Hey,
How do you feel today? I’m sorta on edge. I’m prepping for the run to Vegas BikeFest. Did you know the Chinese are planning to build a high-speed train from Los Angeles to Vegas. That could be the shit and we could dodge airports.
The ride to Vegas primarily involves one fucking freeway, the 15. It weaves out of the LA basin into the high desert, to Hisperia, Victorville, then Barstow. From that point it’s all desert to Baker (an ugly dried up berg), and then the Nevada border in Primm, and another 25 miles to Glitz City, for a total of 275 miles.
I went on a bent recently to find another way to Vegas. Heading out I found only one alternative, and it’s not good enough. You can ride Interstate 15 to Baker and peel off to the 127 due North to Shoshone and into Nevada at Pahrump, home to several world class whorehouses. That was a blast last year.
Let’s hit the news, and then I’ll cover more routes, so maybe we can slice into 74 Palms on the return trip and try to find Bob T. who lives in a ’59 Cadillac under one of those palms.
Rebuilding The S&S Shorty Series Carbs
This article very helpful. I rebuilt a S&S shorty E. The problem I am having is the butterfly assembly sticks when the spring assembly is put on. Any suggestions?
— Paul
paulcoburn@yahoo.com
Hampton, VA
Two things:
1. More than likely the throttle plate is not positioned just right. And it has to be just right! The best way to assemble one of these things is to put the throttle spool on the shaft, and install the return spring at the same time as the throttle shaft is installed. Then you install the accelerator pump actuator and spring. The last thing you install is the throttle plate. That way the springs are already in place and the shaft has found its home, and can’t move sideways any more.
2. Positioning the throttle plate is a pretty critical operation. The plate may look round, but it is actually oval shaped. It will only fit in the carb throat if it is inserted with the screw holes parallel to the throttle shaft. That way you are sliding the smallest dimension into the throat.
It can be a learning experience, not only in carb assembly, but sometimes in vocabulary. Then you need to adjust it so that when the plate is closed, it contacts the throat of the carb all the way around. It takes some finagling.
OK, one more thing. If you continue to have problems, please call our tech line at (866) BIG-BORE (244-2673), and those guys can talk you through it.
–Bruce Tessmer
S&S
THE LASTEST 5-BALL RACING MODEL COMPETITION– This is my vote, Chelsey Mac! She’s got it, Bro!!
Check her out.
Have Markus Cuff get hold of her damn it!
She does hail from Calgary though.
–PSD
NEW ARTIST COMES TO BIKERNET–
Hi my name is Stephanie Russell. I am a watercolor artist from New Hampshire and I primarily paint motorcycle portraits.
‘I have been getting a lot of my artwork out into the motorcycle world but am looking to branch out further. I am hoping one of you editors will see my work and help lead me with how to go about either having a feature in your well know and read magazine or even how to go about placing an add.
My goal is to have every motorcycle owner and enthusiast one one of my paintings. Attached are a few recent paintings I have been commissioned to do in the past few months.
–Stephanie Russell
May.monroe@hotmail.com
603-479-5420
https://www.facebook.com/StephanieRArt
THE BILLY LANE GARAGE REPORT–
Many of you have asked what I’m working on lately. As those of you who stopped by to see me at the Broken Spoke Campground during Sturgis know already, my main project is Sons of Speed.
Sons of Speed is a motorcycle race inspired by early 20th-century board-track racing and featuring stripped-down bikes with pre-1925 1000cc American V-Twin engines. It’s something I’ve been interested in and wanting to do for years.
I’ve been particularly busy the last few months finding the parts to build six bikes for racing, and now it’s heads-down until the race at New Smyrna Speedway during Daytona Bike Week. Some of the people who will be joining me in March are Rick Petko from American Chopper (on a 1920 Indian), Jay Allen of the Broken Spoke (on a 1913 Thor), Xavier Muriel of Buckcherry (on a 1919 Harley-Davidson), Harley dealer Shelly Rossmeyer (on a 1915 Harley-Davidson) and my brother Warren Lane (on a 1919 Indian). And I’ll be riding either a 1913 Mack or a 1913 Indian.
If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you’ll be able to watch my progress, which earlier this month included going to a swap meet in Davenport, Iowa. It didn’t disappoint; I scored a 1917 Indian Powerplus and 1913 Indian Model E. And Erin has been working on our Sons of Speed merchandise, which you can see in our new online store: http://shop.sonsofspeed.bike/
If you’ll be at Biketoberfest next month, you can see me and some of my work in person. I’ll be set up on Main St. at 2-Wheelers (740 Main Street), which is just down from Froggy’s Saloon. Hope to see you there.
Thanks again for your comments, interest and support.
–Billy
NEW TO BIKERNET TRIKES— The Triking Viking has been hard at it, covering the Trike World on Bikernet Trikes.
http://www.bikernettrikes.com/pages/Rocky_Low_One_Mans_Junk.aspx
http://www.bikernetbaggers.com/pages/Brads_BAD_DAD_Road_Glide.aspx
THE AUSTRALIAN NAZI FILES OPENED– South Australian club members of declared motorcycle clubs both past & present are to be banned from gun ownership
Every former and current motorcycle club member in South Australia and criminals convicted of a range of offences will be banned from owning guns under new legislation that declares firearm ownership to be “a privilege, not a right.”
The rewrite of the Firearms Act, which declares firearm ownership to be “a privilege, not a right,” will also significantly tighten the storage requirements for gun owners and, for the first time, expiation notices will be issued for minor breaches.
It will also create a range of new offences and increase the penalties for some existing ones. The intention is to improve community safety and prevent gun-related crime.
Police Minister Tony Piccolo said the new Act had been drafted following a year of extensive consultation with stakeholders including farming groups, sporting shooters, victims of gun crime, former members of the judiciary, police and the Australian Crime Commission.
He said the underlying principle of the new Act was that gun ownership was “a privilege and not a right and ensuring public safety was the overriding priority.”
Under the new Act, the issuing of Firearms Prohibition Notices will be significantly expanded to automatically include all former and current members of declared motorcycle clubs or any person subject to a control order under the Serious and Organized (Control) Act.
At present, any club member can legally own a registered firearm, unless they are subject to a prohibition notice.
“We do not think being a member of a bikie gang and being a gun owner is a good mix,’’ Mr Piccolo said.
And under the fit and proper persons test, any person convicted from July 1 of a drug offence or an offence involving violence will also be banned from owning a gun for a period of five years.
“The link between drug crime and firearms is clear,’’ Mr Piccolo said. “If you are convicted of a drug-related offence and a number of other violence-related offences you will be unable to own a gun.’’
Under the new Act, every license holder will have to show a genuine reason for owning a firearm under 12 “authorized purpose’’ categories. Self-protection is not sufficient justification for gun ownership.
“It will ensure that only people who use firearms for lawful purposes will have guns,’’ Mr Piccolo said.
“We have tried to ensure the new laws are both practical and easier for legitimate gun owners to comply with but, at the same time, minimize the risk to the community.
“The Act states that gun ownership is a privilege and not a right.”
“We are not America, you do not have a right to a gun to protect yourself. If you want a gun to protect yourself, that is an admission of the breakdown of civil society.’’
Police figures reveal there are 294,446 firearms registered in SA and 65,497 registered gun owners.
One of the most significant changes is to provisions surrounding the storage of guns.
A new code of conduct will be introduced to ensure storage and security requirements increase, depending on the number of weapons owned by an individual.
“For example, if you have one gun, the risk is minimal, but if you have 20 or 30, there is a greater risk should someone break in,’’ Mr Piccolo said. “Gun owners will be required to have a greater level of security on a risk-based scale.’’
A comprehensive code of conduct — to be formulated in conjunction with shooting groups — will be introduced by regulation after the legislation is proclaimed on July 1 next year, if it passes both Houses of Parliament.
Expiation notices of between $210 and $315 will also be introduced for minor breaches of the code of conduct, such as failing to secure very small amounts of ammunition.
“Previously, a very minor breach such as that would have ended in court. This is a commonsense way of dealing with very minor breaches because we understand that sometimes people make inadvertent errors,’’ Mr Piccolo said.
The laws will also be relaxed where farmers are concerned to allow a person other than the license holder to have access to a firearm — for example, when a farmer’s partner needs to access the stored weapon if requested by the farmer.
The new Act will also allow for the introduction of a permanent gun amnesty under which those who own a weapon that is either not licensed or no longer wanted can surrender it without penalty.
Incredible. Sounds like Nazi Germany. Then the want heightened gun ownership security because they know they can’t protect their citizens. But then how can a citizen protect themselves? Sneaky shit.–Bandit
QUICK OPEN THE BAD JOKE LIBRARY– Life is short. Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never – EVER, regret anything that made you smile.
Back and forth . . ..Back and forth . . ..In and out . . . .In and out . . . .A little to the right ..A little to the left . . . .She could feel the sweat on her forehead . . . .Between her breasts . . . .And, trickling down the small of her back . . . .She was getting near to the end. He was in ecstasy . . . .with a huge smile on his face as his wife moved . . .Forwards then backwards. . . .Forward then backward. . . .Again .. . . .and again . . .
Her heart was pounding now . . . .Her face was flushed . . . .She moaned . . . .softly at first, then began to groan louder . . . .Finally .. . . .totally exhausted . . . .she let out a piercing scream . . . . “OK, OK, you smug bastard, I can’t parallel park. You do it!!!!
–from Rogue and Jerry
TEXAS BIKERNET DRAG RACING PHOTOGRAPHER HIT WITH SHRAPNEL– I think this is a first for me, caught the debris coming off the tire as he started his burnout. Usually, I capture a tire, and then the tire with smoke.
Kept trying to figure out what the distortion was by the helmet. I shared it on FB that’s why it has the larger marking.
–RFR
Officially certified Bikernet Action Photographer
NEWS FROM THE OHIO MILE— The Ray C. Wheeler Bikernet 5-Ball Racer is running like a rocket, but so far can’t race at the Ohio Mile. Two days’ straight it’s been too windy to hit the track. “I’m ready, but it’s to windy!” Said Ray.
Pray for surf.
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Illinois is known as the Land of Lincoln, but the title of this e-newsletter is also a motto the state has used to promote tourism. Since Illinois also collects hundreds of millions of dollars annually from motorists for everything from tolls to speeding and red-light camera tickets, it wouldn’t surprise us to learn that many government administrators automatically hear ka-ching whenever the magnificent mile slogan is uttered.
Take the following story as a case in point. A Wisconsin-based friend of the NMA shared his plight with us to see if we had any suggestions. His is a tale of a system that is designed to extract as much money from the citizenry as possible and of hard lessons learned:
In 2011 I got a speeding in a construction zone ticket in Illinois (of course). The thing about it was that there was no construction going on and it was mid-day during the week, so the road was packed. If I was going any slower then I was, I would have literally been run off the road. There were infinity cars in front of me and behind me all very close so I literally was going with the flow. Obviously Illinois seems to do these traps on purpose because when I showed up for court everyone in the courtroom was there for the same ticket given in the exact location as I was. They actually had people stand up in rows to all plead at once. I assume they had the entire day scheduled that way as I was just one time slot with hundreds of people for that same time slot.
But I digress. I pleaded guilty as literally everyone did, and was more or less encouraged to, and went on my way. I thought I had paid before leaving so I didn’t have to go back there again. Four years went by, while never thinking about it again, with no calls or letters in the mail, etc. Suddenly three weeks ago I saw a ding on my credit for the ticket I got in 2011!
So, I called to take care of it right away (I called them mind you, still no contact from them to me). I was ready to pay and give them my credit card info over the phone, but right before he was about to run it he verified the total with me. To my surprise it was almost double the original ticket! They let massive interest build on the ticket without me knowing it was even still owed for four years.
I told them there was no way I was going to pay that as it was completely unfair for me to have to fund their bankrupt state by means of shady tactics. I am sure you saw John Oliver recently do a huge piece on municipal fines and how he can’t believe it is legal to do things exactly like this.
At the end of the call the guy said he would see what he could do and give me a call back. Of course he never did. So three weeks later I called them back. This time they claimed they couldn’t find my information and just referred me to the circuit court office. They informed me that the only thing I could do is file a motion to have the collection fees dropped which would require me sending a certified letter and then going to court (back in Illinois).
I just wanted to see what your opinion on the matter was. Should I move forward with all that? Is it better to just suck it up and pay nearly $800 on an original $500 ticket that was a scam to begin with?
Where do we start? A double-the-penalty construction zone ticket when workers aren’t even present is something we have lobbied against for years. The cattle-call processing of speeding ticket guilty pleas in traffic court is not the court’s fault; that is on the drivers for caving so easily and not challenging the system. (A system, we might add, that in most places begins negotiating at the slightest whiff of resistance by the defendant rather than expend the resources to try the matter in court.)
Our suggestions to our beleaguered colleague caught in the clutches of the Illinois ticket machine, knowing that his original plea of guilty severely limits his options:
Contact the credit agencies and contest the ding on your record. It would help if you have proof that you paid the original ticket or have tried to work things out with the court or the collection agency.
Negotiate with the collection agency. Despite any hardball positions they might take, everything is negotiable. They’d rather get something rather than nothing. Ask them for a breakdown of the interest and collection costs that increased the ticket from $500 to $800 and offer to settle for a reduced amount, perhaps the base ticket cost plus reasonable interest.
The state charges something like 9 percent interest in cases like this, which is well above current rates. Offer to pay them less, perhaps 4 percent interest, and have them forgo the collection costs—let them tell you what their costs are first—because it is clear that since you’ve not been contacted in the four years since the traffic penalty was established, they have not expended much (if any) effort to find and notify you.
Make sure any agreement is in writing and shows that you have cleared the matter by paying the original ticket and agreed-upon penalty.
Even if you decide to pay the full $800, make sure you have it in writing that the debt has been paid in full, so that you can go about clearing your credit record.
Ultimately, the responsibility for an unpaid ticket and its consequences are on the motorist. The government is perfectly happy to let the penalty accrue interest over time or to engage a collection agency to extract an additional pound of flesh.
To quote the recently departed philosopher extraordinaire Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”
–NMA, National Motorist Association
–from Rogue
WEEKEND DEAL FROM CHOPPERTOWN–
This weekend we got a great five-movie bundle about the granddaddy rally of them all, Sturgis!
The Million Motorycle series will definitely surprise you with some great in-depth interviews and footage from the biggest show on earth. Enjoy guys!
“Good films with a thorough mix of people, motorcycles, and scenery. Enjoyable recreation viewing. Meaning it almost gives you the feeling of being there.” ~David C.
–Zack and Scott
www.choppertown.com
I wanted to reach out and share a heartwarming act I was recently honored to be a part of. I know Bikernet has never had too many contributions from the Christian biker culture, but your boy is starting to dabble in it. Events like this past weekend only pulls me stronger into that direction as I feel led to help where I can.
Last year my wife and I joined a new Sunday School class that had a common interest, motorcycles. It is called Humble2Road, a class out of Humble Area’s First Baptist Church here in Humble, Texas. I was not very excited about the class as I pictured a bunch of dorks, who would be riding motorcycles for the first time, going out on goofy rides together listening to their silly stories about approaching a “real” biker at gas station or restaurant.
Reluctantly, I joined the class and spent most of the time listening and watching. Because of my job, or kids’ sports, or basically any excuse I could ever come up with, I do not attend every week. I did attend a couple of the rides over the past year, and was surprised by the group as they were not like I expected at all. To be honest, every time I have been around any of them, I have generally felt uplifted and leave feeling better than I had before…it is kind of weird.
Wednesday last week, I received a phone call from a close friend whose sister-in-law had tragically passed away. Terry has been a close friend of the family for years. He’s an ex-Marine who is also a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo at the same school my wife and I trained at, Henderson’s ATA.
He is well known in the area as a stand up guy who would do anything he could to help anyone who needs it, helping me personally on more than one occasion. He asked if there was any way I could arrange for a few bikes to lead the funeral procession that Saturday in Nederland, Texas, a ride of close to 100 miles one way. I told him I’d take care of it and get back with him as soon as I had more information.
I made a few phone calls and was immediately hit with more excuses than I could describe even if I was trying to. Nobody was available to make the ride…
–Johnny Humble
Hey, okay I’ll let you have your day, but don’t call me El Bandito. You’re from Texas, goddammit. Read the whole story next week on Bikernet Special Reports
–Bandit
THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS STILL OPEN– I was at the bar last night waiting for a beer, when a big ugly, heifer-size gal came up behind me and slapped me on the butt.
She said, “Hey sexy, I dig old guys – how about giving me your number.”
I looked at her and said, ”Have you got a pen?”
She said, “ I sure do.”
I said, “Well, you better get back into it before the farmer notices you’re missing.”
My dental surgery is set for Monday…
–from Rogue and Jerry
RIDE THE MEDITERRANEAN– As a fellow biker I am sure you will be interested in our new 10 Best Mediterranean Riding Road Guide. We recently compiled it from our team’s favorite rides of the region.
It is yours as a free download at this link, and I hope reading it will open you up to these less known adventure riding destinations.
–Happy Trails,
Eytan Magen | Managing Director
TAMAR Mediterranean Mototours Ltd.
· Name: Brews & BBQ Festival
· Date/Time: Saturday, October 24, 2015 from 1pm – 6pm
· Location: Spa Resort Casino – 401 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262
· Components of the event:
· Special Appearance by Stunt Performer Robbie Knievel, who will perform a death-defying jump at the event (Tentatively set for 5:00pm)
· Breweries from the Southern California area will be in attendance to offer tastings of their own craft brews. Participating Breweries include: Hangar 24, La Quinta Brewing Co., Coachella Valley Brewing Co., Ballast Point, 10th & Blake, Babes Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse and more! Spa Resort Casino is partnering with Palm Springs Rotary Club
· Live Band “Shaken Not Stirred” performing throughout the day
· Food vendors from the valley: Grills Gone Wild, Smoke Tree BBQ & Grill, Las Casuelas Terraza and more!
· Kid Friendly Attractions
· Admission: All ages welcome
Adult 21+: Cost $15, Includes entry plus Souvenir Tasting Glass
Designated Driver, Kids & Young Adults Ages 4 – 20 years old: Cost $10
Kids Ages 3 and Under FREE
· Tickets available for purchase at the Paradise Rewards Club located in Spa Resort Casino, or SpaResortCasino.com
· Palm Springs Motorsports showcasing their Motorcycles, ATVs, etc.
· Partnership with Palm Springs Rotary Club, proceeds from alcohol sales to benefit the Club
Krystina Belcher, Special Events & Promotions Manager
Email: kbelcher@srcmail.net
Desk: 706-883-1087
Cell: 760-992-4376
Michael Potts, Director of Casino Marketing
Email: mpotts@srcmail.net
Cell: 760-275-0720
MORE SHOTS FROM TEXAS DRAGS– I’d say they are teasers, but these were two of the coolest shots there! And some TF, I’ll get some words together and send the rest in a day or so.
–RFR
–Joe Smith
SPRINGFIELD DEAL OF THE WEEKEND– Pistol Made for Champions.
Win a 1911 Range Officer Champion™ Today
We’re here for one last “Range Officer Sunday” in DUEL 3 – want to win a 1911 pistol, a $900 value? All you have to do is duel…
One lucky winner will receive our incredibly performing 1911 Range Officer® Champion 9mm.
Check out the video below for the full scoop on the big prize.
To participate in the promotion, just visit DUEL.Springfield-Armory.com/Vote. Your votes will enter you to win both today’s prize and the DUEL 3 grand prize. The grand-prize winner will be announced Thursday, Oct. 1.
Upcoming DUEL 3 Prizes:
Sept. 28: “Monday Gun Day” – M1A™ Super Match
Sept. 29: “Tactical Day” – $7,500 prize package, including 1911 Silent Operator®
Sept. 30: Grand Prize – $6,100 prize package, including:
1911 Custom Handgun from Springfield Custom™ Shop
Travel and lodging for trip to visit Springfield Armory
Range time with world-champion shooter Rob Leatham
Lifetime membership to National Rifle Association (NRA)
Ammo package from Atlanta Arms
WIND ‘EM UP— This next week I’ll scramble on several fronts. I hope to launch the Todd’s Shovelhead bike feature and I’ll start to work on a Samson exhaust tech.
But I will also check maps of Southern California for hideouts and alternative routes to and from Vegas, like Needles highway toward Laughlin and Interstate 10 to 13 Palms, to the notorious Amboy. You know we’re going to try something completely strange, but we’ll get there to party with the bros on Freemont street.
Hang on for reports from the desert.
–Bandit
