Hey,
It’s another Rainy Sunday on the Coast, and I know it’s grim in many parts of the county, so find a woman, a bottle of Whiskey, a fire place and stay warm. Or jump in a truck and hit it to the nearest bike show.
I judged bikes at the Grand National Roadster Show this weekend, and I ran into Hamsters who were headed north to the Arlen Ness Show in the Bay Area. I believe it’s happening today. Nothing like a show to get a brother inspired about his next build.
In fact, the ER Show is rocking Charlotte this weekend and next weekend they’ll tear it up in Memphis, so there’s shit to look forward to, plus I’ll bet an AMD show is brewing in Europe. We’ll bring you coverage of the ER Charlotte next week. Let’s hit the news, my King broke down and I need to investigate:
JIMS BIKERNET SUNDAY SPECIAL, BIKE BUILDERS STAND– This bike builder stand is a heavy duty professional quality stand. It features a boxed steel construction, 4 – heavy duty rotating wheel casters, with position locks, adjustable height and width, rubber pads to protect the frame and tie down anchor points for securing a frame.
Smooth operating roller casters make this stand easy to move around the shop while building. Adjustable height 29″- 31″. No.903
Suggested Retail $264.55
–JT Lepien
www.jimsusa.com
BIKER INVESTIGATES FBI Taps– The FBI appears to have begun using a novel form of electronic surveillance in criminal investigations: remotely activating a mobile phone’s microphone and using it to eavesdrop on nearby conversations.
The technique is called a “roving bug,” and it was used on two alleged mobsters, John Ardito and his attorney Peter Peluso. Their Nextel phones were activated by the FBI to listen in on nearby conversations. The FBI views Ardito as one of the most powerful men in the Genovese family, a major part of the national Mafia.
The U.S. Commerce Department’s security office warns that “a cellular telephone can be turned into a microphone and transmitter for the purpose of listening to conversations in the vicinity of the phone.” Black Hats can remotely install a piece of software on to any handset, without the owner’s knowledge, which will activate the microphone even when its owner is not making a call.
–from Bikernet agent JN
WHAT DO CARLOS MENCIA, RUSH & DAN GURNEY HAVE IN COMMON?– These guys are all part of the new 2008 exhibit “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the country’s premier showcase of motorcycling heritage and history. On June 28, 2008 a dedication ceremony will gather featured MotoStars, Motorcycle Hall of Famers, industry leaders and enthusiasts on the grounds of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio.
Notable celebrities offering personal motorcycles and memorabilia to the exhibit are auto racing legend and Alligator motorcycle inventor and manufacturer, Dan Gurney; General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz; “King of the Kustomizers” George Barris; and rock legend, “Rush” drummer and lyricist, Neil Peart. Famous movie bikes include the 2004 MV Agusta F4-SPR ridden by Will Smith in “I, Robot.” Exotic custom motorcycles designed and built by Austin Weiss for entertainers such as will.i.am, frontman for rock group The Black Eyed Peas, and Carlos Mencia, critically acclaimed comic.
As in all Motorcycle Hall of Fame exhibits, rare images, footage, memorabilia and ephemera will play a major role in illustrating stellar individuals and their love for two wheels.
ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT MAY BECOME PART OF MOTORCYCLE TRAINING COURSES IN THE FUTURE– You probably received this already, but I wanted to point out the NHTSA quarterly meeting to you. Vicki testified at this, through the generosity of Jeff Hennie affording her some of his speaking time, and Ed Moreland urging the committee chair to recognize her early in order for her to make her other appointments. She later met with Congressman
Mark Ryan of Wisconsin to discuss a possible training module for EMT’s, specific to motorcycle crashes, and she met with former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson, who drafted a letter to Secretary Mary Peters, asking her to discuss these issues with Vicki. She had a busy day.
–Tony Sanfelipo
MRF QUARTERLY REPORT, CONGRESS RETURNS– The second session of the 110th Congress officially began last week. Both bodies of Congress have much work to accomplish in this session, however that seems highly unlikely when one considers that this is a hotly-contested presidential election year, as well as the bitter partisan mood of Congress and a troubled economy.
All of the legislation that is assigned a bill number for the first session of this Congress stands for this second session of the 110th. That means that the HIPAA loophole bills (HR 1076 and S 616) are still in need of co-sponsors. Gathering co-sponsors for these bills will dominate the busy spring lobby season for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and motorcyclists nationwide.
SPEAKING OF LOBBYING
Now is a great time to start planning your trips to lobby your nation’s capitol for 2008. Haven’t considered sending a group to DC? What’s stopping you? Every lobby trip to DC promises to be a life-changing event for first- and long-timers alike. Don’t hesitate to contact the Washington DC office of the MRF for more information on organizing a trip to DC.
TRB ANNUAL MEETING
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) held its yearly Washington DC summit last week. The event brings every aspect of transportation together for a comprehensive review and presentation of what’s happening with regard to every form of transportation and the current research that is taking place. This annual meeting, one of the largest each year in DC, is perhaps the most comprehensive look into the world’s foremost transportation research.
The MRF Vice President of Government Relations has a seat on the Motorcycle & Moped committee also known as ANF30 of the TRB. The committee met, as they do each time the TRB convenes in Washington, to discuss the research, emerging technologies, government studies, and international issues.
One of the items that piqued a lot of interest was the discussion on three-wheeled vehicles. Many states consider all vehicles equipped with three wheels, no matter the configuration, a motorcycle. For years that has not posed many problems. Until now. There has been an emergence of many covered three-wheeled vehicles with two wheels in front of the operator and one aft.
These vehicles are often equipped with seat belts, doors, steering wheel, climate controls, and windshield. For all intensive purposes it’s a car that’s missing one rear wheel. Many of these vehicles are powered by electricity and are being promoted as environmentally friendly alternatives to gas guzzling cars.
The issue with these covered three wheeled vehicles is that they are not motorcycles. The key word here is covered. We don’t want to single out trikes, sidecars, or even the new Piaggo MP3 (that’s the funky motorcycle with two side-by-side wheels up front). All of these are true motorcycles.
Covered three wheeled vehicles are sold as alternatives to cars with virtually none of the challenges of motorcycles and all of the benefits. For instance, once classified as a motorcycle these three-wheeled cars are allowed on HOV lanes, cheaper insurance and licensing fees, and motorcycle parking. It may be that we need to create a new classification for these new types of vehicles instead of just lumping them in with a completely different class of vehicle. That’s what they did in Canada – it looks like our friendly neighbors to north are in front of us on this one.
NHTSA QUARTERLY MEETING
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently held it’s quarterly motorcycle safety network meeting, and as always the MRF was in attendance. This meeting was like most of its kind in the past. All of the relevant government agencies had representation, as did Harley-Davidson, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), the American Motorcycle Association (AMA), the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), and the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA).
Vicky Sanfelipo from Wisconsin was granted a portion of the MRF’s time during the meeting to present about Accident Scene Management Inc. ASMI prepares first responders in motorcycle-specific procedures. Many emergency response agents have little or no training with regard to motorcycles, which we all agree has its own set of characteristics from any other type of vehicle mishap, and more education for our first responders is key.
A significant difference with this meeting was that NHTSA Deputy Administrator Jim Ports attended and led the entire 4.5-hour meeting. This is not the first time a NHTSA honcho has attended, but it’s the first time any one of their leadership has stayed for the duration. No offense to the past visitors, but they generally show up with just enough time to deliver a canned speech and then leave. Ports showed a true dedication to motorcycle safety that is sometimes hard to find. Jim Ports is himself a motorcyclist and a strong ally with ABATE of Maryland, a former state delegate for Maryland, former Maryland DOT administrator, and a friend of the MRF. Thanks, Jim, for rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty with us. We appreciate it.
PRO Convention
The Public Relations Officers (PRO) convention was held last weekend outside Philadelphia, PA and the MRF was given 30 minutes to present at the general session. If you haven’t heard of PRO it’s an organization of the public relations officers for sport bike clubs across the country. The event draws over 1000 sport bikers each year. The MRF has been involved for the past three years and has plans to continue supporting this event. The sport bikers have many similarities with the cruisers and there are a lot of issues that can be shared despite some obvious differences.
TUESDAY GROUP
Of final note was the MRF’s attendance at a high-profile fundraiser last week. You may not have heard of them, but the Tuesday Group is Washington’s latest faction of the House of Representatives to organize and try to keep each other elected. The group (which, naturally, meets on Wednesdays) is made up of House Republicans who are also known as “moderates,” Republicans who are not as conservative on issues as the right wing of the party. With membership of the groups numbering in the low 40s, an unpopular republican president, and a soft stance on things like the environment, the Tuesday Group is becoming a force to be reckoned with. When they can stick together and vote on issues as a block, they are very effective and can sway controversial votes one direction or the other.
MRF PAC chose to donate to this group because of the many supporters we have that are also members of the Tuesday Group.
BIKERNET MARRIAGE COUNSELING– After marriage, husband and wife become two sides of a coin; they just can’t face each other, but still they stay together.
–Hemant Joshi
–from Josh Placa
HOLY MOTORSCOOTER, BATMAN!– Filming for the next Batman movie, The Dark Knight, has the masked crusader hanging up his Batmobile keys in favor for a two-wheeled crime fighting vehicle called the Batpod.
Six Batpod motorcycles were created for several stunts that have been filmed for the movie. The design is very reminiscent of the “tumbler” Batmobile from Batman Begins. That’s because both were designed by Nathan Crowley.
The Batpod has everything a crime fighter needs, grappling hooks, cannons and machine guns. The front and rear tires are both huge 508 millimeters, and the engines are in the hubs of each wheel. Steering isn’t by hand but by shoulder. No cruiser ergonomics here, the lies on the tank, belly down.
Miscellaneous Note: We once interviewed Arlen Ness about his red Testarossa Ferrari-influenced motorcycle that sported fat automobile wheels like the Batpod. He said it was almost unrideable because once you leaned on the edge of the tire all adhesion was lost because the sidewall was not designed for the load.
DENVER APOLOGIZES TO THE HELLS ANGELS FOR THE SECOND TIME– Denver and Mountain View police apologized to members of the Hells Angels and settled a federal lawsuit over a 2005 traffic stop with a $14,000 payment to the bikers, their attorney said Thursday. The apologies signed by Denver Manager of Safety Al LaCabe and Mountain View Police Chief Eric Gomez mark the second time Denver police have had to say “sorry” to the Hells Angels.
The city of Denver apologized in 2001 for a raid on the bikers’ clubhouse – where nothing illegal was found – and paid $50,000 to settle that lawsuit.
This time, lawyer David Lane sued the police over what he says was an unconstitutional traffic stop in Denver near the border of both cities. The lawsuit says eight Hells Angels were held at automatic rifle-point for more than an hour and searched without probable cause.
One was ticketed for speeding. Two were arrested for carrying concealed weapons. Since the stop, one man has pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon by a previous offender. Charges against the other biker were dismissed.
–By Felisa Cardona, The Denver Post
–from Mike Gage
ARLEN NESS CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE SHOW THIS WEEKEND–Neil Ryan produced the 2nd Annual Bike Show this weekend. He also produces the Donnie Smith Show in Minneapolis.
“You may want to include The Arlen Ness bike show in the Sunday Post,” Ben said, “if you can find the time. It was a great all around show.”
–Ben
Sacramento, Ca
W8LESS ROTORS MEETS BDL–W8LESSBRAKES.COM and W8LESSROTORS.COM are proud to announce that it has received a purchase order from Belt Drives, Ltd., for finished rotors without the carriers and buttons. Steve Yetzke, President & CEO, of Belt Drives, Ltd., will offer W8LESS Rotors by BDL featuring his stylized carriers. W8LESS Rotors will be on display and available for purchase and order by dealers and individuals at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati, Ohio on February 2nd to 4th.. New dealers can sign up at the W8LESS ROTORS booth #867.
Rotors will be also be on display at the following booths: Accurate Engineering on their Assalt Weapon Booth #363; the Corbin Booth #311; R&R Cycle Booth #2613; Rolling Thunder Mfg Booth # 2914, and Belt Drives, Ltd., Booths #771 and #444. At the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 15th – 18th, W8LESS Rotors will be located at booth #6512. New Dealer applications will be accepted and initial dealer orders will be accepted for immediate shipment.
For further information about W8LESS Rotors, call (831) 594-7783. To order, go to
Tell them Ray sent me. W8LESS is proud to sponsor AHDRA, Bikernet.com, Phil Schmidt T-F motorcycle, and Verl Smith Racing for Vets.
–Dallas W. Jolley, Jr., Esq.
Toll Free (866) 761-8970
Office (253) 761-8970
THE SHASTA SALUTE TO AMERICA MOTORCYCLE RALLY–Thought you would enjoy seeing our entertainment line up.
James Intveld – Headliner / Sunday @ 9:45 pm ThundHerStruck Headliner/ 7:30 pm
Heidi Newfield (former lead singer “Trick Pony) Headliner / Saturday Night @ 9:45 pm
Charlie Brechtel & Iron Buffalo – Headliner / Saturday Night @ 7:30 pm
Wild Child – Headliner / Friday Night @ 9:45 pm / 60s night theme http://www.wildchild.mu
Grass Roots – Headliner / Friday Night @ 7:30 pm / 60s night theme http://the-grassroots.com
Skynnyn Lynnrd – Headliner / Thursday Night@ 9:45 pm
National Dust – Headliner / Thursday Night @ 7:30 pm
Along with our headliners, we will be featuring several bands playing in the Wings2Fly Saloon – a 6k sq ft air conditioned indoor bar @ the venue open 11:00 am – 1:30 am every day.
We also received written confirmation that the traveling Wall will be at the North West entrance to the fairgrounds & will be open to the public during the event.
–Jeffrey B. Kraus, aka “EZJ”
President, South Bay Biker Productions Inc.
Toll Free: 877-688-4229 (87-SOUTHBAY)
FAX: 310.374.0515
http://www.southbaybiker.com
http://www.shastasalutetoamerica.com
BIKERNET MARRIAGE COUNSELING, PART II– Woman inspires us to great things, and prevents us from achieving them.
–Dumas
–from Josh Placa
ALL OR NOTHING PITBULL RESCUE SAVES MICHAEL VICK’S DOGS–Michael Vick may be doing time, but three of his dogs are free at last and enjoying their first taste of living in an Atlanta based foster care program All or Nothing Pitbull Rescue. The home of the Atlanta Falcons is also home to the All Or Nothing Pitbull Rescue http://www.atlantapitbullrescue.com , founded by world renown tattoo artist Brandon Bond. The organization has already rescued more than 200 pit bulls from all around the Southeast.
So far, the Michael Vick dogs are adjusting to their new lives better and faster than Bond and his organization even expected. All or Nothing rescue works closely with the Georgia SPCA www.georgiaspca.com and are combining forces to insure the safety and training of these gorgeous animals.
The expenses of rehabilitating the dogs, at least one of which was heavily scarred from fighting, will be paid by the convicted former Atlanta Falcon. Michael Vick has been court ordered to cover the costs related to the rehabilitation of the surviving dogs removed from his property after a large dog fighting ring was discovered in 2007.
Click here for pictures of the Vick pits: http://atlantapitbullrescue.com/index.php?sub=gallery&action=showsubgal&eid=4
Click here for the Vick pit rescue video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=26862558
-The All or Nothing/Stranglehold family
BIKERNET BONNEVILLE BOOK FOR SALE– How To Build A Bonneville Salt Flats Motorcycle by April 2008, Paperback
List Price: $27.95
http://www.allbookstores.com/book/9781929133512/ 
Continued OnPage 2
