Life is nuts, but goddamnit it’s spine tingling. Never a dull moment, is one of my creeds. There’s too much shit going on to mention. We’re moving. I’m writing this surrounded by boxes, the garage is a mess, life is in turmoil. We’ll report on the new building next week. Let’s hit the news, then have a drink.
Hells Angels Fund Raiser
On Sunday, the Hells Angels motorcycle club called upon Long Islanders to help support Lance Corporal Ian Lennon and his family after he injury in an explosion.
Members of the Long Island Hells Angels rallied support and donations for the Marine from Lindenhurst.
The 24-year-old soldier was badly burned in a fuel explosion in Kuwait. Ian’s family says he is going through physical therapy because 80 percent of his body was burned. He is currently being treated in Texas.
Organizers hope Sunday’s event will raise more than $15,000. Raffles, t-shirts and drinks were sold as part of the fundraiser to help Lennon and his family. The Hells Angels are also sending a Marine Corps Flag across the country, so members who served in the U.S.M.C. can sign it to show their support for Ian.
News is provided by the Outsider from various sources and posted on
–from K.O.
Hawaii Threatens Helmet Law
Bill number SB2534, the latest proposed Mandatory Helmet Law, is on the street. It has been introduced on the Senate side. Your right to choose is once again being threatened! The latest we have heard (14 Feb) is that this Bill was recommended deferred. Good news but it could easily rear it’s head later.
House Bills HB992 and HB2545 are the latest Bills with regards to aftermarket exhaust systems/mufflers on motorcycles and mopeds. If these pass say goodbye to aftermarket exhaust.
–Larry Valle
Big Kahuna Motorcycle Tours & Rentals
Thunder Road Radio Show on 50,000 Watt KFNX 1100 AM in Phoenix Saturday Mornings from 9 to 11
And Arizona?s Thunder Riders Magazine Free At Better Biker Outlets Exclusively for Arizona 15750 N. Northsight Blvd #204 D Scottsdale, AZ 85260, 480-778-1444 – FAX 480-778-1591
Daytona Police Gear Up For Bike Week Traffic
PALM COAST — After a rainy Bike Week in 2003, the outlook is a little better for the 2004 event, which officially began Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, the outlook for at least the first part of Bike Week is for partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the lower to mid-70s during the day. Temperatures are expected to dip into the 50s overnight.
Sunny skies and warmer temperatures mean more motorcyclists on the roads in Flagler County. So for Capt. Mark Carman, commander of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Palm Coast precinct, the major concern is traffic.
“All the hotels get filled up and all the campgrounds are jammed packed,” he said. “We try and put out a little more traffic patrol.”
Carman said the Sheriff’s Office also provides off-duty personnel for businesses that ask for it, but those businesses pay for the deputies’ time.
Overall, Carman said deputies just keep their eyes open. “We just try to keep an eye out,” he said. “Some of them like to drink a little bit, so we keep an eye on that.”
With State Road A1A a popular route for Bike Week visitors, Flagler Beach police also cite traffic as their major problem. “A lot of the crowds fill up our motels and hotels,” Flagler Beach Police Chief Mike Plummer said. “Bike Week brings a lot of them to our city and we have a number of fine restaurants and watering holes.”
Plummer said while Bike Week crowds are usually well-behaved, the increased traffic can present a problem.
Bike Week, which is expected to draw about 500,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to Volusia and Flagler counties, runs through March 7.
By AARON LONDON Staff Writer
–from Rogue
Cantina Seniors Report
Two elderly Wal-Mart greeters were sitting on a bench during break time and one turns to the other asking, “Slim, I’m 73 years old and I’m just full of aches and pains. I know you are about my age. How do you feel???”
Slim says, ” I feel just like a new born babe.”
Rather amazed his coworker repeats his statement in the form of a question, “Really? A new born babe???”
“Yup”, grins Slim, “No teeth, No hair, and I think I just wet my pants!!!
–from S & C
Bike Week Entertainment Rocks
Rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd, George Thorogood, Rick Derringer and others will be competing to see who can crank up the Bike Week anthem as this year’s festival continues today and runs through March 7.
Nerve Marketing is staging a series of free concerts, “7 Nights, 7 Bars, 7 Bands” — although, as a Nerve representative noted, last-minute changes mean that the concert series is no longer seven bands and seven bars. Most “7 Nights” concerts are at 8 p.m., with the Penthouse Girls of Bike Week Contest slated to precede each concert. However, Styx and George Thorogood are at 9 p.m.
Below is a look at the “7 Nights” schedule. For more information, call Nerve at (386) 257-3030. For more Bike Week concerts and events, see the separate Bike Week Calendar on the Entertainment page for details. All Bike Week events are subject to change.
BIKER BLAST 2004, FEB. 27-MARCH 6: live entertainment, contests 3 p.m. daily, prizes, food, beverage and vendors, “Winn Thrills” Motorcycle Thrill Show — Dome of Death; Vanslyke & Arnold, 8 p.m. Feb. 27; Small Town Boys, 8 p.m. Feb. 28; Matanzas Band, 8 p.m. March 1-2; the 3-D Band, 8 p.m. March 3-4; Joe Santana & Motley Jackson, 8 p.m. March 5-6, Thunder Gulch, 2129 N. U.S. 1, Bunnell. (800) 714-8388.
VIETNAM MEMORIAL MOVING WALL, FEB. 27-MARCH 7: also featuring the Veteran’s Mobile Museum, re-enactment of “The Last Patrol” and Vietnam art exhibit, opening ceremonies, 4 p.m., Daytona Flea Market, U.S. 92 and I-4, Daytona Beach. Free. (386) 323-7714.
EASYRIDERS DAYTONA PAVILION, FEB. 27-MARCH 7: meet master builders, more than 30 manufacturers; food, drinks, Camel Roadhouse Tour and live entertainment, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Riverfront Park, Beach Street, Daytona Beach.
SUNSHINE PARK VENDOR EXPO, FEB. 27-MARCH 7: 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Sunshine Park, 2400 S. Ridgewood Ave., South Daytona. Free. (386) 677-6749.
DAYTONA HARLEY-DAVIDSON, FEB. 27-MARCH 7: outside vendors, motorcycle related products, clothing, leather goods, chrome and more; book-signing with Sasha Mullins, author of “Bikerlady: Living & Riding Free” and co-star of Discovery’s Motorcycle Women, 9 a.m.-noon March 5-6; open daily: 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Daytona Harley-Davidson, 290 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach. Free. (386) 253-2453.
CHOPPER’S WORLD, FEB. 27-MARCH 7: daily book-signings by “Bikerlady” author, Sasha Mullins, Co-star of Discovery’s Motorcycle Women and Race Girl Vicki Gray; open daily: 9 a.m.-midnight, 618 Main St., Daytona Beach. (386) 252-1922.
“BIKER’S PARADISE,” FEB. 27-MARCH 7: concerts, Vietnam wall, demolition cars & motorcycles, helicopter show, high wire stunt show, games and more, New Smyrna Speedway, intersection of S.R. 44 and Tomoka Farms Road, New Smyrna Beach. (386) 763-1302.
13th ANNUAL GOLDWING GET-A-WAY RALLY, FEB. 27-MARCH 7: sponsored by Chapter FL1-H, Gold Wing Road Riders Association; featuring motorcycle related products and food; rally hours, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; free scenic tour presented by Daytona USA Florida District Drill Team, 8:30 a.m. Feb. 28; Red Cross Blood Mobile, noon-5 p.m., Feb. 28; open bike show featuring 18 classes, register 10 a.m., awards 3 p.m. March 5; “Our” Children First benefit dinner, noon-3 p.m. March 5, $3, New Smyrna Beach Airport, 124 Municipal Park Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Free. (386) 586-7778.
BIKING ON THE BOULEVARD, FEB. 27-MARCH 7: entertainment, food, vendors, motorcycle shows, Bethune Boulevard, historic district, Daytona Beach. (386) 253-1067.
“LEATHER AND LACE BASH,” FEB. 28: featuring biker fashions, film, fun and live rock music by Running with Scissors, 7 p.m., DeLand Museum of Art, 600 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. $25. (386) 734-4371.
–from Rogue
Bike Week Traffic Tips
Half a million motorcyclists and motorcycle race fans are heading this way.
NEW THIS YEAR: Road work won’t cause problems — but the annual Bike Parade has been canceled.
DON’T PARK: From today through March 7, only motorcycles may park on Main Street, some sections of North Beach Street, and the south side of Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard between Beach Street and Palmetto Avenue. Only local residents will be allowed to park in some beachside areas; follow the signs.
CROWDED SPOTS: Main Street, Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard and North Beach Street, especially at night.
BIKES ONLY: Only motorcycles may ride Main Street between 11 a.m. and 2 a.m. Don’t attempt to drive a large vehicle or motor home on Main Street.
WHICH WAY TO TURN: Left turns onto Atlantic Avenue will be limited.
GETTING TO MAIN STREET: If you’re heading south on Atlantic Avenue, stay in the right southbound lane; you will be allowed to turn right onto Main. If you’re heading north on Atlantic Avenue, turn left on International Speedway Boulevard then right on Peninsula Drive. If you’re heading south on Peninsula Drive, turn left onto Oakridge Boulevard, then south on Atlantic Avenue.
LIMITED ACCESS: Traffic between Auditorium and Harvey streets will be restricted on many streets. If you live there or need to shop there, you’ll be allowed through.
HEADING TO THE BEACH: Use the Seabreeze, Orange Avenue or Broadway bridges, unless detours are in place. Only emergency vehicles will be allowed across the Main Street Bridge during peak hours.
WALK TO THE MUSIC: During Riverfront Park concerts, North Beach Street between Bay Street and Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard might be closed. Watch for detours.
GOING TO THE PARK: Police will keep traffic flowing only one way through Joe Harris Park.
GET ON THE BUS: Some Votran buses will be rerouted around congested areas. Call (386) 761-7700 (Daytona Beach), (386) 424-6800 (New Smyrna Beach), or (386) 943-7033 (West Volusia) for up-to-date information.
— Staff report
–Rogue
Bikernet Financial Report
A crusty old biker walks into a bank and says to the woman at the teller window “I want to open a damn checking account.”
The astonished woman replies, “I beg your pardon, sir. I must have misunderstood you. What did you say?”
“Listen up, damn it. I said I want to open a damn checking account now!”
“I’m very sorry sir, but that kind of language is not tolerated in this bank.”
The teller leaves the window and goes over to the bank manager to inform him of her situation. The manager agrees that the teller does not have to listen to that foul language.
They both return to the window and the manager asks the old biker, “Sir, what seems to be the problem here?”
“There is no damn problem,” the man says. “I just won 50 million dollars in the damn lottery and I want to open a damn checking account in this damn bank!”
“I see, ” says the manager, “and is this bitch giving you a hard time?”
–from Redhorse
HARLEY-DAVIDSON CREATES WEB SITE TO SUPPORT MUSEUM PROJECT
In a recent press conference held at the Juneau Avenue facility in Milwaukee, Harley-Davidson announced its proposal, designating a location in the city of Milwaukee for the Harley-Davidson Museum and associated business operations.
Due to this project’s importance to Harley-Davidson, its enthusiasts and the local community, the Motor Company has created the Harley-Davidson Museum Information Center, an online resource to keep everyone fully informed. This web site features details about the project background, press releases and news stories. This resource also provides a vehicle for online feedback and will be enhanced with further information as the Museum project develops.
Currently, Harley-Davidson has been working with city officials in reviewing the plans and presenting opportunities Harley-Davidson can provide to the community in the Company’s hometown.
The Museum plans include showcasing the legendary motorcycles, passionate riders and unforgettable stories that make Harley-Davidson famous around the world.
For more details regarding the Harley-Davidson Museum, go to the H-D Museum Information Center.
The Rambo Granny of Melbourne, Australia
Gun-toting granny Ava Estelle, 81, was so ticked-off when two thugs raped her 18-year-old granddaughter that she tracked the unsuspecting ex-cons down – – and shot off their testicles.
The old lady spent a week hunting those men down — and when she found them, she took revenge on them in her own special way, said Melbourne police investigator Evan Delp. Then she took a taxi to the nearest police station, laid the gun on the sergeant’s desk and told him as calm as could be:
“Those bastards will never rape anybody again, by God.” Cops say convicted rapist and robber Davis Furth, 33, lost both his penis and his testicles when outraged Ava opened fire with a 9-mm pistol in the hotel room where he and former prison cellmate Stanley Thomas, 29, were holed up.
The wrinkled avenger also blew Thomas’ testicles to kingdom come, but doctors managed to save his mangled penis, police said. The one guy, Thomas, didn’t lose his manhood, but the doctor I talked to said he won’t be using it the way he used to, Detective Delp told reporters. Both men are still in pretty bad shape, but I think they’re just happy to be alive after what they’ve been through.
The Rambo Granny swung into action August 21 after her granddaughter Debbie was carjacked and raped in broad daylight by two knife-wielding creeps in a section of town bordering on skid row.
“When I saw the look on my Debbie’s face that night in the hospital, I decided I was going to go out and get those bastards myself ’cause I figured the Law would go easy on them,” recalled the retired library worker. “And I wasn’t scared of them, either– because I’ve got me a gun and I’ve been shootin’ all my life. And I wasn’t dumb enough to turn it in when the law changed about owning one.”
So, using a police artist’s sketch of the suspects and Debbie’s description of the sickos’, tough-as-nails Ava spent seven days prowling the wino-infested neighborhood where the crime took place till she spotted the ill fated rapists entering their flophouse hotel.
“I knew it was them the minute I saw ’em, but I shot a picture of ’em anyway and took it back to Debbie and she said, ‘sure as hell, it was them’,” the oldster recalled.
“So I went back to that hotel and found their room and knocked on the door and the minute the big one, Furth, opened the door, I shot ’em right square between the legs, right where it would really hurt ’em most, you know.
“Then I went in and shot the other one as he backed up pleading to me to spare him. Then I went down to the police station and turned myself in.”
Now, baffled lawmen are trying to figure out exactly how to deal with the vigilante granny. What she did was wrong, and she broke the law, but it is difficult to throw an 81-year-old woman in prison, Det. Delp said, especially when 3 million people in the city want to nominate her for sainthood and a medal.
Oregon Club News
A 42-year-old member of an outlaw motorcycle club was indicted this week by a Multnomah County grand jury in connection with tavern robberies in November and December in North and Northeast Portland.
Marcus Norton Sheets of Vancouver was indicted on eight counts of first-degree robbery with a firearm, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of second-degree kidnapping with a firearm.
The armed robberies took place between Nov. 25 and Dec. 23. Sheets, a convicted felon, is a member of the Gypsy Jokers, said Fred Milanowski, resident agent in charge of the Portland office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Milanowski said Sheets was arrested Dec. 26 after Vancouver police spotted him casing a bank, and he led police in a chase that ended with his car crashing. Police referred the case to federal firearms agents because the motorcycle club is allegedly involved in activities ranging from gun crimes to trafficking in stolen motorcycle parts, officials said. Federal agents worked with Portland robbery detectives to determine whether Sheets might be involved in any recent armed robberies.
Federal agents searched Sheets’ Vancouver residence on Northeast St. Johns Road and seized 22 guns, including one stolen weapon, Milanowski said.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Eric Bergstrom, who is prosecuting the case, said Sheets was accused of robbing a couple of markets and several taverns, including Tired Feat Tavern on Southeast 82nd Avenue, and the Peanut Farm and the Reel M Inn, both on Southeast Division Street.
Bergstrom said the suspect walked into the establishments wearing a mask and a camouflage outfit. “It’s pretty brazen,” he said.
Outlaw news.
–from Rogue
Chopper Start Here–
Santee frames have been the foundation for thousands of custom bikes for over thirty years. Santee’s new “Tall Boy” frames feature the ultimate extended look. Fabricated out of 1-3/8″ seamless D.O.M. tubing, with a 10″ downtube stretch and 6″ backbone stretch leading into an outrageous 43 degree neck angle. They have CNC machined blind axle mounts and will fit a 250 tire, while using a standard left-side drive transmission. For exact component fitment, the frames are assembled on custom built welding jigs. Fits all Evolution type motors, including strokers and 5/6-speed transmissions.
Available in either a swingarm or rigid design. Each frame includes 3/4-inch offset primary spacers and axle kit.
P. N. 650067, Swingarm Tall Boy dual downtube frame, without tank mounts
P. N. 650068, Rigid Tall Boy dual downtube frame, without tank mounts.
All Santee products are made in the USA and are distributed exclusively by Custom Chrome.
Canadian Club Bust–
The Hells Angels were dealt a major blow in Quebec yesterday when more than 400 police officers staged early morning raids around Montreal to arrest at least 41 people connected to the motorcycle club.
The high-profile raid is believed to be a significant setback to the club, many of whose key Quebec leaders are now in jail or facing prosecution in the mega-trials launched in recent years.
“Here in Quebec, it has put another big dent in their system,” said Pierre Chouinard, a police spokesperson. “It’s a blow. Is it a knock-out out punch? I don’t think so. Does it hurt? I think it does.”
The raids began shortly before sunrise in 33 municipalities around Montreal, where police claim the Hells Angels have been trying to reformulate drug dealing networks hurt after police raids in 2001. The raids came after a series of murders and gang battles that shocked authorities into a crackdown that united the RCMP and provincial and municipal police forces.
Yesterday’s operation, which took on a paramilitary air as police brought in armoured personnel carriers and snipers, was aimed at arresting 63 people.
41 were apprehended, 11 of whom were Hells Angels members. Chouinard said there are only 20 to 30 members now in Quebec, down from about 115 before the 2001 raids. Those arrested face a variety of drug and gangsterism charges.
–Rogue
The HORSE Report I just got my new “Horse” today and read your article, “Closing in”. Good story. I have followed most of your adventures since your move to the San Pedro getto. You have certainly kept busy. It sounds like that Chance Hogan story is closer to truth than anyone realizes.
You know I got stuck with some old iron head Sportsters. Well, I unloaded the orange one and started on the 78. I put some fat tanks on it from a knucklehead. I stretched an old knuckle chopper frame that had a shovel wedged in it for a big old body builder friend of mine. Here s some pics, when everything else is done I am going to start on the Triumph. All this shit is of course for sale. The Horse is sure my kind of mag.
— Bill
702- 301- 4042
The Democrats are complaining on how long the war is taking but consider this:
It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno to take the Branch Davidian compound. That was a 51-day operation.
It took less time to find Saddam’s sons in Iraq than it took Hillary Clinton to find the Rose Law Firm billing records.
It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to destroy the Medina Republican Guard than it took Teddy Kennedy to call the police after his Oldsmobile sunk at Chappaquiddick.
It took less time to take Iraq than it took to count the votes in Florida!!!!!!
Man our military is GREAT
–from Dave Florence
Bikernet Quiz–Guess Which Of The Following Are True Or False:
No peeking at the answers….
1. Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.
2. Alfred Hitchcock didn’t have a bellybutton.
3. A pack-a-day smoker will lose approximately 2 teeth every 10 yrs.
4. People do not get sick from cold weather; it’s from being indoors a lot more.
5. When you sneeze, all bodily functions stop even your heart!
6. Only 7 per cent of the population are lefties.
7. 40 people are sent to the hospital for dog bites every minute.
8. Babies are born without knee caps. They don’t appear until they are 2-6 years old.
9. The average person over fifty will have spent 5 years waiting in lines.
10. The toothbrush was invented in 1498.
11. The average housefly lives for one month.
12. 40,000 Americans are injured by toilets each year.
13. A coat hanger is 44 inches long when straightened.
14. The average computer user blinks 7 times a minute.
15. Your feet are bigger in the afternoon than the rest of the day.
16. Most of us have eaten a spider in our sleep.
17. The REAL reason an ostrich sticks its head in the sand is to search for water.
18. The only 2 animals that can see behind themselves without turning their heads are the rabbit and the parrot.
19. John Travolta turned down the starring roles in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “Tootsie”.
20. Michael Jackson owns the rights to the South Carolina State anthem.
21. In most television commercials advertising milk, a mixture of white paint and a little thinner is used in place of the milk.
22. Prince Charles and Prince William NEVER travel on the same airplane just in case there is a crash.
23. The first Harley-Davidson motorcycle built in 1903 used a tomato can for a carburetor.
24 Most hospitals make money by selling the umbilical cords cut from women who give birth. They are reused in vein transplant surgery.
25. Humphrey Bogart was related to Princess Diana. They were 7th cousins.
26. If coloring weren’t added to Coca-Cola, it would be green.
SCROLL DOWN FOR ANSWERS…….
ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE TRUE !
>(Don’t you love number 16?)
THAT’S IT–Let’s have another Margarita, after packing. Next week will mean new phone numbers, new address and new projects. Hang on, have a safe ride and I’ll make up the garage first, then the bedroom. Or should it be the other way around?
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
