General Posts

WHAT WACO COURT CONSIDERS PROBABLE CAUSE  from Rogue and Bill Bish Against much case precedent, the Waco court has concluded that alleged membership in an organization that law enforcement labels as a gang is sufficient to establish probable cause for an arrest for organized criminal activity even if there is no evidence showing involvement in criminal activity. “Department of Public Safety Lt. Steven Schwartz, a 17-year department veteran, testified at the morning hearing that William and Morgan English wore patches that identified them as members of a group called Distorted. Another patch identified them as members of a support group for the Bandidos, which Schwartz said has been identified as a criminal street gang. He said he thinks the Englishes were aware of the rift between the Cossacks and Bandidos and they were there that day as a show of support for the Bandidos.” “Schwartz said they wore patches that said they support the Bandidos, so that tells him they are at least “somewhat involved in criminal activity.” He said he saw nothing that day and has developed no subsequent evidence to show the Englishes are involved in criminal activity.” (see Waco Tribune) Notice the defendant’s knowledge of tensions helped establish probable cause. But consider the fact that knowledge of alleged tension between these clubs in Texas was common and even reported by the media. Knowledge of a rumor on the street or in the media is now sufficient to determine participation in organized criminal activity?   – Read the rest here.

Hey, Another strange day in Paradise. I receive negative industry reports once in a while, from bullshit to legitimate complaints, most of which I don’t post. If I feel it’s straight-forward I share it with the company or shop, so they have the opportunity to correct the error. There’s a major reason I don’t blab these all over Bikernet. Our industry is small and in most cases struggling to survive. We live in a world of Wal-Marts and cheap products from overseas. We live in a world of constantly expanding regulation. We are lucky custom is still allowed. We need to support the small American manufacturer and custom shop, forever.  On the other hand, the big corporate giants taking advantage of underpaid citizens and talents need to take another look at what they are doing and try to return American quality to their business model. The magazine industry was slated to fail with the advent of the Internet, but they did fine, grew in some cases, and some magazines today are giants. Then greedy distributors started to attack the industry and take all the newsstand profits. Magazines immediately cut staffs and the talents delivering the content.  I see writers, editors, and photographers on the streets constantly trying to make a living. Life isn’t fair, dammit.  Let’s hit the news quick, before I say the wrong thing. We here at Bikernet try to work with all the mags in our industry and the talents. We do our part to keep them afloat and in the Wind.  – To read all the articles in this week’s Bikernet News click HERE.

The road to and from Sturgis for the 75th was loaded with great times and good people. Along this road….in the middle of Arkansas…was a person who impacted the trip in a way no other event or person could ever do. It all started when Rogue and I left Memphis….and Elvis’s Graceland…headed toward Oklahoma City, and then rolled north to meet Kansas Kyle just over the Oklahoma border. Somewhere around Van Buren, Arkansas, the splines in his shifter decided to screw up and long story short….we settled in for the night and waited for the local dealer to open in the morning. Continue reading.

Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines rider Ed Krawiec won an all-Harley final at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. With both riders aboard Harley-Davidson V-Rod motorcycles, Krawiec defeated teammate Andrew Hines to claim a third-consecutive Pro Stock Motorcycle final. Krawiec now has three victories in six final-round appearances this season and holds a 166-point lead over the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle field. “The Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle team and our V-Rod bikes are really in a groove right now,” said Krawiec. “The temperature dropped 20 degrees from Saturday to Sunday and we adjusted well. Our Harley engines love this cold air and I feel like we’ve got a good tune-up for any condition. We are ready to do some damage in Pro Stock Motorcycle as we head into the Countdown playoffs.” Both Krawiec and Hines have qualified for the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs that begin September 18-20 at the NHRA North Carolina Nationals in Charlotte. If Krawiec holds his points lead through the U.S. Nationals over Labor Day weekend, he will be the top seed for the Countdown. Following Brainerd, Krawiec leads the Pro Stock Motorcycle field with 824 points. Hector Arana Jr. is second with 658 points, followed close by Hines with 647 points. Hines was the top qualifier at Brainerd, with a best Elapsed Time of 6.937 seconds. Krawiec was second in qualifying at 6.949 seconds. In Sunday eliminations, Hines and Krawiec charged through the field to meet in the final, with Krawiec defeating three former Pro Stock Motorcycle champions in Hector Arana, LE Tonglet and Matt Smith in the elimination rounds and setting a new Pro Stock Motorcycle track ET record in the second round at 6.788 seconds. Hines had an open first round and defeated Karen Stoffer and Chaz Kennedy to reach

Indian Motorcycle of Chattanooga, an affiliate of Crockett Powersports, has opened for business at 4113 South Access Road in Chattanooga. “We are proud to join the Indian Motorcycle family, and to bring these outstanding bikes to the local motorcycling community,” said John Crockett, owner of Indian Motorcycle of Chattanooga. “The design, engineering and craftsmanship that have gone into the rebirth of Indian Motorcycle is truly exceptional.” Indian Motorcycle of Chattanooga offers sales, service, parts and accessories for the entire lineup of Indian motorcycles, including the Indian Chief lineup, the Indian Roadmaster, the Indian Scout and the Indian Chief Dark Horse. The dealership also offers a full selection of Indian Motorcycle apparel. Dealer hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Indian Motorcycle of Chattanooga at (423) 760-3670 or visit http://www.crockettpowersports.com.

   If you have a 2007 or later Harley Big Twin you more than likely have had issues with a noise in your primary when you shut your engine off. This noise occurs when the factory compensator returns to its lowest position. I had one replaced under warranty on my 2009 FLHTC and later had to replace it again with the Screaming Eagle Compensator, which was supposed to cure the problems but did not. I was getting noise again with the most recent compensator installed, when I got the opportunity to install one of the new BAKER 630-67K Compensators. This compensator uses the tried and true pre 2007 cam lobe geometry with patent pending modifications to the motor shaft extension. The compensator sprocket has holes in it and the spring cup assembly has channels directing oil to the cam lobes, improving function, quieter operation, and extending durability over the stock factory design. The kit includes an engine Extension Shaft, 34 Tooth Compensating Sprocket, Cam Slider, Spring Cup Assembly and a special 9/16-12 Hardened Hex Bolt. Items not included include a new primary cover gasket and 45 ounces of Primary Lubricant in touring models or 40 ounces in Softail/Dyna models. Baker and I recommend SPECTRO Heavy Duty Primary Fluid. I strongly recommend that you also have a service manual for your specific year and model motorcycle. You will need a 9/16-12 Bottoming Tap, a 1/2 drive 1-1/2 socket, a #40 Torex or a 13/16 socket depending on which one is holding the compensator to the engine shaft, a 1/2-inch impact wrench, 1/2-drive torque wrench capable of at least 140-foot-pounds, primary drive locking tool, 3/8 drive torque wrench, propane torch, red Loctite and some other basic hand tools. Start off by draining the primary fluid while removing the left saddlebag and side