Hey,
Everything is happening fast. The brothers at Bennett’s Performance headed to Bonneville at the crack of dawn. Sturgis is winding down and we’re waiting to hear reports from the front.
Rogue made it to several events. He said the number of folks was strong, and although it rained cats-and-dogs on the way to the rally, the weather has been moderate in Sturgis.
Brothers are after me to make it to the Meeting of the Minds and the Fall Foliage Hamster run about the same time in September. I’m focused on the Salt Torpedo.
We are still hammering away on the first Streamlined trike and I’m concerned about the firewall construction. I’m scrambling on the wiring and Micah is headed over on Saturday to install the new 10.5-inch Suspension Technology shocks and work on the firewall.
We might be able to start it this weekend. Hang on. Let’s hit the news.
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Most recently the Smoke Out and Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.
Easyriders Rodeo roars in to Fowlerville, MI August 16-18 and Chillicothe, OH August 29-September 2. Got to www.easyridersevents for more info.
Inspired by the wild and woolly motorcycle board track racing of the early 20th century, the first known Wall of Death style of attraction came to life in 1911. It was called the “Race for Life” at the Coney Island amusement park in Brooklyn, New York.
In keeping with tradition, Rhett Rotten rides a 1927 Indian Scout, the make and model commonly used to ride a barrel shaped wooden cylinder 100 years ago. His Wall of Death was built in 1941. An antique in its own right and the last of its kind.
Rhett will be performing at both the Easyriders Rodeos in August. If you can’t catch him there, he travels all over the country with his vintage bikes and “Wall” wowing spectators with his unique riding skills.
RECENT TAX HIKES—I don’t get it, and then maybe I do. But let’s cut to the chase and get to the facts. Our income hasn’t increased since 1999, and in most cases dropped, but other than what Trump did taxes and costly requirements continue to rise.
Just recently in California, it’s mandatory to give your employees sexual harassment training to the tune of $200 a month or $36 per employee to have them certified.
In Los Angeles the major mandated trash handling and our fees doubled. And now it’s administered by the city, so you can’t reach anyone if you have an issue.
And California passed two Homeless taxes to the tune of $88,000 per homeless person. I wish I made that much. And of course the homeless population increased this year.
Gas taxes continue to increase to punish you for driving fossil fuel vehicles. And now that marijuana is legal, the taxes are going through the roof for its use.
Gas Taxes Rise in a Dozen States, Including an Historic Increase in Illinois
On January 1, 1990, the Berlin Wall was standing, Nelson Mandela was still in prison, and Illinois was raising its excise tax on gasoline to 19 cents per gallon. A lot has changed since 1990, but Illinois’s gas tax rate hasn’t budged.
Fast forward almost 30 years, however, and the Land of Lincoln is finally at it again. On Monday, Illinois’s gas tax rate will rise by 19 cents and its diesel tax rate by 24 cents per gallon to raise money for infrastructure improvements. Both increases are calibrated to almost exactly catch up with inflation over the last three decades.
But Illinois isn’t the only state where gas taxes will increase. On July 1, 12 states will boost their gasoline taxes and 11 will boost their diesel taxes. The reasons for these increases vary, but they’re generally intended to fund maintenance and improvement of our nation’s transportation infrastructure–a job at which Congress has not excelled in recent years. Details of these upcoming gas tax changes are as follows:
California: The gas tax will rise by 5.6 cents per gallon under the last stage of an increase approved by lawmakers in 2017. As in Illinois, California’s gas tax rate will now also be adjusted each year to keep pace with inflation. Voters were asked to repeal the 2017 law last year at the ballot box, but they decided to keep the reform intact by a margin of 57 to 43 percent.
Connecticut: The diesel tax rate will increase by 2.6 cents per gallon because the tax rate is designed to vary alongside changes in average fuel prices. Even with the increase, however, Connecticut’s diesel tax rate (46.5 cents) remains significantly below its 2013 peak (54.9 cents). Gasoline taxes in Connecticut are also partly based on the price of fuel, but that formula applies to the actual sale price and therefore the tax rate can vary continuously rather than undergoing periodic adjustments.
Illinois: The gas tax will rise by 19 cents and the diesel tax by 24 cents under legislation enacted earlier this year. But lawmakers didn’t just write a new, flat cent per gallon tax rate into the law. They also planned ahead by choosing to index the gas tax rate to inflation so that it can retain its purchasing power with small, periodic increases in the years to come.
Indiana: The gas tax will rise by 0.5 cents while the diesel tax will rise by 1 cent. Under a 2015 reform both taxes are updated annually to keep pace with inflation and the rate of personal income growth in Indiana. The gasoline tax is also partly linked to gas prices, which explains why the gas tax rate is rising by less than the tax on diesel (falling gas prices in Indiana are partly offsetting the impact of inflation indexing).
Maryland: Gas and diesel taxes will each rise by 1.4 cents per gallon because of a formula implemented in 2013 that ties the tax rate to increases in the rate of inflation and in the price of motor fuel.
Michigan: Gas and diesel tax rates vary each month in Michigan alongside changes in the price of fuel. On July 1, the gas tax will increase by 0.1 cents and the diesel tax by 0.2 cents. Looking ahead, Michigan is poised to join the growing number of states that index their fuel taxes to inflation starting in 2022.
Montana: Gas taxes are rising by 0.5 cents and diesel taxes by 0.2 cents because of a phased-in tax increase enacted in 2017. The full increase, which will amount to 6-cents for gas and 2-cents for diesel, will be completed in July 2022.
Nebraska: Gas and diesel tax rates will increase by 0.1 cents under a formula that considers both fuel prices and the legislature’s infrastructure spending decisions.
Ohio: Gas taxes will rise by 10.5 cents and diesel taxes by 19 cents per gallon under an increase enacted earlier this year. Gov. Mike DeWine also proposed indexing the state’s gas tax rate to inflation, but this reform was ultimately left out of the law. Lawmakers did agree, however, to offset some of the gas tax increase falling on lower-income drivers by boosting the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Rhode Island: Gas and diesel tax rates will each rise by 1 cent per gallon under an indexing formula enacted in 2014. This marks the state’s first adjustment since July 2015. The formula allows for adjustments every two years, but no adjustment was made in 2017 because inflation was relatively low.
South Carolina: Gas and diesel tax rates will each rise by 2 cents per gallon under the third stage of a 6-part increase. These tax rates will eventually rise by a total of 12 cents per gallon because of legislation enacted in 2017.
Tennessee: The gas tax will rise by 1 cent while the diesel tax will increase by 3 cents. This is the final stage of an increase enacted in 2017 that raised gas taxes by 6 cents and diesel taxes by 10 cents overall.
Vermont: The gas tax will rise by 0.55 cents while the diesel tax rate will remain unchanged. Vermont’s gas tax is linked to the price of gas and an increase in gas prices led to this tax change.
REPORT FROM THE BIKERNET SEO CHAMBER--The article bitching about Harley Davidson problems is very popular on Facebook.
In 23 hours we reached 1956 people with 17 Shares, 9 Comments and 269 clicks to the BLOG Link. 467 Engagements in just 23 hours.
https://blog.bikernet.com/20-glaring-problems-harley-davidson-wont-admit-about-their-motorcycles/
Below are some of the Comments:
Bruce Donaldson – One problem would be all the pussies buying them that can’t do maintenance, and can barely ride.
Mike Johnson – Harleys would be much better with liquid cooled engines even with the traditional under square engine. Air cooled engines cannot simply be made ever bigger without critical overheating problems.
Harley has to build what sells but what the customers prefer is a gaggle of bad ideas and a personality crutch and it is best if you can fix it yourself or can locate a specialist who is capable.
Example: Have your crank assembly checked, serviced and welded at Dark horse Crank works.
Dan Krumwiede – The Road Glide “wobble”? More like “tank slappers”. Almost killed me twice. The dealership knew about the problem when they sold me the bike. Told me to tighten shit down to twice the specs.
Moopa Guastapaglia – I’ve always done my own wrenching. Had many a few, the older bikes were easier to work with. I currently have two: ’99 FatBoy “Lizzie”& ’03 Road King EFI “Beula”. Love both them girls. Beula is new to me, picked her up this past April. Lizzie don’t seem to care one bit, she’s still roarin’ & rippin’ up roads the way she always has.
Yeah, H-D has lots of future problems, heck I think there are almost as many bikes on the dealer’s floor as they have tee shirts …
Don’t got mechanics, just “techs” glorified parts changers that have no answers. Any of ya remember them days of waiting a year for your new bike to come … points, condensers, magnetos, & kickers? Those were the machines that made the legend of H-D. Just Keep Riding, Love & Respect!
Anthony Burns – Mine is always getting drunk and and falling over.
Dave Tootell – Tell you what, this “Fly by Wire” throttle glitch sucks too!
Mario Paolo – Well, the author’s not wrong. specially with the Twin Cam tensioner shoe issue H-D refused to admit. Blew up my ’05 Dyna
Michael Hatcher – I agree with Bruce Donaldson.
David Peel – What’s this bagging crap?
Wayfarer,
Senior SEO Analysist
Bikernet™ Vast Web-based Empire
QUICK, OPEN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY--A different twist on politics.
–EL WAGGS
ROGUE HITS RAIN ON HIS STURGIS RUN FROM FLORIDA–H-D Rain Gear
On May 7, 2019 I posted an article on Harley Davidsons new FXRG rain gear. You can see the article at https://www.bikernet.com/pages/NEW_RAIN_GEAR_FROM_HARLEY_DAVIDSON.aspx
Well my trip to Sturgis SD this year was very wet, the kind that has vehicles pulling over because the operators cannot see far enough in front of them to drive.
Yes, I did have to pull off the highway a couple of times because I could not see. But when I did I was still dry unlike other riders with different brands of rain gear.
Just a follow up as we continue to product test items in real situations.
Ride Dry
–Rogue
Senior Editor in Chief
Bikernet.com™
‘Poop burgers’? Eat insects? ‘Meat patch’ to stop cravings? New UN report takes aim at meat-eating – UN seeks expansion of climate agenda to regulate what you eat.
Climate Depot’s Marc Morano Note: Get ready! UN coming after your burgers & steaks to save the planet. This is yet another report from UN IPCC intended to empower UN bureaucrats to centrally plan our lives for no impact on the climate.
From 2011:
Japan scientist synthesizes meat from human feces
ByJeff Hughes— Posted onJune 15, 2011
Somehow this feels like a Vonnegut plotline: population boom equals food shortage. Solution? Synthesize food from human waste matter. Absurd yes, but Japanese scientists have actually discovered a way to create edible steaks from human feces.
Mitsuyuki Ikeda, a researcher from the Okayama Laboratory, has developed steaks based on proteins from human excrement. Tokyo Sewage approached the scientist because of an overabundance of sewage mud. They asked him to explore the possible uses of the sewage and Ikeda found that the mud contained a great deal of protein because of all the bacteria.
–Digital Trends
Climate Depot Special Report
Here we go again. Yet another UN report claiming we must follow its dictates or face certain climate change doom.
See: Eat less meat: UN climate change report calls for change to human diet – The report on global land use and agriculture from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Nature reports: “Efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of global warming will fall significantly short without drastic changes in global land use, agriculture and human diets, leading researchers warn in a high-level report commissioned by the United Nations.”
Climate Depot note: They now claim that the UN’s efforts “will fall significantly short”. It is odd and predictable that the UN Paris pact — which was hailed as saving the planet in 2015 — is now considered woefully inadequate by the UN.
See: UN admits ‘historic’ Paris climate pact did not save Earth after-all! Now says: Cutting CO2 ‘not enough’ – ‘We must change food production to save the world’
The report continued: Hans-Otto Pörtner, an ecologist who co-chairs the IPCC’s working group on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. “But it would indeed be beneficial, for both climate and human health, if people in many rich countries consumed less meat, and if politics would create appropriate incentives to that effect.”
–Marc Morano
Climate Depot
LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK— 2016 Harley-Davidson FLHTK – Ultra Limited
$16,995.00
https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=7266377
2016 Electra Glide Touring Ultra Limited FLHTK
Take this bike on that long trip you always dreamed. H-D Boom Audio stereo system with music, GPS and Bluetooth accessibility. The Twin Cam 103 is mated to a smooth-shifting 6 speed cruise drive transmission for lower rpm at highway speeds.
The Ultra Limited has more room and touring comfort for the passenger and a redesigned iconic batwing fairing to reduce head buffeting. Reflex Linked Brakes with ABS Anti-lock Braking System. H-D HALO Lighting, brighter turn signals, brighter brake lights, and a new steering head with stiffer front forks. CVO exhaust system. Contrast cut aluminum cast wheels and a 6 gallon fuel tank for fewer necessary stops.
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT:
Vivid Black with silver pin-striping and raised tank logos is in eye pleasing condition. Chrome strap with one touch gas cover and a painted inner fairing.
Boom! Box 6.5 GT Audio System with GPS and touchscreen, Bluetooth capability, with 25- watt per channel amplifier. Black 12″ Lindby style bars, chrome/rubber heated grips, chrome levers, mirrors, and brake reservoir caps.
Tinted windshield and daymaker headlamp and LED passing lamps. Fender trim. Chrome blinkers chrome fork down to the axle caps all on Contrast Chrome Impeller Cast Aluminum wheels. Chrome engine guard with freeway pegs that match the grips. Great sounding exhaust with black tips pairing with 103ci of raw power. It has ABS anti-lock braking system.
Chrome engine covers including Screamin’ Eagle air filter and cam with raised chrome ‘Live to Ride’ cover. 2-up seat with passenger floorboards and Air-adjustable rear shocks. 4 pt. docking hardware as there is no tourpak. Bag lights have the LED blinkers, LED taillight, and fender light. A pigtail and more…
This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 100 point safety and mechanical inspect
NEW ZEALANDER’ USA ROAD TRIP, DAY 39— The ride through the next shower of rain is not too long nor as heavy
as the last one. The stop in Basset saw a number of riders all taking
wet weather gear off and we are doing the same.
There were a couple of rider there, who we made contact with in the rainstorm at Sargent. They have a mate towing a trailer with his bike on and the truck contains all
their camping gear. They are heading west but we are going north to Murdo. The east road will take the more direct route to Sturgis.
In the town of Winner, we see a number of bikers in a local motel and the
thought did pass through my mind about stopping, but we have a museum to
look at in the morning and the evening is still nice and cool for riding.
–Graeme Lowen
THE TWIST OFF IS BACK!
The Twist Off is coming back again this year and now is your chance to get in the gates at pre-sale pricing! Not sure what The Twist-Off is? Check with Revival Cycles.
Choose “Sprinter” tickets if you plan on racing for the weekend, and if you just want to watch the action, pick out a “Spectator” ticket. We HIGHLY encourage ALL to participate by being a Sprinter, so take a leap and join us in the dirt and/or the track for some some good old fashioned grudge racing!
–Revival Cycles
Here’s another classic from Hal Robinson.
–Bandit
[page break]
CHOW HALL OF THE WEEK IS BACK-– Hey Bandit
It has been a while! Attached is my latest vid, link, write up and stills. Thanks so much
Terry’s Hangover Ramen is the best Ramen I have had so far in my life! It is awesome! The broth, the noodles, the egg and the kimchi, all work together to create the perfect cure for those heavy-duty nights!
Ha-ha! I could not stop eating it. I am listing a specific brand of noodles and sesame oil that are Terry’s favorite.
Here is your ingredient list below: Shin Ramyun noodles Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil I Scallion ( large dice) 1/2 TB of Honey Powder or sugar 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper One egg 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds splash of vinegar Follow the cooking instruction in the video! Enjoy and Get some!!
To see more food videos and bikes click here, youtube.com/c/ABikerDude and subscribe!
CHOPPERS ARE SERIOUSLY ALIVE–Biltwell People’s Champ 2019
James Juarez, Los Angeles, CA
Jimmy built this buttery long bike for the 2019 Biltwell People’s Champ Show. Dig into some detail photos and video bike feature here. (We are hoping the Biltwell team will send us an image of this classic.)
Think you’ve got what it takes to build a bike and compete in the 2020 event? We just finished a website that outlines all of the details, deadlines and requirements, just hit that red button below and let’s see what ya got!
SALT TORPEDO UPDATE–
Here’s my list. I should finish the wiring today. I still have an issue with the electronic compression releases. I may need to call S&S today. I did the continuity check but can’t determine which black wire is ground.
I got this worked out with the help of David Zemla at S&S.
I took out the drain plugs for the trans and engine and drilled one, but had to braze a bung to the other one so I could drill it. Then I safety wired them and put half a quart of oil in the trans and a quart in the engine for now.
I built the mudguard brackets and machined spacers to allow outside brackets to hold the fenders. I ordered slimmer nuts for the axles, but I believe they need to be safety wired. That will take a trick or two. If we drill the nuts, we may need to order 5/8 shims to adjust the tension on the bearings and line up the holes for a cotter key.
I drilled holes for the firewall in preparation for making the final pieces and installing them. That’s next. Maybe Micah can come over on Saturday or Sunday for firewall work and engine fire-up.
I ordered longer shocks and they arrived.
I have an old friend who is an SCTA official for years and on the board. I may need to drive to Tujunga and pick up Rodan to have him inspect the liner.
I have called and reached out about the safety belt system a few times. I called and left a message yesterday. Finally got ahold of the guy today.
I spoke to Shrouds about the 5-pound bottle fire system. They turned me onto Summit Racing for a $15 cheaper price. Still cost $550, but it’s on its way.
I believe Bennett’s is in Bonneville for Speed Week, but we need to handle the rear brake lines. I was hoping to go over to their shop on Saturday. I will check. They were leaving this morning, so I hauled ass over there yesterday and got some lines. I always stop at Sante Fe Imports and grab some sandwiches for the guys. They were packing to leave for Speed Week.
I need to put the top on the body to work out the latch position and the bracket to be welded on the frame.
I still need to make a template for the Daca vents, cut and pop rivet the vents in place.
I’ve been back and forth about the team T-shirts a number of times. I need to send another image to Andrew today.
I’m collecting stickers from sponsors for the body and need to reach out to Wellington today about the vynls I ordered.
I called David Zemla at S&S regarding the compression release wiring and the Super D Intake manifold. Can’t find a part number in the catalog for a 2.250 manifold.
Need to attach the nose piece with the rubber pad we made. I may need another one.
Also need to consider another body mounting system at the back to the Salt Torpedo
Lt. Ball
Janitor
SHOP DEAL OF THE WEEK--Selling for a friend. If anyone knows anyone that could use these please let them know, thanks
Cast iron precision ground angles; $90.00 each
9.5″ht. X 6″ wd. X 8″dp
10 ” ht. X 6″ wd X 7″dp
12″ ht. X 5″wd. X 6″dp
–EL Waggs
James Waggaman airstreamstudio@live.com
Pirelli Captures AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Legendary Loretta Lynn Ranch–
Pirelli congratulates its riders on a successful week of racing at the historic Loretta Lynn Ranch for the 38th annual AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. The world’s most prestigious amateur motocross national saw impressive performances from each of the five BarX/Chaparral/Fly/Suzuki riders including: 13 individual moto podiums, four moto wins, three overall podium finishes, Bell holeshot awards and a championship from McClellan Hile in the Collegeboy (18-24) division. The SCORPION™ MX32™ Mid Soft front and rear tires were selected as the tire of choice for all Pirelli riders.
McClellan Hile was victorious in Collegeboy (18-24), winning two out of three motos. | Photo: Mad Moose Media
“The BarX Motorsports riders were more than impressive all week,” said Josh Whitmire, director of sales, Pirelli. “Podium finishes and race wins showcased the same winning performance of the SCORPION™ MX32™ that we see at MXGP. It’s exciting to see BarX and many new American motocross racers choosing Pirelli to compete at the highest level of amateur racing.”
In the Collegeboy (18-24) class, Hile used his SCORPION™ MX tires to get off to strong starts and remained consistent throughout the three-moto format. With the pressure on in the final moto, Hile proved to be unstoppable as he claimed his second moto win of the week to earn his first AMA National Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch via 1-2-1 scores.
BarX Motorsports riders and Pirelli’s SCORPION™ MX tires stood on the podium 13 times throughout the week. | Photo: Mad Moose Media
“Leaving the ranch this year with my first title was an absolutely awesome feeling,” said Hile. “The feeling that I had this week is something that I’ll never forget. I want to give a huge thank you to everyone at Pirelli for ensuring my bike had the best traction possible for every moto. My Pirelli SCORPION™ MX32™ tires worked amazing in the various and ever-changing conditions of Loretta’s. Whether it was deep ruts or sandy sweepers, I felt confident putting my bike wherever I needed to.”
Dilan Schwartz was one of the most impressive riders of the week, placing himself in title contention for both the 250 B and Schoolboy 2 (12-17) championships. After winning the second moto of 250 B, Schwartz started in the top-five in the final moto before clawing his way through the field to take over the race lead.
Near the halfway point of the race, Schwartz bobbled and that cost him several positions. However, he would rebound to finish seventh and take home a hard-fought third overall. Schwartz injured his foot in the incident, which forced him to miss the final Schoolboy 2 moto and the chance at another overall podium.
Despite Schwartz’s misfortune, Preston Kilroy carried the team to third place overall (2-3-8) in Schoolboy 2. Kilroy’s strong riding transferred over to the 250 B Limited class, taking a moto win and finishing second overall (2-1-2) for his second podium appearance of the week.
Austin Black, competing in the 250 and 450 B classes, brought home a moto win aboard his RM-Z450 and recorded several top-five rides throughout the week. In the 250 Pro Sport and Open Sport classes, Lance Kobusch battled his way through the star-studded 40-rider field to earn several top-five moto finishes.
For 2019, Pirelli refocused its efforts by expanding its amateur rider support program and the success at Loretta’s reaffirms the brand’s commitment to amateur racing in the United States. Pirelli continues to stick by its motto “we sell what we race, we race what we sell” and offers all riders access to the very same tires found on the bikes of JGRMX/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing and World Champions Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli.
Pirelli’s #PirelliNation motocross rider support program is currently open and accepting resumes through November 30, 2019. If you’re interested in joining the Pirelli team, Click Here to learn more about and submit your sponsorship application.
To view complete results from the 2019 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship Click Here.
College (18-24)
McClellan Hile (1-2-1)
Kayden Palmer (2-1-2)
Michael Hicks (7-3-4)
Ricci Randanella (6-6-3)
Nicholas Maret (3-9-7)
Schoolboy 2 (12-17)
Jarrett Frye (1-1-1)
Stilez Robertson (3-5-2)
3. Preston Kilroy (2-3-8)
Matthew Leblanc (7-4-5)
Culin Park (5-9-3)
25. Dilan Schwartz (4-2-DNS)
250 B
Stilez Robertson (1-2-2)
Jarrett Frye (3-3-1)
Dilan Schwartz (2-1-7)
Mason Gonzales (7-4-3)
Kaeden Kniffing (9-6-4)
Austin Black (6-5-8)
250 B Limited
Mason Gonzales (1-2-1)
Preston Kilroy (2-1-2)
Hunter Yoder (3-4-3)
Max Miller (5-3-5)
Jace Kessler (4-5-6)
450 B
Matthew Leblanc (1-1-2)
Levi Newby (2-2-3)
Wesley Allen (3-7-6)
Gerhard Matamoros (5-8-4)
Rene Rodriguez (6-4-11)
11. Austin Black (DNF-3-1)
Open Pro Sport
Jalek Swoll (1-3-1)
Jett Lawrence (2-1-3)
Jo Shimoda (4-2-2)
Parker Mashburn (3-4-4)
Carson Mumford (7-7-8)
9. Lance Kobusch (15-5-13)
11. McClellan Hile (13-11-14)
250 Pro Sport
Hard Munoz (3-4-3)
Carson Mumford (2-8-2)
Jesse Flock (5-11-1)
Parker Mashburn (7-7-4)
Lance Kobush (12-5-5)
MEETING OF THE MINDS SESSIONS NEWS–I’m good to participate!
Took your suggestions to heart for workshops at the Meeting of the Minds
and definitely would like you to work with you on a workshop.
The workshop tentatively titled Old Media, New Media How to deal with print, electronic and social media successfully.
Your input and involvement in motorcyclists rights and the MRF is
invaluable, thank you and let me know if you can be part of the 35th
Annual Meeting of the Minds.
–BBNM
I Joined ABATE GA in 2015 after falling in love with the mission. Is a
member of several MROs including MRF, AMA and other organizations around
the country. Passionate about biker rights Skinny Bob has served as
District 5 Coordinator and Communications Director for ABATE GA. He has
been State Director for 2 years and has exponentially increased ABATE GA’s
reach using social media. He works as a fundraiser supporting veterans
military families when hes not fighting for biker rights.
Contact Fred Harrell if you’re interested in being involved.
— FRED HARRELL
Director, Purchasing & Facilities
RED ROCK HARLEY-DAVIDSON
2260 South Rainbow Blvd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89146
PHONE: 702-876-2884 X2149
www.redrockharley.com
PREMIERE OF BENNETT’S WAR STARRING COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR TRACE ADKINS AND MICHAEL ROARK
** TUESDAY, AUGUST 13TH **
Marshall Bennett (Michael Roark) is a young soldier with the Army Motorcycle Unit who survives an IED explosion in combat overseas. He is medically discharged and told that one more accident could mean he may never walk again. When he gets home to his farm, he discovers that his dad, Cal Bennett (Trace Adkins), is behind on the mortgage.
Against all odds, he trains to make an impossible comeback as a motocross racer in order to save his family’s farm. Allison Paige plays Sophie Bennett, Marshall’s concerned wife, and Ali Afshar is Cyrus, Marshall’s mentor. Click here to watch the Bennett’s War trailer.
WHO:
Talent Expected:
Trace Adkins
Michael Roark
Allison Paige
Ali Afshar
Hunter Clowdus
Christina Moore
More to be confirmed
WHEN:
Tuesday, August 13th
5:00PM Media Arrivals
6:00PM Red Carpet Opens
7:30PM Show Begins
WHERE:
Steven J. Ross Theater
Warner Bros Studio Lot
4000 Warner Blvd
Burbank, CA 91522
Parking details and red carpet access information to be provided upon confirmation
–Marlea Willis mwillis@alliedglobalmarketing.com / (646) 965-7475
Maggie Biembie@alliedglobalmarketing.com
(323) 857-7614
[page break]
Old School Kaws take NHDRO’s Biggest Money Ever–The sharpest, most up-to-date tools in the motorcycle drag racing box came out to win NHDRO’s biggest money event ever—the APE Summer Celebration and Big Money Shootout this past weekend at Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis. But as late model horsepower with immense investments in carbon fiber and billet bits fell by the wayside, it was the two oldest bikes in the field racing for all the cash at the end of the day.
And they were two old school KZ Kawasakis built by the same guy—bracket veteran Tom Klemme, whose delay box bike won $11,000 in the final against Chad Isley on Klemme’s “old” bike. “That was a pretty sweet number on that one,” Klemme said about NHDRO’s Big Check.
The race format had 16 delay box bikes on one ladder and 16 no-box bikes on another, with the winners meeting in one final round. Isley took the tree against Klemme with a perfect light without a box, but took too much stripe and had to settle for a cool $5,000. “It was pretty cool having two old KZs in the final in 2019 in a world of ‘Busas and GSs,” said Klemme.
Later that same night, both bikes rolled up to the ready line AGAIN (Klemme’s with an actual spoked front wheel) in the semifinals of MPS Pro ET, and Isley had ANOTHER perfect light to Klemme’s .001. Tom took too much stripe and Isley advanced.
But wait—Klemme and his KZ weren’t through winning! They raced through a 48-bike M2.Shocks Crazy Comp 8.89 index field to beat Jeremy Teasley’s state-of-the-art no-bar Suzuki Hayabusa in the final, mostly via Tom’s .003 light in the double-breakout final. Louisvillian Kevin Cooper qualified number one and lost to Super Comp champ Ron Arnold in round 2.
Klemme dialed in as low as 8.66 in the August Indianapolis weather. “That’s about as fast as you can make these old Kawasakis in these conditions unless you start spraying them,” said Klemme, who’s won Pomona three times with his Kawasaki.
“Thanks to Joe Klemme, Jim Batten, John Mealy, and everybody that works for me back at the motorcycle repair shop in Iowa”
After dispatching Klemme in the Saturday Pro ET semi, Isley slowed his reaction time to an .036 against Garreth Sheppeard in the final. Sheppeard was a tad slower with an .039 but ran closer to his 8.17 dial with an 8.204 for the win, while Isley ran 9.244 on a 9.20.
NHDRO wasn’t through handing out Big Money to Kawasakis, though. Twenty six Pro Ultra 4.60 bikes vied for $5000 for the winner of the world’s quickest motorcycle index class, and at the end of the day it was Louisville winner “Smokin’ Joe” Rodney scoring his second straight win. Smokin’ Joe took the tree with an .022 and his Kaw’s 4.61 was closer to the number than Jeffersonville’s Joey Burgess’ .040/4.62 on a Suzuki GS.
Rodney normally has tuning help from Fast Time Motorsports’ Jeff Jones and Billy Vose, but neither were in Indy. “They were not at the race track this weekend but they are always with me,” said Smokin’ Joe. “Jeff and Billy’s strengths and reputations as leaders, along with the quality of their teaching, afforded me the ability to claim the victory at this race.”
Number one 4.60 qualifier Jimmy Muntain lost to Richard Gadson in round 1. Gadson lost to Rodney in the quarterfinals.
With her thirteen week-old newborn Remy Lucille in her arms, Heather Wagner enjoyed the fruits of her labor—literally—in the Hardcore Cycles Top Gas 8.20 winners circle after slicing her way through a 42-bike field—including number one qualifier Bradley Shelhaas in the final and Jeremy Teasley in the semis. “A lot of great racers,” said Wagner. “It’s good to be back. We came back in Louisville and struggled.”
Wagner made pass after pass during Grudge at NHDRO’s Louisville race, and the hard work paid off. “We don’t even know how many passes,” said Wagner. “More than we’ve ever made at one event. We were beating our heads against the wall and it got to the point where it was ridiculous. But we came here and started over and it worked.
“I wanna thank my dad Mike and my mom Lisa, Bobby Brown, Kenny Schwartz, and James O’Hanlon. I couldn’t do this without James and my sister Rachel watching Remy.”
60 year-old Dave Roisen realized a young man’s dream, winning Millenium Trailers Pro Street against Canadian Ethan Barkley. “This was just my weekend when things fell together,” said Roisen, who ran five personal bests on the former Ricky Wood/Joe Robbiins turbocharged ‘Busa and won in his third year of racing the class.
“Moved up on the G.O.A.T. List to a 7.119, went my first 200 and did it about five times, and went a little quicker than my son Shane on this bike (Shane ran 7.12),” said Roisen. “Meeting Ethan Barkley here in the final—what a great guy from Canada. He ran his best numbers ever here too.
“I’m proud to get this far with it, it’s a very frustrating class. Very humbling. But the Pro Street racers here have been super helpful. Rudy (number one qualifier Rudy Sanzottera) is always helpful, his crew is awesome. Thanks to M2.shocks. We have a motorcycle shop in Minnesota and I wanna thank our distributers Drag Specialties, Western Powersports, Shinko Tires, Motul Oil, and all the people that have helped me do this. It’s been a lifetime of help and I’m just tickled to be doing this.
“I’m really happy NHDRO is doing Pro Street here. The track was stickin’ for me every time.”
Richard Gadson agreed. “The track was perfect. As good as it gets. If I had a 6.50s capable Pro Street bike here, I could’ve went 6.50s. Without a doubt. And I love NHDRO races—so relaxing.”
The event may or may not have been relaxing for former AMA/Prostar champion Rick McWaters, but it was a winning one. McWaters made his triumphant return in Penske Racing Shocks Street Fighter, where his .023 light allowed him to ease across the finishline against Phillip Gross and his .084. McWaters had a .003 light in his semifinal win over number one qualifier Ron Arnold.
Klemme wasn’t the only double winner at Indy, as second generation racer Dalton Markham accomplished the feat on two different bikes. He won Sunday’s MPS Pro ET race on his wheelie bar bike, taking the win against a redlighting (-.008) Jason Keller.
Markham had an .024 light on his ‘Busa streetbike to give him the advantage against Randy Parker, who had an .057 and broke out in Sunday’s Kevin Dennis Insurance Street ET final.
Jeremy Murphy benefitted from Michael Schmalle’s -.012 redlight in Saturday’s eighth and final round of Street ET.
VooDoo Grudge was killer, with money races popping off everywhere for stacks, and twenties changing hands on the sidelines like Rockingham in the ‘00s. Big winners included Gaige Herrera on “Pee Wee” vs. Vince Hileman on “Family Man,” Teasley on Chris “CJ” Johnson’s “Tommy Gunn” vs. Joey Jobbe on “Anti-Social, ” and Louisville’s Brandon Holland on “Killer Bee.”
Brian and Niki Welch of NHDRO and Jay and Dianne Eshbach of APE thank everyone for coming out to Lucas Oil Raceway for this event, and NHDRO looks forward to seeing everyone at West Salem, Ohio’s Dragway 42 on August 30-September 1.
Find out more about NHDRO at http://www.nhdroracing.com/
More about APE http://www.aperaceparts.com/
GUN NUT REPORT–
I was just thinking: it was written hundreds of years ago, so it still makes tooootal sense today too, right? “…the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed” …well, doesn’t that mean that if I can carry it, I can have it?
So, shouldn’t a surface to air missile launcher / shoulder launched grenade weapon, etc., be included? Why can’t I own that???
They are literally violating our Second Amendment rights! Not fair!!!
Ride Forever,
–Andreas
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Report–
American Motorcycle Rally TERRORIST ALERT
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an American motorcycle rally held annually in Sturgis, South Dakota, for ten days usually starting the first Friday in August. In 2015 the city of Sturgis officially expanded the dates to have the rally start on the Friday before the first full week of August and end on the second Sunday.
In 2016, Sturgis City Council passed a resolution to begin the Rally on the first Friday in August every year. It was begun in 1938 by a group of Indian Motorcycle riders and was originally held for stunts and races. Attendance has historically been around 500,000 people, reaching a high of over 700,000 in 2015. The event generates around $800 million in revenue.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an American motorcycle rally held annually in Sturgis, South Dakota, for ten days usually starting the first Friday in August. In 2015 the city of Sturgis officially expanded the dates to have the rally start on the Friday before the first full week of August and end on the second Sunday. In 2016, Sturgis City Council passed a resolution to …
Police: No credible terror attack threat at Sturgis Rally
STURGIS, S.D. (KEVN) – The Sturgis Police Department received a Facebook message about a possible list of lone wolves plotting homegrown terror attacks and the rally may be a target.
The Sturgis Police Department doesn’t have any credible threat at this time. However, the police will keep the public updated if that changes.
If you see a threat on social media, contact your local law enforcement agency. Do not share the threat. Police say this will help them determine where the post originated from.
LIBERTY OR SAFETY–San Diego To Have 4,200 Streetlight Cameras By 2020. While police are regularly catching a few perpetrators on video, it has done so at the cost of ubiquitous surveilling all citizens in San Diego. ? TN Editor
When police stopped a taxicab early one morning last summer to find Jonathan Hernandez armed with a handgun and fleeing the scene of a fatal Gaslamp Quarter shooting, authorities thought it was an open-and-shut case.
Hernandez was booked into jail on suspicion of murder, but the investigation from last August would take an unexpected turn.
“Obviously, with any of these investigations there’s a great deal of follow-up to do, but it seemed pretty straightforward at that time,” said Sgt. Louis Maggi with the San Diego Police Department homicide unit.
The next day, police investigators went out to 5th Avenue and Market Street, where witnesses said a vicious fight had led to the killing. Officers canvassed the area for video of the incident when they noticed a camera built into a streetlamp at the intersection.
San Diego has installed thousands of microphones and cameras in so-called smart streetlamps in recent years as part of a program to assess traffic and parking patterns throughout the city.
The technology over the last year caught the attention of law enforcement last year. When police officers picked up Hernandez last summer, they had never used a streetlamp camera in an investigation.
Today, such video has been viewed in connection with more than 140 police investigations. Officers have increasingly turned to the footage to help crack cases, as frequently as 20 times a month.
Police Department officials have said that the video footage has been crucial in roughly 40% of those cases.
The smart streetlamps have been “game changing,” said Lt. Jeffrey Jordon, who oversees the program for the department.
“We’ve had a lot of success stories recently, a couple of convictions where people have actually seen the video through a defense attorney and they immediately took a guilty plea rather than go to trial,” he said.
At the same time, the technology may have saved the 24-year-old Hernandez from a long prison term. A review of the video showed the man he shot had first violently attacked him with a folding sidewalk street sign. At one point, the metal and wood sign struck the streetlamp that was recording, giving officers a good sense of how hard the attacker was swinging.
“Once we had that footage, we could see as clear as day what had actually transpired,” Maggi said.
Prosecutors decided the shooting was self-defense and the homicide charges were dropped.
Privacy groups have voiced concerns about a lack of oversight as law enforcement has embraced the new technology.
Groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, have pushed city councils across the country to adopt surveillance oversight ordinances that create strict rules to regulate use of everything from license plate readers to gunshot-detection systems to streetlamp cameras.
San Diego’s smart streetlamp program started around 2016 to collect metadata from cameras tracking the number of people walking, biking or driving through busy intersections.
The city installed the recording system as part of an LED upgrade to its streetlamps. Officials have said the new bulbs will save enough money on electricity to pay for the roughly $30 million program by 2030.
Three years later, it’s still unclear what the data will ultimately be used for. One idea has been that the information, which is publicly available to web developers and others, will fuel an app that helps people find empty parking spaces. City officials have said they also hope to use the system to track parking meter violations, as well as the number of people using bike lanes.
Right now, only the Police Department has the authority to view the actual video footage, according to officials. Although subject to change, the department’s internal policy says footage should be reviewed only in connection with violent crimes.
Authorities said that direct access is currently restricted to roughly 100 investigative officers in the sex crimes, robbery, traffic, internal affairs and homicide units. Other members of the department’s more than 1,800 sworn officers can request access but must be cleared by a designated authority before they view footage.
This arrangement has disturbed Matt Cagle, a technology and civil liberties attorney with the ACLU.
“This sounds like the quote ‘just trust us’ approach to surveillance technology, which is a recipe for invasive uses and abuse of these systems,” he said. “There needs to be meaningful oversight and accountability.
“Decisions about how to use surveillance technology should not be made unilaterally by law enforcement or another city agency,” he added
NEWS FROM MARTIN MOTO– RIDE FOR RESCUES EVENT
THIS SATURDAY 8/10/19!
If the kindest souls were rewarded with the longest lives, pets would outlive us all. Join us on August 10th for our Ride for Rescues Event! Bring your furry best friend along and enjoy food, games, raffles, and fun all while supporting two amazing foundations. We will be donating all profits to the Humane Society Of Berks County and Animal Rescue League Of Berks County. Find your new forever friend.
Visit our Facebook page to donate! In-person donations will also be accepted! Stop by and see our side by side at our store location. New and used items are accepted. (Please no food products)
**Pet and kid friendly event! Bring the whole family!**
THE MODERN CLASSICS RIDE-IN EVENT
The Modern Classics Ride-In.
This one-day event features the sights and sounds of your favorite vintage bikes in living and breathing form. Ride in on your own classic, or contemporary bike, and join the fun!
Saturday, September 14th 2019
10 am – 4 pm. No admission and no entry fee! Simply ride in and join the fray! Meet your friends and enjoy music, food and more at this fun event! For more information go to: modernclassicsbikeshow.com or call 610-369-3120.
–MartinMoto
OH, AND ANOTHER THING ABOUT CALIFORNIA— California is dying
Thanks to Slum Lord Gavin Newsom, California is a mess and none of it makes sense.
Ok lets get this straight. In CA It’s against the law for a restaurant to offer me a plastic straw but it’s ok for Starbucks to serve drinks in a plastic cup and it’s ok for me to use plastic Keurig coffee pods and buy tons of plastic water bottles.
It’s against the law for a grocery store to give me a micro-thin plastic bag for free, but it’s okay for them to sell me a plastic bag for a few pennies that is 20 times as thick.
CA is going to fine citizens billions a year for not having health insurance and paying for their own medical care, but they are going to provide free health care/insurance for those in the country illegally.
In CA we provide driver’s license to people in the country illegally, and you can list your sex as “X”, but I have to bring my original birth certificate, social security card, and two utility bills to get my Real CA driver’s license so I can use it to board a plane since the Federal government no longer recognizes regular CA licenses.
It’s ok for a homeless person to build a house next to the river out of plywood and tarps on property they don’t own, but I have to pull a permit and pay fees to have an inspection if I do something as simple as replacing a window on my own property, and pay to camp in a state park.
In San Francisco they provide free Safe Drug Centers for heroin addicts to shoot up under nurse supervision and provide new needles (also plastic), but it’s going to be against the law for adults to Vape.
In San Francisco it’s ok to crap on the street but it’s against the law to spit.
California requires immunizations for its citizens but not for illegal aliens, so a bunch of eradicated illnesses are coming back and they don’t care about those either.
LIFE IS NUTS—We live in the best of times, but control freaks can’t stand it. You can’t just have fun, not possible.
But bikers do and so do surfers. We know about the wind. We know about riding free, building what we want and rolling wherever it will take us.
Hang on tomorrow, when I post J.J. Solari’s article about the new Easyriders deal. I’m working on some features, but I’m scrambling on our Salt Torpedo. Hold on for more reports, but in the meantime:
Ride Fast and Free, Forever!
–Bandit
