Hey,
This is tough. I’m lying in a VA hospital bed in Santa Monica. A doctor called me and told me of urgent concerns about my heart monitor results. “Your heart could blow up at any time.”
But first, I needed to ride over the new Darrel Desmond bridge out of long Beach, into the center of the Terminal Island, where it meets up with the unfinished Henry Ford Bridge from Wilmington and the Terminal Island suspension bridge into San Pedro. Zack and I rode choppers, his Root Beer Float built by Kent Weeks of Lucky Devil Metal works in Houston and I rode the Mudflap girl FXR.
False alarm at the hospital! I’m escaping the hospital and their miss-diagnosis tomorrow about noon and flying back to Wilmington to finish the news. So, it might be late.
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Most recently Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.
SHOWS COMING BACK OUTDOORS-– International Motorcycle Shows Going All Outdoors for 2021
After nearly 40 years of showcasing new powersports products, mostly inside convention venues nationwide, the International Motorcycle Shows are getting fresh air in 2021.
“Progressive IMS Outdoors will be in unique outdoor venues, creating a festival-like atmosphere,” said Tracy Harris, senior vice president, IMS. “Each event will reflect the local culture and community through music, food, and other activities, a destination to be placed on your annual calendar of places you will go. Demo rides will be the cornerstone of the experience. Street demos, off-road courses for both two-wheel and side-by-side, e-bikes, children’s tracks, and even track-day experiences where it makes sense. These opportunities will be available for all ages and riding abilities.”
–MIC
NEW FROM LINDBY FLH FOOTRESTS–It is an adjustable footrest for the FLH models. (Patent pending)
The bracket will mount on the frame by the voltage regulator and the customer will be able to adjust the two footrests to a comfortable angle.
We will offer the part in 3 finishes
Part # 280000 chrome
Part # 281000 black
Part # 282000 chrome/black
The product will fit from 1994 to present so it will fit a lot of motorcycle on the market.
Retail price $449.95
We will have the part ready for shipping by the end of this month.
Please let me know it you have any comments or questions.
Have a great day.
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CANTINA EPISODE #90 REVIEW–
Very nice, the flow keeps you engaged, and great writing!
This is almost poetry
His Evo chopper spit thunder at the surrounding 1000-foot canyon cliffs. He couldn’t let up. The breathtaking limestone palisades of this creek-carved gorge was more ancient than the Grand Canyon but much closer together. Once accessible only by horseback, now motorcycles sliced through 20 miles from the crossing to the town of Spearfish like a knife through butter.
“JUST LIKE YOU” Lyric Video Premiered Exclusively on Music Crowns
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville based singer/songwriter Paige King Johnson reveals ideals of luck and love with the release of her latest single, “Just Like You.” Redefining a new class of country music, “Just Like You” encapsulates the love of a boy and a girl who were made for each other.
The song details qualities that are ‘just like’ a love that is far from perfect, but more than enough for the pair. The single, produced by Bill McDermott and written by Johnson and Regan Rousseau, is Johnson’s first release with the distinguished PCG Artist Development Records based out of Nashville, Tennessee.
“Just Like You” is now available to download and stream on all digital platforms and with an exclusive lyric video premiered by Music Crowns.
“Just Like You” was written with a fellow Belmont student and dear friend, Regan Rousseau. I’m fortunate enough to have a man in my life who does nothing but treat me with the utmost respect and selflessness, and as a songwriter, I wanted to let him know that I don’t take it for granted the best way I know how – in a song. It’s a song about the beauty of two people showing up for each other through the good and the bad times of a relationship simply because they love each other more than anything else that takes up their time,” expresses Johnson.
“Paige King Johnson is in the new class of authentic country singer/songwriters. Her signature sound, heart, and soul are reflected in everything she does,” says Bernard Porter, CEO of PCG Artist Development Records.
Visit HERE and follow the socials listed below to keep up with everything Paige King Johnson.
Stream/Download/Purchase “Just Like You” at smarturl.it/PKJJustLikeYou.
SAYING GOODBYE TO RAY C. WHEELER–
Sorry to hear about Ray. He’s one of those guys that I really wanted to get to know better. He stopped into our shop a number of times and was always a treat to spend time with him.
–Dan Stern
LATEST FROM LOWBROW–Not sure how to change your own handlebars?
No problem.
We made a couple of videos…
They show, step-by-step, how to swap stock handlebars on a stock Harley Sportster for a set of Lowbrow Rabbit Ears or T-Bars. Scroll down to watch.
Want cool handlebars? We’ve got em..
You can be riding in style by the weekend. All you have to do is:
QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY—The old guy wing:
Cowboy: “Give me 3 packets of condoms, please.”
Cashier: “Do you need a paper bag with that, sir?”
Cowboy: “Nah.. She’s purty good lookin’…..”
***********
I was talking to a girl in the bar last night. She said,
“If you lost a few pounds, had a shave and got your hair cut, you’d look all right.”
I said, “If I did that, I’d be talking to your friends over there instead of you.”
***********
I was telling a girl in the pub about my ability to guess what day a woman was born just by feeling her boobs.
“Really” she said, “Go on then…try.”
After about thirty seconds of fondling she began to lose patience and said, “Come on, what day was I born?”
I said, “Yesterday.”
***********
I went to the pub last night and saw a FAT chick dancing on a table. I said, “Good legs.”
The girl giggled and said, “Do you really think so.”
I said, “Definitely! Most tables would have collapsed by now.”
–El Waggs
Supreme Editor in chief
Bandit’s Cantina™
Bad Joke Library
SUGAR BEAR FRONT END ARRIVES–
Andy Assel here. Got my front end from Sugar Bear yesterday. It is a beautiful piece. Of course, I have many other irons in the fire right now so it will probably be a couple of weeks before I can get it installed.
Transmission case broke on my FL case. Probably have a day before it is back together. Road King needs repaired as well. Am almost on foot.
That’s about all for now. Tickled about the front end.
–Andy Assel
King of the Wild Frontier
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GOES TO COURT–We Face Off with Newsom Next Week
After hundreds of pages of briefing, the parties will face off in Court on Oct. 7 in the case of Gallagher and Kiley v. Newsom. At issue: the legality of Newsom’s one-man rule.
Assemblyman Gallagher and I are representing ourselves, in pro per, and we have challenged Governor Newsom and Attorney General Becerra to likewise show up themselves for this important public debate.
With our Oct. 21 trial date looming, here’s what this hearing is about: As we long expected, Newsom filed a “Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings” based on “mootness.” He wants to get out of the case on a technicality.
That’s been his strategy from the get-go: delay, delay, delay; escape the legal reckoning he justly deserves and that the Constitution demands; then, go right on ruling California by fiat.
But here’s what he didn’t expect: We also filed a Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings. That means that we could win the case on Oct. 7 and get an Order restraining further abuses of power.
The Governor’s discombobulation is clear from the cynical, bizarre, irrelevant, and misleading arguments he made in his 20-page Opposition Brief filed on Monday:
Scare tactics: He claims our lawsuits threatens to “throw into chaos current efforts to combat the wildfires now burning across the State.”
Dishonesty: Repeatedly, his brief selectively quotes provisions of California law, editing out legal limitations on his own power in hopes that the Court won’t notice.
Diversions: He devotes much of the brief to refuting a legal theory we didn’t even advance.
Lawlessness: He describes Separation of Powers as “flexible” and “pragmatic,” some airy-fairy theory where anything goes, so that he can claim a roving one-man lawmaking authority that is foreign to the Constitution and republican government itself.
To head off Newsom’s delay tactics, we insisted on an accelerated schedule where we had just 48 hours to file a Reply Brief. Then he waited until the last possible moment to file his Opposition so we wouldn’t have a second more time.
But we still filed a blistering Reply Brief yesterday as our closing argument:
“Our Opening Brief warned of the dangers of an extended State of Emergency, with a Governor apt to ‘fall into the habit of acting unilaterally’ even for non-emergency purposes. As if to prove the point, on September 24 Governor Newsom issued a unilateral Executive Order banning gas-powered vehicles by 2035. In the Order, he did not cite the Emergency Services Act – a chilling sign that seven months into this emergency, lawmaking by decree has become normalized. The time for a judicial check has arrived, as has already occurred in numerous other states.”
If the Judge grants the relief we are seeking, it will restrict the Governor from further unconstitutional orders and serve as an important precedent for bringing this whole nightmare to an end.
If neither dispositive motion succeeds, then we proceed to trial on Oct. 21.
Support My Efforts to Fight Newsom’s One-Man Rule
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Kevin Kiley,
California Legislator
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT CLASS WORD OF THE DAY–élan
[ ey-lahn, ey-lan; French ey-lahn ]
noun
dash; impetuous ardor: to dance with great élan.
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF ÉLAN?
The still unnaturalized French noun élan, “dash, impetuous ardor,” originally applied to a military charge or rush. Élan comes from Old and Middle French eslan “a rush,” from the verb eslancer “to throw or cast a lance or dart.” Eslancer in turn comes from the Latin preposition and prefix ex, ex- “out, out of, from” and the noun lancea “light spear for throwing,” possibly a Gaulish or Spanish loanword in Latin. Élan entered English in the second half of the 19th century.
HOW IS ÉLAN USED?
He then launched into the Gigue of Bach’s C-major Suite—robust, driving music that Ma brought off with his usual precision and élan.
ALEX ROSS, “YO-YO MA’S DAYS OF ACTION,” THE NEW YORKER, DECEMBER 10, 2008
With a certain élan, the San Francisco Chronicle has taken to publishing letters from readers who remark the diminishing pleasure or usefulness of the San Francisco Chronicle.
RICHARD RODRIGUEZ, “FINAL EDITION,” HARPER’S MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 2009
NEWS FROM THE CYCLE SOURCE KINGDOM–Whoever your source is must be confused with Bonnier and Cycle World. Cycle Source has no intention of going digital only. As long as we are here will always offer a print edition.
We have however, temporarily gone to combined issues for the time being, until the world stops suffering from cranial rectal inversion. We are hoping to return to a normal production schedule soon.
We go to print with our next issue on October 14.
–Heather Callen
Managing Editor
Cycle Source Magazine
Office – 724-226-2867
www.cyclesource.com
Cycle Source on Facebook
DANGER ALERT–Copied from Southern Cruisers riding Club page but this is not just happening in the Blueridge GA area. It is happening everywhere in an attempt to alert sleepy or distracted drivers but it can be deadly for bikers.
This is a serious issue that must be addressed…
October 1, 2020
“It’s time to get pro-active!
I live in Blairsville. A LOT of people come up here to ride our incredible roads.
A few days ago the road dept has taken it upon themselves to create an EXTREMELY hazardous condition for motorcyclists. Today… I came across an unfortunate victim of this hazard.
The center lines of US 129 from close to Neel’s Gap all the way to the Blairsville City limit has just received a “rumble strip” treatment (like in the last three days).
Today an older gentleman riding a well kept Harley Davidson Ultra Classic (which itself was probably close to twenty years old) made a miscalculation in speed and ran slightly wide in right hand curve. When his front tire got to the center line… this “rumble strip” caused him to lose traction and he no longer had any control of the front tire.
He the slid into the oncoming lane and hit a car head on. Fortunately, he seemed to be relatively ok and may have broken a leg. I stayed on scene until paramedics had him secured to a back board and ready to load into an ambulance. His bike is clearly “totaled” and I suspect that the car will be deemed “totaled” as well.
A Sheriff informed me that this was not something that the county had decided to do, but rather, the state had ordered.
I noticed the same treatment on the Richard B Russell Scenic Hwy yesterday.
I will be contacting our county commissioner as well as the Governor’s Office of Hwy Safety and Governor Kemp himself time point out the danger that this poses to motorcyclists.
I URGE each of you to do the same. I cannot imagine how many more motorcycle accidents this will cause when compared to whatever the “benefit” of this road treatment is intended to yield.
I am adding a photo of the road treatment as well as a photo of the totaled motorcycle.
I can’t help but feel like he may have had an opportunity to avoid the collision if the road didn’t have these ground out divots present.”
~ Hunter Partridge
–from Rogue
Senior Editor
Bikernet.com™
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOUNDATION NEWS
Demand for Rider Training Stays Strong
Through statewide lockdowns and pandemic precautions, and months into the coronavirus crisis, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is seeing strong demand for rider education across the country.
New York State, which was completely shuttered for nearly three months, saw training volume this July exceed the July total of last year by 2 percent. August volume was up by 23 percent compared to 2019.
In Colorado, 2020 training numbers through September exceeded the same period last year by almost 8 percent, despite shutdowns and reduced student capacity.
“Last month, we beat our sales forecast for MSF curriculum materials, and that original prediction was made a year ago, before any of us had heard of COVID-19,” said Robert Gladden, MSF vice president of training operations. “Also, we blew right through the forecast on log-ins for our eCourses, with many current and potential riders visiting us on the web and gaining some good motorcycle education through their computers and mobile devices.”
The MSF’s training site in Alpharetta, Georgia, saw a 26 percent increase in August and a 50 percent increase in September compared to the same months last year. The MSF’s New Mexico and West Virginia programs also rebounded from extended shutdowns, posting strong training numbers in August and September, despite operating under reduced capacity due to local rules.
“When the reality of COVID hit in March, the MSF reacted right away,” Gladden said. “We hosted our first vRETS webinar for RiderCoaches on April 7 and have conducted more than 25 of them. We’ve had more than 12,000 vRETS log-ins for these sessions, mostly conducted by our Dr. Ray Ochs, VP of training systems. In response to requests from the field, the MSF provided interim training guidelines in May that provided instructions for RiderCoaches on moving classroom activities to safer environments outside on training ranges. And in early June, we implemented a COVID-19 waiver and release that enabled many course providers to resume training at public facilities.”
“At every opportunity, the MSF searched for ways to serve our training community as sites and coaches worked through the pandemic,” Gladden said. “The fact that training volume remains high, with classes scheduled well into autumn, is a testament not only to the hard work and dedication of the MSF training community, but also to the popularity of motorcycling as hundreds of thousands of students seek out MSF RiderCourses. We’re pleased and proud to help them become riders and remain lifelong learners.”
–MIC
NEWS FROM DAVID UHL— We are happy to announce our Fall Cleaning promotion here at the studio/gallery. We haven’t done one of these in a while. After several shows last year (and the few we’ve done this year), we now have a room full of display art and would like to find homes for all of the pieces listed below.
In order to maintain the price/value integrity with David Uhl’s Fine Art program, this is a special offering for David’s prints. These particular pieces have traveled to various shows and/or have been on display in our gallery and, as a result, we cannot charge full price for them. The prints themselves are typically in great condition but some of the frames may be slightly imperfect, the paper on the back may need to be changed out, etc. Many of these pieces, however, are in great all around condition! They are all signed and numbered and come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Since there is only one piece available in many cases, we encourage you to act quickly if you’d like to put your name on one of these.
This is not a complete listing, so if you’ve had your eye on a particular piece not on this list, please let me know and I’ll see if we have one.
You can view all of the pieces below on our website, alphabetically, by title here
https://www.uhlstudios.com/fine-art/full-product-listing/
Or, you can view them by collection here
https://www.uhlstudios.com/fine-art/collections/
UPDATE FROM THE DIME BAG HEADQUARTERS--had so much time to think for myself bro, Goodtime Charlie keeps keeps coming to me. This whole idea can grow and expand with Dimebag Leather and bring back motorcyclism to new levels. He taught me so much and was my one best friend throughout my growth, just as you have and many others.
Rebel on the Highway and the Rough Boys movies have really been speaking to me to the soul. I am being flooded with amazing ideas and I need all the support I can get. I believe Monster Garage would be a great start.
All the Best,
–AC
A federal court ordered Los Angeles to hand over more than $100,000 to the National Rifle Association after ruling that the city had violated the gun-rights group’s First Amendment rights.
Federal district court judge Stephen Wilson struck down a city ordinance aimed at punishing prospective contractors with ties to the NRA as an infringement on the right to free speech and association. On Tuesday, he ordered city officials to pay for the Second Amendment group’s attorney fees, which totaled nearly $150,000.
“In this case, the text of the Ordinance, the Ordinance’s legislative history, and the concurrent public statements made by the Ordinance’s primary legislative sponsor evince a strong intent to suppress the speech of the NRA,” Wilson ruled in December. “Even though the Ordinance only forces disclosure of activity that may not be expressive, the clear purpose of the disclosure is to undermine the NRA’s explicitly political speech.”
The NRA filed suit against the ordinance shortly after it was implemented in April 2019. Amy Hunter, a spokeswoman for the NRA, told the Washington Free Beacon the rulings prove the city unfairly targeted the group because of its advocacy.
“Violations of any constitutional rights by government officials should carry consequences,” she said. “The courts have rightfully imposed those consequences upon Los Angeles. The NRA will continue our fight and, as always, work to hold politicians accountable.”
Neither Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti (D.) nor councilmember Mitch O’Farrell (D.), who sponsored the ordinance, responded to requests for comment.
Los Angeles is not alone in targeting the group. San Francisco’s Democratic mayor stopped a similar ploy in response to an NRA lawsuit. The group is still locked in a First Amendment challenge over a letter sent by New York officials that warned banks away from working with the group. The ruling may put a damper on enthusiasm for similar measures from other government officials opposed to the NRA.
Los Angeles Ordinance No. 186000 took effect on April 1, 2019, and explicitly stated it was intended to prevent the city from doing business with anyone who had ties to the NRA.
“The City of Los Angeles has enacted ordinances and adopted positions that promote gun safety and sensible gun ownership,” the ordinance reads. “The City’s residents deserve to know if the City’s public funds are spent on contractors that have contractual or sponsorship ties with the NRA. Public funds provided to such contractors undermines the City’s efforts to legislate and promote gun safety.”
City leaders publicly defended the ordinance. In interviews with NPR, Garcetti said he had confidence in the policy while O’Farrell charged that “the NRA’s First Amendment rights remain firmly in place.”
Judge Wilson disagreed, saying, “the City adopted the Ordinance ‘because of disagreement with the message’ of the NRA and with the explicit intent to suppress that message—the Ordinance should therefore be considered a content-based regulation of speech.” The city agreed in February to repeal the ordinance, stop any enforcement of it, and notify contractors they do not have to disclose ties to the NRA.
–from El Waggs
Legal Counsel
Bikernet Law Offices
[page break]
I WAS A DEMOCRAT AS A KID, BUT--What Is with the Democratic Party? And the debates don’t cover the what’s truly important.
They hate freedom, it’s not safe. They want zero accidents, which means zero freedoms and never-ending control.
They hate individual liberty—they want mandatory health care, so they can control every aspect of your life Plus, you get to pay for free healthcare for anyone who doesn’t want to.
They hate taxpayers and home ownership. They want your home to go to the homeless. You don’t deserve it.
They hate your cars. They hate fossil fuels
They hate your guns and would love to take them all away. How will you protect yourself and your family? You can’t call the cops, they defunded them. They won’t come.
They hate mankind and will say or do anything to put climate change against your freedoms to do anything. By putting the planet first over liberty and freedom, they can control everything.
They hate immigration laws and want the country overrun with illegal immigrants. The taxpayer will be forced to pay for each one, educate each one, care for each one and house each one.
They hate America, the ability to learn, train, grow and build. They want it to become a socialist nation, but socialism almost always leads to a dictatorship, so no more America.
They hate the rich and want to take your funds and your ability to earn money.
They hate the 1st amendment or Free Speech. They don’t want anyone else to speak except themselves.
They hate veterans. They hate anyone who fights back.
They hate cops and want to defund them. Then what?
They hate jobs. They want to send you a check, so you don’t need to work. Who wants to accomplish nothing, grow nothing, build nothing or create nothing? Nuts.
Incredible. Don’t forget to vote.
QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY-– A young couple moved into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they were eating breakfast, the young woman saw her neighbor hanging the washing outside.
“That laundry is not very clean; she doesn’t know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.”
Her husband looked on, remaining silent.
Every time her neighbor hung her washing out to dry, the young woman made the same comments.
A month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband, “Look, she’s finally learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?”
The husband replied, “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.”
–EL WAGGS
Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina™
ANOTHER BROTHER DOWN–I lost another friend this afternoon.
Oh, the conversations we had!
A true icon of the motorcycle industry.
Rest in Peace, in my prayers for his family and friends.
Vene “Skeeter” Todd 12/31/1949 – 10/08/2020
–Rogue
Senior Editor
Bikernet.com™
MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION 36th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MINDS CONFERENCE— Indianapolis, Indiana. With the uncertainties brought on by a free flow of changing rules regarding restrictions on public gatherings, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation along with the able assistance from ABATE of Indiana, the 36th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference blasted through the historic Indianapolis starter’s flag and ran WFO for an entire weekend in September 2020.
Six months of uncertainties brought on by COVID-19 did not preclude MRF Vice President, Jay Jackson, from emphasizing and reinforcing the conference theme – Strong & Focused — in his opening remarks to the gathering of motorcyclists’ rights advocates from 40 states, and Liberia!
MRF lobbyist, Rocky Fox highlighted the recent success in D.C. with four MRF amendments attached to the House of Representative’s Infrastructure legislation (official title is H.R. 2- Moving Forward Act). The amendments (4 of the 19 are motorcycle related and most were added during the Committee Hearing on the Bill).
Autonomous Vehicle Technology: The Department of Transportation is directed to conduct a safety study on autonomous vehicles. Motorcycles must be one of the data points the study accounts for. Additionally, motorcycle groups will be included in policy groups on autonomous vehicles.
Motorcycle Advisory Council: The Motorcycle Advisory Council would be reestablished for another 6 years, with dedicated seats for 2 motorcycle rights groups and a motorcycle manufacture.
Motorcycle Safety Funds: Motorcycle state safety funds increased $1,488,285 or nearly 35%. In addition to retaining the prohibition on funding motorcycle only check points an amendment was passed that prohibits using federal funds to “profile and stop motorcycle operators or passengers using, as a factor, the apparel they are wearing or their mode of transportation.”
Racial Profiling: States were eligible for grants to track the race and ethnic of individual stopped by police during traffic stops. The MRF added via amendment, mode of transportation as something states would have to collect. Ideally this would help confirm our belief that motorcyclists are being stopped disproportionately to our numbers.
Even with Congress marginally convened since March, the MRF is having a great year! The next step is to repeat our efforts in the U.S. Senate.
Keeping with Indiana’s public gathering guidelines, the 15 breakout sessions were held in rooms large enough to accommodate the demand. Each workshop reinforced the Strong & Focused theme and resonated with a quote from Hunter Thompson… “Freedom is something that dies unless it’s used.” The workshop content repeatedly returned to the nuts, bolts, and tools needed to build and strengthen individual and SMRO advocacy. Workshop sessions included, but were not limited to, Strategic Planning, Public Relations, establishing effective PACs, With Freedom Comes Responsibility, plus bridging the gaps between motorcycle clubs and SMROs…
It has been over five years since a political meeting of motorcyclists in Waco, Texas, ended in the killing of nine individuals and the arrest of 177 motorcyclists and attendees at the gathering. Using their workshop as a venue to update the Waco shootings, MRF board member Russell Radke and U.S. Defenders representative, Paul Landers presented a first-hand and emotional update on the shooting, incarceration and subsequent dropping of the charges against all of the Waco defendants.
Reinforcing the event theme “Strong & Focused” and helping build the future of motorcyclists’ rights advocacy, the MRF and MRFAE recognized two very focused young activists for their efforts on behalf of motorcyclists’ rights: Haley Farmer, member of ABATE of Indiana and Christopher Beals, ABATE of Arizona. Their activism and dedication to motorcyclists’ rights are lessons to all of us that young motorcyclists are interested and actively working to protect our rights, willing to work toward the goals of the MRF, and willing to reach out to others to foster those goals.
Keynote speaker for the event was longtime friend of motorcycling and ABATE of Indiana, U.S. Senator Todd Young. Speaking to all Americans and all generations of motorcyclists, before answering a series of questions, Senator Young paraphrased the preamble to the Constitution with “Every generation has the responsibility to make America a more perfect union.”
Recognizing past contributions to the MRF and motorcyclists’ rights advocacy the following individuals were inducted into the MRF Hall of Fame as Legacy Inductees: Dick “Slider’ Gilmore and Charles Umbenhauer. The MRF Hall of fame class of 2020 Freedom Fighter Inductees include Dave Dwyer, “Farmer” John Eggers, Marc Falsetti, Wanda Hummel-Shultz, Michael “Boz” Kerr, Gary Klinker, “Radio” Bob Letourneau, “Biker” Jim Rhoades, Lee Ryan, and Charlie Williams. This year’s recipient of the MRF’s most prestigious award, the “Farmer” John Eggers Award—went to Mark Winslow.
MRF President, Kirk “Hardtail’ Willard summed the 36th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference with one word – “Believe”. Given the accomplishments of the MRF leading up to and beyond March 2020, “Believe” is exactly what got the MRF to one of its most productive years and successful events in recent memory; and you ain’t seen nothing yet!
In July 1971 at the Fillmore East, the Allman Brothers Band introduced and performed one of their almost endless jams as they kicked into “Hot ‘Lanta”. The MRF promises not to get lost in an endless jam session, but we will deliver our noted brand of nuts, bolts & tools needed to build and strengthen motorcyclists’ rights advocacy and SMROs when the 37th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference visits Atlanta, Georgia, and “Hot ‘Lanta” in September 2021. Stay posted for updates…
SPORTSTER DEAL OF THE WEEK–1975 one-owner, custom painted in 1975 by a local Helmut Hauschild (passed on R.I.P.). But it makes it a perfect piece of Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas history.
From CENTRAL HARLEY-DAVIDSON before the franchise had rules on size of building. In the early ‘70s it was at 5th and central Kansas City, Kansas.
I bought my first new motorcycle from Central in 1972.
–Dav Frui
zbay57@gmail.com
ABATE OF TEXAS CONFEDERATION–Quick Facts:
Texas COC&I, moving forward, will be known as the Texas “Council of Clubs and Independents” (dropping all affiliation with AIM).
Texas Governor Greg Abbott proclaims May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month for another consecutive year!
NHTSA released info in 2019 that Texas, Motorcycle Fatalities dropped 15%-the lowest number of fatalities in over a decade!!!!!!
(Nationally, motorcycle fatalities dropped 5%.)
Texas Legislature only meets every other year (odd years)
TEXAS 86TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION (Passed session)
SB616-rmoving the administration of the mc training course and the administration of the 0501- motorcycle safety fund away from the Department of Public Safety (TX DPS)-and moving all administration to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Effective Sept. 1, 2020.
HB1755-Relating to assembled vehicles and former military vehicles, including the titling and registration of those vehicles.
SB273-Relating to the operation and movement of motorcycles on certain highways during periods of traffic congestion (lane sharing).
HB1270-Relating to the operation and movement of motorcycles on certain highways during periods of traffic congestion (lane sharing).
HB646-Relating to the operation and inspection of mopeds.
HB3131-Relating to the classification and operation of mopeds and certain motorcycles
SB486-A new light-duty motor vehicle powered by an electric drive is eligible for a $2500 tax incentive
BILLS WE SUPPORTED-FILED, BUT NOT ADVANCED
HB1270 and SB273-Both house and senate bills addressed lane sharing
HB4265-Relating to the rules of the road regarding red signals at certain traffic-control signals.
BILLS FILED THAT WE DID NOT SUPPORT (AND DID NOT ADVANCE)
HB748-Universal Helmet bill authored by Rep Neave, HD 107
HB748-was totally inappropriate for Texas riders;
64% of motorcycle riders in Texas already wear a helmet.
We need to promote education in our state, not more legislation.
Texas ABATE had a petition ready with 2000+ signatures of Texas freedom fighters that choose to stand with liberty.
This petition was never necessary, as this bill never made it to a hearing.
It had 25% progression, and died in the transportation committee
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR TEXAS FREEDOM FIGHTERS:
Oct 2019-TCOC&I confront Texas VFW in Austin to question General Orders 2019-2020, which included inappropriate motorcycle profiling language (motorcycle gangs, vests, etc. prohibited). Commander King promptly removed this statement.
Progress in being made with our statewide COC&I motorcycle “RideRecordReport” campaign-to report motorcycle profiling.
Texas ABATE attended the Texas Senate Sunset Advisory Board hearing in 2019-and testified for our Motorcycle Safety Funds.
Texas ABATE filed with the State Audit Board requesting investigation of the misappropriated spending by the TXDPS-misappropriating millions of dollars from our 0501-motorcycle safety fund
Gov Abbott proclaimed May as Motorcycle Safety & Awareness month in Texas-again in both 2019 and 2020
2016-2019 Texas riders participated in the annual MRF Bikers Inside the Beltway-average ride: 3000 miles per trip
Motorcycle Legislative Day is being planned for January 25, 2021-at the Capitol, Austin, TX
Connecticut (CMRA)
We were successful in maintaining adult choice for helmet use
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THE GREENER FRONTIERS ARE NOW OPEN—With Better Days Cannabis Sugar.
Better Days Cannabis Cane Sugar is a combination of 100mg of pure Deeper Green THC and cane sugar in a 50g tub, each teaspoon contains 10mg of sweet THC.
GOTTA KEEP THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN, MASK FREE–
He said…. I don’t know why you wear a bra; you’ve got nothing to put in it.
She said…. You wear pants don’t you?
He said….. Shall we try swapping positions tonight?
She said… That’s a good idea – you stand by the ironing board while I sit on the sofa and fart!
He said….. What have you been doing with all the grocery money I gave you?
She said ….Turn sideways and look in the mirror!
He said….. Why are married women heavier than single women?
She said….. Single women come home, see what’s in the fridge and go to bed. Married women come home, see what’s in bed and go to the fridge.
Wayfarer
Philosophy Teacher
Bikernet University International Campus
THE EASYRIDERS MAGAZINE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES–
Having been a subscriber to Easyriders since the late 1970’s, I was
very disappointed with their demise. As my subscription ran through
April of 2021, they offered a credit redeemable for overpriced vintage
merchandise or Easydollars to use at a future Easyriders Event. I
opted for the Easydollars. The request/order was mailed 10/11/2019
and even though several emails have been sent, nothing has been
received. Using your insight, can it be assumed that I and other
subscribers are SOL?
Needless to say – very disappointing for what once was the class of
biker magazines.
Thank you. A current subscriber of Cycle Source,
Sam McGunegle
Sandusky MI
Motorists Vote 2020 Ballot Initiatives: NMA E-Newsletter #612
October 4, 2020
The November 3rd election day is a month away, and mail-in voting has already begun in many states. If you have not cast your ballot yet, be sure to consider motorists’ rights issues in your decisions on which candidates and issues to support.
Check out the NMA’s Motorists Vote 2020 Guide (a slideshow with a progression arrow on either side) for information to help you do that. Here are some additional guides that have been published online by national media organizations designed to inform the electorate about performing the most vital of citizen responsibilities in a representative democracy:
How to Vote in Your State (interactive web portal from the Washington Post)
Early voting for Election 2020–When you can start to vote in-person in every US state (CNET)
Map: Mail-In Voting Rules By State (NPR)
How to prevent your mail ballot from being rejected (Washington Post)
Making mail-in voting free is a quick way to raise voter turnout (Quartz.com)
Voting on Election Day 2020:–Everything you need to have and do to vote (CNET)
How to track your election ballot online after you vote (CNET)
The nonpartisan voting website Ballotpedia has posted that voters in 32 states will decide a total of 120 statewide ballot measures on November 3rd. Here are the state ballots that involve motorists’ rights, or infrastructure/transportation funding.
Arkansas
Arkansas Transportation Sales Tax Continuation Amendment (2020)
The state wants to create a permanent sales tax that pays for infrastructure funding. Here are some of the editorials for and against the measure:
About that highway tax increase and what it will and won’t pay for (Arkansas Times)
Opposition formed to highway sales tax increase. Just say no to the legislature (Arkansas Times)
California
With the distinction of being the most populous state, California has many statewide ballot initiatives every election cycle. Here is a link to an interactive guide for all 12 measures before voters on November 3rd. Two of the ballot questions are transportation oriented.
The first is California Proposition 22, App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative (2020). Here are three recent articles that highlight this ridesharing/delivery company backed proposition:
Uber, Lyft Face Uphill Struggle for Gig-Worker Votes in California Ballot Measure (Governing)
A ballot measure backed by Uber and Lyft is now the most expensive in California history (Quartz)
California’s Gig Economy Ballot Measure Fails Workers, Labor Groups Say (Bloomberg)
The second is California Proposition 24, Consumer Personal Information Law and Agency Initiative (2020). Here are three articles that outline the issues of Proposition 24.
The Fight Over the Fight Over California’s Privacy Future (Wired)
Why the Electronic Frontier Foundation Doesn’t Support nor Oppose California Proposition 24 (EFF)
Georgia
The statewide ballot initiative, the Georgia Dedicating Tax and Fee Revenue Amendment (2020), will, if passed, change the state constitution to ensure that the legislature spends funds from fees or taxes on designated projects, rather than divert them. Here are two online articles that examine the initiative:
Decoding the Georgia Dedicating Tax and Fee Revenue Amendment (League of Women Voters of Coastal Georgia)
Maryland
Maryland Question 1, Legislative Authority over State Budget Amendment (2020)
If passed, Question 1 would change the state constitution to allow the Maryland General Assembly to increase, decrease, or add items to the state budget as long as those items do not exceed the total proposed budget submitted by the governor. We found this lone editorial on the measure.
Vote Yes on Question 1 to Restore a Healthier Constitutional Balance (Maryland Matters)
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Question 1, “Right to Repair Law” Vehicle Data Access Requirement Initiative (2020) has received a great deal of national press because of its potential to establish a precedent for other states on crucial car ownership issues.
Automakers are lobbying hard against a car owner’s right to repair. Their position is that even if you own a vehicle, all the software is proprietary to them, and only licensed auto mechanics can work on your car (at greater cost to you). Local independent auto mechanics and do-it-yourselfers have worked hard to get this measure on the ballot. Here are some articles about Question 1:
Motorists Vote 2020 Massachusetts: ‘Right to repair’ battle heats up in Mass. (AutoNews)
Sorting fact from fiction on Massachusetts Question 1: Right to Repair (WCVB)
Motorists Vote 2020: Auto Industry TV Ads Claim Massachusetts Right to Repair Benefits ‘Sexual Predators’ (Vice)
Motorists Vote 2020 Massachusetts Right to Repair Ballot: Car manufacturers pool $25m to fight auto repair ballot question (Commonwealth Magazine)
Michigan
The outcome of the following initiative affect personal data protection standards, and might also set a direction for other states: Michigan Search Warrant for Electronic Data Amendment (2020).
A “Yes” vote supports the constitutional amendment to require a police search warrant to access a suspect’s electronic data and electronic communications. A “No” vote opposes the amendment to require a search warrant. We did not find any editorials in favor of a “No” vote:
Voters to decide whether to ban police use of electronic data without a warrant (Detroit News)
Virginia
This ballot initiative was brought forth by state lawmakers: Virginia Motor Vehicle Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans Amendment (2020). A “Yes” vote allows a permanently disabled vet to have an exemption from state and local property taxes on one car or truck. A “No” vote does not allow the exemption.
Local Ballot Issues
Many local ballot issues have been brought forth around the country that are too numerous to place here. Issues range from transportation funding to law enforcement reform. We encourage you to learn as much as you can about community issues, particularly those that can affect drivers, directly or indirectly, before casting your vote in the November 3rd elections.
Thank you for your support of motorists’ rights at the ballot box!
NOW WHAT?—I wish I knew. It’s too bad the media doesn’t get it. Covering one side of any issue shows their distain for the freedom of speech. If we go socialists, that’s one of the first elements to go. In fact the media will most likely be taken over by the government. So much for those jobs.
Okay, enough politics. I can’t wait for the election to be over. I just want to ride and be free. I just want to move to South Dakota and write another book, build a shop and study the history. There’s so much to be said there.
Let’s ride, create cool shit and be free!
–Bandit
