BIKERNET TO FEATURE BIKER BOOKS CARRIED BY AMAZON–What the hell. I’m a writer, sorta, so I need to support other biker bastards who try to survive on writing. Most of ’em could write dime-store sex and romance novels and make a fortune, but nooooo, they write about motorcycles and bikers and don’t make a dime. Didn’t you know? Bikers don’t read.
What the hell, we keep trying.
INDY DEALER SHOW W8LESS ROTOR SPECIAL PRICES–Hello Bikernet. My name is Charlie Rau the new general manager for W8LESS Products LLC. I just talked to Ray Wheeler our rep. It would be great to let folks know about the show prices (INDY) via Bikernet. Mr. John Arbeeny our new C.E.O. also agrees it would be great
The rotor Show Prices are: $269.95 retail (msrp $319.95) including brake pads. This a good deal. Of course, this is just for the date Feb 14 thru Feb 19.
The company W8LESS Products Board of directors will decide on new pricing in the very near future which should help sales efforts.
–Charlie Rau
SPEED SYNDICATE CONTACTS BIKERNET– Yeah, I will make contact with Bandit Helmets in Germany as soon as I get back home.I also had dinner with Glenn Bartels today (Route 66 Riders). I am producing/servicing all his websites and we talked about new projects.
He has got a new YouTube/Internet-tv project going on, and he was really interested in making a segment on Bikernet/Keith Ball. Maybe something around your Bonneville-bike?
–Kurt N?slund
Speed Syndicate Norway
Tel: +47 47605040
fax: +47 85228696
kurt@speedsyndicate.no
ABATE of CaliforniaMAY is MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS MONTHCOUNTY & CITY COORDINATORS LIST– WANNA HELP?YOU can be a coordinator! Add your name to the list in the appropriate place – return this email to Cooperation with different riding organizations is HIGHLY encouraged. This isn’t about who gets “credit”…it’s about building relationships with riders AND elected officials. ABATE just happens to take the lead on this issue, but we welcome all the help we can get from other organizations. HELPFUL HINT YOUR GOVERNMENT DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW:It’s NOT that hard to do. Coming up with the proclamation language is 95% of the job, and we’ve already done that for you! LEARN HOW TO DO IT THE LIFE YOU SAVE Thank you to the following folks who have volunteered to serve the riding community as Motorcycle Awareness Month Coordinators.Also – please include the date and time of any acceptance ceremonies, to maximize attendance. STRONGEST FENDERS IN THE BUSINESS FROM MILWAUKEE IRON–Milwaukee Iron Steel Front Fenders. The Strongest Fenders in the business.Available in four widths.4″, 4.50″, 5″, & 6″ wide with a 21″ wheel.FL, FXWG, V-Rod, and Deuce mounting available. All made from 11 gauge cold roll steel, the strongest fenders in the business. Info: Milwaukee Iron, Inc., 110 Ramsey Place, Lynchburg, VA 24501 LEGISLATIVE QUESTION OF THE DAY– My question is: A very important question!! Has there been a case involving false advertising, of a kind, to accuse helmet manufacturers of false labeling? When there is NOT an approved helmet list obtainable (to come into possession of; get, acquire, or procure, as through an effort or by a request) . NHTSA does NOT certify or approve helmets they set a performance standard. NTSB does NOT certify or approve helmets, they investigate transportation issues. Neither have a list of approved helmets! A deceptive trade practice is an activity in which an individual or business engages that is calculated to mislead or lure the public into purchasing a product or service. (As in False labeling of DOT stickers to helmets) (a word or phrase indicating that what follows belongs in a particular category or classification ), false advertising and odometer tampering are two of the most blatant examples of this commercial lying. Such activities are given special status as offenses against the citizenry in general and are therefore accorded by law special enforcement status. Deceptive trade practices result in criminal prosecution in some states; in others, statutes provide for private enforcement, whereby a citizen is entitled to sue a business for violating deceptive trade practice laws and may be able to recover punitive damages and/or statutory fines. The attorney general of the state may also bring a lawsuit against an offending business enterprise. Because a deceptive trade practice may affect individuals or businesses from more than one state, a number of states have adopted the standardized Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act (UDTPA). The Uniform Act does not add or detract from the law of any one state; rather, it is inclusive and tends to cover, in general terms, all the prohibitions and issues addressed in state law in this area. For example, the Uniform Act prohibits making deceptive representations in connection with commercial goods. This obviously covers odometer tampering, but it also addresses all forms of deception in the marketing or advertising of goods and services. Those states that have not adopted the UDTPA have laws similar to it. There is little controversy among the states over what activity amounts to a deceptive trade practice. However, there is a great deal of variety concerning the remedies available for the violations and who may sue for those violations. There are two main purposes of the statutes providing for remedies for businesses engaging in unlawful activity: (1) injunctions or restraining orders forbidding the continued deceptive trade practice and (2) punishment via fines, damages, and imprisonment. But because businesses are generally in violation of deceptive trade practice laws, and because it is difficult to determine whom to punish in the violating business, fines are generally the most effective method of extracting restitution. Garry: Very good point. A few years ago, I contacted my state (Wisconsin) Consumer Protection agency, located in Madison, Wisconsin. My question was, how can helmet manufacturers advertise that their product was DOT approved? Most HD dealerships and shops had helmets in boxes with this claim in the advertisements. Also, HD and others had this claim in magazine ads. Wisconsin law prohibits false advertisement. The Consumer Protection agency said they would look into this. The very next year, HD and most others have changed their ads to something like “DOT compliant” or meets the DOT standard. So I know there was something to this. If there are ads still out there in some states, using the DOT approved language, one needs to check with the Consumer Protection agency in that state and submit a complaint. –Pan FIVE YEARS STRONG, HARLEY-DAVIDSON CONTINUES SUPPORT OF “BLACK BIKERS IN THE PARK”– Activities Planned Include the Harley-Davidson “Hot Model” Competition at Stocking Park. MILWAUKEE (February 7, 2008) – Engines will be revving and the fun will be firing on all cylinders as Harley-Davidson Motor Company celebrates its fifth year supporting “Black Bikers in the Park” at Daisy Stocking Park in Daytona Beach. Activities scheduled at the Harley-Davidson Experience include a fashion show, Women’s Rider’s Edge Seminars, product displays and even a temporary tattoo parlor for kids. An added attraction is Harley-Davidson’s “Hot Model” competition that is sure to rev up onlookers. Harley-Davidson’s “Hot Model” competition is a fun event where contestants first attend a casting call (March 4-6). Once participants are selected from the casting call, they will “compete for a spot” (March 6) in the Harley-Davidson Fashion show (March 7). Two models will be selected (one male and one female) to win a chance to compete in the big competition at Harley-Davidson’s 105th Anniversary celebration in August. Winners will be flown to Milwaukee where they will compete with other finalists from various events Harley-Davidson will participate in throughout the year such as National Bikers Roundup, West Coast Roundup, LAMA Domestic Rally, and Black Bike Week. Two winners will be selected in Milwaukee where they will win prizes and the opportunity to be featured in Harley-Davidson’s 2009 MotorClothes catalogue. “We are looking forward to another successful year as we interact with the many Harley-Davidson owners and enthusiasts during Black Bikers in the Park,” states Lynn Bonner, Market Outreach Director, Harley-Davidson. “We take great pride in supporting the African American motorcycle community. Hosting the Harley-Davidson “Hot Model” competition gives us the opportunity to showcase the uniqueness and style African Americans bring to the world of fashion and motorcycling.” Harley-Davidson is also making it possible to get up-to-the-minute information on all of the activities taking place at Daytona Bike Week and “Black Bikers in the Park” with daily online coverage including blogs, photos, Harley-Davidson “Hot Model” competition highlights, and video updates at Additional Harley-Davidson activities at the Ocean Center Arena will run from March 2-8. Highlights include: Bike Week include: There will also be activities at select Harley-Davidson dealerships throughout the Daytona area.For a complete listing of Harley-Davidson events, please visit our website at 1951 PANHEAD DEAL OF THE WEEK– Just $4000.00 and it’s yours. For more info call Tim and Negotiable Parts at Negotiableparts@aol.com. NEW ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER FOR AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE GROUP– SOURCE Interlink Media, the publishing company behind Hot Bike, Hot Bike Baggers and Street Chopper magazines, has announced the promotion of David Roe to the position of Associate Publisher in its American Motorcycle Group. Roe, in his newly created position within American Motorcycle Group, will assist the Publisher in the supervision, marketing and daily management of the motorcycling titles. In addition, he will be responsible for researching and developing new market opportunities and various promotional programs. American Motorcycle and Dirt Motorcycle Group Publisher, Sean Finley, said: “David’s focus as Associate Publisher will be to reinforce the position of these titles as leaders in their respective market-places. His proven track record of helping our marketing partners with their growth objectives has enabled him to develop strong relationships and earned him respect within both the truck and motorcycle markets.” Speaking about his new position, Roe said: “I am looking forward to this new and challenging opportunity, and will use the experiences and insight that I have gained over the years to work towards a successful 2008.” David Roe AMA SEEKS URGENT GRASSROOTS ACTION TO END HEALTH INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MOTORCYCLISTS–More than 100 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have co-sponsored a bill that would end health insurance discrimination against motorcyclists and others who participate in legal recreational activities or use their motorcycles for transportation. While the action is significant, there is still much work to be done, according to AMA Vice President for Government Relations Edward Moreland. TAKE ACTION NOW. You can easily contact your U.S. Representative on this issue through the AMA Rapid Response Center: http://tinyurl.com/2nxass “The AMA is calling on motorcyclists and others who face health insurance discrimination to urge their U.S. Representatives to support H.R. 1076, known as the HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act,” said Moreland. “Time is short. The bill has broad bi-partisan support but we need 218 votes for passage. If we don’t act by April, we will likely miss our chance for legislative action in 2008.” Health insurance discrimination can have a devastating financial effect on families and has been the focus of efforts by the AMA and other groups for many years. Following the passage of the original HIPAA legislation in 2001, bureaucrats at the Department of Health and Human Services created a loophole that allowed insurance companies to deny benefits to people who are injured while participating in legal recreational activities, such as riding motorcycles or off-road vehicles, horseback riding, skiing, and other activities. H.R. 1076 will close that loophole. Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas) has worked diligently to get H.R. 1076 passed. “Laws like HIPAA are passed to protect people,” he said. “Sometimes they have unintended consequences. When this happens, Congress has an obligation to fix the loopholes and that?s what this bill does.” “No one should be denied health coverage for no reason other than they enjoy snowmobiles, motorcycles or other recreational activities,” said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), the lead Democrat sponsoring the bill. “This legislation would enforce the original intent of Congress and ensure recreational enthusiasts are not discriminated against.”In the last Congress, the U.S. Senate passed a companion bill by unanimous consent, but the bigger challenge has been getting legislation approved in the House. “We now have 101 co-sponsors for this legislation in the House, which is an important milestone,” said Moreland. “But to reach 218 votes and get H.R. 1076 passed, immediate grassroots action is crucial, especially since House members are returning to their districts soon to campaign for the fall election.” Other organizations supporting this legislation include: American Council of Snowmobile Association; American Horse Council; American Recreation Coalition; American Trails; Americans for Responsible Recreational Access; Blue Ribbon Coalition; International Mountain Bicycling Association; Motorcycle Industry Council; Motorcycle Riders Foundation; National Ski Areas Association; Specialty Vehicle Industry Council; Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association; and the Washington Road Riders Association. Source: http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2008/HIPAA.asp –from Bruce Arnold FATBOB HAS A HEAVY HEART– I write this with a heavy heart. My brother in the wind George, has had his bone cancer come back. He is the big guy on the long bike with all the swastikas. Please put him in the Thursday news. Man, it would cheer him up. I know he doesn’t look like a biker on his sled, but he is sick. I didn’t show him the article because I’m on his sled with my grandson. I feel it would either piss him off or hurt him, like I was trying to cop his glory. This was going to be the last bike he built before he died. Bird and I are going to finish it for a Bikernet article, but please put something together about him and the bike. I wrote the club poem in 1979 when we were working at the nuke plant in Byron, Illinois. Last of the Cowboys. Oh yeah, the springer in Bird’s hand in the pic is not the one on the long bike, but another again Bandit e is getting more fucking radiation as I type. The cancer was in remission and the insurance co quit paying for the drug that put it there which is the drug women took for morning sickness and it fucked up the babies, thaelidamide. I know, I spelled it wrong that’s why I told what it did to women, then you will know what I’m talking about. Damn lame when they have shit to keep you healthy and let you die because of money. I know everyone has a sad song, and sympathy is between shit and syphillis in the dictionary, but it would mean so much to me, Bird, and lift George’s spirits. Here’s a poem for the man: Always a biker belonged to a club Building his scooters to handle the road Always a stand up never a fool Red is his color he runs it with pride Road trips the nationals runwith the pack –FATBOB 10th ANNIVERSARY CUSTOM CHROME EUROPE DEALER SHOW TO HOST EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 2008–CUSTOM Chrome Europe will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its popular Dealer Show at Mainz, Germany, on March 29th and 30th, with the event again hosting AMD’s Official European Championship of Custom Bike Building. The event will see Custom Chrome putting up a parts and cash prize fund that includes bike freight/expenses contributions of 5.000 Euros each for the first three competitors to travel to compete at the 5th annual Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August. Always a popular weekend with dealers in Europe, the event combines distributor warehouse show features such as vendor booths, seminars and parts and accessory sales promotions and incentives with what is widely regarded as the highest standard of custom bike design and engineering competition held outside of the United States. European Championship judging will be by the competitors themselves and a selected VIP jury. The event is a genuinely open Championship, but whilst the majority of competitors are drawn from the custom dealer network in Europe, the unique formula of the weekend has provided a showcase in which leading private builders have been able to come and have their projects judged alongside the market’s professionals on a level playing field. There will be sub-classes to recognize the specific design and engineering achievements of builders working with Custom Chrome Motorcycle packages and Modified Harley-Davidson frames and engines, but as ever, the primary hallmark of the European Championship will be the increasingly admired ‘FreeStyle’ class in which design and engineering diversity and originality is promoted and rewarded. Competitors can enter online at the World Championship website (www.amdchampionship.com) where entry forms and full details of the weekend can be found. For their dealer show Custom Chrome is promising the largest turn-out of leading European and American vendors yet, with Jesse James, Cory Ness, John Reed, Fred Kodlin and Marcus Walz among those slated to be taking part. The show runs from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday March 29th (the dealer/industry-only day) and Sunday March 30th at its established venue, the atmospheric Phoenixhalle in Mainz, Germany. www.custom-chrome-europe.com TOP 10 VALENTINE’S DON’TS– No. 1 DON’T tell your girlfriend that this has been “one of the best” Valentine’s you’ve ever had. She won’t see that as a compliment. No. 2 DON’T celebrate your special night by ordering tequila shots, Valentine’s is already poignant enough without inviting Jose Cuervo to the party! Anger, shouting and upchucking that expensive dinner, you paid for, do not a romantic evening make. No. 3 DON’T try to “avoid the rush.” There’s no such thing as a romantic 4:00 PM dinner (unless you’re over 65). No. 4 DON’T try to slip how much you spent on her gift into the conversation. She already knows the going rate for cubic zirconia, dude. No. 5 DON’T Forget to compliment your wife or girlfriend on her Valentine’s ensemble. Compliment her dress, her hair, her shoes, her nails, her makeup, her jewelry, her fingers, her toes, her kneecaps, her kidneys, etc. Just keep complimenting No. 6 DON’T willingly engage in any conversation during which your wife/girlfriend addresses you by your real name. If she calls you “Honey,” or “Sweetheart,” or even “Papi,” you’re good to go. But any conversation that starts with “Michael, I need to ask you a question,” is a potential minefield. No. 7 DON’T take your Valentine to an NC-17 movie, even if it’s foreign and/or artsy. On a night like this, the only naked body you should be admiring is hers. No. 8 DON’T be your usual, too-cool-to-wear-nice-clothes self. No need to buy a new suit, but come on man, maybe tonight isn’t the night for your, “ironic” Dukes of Hazard t-shirt. No. 9 DON’T order tequila shots. Do you hear me? I’m not kidding about this! No. 10 DON’T play mood music that’s sexier than you are. If you’re not 100% certain you can provide genuine “sexual healing,” leave Marvin Gaye up on the shelf. Every man’s got to know his limitations. So, in other words, have a Great Valentine’s Day! IT’S WHISKEY AND ROSES TIME–Have a terrific time for me. I’m doing shots of whiskey with teaspoons of honey back, then tea with lemon. How’s that sound? I thought so. I have so much more to report, but fuck it. I’m done. My ears are ringing, my head pounding. She promised her chicken soup would cure me? Watch for the cool Knockout Board tracker next week. Ride Forever, –Bandit
Just might be your own.
phone: 434-385-1044 e-mail:
sales@milwaukeeiron.com
website: www.milwaukeeiron.com
– H.O.G. Members Only new product reception on March 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
– H.O.G. Hospitality area on the first floor during regular show hours
– Harley-Davidson and Buell New Product Show (March 2-8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily)
– Women’s Day activities and Womens MDA Ride arrival (March 4)
– Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Live Auction (March 7) and MDA Bike Raffle (March 8)Harley-Davidson activities outside the Ocean Center during
– The Harley-Davidson Traveling Museum.
– Annual Ride-In Custom Motorcycle Show Contest (March 5)
– B.O.S.S. Ball of Steel Stunt Shows
– Harley-Davidson Festival Stage with music and entertainment
– Harley-Davidson and Buell Demos (at Daytona International Speedway)
Tel: 661-252-6129
E-mail: david.roe@sourceinterlink.com
http://ldrlongdistancerider.com/bikers_rights.php
Bike trash to some but never a rub
Wearing his colors living the code
Jockey shifting his sled before it was cool
Rode the white line Brothers by side
He was a Hells Henchman and never looked back