Hey,
I did it again. Just as I removed a major project from my list I found another one. Oh, but the Redhead sold the 5-Ball Racing Van right out from under me. I no longer have a 4-wheeler.
I tried to hook up a LIFT account so I could get around. Last night the Redhead and I drove to Seal Beach to for an astrology meeting next to the pier. I learned about the new telescopes actually called newtonian reflectors, or Celestrons. A bunch of enthusiasts were set up on the park, with their computerized tracking scopes aimed at Saturn (9 million miles away), Jupiter (5 million miles away) and Mars (not sure).
They set up then allowed the public to view. There were standard telescopes, manual reflectors and automated devices, and in each case the enthusiast was on hand to discuss the planets and the scopes with folks.
The Redhead looked at me and said, “Why don’t builders do the same for young bikers. Set up some place so young inquisitive kids can ask questions?”
I suppose Indian and Harley Demo Rides at events do the same to a certain extent. In a sense Jeff “The Prince” Najar tried to do the same at bike shows where he encouraged builders to stand with their bikes and embark in discussions with potential builders and customers.
Interesting. Let’s hit the news.
MRF REPORTS RIDING FREE FROM DC–Your Motorcycle Riders Foundation team in Washington, D.C. is pleased to provide our members with the latest information and updates on issues that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. Count on your MRF to keep you informed about a range of matters that are critical to the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle. Published weekly when the U.S. Congress is in session.
NEWS FROM THE HILL – Infrastructure Proposal Released Plus Activity of Self-Driving Cars
It was an intense week for your MRF staff in Washington; a FLURRY of activity on some of our top key issues kept us running all over town – and is part of the reason why I am scrambling to write this at 5:15am on Friday morning!
Lets start with transportation shall we? House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) released a legislative discussion draft for a major infrastructure overhaul. It was long-awaited. Let me back up: President Trump had talked about doing this when he ran for office in 2016…and now we are approaching 2019, and people were starting to say, ‘what gives?’ Well, now they know…
So, what’s in the proposal? Picture it – the year is 2028. The 33.4-cent gas tax is about to disappear and a new system of per-mile road fees, 10 years in the making, are about to come into effect. The Highway Trust Fund is finally on a course toward sustainability. Infrastructure projects speed through an efficient federal permitting process and lightning-fast environmental approvals.
Wait, what? You see, Shuster has proposed a short-term boost to the gasoline tax before ending the tax in a decade. The effort would boost taxes on gasoline and diesel by 15 cents and 20 cents per gallon, respectively, phased in over three years and then indexed to inflation.
But don’t worry – electric car vehicles will still have their own way to pay into the system with a 10% tax on any battery they buy for the vehicle. And that tax won’t be phasing out unlike the gasoline tax hike.
Chairman Shuster released the following statement along with the discussion draft: “This discussion draft does not represent a complete and final infrastructure bill. It is meant to reignite discussions amongst my colleagues, and I urge all Members to be open-minded and willing to work together in considering real solutions that will give America the modern-day infrastructure it needs. Over the coming weeks and months, I look forward to additional input from my Republican and Democratic colleagues in order to prepare a bill for congressional consideration.”
The part where he talks about “weeks and months” is key – and probably more months than weeks. Congress closes out their session in December. HIGHLY unlikely this proposal would go anywhere by then. And if Republicans lose their majority in the House in the upcoming election – this bill may never see the light of day. So, stay tuned…lots of moving parts.
As I’ve reported on in the past, your MRF worked hard to get language in the Senate AV START Act (that’s the legislation that would regulate self-driving cars) that would make sure riders are protected from these types of vehicles. And we’ve been holding our breath that this legislation might see passage in the last few weeks before Congress adjourns for recess.
To help spur support, the MRF was a signatory on a letter signed by 108 other organizations asking Senators to take up the bill. We thought that we might have an opportunity in the Federal Aviation Act (FAA) bill which is all worked out and teed up to support airlines.
The plan was to attach the AV START Act as an amendment to the FAA bill. However, things are getting murky with that option…I attended a fundraiser with Sen. Thune, the lead sponsor for the AV START Act last weekend and he told me that, while they would love to hitch a ride on the FAA bill, it will take some cooperation from a group of democrats that are opposing.
But its not over yet. Dems could work out a compromise and the AV START Act could be added to the FAA bill or if not, we would still have one more window to get it through; that’s the lame duck session.
The period from November to December where the election has already taken place and Congress is basically running out the clock until January. Usually some controversial legation gets jammed through here. Folks are more likely to be on the record on controversial issues because election time is over. I’ll keep you posted…
MRF NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS – Meeting of the Minds + August Hiatus
Today marks the four-week deadline for early registration to our 2018 Meeting of the Minds in Denver, Colorado. What does that mean?
It means, if you don’t register for the conference and book your hotel room, you are going to pay more $$$$ and risk not getting a room in the discounted block rate. SO YOU NEED TO DO THIS.
I’m actually really excited about this year’s event. It’s all themed out and we have some fantastic speakers. I have a draft agenda and I think we are aiming to release that in the next two weeks.
If you’ve attended in years past, I think you will be impressed. And if you’ve never attended before, what the hell are you waiting for???
Denver is an awesome city and is centrally located, plus through our partnership with MRF A&E, we have FOUR different groups helping to host this year’s event; ABATE of Colorado, ABATE of Utah, ABATE of Arizona and Soldiers for Jesus MC. You really, really don’t want to miss this. So, call the office or book directly through our website.
Last but not least, as most of you know Congress adjourns during the month of August to go back to their hometowns and campaign/stump for votes. This is a GREAT time for you to make appointments with them and let them know what issues are important because they will all be back in their home offices in your own backyard.
If you want to do this but aren’t sure where to start – shoot me a note and I will help you make the appointment and even provide you with talking points and info to leave behind.
The start of August also means that this bulletin goes on hiatus since the House adjourns and the Senate eventually will too. But fret not, you can always reach me over the next four weeks by email megan@mrf.org or call me on my cell: 202-725-5471. Text message works too.
So until next time…stay cool, stay safe and most importantly,
RIDE FREE!
–Megan Ekstrom
Vice-President of Government Affairs & Public Relations
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation
BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY OPEN ON SUNDAYS– THE DEAD COW LECTURE
This is the best example for paying attention that I have ever heard.
First-year students at the Purdue Vet School were attending their first anatomy class with a real dead cow. They all gathered around the surgery table with the body covered with a white sheet.
The professor started the class by telling them, “In Veterinary medicine it is necessary to have two important qualities as a doctor. The first is that you not be disgusted by anything involving the animal’s body.”
For an example, the professor pulled back the sheet, stuck his finger in the butt of the cow, withdrew it, and stuck his finger in his mouth. “Go ahead and do the same thing,” he told his students.
The students freaked out, hesitated for several minutes, but eventually took turns sticking a finger in the butt of the dead cow and sucking on it.
When everyone finished, the Professor looked at them and said,
“The second most important quality is observation. I stuck in my middle finger and sucked on my index finger. Now learn to pay attention. Life’s tough but it’s even tougher if you’re stupid.”
–Dangerous Dave
THE RSD MOTO BAY CLASSIC JOINS FORCES WITH THE RETURNING
INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOTOR SKILLS COMPETITION– THIS AUGUST 16, 17 AND 18 UNDER THE BAY BRIDGE
Law Enforcement & Hooligans Join Forces for Three Days of Motorcycle Competition; Including the Police Motor Skills Competition, Super Hooligan Racing on a closed course, Live Musical Acts, Custom Motorcycle Show and More.
Saturday will feature Live Music Headlined by Iconic Punk and Rock Bands Including the Eagles of Death Metal, T.S.O.L and The Vandals
Roland Sands Design (RSD) and REVER, today announced the Inaugural Moto Bay Classic will join the International Police Motor Skills Competition as it returns to the iconic Pier 32 under the shadow of the Bay Bridge Thursday, August 16 through Saturday, August 18.
This year, the world-renowned motor skills competition is expanding to include Saturday’s RSD Moto Bay Classic – a full-blown motorcycle circus from RSD that includes Iconic Punk Rock Music, Super Hooligan flat track racing on a closed course, a custom motorcycle show, motorcycle art gallery, beer garden, food and more.
The International Police Motor Skills Competition is one of the most challenging law enforcement skills competitions in the world. The competition allows officers to showcase the amazing skills utilized when policing on a motorcycle. Officers from a number of local and international law enforcement agencies will compete against each other in the timed obstacle course for the right to be named this year’s champion. The competition begins with practice rounds on Thursday, August 16 followed by qualifying and class championships on Friday, August 17. The event culminates on Saturday, August 18, with the final competition for Top Gun and the Last Man Standing Challenge.
Thursday and Friday’s events are free to the public, while tickets to Saturday’s events begin at $30 for general admission, with a portion of all proceeds benefitting the SFPD Wilderness Adventure Youth Program. For more information on the event please visit www.motoclassicevents.com/moto-bay-classic.
THE UNDERCOVER NUKES REPORT– Let me see if I’ve got this straight….
If we get nuked by missiles from North Korea, it’ll be by missiles built with technology given (correction: sold) to China by Bill Clinton,
Funded by Iran with money Obama gave them,
With warheads developed from uranium sold to Russia by Hillary.
And refined by Iran into weapons-grade plutonium in Russian centrifuges
bought with money Obama gave them.
And Trump’s trying to undo this sh__ storm…but he’s the Traitor!?!?
THANKS TO OUR MEDIA, I THINK I GOT IT NOW.
–Ray Russell
Australia
NATIONAL COALITION OF MOTORCYCLISTS (NCOM) —
A BIKER’S GUIDE TO MAKING LAW
“Control the laws that control the way we ride!”
We can accomplish this by making new laws, and negatively influencing the passage of laws detrimental to us as riders. Although there may be differences in how each state’s governments are managed, the process for passage of laws is still similar. This guide will help direct you through the complicated maze of this legislative process.
It can be done. Read the full report on Bikernet now.
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/A_BIKERS_GUIDE_TO_MAKING_LAW.aspx
–Bandit
BIKERNET NEW SECURE READER COMMENT–Secure Cap — Locking oil filler cap
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=11591
I would like to purchase one of these black oil secure caps, but i have two questions : 1) do they fit on my new FAT BOY 114, 2018 ? 2) where can i purchase this ?
Thanks a lot for your answer.
— Figueiredo
patuska06@gmail.com
Vence, Cte d’Azur, France
Try this number and ask for Keith:
(949) 441-0438. I sent them an email.–Bandit
NOTES FROM THE BIKERNET FAMILY COUNSELOR OFFICE–Proof that men do remember!!
A woman awakes during the night to find that her husband is not in bed.
She puts on her robe and goes downstairs to look for him..
She finds him sitting at the kitchen table
with a hot cup of coffee in front of him. He appears to be in deep thought just staring at the wall. She watches as he wipes a tear from his eye and takes a sip of his coffee.
‘What’s the matter, dear?’’ she
whispers as she steps in to the room, ‘Why are you down
here at this time of night?”
The husband looks up from his coffee,
‘It’s the 20th Anniversary of the day we met’
She can’t believe he has remembered and starts to tear up.
The husband continues, ‘Do you remember 20 years ago, when we started dating? I was 18 and you were only 16,’ he says solemnly.
Once again, the wife is touched to tears
thinking that her husband is so caring and sensitive. …
“Yes, I do” she replies.
The husband pauses. The words were not coming easily. ‘Do you remember when your father caught us in the back seat of my car?’
“Yes, I remember” said the wife, lowering
herself into a chair beside him.
The husband continued. ‘Do you remember when he shoved the shotgun in my face and said, “Either you marry my daughter or I will send you to prison for 20 years?”
‘I remember that, to,’ she replied softly.
He wiped another tear from his cheek and said …
“I would have gotten out today.”
— David Campbell
Official Girl of Bikernet Photographer
Earl’s Garage – Motorcycle, Hotrod, and Event Photography
www.earlsgarage.co
[page break]
NEED MORE OF THIS
EX-NY– Assembly speaker gets 7 years in prison for corruption
Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was sentenced Friday to seven years in prison for public corruption.
Silver was one of Albany’s most powerful Democrats until he was felled by scandal, accused of pocketing $4 million illegally from a cancer researcher and real estate developer.
–from Rogue
BIKERNET™ GUN NUT REPORT–The Big Pro Gun Rally, July 28 at the Florida Capitol
There will be a Big Pro Gun Rally on the Florida Capitol steps in Tallahassee on July 28. The event is being organized by Jon Gutmacher, noted firearms law attorney and author of Florida Firearms Law, Use & Ownership. It’s the guide book for anything and everything firearms-related for Sunshine State gun owners. The book is so well-respected that it’s issued as required reading in a number of police academies.
Lt. Col. Joe Waldron, Vice President and Legislative Director of the Florida Sports Shooting Association
Larry Pratt, Executive Director Emeritus of Gun Owners of America
Steve Merrette, Director of Member Affairs of Florida Carry, Inc.
CJ Grisham, Founder of Open Carry Texas
Tara Dixon Engel, Director of Strategic Development of the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum
Paul Pawela, Director of Law Enforcement Training of the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum
Greg Kinman, otherwise known as Hickok45 of YouTube Fame
Royce Bartlet, Host of Shooting Straight Radio on WMMB
And last, but certainly not least…
Mr. Mark Keith Robinson. He’s the man who has become known for his epic “I AM THE MAJORITY” rant before the Greensboro, North Carolina city council in April. If you haven’t see it, you need to. In making this possible, I would like to gratefully acknowledge and thank Florida-based Kel-Tec for covering his travel expenses.
Also speaking will be Kaitlin Bennett, an outspoken conservative and gun rights activist who became a viral sensation when she strolled through the Kent State University campus carrying an AR-10 on her shoulder after her graduation. The one-woman protest was over the fact that students can’t possess firearms on campus, but any other non-student adult can.
Mr. Robinson and Ms. Bennett are shining examples of what the Second Amendment is all about and how it applies to the everyday, law-abiding citizen. Major kudos to them for grabbing the brass ring and jumping into the fray.
This past March, I asked if the firearms industry would be willing to step up to the plate and help fund grassroot rallies and events such as this. Apparently, some have heard the call here in Florida and are helping in the fight against the gun-grabbers.
Kel-Tec Firearms, headquartered in Cocoa, Florida, has thrown their hat into the ring.
Shoot Straight, Inc., a Florida chain of gun stores was another major sponsor. Started in 1979 by Khaled Akkawi, a Lebanese immigrant, Shoot Straight is one of the highest-volume gun sellers in the nation, selling from 50,000 to 70,000 guns a year.
In addition to being one of the largest volume FFLs in the country, Shoot Straight’s owner also runs Suncoast Gun Shows, Inc. and Florida Gun Shows, Inc, the two major organizers of gun shows in the state. Mr. Akkawi is a strong Second Amendment supporter and a model of the American dream. Shoot Straight is also organizing buses for those who need transportation to the event.
Also supporting the rally was CCW Safe, a concealed carry insurance company. The company, founded by three former police officers, offering a variety of plans providing legal support when it’s needed most.
–BY LUIS VALDES
NEED MORE POLICE REFORMS–
Chicago agrees to police reforms, to be supervised by federal court.
Chicago has agreed to a plan to carry out far-reaching police reforms under federal court supervision more than a year after a Justice Department investigation found a deep-rooted history of civil rights violations by police.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson released a draft consent decree Friday afternoon.
Emanuel and Johnson said much of what’s in the agreement is changes the
department has already made or started, such as improving officer training.
–from Rogue
NMA ALERT–Standing Up for Yourself
The most frequent encounter the public has with law enforcement is during a traffic stop. The interaction can be a frightening experience with ever changing dynamics that can seem surreal at best.
Motorist Adam Finley in Arkansas found out this the hard way in December 2016 when he was stopped by Officer Matthew Mercado of the Walnut Ridge Police Department.
Mercado stopped Finley under the suspicion he was trespassing in a railroad yard. Finley actually worked there and Mercado did not believe him even after he showed him his railroad ID.
Mercado was wearing a body cam which taped the encounter. Even though Finley was doing everything right, Mercado escalated the traffic stop, handcuffing Finley. Eventually, Mercado released Finley without arrest.
Standing up for himself, Finley later went to the Walnut Ridge Police Department with his wife Heather to lodge a complaint against Mercado. Instead, the Police Chief Chris Kirksey and another officer interrogated Finley and wrote him up on two citations: ‘refusal to submit’ and ‘obstructing governmental operations.’
For some reason, Heather was also subjected to a recorded interrogation. Finley and his wife later admitted that the police action ruined their marriage and they have since divorced.
Finley’s case then went to trial in April 2017 and a judge acquitted Finley on both counts. A year later, Finley filed a civil rights lawsuit even though Mercado resigned his position a couple of months after the incident with Finley.
Finley was not choked, shot nor had any racial slurs been hurled his way. He was treated with disrespect and a criminal even though he did nothing wrong. The Washington Post recently covered this story and provided a long quote from a former police officer (anonymously) who now advocates for criminal justice reform:
This is very common in policing. Looking back on my career, I realize just how often I acted similarly and didn’t even realize it. It was subconscious.
I was trained and subtly incentivized to do so. You intentionally create conflict and manufacture noncompliance in order to build your stop into an arrest situation. Because that’s what generations of law enforcers who have been steeped in a fear-based, comply or else, us-vs.-them mind-set do. They arrest people.
Arrests are a primary measure of productivity and gives the appearance your department has solved a problem.
Most aggressive cops have honed this to an art. They are savvy, know exactly how to weaponize numerous petty laws, ordinances, use-of-force policy and procedures against citizens.
This cop was off his game and clumsily went through the motions like a desperate door-to-door perfume salesman. Except when cops manufacture a “sale” like this, the “customer” ends up arrested, criminalized, emotionally and financially devastated, not to mention possibly physically beaten or worse. And the justice system will deem it legal, even when it isn’t.
Finley stood up for himself and did everything he was supposed to do during the traffic stop with Officer Mercado. The city of Walnut Ridge even now denies any wrongdoing. In May, the city answered Finlay’s civil rights lawsuit with a brief arguing that he had not made an actionable claim, had missed the statute of limitations and had failed to sufficiently serve the officials he was suing.
It takes a lot of courage to stand up for yourself in the face of such odds.
–NMA
NOTES FROM THE BASE OF THE MOUNTAIN–Confucius Say….
Kiss is merely shopping upstairs,
For merchandise downstairs.
Confucius Say.
Better to lose a lover
Than love a loser.
Confucius Say.
Man with broken condom
Often called Daddy
Confucius Say.
Sex is same as bank account.
You put it in, you take it out….you lose interest.
Confucius Say.
Viagra just like Disneyland …
One hour wait for 5 minute ride.
Confucius Say.
Much better to want the mate you do not have
Than to have the mate you do not want.
Confucius Say.
Joke is like sex.
Neither any good if you don’t get it.
–from Sam Burns
FOUNDERS UPDATE–These words are a long time coming. Since we opened Standard Motorcycle Co. we’ve had a lot going on, I’ve traveled over a 100 days already this year alone. Memorializing what’s really going on here in a monthly editorial just kept slipping through the cracks.
We’ve grown immensely in the past two years and we’re nowhere close to being done, but want to make sure the community knows what’s happening behind these hallowed roll-up doors, so we’re going to buckle down and share the good word. (As often as we can..)
We don’t just fix bikes; we represent the next iteration of community and social gathering, rallying around the motorcycle as our common bond. We will continue to push the envelope and promote motorcycling while opening the door and setting a new STANDARD with anyone willing to put the work in.
— JASON PAUL MICHAELS
THE BIKE SALES side of the house is pumping on all cylinders! Currently we’re working on a number of used bikes that we’re bringing back to life. Everything from Sport Bikes to Cruisers, even some mild custom builds.
THE CO-OP is booming with nearly 10 new members in the last month! We’re seeing a range of members with interests in everything from scooters to 70’s drag bikes. The energy inside the shop is frankly, unbelievable right now. So much community and so many people helping one another, it’s a fantastic thing too see! Come check it out!
THE SERVICE SHOP is popping off, too! Some recent projects have found the crew doing everything from restoring vintage Honda’s, to building custom Harley’s, Street Trackers and even putting custom mid-controls on a Yamaha Chopper! From full builds to one-off custom work, we can make it happen.
• FAST NICK, SHOP COORDINATOR
— Summer is here! Unfortunately the combination of sitting in traffic in 100 degree Florida heat, with the sun beating down on your engine can expose you to mechanical failures. Your engine’s oil is one of the most important factors ensuring reliable long-life from your bike, especially in hot, sticky, gnarly climates like we have in Florida.
We figure it this way, if MOTUL is good enough for MotoGP Racers, it’s got to be good enough for our bikes. (Kidding, there’s mounds of technical data to support our decision.) Come on by and we’ll give you the lowdown on how to keep your engine cool and haulin’ ass with MOTUL inside the cases.
As for UPCOMING EVENTS the calendar is chocked full of them! As always we have our monthly Open House, Poker & Movie Nights and coming up on August 17th, the first official, BLOCKHEAD Bike Night!
STANDARD MOTORCYCLE CO.
2545 INDUSTRIAL BLVD., ORLANDO, FL 32804, USA
MAX’S FULL SIZE H-D SCRAMBLER–Sneak peeks at the Full Size H-D Scrambler. Soon to be featured somewhere.
–Markus Cuff
Officially Certified Feature Photographer
Bikernet.com™
Cycle Source
American Iron
OUR POLITICIANS AT WORK–
Bill with ‘menstrual equality’ measure passes House
WASHINGTON – It’s being billed as a big advancement for “menstrual equality.”
Legislation that would allow women to buy menstrual hygiene products with money from health flexible spending accounts passed the House this week and now goes to the Senate as part of a broader, bipartisan bill to expand the accounts.
Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., who authored the measure, said it will help make menstrual hygiene products more accessible and affordable.
“The passage of my legislation is a major leap forward in our fight for menstrual equality,” Meng said in a statement. “Menstrual hygiene products are essential and necessary for women, and deserve to be items that are permitted to be purchased with health flexible spending account funds.”
Women’s rights advocates have rallied in favor of making these fact-of-life products free, saying they are a basic necessity.
In April, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that schools in his state would be required to provide free menstrual products in restrooms for girls in grades 6 through 12.
“Menstrual products are as necessary as toilet paper and soap, but can be one expense too many for struggling families,” he tweeted.
The Meng provision would allow women to use health flexible spending account funds for numerous types of menstrual hygiene products, including tampons, pads, liners, cups, sponges or similar items used by women with respect to menstruation.
Health flexible spending accounts let people use pretax dollars to pay for eligible health care expenses. The money is paid in from an individual’s paycheck
–Nicole Gaudiano
USA TODAY
–from Rogue
NEXT WEEK STARTED—I’m working on my Guardian of the Wheel story. I need to edit and publish the Knucklehead SmokeOut feature from Mike Pullin. Steve Bauman finally got his modified 5 to 6-Speed transmission fixed and we have his tech, without his screams.
A challenging technical encounter, Steve worked his ass off and it involved lots of research and staying flexible.
I know we will find a buyer for Mil Blair’s “Tex” Panhead. In fact, I know just the guy, but let’s see if he goes for it. Joe Teresi puts together an Easyriders subscription raffle each year and offers up new Harleys. They’re dull. This classic could be the shit. Let’s see.
