Hey,
I’ve spoken to any number of riders, industry members, locals, you name it about their take on the rally this year. All answers are different, but I believe this one was happening, jammed, exciting and alive.
I started out asking brothers if they attended the 120th anniversary of Harley-Davidson to see if the celebration was going to impact Sturgis, but I don’t think it did. My other major take-away from this rally was the custom and performance side. I studied packs of bikes, bikes in parking lots, rows of bikes waiting to roll into Deadwood and I didn’t see a lot of bone stock scooters. Even baggers were modified with performance upgrades, sound systems, travel accessories or custom components.
Choppers, bobbers, antiques, FXRs, baggers and custom bikes filled shows. And aftermarket vendors were here in Sturgis, at the Chip and packed around Black Hills Harley. The custom world was here to see, touch and feel. It was happening even in the rain.
The next question includes demographics. There are way more women riders with new, improved, more reliable, more creature comfort laden motorcycles. But what about age groups. My grandson rode out for the second or third time. His buddies are in their late 20s, but the demographic study research continues.
Ever since I turned 50, 25 years ago, journalists wrote about the aging biker population, as if the whole outlaw biker would dry up and disappear. But then my son started riding, and then my grandson and at least one of my granddaughters. The study continues.
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, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
HOT NEWS FROM AMERICAN PRIME–APM’s Repro Springer is a work of Art!
This baby is so close to the original it’s scary! Black w/Chrome Springs.
American Prime Mfg., Inc.
8205 Secura Way
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
ANOTHER NEW PRINT MAGAZINE HITS THE CHOPPER WORLD—
Ron Harris of Chop Docs recently launched Traditional Chopper Magazine, Nothing but Excellent Choppers!
It’s gritty, rough and fulla heart and Chopper soul. Check it out!
–Bandit
THE LATEST FROM LOWBROW—
Add some high-and-tight style to a stock or rigid Sportster.
Shotgun Exhaust Pipes from Lowbrow Customs make quick work of improving your motorcycle’s look and sound.
Our Shotgun Exhaust Pipes for 1990-2003 Sportsters are Made in the USA.
We are working on the 2004 & later versions (also made in Ohio) which will be available later this year.
TAKE ME TO ‘EM
PS – Check out heat shields and exhaust wrap, both are popular options paired with Shotgun Pipes!
PPS – Check out the Shotgun Pipe How-To Install Video to see how it’s done on 1990-2003 as well as 2004 & later models.The install is easy & can be done in a home garage with basic hand tools!
BABES RIDE OUT REPORT–On the Coast of California
Endless sweeping roads, great food, entertainment at night, and a community of riders celebrating 10 years of Babes Ride Out
Endless Coast Line
We pride this event on the epic riding you will experience where you can quite literally ride up to the Pacific Ocean.
BOULDER CANYON RANCH FOR SALE—
More and more riders are looking for a home in the Black hills close to the rally and what is rapidly becoming a motorcycle Nirvana. This historic Lawrence County property is situated on 8.55 acres of land, with the forest service as its backyard.
One of the unique features of this property is that it has no covenants, providing you with the freedom to customize and use the land as you please.
20777 76 Ranch Road, Sturgis 57785, Less than two miles from Deadwood, SD.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/20777-76-Ranch-Rd_Sturgis_SD_57785_M78620-88154
QUOTE OF THE WEEK–
“It’s not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters.” – Epictetus
from Epoch Times
OMG, I was at the DMV and it cost me almost $500 but I heard a huge crash and this car drove into the building in the office next-door. Look at the irony of the place it crashed into.
WIN A LAW TIGERS TRIP–WIN A VIP BIKER CRUISE FOR TWO!
Hey,
The ultimate motorcycle adventure awaits on the High Seas Rally!
Prize Package Includes:
– All-expenses-paid Cruise for TWO
– Roundtrip airfare to Tampa, FL
– Deluxe drink package for two
DATES: OCTOBER 28 – NOVEMBER 4, 2023
PORTS OF CALL:
Tampa Bay, FL
Key West, FL
Cozumel, MEXICO
Costa Maya, MEXICO
ENTER TO WIN!
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEAR’S HIGH SEAS RALLY!
CO2 COALITION NEW UPDATE—
Virginia: Life Is Good and Getting Better Regional and State Report Series
The CO2 Coalition is embarking on a bold review of how climate change and increasing carbon dioxide are impacting states and regions across the United States. We have completed reports on Pennsylvania, Virginia, as well as the Midwest and are in the process of researching data for Arkansas and Montana. We will likely expand this to regions across the globe.
Temperature Source: U.S. Historical Climate Network
Atmospheric concentration of CO2 – European Environment Agency
The Virginia data is representative of what we are finding in each area:
- There is no unusual or unprecedented warming.
- Heat waves have been declining.
- Severe weather is not increasing.
- Crop and forest growth is increasing.
- Droughts are in decline.
- There is no increase in hurricanes.
- Remarkable trend in crop yield
Corn Yield Source: USDA Data and Statistics
Atmospheric concentration of CO2 – European Environment Agency
OUTLAW JUSTICE RETURNS—
My second book is coming alive again. I sold out shortly after Outlaw Justice was published about 1997, 10,000 books. As you know, the publishing industry changed and I ran the book on Bikernet, in Bandit’s Cantina but never printed anymore until now. This has been a long trek, but I felt it was necessary. This is an important book for any rider who is considering joining an outlaw club. It’s packed with lessons.
Brief description:
The Night Hawks MC were well-established in the Los Angeles outlaw biker scene, but the rugged one-percenters all dreamed of becoming members of the legendary national club known as The Devils Own. But how far would the club go to become heavy hitters? Danny Lonsdale and his bros discovered too late that flying a Devil’s patch meant selling your soul into a depraved world of drug-dealing, murder and betrayal. Framed for a murder he didn’t commit and double-crossed at every turn, Danny’s only hope for survival lied in the power of his fists, a hot rod Harley and a smoking gun.
Every page of OUTLAW JUSTICE brings you face-to-face with the raw and gritty double-barreled world of the outlaw biker, where treachery and deceit are the only markers on the road to hell.
BILL BISH PASSES—
And he just received a Silver Spoke Award. What a great guy, family man, biker, freedom fighter and publisher. He will be missed by thousands of riders and freedom fighters worldwide.
BIKERNET GUN NUT REPORT–IN-DEPTH:
States Stop Credit Card Companies From Tracking Gun Purchases, It May Not Last
Credit card companies were preparing to track the purchase of firearms and ammunition of every American citizen. While a flurry of bills lobbed by state legislators caused all of them to reconsider those plans, it may only be a temporary victory.
Almost one year ago, an effort was launched to create a new Merchant Category Code (MCC) to track the purchases of firearms and ammunition. However, inspired by the uproar of Second Amendment constituents, Republicans in the United States Senate, as well as lawmakers in several states, have launched legislative efforts that have successfully shut them down—for now.
On March 21, United States Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced SB 898. This bill prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from auditing a taxpayer based on the MCCs.
So far, seven states have joined the resistance.
On March 29, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice approved House Bill 2004. In summary, the measure will “prevent the use of payment card processing systems for surveillance of Second Amendment activity and discriminatory conduct.” The bill would also preclude financial institutions that violate this law from qualification in bidding on state contracts.
On April 6, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 295 into law, also prohibiting financial institutions from using MCCs to identify or track firearms purchases.
On April 16, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves approved HB1110. In addition to prohibiting the use of MCCs to identify or track firearms purchases in Mississippi, the measure prohibits state governmental agencies as well as public or private individuals from keeping any record or list of privately owned firearms or their owners. The legislation also warns that data collected from this MCC would almost inevitably end up in some federal government databases.
On April 29, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed HB1487 (pdf).
On May 12, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approved CS/SB 214.
On May 19, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed SB359 into law.
On June 10, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed HB2837, which will become effective on Sept. 1. The measure will prohibit financial institutions operating in Texas from requiring or assigning a firearms code, defined as “any merchant category code approved by the International Organization for Standardization for a firearms retailer, including Merchant Category Code 5723.”
On July 13, California’s legislators introduced a gutted and amended version of Assembly Bill 1587, originally introduced on Feb. 17 as a measure about the state’s Health and Safety Code regarding multifamily housing, which now requires credit card issuers to use the MCC unique to retailers of firearms and ammunition.
‘They’re Not Finished’
West Virginia Delegate Chris Phillips (R) called the legislative effort in his state “a caucus priority.”
–Epoch times
HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES SEMA-Supported Bills to Protect Vehicle Technology Choice
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has passed H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, and H.R. 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act. These SEMA-supported bills seek to preserve vehicle choice for consumers and prevent the federal government and the State of California from choosing only one form of technology (such as electric vehicles) (EVs) over the many others to achieve their emission reduction goals.
SEMA has strongly supported H.R. 1435, the “Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act,” a bill prohibiting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing a waiver to California for regulations that would ban the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) in the state by 2035.
SADDLEMEN BUILDING IN THE BLACK HILLS—Saddlemen seats are creeping into the Black Hills in a magnificent way. Dave, the boss built headquarters and refurbished a beautiful home between Rapid City and Sturge overlooking the Piedmont Valley.
We attended their industry party for fantastic food, industry insights and magnificent views. I can’t wait to see what happens at the Saddlemen headquarters next.
Many buyers of Lamborghini in Indian Diaspora: CEO Stephan Winkelmann
“There are more (Indian) owners than we sell cars in India. What is a bit of a challenge today for the Indian market, for sure, is the high taxation we have for our type of products, and then, the infrastructure,” Stephan Winkelmann told ET.
Wayfarer
Editor: Bikernet Blog & Facebook Page
BOB T. AND TANYA O’CALLAGHAN MAKING A VETERAN BIKER’S MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO—
I rode with Bob T. in 1971, he’s been a friend ever since. He lives in 12 Palms California in the desert and over the last couple of years faced major life-changing upheaval.
His life smoothed out with a new love and a new vibrant young neighbor Tanya who is well connected and working with Bob to improve his diet, his meditation skills and his overall outlook on life. She is also working with doctors and experts and five other Vietnam veteran bikers to improve their lives and produce a documentary on the process.
Hang on for more reports.
–Bandit
[page break]
THE EV FILES ARE OPEN—
Unsold Electric Cars May Be Signaling A Death Spiral For The Auto Industry.
Published August 1, 2023, at Heartland Institute
Ronald Stein is an engineer, senior policy advisor on energy literacy for the Heartland Institute and CFACT, and co-author of the Pulitzer Prize nominated book “Clean Energy Exploitations.”
With new EV inventories beginning to increase on dealer lots, the auto industry has many challenges such as locating the buyers that may have serious concerns about a wide range of issues related to EVs including:
- Driving range
- Vehicle reliability
- Price
- The availability of electricity for the buildout of the charging infrastructure,
- charging time
- The cost and lifespan of batteries and their environmental impact
- The actual impact EVs will have on reducing carbon emissions
The growing statistics about uncontrollable fires of lithium batteries in EV’s, problems with battery recycling and end-of-life management
Concerns that the EV free ride of usage of highways and not paying fuel taxes is about to end with the Vehicle Mileage Tax (VMT), i.e., more costs for the EV owners of the future
Concerns that home chargers are destined to follow the UK and be on separate meters so that EV charging will be at higher rates to help stabilize the electrical grid, again more costs for the EV owners of the future.
Another problem for the automobile industry is convincing the buyers that its ethical, moral, and socially responsible to buy an EV, especially since most of the exotic mineral and metal supplies to build the batteries are being mined in developing countries with limited environmental regulation nor labor regulations.
Interestingly, the 2021 Pulitzer Prize nominated book “Clean Energy Exploitations – Helping Citizens Understand the Environmental and Humanity Abuses That Support Clean Energy does an excellent job of discussing the lack of transparency to the world of the green movement’s impact upon humanity exploitations in the developing countries that are mining for the exotic minerals and metals required to create the batteries needed to store “green electricity”.
Complimentary to the book is a 2-minute clip from Michael Moore’s 2020 documentary film, Planet of the Humans, that’s been viewed by more than 14 million, that illustrates how so-called green electricity is made.
As the future is fast approaching, virtually all the automobile manufacturers, through government mandates to reduce the emissions of their fleet of vehicles, are going all-in to only manufacture EV’s in the coming years. To meet low emissions for their fleet of vehicles, we’re most likely going to see fewer and fewer hybrids as the auto industry manufacturers need to eliminate the gasoline engines in hybrids to meet those lower emission targets.
The problem is that manufacturers are loading up the “supply chain” with EV’s on dealer lots, but they’re not seeing the “demand” for EV’s coming from the public. The current EV ownership profiles of the elite owners are that they are:
- Highly educated.
- Highly compensated.
- Multi-car families.
- Low mileage requirements for the families’ second car, i.e., the EV.
Current EV owners are dramatically different from most of the vehicle owners. Unlike the profile of current EV owners, many are single-car owners, and most of the potential car buyers are not as highly educated, nor as highly compensated as the elite EV owners. Mandating a change to EV ownership and forced austerity may face a rebellion from those that need affordable vehicle transportation.
Historically, internal combustion engine (ICE) car sales in America are upwards of 55 million annually with about 15 million or 27 percent being new and 40 million or 73 percent being used car sales.
New vehicle sales: In 2022, the auto industry in the United States sold approximately 13.75 million light vehicle units. This figure includes retail sales of about 2.9 million passenger cars and just under 10.9 million light trucks.
Used sales: Sales of used light vehicles in the United States came to around 38.6 million units in 2022.
With a total of 50 to 55 million ICE vehicles being sold annually for new and used, it’s obvious that the auto industry and the economy has been benefiting and prospering in the used ICE car market.
To date, the EV industry has virtually no used car market! In addition to the constant EV charging challenges, who wants a used EV that may soon need an expensive battery replacement?
With about 73 percent of all car sales being that of used combustion engine cars, the lack of a resale market for EV’s may be a major problem for the auto industry.
Since most states lack the year-round temperate climate that Californians enjoy, the distribution of EV ownership throughout the nation should be a concern to the auto industry. With 40 percent of the EV’s in America being in California, that leaves the other 60 percent being among the other 49 States, or approximately 1+ percent per State.
To support the State’s EV growth, California imports more electricity than any other US state, more than twice the amount of Virginia, the second largest importer of electricity. California typically receives between one-fifth and one-third of its electricity supply from outside of the state.
The other 49 states have virtually non-existent EV charging infrastructures, and a few of them may be exporting their electricity to California!
With the supply of electricity not keeping abreast of the growing demand, the UK is ahead of most of the world, protecting its grid with Smart Chargers, and setting up Separate Meters for the EV charging users to pay for a new grid!
As of May 30, 2022, in the UK, new home and workplace chargers being installed must be “smart” chargers” connected to the internet and able to employ pre-sets limiting their ability to function from 8 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 10 pm.
In addition to the nine hours a day of downtime, authorities will be able to impose a “randomized delay” of 30 minutes on individual chargers in certain areas to prevent grid spikes at other times.
The UK Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 came into force on June 30, 2022. All home installed electric vehicle chargers are required to be separately metered and send information to the Smart meter data communications network. Potentially this legislation allows the electricity used for charging EVs to be charged and taxed at a higher rate than domestic electricity. The technology enacted also enables the rationing of electricity for EV charging because the government can decide when and if an EV can be charged, plus it also allows the EV battery to be drained into the grid if required.
As new EV inventories on dealer lots continue to rise, there are bumpy roads ahead for EV penetration into the lifestyles of the common folks.
Ronald Stein, P.E.
Ambassador for Energy & Infrastructure
Energy Literacy website
ANOTHER QUOTE OF THE WEEK–
“You must train your intuition—you must trust the small voice inside you which tells you exactly what to say, what to decide.” — Ingrid Bergman
from Epoch times
Salt Torpedo Chapter 27
I should write about Salt torpedo progress, but the 83rd Sturgis rally hit today, yikes. We have less than three weeks to prepare and roll to the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials is Wendover, Utah on the 25th.
Scrutineering has been the obstacle to our progress. Or should that be reworded. We’ve missed a couple of items or misread the rules, or… Anyway, we are scrambling to fix the fixes.
Watch for the report, episode 27 next week. And if you have any desire to sponsor a hard-fought Bonneville effort, reach out to Bandit@Bikernet.com quick.
–Bandit
FEATURE BIKE OF THE WEEK–
Angry Monkey Motorcycles: ‘Old Man’, Custom 1958 Triumph T110
www.angrymonkeymotorcycles.com
–Sam Burns
Bike Feature Editor
Bikernet.com™
HANG ON—The rally isn’t over. The final Hamster Ride takes place this afternoon. I’m supposed to meet with SugarBear out past the Full throttle this afternoon on his Chopper Flats property for a dire meeting in the hills.
Michael Lichter is still on the case shooting everything from the Ugly MC party in Sturgis to the Buffalo Chip, I believe for Dennis Kirk web site. He’s still in a lawsuit with the Easyriders Magazine effort that I believe failed again.
The Ugly party had the best food of all the events so far, magnificent. Today, SugarBear’s wife Fuji make some magnificent pizzas.
We hit the Hall of Fame breakfast and it was impressive. Flash the MC did a helluva job and you would be impressed by each and every inductee’s accomplishments in the motorcycle world. Amazing group of guys and girls.
[photo 1212780]
Dr. Hamsters flew out, so while he rode my ’14 Indian, I checked the oil in my ’69 Panhead and rode it and my ’46 Knucklehead to various events.
My grandson made it out and we attended the Buffalo Chip’s Industry Party in the building designed for Michael Lichter’s Motorcycles as Art Exhibit. After 22 years Mike stepped aside and the Chip staff took over, but they kept the exhibit in Michael’s stellar style.
I was very fortunate to have Tim Peterson of Flat Earth Art pinstripe the Salt Torpedo and our new SUV. Progress.
Watching for a sidecar setup for George Christie in Ventura. Let me know if you have anything.
I gotta ride, so it’s short this week, but freedom is in the air. See you next week.
–Bandit
