Hey,
I’m sorta confused, but what’s new. Life is moving too fast. We are heading into our 20th year with Bikernet. Every year we make improvements to Bikernet and our services or die trying.
As we roll into 2016 we started a major Facebook campaign and it’s already paying off. We have also been fortunate to collect over 46,000 e-mail addresses from interested readers. Let us know if you would like to see any additional changes to Bikernet for our 20th year.
We are working with George Fleming on a new Bikernet Logo for the 20th year. Hang on for updates next week.
Let’s hit the news. The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by Cycle Source magazine, Iron Trader, and Chopper own.
CELEBRITIES JOIN TRIUMPH TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW BONNEVILLE FAMILY– Celebrities from around the globe came together, with legends of the road, to celebrate the launch of the new Triumph Bonneville family at The Bike Shed in London, England on Wednesday, October 30.
The event, Triumph’s most significant launch in over a decade, introduced fans such as Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, Kellan Lutz, Gillian Anderson, Jeremy Irvine, Reggie Yates, Chad McQueen, Carl Fogarty, Charley Boorman, Jake Chapman, Paul Simonon and Zoe Hardman to the next generation of the iconic Bonneville with five exciting new motorcycles.
The new family consists of; The Bonneville Street Twin, Bonneville T120, Bonneville T120 Black, Thruxton and Thruxton R. The Bike Shed, London’s newest motorcycle club, played host to the event and was transformed for the evening with Triumph Bonneville memorabilia.
Triumph Motorcycles America had some special guests of its own as world-renowned chef Tyler Florence, UFC standout Bryan Caraway, Canadian singer/songwriter Clayton Bellamy, two-time CSBK Pro Sport Bike Champion Kenny Riedmann, and three Triumph Global Dealer Award winners (Andre Joyal, Southern California Triumph, and Triumph Westchester) also earned the opportunity to attend the exclusive gala.
Adrenaline fuelled guests competed against the clock on a customized Manx TT Super Bike racing game, which was created to resemble the new Bonneville bikes. Later in the evening, crowds gathered by the miniature Triumph factory, to watch some of Triumph’s most skilled engineers assemble a Bonneville Street Twin.
Visit www.TriumphMotorcycles.com
IMMEDIATE GUN NUT REPORT– Planned Deceptive Racially-Charged Attack Ads in Virginia State Senate Contest.
A hallmark of NRA, and one of the reasons we garner significant support from Americans across the political spectrum, is our sole dedication to issues pertaining to the right to keep and bear arms. To be sure, there are plenty of facets to our mission (hunting, Right-to-Carry, self-defense laws), but it is all connected to the American peoples’ right to possess and use arms.
With this comes a measure of honesty; everyone knows just what NRA stands for. Michael Bloomberg’s Everytown for Gun Safety on the other hand seems to think the merits of their anti-gun positions aren’t enough to win on, and in one Virginia Senate Race resorted to planning spurious attacks on their opponent that were wholly unrelated to the group’s gun control mission.
In recent weeks Bloomberg has interjected himself and his exorbitant wealth into two Virginia state senate races. According to the Washington Post, Everytown allocated $1.5 million to run advertisements in the 29th Senate District race attacking pro-gun candidate Harry J. “Hal” Parrish II. The group allocated a further $700,000 for ads attacking pro-gun candidate Glen Sturtevant, who is running in the 10th Senate District.
Bloomberg’s attempts to buy state and local elections are nothing new, however the character of his group’s planned attacks on Sturtevant are particularly loathsome. In a piece titled “Digging deeper into an extraordinary campaign expenditure,” two writers for the Washington Post outline the attacks. According to the item, Everytown intended to run an ad that “mostly attacks Sturtevant on non-gun issues. It uses allegations from a lawsuit and employs racial code words whose meanings are well-known in Richmond politics.” The writers note that the group’s ad claims “Sturtevant is being ‘sued’ because he allegedly held secret meetings to help create a school zoning plan that allegedly benefited Richmond’s ‘wealthy’ [white] students at the expense of the ‘others’ [African American] in a school population that is more than 90 percent non-white.”
Just as when Everytown discusses gun issues, it turns out the claims in the ad are wildly misleading. The piece explains, “the onscreen citation supporting this assertion references a suit against the Richmond School Board, not Sturtevant. He is one of two white members and was elected from the city’s wealthiest, mostly white district. Seven board members are African American. The board split 5-4 on the hotly debated plan. Two African American board members (including the son of the mayor, who is black) voted to enact the plan.”
Planning a deceptive, racially-charged attack ad that has nothing to do with their supposed mission is shameful even by Bloomberg and Everytown’s standards. Moreover, the fact that such materials were even contemplated evidence the bankruptcy of Bloomberg and Everytown’s anti-gun positions.
PORTLAND ULTIMATE BUILDER REPORT– Shaun Ruddy wins Portland
His 3-Wheeler Takes FreeStyle
Shaun Ruddy of Coup deVille had a day. He came up on stage three times and took People’s Choice, MOD Custom and FreeStyle. His custom Retro Trike was the first bike at the entrance of the show and literally created a traffic jam during the Progressive International Motorcycle Show.
See the Winners’ List below:
Next Up Sacramento
Enter today
This year our series grows to $100,000 in cash and prizes. Increased social media promotion and a $50,000 US Championship in Chicago. Click here to get details on the series.
This year the tour will see 400,000 enthusiasts with 72% using the show to make buying decisions. The series averages over 40,000 enthusiast per venue.
We are looking forward to seeing you this year.
Here are the results from Portland. The 1st show in the series…
Results from the Portland 2015 edition of the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show
The weekend rain, drizzle and flooding didn’t let up until Sunday afternoon and even though mother nature was on a rampage, it didn’t stop the local Portland, OR motorcycle enthusiasts from attending the kick off of the new 2015 – 2016 season of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show.
The J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is positioned right in front of the main entrance of the hall and are the first thing you see as you enter the convention center.
Throughout the 10 show series approximately 400,000 enthusiasts will see the custom bikes. The total cash and prize package for the series is $100,000. The Chicago round will host the US Championship and will provide $50,000 in cash and awards. Sponsors include J&P Cycles, Harley-Davidson, Progressive Insurance, Bell Helmets, Speakeasy Original, The Leatherworks and 5-Ball Leathers.
New for the season is the online People’s Choice Award on the Progressive International Motorcycle Show’s Facebook page. If you can’t make a show, you can check out all the custom sleds.
Shaun Ruddy of Chop deVille won the People’s Choice Award with his custom retro trike. Shaun left the building with a Custom 500 lid by Bell Helmets under his arm.
MODIFIED CUSTOM
Shaun Ruddy of Chop deVille rolled in his 2015 Indian Chieftain and came away with a $750 check for his efforts. The bike features a custom air intake, a chopped sidecar, stretched bags, custom paint, custom Chop deVille custom pipes and LED lighting.
1st #250 – Shaun Ruddy, Chop DeVille – 2015 Indian Chieftain
2nd #400 – Joe Tessitore, Digital Directiv – 2007 Ducati named Bella
MODIFIED RETRO
If you are looking for classic American motorcycles & parts Jeff Coffman of Jeff’s American Classics probably has what you need. If you are competing with him, you will need to bring you’re “A” game. Coffman cleaned up with his period correct 1948 Harley-Davidson Panheads. Hey were painted by Ben’s Custom Painting and built by Mark Dencklau. He was awarded a check for $750.
1st #450 – Jeff Coffman – Jeff’s American Classics – 1948 Panhead
2nd #425 – Jeff Coffman – Jeff’s American Classics – 1948 Panhead
MOD HARLEY
Brad Hall of Magic’s Custom Cycle started his motorcycle business because he won the MOD Harley class in Seattle. He had enough business from the show to hang a shingle. This year he won in Portland with his lowered 2013 Harley Sportster with gold, copper, brass, stainless leather and glass features. It is a fusion of old-school and new-school technology. He was awarded a check for $1,000.
1st #300 – Brad Hall, Magic Custom Cycles – 2013 Sportster named Psycho Addiction
2nd #750 – Jessica Ruse – Urban Custom Bikes – 2000 Sportster Trike named F@*K Cancer
FREESTYLE
Shaun Ruddy of Coup deVille had a day. He came up on stage three times and took People’s Choice, MOD Custom and FreeStyle. His custom Retro Trike was the first bike at the entrance of the show and literally created a traffic jam during the Progressive International Motorcycle Show. Shaun got a SU carburetor and then built the bike around it. The trike features a 3” belt drive, oil in the frame, 26” white wall tires, nitrogen shocks and a 95” Shovelhead engine. He walked out with a check for $2,000.
1st #200 – Shaun Ruddy of Coup deVille, 2015 Retro Trike named DeVine
2nd #100 – Daniel Smith – Lastat’s Customs – 2016 Chopper named Erbus
VETERAN’S SERVICES AVAILABLE– I would love for you to promote VLI services with regards to free legal services with regards to veteran benefits, landlord tenant, family law, and other legal issues.
I would also love to set up an appointment with both of you on an upcoming Friday to give you a tour of the VLI office in Santa Ana and to further explain our legal services and mission we provide. We open our legal services to low income, and homeless veterans. Have a great rest of your week.
–Bryan Fazio MBA/MAOL
OS 3-United States Navy-RET.
J.D. Candidate Whittier Law School, 2016.
Veteran Legal Institute Intern
Whittier Law School Veteran Law Society President
OCBA Military/Veteran Task-force Member
DIRECT FROM THE MASTER–
Five Harmonies
Individual harmony achieved through joy
Interpersonal harmony achieved through respect
Family harmony achieved through deference
Social harmony achieved through cooperation
World harmony achieved through peace
–Venerable Master Hsing Yun
DEER MISS– I heard you say something about hitting a deer, right? That happened to my bro T.J. I think about 1980. We made our Summer run to northeastern Calif. We were rollin’ fast physically and mechanically.
Our Shovels were hooking along about 75 mph. We headed across 299 just east of Canby rolling toward Alturas, just around midnight . This part of 299 is a basin. Yep, you guessed, deer crossing the highway.
T.J. was on point, and to this day I think because I honked my horn the young spike cut in front of him. T.J. swerved and missed the first time but then the spike cut back again.
Go figure, a deer as dumb as a sack of hammers just his luck . Then all my wife and I saw were sparks. I was just as scared for my wife and me as I was for T.J.
Long story short, T.J was rushed to the hospital by an ambulance . Scrapped up knees broken ribs and punctured lung. My wife rode back with him in the ambulance, was after she went through his pockets . Now, I guess the squares thought that was a bit of a site.
I jury rigged his bike together on the clutch lever and the side shifter, so I could ride it the rest of the way to town. I Let some local ride my bike into town with full packs and sweating every minute of it.
When he woke up from being sedated from pain he was startled. I don’t care who you are, this is funny. The first sign he could read said this, “Please be quiet! Mothers feeding!” It took us telling him that their emergency was also their maternity ward . To this day we are brothers to the bone .
–Gearhead
Great points on the guest editorial, Bandit. Ridiculous insurance rates and gov’t interference are the big problems. Sport bikes have disappeared in my neck of the woods, thanks to unaffordable gov’t insurance. Christ, I pay $200 a month for my FLHTC!
–Speeddaddy
Canada
HEALTH ALERT– Asbestos – Lupus and Arthritis Link Found
In an upcoming issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers from the University of Montana will publish an article looking into the residents of Libby, Montana and how miners there who helped bring up vermiculate which was contaminated with asbestos have twice the risk of developing lupus and three times the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis if they were over the age of 65. This suggests that it is long term exposure which increases the risk of developing these diseases as miners under 65 had no difference than the general population did.
In a related research investigation done by the Institute of Medicine in Washington, D.C. there was evidence that asbestos causes an increased risk of developing laryngeal cancer. All in all, more bad news about this dangerous and toxic mineral.
–By Mark Schauss
http://iom.nationalacademies.org/
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT WORD OF THE DAY—Ferhoodle: fer-HOOD-l
verb
1. Chiefly Pennsylvania German Area. to confuse or mix up: Don’t ferhoodle the things in that drawer.
Quotes
Honestly, what I’m learning ferhoodles me at times, trying to understand how these English think.
— Beverly Lewis, The Brethren, 2006
Origin
Ferhoodle comes from the Pennsylvania German term verhuddle meaning “to tangle” and is related to the German word verhudeln meaning “to bungle, botch.”
BIKERNET ECONOMIC STUDY— We heard motorcycle sales were down recently and started to investigate. We found two Japanese manufacturers who sold 26,000 sport bikes last year sold only 6,000 this year. I reached out to friends in other discretionary income industries. Here’s a report from the sailing world:
Boat sales are way down. Hunter used to be the biggest boat builder in the US. Now, after going BK, they are almost invisible. No ads, small footprint at shows.
Catalina was the 2nd, now down to a few boats a year. Once again, no ad budget at all.
Only one seems to be building sailboard is Beneteau out of France. Backed by the French government.
Used boat sales down as well, as the middle class disappears.
–Bob Bitchin
Cruising Outpost Magazine
QUICK, OPEN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY– Bob was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really pissed.
She told him “Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in 6 seconds AND IT BETTER BE THERE!!”
The next morning he got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up, she looked out the window and sure enough there was a box
gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway.
Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway, brought the box back in the house.
She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.
Bob has been missing since Friday.
–Lizette
LAW OFFICES OF HUPY AND ABRAHAM FEED MILWAUKEE ON THANKSGIVING– WISN Milwaukee
Feeding our community this Thanksgiving – Holiday giving. In the spirit of holiday giving, Hupy and Abraham happily makes yearly donations to various Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa organizations that provide Milwaukee Veterans Day and our community.
Michael Hupy has supported motorcycle clubs in his area for over 20 years and supported motorcycle rights groups. He’s part of a law firm dedicated to community and the motorcycle industry.
GOVERNMENT SPENDING ALERT–
Pentagon spends $43 million to build gas station, won’t say why…
Paid for by US taxpayers, this Afghan gas station costs more than 140 times that of a similar project in Pakistan. So far the Pentagon is refusing to explain the costs.
A gas station in Afghanistan sponsored by the US government cost tens of millions in tax dollars to construct, but so far the federal government is refusing to say why.
A federal watchdog report showed the natural gas filling station totaled a whopping $43 million to build, a rate far exceeding a similar Pakistani project that cost just $500,000, or about $306,000 at current exchange rates, The Washington Post reports.
Overhead costs along for the project in Afghanistan’s came in at $30 million, a figure that remains unaccountable because of an uncooperative federal agency, according to John Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.
His report released this week cited a flurry of unwarranted costs that he said could be criminal. But the Pentagon has apparently stonewalled attempts by his outfit to obtain information on the spending, Sopko said.
“One of the most troubling aspects of this project is that the Department of Defense claims that it is unable to provide an explanation for the high cost of the project or to answer any other questions concerning its planning, implementation or outcome,” he wrote, in a letter to the Office of Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.
The agency in charge of constructing the station, the Task Force for Business and Stability Operations, was launched in 2009 and once had oversight of more than $800 million for redevelopment projects in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was shut down earlier this year.
In 2011, Central Asian Engineering was awarded a $3 million contract to build the natural gas station on land owned by Afghanistan’s government. The report said it spent $42,718,739 over a three-year period.
More than $12 million of the figure was slated “to supervise the initial operations of the CNG station.” Overall, the price should have cost between $200,000 and $500,000, the report noted.
“It’s hard to imagine a more outrageous waste of money than building an alternative fuel station in a war-torn country that costs 8,000 percent more than it should, and is too dangerous for a watchdog to verify whether it is even operational,” said Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), a senior members of the Senate’s Armed Services Committee, in a statement. “Perhaps equally outrageous however, is that the Pentagon has apparently shirked its responsibility to fully account for the taxpayer money that’s been wasted.”
The US Department of State has a history of questionable financial practices. In 2003, the agency drew criticism for dispersing $12 billion in funds meant for rebuilding Iraq in suitcases filled with cash, some of which were handed out from the backs of pickup trucks.
McCaskill lodged complaints against the federal government for funding the construction of a $36 million command post in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, a facility that was never used.
This is also not Sopko’s first investigation into misplaced money by the federal government. In October last year he wrote Secretary of State John Kerry to call attention to the purchase of three mobile television trucks donated to Afghan television networks, which were given out two years late at a total cost of $6 million.
The purpose of the vehicles was to broadcast live sports like soccer, cricket and buzkashi, Afghanistan’s national sport, similar to polo, in which men on horseback drag a headless goat for points.
–By Michael D. Regan, Staff, Christian Science Monitor
QUICK, BIKERNET WORKER MURDER RATES– The homicide rate against taxi drivers was 9 in 100,000 between 1998 and 2007,
compared to a rate of 0.5 per 100,000 for all workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This means taxi drivers are murdered on the job at least 21 times more frequently than other workers.
–Art Hall
Bikernet Supreme International Editor In Command
I would like to put Road lamps on the bike. I think it would make it look better and also give me more lighting at night.
What front road lamp bar would fit on the front of my motorcycle?
–Ron Alddinga
Demotte, Indiana
Harley has a cool section in our eStore, it provides all the accessories for the year and model of your bike, so for Freewheeler this is what you get
– Lighting is a subsection on the left where you will find all the accessories for that.
For aftermarket accessories, you might check the J&P web site.
–The Triking Viking
Illustrious Bikernet Trikes Editor and author
THE MUSEUM SWAP MEET IS BACK–
Saturday, November 21st
Note: This is a REVISED DATE!
Taking place at : 250 Lake Street, Newburgh NY
Join us on Saturday, NOVEMBER 21 for an indoor Retail & Dealer Swap Meet at Motorcyclepedia in Newburgh, NY!
Join us on Saturday, NOVEMBER 21 for an indoor Swap Meet at Motorcyclepedia in Newburgh, NY! Retail vendors & dealers are welcome!
Vendor spaces available and are included in the cost of admission. Admission for the Indoor Swap Meet at Motorcyclepedia also includes admission to the Warehouse Sale at 21 Liberty Street, Newburgh, NY 12550.
Tickets are to be reserved only if you are setting up as a vendor!
Vendor spaces are limited and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Motorcyclepedia will provide one 6-foot table and two chairs upon request, also assigned on a first come, first served basis.
***Please only register for a vendor space if you will be selling or swapping motorcycle related parts and accessories. We are not looking for any other types of vendors. Payment for vendor space will be paid at the door the day of the event!***
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2015
Time: 10:00am-3:00pm
Setup for Vendors: 9:00AM
Location: Motorcyclepedia Museum, 250 Lake Street, Newburgh, NY 12550
Adult Admission: $10.00, tax included
Children under 12: $5.00, tax included
Children under 3: Free
Motorcycle parts & accessories for sale! Please, no items containing any type of fuel or oil will be permitted inside the building .
Please contact Alyssa with any questions at (845) 569-9065 x.501
Visit our website for information about our museum!
Regular museum hours: Friday – Sunday 10am – 5pm
DRAG RACING UPDATE– Dream Chaser Racin’ and Deschutes Brewery Partner for Season Wrap-up of NHRA Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series Finals and Manufactures Cup World Finals
Janette Thornley, owner and operator of a nitro burning, carbureted, 121 cid Pro Fuel and Dream Chaser Racin’ is very pleased to announce her association with Deschutes Brewery for her season wrap-up in Las Vegas at the NHRA Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series Finals and the Manufactures Cup World Finals held in Valdosta Georgia.
“I am excited to work with an Oregon based company, since I was born and raised there. It feels like a nice fit”, said Thornley, “I am attracted to Deschutes Brewery because they are a home-grown business and heavily involved in the community in which they were founded.”
As Thornley heads West to Las Vegas for the last NHRA race of the year, she has the potential to leave there the 2015 Pro Fuel Champion! Janette is one of the few of ladies in the world licensed to pilot a machine powered by Nitro on two wheels and the only female competing in this series.
To find out more, visit www.DeschutesBrewery.com or follow on Facebook (/Deschutes.Brewery) and Twitter (@DeschutesBeer).
Contact Dream Chaser Racin’ at dreamchaserracin@yahoo.com or on Facebook (/DreamChaserRacin/)
WANNA BET SOME OF THE COOL STUFF NEVER MAKES IT TO THE POLICE STATION–
Cops in Connecticut are breaking into cars and stealing expensive items with legal impunity. In fact, they say it is for their residents’ own good. In an effort to curb thefts and car break-ins, police have taken it upon themselves to beat the criminals to the score.
Lt. Herbert Sharp told the New Haven Register that there have been eight car break-ins in one week alone and this successful strategy would prevent burglars from stealing expensive items from cars. The department will keep these valuables safe while residents are forced to make a trip to the police station to pick up their personal belongings.
Sharp said they first run the plate number of the car to try to reach the owner. If they can’t, the police will take the property, lock the car door, and leave a receipt informing them who has the item and what time to come and pick it up.
“The bad guy is not going to break into the car and be able to take that item. It inconveniences the person to come down and pick up the property,” the lieutenant said.
The questionable ethics of this approach appear to evade law enforcement.
“The preventive messages fall on deaf ears given the large number of transient students who move into the area for a short period of time,” Sharp said.
This approach is one of the six exceptions in Connecticut law to the requirement for a search warrant.
“It’s called a caretaker,” Sharp said of the initiative he hopes to see implemented this month.
“When it comes to a car, if there is something in plain view that is of value, and the car is unlocked, law enforcement can go into the car and retrieve that item and take it into the property (room) and place it where it is safe,”
“Maybe next time they won’t leave their stuff in plain view,” Sharp said.
One question that hasn’t been asked of the initiative is what would happen if this approach turns up an illegal narcotic or if the license plate search turns up as uninsured or unpaid parking tickets?
New Haven residents concerned for their personal belongings should also have concerns for their privacy rights being invaded.
–from Rogue
BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS STILL OPEN–
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”
The gals were standing talking about their leotards and Mabel says the only thing she does not like is every time she farts it blows off her sneakers.
One sagging boob said to the other sagging boob “We are going to have to perk-up or they are going to think we are NUTS.”
“Instead of giving the politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.” –Doug Larson
–from Rogue and Jerry
MOTORCYCLE EDUCATION ALERT– Fake PSA teaches proper motorcycle passenger etiquette– Riding on a motorcycle can be dangerous business, taking the back seat on one can be worse.
Even if the ride goes smoothly, everyone around town sees you clutching to the back of a badass driver like a scared baby chimp on its proud momma’s back.
Now, not wanting to fall off the back of a bike doesn’t make you weak, but it also doesn’t impart the tough image that usually goes hand in hand with motorcycles. It is difficult to look hard while snuggled up to your riding buddy, arms encircling his waist and practically whispering in his ear. Luckily, video-maker Alex Vivian created this retro style public service announcement to help passengers who fear judgement find a comfortable way to ride.
The classic 1970s flare of the video makes this PSA as charming as it is informative. Our riders Jimmy and Jose walk us through the best ways to maintain your manhood while on the back seat.
The video promises that a passenger’s confident use of these riding styles will surely attract the attention of attractive biking ladies. Just remember, chicks dig confidence, and guys who don’t use the word “bitch.”
–Erin Marquis, Auto Blog
God I love these stories. Mr Scotty seems like a good dude and I certainly respect his tenacity for the “road.” We all have had major fuck-ups along the way but he continues to plug along.
Much respect.
Eager for the next installment. Cheers
Ed Hardison
Corolla, NC
THE 5-BALL LEATHER IKE LOOKS GOOD— Not only does it look good, but it functions like a champ with six pockets, including a gun pockets. Gun pockets are much more than weapon containers, you can stuff large cell phones, small cameras, you name it, deep into a very safe container for the road.
Each stylish Buffalo Leather (middle wait) jacket — Features two chest pockets, two waist pockets, snap down collar, and two inside gun pocket.
The Classical styled jacket also contains an exclusive to 5-ball and Bandit advantage, the Bandit file pocket on the inside of the back, so you can carry you latest bike magazine home for the gas station, or your homework home from school, or her pictures home from Vegas…
The IKE is Boot Tough & Rattlesnake Slick – http://5ballracinggarage.com/product/ike-jacket/
I Like IKE!
-Bandit
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT LEATHER SWEAT SHOP WORD OF THE DAY–
Coriaceous: kawr–ee–EY–shuhs, kohr-, kor–
adjective
1. of or like leather.
Quotes
Christie showcased a capacious personality and a coriaceous hide … but presented mainly platitudes and no clear agenda.
— Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, Double Down: Game Change 2012, 2013
Origin
Coriaceous can be traced to the Latin term for leather, corium. It entered English in the mid-1600s.
DUCATI AND ITALIA Independent sign a global partnership agreement– “All Italian” project to make its debut in Miami in December Three-year agreement for joint product development.
Ducati Motor Holding SpA and Italia Independent SpA have signed a three-year partnership agreement that involves shared product development within their respective fields of excellence. The accord’s focus is on the Ducati Scrambler, the brand created to interpret the values of the iconic 1970s motorcycle that was launched in the U.S. and then went on to become a worldwide success.
The global partnership, one in which Ducati and Italia Independent joined forces for the first time, unites the two brands as a single team bound by their creativity and original design, the true strengths behind “Made in Italy.”
To seal the agreement and ensure that the products developed together are as distinct as possible, a special logo has been created to show how the two different brands have come together in this project.
The products made through this partnership will be revealed in Miami at an event to be held during Art Basel in December.
BAD GOVERNMENT REPORT– Disease victims often shut out of workers’ comp system
Legal barriers for sick workers can be insurmountable; costs are shifted to families and federal programs such as Medicare. Here’s just a small portion of a massive report from the Center for Public Integrity.
By Jamie Smith Hopkinsemail
Deadline vs. disease
At least 11 states set such short deadlines to file occupational-illness claims in their workers’ compensation systems that they can leave people who develop latent diseases — often the most serious of all work-related conditions — with no right to wage and medical help. Alabama is one such state.
Deadline to file a claim in Alabama: Within two years of the last exposure to “the hazards of the disease.” In cases involving death, the worker must die within three years of last exposure.
Time it takes to develop select diseases that can be triggered by work:
Mesothelioma, a cancer triggered by asbestos: Typically 30 years or more
Silicosis, a lung disease triggered by silica dust: Typically 10 years or more
Parkinson’s syndrome, associated with pesticides, trichloroethylene, manganese and other workplace hazards: Unclear latency period, but while it can come on quickly, the lag time is likely more than a decade; average age of onset is 60
Sources: The Alabama Department of Labor, the federal Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.K. regulator Health and Safety Executive, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation and various epidemiological studies.
–from Center for Public Integrity
SAMSON WEEKLY NEWS– B-Stock Blowout Sale!
Winter is here and Samson Exhaust is holding a huge B-Stock over-manufactured blowout sale! We have Big Guns, Legend Series, True Dual Crossovers, Challenger Series, Collector’s, Extreme Series and more!
Whether you have a Sportster, Softail, Dyna or Dresser, we have discounted pipes for your ride. Come check out our insanely low prices and purchase a brand spanking new set of pipes for your bike today!
Awesome site!
–David Manumanua
Port Moresby, Alotau, Papua New Guinea
[page break]
BAD COP REPORT– Police Officer Breaks “Blue Wall of Silence” and Confesses an Ozark Police Officer Killed JB Beasley and Tracie Hawlett 16 Years Ago
–By Jon B. Carroll
In a startling development, after recent attempts by JB Beasley’s sister to seek leads through social media, a veteran Ozark police officer contacted her and said,
“SHE COULD NO LONGER LIVE WITH WHAT SHE KNEW.”
Rena Crumb, a sworn Ozark police officer, told members of the victim’s family that a former Ozark police officer, who currently is employed with a Henry County law enforcement agency, killed Beasley.
The officer accused, of whom we are withholding the identity, per request of a state investigator, according to the Ozark
officer was involved an altercation with Beasley that night (July 31, 1999) and accidentally fired his weapon while attempting to hit her with it.
At one point it is reported both girls escaped, but were recaptured.
The officer reportedly was sent to stop and search JB and Tracie to locate a series of recorded conversations on cassette tapes that were highly incriminating of top Ozark police officers and others.
Crumb stated in an email the following:
“ – NAME REDACTED – is the one who did it, and (Chief) Tony Spivey knew about it. I have known both of them since they joined the Police Department. Rex Tipton, Butch Whittington, and Eddie Henderson are in on the cover-up.
I am ashamed to say I have known for a long time, I worked with all of them, blue walls of silence, can’t believe it stayed silent this long, everyone talks when they drink”.
The cassette tapes in question, we are told by a former law enforcement officer who worked the case for years, are believed to be of a prominent businessman and a judicial official (now federal judge) that were involved in discussions of cocaine distribution and profits, and discuss paying out money to a man who is now Alabama’s leading politicians.
Former Ozark police chief Tony Spivey
“Chief Tony Spivey is on the tapes, he’s the damn fool who let the girls be where they were in the first place.”
The two girls intended to use these tapes in a court case that was scheduled for the coming Monday, August 2, 1999, less than 48 hours after they were murdered. The tapes were to be entered as evidence.
Officer Crum has said the same story to four individuals and was interviewed by Houston County deputy Donovan Arias, before she was interviewed by Ozark police chief, Marlos Walker. We have listened to that audio file.
An Ozark officer, speaking in strict confidence, told us,
“Marlos at first refused to interview her, then tried to delay it until he spoke his real boss, and now has buried the report. If it had not been for Deputy Arias he would have covered it up. Arias made sure the chief interviewed her and witnessed it. At this point I figure they will kill her.”
A retired federal law enforcement officer also shared this was expected that,
“whenever someone got close to this case they were shut down, retired ,or transferred out of the area. We knew it was covered up, but we just didn’t know why.”
When we spoke to a government official / family friend in Montgomery – after we interviewed the Attorney General’s Investigator Shawn Smith – he admitted this case would not be solved. If so, it has to come from people outside the State of Alabama at the federal. This is the same conclusion Governor Siegleman concluded, he told us.
We were told that,
“to many very important people have everything to lose at this point. They will let sleeping dogs lie.”
A.G. Investigator Shawn Smith denied the allegation, that at multiple times, retired, and former law enforcement officers, had approached the attorney general to share the information necessary to solve the case.
However, documents shared in confidence with us by a retired federal officer proved otherwise. Smith told us,
“That’s strange I have no record of that in the files”.
After Officer Crum came forward, she immediately starting receiving death threats. We were shown digital evidence that we were able to trace to former Ozark police officer Butch Whittington, warning her, “to keep her fucking mouth shut.”
Crum was then reportedly assaulted and beaten with a baseball bat and her orbital socket fractured and shoulder injured, but will not discuss who did it to her out of fear, and refuses to press charges.
Former Ozark Policeman Butch Whittington
The victim’s family told us that at this point Attorney General’s office investigator Shawn Smith refuses to interview her and admitted this to us in his interview last week, and claimed nothing would likely be done about the case. Their was no money available for witness protection.
–Henry County Report
–from Rogue
AMAZING! SOME LONE STAR RALLY ROOMS STILL AVAILABLE– Hotel Galvez & Spa’s last few rooms are available for the rally! Book now as they won’t last long!
Hotel Galvez & Spa is in the perfect location for Lone Star Rally goers! This beachfront hotel is across the street from the Beach Central Park stage Stage, Bike Shows, vendors and demo rides on Seawall Blvd. Hotel Galvez is only 1.5 miles away from all the action in the Strand District including the Budweiser Stage, at Saengerfest Park 23rd & Strand and, the Manufacturer/Vendor Market at Pier 21.
Rates starting from just $299/night (with advance purchase) for Nov. 6 and 7. For reservations, call direct 409-515-2154 or book online.
FACTORY MARKETING CHIEF DEPARTS– Harley-Davidson’s marketing chief Richer departs at a critical time–Harley-Davidson Inc. announced Wednesday that Mark-Hans Richer, showing off a jacket at the Vatican in 2013, is no longer serving as its senior vice president and chief marketing officer. The company recently said it was beefing up marketing.
By Rick Barrett of the Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Harley-Davidson Inc.’s top marketing executive has left the company less than a month after Harley announced that it was beefing up spending in marketing and product development — both areas aimed at boosting sales for years to come.
Mark-Hans Richer had been senior vice president of marketing since 2007. Previously he spent nine years with General Motors in various divisions.
As part of the management changes at Harley-Davidson, Sean Cummings, who was hired in 2014 and most recently led the company’s Latin America region, has been promoted to senior vice president of global demand.
In his new role, Cummings will lead the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific regional teams, as well as the go-to-market functions, principally marketing, retail excellence and sales operations, Harley said.
He has more than 30 years of international experience in the power sports and recreational products industry, according to Harley.
Richer and Cummings could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
In a statement, the company said: “In his time with Harley-Davidson, Mark-Hans was instrumental in achieving our transformational goals, including expanding our reach to both core and outreach customers, and we thank him for his contributions. The changes are an important piece of the company’s recently announced plan to build on its leadership position in the market and grow demand, with a key objective to lead in every market.”
In October, Harley said it planned to increase spending in marketing by about 65% in 2016 and spending in product development by 35% — about a $70 million increase in those areas.
The changes come as Harley has experienced intense pressure from competitors, including Japanese motorcycle manufacturers and Minnesota-based Indian Motorcycle Co.
.
At that time, Harley also said it planned to eliminate about 250 salaried positions, largely by the end of the year, across the company.
Still, Richer’s departure caught some people by surprise, including Chaz Hastings, a former Harley-Davidson corporate employee who now owns Milwaukee Harley-Davidson, a motorcycle dealership on the city’s north side.
“Mark-Hans has done what the dealers have felt was a remarkable job. He was well respected by the dealer network,” Hastings said. “There have been some people who have left Harley recently who have decades of tribal knowledge inside the company.”
Some of the company’s long-term issues include the need to keep its legacy customers satisfied while, at the same time, attracting new people to the brand.
“We don’t consume television, newspapers, and the printed word the way we used to. So I am not surprised that a long-standing company like Harley, with long-held traditions, could be challenged by what’s going to work,” said Genevieve Schmitt, publisher of Women Riders Now, an online publication aimed at female motorcyclists.
“Mark-Hans did a tremendous job while he was at Harley, but perhaps it’s time for someone new, with some new ideas that will be more in line with these new marketing avenues,” Schmitt said.
WALNECKS’S NEWSLETTER– COMING NOVEMBER 22nd
Princeton, Illinois. An hour west of Joliet, Illinois and an hour east of Davenport, Iowa. 1,250 buyers in March. 3-connected, HEATED buildings! Reserve early as it is a “sold out” event.
Buzz Walneck (630) 985 – 2097
Sunday, 8:00AM – 3:00PM. Admission $6 for adults. All indoors – Great food too!
Walneck’s Inc.
7923 Janes Avenue
Woodridge, IL 60517
www.walneckswap.com
LEGACY CB750 WATCHES– The world’s leading online accessory shop for owners and fans of the legendary Honda CB 750 now introduces a high-quality stainless-steel wristwatch with a watch face styled like the speedometer of the fabled first
mass-production four-cylinder motorcycle.
Please visit the CB750Four.us media website at:
–Mike Dorn
Sales Manager
www.CB750Four.us
EUROPEAN CONTACT OFFICE
[photo 6541]
BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY HAPPY HOUR– The Window from which we look
A young couple moved into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast,
The young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
“That laundry is not very clean,” she said.
“She doesn’t know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.”
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: “Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?”
The husband said, “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.”
–from Jim Waggaman
These donations in the form of challenge grants have intended to help KJazz build a more secure foundation by strengthening and enlarging our donor base so that KJazz will be here for years to come. This year’s challenge grant opportunity is no exception.
During the Fall Drive, the Herb Alpert Foundation is generously offering KJazz the chance to receive $25,000 if, and only if, we are able to raise $75,000. For every three dollars we raise, the Foundation will match with a dollar.
But we have to raise the entire $75,000 to get the $25,000 from the Herb Alpert Foundation. To help us reach this goal, we have broken up the challenge into several parts. Today, we need to raise $10,000, as the first part of the challenge. Plus, your matching gift will help us reach our weekly goal of $40,000! Your contribution today can make a real difference in helping the KJazz Fall Drive be a success.
You can listen to Jazz, Blues, and more 24/7 free of commercials on line at Kjazz.com. That’s why they need donations. I listen to their program almost daily in the Bikernet Headquarters.–Bandit
BIKERNET FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHER IN VEGAS– Since I will never have a chance to shoot this FL bike again, I did a few
there on the floor.
IT IS A DIESEL! And he rides it all the time.
–Peter
Enjoyed your article. Found it while looking online to find a front fender to fit the forks of my 2008 SPS Bobber. It was the 2nd or 3rd result, first non-SPS page.
Sounded like you enjoyed the bike. Do you ride one like it? I am loving mine, but don’t see many people ride one like it.
Do you know what really happened with the company after you wrote this article? I read some news articles, but they didn’t really know details.
–Mark Thomas
San Antonio, TX
The company sold to a car-dealer family in Phoenix. They built the sharp little bobber line and couldn’t go wrong, but our economy tanked and so did 75 percent of our industry. The owner died and someone else took over the company. At that point it slipped into the wrong hands and has never surfaced. –Bandit
A LADY WALKS INTO TIFFANY’S– SHE LOOKS AROUND, SPOTS A BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND BRACELET AND WALKS OVER TO INSPECT IT…
AS SHE BENDS OVER TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY, SHE UNEXPECTEDLY FARTS… VERY EMBARRASSED, SHE LOOKS AROUND NERVOUSLY TO SEE IF ANYONE NOTICED HER LITTLE WOOPS AND PRAYS THAT A SALESPERSON WAS NOT ANYWHERE NEAR…
AS SHE TURNS AROUND, HER WORST NIGHTMARE MATERIALIZES IN THE FORM OF A SALESMAN STANDING RIGHT BEHIND HER…
GOOD LOOKING AS WELL .. COOL AS A CUCUMBER, HE DISPLAYS ALL OF THE QUALITIES ONE WOULD EXPECT OF A PROFESSIONAL IN A STORE LIKE TIFFANY’S…
HE POLITELY GREETS THE LADY WITH, ‘GOOD DAY, MADAM .. HOW MAY WE HELP YOU TODAY???
BLUSHING AND UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT STILL HOPING THAT THE SALESMAN SOMEHOW MISSED HER LITTLE ‘INCIDENT’, SHE ASKS, ‘SIR, WHAT IS THE PRICE OF THIS LOVELY BRACELET ??’
HE ANSWERS, “MADAM .. IF YOU FARTED JUST LOOKING AT IT –
YOU’RE GOING TO SHIT YOURSELF WHEN I TELL YOU THE PRICE ..”
–from El Waggs
DR. HAMSTER’S 1971 500 TRIUMPH TWIN— Did you know about these Triumphs from the ‘70s? They were 100 pounds lighter than the 650 models and delivered just two horsepower less than the big two-cylinder Bonneville. I believe the 650s produce 38 horses and the 500 punched out a reliable 36 horses, before mods. They were very popular with off-road guys, so few are left in stock condition.
He rode over last weekend, but was having clutch problems. Here’s what he found out.
“After a bit of tinkering, I finally figured out what was wrong: The locknut for the clutch adjuster screw was seized to the adjuster screw!!!!
So when you tried to set the locknut after the correct clutch adjustment it actually took the adjustment out of the clutch!!
The shop in Chicago and the previous owner probably never separated those two and
therefore could not get the issue resolved…..
Ha- success!!
She running, shifting like a charm!
Dr. Christian Reichardt
1347 23rd St Suite 102
Santa Monica, CA 90404
P. 310-829-0453
F. 310-829-0455
MORE NZ BIKERS ORDERED HOME TO AUSTRALIA — Australia’s immigration authorities have ramped up the pressure on ‘foreign’ bikers living in WA – hitting another three Rebels motorcycle club members with deportation orders
The three men were all New Zealand nationals who were taken into custody on Sunday and Monday after their visas were cancelled by the Immigration Minister on “character grounds”.
One of the men – former New Zealand soldier Ko Rutene – was arrested as he was leaving Casuarina Prison after visiting another senior member of his club who is also awaiting deportation to New Zealand.
Mr Rutene’s lawyer Michael Pena-Rees claimed his client was a FIFO worker and a father with no criminal record, but was being treated like a criminal simply because of his membership of a motorcycle club.
Mr Pena-Rees also claimed the Mr Rutene was surrounded by seven officers from the WA Police gang crime squad who pointed tazers at him during his arrest.
The other two Rebels members were believed to be Mehaka Tepuia and Michael Joiner who had both lived in Perth for more than a decade.
The deportation issue has become a hot topic in New Zealand where anger is growing at Australia’s crackdown on unwanted foreigners.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key raised his concerns about the policy directly with Malcolm Turnbull during his visit to New Zealand last month.
More than 100 New Zealanders have already been sent home this year and it is understood close to 200 more are in detention awaiting deportation.
The purge began in December when the threshold for revoking visas was lowered to include anyone who had been jailed for more than twelve months, or members of organisations such as motorcycle clubs that were suspected of being involved in organised crime.
A spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection said the Government “remained committed to protecting the Australian community from those involved in serious criminal activity”.
THIS JUST IN FROM LOWBROW– And Now For Something Completely Different: Weirdo Vol. 5
The fifth installment of Weirdo, Lowbrow Customs’ popular periodical that features new motorcycle parts and accessories from around the world in addition to customer bike photos, tech tips, and underground motorcycle event coverage, is now available. With a publication schedule of one issue every 4 – 16 months, fans wait with bated breath, however, every issue is 100% guaranteed to show up right on schedule 46% of the time.
A familiar feeling to those readers who choose old motorcycles as their main mean of movement. Get your copy for a mere $2.50, or better yet, get a copy free with any order over $100 from Lowbrow Customs! See what the fuss is about at www.lowbrowcustoms.com/weirdo
Available world-wide, 24/7 via www.lowbrowcustoms.com or call toll-free 1-855-456-9276
LATEST FROM STRICTLY HAWGS-– This is our Strictly Hawgs inexpensive upgrade breaking system for a bagger. Using Tokico brakes. Available in Chrome, Black, and Polish.
Fits on a 1999 to Present bagger. Is good seeing you. Thank you again!
–Joanna Andrade
DON’T STOP— A high school buddy showed up this afternoon, Larry St. Marie. He’s still surfing, moved to Lake Shasta and builds vintage cars. He’s now retired from the Long Shoreman’s union and we discussed our 50th High School reunion. What the hell?
Our Peashooter is heading to the Ultimate Builder Show in Long Beach in a couple of weeks, to be on display or a model for a pen and ink artist. Spectators will be able to purchase hand drawn prints of the 5-Ball Pea.
My 2014 cross-country Indian might also be on display in Long Beach. We’ll see. I need to hit the Bonne Bell tech next.
Life is a scramble. Have a helluva weekend.
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit
