RIP’S SUNDAY POST

Hey,

Never a dull moment. Today is Rip’s Bad Ride Day, and the San Fernando Hells Angels show. Yesterday we scrambled over to the Affliction Headquarters in Seal Beach for a car and bike show. This afternoon I’m headed for the harbor and a belt maker and the Ports of Call party. Always something.

I need to drag out the Sturgis Shovel and go for a ride. In just a couple of weeks I’m headed to New Orleans for the Long Road ride to the east coast for the SmokeOut. Plus Sturgis is just around the corner. Good god, the action is hot and heavy. I need to try to make my local ABATE meeting next Tuesday Night on the Chowder Barge, here in Wilmington. I missed two workouts this week, so I need to hit it twice as hard next week.

NEW BIKERNET KENNEL JUST OPENED–Here’s a complete litter that is
up for adoption.
–Snake
Bikernet Kennel Janitor

 

 

BIKERNET TECH TIP UPDATE– Got the Cycle Sounds kit on the bike. It was a pretty straight forward addition. Riding around the neighborhood is awesome but because of the volume needed to hear it on the freeway, it can be embarrassingly LOUD at stoplights. HAHAHA, people were looking over at me even if their windows were up.

DEFINITELY a system I’d recommend and I should get the full tech report to you soon. It was pretty cool riding to work and listening to some crazy tunes on the way without getting a headache from having to wear earphones. AWESOME!

All hardware and wiring were easily hidden under the seat, airbox, and in the neck area.
–Johnny

LAS VEGAS BIKEFEST ANNOUNCES TEAM EMPIRE, EXTREME FREESTYLE STUNT SHOW, FEATURING NICK BROCHA AND ERNIE VIGIL!–Las Vegas, Nevada, June 2, 2011: Amongst the activities at the 2011 Las Vegas BikeFest, an extreme freestyle stunt show with heart-stopping, breath-taking tricks is on the schedule throughout the weekend.

Team Empire’s Nick Brocha and Ernie Vigil, of E & N Entertainment will be performing their death-defying stunts. Nick “Apex” Brocha is a Street Freestyle competitor and show rider who has been riding professionally since 2005. Active in the national points series “XDL” he traverses the nation showcasing the limits of his motorcycles. He has performed at the Progressive Insurance International Motorcycle Shows, MotoGP events, and the Supercross finals.

Vigil started riding as a Race Tech support rider in early 2011, although he’s been setting the standard in Street Freestyle since 2001. Since then he has been around the world doing what he loves to do. He just completed “High Octane” for Discovery 3D TV, amongst a long list of TV and movie credits.

“We can’t wait”, commented Mindi Cherry, Event Organizer. “Brocha and Vigil are just the sizzle needed to top an already packed schedule at the 2011 Las Vegas BikeFest. Their act is so exciting – no one will believe it.”

They are part of a full schedule which includes the Artistry in Iron, Master Builders Championship, Miss & Mr. Las Vegas BikeFest competitions, poker runs, music, Limpnickie Lot entertainment, vendors and much more.

Registration and hotel reservations for the 2011 Las Vegas BikeFest are now available on the event’s website, www.LasVegasBikeFest.com. Las Vegas BikeFest 2011 will be held September 29 – October 2, 2011 at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas, NV 89101, as well as returning its headquarters to the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino on the world-famous and wildly popular Fremont Street Experience. More information regarding vendor space or event registration can be found at www.LasVegasBikeFest.com , or by calling 1-866–BIKEFEST (1-866-245-3337).

Lawmakers Back Ban on Funding for Motorcycle-Only Checkpoints–Federal lawmakers have sent a bipartisan letter to the leadership of a key U.S. House committee to urge support for a bill that prohibits federal funding for motorcycle-only traffic checkpoints, reports the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) .

The lawmakers are also urging support for a measure to retain a ban on lobbying at the state level by a federal traffic safety agency.

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and his colleagues sent the letter on May 25 to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as well as to the panel’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

The letter asks the panels to include H.R. 904 and H.Res. 239 in the surface transportation reauthorization bill now being considered by Congress.

H.R. 904 would prohibit the U.S. Transportation secretary from providing grants or any funds to a state or local government to be used for programs to check helmet usage or to create motorcycle-only checkpoints.

H.Res. 239 would support efforts to retain a ban on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) ability to lobby state legislators using federal tax dollars and urges the agency to focus on motorcycle crash prevention and rider education and training.

“These important pieces of legislation would ensure that the Department of Transportation (DOT) and NHTSA focus on proven methods of motorcycle safety,” the letter said. “NHTSA’s Motorcycle Law Enforcement Demonstration Program has not proven to be an effective use of taxpayer dollars.

“Through this program, the state of Georgia was provided a $70,000 grant to create motorcycle-only checkpoints to inspect rider compliance with DOT-compliant helmet regulations,” the letter said. “The checkpoints are not a proven method of ensuring motorcyclist safety, and have certainly not been an effective use of limited federal taxpayer dollars.

“We take motorcycle safety seriously and want NHTSA to focus its safety efforts on proven lifesaving methods,” the letter said. “Including H.R. 904 and H.Res. 239 in the surface transportation reauthorization bill would set the record straight, that the House of Representatives supports rider education, driver awareness, training and proper licensing as the best methods of preventing motorcycle crashes, not mandatory federal helmet laws.”

In addition to Sensenbrenner, others who signed the letter include Reps. Tom Petri (R-Wis.), Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa), Reid Ribble (R-Wis.), Ron Paul (R-Texas), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Bob Filner (D-Calif.), Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Mike Ross (D-Ark.)

–Rogue

MR. LUCKY SAVES THE DAY ON TWO PROJECTS–We are shifting some straight pipe customs over to moderately muffler scooters. As it turns out Ed Martin of Mr. Luckys is distributing light, classic shorty mufflers. You’ll see them installed on the Amazing Shrunken FXR and on our XS650 project in the near future.

 

The Chrome Shorty Mufflers (#ML267003) carry a retail price of $29.99 ea.
The powdercoated antique copper and brass versions sell for $49.99 ea. They are available exclusively from
“Mr Luckys” @ www.mrluckys.biz .

The main highlights for these Shorty mufflers are they’re short allowing a multitude of applications, either right or left side of bike, come with adjustable mounting strap for universal applications, sound sweet/not raspy, feature an inlet on one end for use with 1-3/4″ pipes and an inlet on the
other end for use with 1-1/2″ pipes. So, can be used on H-Ds as well as all the Triumphs, XS650s and other bikes with 1-1/2″ pipes……..no need for reducer sleeves. Best of all, they’re priced right.

 

SHERIFF MEDIA GROUP

S-36030 LAMMHULT

SWEDEN

BIKERNET STAFF COPY EDITOR GETS A VACATION– I’m on vacation for two weeks as of tomorrow. And I need the break; work on Bikernet has been absolutely hellish. I was about to kill the boss. I had to get away.

I’m headed down to Covington, LA to help a friend celebrate his retirement. I serviced, washed and waxed the Road King yesterday, and got my camping gear together. Now I just need to pack and load. I plan on rolling out of here Tuesday morning. Gotta pack a dang helmet so I can ride legal in Louisiana, damn it, thanks to ex-Governor Blank-O.

–Bruce Snyder
Colorado Springs, CO 80920

SUCCESS FOR THE NORRTALJE CUSTOM BIKE SHOW– Extra everything! With extra taste! With visitor record and Scandinavia’s best motorcycle builders in the City was this year’s Custom Bike Show everything you could wish for. In the best summer heat, Norrtälje was invaded of 8000 motorcycles and over 15 000 visitors who came to take part of this year’s Show.

The first Saturday every year is Custom Bike Show in Norrtälje, a center for Swedish and Scandinavian motorcycle builders. Here is the launch of all new construction and the country’s famous actors are in place. This year, the number of European exhibitors and visitors, were more than ever.

We have visitors from neighboring countries, Russia, the Baltic States, Germany, Holland, Austria and Italy, “said Twin Club President Micke Sandberg

See the whole story this week on Bikernet.

–Sheriff

MOTORCYCLE HELMET VOLUNTARY RECALL–“We know of many motorcycle helmets that fail yet I do not remember ever seeing a recall,” said
Rogue.

“Kinda interestin. One reported failure and they have a ‘voluntary’ recall that I saw on the evening news. Of course it is for the kids’ safety. Does anyone ever hear of recalls for motorcycle helmets?” said Hickory Doc.

Voluntary recall of about 33,000 helmets sold in the US and Canada by Wal-Mart and by Amazon. Bell had a report of a buckle breaking in the field, indicating that the buckles probably did not pass the CPSC standard.

The full CPSC press release . We have the text-only portions of it below:

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 892-6059 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Full-face bicycle helmets

Units: About 31,100 in the United States, and about 2,500 in Canada

Importer: Bell Sports, of Scotts Valley, Calif.

Hazard: The plastic buckle that connects the chin straps can fail, causing the helmet to come off the wearer’s head. This poses a head injury hazard to riders in the event of a fall.

Incidents: The firm has received one report of a buckle failing during an accident, resulting in an injury that required stitches below the wearer’s eye.

Description: This recall involves Bell Exodus full-face helmets with a plastic buckle on the chinstrap and model and part numbers listed below. The helmets have an angled visor and were sold in youth size. The model and part number can be found on a removable sticker located on the side of the helmet.

Color Part/Model Number
Orange/Grey/Black 1003825/035011898025
Blue/Grey/Gold/White/Black 1006714/035011917719

Sold by: Walmart stores nationwide and Amazon.com between August 2009 and March 2011 for between $50 and $60.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the helmets immediately and contact Bell Sports for a replacement or refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information call Bell Sports toll-free at (866) 892-6059 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, via email at answer_desk@bellsports.com , or visit the firm’s website at www.bellsports.com

–from Rogue

COMING UP, ANNUAL FLASHBACK CLASSIC CAR & MOTORCYCLE SHOW–
We are now accepting sponsorships for the 24th Annual Flashback Classic Car & Motorcycle Show being held Saturday, August 27th.
2011 Sponsorship Application
All Proceeds from Flashback go to the Kiwanis Scholarship Program, Community Organizations and to support Chamber of Commerce Business Improvement Programs. Your sponsorship may be tax deductible so please contact your tax advisor.

BIKERNET EXECUTIVE DROP BIKE– Dropped my fuckin’ bike yesterday at Bass Lake. It was a combination of a steep off-camber hillside covered with loose dirt and pine needles, and a too-liberal dose of Jack Black. I knew when I started up the hill that it wasn’t gonna end well, but I did it anyway. Now I gotta replace the damn air cleaner cover. Fuck! I just painted the bastard last month! At least it didn’t fuck up the tank.

Almost forgot… I agree with what’s his name. Ya gotta get Sin Wu ta start kickin’ down some free shit to the brothers! J Am I WHAT?? Drunk…? Well, uh… Yeah, I guess I am. Sorta…

–Buckshot

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY SQUIRRELLY WORD OF THE DAY–
avoirdupois av-uhr-duh-POIZ; AV-uhr-duh-poiz, noun:

1. Avoirdupois weight, a system of weights based on a pound containing 16 ounces or 7,000 grains (453.59 grams).
2. Weight; heaviness; as, a person of much avoirdupois.

Claydon . . . was happy to admit that he has shed some avoirdupois.
— Mel Webb, “Claydon’s loss leads to net gain”, Times (London), February 18, 2000

Yet until middle age and avoirdupois overtook her, Mary was no slouch.
— John Updike, “How to Milk a Millionaire”, New York Times, March 29, 1987

Tired of putting on and taking off the same five pounds? Don’t delay, buy this book today — and watch yourself shed both respectability and surplus avoirdupois!
— David Galef, “J. Faust’s Guide to Power And Other Self-Help Classics”, New York Times, December 18, 1994

Avoirdupois is from Middle English avoir de pois, “goods sold by weight,” from Old French aveir de peis, literally “goods of weight,” from aveir, “property, goods” (from aveir, “to have,” from Latin habere, “to have, to hold, to possess property”) + de, “from” (from the Latin) + peis, “weight,” from Latin pensum, “weight.”

LAWMAKERS BACK BAN ON FUNDING FOR MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS– Federal lawmakers have sent a bipartisan letter to the leadership of a key U.S. House committee to urge support for a bill that prohibits federal funding for motorcycle-only traffic checkpoints, reports the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) .

The lawmakers are also urging support for a measure to retain a ban on lobbying at the state level by a federal traffic safety agency.

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and his colleagues sent the letter on May 25 to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as well as to the panel’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

The letter asks the panels to include H.R. 904 and H.Res. 239 in the surface transportation reauthorization bill now being considered by Congress.

H.R. 904 would prohibit the U.S. Transportation secretary from providing grants or any funds to a state or local government to be used for programs to check helmet usage or to create motorcycle-only checkpoints.

H.Res. 239 would support efforts to retain a ban on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) ability to lobby state legislators using federal tax dollars and urges the agency to focus on motorcycle crash prevention and rider education and training.

“These important pieces of legislation would ensure that the Department of Transportation (DOT) and NHTSA focus on proven methods of motorcycle safety,” the letter said. “NHTSA’s Motorcycle Law Enforcement Demonstration Program has not proven to be an effective use of taxpayer dollars.

“Through this program, the state of Georgia was provided a $70,000 grant to create motorcycle-only checkpoints to inspect rider compliance with DOT-compliant helmet regulations,” the letter said. “The checkpoints are not a proven method of ensuring motorcyclist safety, and have certainly not been an effective use of limited federal taxpayer dollars.

“We take motorcycle safety seriously and want NHTSA to focus its safety efforts on proven lifesaving methods,” the letter said. “Including H.R. 904 and H.Res. 239 in the surface transportation reauthorization bill would set the record straight, that the House of Representatives supports rider education, driver awareness, training and proper licensing as the best methods of preventing motorcycle crashes, not mandatory federal helmet laws.”

In addition to Sensenbrenner, others who signed the letter include Reps. Tom Petri (R-Wis.), Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa), Reid Ribble (R-Wis.), Ron Paul (R-Texas), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Bob Filner (D-Calif.), Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Mike Ross (D-Ark.)

–from Rogue

NEXT MONDAY IS NATIONAL BREAST APPRECIATION DAY– Spread the slogan “We stare because we care!”–from Sarge

NEW JERSEY DRUNK DRIVER LAWSUITS–TRENTON — Drunken drivers who get into accidents may sue the taverns where they were overserved, under a split state Supreme Court decision Wednesday in an appeal by a Toms River restaurant being sued by a Brick man.

In a 5-2 decision, the state’s highest court said Frederick Voss, 47, of Brick is not barred by state law from suing Tiffany’s Restaurant on Route 37 in Toms River, where he had been drinking on Nov. 9, 2006 before being injured in a motorcycle accident on Hooper Avenue in Toms River. The ruling upholds a decision issued last year by the state Appellate Division of Superior Court.

Voss’ attorney, William A. Wenzel of Manasquan, said the message is that intoxicated drivers and licensed liquor establishments will be held accountable. Two justices and an organization seeking to curb lawsuit abuse disagreed with the decision.

“Today, drunk drivers can evade personal responsibility for their actions and sue restaurateurs in New Jersey for serving them drinks,” said Ann Marie McDonald, spokeswoman for the New Jersey Lawsuit Reform Alliance. The alliance had filed a brief with the court, siding with Tiffany’s.

The case involved two seemingly conflicting laws. One is a 1997 amendment to the state’s automobile insurance law containing a provision precluding intoxicated drivers from recovering damages for injuries in drunken-driving accidents. The other is a 1987 law designed to hold establishments responsible for negligently overserving patrons. The high court majority said, “There is no incompatibility between the two provisions.’’

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, Justices Virginia Long, Helen E. Hoens and Jaynee Lavecchia, and Judge Edwin H. Stern, temporarily assigned to the Supreme Court, said in their decision that both laws advance the goal of deterring drunken driving.

They said the legal principles of comparative negligence will see that responsibility is apportioned between the drunken driver and the liquor establishment.

Justice Barry Albin wrote a dissenting opinion, joined by Justice Roberto A. Rivera-Soto. Albin said the insurance law barring drunken drivers from suing is “crystal clear,’’ and the court’s majority, by its decision in the case, has rewritten it. McDonald agreed.

Voss had been drinking at Tiffany’s for several hours. His blood-alcohol content was nearly 2 times the legal limit when he ran a red light and was propelled 100 feet upon impact with a car. He suffered multiple fractures and permanent injuries.

Attorney Richard S. Ranieri, representing Tiffany’s, argued before the Supreme Court on March 14 that Voss’ lawsuit against the restaurant should be dismissed based on the provision in the auto insurance reform law. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.

Wenzel said the high court’s decision is final. Tiffany’s cannot file an appeal in federal court since the case raises no constitutional issues and involves New Jersey law.

–from Rogue

BIKERNET SENT AN ALERT FROM THE AARP–About a third of riders are 50+ and so are 10% of new riders. Some of these recent riders are empty nesters buying their first bike, eager to indulge their motorcycle fantasy while others are returning riders who like all bikers, crave exhilaration and the promise of adventure in every mile. The latest issue of AARP The Magazine shares tips on pick your bike and rules for first-time buyers:

Pick Your Bike
· Cruisers: Can you see yourself sporting a black leather jacket and slurring, “Let’s split,” a la Marlon Brando? If so a cruiser is your bike! Cruisers are low and lean street bikes that come in Asian and American models.

· Baggers: These bikes are the biggest trend among older riders. Popular models feature tall windshields, ample storage in hard saddlebag, and plush seating. Many include heated seats and grips, CD players, and GPS units.

· Scooters: Priced $2,100 to $9,000 depending on make and model, scooters can get 55 to 100 mpg. Great first bikes for those who want to start out small and smart. (http://www.aarp.org/entertainment/arts-leisure/info-05-2011/motorcycles-and-rides.html )

Rules for First-Time Buyers
1. Never buy a motorcycle on a whim– Do some test riding to make sure you really want to commit to buying a bike.

2. Don’t be seduced by horse power- It’s better to buy a smaller-displacement motorcycle to learn the basics- then move up a class.

3. Find out what insurance will cost- The faster your bike can go and bigger its engine, the more you will pay for motorcycle insurance. Some Insurance providers: Foremost (AARP), GEICO, Progressive, and State Farm

4. Take a rider’s course – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Course(800-446-9227); msf-usa.org) is the best way to learn to ride.

Feel free to share with your readers with a link!

–Brenae

Now you know.–Bandit

BIKERNET INSURANCE WEEKEND MEMO–Injured in a motorcycle accident? Who will cover your medical expenses?

So you decided to buy Medical Payments Coverage on your motorcycle insurance policy. Smart move or a waste of money?

“MedPay”, as this coverage is commonly called, covers medical expenses for you and your passenger when you are injured in an accident. It is designed to pay for expenses such as medical bills and/or funeral bills up to the policy limit. This coverage applies regardless of who is at fault.

You will note that most motorcycle insurance policies do not provide large amounts of medical payments coverage since most people carry health insurance either though private purchase or as provided through work. Limits therefore tend to range from $1,000 to $25,000. The cost of this coverage averages $8.00 to $20.00 per month. In some states, “MedPay” only applies after all other medical insurance is exhausted.

How this coverage works?
Say you sustain $25,000 in injuries from a fall off your bike when you turned too quickly and lost control. And, say you don’t have any medical insurance from your employer. In this case, you can use your MedPay coverage from your motorcycle insurance policy to cover your injuries, up to the limit amount you purchased. But, you decided to purchase a medical payment limit of only $10,000, so you would need to pay for the remaining $15,000 in medical expenses from your own pocket. Ouch! Our advice: Always buy the most limit you can afford when it comes to medical payments insurance folks.

Deductibles?
Some insurance companies will waive the deductible ($50 to $250) if the injured bikers were wearing a DOT approved helmet at the time of the accident causing personal injury.

What about funeral expenses?
It is important to note that medical payments insurance often provides coverage in one area not covered by typical medical/health insurance policies you may get from work. That is, funeral expenses. This alone is a good reason to always add medical payments insurance to your motorcycle insurance policy.

Medical Bills Are Expensive
The best way to protect your wallet from motorcycle-related injuries is to purchase a medical/health insurance policy. If you do not have such a policy from your employer or through another private source, you should definitely buy the maximum amount of limits possible from your motorcycle insurance policy. Warning: Please double-check your employer-provided medical insurance policy to make sure it does not exclude injuries sustained from motorcycle-related accidents. Some companies have added this exclusion in recent years in an effort to save money on their employee health insurance costs.

There you have it friends. Insurance told like it is for your benefit. Please remember, coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in your specific motorcycle insurance policy. Always read you insurance policy and understand what is covered and not covered. Call us for a quick double-check if ever in doubt.

DISCOUNT ALERT: Cantina Members get a 10% discount from Dairyland Cycle when members buy a policy from Bikernet Insurance. Go Ahead! Get excellent overage at 10% off.

Ride safe out there. We care about you.

The Crew at Bikernet Insurance

Toll Free Anytime: 888-467-8703
Fax: 858-693-8703
Email for fastest response: clientservice@bikernet-insurance.com
Agents serving 20 states. States added as required to serve customers.
Resident State: CA Agency 0G67810. Principal Agent 0D71028

CHECKPOINTS COME TO CALIFORNIA–As Angeles Crest Highway Re-Opens, CHP Gears Up for Motorcycle Safety.

The California Highway Patrol will step up enforcement on Highway 2 through the end of September.

As the the California State Department of Transportation is poised Friday to re-open Angeles Crest Highway, a sinuous stretch of road beloved by bikers, the CHP will step up enforcement.

The Crest’s sweeping turns and steep cliffs demand motorcyclists navigate the road with care and at a controlled speed, and the California Highway Patrol plans to help folks remember this through the Motorcycle Safety Coalitions grant, the agency announced Wednesday. CHP Public Information Officer Ming-Yang Hsu declined to release the amount of the grant.

The grant, which provides enhanced enforcement effort by CHP officers through September 30, will focus on traffic violations made by motorcyclists, as well as other vehicle drivers that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities, according to a CHP press release.

“Angeles Crest has one of the highest accident rates in the state,” Hsu said, adding the CHP waited to make the grant announcement until Caltrans’ announcement of reopening the road.

According to data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, 164 motorcycle-involved collisions occurred on Route 2 from Starlight Crest Drive to state Route 39 in Los Angeles County between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008. Among the collisions, eight were fatal, seven of which were the result of unsafe speed. Of those, speed was the primary collision factor for 98 of the accidents.

Therefore, in an effort to reduce the number of motorcycle-involved fatal and injury collisions along the 38-mile stretch of highway patrolled by the Altadena Area office, the CHP will establish a task force and develop and implement a public awareness campaign by working with local agencies and community members.

Funding for this grant was provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

–By Donna Evans
–from Rogue

30 YEARS OF FREEDOM —Freedom Isn’t Free and we should all be aware of that, someone has had to pay the price for all that we have and cherish. This freedom means different things to different people and the dictionary describes it as: state of being at liberty rather than in confinement, but it also says: Freedom of Choice is the power to make one’s own choices or decisions without constraint from others and continues with other examples…

Rogue wrote this piece for the Buffalo Chip’s 30th Anniversary publication. I’m also working on a piece for Ken Conte and his staff on cultural changes within bikerdom during the 1981-2011 history. You’ll be able to read Rogue’s entire piece on Bikernet next week.

WIND ‘EM UP–It’s time to get on the road with the ol’ lady and do something, even if it’s wrong. A brother and his lady came over for dinner last night. He once ran strip joints in another state. He mentioned that the guys would hit the strip joints with their brothers on Saturday nights, then on Sunday take their girlfriends out for a ride to biker gathering spots, and hang out, so they could get a good night’s rest and hit the work force on Monday.

So there you have it the Weekend doctrine of family survival within the motorcycle culture. Next week we hope to bring you our first XS build tech. My grandson is making a run to Spitfire tomorrow with my Metalsport wheels, our Custom Cycle Engineering classic dogbone risers and my CCE swingarm axle. I’ve got my fingers crossed again that this is the week to pick up our rollers and get to work on the Mudflap girl FXRs.

This week I’ll bring you Rogue’s Freedom article for the Chip 30th, Quick Throttle Art’s girls of Singapore and bikes, another Robert Stewart product review, and Kevin Thomas has a few more books and the Born to Ride movie DVD to review. And it looks like we have another Tom Foster Crazy Fast Cracker softail custom feature headed your way. Oh, and don’t forget the Sheriff’s Swedish bike show coverage. Hang on, it’s going to be a busy week.

Get out there and have some fun.

Ride forever,

–Bandit