON BIKERNET BAGGERS–
This department will cover complete touring model bike builds or severely modified baggers. We started this department so we can post all the techs in one area. Ultimately you can roll from chapter to chapter and watch the bike come together in one place.
http://www.bikernetbaggers.com/pages/Bike_Builds.aspx
–Rogue
All-Controlling Bikernet Baggers Editor
QUICK, A SPIRITUAL MOMENT FROM THE BIKERNET STAFF– Five Harmonies
Individual harmony achieved through joy
Interpersonal harmony achieved through respect
Family harmony achieved through deference
Social harmony achieved through cooperation
World harmony achieved through peace
–Venerable Master Hsing Yun
SHOW RESULTS– Sacramento Results from the 2015 J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show.
The Progressive International Motorcycle Show circus made its second stop in the capital city of California at the 350 acre Cal Expo facility located just East of downtown Sacramento. Motorcycle enthusiasts were treated to stunt shows, Supermoto racing, demo rides, the latest production motorcycles and the killer custom bikes from the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show competition.
Shaun Ruddy of Chop deVille took People’s Choice Award for the second week in a row. Bell Helmet presented him with a Custom 500 lid for his award.
MODIFIED CUSTOM
Shaun Ruddy rolled down from his win in Portland, OR with his 2015 Indian Chieftain and sidecar and came away with another check for $750 in Sacramento. His Indian was a highlight for enthusiasts attending the show. This bike features a custom air intake, a chopped Liberty sidecar, stretched bags, custom paint, custom Chop deVille exhaust pipes and LED lighting.
1st #250 – Shaun Ruddy, Chop DeVille – 2015 Indian Chieftain
2nd # 625 – Darrell Schneider, 2013 KTM690 DUKE
Shaun received another award in Sacramento. Renowned artist, Makoto Endo, selected Shaun’s custom scout Café Racer for his motorcycle drawing. Endo paints a bike on a large canvas at the Progressive booth. And he only uses chopsticks.
MODIFIED RETRO
Some of the most interesting bikes in the series compete in the Modified Retro class. These are bikes that are older than 1984. And our Sacramento competition didn’t disappoint. Separated by just a point, #575 Kirk Taylor and #800 Paul Binford duked it out for the top position. When the final votes were tallied, Northern California custom bike builder Kirk Taylor came away with the win.
The bike is a 1980 Harley-Davidson set in a rigid chassis. It features an 80ci Shovelhead engine, custom tank with dual ridges and Taylor’s renown paint.
1st #575 – Kirk Taylor, Custom Design Studio – 1980 Shovelhead
2nd #800 – Paul Binford, Binford Custom Cycles –– 1975 Harley-Davidson FLH named 209 Special
Custom Bikes are popular with enthusiasts. The first bikes you see as you enter the convention center are from the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder competition. They are placed on the red carpet and are positioned in front of the main entrance of the pavilion.
Throughout the 10 show series approximately 400,000 enthusiasts will see the custom bikes J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder competition. The total cash and prize package for the series is $100,000. The Chicago round will host the US Championship and will provide $50,000 in cash and awards. Sponsors include J&P Cycles, Harley-Davidson, Progressive Insurance, Bell Helmets, Speakeasy Original, The Leatherworks and 5 Ball Leathers.
MOD HARLEY
Andrew Ursich started out building custom hot rods. And during his spare time he decided to build a bike from a basket case Sporty. Andrew hand made the headlight bracket, then the fender struts, the inspection cover and the shift and brake linkages. Then his attention turned to making and modifying the sheet metal. He made the battery box, the ignition counsel, point cover, and modified the pipes from straight drags to upswept puppies. For his effort, he was awarded a check for $1,000.
1st #475 – Andrew Ursich – 1980 Sportster named Brass Monkey
2nd #675 – Ernest Cruz – 2012 Harley-Davidson Road Glide named Trouble 12
FREESTYLE
When Jon woke up on Friday, the day of the load in, someone had vandalized his trailer. They unscrewed the fasteners and bolts on his bike and relieved him of his tools. Fast forward to Sunday afternoon and he walks off the stage with a check of $2,000 and a much happier builder.
The bike features paint by Blair Peterson, S&S Shovelhead, open chain primary, split tanks and a custom girder frontend. His custom built boardtrack scoot rolls with 24” wheels front and back. Jon also walked away with a Speakeasy Originals’ ring entitled Made in America.
1st #275 – Jon Macdowell of Bonneville Customs, 2014 Custom Boardtrack
2nd #300 – Mark Shell of Bonneville Customs, 2007 Anarchy Disruptor
Next up is Long Beach. Some of the greatest custom bike builders in America roll into the friendly confines of the Long Beach Convention Center – Reserve the weekend of November 20-22, 2015: http://www.motorcycleshows.com/long-beach
STRICTLY HAWGS CAN BUILD ANYTHING–
Charles was part of Kicker and Big Hommie Custom at the SEMA show this past week in Las Vegas and made it back yesterday early morning.
–Joanna
NHTSA LOBBY BAN–
I verified this with Todd Washam, Legislative Asst. for the Honorable James Sensenbrenner and Paul Blieberg, Legislative Director, for the Honorable Reid Ribble regarding the NHTSA Lobby Ban.
The ban from NHTSA lobbying the States without an invitation is current law, which stays in place unless specifically changed in the current version of the bill that passed the House this week, I actually read the entire bill yesterday and there is no mention of discontinuing the ban.
What did not happen is getting the ban extended to the DOT, that was always a bit of a long shot and frankly to take attention away from the NHTSA ban, removing that ban is on the agenda of the Whitehouse Administration, in part because this current administration doesn’t believe anyone should be able to direct the federal government, and the fact that is torques NHTSA off to no end.
We haven’t been mentioning it on our recent press releases specifically because it is on the radar of the Administration and we don’t want to call attention to it.
The only other slight negative is the motorcycle awareness study wording was changed from “shall” to “may” as it applies to the National Academy of Sciences. There were House members that wanted this out so we are choosing not to lobby it now and make it a cornerstone ask during Bikers Inside the Beltway to make the “may” actually happen.
Both staff’s that I spoke to that are very involved in the House Highway bill agree this is prudent.
This is a very good highway bill for motorcyclists given the re-instatement of the Motorcycle Advisory Council which by wording has the MRF a part of it, the Checkpoint funding ban and the fact that it specifically mentions not to be used for helmet enforcement is strong, and the awareness effectiveness study is a first.
I intend to remain in contact daily with Highway Bill Conference committee members as the Senate and House conference on this to negotiate differences to best monitor for negative activity.
As a final statement of concern though, the place of greater concern on the NHTSA Lobby ban is getting it removed during the Appropriations bills that are being considered in the next five weeks. It will take eyes and ears on this process to make sure we don’t get back-doored, especially given NHTSA and the Whitehouse are opposed to it.
–Kirk “Hardtail” Willard
MRF President/Board Chair
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE ATTACKS SUPER HOOLIGAN RACING WITH A KEY SPONSORSHIP AND CUSTOM RACE BIKES–
Five Roland Sands custom Indian Scout Hooligan bikes will compete in the race piloted by Roland Sands, Red Bull stunt rider Aaron Colton and special guest riders.
Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company, today announced it has stepped up as the title sponsor for the upcoming “RSD Super Hooligan” flat track race in Las Vegas.
The street-bike based race takes place indoors on a short track at the Orleans Hotel & Casino the evening of November 21, and is presented in partnership with Roland Sands Design and AMA Pro Flat Track in conjunction with the “Superprestigio of the Americas” race. The winner of the Super Hooligan race will receive a new 2016 Indian Scout – making the Super Hooligan race a bit more competitive than the average weekend amateur event.
Hooligan racing is traced back to the 1930s, at a time when legendary Indian Motorcycle dealer Clarence “Pappy” Hoel began organizing regional hill climb and flat track motorcycle races in and around Sturgis, SD. Hoel was a founding members of the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club, and he and the Gypsies are credited with starting the now world famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 1938.
Indian Motorcycle’s rich history in racing dates back to its inception with records in every racing category, including land speed, dirt track, transcontinental racing and venues like Daytona and the Isle of Man.
In 1911 the Federation of American Motorcyclists published the records for 126 different categories of racing and different distances, and of those 126 racing records, Indian owned all 126.
Hooligan racing is a throwback to a post-war era where riders took virtually any available motorcycle to race in the spirit of seeking adrenaline and enjoying the comradery. Today the flat track Hooligan racing category is rapidly gaining in popularity with riders of all ages and experience levels because it brings the fun back into a less structured environment where any rider can race virtually any motorcycle.
“Framers” or custom race chassis machines are not allowed in the class. It’s designed to allow racers to lightly modify an existing street chassis for racing action, a familiar situation for the world famous Indian Scout.
The company also announced it has partnered with Roland Sands Design to build and race five custom Hooligan racers based on the Indian Scout. The custom Hooligan Scouts will race in the RSD Super Hooligan event in Las Vegas, with a world-class team of riders that includes Roland Sands himself, Red Bull/KTM stunt rider Aaron Colton, plus some surprise guest riders. These new custom motorcycles will be revealed to the media on Friday, November 20 during the International Motorcycle Shows press event in Long Beach, CA.
“The Scout is a great machine upon which to base a custom bike with modern rider friendly performance. The engine and chassis are rock solid and don’t need a lot of work, so DIY customizers can focus on the aesthetic modifications,” said Roland Sands. “It has been a blast designing and building these custom Indian Scout Hooligan bikes and after a quick test run at the local flat track I feel we have a competitive bike that will rip on the track.”
For more information on the Super-prestigio of the Americas visit http://www.superprestigio.com/. Fans can enjoy live streaming of the event on www.fanschoice.tv. To join the IMS Press Day on Nov 20, please contact jgrigsby@advanstar.com.
[page break]
Happy Birthday Marines.
Freedom is NOT FREE….
http://www.military.com/marine-corps-birthday
–Rogue
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MOTORBOOKS TURNS 50—AMAZING!
One LUCKY READER WILL WIN 50 BOOKS OF THEIR CHOICE!
To show our appreciation to our passionate readers, we are giving 1 lucky winner 50 BOOKS of their choice (valued at $50 or under per title). Entries are being accepted:
Facebook QuartoDrives page (contest tab here: http://gvwy.io/u216zzv)
Send a “Happy Anniversary Motorbooks” video greeting to Motorbooks50@gmail.com (details below)
SHARE YOUR ANNIVERSARY GREETING AND YOU COULD WIN 50 BOOKS!
We are asking Motorbooks fans (readers, journalists and car club members) to share a quick “Happy 50th Anniversary Motorbooks” video. We encourage participants to also tell us their favorite car from the last 50 years in the video. We will be sharing these messages on social media over the coming months.
All video entries are considered a registration in the chance to win 50 books! Email videos to Motorbooks50@gmail.com.
PLEASE HELP US SHARE OUR STORY OF 50 YEARS OF SUCCESS
If you are interested in helping us spread the word about this important milestone, we can offer interview opportunities with Motorbooks founder Tom Warth, current publisher Zack Miller or current CEO of Quarto Publishing Group USA, Ken Fund.
Thank you for anything you can do to help us thank our loyal readers and celebrate this amazing accomplishment.
THE MOTORBOOKS STORY
1965: BORN IN A GARAGE
It’s only fitting that Motorbooks story begins in a garage. The year was 1965, and North America was in dire need of quality car, motorcycle, and racing books. Luckily for gearheads, a transplanted Englishman and lifelong car guy named Thomas Warth took it upon himself to feed the need.
From the stalls of his humble Minneapolis, Minnesota, garage, Warth launched a modest automotive book mail-order business selling transportation tomes, many of them imported from England. Thus was born Classic Motorbooks. In 1973, Classic Motorbooks began publishing its own books, which it made available alongside those from leading transportation publishers around the world. This move put Motorbooks in the driver’s seat, allowing it to define the best books for enthusiasts and then engage the motoring world’s best photographers and writers to create them—an approach that continues to this day.
Besides our award-winning writers and shooters, we also partner with some of the biggest names in the business, like Chevrolet, Ford, Hot Rod and Cycle World magazines, Dodge, and SRT—all to give us access to the best stories and the coolest photography.
Alongside its own titles, Motorbooks continues to offer the best books from the other premier transportation publishers, fine-tuned exclusively for the enthusiast by gearheads who are just as obsessed as you are. For 50 years, Motorbooks has embraced the gearhead life. If it has wheels, we dig it.
–Nichole
UNiQ Cycle Sounds Touring Trike Install
How you guys doing/our members always come to BIKERNET
Great article/ I got a FreeWheeler now, at 71, I still want to let the LED out when I ride, you and Bandit got this sound system down. Can you please tell me one thing or send me some info on the connection to the AMP.
I’m from the old school,
Jets and little screw drivers ( kicker man ). I ‘m gonna get the premier model (top of the line) just your print on this product got my mind spinning.
Please tell me one thing/ I understand the mounting of the speakers on my FreeWheeler
and the installation of the amp and that little button or controller that I can pair with my IPHONE, that’s what I’m going be using, the IPhone. I see that you guys feed the wires from the speakers down were the fork lock is.
That’s were I’m concerned. Do I take the tank off, or how and where do I lead the wires from the speakers and that button thing to the amp under the seat, that’s the missing link. You guys / BikerNet is more than any other web site that can be trusted and are always ahead of what’s happening in the biker world and more trust worthy, I just like to know
how you guys led those wires to the amp under the seat. Thanks a lot Brothers.
— Dave
Lake Wales, FL
That’s great that you are loving the Freewheeler!
Please call UniQ Cycle sounds directly and tell them you heard about them
from BIKERNET TRIKES, They are real nice folks 888-864-7721
http://www.uniqcyclesounds.com/
–Triking Viking
Supreme Bikernet Baggers Editor
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TRIUMPH AND TRIUMPH OF WESTCHESTER
EARN SPECIAL RECOGNITION AT GLOBAL DEALER CONFERENCE– Triumph Motorcycles recently announced its global dealer awards during the Global Dealer Conference at the Excel Center in London, England. The winning dealers represented 16 different countries from across the globe.
Southern California Triumph, based in Brea, Calif., and owned by Tom Hicks, was the only dealership outside of Europe to receive Triumph’s lifetime achievement award for “Outstanding Contribution to the Brand.” Triumph of Westchester, based in Westchester, N.Y., and co-owned by Rafal Bassendorf and Les Tomacki, earned the Triumph National Dealer Award. Nick Bloor, global CEO of Triumph Motorcycles, and John Bloor, owner and founder of the Triumph Motorcycles Ltd.’s Hinckley-based operation, presented the awards during a special recognition ceremony at the gala dinner.
“Les and Rafal at Triumph of Westchester and Tom at Southern California Triumph set the standard for all of our retailers in delivering an exceptional customer experience and driving the brand in their markets,” said Matt Sheahan, COO of Triumph Motorcycles America. “We’re proud to have them as partners and have them recognized on stage in front of the global dealer audience.”
As an additional reward, Lord Digby Jones, Chairman of Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. and former Minister of State for Trade and Investment, took these winning dealers on an exclusive guided tour of the House of Lords, the upper house of the U.K. Parliament located in the Palace of Westminster.
Also, during the Global Dealer Conference, five new Triumph Bonneville motorcycles were revealed publicly for the first time to the Triumph dealers in attendance. For further information on Triumph’s complete line of motorcycles and to find a local dealer, visit www.TriumphMotorcycles.com.
To see the full range of Triumph motorcycles, visit www.TriumphMotorcycles.com
WINNER OF THE WEEK– Congratulations Branden Clark
You just won this awesome Apex Jacket from Klim.
Thanks to everybody who got off the couch and rode your bike this October. Over 165,000 miles were logged in the Klim Apex Challenge. That’s a lot of stories from the road.
Special Thank You From Klim
As a special thank you from Klim, we are giving the following 10 randomly selected Challenge participants a special gift for taking part in the Apex Challenge.
Miguel De La Vega
Jeff Heider
Jason Lamb
Roy Zinser
Alec McCann
Chad McGown
Cid Dennis
Brad Knox
Lars Karlsson
Adam Walters
If your name is on this list, don’t spam block our email, we will be sending you details on how to get hooked up.
Ride Safe,
-The Rever Team
OPERATION GRATITUDE VOLUNTEERS ASSEMBLING 11,124 PACKAGES AS YOU READ THIS– Last week, we received urgent requests for 11,124 Operation Gratitude Care Packages for troops currently deployed in harm’s way and for new recruits graduating Boot Camp this month. We knew that we had to jump into action!
Today–right now–we have 322 volunteers assembling the care packages at our location in Los Angeles, with more volunteers scheduled to arrive throughout the day. Check out this picture taken a few minutes ago.
Photo taken on Tuesday, November 10th at 9:26am
You can also see a short video of the action on the ground: Watch video now.
For the next 24 hours, to ensure we can send these packages, we are holding a fundraising drive to pay for the shipping expenses of $15 per package. With 11,124 packages to send, this is quite a bold request and undertaking.
We hope you will join us by sponsoring one care package for $15, three for $45, ten for $150 or however many you would like to support.
You can make a donation by clicking here.
www.operationgratitude.com
This week of November is always a special one to all of us at Operation Gratitude. Today is the Marine Corps Birthday and tomorrow is Veterans Day. We feel there is no greater tribute we can pay to our men and women who have served in the past than to pay it forward and say “Thank You” to all who serve today.
Thank you for your commitment to our military and for considering this urgent request. We will report back to you soon with our progress and with responses from the troops.
–Carolyn Blashek
Founder, Operation Gratitude
PS – Several troops who received our care packages shipped out during the assembly day last month have sent us messages and some wonderful photos! You made this happen
STROKERS DALLAS UNDER THE GUN AGAIN–
Rick Fairless of Strokers Dallas and Rick & Joe T’s Dum Ass Club, which airs each Wednesday at 12:00 pm CT at www.strokersdallas.com are under investigation.
Rick Fairless was born in Dallas, Texas and started riding motorcycles at 7 years old. His passion in life was, and still is, custom motorcycles. In 1996, he opened “Strokers Dallas” Motorcycle shop. Two years later, he opened up a bar & grill next door called “Strokers Ice House.”
On any normal Saturday & Sunday they will have 500-1000 bikes pass through their doors! Rumor has it his mother is chained in the kitchen. The live music is playing, the half-naked girls are selling ice cold beer and the bikes are roaring in and out… It’s freakin’ AWESOME! HIs property is 2.5 acres located deep in the heart of Dallas, Texas, only a few miles from Downtown! Rick says he is the luckiest boy in the world to be living his dream everyday, 8 days a week!
Earlier this year, Rick partnered with Cinsay, the leader in patented social video eCommerce technology, to bring something to cycle fans that was truly unique. The result of that partnership is Strokersdallas.com , a multi-channel live viewing experience unlike anything else on the web, where fans can watch the world’s only live biker reality TV show as the drama unfolds at Strokers Dallas, where Rick and his team of passionate bikers build custom cycles deep in the heart of Texas.
Between all that custom steel, rubber and the beautiful girls that make Strokers Dallas their second home, the action never stops, with 20 cameras all over the place broadcasting all the fun 24/7.
Each Wednesday, RICK & JOE T’s DUM ASS CLUB features a one-hour live broadcast at 12:00 pm (CT). Anyone can watch by signing up for free membership at www.strokersdallas.com. And at www.ShopStrokersDallas.com, visitors can pick up great Strokers Dallas hats, apparel, accessories and more.
–Paul Gendreau | PGPR
In November 2014, Arkansas voters approved a ballot measure that, among other reforms, barred the state’s elected officials from accepting lobbyists’ gifts. But that hasn’t stopped influence peddlers from continuing to provide meals to lawmakers at the luxurious Capital Hotel or in top Little Rock eateries like the Brave New Restaurant; the prohibition does not apply to “food or drink available at a planned activity to which a specific governmental body is invited,” so lobbyists can buy meals so long as they invite an entire legislative committee.
Such loopholes are a common part of statehouse culture nationwide, according to the 2015 State Integrity Investigation, a data-driven assessment of state government by the Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity. The comprehensive probe found that in state after state, open records laws are laced with exemptions and part-time legislators and agency officials engage in glaring conflicts of interests and cozy relationships with lobbyists. Meanwhile, feckless, understaffed watchdogs struggle to enforce laws as porous as honeycombs.
Take the Missouri lawmaker who introduced a bill this year — which passed despite a veto by the governor — to prohibit cities from banning plastic bags at grocery stores. The state representative cited concern for shoppers, but he also happens to be state director of the Missouri Grocers Association, and is just one of several lawmakers in the state who pushed bills that synced with their private interests.
Or the lobbyist who, despite a $50 cap on gifts to Idaho state lawmakers, spent $2,250 in 2013 to host a state senator and his wife at the annual Governors Cup charity golf tournament in Sun Valley; the prohibition does not apply to such lobbying largess as long as the money is not spent “in return for action” on a particular bill.
In Delaware, the Public Integrity Commission, which oversees lobbying and ethics laws for the executive branch there, has just two full-time employees. A 2013 report by a special state prosecutor found that the agency was unable “to undertake any serious inquiry or investigation into potential wrongdoing.”
And in New Mexico, lawmakers passed a resolution in 2013 declaring that their emails are exempt from public records laws — a rule change that did not require the governor’s signature. “I think it’s up to me to decide if you can have my record,” one representative said.
These are among the practices illuminated by the State Integrity Investigation, which measured hundreds of variables to compile transparency and accountability grades for all 50 states. The results are nothing short of stunning. The best grade in the nation, which went to Alaska, is just a C. Only two others earned better than a D+; 11 states received failing grades. The findings may be deflating to the two-thirds of Americans who, according to a recent poll, now look to the states for policy solutions as gridlock and partisanship have overtaken Washington D.C.
The top of the pack includes bastions of progressive government, including California (ranked 2nd with a C-), and states notorious for corrupt pasts (Connecticut, 3rd with a C-, and Rhode Island, 5th with a D+). In those New England states, scandals led to significant reforms and relatively robust ethics laws, even if dubious dealings linger in the halls of government. The bottom includes many western states that champion limited government, like Nevada, South Dakota and Wyoming, but also others, such as Maine, Delaware and dead-last Michigan, that have not adopted the types of ethics and open records laws common in many other states.
The results are “disappointing but not surprising,” said Paula A. Franzese, an expert in state and local government ethics at Seton Hall University School of Law and former chairwoman of the New Jersey State Ethics Commission. Franzese said that, with many states still struggling financially, ethics oversight in particular is among the last issues to receive funding. “It’s not the sort of issue that commands voters,” she said.
With a few notable exceptions, there has been little progress on these issues since the State Integrity Investigation was first carried out, in 2012. In fact, most scores have dropped since then, though some of that is due to changes made to improve and update the project and its methodology.
Since State Integrity’s first go-round, at least 12 states have seen their legislative leaders or top cabinet-level officials charged, convicted or resign as a result of ethics or corruption-related scandal. Five house or assembly leaders have fallen. No state has outdone New York, where 14 lawmakers have left office since the beginning of 2012 due to ethical or criminal issues, according to a count by Citizens Union, an advocacy group. That does not include the former leaders of both the Assembly and the Senate, who were charged in unrelated corruption schemes earlier this year but remain in office.
New York is not remarkable, however, in at least one regard: Only one of those 14 lawmakers has been sanctioned by the state’s ethics commission.
–By Sheila Burke November 9, 2015
Click here for more stories in this investigation
–By Nicholas Kusnetz, Center for Public Integrity
Harley-Davidson Extends Offer Of FREE RIDING ACADEMY TRAINING TO ALL U.S. MILITARY STARTING JAN 1– H-D to Provide Freedom of Motorcycle Riding to Those Who Serve and Have Served Our Country
The original offer of free Harley-Davidson Riding Academy kicked-off prior to Armed Forces Day aboard the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier in Charleston, S.C., making it only fitting to take to the air to announce the free training extension.
“One of our objectives is to grow the sport of motorcycling in the U.S.,” said Walters. “Thousands of members of the military have learned to ride through the program so far. We’re proud to extend this opportunity in 2016 so even more military personnel can enjoy the very freedom they protect.”
All stateside military can take advantage of the offer by visiting a local Harley-Davidson dealer or going to h-d.com/AmericanHeroes. If Riding Academy is not available in a particular area, Harley-Davidson will reimburse the expense of attending a certified motorcycle safety program. Those currently deployed outside the U.S. also can submit the form by Dec. 31, 2016, and will receive a voucher for free motorcycle safety training, good through 2017 when they return home.
OPERATION PERSONAL FREEDOM
Along with today’s announcement of free Riding Academy training for all current and former U.S. military, Harley-Davidson announced last November a new alliance with Wounded Warrior Project that focused on helping improve the lives of service men and women living with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Additionally through the program, Harley-Davidson expanded its Operation Personal Freedom MotorClothes collection with 10 percent of the proceeds supporting WWP’s efforts. Finally, dealer events across the country will focus on welcoming and celebrating our military heroes.
To date, Harley-Davidson has donated more than $1 million to support those who serve through fundraising initiatives, the Harley-Davidson Foundation and the Operation Personal Freedom MotorClothes collection. To learn more about Operation Personal Freedom visit www.h-d.com/military.
–JEN HOYER
DONNIE SMITH SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT— Dates changed. No Conflict with Arizona Bike Week next year, or for the next five years !!
The Donnie Smith Bike Show April 2nd & 3rd 2016
AZ Bike Week April 6th to 10th 2016
Make your plans early!!
See You There!
–Dan Roche
234 Hutchings Street
Winnipeg
Canada
[page break]
ARLEN NESS TOUCHED INDIAN GOES TO DOCTOR— Dr. Juris Bunkis took delivery of a new Indian. Juris is a Hamster who rides to Sturgis with the gang every year. He now has a new Indian touched by Arlen and will ride with Bandit on another new Indian to the Badlands, unless Bandit sneaks out on another Sturgis Underhanded Run.
Juris is an amazing plastic surgeon in Southern California.
–Bandit
Juris Bunkis, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Medical Director, Orange County Plastic Surgery
Honorary Consul, Republic of Latvia in California
4501 Birch Street
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Office (949) 888-9700 Cell (949) 413-8888
www.orangecountyplasticsurgery.com
BDL COMPETITOR CLUTCH FOR 1991-UP SPORTYS– Take your Sportster’s clutch to a new level with the installation of BDL’s new CC-140-BB Competitor Clutch conversion. The 140 version of their industry standard setting Competitor Clutch series was developed exclusively for stock 1991 and later Sportster clutch baskets.
BDL’s patented Ball Bearing Lockup Clutch will significantly lighten pull at the lever while providing smooth, slip free lock up.
Each unit incorporates a designated number of steel ball bearings set in a model specific diaphragm assembly. Conversion is a straightforward install, replacing the factory pressure plate, springs and hub.
The kit as pictured retails for just $444.00.
Always on the cutting edge of HD high performance technology, Belt Drives LTD performance upgrades and components make living with stock and high horsepower, big torque engines easier and more reliable. For complete details visit your local BDL dealer or catch the complete line-up at www.beltdrives.com
UNCLE MONKEY ON WAR– War. Every year we wear our poppies, wear our ribbons with pride. We tell people that we will never forget, never forget the young men and women who bravely fought for our freedom, for our independence. But what we remember is not war but a romanticized version of it.
We watch the Hollywood movies; watch the history shows on television and tell ourselves that was what it was like. We fool ourselves into thinking that we could be there, we could do all the things we hear about, the stories from trembling old hearts.
We gloss over the horrors of war thinking that we would be the ones coming back, that we would be the ones that they would be writing stories about to be portrayed by Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, or Leonard Dicaprio. We only see the rows of crosses and arched headstones not the mutilated corpse of a young child shipped halfway around the world to fight for what his government believes.
We forget about those souls. We watch the movie of the heroic sniper picking his way across a battle field and root for him ignoring the corpses he is stepping on. We don’t want to remember them. They are dust; they are rubble under foot like fallen bricks and mortar.
We step over them to focus on the hero, the one that had the highest kills, the most successful campaigns, the ones we read about in the history books. We don’t want to see the remnants of the others, the remnants of a child who had hopes and dreams, that had a future of great things before he became rubble under foot, a shield, an inanimate object to take cover behind. He is nothing, no more. They are just numbers. Just 1, only 1 of the over than 209,000 allies who litter the ground of Normandy, only 1 of the 2,000,000 people who died in Stalingrad in five months, one week and three days.
There was no somber laying to rest, no bugle playing as a coffin was lowered into the ground, a folded flag presented graveside to a grieving wife or family. They are nothing to history but a side noted number of the dead. They are not someone’s child; they are not someone’s lover, someone father, mother, someone of importance to a family, to a town back home.
We praise the returning hero, honor them, remember them but it isn’t what they want. They want you to remember Smitty who was sitting next to them in a foxhole with half his head blown off – his blood, his brain splattered into their mouth.
They want you to remember the crying, the pleading faces of a family as the enemy burned down their home, their village in the name of war. They want you to remember lying in the mud made of blood of their friends, of the people they had just eaten a meal with. It was the friends they trained with, shared their hopes and dreams with, stories of back home of love ones waiting for them to return, of the farm, of the store waiting for them to return.
Veterams want you to remember the bloody gurgling from the throat of the young boy who’s throat they sliced open because of war just because they were born in another country, born under a different government, or under a different religion. They want you to remember them so one day they may be able to forget.
-bad Uncle Monkey
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NEW FROM CUSTOM CYCLE ENGINEERING, ENGINE EQUATOR II– The Engine Equator II is designed for all 2009 to present Touring Models (FLH’s and FLT’s). The new bracket allows all Dresser riders to correct chassis misalignment which is impossible to achieve with the stock motor mount.
This new billet aluminum bracket replaces the forged front engine bracket. Equipped with slots for the engine bolts and a series of hash marks the motor is now able to move right or left in the frame and achieve perfect power train alignment.
In addition to the adjustable motor mount bracket we have added an adjustable stabilizing link to the bracket that attaches to a convenient frame lug.
Part number: CCE 2015-1
PAUGHCO REPORT ON 5-Ball FLH REBUILD— We spoke to Steve Massicote this week about our Krash Kranzler tribute rebuild for Bikernet Baggers. He picked up a ribbed ’73 vintage fender and modified it slightly. Then his team worked on some very cool fender rail extensions. You’ll see the whole story next week on Bikernet Baggers.
I recently finished reading this and lent it to my neighbor, it’s a cool read, thanks Bandit!
— Jose
San Jose
EPA and Partners Announce National Plan to Prevent Lung Cancer Deaths Due to Radon Exposure
November 10, 2015 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American Lung Association, and other partners are announcing a strategy for preventing 3,200 lung cancer deaths annually by 2020 through radon exposure reduction strategies. Exposure to radioactive radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America. The goal to save these lives will be achieved by reducing high radon levels in five million homes, apartments, schools and childcare centers. The partnership includes three federal departments and agencies, and nine national organizations.
“EPA is very pleased to be a partner in this important life-saving effort to prevent lung cancer caused by radon. Working together creates new opportunities for reducing the risk from radon. Combining our resources will save American lives by magnifying our effectiveness in preventing exposure to radon in homes and schools,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.
The National Radon Action Plan: A Strategy for Saving Lives sets out strategies to drive the changes needed to reduce exposure to radon. Strategies include requiring radon testing and reduction systems as a standard practice in housing finance and insurance programs, and institutionalizing radon risk reduction through building code requirements.
The strategy released today builds on the successes of the 2011Federal Radon Action Plan, which has led to protections from radon in more than 105,000 multi-family homes financed by HUD, among other actions by the federal government. Today’s plan broadens the scope and reach of the Federal Radon Action Plan by including the health, scientific and technical expertise of the national partners.
The collaborative strategy announced today aligns federal efforts with those of other national organizations dedicated to lowering radon exposure: the American Lung Association (ALA), American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST), the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), Cancer Survivors Against Radon (CanSAR), the Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN), Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction, the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD), the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), and the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH). In addition to EPA, the federal partners are the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the decay of uranium in the ground. Nearly all soils contain some naturally occurring uranium. Radon seeps up from the soil into buildings where it can accumulate to high levels. Since radon is invisible and odorless, dangerous levels can exist indoors without occupants knowing. Testing is the only way to know the radon level in your home or school. Exposure to radon causes an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually. After smoking, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. However, affordable measures effective in reducing radon indoors are available, and when employed can prevent radon-induced lung cancer and save lives.
When we find, fix and prevent high indoor radon levels as a standard practice so that no American is exposed to avoidable radon at home, school or work, we will have achieved the vision of this Plan.
Visit www.RadonPlan.org for more information on the NRAP, Nation Radon Action Plan.
THE SCOTT JACOBS FAMILY HOLIDAY OFFER– Is there something that you’ve been wanting for yourself, or someone else?
Now Available:
Design YOUR OWN Interest Free Layaway Plan
You choose the deposit amount, a comfortable monthly payment and once it’s paid, we will ship you your new artwork.
Cancelled orders will incur a fee
Scott Jacobs Studio
760 510-9913
HARLEY-DAVIDSON HALF HELMETS– The Skull Half Helmet has a retro shell design with a matte finish that trending among helmets right now. I was looking for something DOT (I hate that) but something to allow me more peripheral vision. These feel good, fit and do the trick without being monsters.
Removable liner and double-d chinstrap allows for a customizable fit.
Skull metal medallion is an edgy addition to the style of the helmet.
Fiberglass shell with removable liner
Removable visor
Includes helmet bag
Meets DOT requirements
Non-returnable item
–Bandit
NHRA HARLEY-DAVIDSON DRAG RACING SERIES CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT LAS VEGAS FINALS
MILWAUKEE (November 12, 2015) – With a roar of nitro thunder, season champions in the NHRA Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series were crowned November 8 at the 2015 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Short Line Express Gambler Shootout in Las Vegas.
Dreamchaser Racing/Deschutes Brewery rider Janette Thornley snatched the Pro Fuel Harley title with a clutch performance at the finals. Thornley, of Statesville, N.C., started the weekend trailing class leader Dennis Fisher by five points. Thornley won in the first round of eliminations and clinched the title when Fisher lost his first-round match. Thornley advanced to the final round of eliminations before losing to defending Pro Fuel champion Johnny Vickers. Thornley, who was awarded an NHRA Wally trophy for her championship, notched four event wins during the season and scored 623 points. Fisher finished the season in second place with 595 points, followed by David Larson with 315 points.
A monster season earned Akea/Ray Price Motorsports rider Tommy Grimes Jr. a second-consecutive NHRA Wally trophy in the Top Fuel Harley class. Grimes, of Winston-Salem, N.C., guided his roaring Top Fuel Harley to the winner’s circle five times in 2015 and clinched the title before the Las Vegas event. Grimes advanced to the second round in Las Vegas before losing to Javelina Harley-Davidson rider Ricky House, who went on to win the final. Grimes finished the season with 617 points. Len Darnell Jr. was second with 414 points, and Joseph Sternotti Jr. was third with 299 points.
“All of the Sportsman Harley drag racers bring power and passion to the starting line at every event,” said Kris Schoonover, Racing Manager, Harley-Davidson. “Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle performance parts help these talented racers build some real V-Twin muscle into amazing drag-racing bikes that have thrilled Harley fans all season at tracks across the country.”
2016 NHRA Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series Schedule Set
NHRA Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series, highlighted by the Top Fuel and Pro Fuel classes, will return to tracks nation-wide in 2016. A schedule released by the NHRA includes 14 Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series events. Competition in Top Fuel Harley will be featured at four NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events. The two-wheeled rockets will race at three new tracks in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series: Royal Purple Raceway near Houston, Cecil County Dragway in Rising Sun, Maryland and Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina. The racers will vie for an exclusive NHRA Wally trophy awarded to winners in each category during winner’s circle activities. The season-ending champion in Top Fuel and Pro Fuel will receive a specially-designed Wally Trophy as well as a year-end bonus. The best seven of 10 races will count for points toward the year-end championship. The complete 2016 Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series schedule is available at NHRA.com.
SAMSON IS ABOUT TO RETURN FROM THE MOUNTAIN– I’m back and energized.
Kenny Price, the undisputed Godfather of Pipes, Founder and CEO of Samson Exhaust, has come out of retirement and is once again pumping out more innovative products into the aftermarket exhaust industry.
In 1991 Kenny founded Samson Motorcycle Products with the dream of making performance motorcycle exhaust that looked good, sounded good and wouldn’t break. Many of the standard exhaust designs we see today, such as True-Dual Crossovers, rear “S” pipes, long shots, Big Guns and the modern Fishtail, were all invented by the Godfather of Pipes.
Kenny handmade all his own products for 3 years before his designs really started to catch on, and once they did, Samson grew into a manufacturing powerhouse. Under Kenny’s leadership the company grew out of 10 different manufacturing facilities until finally moving to Sturgis, South Dakota, the “City of Riders”, where Kenny had a custom building constructed specifically for Samson’s needs.
Soon after the move to Sturgis, Kenny decided to retire and hand over business operations to the team. In doing so production suffered, and in turn, deliverability, innovation, and new products also suffered. But now the Godfather is back. In the time Kenny has been at the helm once again, shipping times have decreased dramatically and production is again booming. Kenny is a true lifelong motorcyclist who brings over 40 years of manufacturing, business experience and leadership to the team at Samson.
“Since getting my first bike in 1964, a 1956 Vespa, and graduating to my first Harley, a 1965 Panhead, I have been intrigued by the sense of freedom riding provides. Making pipes for customers bikes at Cheatah Choppers back in ‘69 sparked the passion to fabricate some of the best styles available today. I’ve always had a very simple philosophy, make what the rider wants and deliver it to them. And that’s what we are continuing with today.” – The Godfather of Pipes
View the article at SamsonUSA.com
–from Rogue
BIKERNET BOOK OF THE WEEK CLUB–
I wanted to let you know that Deedra Climer’s memoir, WAILING WALL, was officially published yesterday. It shares one woman’s struggle to make sense of her shattered life in the year following her son’s motorcycle death, weaving social media, poetry and fiction to expose the author’s tragic past and the contours of the new American South.
WAILING WALL has already been receiving some wonderful praise, including this glowing review from The Memphis Flyer, calling it “a firecracker of a book filled with raw emotion.”
–Angela
Wailing Wall
Posted By Richard Alley on Wed, Oct 28, 2015 at 10:34 AM
It isn’t the sort of book I’d normally read. I have a lot of books coming across my desk and I buy more books than I have shelving for at home.
I get even more press releases emailed to me from publishers and publicists trying to entice me into pleading for a review copy of their latest offerings. The vast majority of those fall in the genre of “self-help” or someone telling a story of suffering and redemption and how you, too, might be redeemed if you only follow these 800 simple steps. No thank you. I’m a very slow reader, the father of four kids, am working to write my own novel, have a full-time job, and, therefore, am very choosey about the time I have to read.
So when I received a copy of Wailing Wall: A Mother’s Memoir by Deedra Climer in the mail yesterday, I was ready to resign it to that shelf of redemption that I would never go back to. But I read the first page. And then I read the second. And then I finished the book a couple of hours later.
At only 86 pages, it is slim enough even for me to have finished in one sitting, but its brevity doesn’t take away from its punch — this is a firecracker of a book filled with raw emotion.
Climer grew up in North Memphis to a family besotted by drugs and neglect. The daughter of a teenage mother, she would go on to become an unwed, teenage mother as well. But Climer rose above that, eventually getting married (though it ends in divorce), working to support her children, and learning along the way that there is more to life than the fragile web of abuse she grew up in. Tragedy strikes when her son Joshua is thrown from his motorcycle and killed at the age of 23. By this time, Climer is living in Michigan, making a new life with a new husband on an organic farm the couple owns. The book is the tale of her coming home, coming back into the fold of an extended family she’d loved and left, and coming to terms with the death of her only son (she has four daughters as well).
Climer’s storytelling is economical and well-paced as she takes the reader from the past to the present day. It is a heartbreaking tale that searches for redemption, a search that we get the sense is ongoing. It’s also the story of family — those we’re born into and those we choose — and the unconditional love we call upon in our darkest moments.
Wailing Wall is published through Inkshares, a process I wasn’t familiar with. Explaining in the back of the book that they aim to “democratize publishing by having readers select the books we publish,” the house has taken up the crowd-funding torch already being carried by independent filmmakers and musicians to have their visions brought to the screen and airwaves. And why not? Without such a vehicle, we may not hear stories like Climer’s, which is all of our stories whether we’ve lost someone dear or not.
BIKER OUTFIT REJECTED, FAMOUS THERAPY DOG CERTIFICATION PULLED– San Diego’s most famous therapy dog lost his certification and his therapy team partner is furious.
Chopper the Biker Dog has visited thousands of people in hospitals, schools and senior living centers up and down the West Coast. Chopper has been certified by Pet Partners since he began working as a therapy dog five years ago.
His therapy partner and owner, Mark Shaffer, said he learned Pet Partners suspended Chopper’s certification after the two returned from an 11-day trip to Eugene, Oregon. They stopped at VA hospitals and police departments every day along the trip.
“Disbelief,” said Shaffer. “There was anger and there was a lot of hurt.”
Pet Partners told Shaffer the certification was suspended because it did not approve of Chopper’s biker outfit. Chopper wears a leather vest and a bandana.
“They claim they don’t allow dogs in costumes. This is not a costume,” explained Shaffer. “This is his persona. This is what he is.”
Pet Partners made the following statement on Chopper’s Facebook page:
“While we recognize that many pet owners enjoy costuming their pets at home and even in public settings, particularly around many holiday events, the use of costumes and clothing in an animal-assisted therapy environment raises a number of concerns for the animal, the handler and the clients or patients being seen …
Pet Partners harbors no ill will towards motorcycle enthusiasts. Holiday costumes, tutus or clothing other than a scarf are also not allowed. We wish Mark and Chopper all the best and hope that they will continue to bring smiles to the people they meet.
Mark did receive written warning to correct the behavior before the suspension to follow the appropriate protocol. He is free to dress Chopper as he pleases, just not while volunteering at facilities as a therapy animal team.”
Chopper has received overwhelming support on his Twitter and Facebook pages.
Shaffer said he will seek certification from another organization.
–Joe Little, NewsNet5
Rogue
1. proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc.: a magnanimous gesture of forgiveness.
2. high-minded; noble: a just and magnanimous ruler.
Quotes
They are magnanimous people, and magnanimity is, fundamentally, the only thing that matters and that gives us distinction here on earth. You know, there are only two classes of people: the magnanimous ones and all the rest; and when you reach my age you have to choose, you have to decide once and for all whom you intend to like and, whom you intend to despise…
— Marcel Proust (1871–1922), translated by Lydia Davis, Swann’s Way, 2003
Origin
Magnanimous can be traced to the Latin terms magnus meaning “great” and animus meaning “soul, spirit, mind.” It entered English in the mid-1500s.
ON-GOING NG1 TESTING— After installation on many 51-state diesel trucks and saving drivers 10-41 percent on fuel consumption the team moved to the agriculture industry.
Sunday Oct. 25th we rolled out of Olive Branch, Ms. with a truck full of NG1 pipes, destination Denver, Co. and Moscow, Kansas.
Monday, 26…. Jimmie re-fabricated and tuned an existing exhaust system at Wreck-a-mend.
Tuesday, 27…. Dustin and Jimmie mounted and tuned an NG1 three section system on a tractor for Darrell Avey. Darrell attends huge events around the US with a huge portable TV….
C: 720-883-7063
E: davey@primetimemobilevideo.com
www.primetimemobilevideo.com
Thursday, 29….Met with Paul Renus and Chic Childs at Colorado Power, Sedalia area.. Colorado Power is interested in stationary equipment size exhaust systems. They spend most of the time idling.
Friday, 30…Met with Chic Childs and Mike Martin of Martin Equip. Funding. Afternoon traveled North to Brighton, Co Diesel Service Supply. Jimmie mounted an exhaust system on a stationary unit that was set up for load testing. Resulting in no loss nor no gain. The existing muffler was not removed. Owner offered facility for future testing.
New motorcycle design coming from the NG1 team and we will be on hand for testing.
–Ray C. Wheeler
Performance editor in the field
Bikernet.com
INCREDIBLE— I’m constantly blown away by life, history, and folks. I’m watching a program on PBS about the earth. Life was created by rocks covered with algae billions of years ago. These damn things were in the oceans creating oxygen when the earth was covered with volcanic gas and carbon dioxide. They actually fed off the bad shit and secreted oxygen. If they hadn’t been around, no other life would have started. A meteor hit earth and wiped out dinosaurs millions of years ago, but not all of life. Fish and shellfish survived. And man first stepped onto North America 14,000 years ago.
Everyday something more is discovered. Hell, man has been around somewhere between 300,000 years and three million years. Regarding man and wars, check this:
People are not Saints,
For who among us is without fault?
Still, knowing one’s faults
And changing is the greatest good of all!
I hope we’re learning, but I suspect we have a long way to go. Hang on for more Bikernet techs, and a feature about a buddy I went to High School with, Larry St. Marie. He built some amazing shit.
I was involved in this, the first David Mann art book, which sold out recently through mail order, but it’s still on the newsstands right now. I’m curious how they handled it.
Have a helluva weekend,
–Bandit
