Hey,
Almost each week has a vibe. This week it feels like a “Take Action” week. Lots going on with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation legislative action. The inauguration is approaching and you’ll see folks heading to Washington with several motorcycle groups. The V-Twin Dealer Show is heating up and you’ll see lots of EPA action. And there’s more. Hang on.
CLIMATE CALAMITY TO BE REVEALED AT THE V-TWIN EXPO— There are many questions regarding this debate and we are fortunate to be able to show the “Climate Hustle” documentary to all the V-Twin show attendees.
Join all the dealers who have already registered for the 17th Annual V-Twin Expo.
Don’t forget to register for your V-Twin Hotel Rooms!
Register now to guarantee your V-Twin Rates!
17th Annual V-Twin Expo
Cincinnati, Ohio
January 28 & 29, 2017
V-Twin Expo / Paisano Publications
www.vtwin-expo.com
NEW ONE-OFF SEAT FROM ADAM CROFT– I finished up my seat for my street-tracker. I really wanted to compliment the flow of the bike.
The illusion of a painted tail until walking closer and seeing its all leather was one of my goals. I am really happy with the results.
–Adam Croft
Croft Leather
309-310-5870
@croft.leather on Instagram
MOTORCYCLE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHAKE-UP— I sent a notice from the MRF asking you to contact your Member of Congress and Senators concerning the reestablished Motorcyclist Advisory Council or “MAC.”
As you know, the MAC is the only formalized dialogue between the motorcycle community and DoT officials. The purpose of the “MAC” is to share rider experience with the Federal Highway Administration specifically focusing on areas like roadway deigns and construction, barriers and other emerging issues like the effects of ITS and autonomous vehicles on motorcyclists across the nation.
On Monday of this week, the Federal Highway Administration announced that they were moving forward with the MAC and they were calling for nominations to serve on the Council. HOWEVER, if you look at the notice they are only calling for ONE of the TEN spots to be served by an actual motorcyclist.
This is completely unacceptable.
How can the government established a Council that’s supposed to be a dialogue between the motorcycle community and the federal authorities, but only have 1 motorcyclist represented? This is unfair, incredibly unbalanced and is truly contrary to the mission of the Council itself.
http://mrf.org/federal-legislative-issues/
Contact me with any questions.
–Megan J. Ekstrom
Vice-President, Government Affairs & Public Relations
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: (202) 725-5471
Fax: (202) 546-0986
www.mrf.org
The rear of the bike, including passenger seating, is not affected by installation of the TMW unit. You and your passenger may feel more secure on 3 wheels though.
Do I need a special license?
You will need a motorcycle license. In addition, some states require a separate written test and/or road test in order to obtain an endorsement to ride 3-wheeled motor vehicles.
How much does it cost?
MSRP is $9,995 plus installation for the standard model when installed and tested by a TMW-certified dealer or by TMW in Washington. MSRP for the advanced model with TiltLockTM is $12,995 plus installation. You are responsible for delivering your bike to the dealer or to us at your own expense. We strongly encourage riding it home. 🙂
What’s included?
In addition to the leaning linkage itself, the standard conversion includes shocks, wheels, tires, fenders, brakes, the front fairing and all mounting hardware. Any parts that are removed, including the front fork and front wheel, will be returned to you. As part of the installation we will re-mount any stock equipment that needs to be moved; non-stock modifications that interfere with installation may need to be relocated at additional expense or removed and returned to you.
The fairing and fenders are supplied in gloss black gelcoat. TMW does not paint these components, though we can assist in getting color-matched painting done for you. Painting will result in a more uniform and durable finish; body parts should be sanded and primed prior to painting, and they should be undercoated. If we take care of the painting we will mount the painted fenders and fairing to the bike before delivering it to you. Otherwise they will be mounted unpainted and you will remove them for painting.
The TiltLock system includes dual hydraulic cylinders, an electric pump, the speed sensor and other electronics, on/off switch and all mounting hardware.
TMW’s conversion modifies your existing motorcycle. TMW does not sell motorcycles and no motorcycle is included in our price to you.
www.tiltingmotorworks.com
2017 WISHES– May you remain good looking and looking good!
–from Joe Smith
QUICK, OPEN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY–
A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.
The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.
As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious state trooper. The trooper ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the barracks where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed and placed in a holding cell.
After a couple of hours, a trooper approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting trooper was waiting with her personal effects.
He said, “I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ bumper sticker, the ‘Choose Life’ license plate holder, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday School’ bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally…..I assumed you had stolen the car.”
Federal Highway Administration Moves Forward with Motorcyclist Advisory Council: Motorcyclists Severely Underrepresented
WASHINGTON, DC – Motorcyclists across the country were discouraged to find out that the Federal Highway Administration will only require one motorcyclist to serve on an Advisory Council supposedly dedicated to representing those who ride.
The Motorcyclist Advisory Council, a newly reestablished group, is supposed to serve and advise the Federal Highway Administration on issues critical to motorcyclists across the nation. By design, the “MAC” would allow motorcyclists the opportunity to discuss how they are affected by roadway design, barriers, construction, and the emergence of intelligent transportation systems like driverless vehicles.
However, according to a notice in the Federal Register, the Council is instead requiring participants with safety and engineering backgrounds and only indicating room for one representative from the motorcycling community.
The MAC of the Past
The original Motorcyclist Advisory Council was established in a 2005 highway bill. The 2005 law called for the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration to have a dialogue with the motorcycle community on infrastructure issues of concern to motorcyclists.
The Council had 10 members consisting of representatives from the motorcycling community as well as individuals with professional expertise in national motorcyclist safety. According to the 2005 law, four of the ten council members were to include members of the motorcycling community from various state and federal motorcycle associations. The other 6 members would serve to provide the necessary technical expertise related to roadway design, safety and other issues.
However, in 2009 the highway bill expired and along with it, so did the Council. Motorcyclists were disheartened – the MAC was the only official forum they had to express to authorities at the Department of Transportation the issues they faced on the road. That’s why when the Council was reestablished in 2016, it was viewed as a positive development to once again open a dialogue between government officials and motorcyclists across the nation.
A Short-Lived Celebration
Though motorcyclists applauded Congress for reestablishing the Council, this positivity was short-lived. This week, the Federal Highway Administration or FHWA, announced plans to officially open nominations for participants to serve on the newly reestablished Council. The Council would again consist of ten members, however unlike in 2005, only one representative from a motorcycle association will be required to serve. Many balked including Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard, President of the Board of Directors for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation:
“Despite our best efforts to ensure the motorcycle community had a seat at the table, the FHWA has dismissed our concerns and efforts instead emphasizing councilmembers with safety and engineering backgrounds without any experience actually riding a motorcycle. Including only one motorcyclist in this group is not only imbalanced, unfair and contrary to the mission of the MAC, but it defeats the entire purpose of the Council. The MAC was supposed to carry the voice of motorcyclists – having only one member as an actual motorcyclist will render this Council ineffective.”
Dozens of Members of Congress appeared to agree with Willard; over the summer a letter was sent to the FHWA encouraging them to adopt similar language as the 2005 MAC which included at least four motorcyclists in the panel of ten. It appears this letter was largely ignored by the Federal Highway Administration.
The FHWA remains supportive of the Council and its approach to its participants going forward indicating that technical expertise was necessary to ensure the MAC is able to fulfill its charter. The notice from the Agency also indicated that all meetings of the MAC would be public therefore allowing others to speak in support or against of the Council’s activities.
Nonetheless, the motorcycle community remains displeased. Lobbyist for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Megan Ekstrom said, “It’s unfortunate that the Federal Highway Administration is choosing to move forward with a Motorcyclist Advisory Council that will not be representative of actual motorcyclists.
There are over 10 million bikers on the road in the U.S. and those numbers are increasing. This community is desperate to have a dialogue with the Administration and yet, their requests have fallen on deaf ears. This is a perfect example of the government ‘knowing what’s best’ for a diverse community with a unique set of needs. It’s a travesty that none of this will be represented in this so-called ‘Motorcyclist’ Advisory Council.”
Nominations to serve on the Council are due at the end of February. The notice from the Federal Highway Administration can be viewed here:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/01/09/2017-00125/motorcyclist-advisory-council-to-the-federal-highway-administration
DAILEY & VINCENT LANDFEST IN THE MOUNTAINS, 3-DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY SPRINGER MOUNTAIN FARMS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 14-16 IN HIAWASSEE, GEORGIA
Dailey & Vincent’s Landfest In The Mountains
Jerry Douglas Presents the Earls of Leicester, The Del McCoury Band, Sierra Hill, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and more to perform
Award-winning super duo Dailey & Vincent are pulling out all the stops in 2017. They continue this prodigious trend with the relocation of their 5th annual music festival, Dailey & Vincent LandFest, presented by Springer Mountain Farms. As part of their Diamond Celebration, their 3-day festival bringing the very best in American music, will move from its prior Denton, North Carolina location to the heart of the Georgia Mountains in scenic, Hiawassee, Georgia – this fall.
The event has appropriately extended it’s name to; Dailey & Vincent LandFest In The Mountains, and will be held September 14-16, 2017 at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. Ticket packages range from $35.00 – $110.00 with general admission and/or reserved seating available. Fans can also stay on-site via tent or RV in one of the 189 campsites offering full hook ups and amenities.
A stellar lineup of the very best in Country, Bluegrass and Gospel Music, the bill includes the Grammy-award winning act Jerry Douglas Presents the Earls of Leicester, The Del McCoury Band, Sierra Hull, Primitive Quartet, as well as current and former members of the legendary Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, of which Dailey was a member prior to forming the duet with Darrin Vincent.
“We are so very thrilled to be bringing music fans some of the greatest music in the world, in one of the most beautiful places in the world!,” says Jamie Dailey.
Dailey & Vincent LandFest in the Mountains will offer festival goers live music, camping, comedy, and down-home fun for all ages, making for an experience that’s sure to be an unforgettable weekend. The music portion of the festival will be held inside the air-conditioned 2,900 seat Anderson Music Hall at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, and the new venue boasts sprawling grounds with two playgrounds, a boat ramp, two tennis courts, playing courts, paved and shaded picnic areas, and splendid nature walking trails, all along beautiful Lake Chatuge.
Tickets can be ordered online at www.DaileyVincentFest.com, DaileyVincent.com, www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com, via the phone at 706-896-4191 or on-site at the venue.
EMCEE’D BY CINDY BAUCOM OF ‘KNEE DEEP IN BLUEGRASS RADIO’
THURSDAY: SEP 14
PRIMITIVE QUARTET
THE CURRENT DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER
DAILEY & VINCENT
OPEN MIC
FRIDAY: SEP 15
THE BAND OF KELLEYS
AUDIE BLAYLOCK & REDLINE
THE ORIGINAL DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER
DAILEY & VINCENT
JERRY DOUGLAS PRESENTS THE EARLS OF LEICESTER
SATURDAY: SEP 16
MONROE CROSSING
LARRY STEPHENSON BAND
SIERRA HULL
DAILEY & VINCENT
DEL McCOURY
JAM WITH DAILEY & VINCENT
Stay Social with Dailey & Vincent:
Website: daileyandvincent.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DaileyVincent
Twitter: @DaileyVincent
DO THE BIKERNET TEAM A FAVOR— Sign up for weekly e-mail alerts from Bikernet. It’s free, informative, all about motorcycles, and we won’t sell you address to anyone.—Bandit
[page break]
WILD INDUSTRY NEWS, POLARIS INDUSTRIES TO WIND DOWN VICTORY MOTORCYCLES OPERATIONS–
Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced it will immediately begin winding down its Victory Motorcycles brand and related operations. Polaris will assist dealers in liquidating existing inventories while continuing to supply parts for a period of 10 years, along with providing service and warranty coverage to Victory dealers and owners. Today’s announcement does not affect any other Polaris business units.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision for me, my team and the Polaris Board of Directors,” said Polaris Industries Chairman and CEO Scott Wine. “Over the past 18 years, we have invested not only resources, but our hearts and souls, into forging the Victory Motorcycles brand, and we are exceptionally proud of what our team has accomplished.
“Since inception, our teams have designed and produced nearly 60 Victory models that have been honored with 25 of the industry’s top awards. The experience, knowledge, infrastructure and capability we’ve built in those 18 years gave us the confidence to acquire and develop the Indian Motorcycle brand, so I would like to express my gratitude to everyone associated with Victory Motorcycles and celebrate your many contributions.”
Several factors influenced today’s announcement. Victory has struggled to establish the market share needed to succeed and be profitable. The competitive pressures of a challenging motorcycle market have increased the headwinds for the brand.
Given the significant additional investments required for Victory to launch new global platforms that meet changing consumer preferences, and considering the strong performance and growth potential of Indian Motorcycle, the decision to more narrowly focus Polaris’ energy and investments became quite clear.
“This decision will improve the profitability of Polaris and our global motorcycle business, and will materially improve our competitive stance in the industry,” said Scott Wine. “Our focus is on profitable growth, and in an environment of finite resources, this move allows us to optimize and align our resources behind both our premium, high performing Indian Motorcycle brand and our innovative Slingshot brand, enhancing our focus on accelerating the success of those brands.
Ultimately this decision will propel the industry-leading product innovation that is core to our strategy while fostering long-term growth and increased shareholder value.”
Polaris will reduce the appropriate operating cost based on this decision, while continuing to support the future growth of the ongoing motorcycle business. Polaris remains committed to maintaining its presence in the Spirit Lake, Iowa, community with Indian Motorcycle production and in the Huntsville, Ala., community with its Slingshot production.
Any one-time costs associated with supporting Victory dealers in selling their remaining inventory, the disposal of factory inventory, tooling, and other physical assets, and the cancellation of various supplier arrangements will be recorded in the 2017 income statement in respective sales, gross profit and operation expense. These costs will be excluded from Polaris’ provided 2017 sales and earnings guidance on a non-GAAP basis.
Polaris will release its fourth quarter and full-year 2016 financial results and provide 2017 guidance on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. A webcast and conference call will be held at 9:00 a.m. Central Time on January 24, 2017 to discuss the results.
A slide presentation and link to the webcast will be posted on the Polaris Investor Relations website at ir.polaris.com. To listen to the conference call by phone, dial 877-706-7543 in the U.S. and Canada, or 478-219-0273 Internationally. The Conference ID is #45015597.
BRAND NEW S&S THROTTLE BODIES– We have new throttle bodies available, please see below.
S&S cable operated Throttle Hog throttle bodies are available for 2002-’17 Harley-Davidson® big twins with cable operated throttles. Choose from 58mm, for stock or mildly built engines, or the whopping 66mm Throttle Hog for big inch engines. More Air, More Power!
Features and Benefits
· More air flow for improved performance
· S&S Stealth air cleaners are available to fit Throttle Hogs
· Simple one-piece design for easy installation and stock appearance
· Compatible with stock sensors, fuel rail, and throttle cables
· Wrinkle black powder coat finish matches stock
· Sealed, stainless steel throttle shaft with dual roller bearings for smooth operation and no air leaks
· Kit includes hardened steel flanges and seals
· Sold outright. No stock throttle body exchange required!
For more information contact your local dealer or click here https://goo.gl/lgvFNI
–Patrick Garvin
Marketing Manager
S&S Cycle, Inc.
pgarvin@sscycle.com
THE MASTER OF BIKER JEWELRY– Enjoy complimentary shipping on all orders for the next 48 hours!–
Nino925, 2973 Harbor Blvd. #171, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
info@nino925.com
CLIMATE CALAMITY REPORT, THE VW DEBACLE– By now you are well aware of the Volkswagen “TDI Scandal”. In September 2015, VW got caught by a West Virginia University lab cheating on its emissions testing procedures for 2009 – 2015 VW 2.0L TDI-equipped cars.
Simply put, the EPA accused VW of putting code in its engine control units (ECU) to recognize that the car was being officially tested by the EPA and adjust the engine appropriately to pass the tests. However, when the car was being driven normally by the consumer, the ECU code would revert to different emissions levels to improve drivability and fuel economy. The result was increased emissions of NOx, claimed by the EPA to be “of 10 to 40 times above EPA compliant levels.”
VW could have addressed this by the addition of “selective catalytic reduction”, or SCR, which involves injecting urea into the exhaust; this is what they did on 2016 and later models. However, doing so affects the packaging of the components (tank, heater, and mixer) in the smaller vehicle and around the suspension components.
That, of course, would cost extra money and intrude into interior space. Instead, in the mid-2000s VW worked on an alternative called “lean NOx trap” or LNT, which uses a catalyst to absorb and store NOx so it doesn’t escape into the atmosphere. It costs less and uses less space, but the downside is reduced fuel economy. VW apparently didn’t initially get it right and delayed delivery of TDI cars through the summer of 2008. But VW finally announced that they figured it out and the 2009 cars were eventually released. Now we know how they did it.
One can debate the final source of that decision–VW managers are pointing fingers at “rogue engineers” and vice versa–but ultimately that die was cast, placing Volkswagen in its current situation.
This past September a resolution was agreed to in Federal court: an estimated $14.7 billion in buybacks, repairs, fines, and punitive damages. Volkswagen has agreed to either buy back or repair all affected VW TDIs; buybacks will be at the wholesale value as of immediately prior to the public release of the scandal–values of TDIs plummeted on the news–plus $5,100. As of yet there is no approved “fix” for the emissions issue but if one is found and the owner chooses that option, they will receive a $5100 “we’re sorry” check.
No one is debating whether VW cheated the tests–they clearly did. Missing in the discussion is the regulatory limits to which they’re tested: are these limits reasonable to begin with? I’ve yet to find any supporting evidence that the 2009 and later Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations around which VW did an end-run are actually effective in, well, protecting the environment.
These same cars meet the emissions regs in other parts of the world; EU regs, for example, are much more focused on big-picture environmental goals. Their standards push fuel efficiency and limit CO2 emissions; in the USA it’s all about acid rain (NOx), smog, and health impacts, which hurts fuel efficiency. VW’s cheat “resolved” the NOx problem.
As Eric Peters wrote in his blog last June:
It is not enough that the “affected” VW cars would have easily met all the standards in place circa five years ago – standards that were already extremely strict. Most people are not aware of the fact that since the 1990s, harmful exhaust emissions have been reduced to almost nothing; that for the past ten years at least, EPA has been chasing fractions of the remaining 3 or so percent of what comes out of a new car’s tailpipe that’s potentially an issue, air-quality or health-wise.
At some point – and we’ve arguably passed it – we’ll either have to accept that internal combustion will never be 100 percent ‘clean’ but that 97.5 percent’ “clean” is clean enough – or internal combustion will have to be outlawed.
Are our laws tainted with political bias with the implied intent to limit diesels (and other internal-combustion engines) in the passenger market? That theory is supported further by a secondary requirement of the federally-approved VW resolution. As part of the decree, VW is mandated to “direct $2 billion of investments over a period of up to 10 years into actions that will support increased use of zero emission vehicle (“ZEV”) technology in the United States, including, but not limited to, the development, construction, and maintenance of zero emission vehicle-related infrastructure.”
So, in effect, as part of VW’s penance, the Feds are mandating that one of the largest automakers in the world “invest” billions of dollars into EV technology. Any guess how that’s gonna work out for all the others that have to compete against this worldwide automotive Goliath? Expect Volkswagen to tout its new religion of “clean electric technology” at a dealership near you.
By Greg Amy, Connecticut State Activist
I still don’t get it. It’s like we’re faced with storm troopers and we can’t fight back. I would like to see VW sue the EPA and the administration. –Bandit
5-BALL RACING DEALS OF THE NEW YEAR— We reviewed all our leather pricing and lowered some prices as much 15 percent. See if that doesn’t make a difference.
We just want to be fair and reasonable to our readers. Check them out.
–Bandit
V-TWIN EXPO NEWS– Exhibiting at V-Twin Expo?
Then don’t forget the AMD coffee service available throughout the show (booth # 653) and the ‘Class of 2017’ Industry Photo at 3:00 pm on Sunday January 29 – see the invite .
Don’t miss it.
EXCLUSIVE WINTER STURGIS REPORT– Downtown Sturgis (Main Street ) is a fucking mess
–Buck Lovell /Senior Editor Bikernetbaggers.com
Lovell Photography & Design
Senior Editorial Contributor: American Iron Magazine, Easyriders Magazine, Hot Bike Magazine, Hot Bike Baggers Magazine, Motorcycle Baggers Magazine, Road Iron Magazine, and Street Chopper Magazine.
B.L.A.B.B. (Buck Lovell’s American Biker Blog)
www.lovellphoto.com / bucklovell@gmail.com / bucklovellsblog@gmail.com
P.O. Box 276
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347 6009
(605) 490 2991
METALSPORTS WHEELS ALERT 34-INCH WHEELS AVAILABLE– “Starting The New Year off with a bang”
The big bang this year is that Metalsport Wheels is building a 34-inch wheel and tire it will be at Daytona Beach, so come and check it out !
To get things going we have all 2-D 30-inch wheels at a super special price, $2400.00.
All 2-D 32-inch wheels are at a super special price, $5200.00.
For all of our styles check our website
Metalsport Inc
10112 Miller Way
South Gate, CA 90280
P# 562-7769594
F# 5
www.metalsportwheels.com
BIKERNET SAFETY DEPARTMENT Reaction test–
Have fun with this reaction test to stopping a car. They will predict your age based on how quickly you stop.
Bet you try it more than once! Have fun.
This simulates you in the driver’s seat of a car. You’re driving down a road, when you see a big red hand flash in front of you. You have to put on the brakes. Then, the Reaction Time Test tells you how old you are, when it comes to driving.
The test is based on reaction times of 2,000 people ages 18 and over. The Reaction Time Test plotted their reaction times by age; it matches your reaction time to those averages.
Some of their results may surprise you. The Reaction Time Test found that left-handed people and men have slightly better reaction times than the average person.
www.justpark.com
Do you have the reflexes of an 18 year old? Take this simple test, and we’ll gauge your age based on your reaction time.
.jpg)
noun
Quotes
For the past 30 years, Stanley Kubrick has been the movies’ most artful spin doctor–pointedly shunning traditional Hollywood flackery, but always taking care that the whole world is clued in to his “legendary” integrity and perfectionism.
— John Powers, “Moscow Should Believe in Tears,” New York, January 24, 1994
Origin of flackery
Flackery comes from flack, a word said to be derived from the name of a famous movie publicity agent, Gene Flack. Flack has been used in English since the 1930s.
Unfortunately, it seems like the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus has gone
into hibernation for the Winter and they are pretty inactive.
I thought it would be good if the Reps from Michigan and Texas wrote to
the Co-Chairs of that Caucus, Representatives Burgess and Walberg to see
if they would be willing to help out on this issue.
We have contacted Congressman Norcross from New Jersey who is a rider and
a member of the motorcycle caucus, but he would need help from other
caucus members in order to do much good. The two co-chairs would be a
great starting place.
What say you Michigan and Texas? Any other ideas out there?
Thanks,
Jim Parker
Assistant NJ Rep.
legislativedirector@gardenstateabate.org
LATEST FROM REVIVAL– Frustrated with the lack of options in the motorcycle pannier market we set out to design and bring to life our ideal bag that bridged a pannier and an everyday carry. After six months of design and prototyping we are proud to unveil Revival Palo Duro motorcycle pannier.
We’ve handpicked the best Tasman leather from Maine to crease and tan as well as our wind whipped faces and included bulletproof quick release Cobra buckles for good measure. Each pannier comes with rubber backed nylon webbing straps that easily attach to your motorcycle’s tubular frame at the top, with a third on the bottom that secures your bag from dragging through the corners. A specially designed optional snap-in laptop case is also available in your desired color choice.
Our Revival Cycles In-House leather line is designed and made in Austin, TX at our workshop and held to the highest standards of quality and durability. We know because we’ve beaten, dropped, and neglected this bag all the way out west and back.
Decide whether Mahogany Brown with Brushed Nickel or Matte Black with Antique Brass fits your personal style and then buy the Revival Palo Duro Pannier here.
TRIUMPH HOT ACTION– The all-new Street Triple family
The most explosive, agile and intuitive
performance street motorcycles Triumph has ever made
· Three New Models to Suit Every Rider and Style
· Introducing the all-new Street Triple S, Street Triple R and Street Triple RS
· Each with a unique level of power, performance, technology and suspension
· Each with their own distinctive attitude, from addictive everyday fun to full track weapon
· More Power, Performance, Torque and an Even Richer Soundtrack
· All-new 765cc engine derived from the celebrated Triumph Daytona
· 3 power choices, all with more power and torque than the previous generation
· Street Triple S with up to 6.6% more and 111HP peak power @ 11,250 rpm
· Street Triple R with up to 11.3% more and116HP peak power @ 12,000 rpm
· Street Triple RS with up to 16% more and 121HP peak power @ 11,700 rpm
· Lighter freer flowing exhaust, revised air box, gearbox and new slip and assist clutch
· State of the Art Rider Focused Technology
· New ride-by-wire throttle with up to five riding modes
· New full color 5” angle adjustable TFT instruments (R & RS)
· New switchgear incorporating a 5 way joystick (R & RS)
· Quick shifter and lap timer (RS)
· Lighter, More Agile and Better Handling
· Lighter than the previous generation, and still the lightest bike in its class
· All new gullwing rear swingarm for improved higher speed stability
· Higher level specification of suspension, brakes and tires
· More Attitude, Sharper Styling and a Higher Level of Finish
· More of the Speed Triple’s ‘nose-down’ focused attitude
· More contemporary and aggressive lines, with new bodywork and sportier twin seat
· Higher quality finish and detailing throughout with new premium color schemes.
THE BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ECONOMICS LESSON OF THE WEEK– A guy looked at my Corvette the other day and said,”I wonder how many people could have been fed for the money that sports car cost.”
I replied, “I am not sure, but it fed a lot of families in Bowling Green, Kentucky where it was built. It fed the people who make the tires, it fed the people who made the components that went into it, and it fed the people in the copper mine who mined the copper for the wires.
It fed people in Decatur, IL. at Caterpillar who make the trucks that haul the copper ore. It fed the trucking people who hauled it from the plant to the dealer and fed the people working at the dealership and their families.
BUT,… I have to admit, I guess I really don’t know exactly how many people it fed.”
That is the difference between capitalism and the welfare mentality. When you buy something, you put money in people’s pockets, and give them dignity for their skills. When you give someone something for nothing, you rob them of their dignity and self worth. Capitalism is freely giving your money in exchange for something of value.
Socialism is taking your money against your will and shoving something down your throat that you never asked for.
–from Rogue and Sidehack Jerry
ADVERTISE ON BIKERNET FOR THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR HARD-EARNED BUCK— Fees run as low as $150 a month and we work for you weekly sharing info about your products.
We are now completely mobile friendly and Here is our current reach. We will blow up these numbers in 2017.
BIKERNET FAMILY NUMBERS FOR 2016:
Over 883,984 Visitors came to Bikernet sites and 1,262,458 pages were loaded. It’s about a 10 percent drop from 2015.
We are working on major growth for 2017.
[page break]
QUOTE OF THE WEEK–
I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything until noon. Then it’s time for my nap.
– Bob Hope
Twenty-eight years ago, Bubba Joe, an Alabama Mountain man, was drafted into the Army. On his first day of boot camp, the Army issued him a toothbrush. That very afternoon, an Army dentist yanked several of his teeth. On his second day, the Army issued him a comb. That very afternoon, an Army barber cut all of his hair off. On his third day, he was issued a jock strap. The Army is still looking for Bubba.
Prayer is not a “spare wheel” that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a “steering wheel” that directs the right path throughout the journey.
So why is a Car’s WINDSHIELD so large & the Rear View Mirror so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, Look Ahead and Move on
BIKERNET CLUB REPORT– Jury Finds Mongols Not Guilty After Motorcycle Profiling Arrest
Motorcycle profiling is an epidemic in California and this fact is perfectly illustrated by recent actions targeting motorcycle club members by the San Diego Police Department. Specifically, one Detective Timothy Coyle has recently been targeting motorcycle club members with harassment and frivolous criminal charges related to the possession of weaved leather decorations as slung-shots, commonly called “Get Back Whips”. Documented incidents prove Detective Coyle has been targeting members of the Mongols and Chosen Few Motorcycle Clubs, harassing them, and arresting them frivolously.
Official complaints have been filed and last month a jury in San Diego rejected Coyle’s tactics and found two Mongols MC members not guilty related to illegal weapons charges deriving from so called “Get Back Whips.” Members of the Chosen Few MC are currently awaiting trial on the same charges, again involving Coyle.
This type of discrimination and profiling is unacceptable and must not be tolerated. Legislation prohibiting motorcycle profiling in California would be a cost efficient and effective solution.
Mongols Arrested For Get Back Whips
Dr. William Dulaney, an established expert witness in cases involving motorcycle clubs, recently wrote to the MPP regarding a recent case in which he consulted.
The Story- Two members of the Mongols MC were arrested on illegal weapons charges south of San Diego, California in May 2015 while riding with over 30 other Mongols members and five friends. “Specifically, two members were arrested and charged with illegally possessing “slung shots”, commonly called get back whips,” says Dulaney. (Note that at the time of the incident one of the men was not yet a member.) The group was on its way to their annual World Run held in Mexico.
After exiting the U.S. border, the entire pack of riders were directed to a large inspection area bounded by concrete barriers. There ATF Special Agent Ciccone and other police officers searched several members of the Mongols, including the 2 ultimately charged, “but it was San Diego Detective Timothy Coyle who interpreted a key chain and a decorative braided belt chain as slung shots,” says Dulaney.
Mongols Acquitted in Chula Vista Trial
The prosecution was based on Detective Coyle’s claims he submitted in his report to the court for trial and under oath that, “These slung shots are commonly carried by outlaw motorcycle gang members to be used as a readily available weapon. The weapon is swung at the intended target with the metal clip striking the victim.” (Official Report, “Investigation” section, pg. 6). Indeed, “Coyle goes on to claim that he has ONLY observed these items used as weapons,” writes Dulaney.
But the jury did not agree and both Mongol MC defendants were acquitted. Perhaps they were persuaded by the fact that the defendants were not wearing weapons or whips? Indeed, one defendant was wearing, clipped to his vest, “a 10” keychain made of braided nylon parachute cord and a metal clip similar to clips used on dog leashes.” The other defendant wore “attached to his belt a roughly two-foot decorative chain with nylon parachute cord wound through the chain links.”
According to Dulaney, Coyle was unable to answer, under oath, when asked about the history of the slung shot. He stated into the record that he is unaware of any such history. Ever hear the one about David and Goliath?
But maybe most telling was the fact that the officer ordered to take the defendants into custody and to jail “apologized to them both for not having a clue why they were being arrested. Evidence corroborating the claims here is found in the very words used by the arresting officer on the official report,” says Dulaney.
Upcoming Chosen Few Trial
Indeed, “Coyle is making a name for himself as the biker slung shot expert,” says Dulaney. Unfortunately, the Mongols incident is not isolated. Members of the Chosen a Few MC are still awaiting their trials for identical charges. Again, Detective Coyle is involved in their incident as well.
On September 9th, 2016 at least 5 SDPD officers conducted a profiling stop on 2 members of the Chosen Few Motorcycle Club and arrested them for participation in a criminal street gang. These men committed no crimes and had no criminal records but were still given excessive bail.
One Chosen Few member confirmed to the MPP that he was charged with possessing a slungshot- the decorative zip-tied whip- and both men were charged with possessing brass knuckles for wearing rings, including wedding rings. Both men were also given gang enhancements for participating in a criminal street gang. Both men were also given $120,000 bail.
Official complaints have been filed against the officers involved, and one can only hope that another jury will see through this type of discriminatory policing in San Diego particularly considering that Detective Coyle appears to be a common denominator in these recent incidents of discrimination.
Conclusions
The actions of the SDPD are inexcusable. Targeted harassment of motorcycle clubs based solely on association is a baseline violation of an individual’s civil liberties. A simple legislative solution exists that immediately reduces profiling. Other states like Washington and Maryland faced similar discrimination and responded by passing laws prohibiting motorcycle profiling. These laws have been effective reducing discriminatory stops and preserving the right of motorcyclists to travel free from harassment.
TWO NEW MRF PROGRAMS–
As you hopefully are aware, at the end of 2016 we launched 2 new programs to help the MRF with its advocacy needs. Both of these will serve the MRF membership as well as the motorcycle community at large as we move forward in achieving our legislative strategy in 2017.
In this vein, I want to ensure we are all communicating the value of these programs and that our members, potential members and the at-large motorcycle community knows what tools are now available to them on the MRF website.
To this end, I know the next few months will offer a number of speaking engagements for all of you via conferences, seminars and events. If you would please consider talking about or “plugging” these new programs, it would greatly benefit the MRF. Here are some quick talking points on each program you should feel free to mention:
The MRF website (mrf.org) now has an updated legislative action center where anyone can track legislation affecting motorcyclists across the country.
Its searchable by issue (i.e. helmet law) or by state and gives you a full list of bills and proposals that are pending which affect your right to ride.
Grassroots Advocacy
The MRF also has a new federal section on the website which lists and has links to all the federal bills currently being tracked in Washington, DC.
There are also features to look up who your Member of Congress or Senators are depending on where you live.
Most importantly, we have a new service that allows you to directly contact your Member of Congress on issues important to the biker community.
Accessible through the MRF website, pre-written letters and background information are available to you on a variety of issues important to bikers including ethanol, profiling, the Motorcyclist Advisory Council and others.
Simply click on the issue, fill out your name, address and zip code plus your email and a pre written letter is automatically generated for you to sign and hit ‘send’. This goes directly to the staff contact in your Member of Congress or Senator’s office.
For questions on the 2 new programs or any of the MRF advocacy needs –
please contact Megan Ekstrom at megan@mrf.org or at 202-725-5471
–Megan J. Ekstrom
Vice-President, Government Affairs & Public Relations
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
1325 G Street N.W. Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: (202) 725-5471
Fax: (202) 546-0986
www.mrf.org
THE GEORGE A WYMAN STORY
Where’s the rest of the book? Only chapter 1 here.
— Peter Wallingford
Normandy Park, WA
We searched the Badlands for the notorious Buck Lovell and found him in a cave, dug in for the winter. We bribed him with whiskey and he promised to write part 2. Hang on.
–Bandit
MOTORCYCLEPEDIA Swap Meet is back on THIS SATURDAY 01/14/17.
Come set up a table for FREE, with no charge to be a vendor. Set up for vendors will be at 9am. The Swap Meet will take place from 10am to 2pm at Motorcyclepedia.
Also check out the Warehouse Sale at 21 Liberty St. Newburgh N.Y. 12550 taking place from 8 am to 2pm
–Motorcyclepedia
Organizers of celebratory rallies swap insults, casting a cloud over their big day.
Three bikers who support President-elect Donald Trump but dislike each other are organizing separate inauguration rallies, confusing would-be participants and causing turmoil within one of Trump’s most enthusiastic and visible bases of support.
In conversations with U.S. News, the three men traded various personal attacks, ranging from claims of alcohol abuse, financial mismanagement, disrespect and fame-hogging to allegedly not owning a bike or riding one very often.
The disunified gatherings are likely to yield smaller numbers than a combined show of support, as they pull from a finite pool of inbound bikers excited by Trump’s unorthodox candidacy. The announced rally locations also are not conducive to intermingling.
Maryland native Bill Williamson – leader of the group 2 Million Bikers to DC – suggests gathering on the National Mall to “stop the libtards from ruining the [Trump] welcoming event.” The group was founded ahead of a well-attended 2013 ride to buzz a 9/11 anniversary event initially called the Million Muslim March.
To the north across Pennsylvania Avenue, Bikers for Trump – whose members paced the streets of Cleveland during last year’s Republican National Convention – plan to rally along the inaugural parade route. That group is led by South Carolina chainsaw artist Chris Cox and doesn’t have a specific Facebook event page, leading people to post on Williamson’s page, prompting a warning this week to “stop posting his crap on my event.”
A third rally called “Let America Hear Us, Roar for Trump” will be held during the parade in Dupont Circle, a large traffic loop about a mile northwest of the White House, the end point of the parade. That effort is led by former small-businessman Ski Bischof of Allentown, Pennsylvania, who has participated in many rides in the nation’s capital.
Cox, however, casts his event as the best positioned to succeed, citing his national organizing on behalf of Trump and permitted spot on the parade route. The drawback of that location is that it isn’t clear any bikes will be allowed.
Cox, a former GOP political staffer who boasts a Twitter shout-out from Trump himself, strenuously denies that he’s led his group in a fame-hungry manner, and says other organizers did far less to support Trump.
“One thing I’ve learned in politics is you’re going to come along a lot of wackadoodles,” Cox says.
The particular allegations and counter-allegations flying among the biker leaders can be as difficult to follow as the inner workings of the tabloid-feeding Kardashian family.
“I wasn’t drunk, I was pissed,” Williamson fires back, accusing Cox of besmirching his reputation by alleging Williamson misappropriated the name Bikers for Trump. He says he helped Cox become famous by promoting him online, something Cox denies.
Bischof, meanwhile, says he also doesn’t believe Cox owns a bike and says a truck-driving Cox left a broken-down biker on the side of the road to make a scheduled TV appearance. He has no admiration of Williamson, either, saying that he disrespected a friend and doesn’t ride his bike often. He doesn’t like Cox’s fundraising, efforts to trademark Williamson’s group name or what he views as both men’s self-promotion.
Cox, supporting his claim that the two other organizers are mistaken about his bike ownership, revved what sounded like a motorcycle during a phone interview and offered referrals to two friends who told U.S. News they were aware of and had worked on Cox’s bike. Cox says he doesn’t recall ditching a stranded biker for a TV hit, and says he never paid himself with donations or T-shirt proceeds.
Williamson suggests Cox recently got the bike, though one of Cox’s friends says he had it for some time. The other friend provided a screenshot that appeared to show Williamson praising Cox last year
As if the three organizing efforts weren’t confusing enough, a fourth group calling itself Bikers 4 Trump claims it will have a presence at the inauguration. That group’s credibility is dubious and a request for comment was not returned. The group is selling bricks for Trump’s proposed wall along the Mexican border for $59.95 on its website.
“Buy Two! One for the Wall & One for You!” it says.
Though the parties with seemingly credible organizing ability are in a circular firing squad, they also present themselves as capable organizers with peaceful intentions.
Bischof, who says he voted twice for President Barack Obama, is part of the white working class that delivered the Rust Belt and with it the election to Trump. He says he can no longer afford insurance because of rising costs associated with Obama’s health care reform law and closed his small remodeling business when a heart attack left him unable to lift heavy items. He says despite moving to the U.S. from Germany himself, it’s important to reduce immigration and focus on veterans.
Cox has big plans to use his group to support legislation while weeding out problematic “radical” members to maintain respectability and influence. He says Bikers for Trump has three general focuses: opposition to Islamic fundamentalism, support for veterans and new restrictions on immigration.
He says he hopes his biker movement will continue to hold sway after the election, and that he’s frustrated anyone would question his motives.
“Our group will soon have the same strength as the Christian Coalition,” he says, referring to the socially conservative pressure group that was influential in Republican politics of the 1990s.
“None of these guys ever got any traction. I don’t know if they’re jealous or what,” Cox says. “I sell T-shirts so I can keep my head above water. The whole time I ran this movement, at times I had money for a hotel, but instead of staying in a hotel I pull a 1968 camper on the back of a trailer, I piss in a Gatorade bottle and air conditioning is a fan. My heat is extra blankets.”
By Steven Nelson | Staff Writer
USNews.com
–from Rogue
WIN A $500 GAS CADDY AT THE V-TWIN EXPO— Just attend the show and you have a chance to win a $500 Handy Gas Caddy. I need one for Bonneville.
Handy Gas Caddy
The 30-gallon Gas Caddy is the ideal solution for storage and dispensing of gasoline in your Service Department. Specifically designed to comply with labor and safety laws, the Handy Gas Caddy meets all O.S.H.A. requirements.
The heavy-duty welded steel construction is built to last. A two-way rotary pump allows your technicians to both siphon and dispense fuel. To siphon gasoline into the cart’s tank, simply turn the pump’s operating handle counter-clockwise.
To transfer gasoline from the cart to any fuel tank, turn the handle in the opposite direction. What could be simpler?
Features of the Handy Gas Caddy
O.S.H.A. Compliant
Firescreened safety vent & fuel gauge
2″ Filler hole for easy fill-ups
Contamination drain
Static ground wire with clamp
See-through hose for in-line fuel viewing
Large 10″ dia. rubber tires for easy mobility
Handy Gas Shuttle
Download PDF
BUFFALO MOTORAMA COMING– About 2.5 months until the 2017 Buffalo Motorama!
On March 24-26, 2017 the Buffalo Convention Center in Buffalo, NY will host the BIGGEST and BEST indoor custom car and bike show in Western New York.
2017 marks our 7th year showcasing some of the best vehicles from across the country, vendors, and something for the entire family to enjoy.
For up-to-date information on the show, sponsor/vendor information, features, and more, visit our website: www.BuffaloMotorama.com
Like our Facebook page to be eligible for prizes and contests: www.facebook.com/buffalomotorama
Contact Joe at show@buffalomotorama.com or 716-390-6848 for more information.
Enter Your Car, Truck, Bike, or Tractor – Anything cool with wheels!
We are filling quickly! Contact us to get your ride in the Big Show in WNY!
The 2017 Buffalo Motorama will showcase a variety of vehicles from cars, bikes, trucks, antique tractors, and pullers ranging from original to modified, to race. Submit your vehicle to be entered into the Buffalo Motorama
THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS STILL OPEN– An elderly man on a Moped, looking about 100 years old, pulls up next to a doctor at a street light.
The old man looks over at the sleek shiny car and asks, ‘What kind of car ya got there, sonny?’
The doctor replies, ‘A Ferrari GTO. It cost half a million dollars! ‘
‘That’s a lot of money,’ says the old man. ‘Why does it cost so much?’
The Moped driver asks, ‘Mind if I take a look inside?’
‘No problem,’ replies the doctor.
So the old man pokes his head in the window and looks around. Then, sitting back on his Moped, the old man says, ‘That’s a pretty nice car, all right… But I’ll stick with my Moped!’
Just then the light changes, so the doctor decides to show the old man just what his car can do. He floors it, and within 30 seconds the speedometer reads 160 mph.
Suddenly, he notices a dot in his rear view mirror. It seems to be getting closer!
He slows down to see what it could be and suddenly WHOOOOSSSHHH !
Something whips by him going much faster!
‘What on earth could be going faster than my Ferrari ?’ the doctor asks himself.
He presses harder on the accelerator and takes the Ferrari up to 250 mph.
Then, up ahead of him, he sees that it’s the old man on the Moped!
Amazed that the Moped could pass his Ferrari, he gives it more gas and passes the Moped at 275 mph. He’s feeling pretty good until he looks in his mirror and sees the old man gaining on him AGAIN!
Astounded by the speed of this old guy, he floors the gas pedal and takes the Ferrari all the way up to 320 mph.
Not ten seconds later, he sees the Moped bearing down on him again! The Ferrari is flat out, and there’s nothing he can do!
Suddenly, the Moped plows into the back of his Ferrari, demolishing the rear end.
The doctor stops and jumps out and, unbelievably, the old man is still alive.
He runs up to the banged-up old guy and says, ‘I’m a doctor…. Is there anything I can do for you?’
‘Unhook my suspenders from your side view mirror!’.
–Ben Lamboeuf
Bikernet Advertising Director
DUCATI ON TV–
–Nathon Verdugo
Ducati North America
www.ducatiusa.com
JIMS TOOL OF THE WEEK–
JIMS No. 985 Cruise Drive Shift Shaft Remover Tool.
When working on Harley-Davidson 6-speed Cruise Drive transmissions, removing the shift shafts from the trap door takes a special puller tool. JIMS No. 985 pulls from the inside diameter of the hollow shift shafts, allowing the technician to remove them from the bores they’re pressed into.
This is the only way to remove the shift shafts without damage to the outer diameters.
With a suggested retail price of $24.65, this tool is used on 2006-present Dyna and 2007-present Softail and Touring models.
It is made in the USA and has JIMS lifetime tool warranty.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER?— Another wild week in front of us. I swear I’m about to finish the Yelvington reverse tech with Bennett’s Performance in Long Beach.
And I started on the next Cantina Episode in hopes of solving the mystery. Will Maria live to tell her story?
Plus, I need to make notes for our Climate Calamity Seminar in Cincinnati at the end of the month. We hope like hell to pump-up industry confidence. Hopefully, the new President will help let us ride Free once more.
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit
