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COLUMBUS EASYRIDERS SHOW WINNER–Here are some pix of my Shovelhead Bobber. Let me know if it’s good enough for your site. Took 3rd place in Specialty Class at Easy Riders 2007 Columbus Show in February. I built this in my garage from the ground up.
–Rick Montani
Greenfield, IN
Monte3280@insightbb.comWe’re going to work with Rick to bring you a complete feature from the ground up.–Bandit
THE LAST BIKER–The old ones stand out now, their numbers dwindling down. They’re a sad loss to the American scene, these individualists with the worn down clothes and faces. You can still see them sometimes, the real ones, some in packs, not as large as a while ago, sometimes alone.The alone one is the best.
One who’s been there a long time, staying in the life he loves, never giving into a system that sucks you up like a vortex if you slip just one foot into it. He’s got his connections – a few like him, that care for and protect each other. Hanging onto the only unique lifestyle left, like old dinosaurs, their faces are leathered and rough by forty, but their eyes still sharp and knowing.
Some are gray in the beards and braids, some are limp in the step and some pain in the kidneys. Still they know that no other life is life, but merely a dreary journey into everyone else’s monotony. He looks at the new ones, then turns away, knowing they will never know of life on the road and of the women who can take it. Wild, loving, women who’ll hang in with them, because they love it too. A woman with a wild heart and a loyal soul, that’s what’s needed here.
The new ones are shiny and young and a bit too clean. They’re born into a system that has an iron grip now. The new one’s will never know and couldn’t take “the life.”
I think it’s a mystery, even to the old ones, why this life is theirs, but it is, and it’s the only one.When the last biker falls, like the dinosaurs, the sun will go down on a breed of heart-of-gold, tough as nails, free spirited men, who even at their worst, love what’s theirs and protect it. In a world wide system that is making all people as alike as manufactured dolls, the earth will be a duller place….
When the last biker falls.
I didn’t write this……But I’ve lived it.
And wish I had written it.
–B.
CRAZY HORSE LIFE AND TIMES COMING TO THE CANTINA–Here’s a rough sketch of an illustration by Chris Kallas for Crazy Horse words about Life and Times of Bikers in the early ’80s. It’s destined to be published in the Cantina shortly. Hang on.
ROT RALLY HONORS MILITARY–ROT is proud to salute the men and women who serve our country by bringing you the Military Bike Giveaway again this year. Last year we recognized a true American Hero when the winner of our online nomination process was presented a one-of-a-kind custom bike at Saturday night’s wild concert event. Thanks to master builder Troy Nicholson and sponsor Lightning Cycle Works, the build is on yet again! This year cameras will catch Troy Nicholson all 3 days as he handcrafts this amazing bike from the ground up for one lucky winner. All current and former military personnel are eligible for the big drawing this year, but you must be present at ROT to enter and win. So get your ROT tickets today and register for the drawing onsite in the Texas Thunderdome! ROT officials will draw 3 lucky names at the rally, and each will be issued a key. But only one key will make that beauty purr, so don’t miss out!
Guidelines for Entries:
– Must have served in the military
– All services and branches of the military eligible
– All entries accepted on-site only and must be present to WIN
– Must present an active duty military ID, retired military card, or s/n number
– Can also enter by presenting membership card to VFW or American Legion
– Deadline for entries on-site will be Noon, Saturday, June 2, 2007
Disclaimer: ONLY military veterans are eligible to participate. Title cannot be transferred until soldier identification has been verified. Second place and third place rules shall be announced during presentation on Saturday during bike giveaway. Expected time of giveaway is 7:00 p.m.
NEW LAYBACK LICENSE PLATE KITS FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON–MILWAUKEE (February 26, 2007) – The new Layback License Plate Mounting Kits (P/N 60280-07, $37.95; P/N 60277-07, $39.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories replace the original-equipment, stand-up license-plate mount with a chrome-plated, die-cast mount that tips the license plate back for low-profile style. The mirror-smooth backplate hides the unfinished back of the license plate, and chrome hardware secures the license plate to the mount.
Also available are the Framed Layback License Plate Mounting Kits (P/N 60193-07 and P/N 60210-07; $59.95) that wrap the license plate in chrome with a front frame that conceals the license plate mounting hardware, while the backplate hides the unfinished rear of the plate.
Each kit includes installation hardware and a rear reflector, and accepts a license plate up to 7 _ x 4 _ inches. See dealer for fitment details for specific Harley-Davidson models.
For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.
3rd WEDNESDAY IN JULY WOULD BECOME ANNUAL MICHIGAN EVENT, RIDE TO WORK DAY–How will you get to work on July 18?Motorcycle maybe?
That’s what state Rep. Richard LeBlanc – the proud new owner of a Harley-Davidson Peace Officer Ultra Classic – hopes.
The Westland Democrat and 13 fellow Democratic lawmakers – most of whom don’t own motorcycles – want the state to designate the third Wednesday of every July as “Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day.”
“I’ve always loved motorcycles,” said LeBlanc, who got his first one as a gift from his grandfather at age 9. He’s owned roughly 130 over his lifetime, including five now-counting the new Harley-and gave his sons their first ones at ages 2 and 4.
But he confesses that he hasn’t ridden any of them yet on his 170-mile daily round-trip commute between Westland and Lansing since taking office in January.
Not all his co-sponsors share his fascination for motorcycles. Nor do they all share his support for repealing Michigan’s 1969 mandatory helmet law.
Another attempt to repeal the law is expected this year.
In 2006, Gov. Jennifer Granholm vetoed a bill that would have exempted operators who are over 21 and with at least two years’ experience from the helmet requirement if they pass a safety course and have at least $10,000 in medical insurance.
Granholm labeled the $10,000 amount “woefully inadequate” in light of the full costs of treating head injuries.
Motorcycle fatalities dropped 7 percent in 2006, contrasted with a 35.6 percent jump from 2004 to 2005, according to the state Office of Highway Safety Planning.
Repeal of the law – a longtime lobbying goal of motorcyclist rights advocates and their American Bikers Aiming Toward Education organization – faces strong opposition from AAA of Michigan, the Brain Injury Association of Michigan and the Michigan State Medical Society, among other safety and health groups.
State Rep. Barb Byrum of Onondaga, another cosponsor of LeBlanc’s motorcycle-to-work bill doesn’t have a motorcycle – although her husband used to – and favors repeal.
“We’re the only state in the region with a helmet law,” Byrum said, calling for a balance between “the interests of safety” and the condition of the economy.
Eliminating compulsory helmet use “will encourage more motorcyclists to come to Michigan and spend tourist dollars,” she said.
ALUMINUM PRIMARY BY RMD FOR BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES–RMD Billet offers this aircraft-strength aluminum primary for Big Dog motorcycles. Now available for 2005 and newer Big Dog models, this primary is a fully radiused, billet machined, right-side drive, inner primary with a unique geometry for a super-clean, smooth look. It also features a Barnett Scorpion clutch, hidden jackshaft, and ring gear system, and also includes billet pulley covers, center plate, inner primary spacer, as well as a full-pulley/clutch assembly.
Available in polish or chrome. www.rmdbillet.com.
FLORIDA ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY– Released April 5, 2007, the following is an economic impact study done for the first six years ten months of Florida’s amended helmet law. The motorcycle registration figures are compiled from the statistics of the Florida department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The fees come from the license registration bureau. From 1999 to April 2007 motorcycle registrations in Florida increased from 198,601 to 509,036. That is an increase of approximately 157%, and it is rising. The following is the estimated revenue generated from the registration and bike purchases.
310,435 motorcycles at an average of $10,000 each equals $3,104,350,000.00
Sales Tax at 6% = $186,626,100.00
Registration fee for motorcycles at $26.40 = $8,226,527.50
Change of title at $29.75 = $9,235,441.25
Buy Tag at $10.00 = $3,104.350.00
TOTAL = $3,311,343,418.75
“This is a low estimate as it doesn’t include antique motorcycles or mopeds,” said James “Doc” Reichenbach II, State Director of ABATE of Florida, Inc., and Chairman of the Board for the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM). “This is over three billion dollars in almost seven years that has been brought into Florida’s economy. Over two hundred million in taxes alone went into the Florida State Treasury.”
Doc also points out that this does not include the almost 4 billion dollars put into the economy from Bike Week and Biketoberfest over the same period.
Registration are annual so they would increase with each year and there are also over 800,000 people with motorcycle endorsements in Florida and that is $5 every time they renew it.
“I hope these figures will help anyone who has heard that Florida motorcyclists don’t pay their fair share,” concluded Doc.
MICHIGAN MUNICIPALITY RESCINDS MOTORCYCLE BAN– The Oak Park City Council has unanimously repealed an anti-motorcycle ordinance that prohibited motorcyclists from riding on residential streets between 10pm and 6am.
ABATE of Michigan became aware of this ordinance when one of its members, Oak Park resident David Dolinski, contacted the organization and complained about signs being posted advising of the ordinance. ABATE authorized its attorney, Lawrence S. Katkowsky of Bingham Farms, to look into the matter. Katkowsky, who also serves as the Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) Attorney for Michigan and is legal adviser to the Confederation of Clubs of Michigan, notified the City that the ordinance was illegal under Michigan law and asked that it be repealed before the 2007 riding season.
Apparently neither the council, the City Manager, nor the City Attorney were even aware that the ordinance was on the books and were not aware that it was being enforced.
Following the council vote ABATE thanked the Mayor of Oak Park, Gerald E Naftaly and the other members of the City Council for their prompt action to remove this ordinance from their books.
BENDS NEW BMC ONLY STORE M.O.B– Check out the new Big Mike Choppers store in Bend, Oregon run by the Mob.
BETSY IS CLIMBING MT. EVEREST–Hang on for future reports.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE MOTORCYCLE RALLY–We would like to invite you, as well as your friends and family, to the Power To The People Motorcycle Rally in Ames, Iowa on August 10, 2007. We will be there in support of Tommy Thompson, former Governor of Wisconsin, former Secretary Of Health And Human Services, avid long-time motorcyclist, and Presidential hopeful.
The rally coincides with the Iowa Republican straw poll. Only Iowa residents may vote in the straw poll, but a large showing of support may help persuade some of the undecided Iowa residents to vote for Tommy. This is one of the few times in our lives that we can make a difference. Historically, the winner of the straw poll becomes the favorite to garner the nomination; and it only takes 4,000 votes to win it! Motorcyclists can have a voice! Show the world that the big money machine doesn’t always have to win and that once in a great while, a small town boy with good common sense and moral values can rise to the top as One of Our Own.
Enclosed you will find fliers for the Ames Rally & Tommy Thompson’s 13th Annual Reunion Ride, a brief history of Tommy’s accomplishments, a little bit about Team Tommy 2008, and the ever dreaded donation form. Tommy’s campaign really could use some financial support from those of you that are so inclined. Tommy Thompson isn’t a “business as usual” politician with a mega-dollar war chest. He’s a common sense kind of guy that has a proven track record of getting things done. Every dollar will help.
–Team Tommy 2008
www.teamtommy.org
email: teamtommy@aol.com
BILANSKY RIDES BUELL TO ASRA THUNDERBIKE WIN AT TOPEKA–TOPEKA, Kan. (April 29, 2006) – Hal’s H-D/Buell Hal’s Speed Shop rider Dan Bilansky rode a Buell XB12R Firebolt to win the second round of the American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) Pro Thunderbike series at Heartland Park Topeka.
“Our Buell ran really well today and this was a nice win after finishing off the podium at Daytona,” said Bilansky. “We’ve got the Hal’s team back in position to defend the Thunderbike title.”
Deeley H-D/Buell Canada/Ruthless Racing rider David Estok earned the pole on a Buell XB12R Firebolt in Saturday qualifying for the 12-lap Pro Thunderbike national on the 2.5-mile Heartland Park road course.
Estok jumped into the lead at the start, with his Deeley H-D/Buell Canada/Ruthless Racing teammate Darren James in hot pursuit. Bilansky, the 2006 ASRA Pro Thunderbike champion, got a poor start but worked his way up to the leaders by the third lap. A crash on lap five ended the day for Estok. James assumed the lead but soon fell off the pace with a mechanical problem. Bilansky made a pass for the lead and opened a gap of about 15 seconds that he maintained to the finish to score his first win of the season. James held on for second place, followed by Buell riders Joe Rozynski (Waves/Hal’s Speed Shop), Sam Rozynski (Waves/Hal’s Speed Shop), and Greg Avello (Hal’s Speed Shop/Badger Motorsports).
After two of eight ASRA Thunderbike rounds, Bilansky has 58 points to lead the series, followed by James with 56 points and Estok with 47 points.
In Championship Cup Series (CCS) racing on Saturday, Estok rode his Deeley H-D/Buell Canada/Ruthless Racing Buell to victory in the Thunderbike Expert class, a five-lap sprint race. On Sunday, James rode a Deeley H-D/Buell Canada/Ruthless Racing Buell to win the CCS Thunderbike Expert class, while Steve Crevier won the SuperTwins Expert class on a Deeley H-D/Buell Canada/Ruthless Racing Buell XBRR.
The next event on the eight-race 2007 ASRA Pro Thunderbike series schedule is the Summit Point Festival of Speed, May 27-28 at Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, W.V.
LET’S TAKE A MOMENT OUT FOR RELIGIOUS REFLECTION–The real reason that we can’t have the Ten Commandments posted in acourthouse is this: You cannot post “Thou Shalt Not Steal,” “Thou ShaltNot Commit Adultery”, and “Thou Shall Not Lie” in a building full oflawyers, judges and politicians.
It creates a hostile work environment
–from Rogue
www.bikerrogue.com
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