Continued From Page 2
BIKER TRIES TO MAKE A DECISION ON HIS BOAT MOTOR PURCHASE– Very nice… I was thinking about rigging my Sea Ray with a Mercury Motor and you certainly presented a compelling argument.
–from Bob Clark
NC LAW ENFORCEMENT HARASSING BIKERS. BIKERS PREPARE TO FIGHT BACK– 9/1/2007 Raleigh NC, (AMP) North Carolina is one of the few states that have had a universal mandatory helmet law continuously since 1967, but according to the NC Highway Patrol, the state has one of the top 10 worst safety statistics in the country. NC does worse, in terms of accidents, injuries, and fatalities than some states that allow lidless riders. Almost all who died in North Carolina wore helmets. Nevertheless, in 2007, legislators enacted, and Governor Easley signed a bill to change the helmet laws, “to give them more teeth”, on the recommendation of the Governors Highway Safety Program.
The new law, which is likely to be often contested on the grounds of vagueness, does not go into effect until January 1, 2008, but already there are reports of law enforcement officers issuing more tickets.
There were reports of an unmarked black Dodge Charger driven by Trooper JC Boroughs, Troop H, District VI, Moore County, pulling over bikers at Hwy 1 and 501 in Aberdeen. Janice, publisher of Bikers USA, and director of BOLT of NC (Bikers of Lesser Tolerance), interviewed the troop commander, on the record. Sgt. Williams said the law says the “helmets must be DOT Approved”. Upon hearing the law actually says helmets must be of a type approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, but the Commissioner does not maintain a list of approved helmets, and hearing that the DOT does not approve helmets, he said “if that’s the case, they can wear just about anything on their heads”. Rather than concede that they are misinterpreting the law, he suggested that until this is settled, we should tell people to wear DOT Approved helmets. Sgt. Williams was told that Bikers USA will advise people to obey the law as written, and bid him a nice day.
Evidently, Sgt. Williams did not believe there is no such term as a DOT Approved, in fact or in law. There are many references on the internet site for the US DOT to confirm the fact that DOT does not approve helmets. The NHTSA does not have statutory authority over state rights, and has no command over consumers and motorists, so it uses your tax dollars to fund grants to programs such as the NC Governors Highway Safety Program to accomplish its’ objectives by influencing states to adopt universal mandatory helmet laws. Local police departments which participate in roadblock operations, such as Click It or Ticket, are often rewarded with funding for such things as new radar detectors.
According to written correspondence from Claudia Covell, Safety Compliance Engineer with NHTSA DOT, “Since DOT or NHTSA does not “approve” any product, there is no list of “approved” helmets.”
The letter further states that testing is not conducted on all helmets, because this is a self-certifying process for manufacturers.
For an analogy, imagine if the FDA used taxpayer money to fund programs in states which pass laws that force all citizens to take pills that are self-certified by a manufacturer in China or Taiwan, even if the pills have serious side effects and can kill you.
It is not known whether or not we will be getting any more letters from the NHTSA. According to an article by the New York Times in August, 2007, the new director, Nicole Nason, a lawyer appointed by President Bush, has recently squashed all media communications with NHTSA subject matter experts. All interviews are now to be done only through political appointees.
BIKERNET SUNDAY PRODUCT RELEASE FROM RIVERA PRIMO, SEALED PRIMARY BEARING– When converting a stock primary drive to a dry clutch for belt drive use, the stock bearing can be replaced with RIVERA PRIMO’s sealed bearing, which is pressed into the inner primary.
Simply remove the OEM race from the transmission mainshaft(use our #34902-84 tool from Jims) for this portion of the job. The new bearing is a slip-fit on the mainshaft.
Fits all Evo 5-speed models.
PP-216 Sealed Inner Primary Bearing $ 18.91
For these & other fine products contact:
Rivera Primo
12450 Whittier Blvd. Whittier, CA 90602
Tel: 800-872-1515
Tel: 562-907-2600 Fax: 562-907-2606
www.riveraengineering.com
AFFORDABLE ON-PIECE BAGGER WHEELS OFFERED BY RMD BILLET– JASPER, MINN – August 31, 2007 – RMD Billet continues to create innovative, new products to help change a stock motorcycle into a one-of-a-kind custom bike. With aftermarket belt drives, custom wheels, pulleys, sprockets and rotors already available, RMD adds another wheel type to their expansive product list. Now RMD Billet is excited to offer more affordable one-piece wheels for Baggers.
RMD Billet Bagger Wheels are being offered as part of the new series “Black-Out Wheels.” Available for 2000 and newer models, the wheels are powder-coated in black satin or high gloss black. The design is machined onto the wheel after the powder-coating to give it a high contrast look. With six designs to choose from, the perfect Bagger wheel is ready and waiting at RMD Billet. Go ahead and change up that boring, standard wheel with a brand-new RMD Billet Bagger Wheel.
RMD Billet Bagger Wheels are one-piece wheels with matching pulleys, sprockets and rotors available. Machined and assembled from individual pieces of 6061 billet aircraft grade aluminum, these rollers contrast their smooth lines and contours with heavy duty, long-lasting quality. All of their hubs are assembled with sealed bearings and are manufactured for drive side, standard, or sprocket/brake set-ups.
Able to accommodate front wheel sizes from 18-21 inches in diameter and various widths, RMD Billet Bagger Wheels are perfect for a classic look. The rear wheel is available in an 18-inch diameter with a variety of width sizes. The unique contrast look is classy and will make any Bagger stand out from the rest. At $895 and up per wheel, making a change from the mundane has never been easier.
RMD Billet is a family-owned shop located in southwest Minnesota. RMD Billet products have been featured on bikes in national magazines such as Easyriders, Hot Bike, V-Twin, Hotrod Bikeworks, and Street Chopper. The staff at RMD Billet is friendly and concentrates on quality and unique products for those who want something other than the norm.
You can visit them on the web at
–J. Ken Conte
Rise Above Consulting LLC
(970)227-3588
1717 Deweese St.
Ft. Collins, CO 80526
Even The Blackest Day
Has A Little Bit Of Blue And Grey
It May Not Be The Sunshine Of Better Days
But it’s a Gleam Of Hope,
It’s That Hope
That Gets Me Through The Day
I’m Far From Strong
I Will Walk Away From Trouble
I Will Avoid A Fight
I’m A Survivor, Just Take A Look
At My Life
But If You Must Push Me
Until I No Longer Bend
If You Must Shove Me
Until I Break
I Can Not And Will Not
Be Held Responsible
For Your Painful Fate
You May Call Me Weak
A Pussy, Coward or Even Worse
Childish Words Thrown At Me
To Get A Reaction
Childish Boys Out For A Little Action
Words Won’t Break This Poet
I Am A Master Of Words
Rocks Can Crush My Hands
A Broken Jaw Can
Leave Me Without Speech
But You Will Never Own My Soul
You Will Never Break My Spirit
My Words Will Still Be Here
Long After I Have Gone
You’ve Kicked And Beat Me
I May Be On The Verge Of Being
Completely Broke
Stop While Your Ahead
You Can Laugh But This Rhyme Is No Fucking Joke
–Panhead Josh
SUPPORT OUR SERVICE MEN, MARINE KICK STAND AVAILABLE– Camarillo, CA, September 3, 2007 ? We support the armed forces! Image Motorcycle Products has released a new Marine’s Kickstand featuring a sleek, straight shaft with sculpted USMC logo at the kicker. IMP Kickstands are cast in aerospace quality stainless steel, heat treated and hardened to provide the best motorcycle accessories on the market.
We offer a 100% money back guarantee against breakage for life. Kickstands fit Softail/ FL style frames 1936 to 2006 and 2007 FL frames – $195.00.
For more information contact: Image Motorcycle Products, 1161 Calle Suerte Ste F, Camarillo, CA 93012
(800) 304-5838,
www.imagemotorcycle.com
THAT’S IT, IT’S MARGARITA TIME–I’m going for a ride. Need to contemplate the next couple of months and our plans for 2008. I know, I’m ahead of myself.
First we’re completing our Bonneville Effort write-up with the final chapter to be launched early in the week. We’ve also got a Johnny Humble tour of the Big Dog factory. The first goal for 2008 is to publish my first Chance Hogan book along with the 2007 Bonneville effort by Wolfgang publications. Our adventure for 2008 might be a ride to Alaska. I’m going to build a touring bike for Nyla’s brother and we’ll cover it on Bikernet. We’re also working with Kent at Lucky Devil’s in Houston on a mini-bobber for Sin Wu and I’m working with Lee Clemens to finish the Bonne Belle for Bonneville in 2009. That’s a 45 flathead with a K-model top end and a 5-speed Sportster transmission in a partial S&S Sportster case.
In the meantime we’re going to have some fun the rest of this year and next. How about Las Vegas Bike Fest, Palm Springs bike week, the Bikernet Smoke Out, Pro Street Custom Cycles Grand Opening in Hawaii, Rocky Point Whore House Run, Big Twin West show in Phoenix and the Easyriders show in Pomona. It’s non-stop. Watch for more features and reports next week.
Let’s Ride,
–Bandit
