Hey,
The mysteries of life abound. A scientist, years ago, did an experiment on human behavior. He showed two cards to a group of people and wanted to know what matched. One person was the subject, but the rest of the group were set up. The answer was obvious and at first the guy pointed out the obvious answer. But slowly the group pointed to the wrong answer.
In 75 percent of the cases the subject ultimately sided with the group and not the correct answer. Think about that for a minute and the ramifications to some of the issues we currently face. Incredible.
Maybe, if we said, ‘Think Freedom First,” enough, folks would re-tune themselves.
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom like we do including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown and BorntoRide.com, Sturgis Museum.
MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION ALERT– Riders Keep Close Eye on Infrastructure Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC – Though modernizing the nation’s infrastructure has been a looming issue for the federal government for decades, there has been increased emphasis since the 2016 presidential elections when then-candidate Donald Trump pledged a significant investment to the issue. He came one step closer to his promise when the White House released its principles for an infrastructure package along with the president’s FY18 budget request. The principles outline $200 billion in infrastructure investments.
For motorcyclists, the area of infrastructure is one of interest. Roads, highways, bridges are all well utilized by motorcyclists, yet many of these are considered structurally deficient. More importantly, because the concept of infrastructure is so broad, some policymakers will offer proposals that they have championed for years that they hope to include in an infrastructure vehicle. Many of these could very well include seemingly unrelated efforts in the name of safety. Often, large legislative packages are viewed as opportunities to slip in provisions related to highway safety. These “riders” (no pun intended) are easy to miss in a large legislative package, but the effects are far-reaching.
In addition to maintaining a vigilant eye on what gets “stuck” into an infrastructure package, there is also concern that President Trump will pursue a proposal to lift a federal ban that prevents tolling on existing lanes of interstate highways:
“Tolling is generally restricted on interstate highways. This restriction prevents public and private investment in such facilities,” the White House fact sheet says. “We should reduce this restriction and allow the states to assess their transportation needs and weigh the relative merits of tolling assets.”
Supporters say it’s a way to charge motorists directly for the roads that they use. Alternatively, others fear that if they don’t pay for the infrastructure through toll roads, they will pay at the pump via a gas tax.
While an infrastructure plan is easy to talk and campaign about, it doesn’t mean it is easy to write, pass through Congress, or sign into law. Although Republicans currently control the House, Senate, and presidency, several factors stand as roadblocks to any major piece of legislation becoming law.
Despite a polarized Congress and busy legislative schedule, however, there is a real appetite for considering a major overhaul to the nation’s infrastructure, and plenty of room for negotiation to help make it possible.
Organizer of NASHVILLE BIKE WEEK arrested in Kentucky–
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WKRN) – Nashville Bike Week organizer Michael Leffingwell, also known as Mike Axle, was arrested in Kentucky on Monday.
Authorities told News 2 Leffingwell was taken into the custody at the Country Hearth Motel near the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office says it received a tip regarding his location before his arrest.
He had active arrest warrants out of Kentucky, multiple Middle Tennessee counties, Georgia, and Missouri on charges of probation violation, failure to appear, and larceny. Other charges may be forthcoming.
Leffingwell also has a lengthy criminal history with federal convictions for fraud and theft.
Authorities have been looking for Leffingwell for several months as people have expressed concerns about the Nashville Bike Week event.
The 10-day motorcycle festival is scheduled for Sept. 14 to 24. A venue for the event has been in question for several weeks after the Loretta Lynn Ranch cut ties with the event in February.
Multiple promises to announce a new venue have not happened and the Tennessee Department of Health denied the organizers application for a mass gathering permit.
Leffingwell said previously he would turn himself into authorities and turn over the event to other organizers to complete.
He will be booked in the Warren County Regional jail in Kentucky and is being held without bond as a fugitive of justice.
–By Joseph Pleasant
WKRN
–from Rogue
Bikernet Investigator
WEEGO TO THE RESCUE–
Ever been caught in a pinch with a dead battery on your motorcycle? Weego, the innovator of portable jump starters and battery packs, just released a new jump starter battery pack designed specifically for motorcycles, dirt bikes and ATVs.
The safest and most reliable jump starters in the industry designed patented Smarty Clamps that are smaller, so they can fit in tight spaces and give you an easy jump start every time. For only $65, the Weego N22S will get you back on your bike in no time!
Interested? Let me know. I’d love to provide images or get a product sent your way for you to try out!
–Kaitlin Jarvis
HARLEY RECALL ALERT–
https://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/home/owners/maintain-your-bike/service-recalls.html
Harley-Davidson Recalls 45,589 Touring Motorcycles Model Year 2017 For Potential Oil Leaks
–Rogue
BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS WIDE OPEN– Employment application blanks always ask who is to be called in case of an emergency. I think you should write, ‘An ambulance.’
One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his Sweatshirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me, ‘What setting do I use on the washing machine?’
‘It depends,’ I replied. ‘What does it say on your shirt?’
He yelled back, ‘ GO BUCKEYES!’
And they say blondes are dumb….
–from Rogue and Sidehack Jerry
ULTIMATE FREEDOM FIGHTER HONORED BY STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM– Biker, Diplomat, MRF Champion & ABATE Founder Michael “Balls” Farabaugh Named 2017 Freedom Fighter Award
Sturgis, South Dakota, June 5, 2017 – In keeping with the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s mission to Honor the Rider, the special “Freedom Fighter” award recognizing an individual who has fought to protect the rights of motorcyclists was instituted in 2001. The Freedom Fighter for 2017 is posthumous recognition of Michael “Balls” Farabaugh lifetime of protecting motorcyclist’s rights.
“Michael is the original freedom fighter,” says Tigra Tsujikawa, Marketing & Development Director for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall Of Fame. “He co-founded ABATE of Indiana, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and launched the annual Meeting Of The Minds conference. As the long-time Executive Director of ABATE, Balls was respected for his honesty and integrity by the biker community – as a 30-year member of the American Motorcycle Association’s Board of Directors, Mr. Farabaugh was able to bring the OEMs and the politicians to the table,” says Tsujikawa.
As passionate as Farabaugh was when it came to motorcycle rights organizations, he was equally committed to rider safety. “He successfully lobbied many state legislatures into giving publicly funded rider training parity with drivers ed. Michael graduated from the first Motorcycle Safety Foundation Chief Instructor Program in 1980 and he and his wife Debby, also an MSF instructor, taught survival skills to literally thousands of riders and instructor trainees over the years.”
In his spare time, he organized motorcycle-related charity events. “In typical fashion, Balls became chairman of the Miracle Ride Foundation and coordinated events that generated more than $2.5 million to the Paraplegic Foundation and Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, as well as MDA.”
“My goal was to make motorcycling better for the next generation,” Farabaugh once told the AMA. “Let’s make it safe and easier to learn to ride. If we as motorcyclists are doing it ourselves, we have a hand in the direction motorcycling takes.” Before his untimely passing earlier this year, the long-time motorcycle safety, education and rider rights advocate had most recently been appointed the first director of Lucas Oil’s newly formed Motorcycle Division.
“All of our honorees – past and present- are deserving, but Michael Farabaugh is the ultimate Freedom Fighter,” declares Tsujikawa. Initiated in 2001, The Freedom Fighter award recognizes those individuals who have made sacrifices to protect the rights of those who ride. These men and women serve diligently, humbly and quietly so that we may enjoy the liberties that many of us take for granted.
“Join us in honoring Michael’s memory as well the Class Of 2017 Hall of Fame inductees,” says Tsujikawa. The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall Of Fame Induction ceremony presented by Strider is being held August 9th at the Lodge at Deadwood in Deadwood, South Dakota. Breakfast tickets are available for a $45 donation, tables of eight for $350. Tickets are available by calling the Museum at 605.347.2001 or they can be purchased online at:
http://www.sturgismuseum.com/shop/hall-fame-breakfast
Class Of 2017 Inductees
Colleen Barnett & Mike Taylor – Colleen Barnett-Taylor started her motorsports career at Barnett Clutches & Cables while still in her childhood working for her parents (and original 1948 founders), Charlie and Afton Barnett. Since the beginning Colleen has been a driving force and integral part of the company. Mike Taylor, already a long-time motorcycle rider/enthusiast, joined the firm in 1968 which cemented a great partnership after he and Colleen were married. Together they have operated Barnett since 1975 and owned the company since 1993.
Cory Ness – Don’t think for a second that Cory Ness rode his famous father’s coattails into the Sturgis Hall Of Fame. At only 10 years old, he disassembled his bicycle, painted it, chromed its parts and entered it in the Oakland Roadster Show. The first motorcycle he turned his talents to was a wrecked CB350. After building it back up, Cory sold it before even getting a chance to ride it. He was 14! Today Cory is the chief designer behind Arlen Ness Enterprises where he runs the day-to-day business. In between designing new parts and accessories, he still finds time to wrench on custom bikes periodically.
Mark Shadley – Since the early 1970s Mark Shadley and Shadley Bros. Motorcycles have been shaping the perception of what a custom motorcycle is. The quality, detail and innovation of his custom built bikes have made him well recognized by both the motorcycle industry and his peers. His enthusiasm and involvement in the custom motorcycle industry has been a lifelong passion.
Jim Thiessen – For 50 years, machinist and go-fast guy Jim Thiessen has generated trust with riders, record breakers, racers and certified Harley mechanics around the world whom use JIMS® products on a daily basis. Today JIMS® is one of the industry’s leading producers of performance parts, accessories, tools, transmissions and high-performance engines – all aimed at enhancing the Harley rider’s experience.
Terry Vance – #35 on the NHRA’s 50 greatest drag racers of all-time, 14-time national champ Terry Vance never lets off the gas! Terry and his tuner Byron Hines shared a passion for the quarter mile from the early days, but they also shared a vision of creating a company that would be a pillar of the motorcycle aftermarket, and they used their unrivaled achievements in racing to build a brand that would unmistakably stand for quality and performance.Terry Vance is an American former professional motorcycle drag racer, racing team owner and manufacturer of high performance parts for motorcycles.
Rod Woodruff – Since 1981. the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground has treated millions of motorcyclists to rock concerts, camping, entertainment and more. Rod Woodruff is the man who brought Rock & Roll to the Black Hills and now hosts a 10-day Concert Series each August during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Buffalo Chip provides a music festival, various other forms of entertainment, and full service tent, RV and cabin camping on almost 600 acres in rural Meade County.
MAN FLASHING MONEY NEWS– Man flashing money on Facebook Live arrested on drug charges.
JACKSONVILLE – A Florida man joyfully flashing money live on the internet got a sudden surprise when police officers barged in and arrested him for allegedly selling drugs.
A man identified by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office as 22-year old Breon Hollings went on Facebook Live to show friends a handful of money, saying, “It don’t stop, man, it don’t stop.”
He then retrieves more money from another room and starts shuffling it when he hears Jacksonville officers warning over a loudspeaker they are about to raid the house. A stunned Hollings runs out of the room. Seconds later, officers barge in. Hollings was arrested off camera.
Hollings faces numerous drug charges and was being held on $425,000 bail Saturday. It could not be determined if he has an attorney.
Daytona Today
–Rogue
SPEAKING OF REALITY— I’m taking a course in scientific reality and how it changed through history. I had a couple of questions for Dr. Steven Gimble of the Gettysburg University and he responded:
“If we obtain different measurements when observing something and not, does human eye sight have power or energy?”
You’ve got your hooks into one of the central questions in quantum mechanics. It is what we call the measurement problem. When we don’t look at a thing, it is in one state (the superposed state – the combination of every possible state); but when we do look at it, bam, it suddenly leaves the superposed state and immediately reduces to one of the possible states (and we cannot tell which one it will be).
So, what is it that causes this change? Is it something in the act of observing? Is it the system of the measuring instrument interfering with something in the system observed? It leads to the question — what exactly is an observation? Is it when you put the ruler down? Is it when the ruler touches the thing to be measured? Is it when your eye sees where on the ruler the thing reaches? Is it when your brain registers the amount?
The answer is “we can’t tell.” You can’t measure a measurement without it being a measurement. Some physicists think that it is in the interaction of physical systems – this keeps it on the physical level.
Others, following Eugene Wigner (Nobel prize winner and one of the people with Einstein when he decided to write Roosevelt to launch the Manhattan Project), contend that it must be the interaction of consciousness with the physical system that causes the effect.
Needless to say, this is a little too freaky for most physicists who respond to the problem by just shrugging their shoulders. We know that the system proceeds according to the equations of quantum mechanics when we are not looking and that there is an instantaneous change the instant we look. We just have no clue about what it is in the looking that causes it.
“If the universe is constantly changing, could it be there have been many planets with various levels of life, but they are long gone with each super-nova explosion throughout the history of the universe?”
Yup. Our search for extraterrestrial life is not only hampered by the great distances of space, but also by time in exactly the way you point out. By the time we are able to get there, they might have come and gone. Might be a supernova or might be environmental destruction, might be epidemic or might be war. We are indeed battling both time and space to find company out there.
Hope you’re enjoying the series. Let me know if there are any other questions.
–Steve
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RACING AND THE SCOUT FTR750 REMAIN UNDEFEATED THROUGH SEVEN RACES– Jared Mees Captures Thrilling Last-Lap Mile Victory to Tie Fellow Indian Rider Bryan Smith in Overall Points at 152 Apiece
Indian Motorcycle Racing and the Scout FTR750 remain undefeated once again through seven races. Jared Mees’ first place finish now ties him with fellow Indian rider Bryan Smith at the top of the points pole with 152 apiece, and continues Indian’s streak of securing at least two podium placements in each race this season.
The Scout FTR750 and Indian Wrecking Crew proved resilient during the first race in which Indian was nearly knocked off the top position. Mees employed the strategy of mile expert Smith by drafting from second position only to pull a last second outside pass on the final lap to inch out Sammy Halbert by 0.013 of a second for the checkered flag. Indian’s Brad Baker and Smith duked it out throughout the race to finish third and fourth respectively.
“It feels good to get back on the top of the podium,” said Mees. “This has been a season of firsts for me – I was the first to win on the Scout FTR750 at the season opener in Daytona, which was also my first time winning a TT and a season opener, so it’s only fitting I’m the first to win here at the inaugural Red Mile and be tied for first with Bryan.”
Mees is now the only rider in the series with a perfect podium record intact on the season. Although tied atop the points standings, Smith holds the tiebreaker with four wins to Mees’ three. Baker, who took third at Red Mile, sits in fourth with 92 points, 17 points off third place.
“This streak is a testament to the incredible capabilities of the purpose-build Scout FTR750 and the modern day ‘Wrecking Crew’ we’ve assembled,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Product Development for Indian Motorcycle. “Jared and Bryan are fierce competitors, and once again their rivalry is taking center stage this season.”
Indian Motorcycle Racing, backed by Allstate Insurance, will look to continue its incredible run as American Flat Track heads to the OKC Mile in Oklahoma City, OK, on June 17.
To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
–Fiorella Bergandi
THE JUDDS SET TO RELEASE ALL-TIME GREATEST HITS ON JUNE 30TH–
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Together, Country Music icons Wynonna and Naomi Judd made musical history throughout their career receiving eight Gold and eight Platinum records, selling over 20 million albums and scoring twenty Top 10 hits between 1984-1990. Now, Curb Records is excited to bring fans the ultimate collection of those years together.
The Judds – All-Time Greatest Hits will be released on Friday, June 30 – and will feature each of the classic hits that helped to make them a household name on Country Radio in the 1980s and 1990s.
“Some things continue to get better with time, like fine wine and the Judds music,” says Naomi Judd. “I’m so proud that our music has stood the test of time. It makes my heart smile when I turn on Country Radio and I can sing along with our hits.”
The twenty-one song set will feature each of the duo’s top ten hits, as well as “You Can’t Go Home Again (Flies On The Butter),” a recording from 2011. Beginning with the classic #1 hit “Mama, He’s Crazy” in 1984, and continuing through 1991’s “One Hundred and Two,” the duo established a career that will stand with one of the top duets in Country Music history. Fourteen times the duo topped the Billboard Country Singles chart, and each of their five studio albums were certified Gold or Platinum.
Along with their sales and airplay success, The Judds also dominated the awards shows like no artist before their time. Starting in 1984, the duo netted nine CMA Awards, including a run from 1985-1991 as either Vocal Duo or Vocal Group of the Year. Their trophies also include the 1985 Single of the Year “Why Not Me,” which is also included on The Judds – All Time Greatest Hits.
They also won seven straight trophies from the Academy of Country Music – and the 2013 Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award. Their award collection also includes five Grammy awards. The Judds were the subject of a 1988 CBS TV-Special called Across The Heartland, a 1995 NBC mini-series based on Love Can Build A Bridge, the best-selling novel written by Naomi, and a 2011 reality series, The Judds, on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Track Listing:
1. Mama He’s Crazy
2. Why Not Me
3. Girls Night Out
4. Love Is Alive
5. Have Mercy
6. Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days)
7. Rockin’ With The Rhythm Of The Rain
8. Cry Myself To Sleep
9. Don’t Be Cruel
10. I Know Where I’m Going
11. Maybe Your Baby’s Got The Blues
12. Turn It Loose
13. Give A Little Love
14. Change Of Heart
15. Young Love
16. Let Me Tell You About Love
17. One Man Woman
18. Born To Be Blue
19. Love Can Build A Bridge
20. One Hundred And Two
21. Flies On The Butter (You Can’t Go Home Again)
Warrior Sidecars: 100 Years of Military Applications
I believe the author meant 1900s but clearly not the nineteenth century.
The Japanese motorcycle may not have been importer but built by Rikuo.
–Sam
Somewhere in Texas
Yep, I meant 1900s or 20th Century…and the Japanese bike could have been
Rikuo clone…I made corrections and sent email to La La requesting the changes.
There always seems to be items that won’t wait until the next newsletter.
Don’t forget your dues. $10.00 at www.trailblazersmc.com or Trailblazers c/o MIC Inc., 2 Jenner Ste 150, Irvine, CA 92618
FATHERS DAY AT CENTURY MOTORS IN SAN PEDRO
JUNE 18TH FROM 10AM TO 4 PM
Tim Rutherford wants you all to know that you are invited to their Annual Fathers Day Party. He ordered food and beverages to serve at least 500 people and would like to have people there to eat it (Smile). Tim has taken the reins from him mother, Cindy and doing a fine job. This is a very fun event, so we hope to see you all there. Bring a friend and your appetite. 1640 S. Pacific Ave. San Pedro (310) 832 6190 (424) 215 5557
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If you haven’t received your ballot, please contact AMA Hall of Fame at (614) 856 2222 or jmassey@ama-cycle.org.
D36 FLAT TRACK BIG TIME SPEEDWAY
Race to take place on Saturday, June 17. Gates open at noon, race at 5 at Prarie City state vehicle recreation area in Rancho Cordona. 13300 Whiterock Rd. www.bigtimespeedway.com
CALIFORNIA OHV PROGRAM UNDER THREAT
If adopted in its current form SB 249 would begin to dismantle decades of work and mark the end of this nationally recognized and celebrated program. There are several websites dedicated to this Bill. Get informed and vote no on SB 249. If you are an AMA member go to their site. Contact your elected officials and remind them of the benefits the program provides to every citizen and visitor to California.
ATTACHMENTS
Trailblazer Hall of Famers at the 2017 banquet by Dennis Suter
Names of people in the photo by Don Emde
Big Time Speedway
A.J. Herrera Memorial race
[page break]
DIRECT FROM THE BAD COP FILES– Authorities: Body cam caught deputy stealing cash
DAYTONA BEACH – A former Florida sheriff’s deputy is facing theft charges after authorities say body camera video shows him stealing cash from a driver he arrested.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports that former Volusia County deputy John Braman faces a hearing Tuesday on five felony counts including grand theft and official misconduct.
The 34-year-old Braman resigned Jan. 30 after video allegedly showed him taking two $100 bills from a driver he had arrested for DUI. He also is charged with stealing $600 during a disturbance investigation and $40 from another man after an arrest.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood called Braman a “common thief.” Braman had been lauded in 2011 when he and another deputy were shot but captured their shooter. His attorney has requested Tuesday’s hearing to discuss the charges and bail.
Florida Today Newspaper June 4 2017
–Rogue
NEWS FROM THE NEW EVEL KNIEVEL MUSEUM– The Celebration is being held to honor Knievel’s Family and Crew. Special activities will take place all weekend. “It’s an opportunity to thank them, hear their personal stories and celebrate Knievel’s legacy and the impact he had as an American icon. This is really a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it’s only a month away. It still feels a bit surreal.”
When visitors come they can see Evel’s motorcycles, including the original sheet metal painted by Evel’s artist, George Sedlak. On display is the X2 Skycycle launched at Snake River Canyon, perched on Evel’s ramp and installed over dirt brought in from the original location. Peek inside “Big Red,” Evel’s traveling rig and dressing room, resplendent in red, white & blue metal flake vinyl in the original stars and stripes motif. Another centerpiece of the collection is Knievel’s 1966 Bell Star helmet worn for the Caesar’s Palace jump. Hidden from view for decades, it’s still beautifully battered and likely saved his life that day.
Visitors can view clips of Evel’s Hollywood stints in a 1970’s-era movie theatre complete with marquee and costumes. Giant touch screens target Knievel’s broken bones, connecting injuries to the jumps that caused them with video of the actual events.
Museum guests can experience the rush of being a daredevil through the 4D Virtual Reality Jump Experience. Put on the virtual reality goggles and pilot a jump bike mounted on Evel’s actual jump ramp. This immersive jump experience is complete with rushing wind, and a rumbling motorcycle.
After four decades in the making, the Museum is a fitting tribute to confidence, individualism and epic courage—characteristics that describe the bold life of Evel Knievel. The Museum is like Knievel himself; there’s no describing it, you simply have to experience it!
“I created Evel Knievel, and then he sort of got away from me.”
— Evel Knievel
Photo credit: Keith Horinek
TAKE A BREAK, THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS STILL OPEN– A man got stopped by a Game Warden with his basket full of fish.
Warden: do you have a permit for all these fish?
Man: no sir. These are all my pet fish.
Ward…en: your pet fish? How’s that?
Man: well, every night I take all my pet fish for a walk to the lake, I let them swim for about half hour and then I whistle and they all come back and jump in my basket and we go home. We do this every night.
Warden: Well that’s just a crock of lies!!
Man: here I’ll show you… (Releases the fish in the lake)
Warden: well this I got to see!!
5 minutes later…
Warden: well??
Man: what?
Warden: the fish!! Where’s your pet fish??
Man: what fish??
–Sam Burns
CYCLE SOURCE MAGAZINE BRINGS YOU Grease & Gears at R.O.T.–
Through a partnership with JP Cycles, Grease & Gears Garage will be featuring some of the most talented craftsmen and artisans of the custom motorcycle scene on stage during the Republic Of Texas Rally June 8th-11th. Have you ever wanted to see just how a frame is raked or hard tailed, how a builder approaches choices for customizing a stock bike or how the perfect finish is applied to sheet metal?
Well, step up to the Grease & Gears Garage Stage at the Travis Co. Expo Center during ROT and see it all happen first hand.
As part of the Kustom Kulture Artisan Show, produced by Biker Pros, in the Thunderdome, from 12 to 5 each day, rally attendees and viewers from around the world can witness live performances on stage with some of the most recognizable names in the custom industry today.
Pat Jansen, Grease & Gears Garage Master of Ceremonies will be roaming through the crowd to give onlookers the chance to ask industry professionals questions while they are carrying out their work.
In addition to new features like the Run Whatcha Brung Flat Track Races, A World Record Jump by Doug Danger and Military Tribute build by Motorcycle Missions, Grease & Gears Garage has been brought to Austin as part of the ROT Rally’s celebration of the best in our culture. With a 24-foot stage to create the garage and all the tooling and equipment in place the only thing missing will be you.
A live FaceBook stream will make all of this available each day to anyone who can’t make it to Austin through the J&P Cycles and Cycle Source Magazine social media feeds. The Participants that have been assembled and schedule for appearances are as follows:
Thursday 6/8
12:00pm -1:30pm – Kit Customizing with Kyle Shorey of Shadetree Fabrication
1:30pm – 2:00PM – California Trends with Jeff Holt of Hot Bike Magazine
2:00pm – 3:00pm – Hand Molding Sheet Metal with Joe Mielke of Snap Fabrications
3:30pm – 5:00pm – Stock Makeover with Dar Holdsworth of Brass Balls Cycles
Friday 6/9
12:00pm – 1:00pm – Hand Molding Sheet Metal with Joe Mielke of Snap Fabrications
1:00pm – 2:00pm – Hard tailing A Frame Part 1 with David Roy of Voodoo Vintage
2:00pm – 3:00pm – Wishbone Fork Swap with Jimmie Lee & JC Coen of Three Two Choppers
3:00pm – 4:00pm – Paint, Equipment & Finishes with Jody Perewitz of Perewitz Cycle Fabrication
4:00pm – 5:00pm – Narrowing A Fuel Tank with Kyle Shorey of Shadetree Fabrication
Saturday 6/10
12:00pm – 2:00pm – Bagger Frame Rake with Chris Moos of Misfit Industries
2:00pm – 3:00pm – Hand Molding Sheet Metal with Joe Mielke of Snap Fabrications
3:00pm – 4:00pm – Paint, Equipment & Finishes with Jody Perewitz of Perewitz Cycle Fabrication
4:00pm – 5:00pm – Hard tailing A Frame Part 1 with David Roy of Voodoo Vintage
For more information on the Republic Of Texas Rally check out their web site at http://www.rotrally.com and to catch the live feed from your own garage tune in at facebook.com/jpcycles or facebook.com/cyclesourcemag. Grease & Gears Garage will be kicking off a great season at ROT that will also include The Iron Horse in Sturgis and several other locations soon to be announced, so stay tuned for more.
KEY VETERAN BILLS– Knowing of our mutual interest in caring for our nation’s veterans, I wanted to share an update on key veterans’ bills that recently passed the House of Representatives. With this newest package of legislation, the House reaffirms its commitment to our nation’s military veterans and continues its support for efforts to improve the benefits and services they have earned.
Three bills that will have a particularly significant impact on veterans include:
H.R.1259: Accountability at the VA: H.R. 1259, VA Accountability First Act of 2017 – The need for strong leadership at the VA is critical. We were shocked and outraged to learn that more than 200 veterans have died while waiting for medical care at the VA hospital in Phoenix, three years after the facility was at the center of a scandal in which patient records were altered to hide the length of their waiting period.
The VA can never truly serve veterans until it ensures that only the most qualified and ethical employees advance and retain VA positions. H.R. 1259 provides the VA Secretary increased flexibility to remove, demote, or suspend any VA employee, including Senior Executive Service employees, for performance issues or misconduct. This legislation compliments recent executive action taken by President Trump to establish an accountability and whistleblower protection office within the VA.
H.R.1367: Helping the VA Recruit and Retain Qualified Employees: H.R. 1367 – A recent federal agency study ranked the VA second to last in effective leadership and dead last in pay, further creating hiring inefficiencies. To attract highly qualified employees, this bill establishes a recruiting database to make potential candidates aware of positions at the VA and create opportunities for career training and advancement for current VA employees through fellowship positions and a promotional track for technical experts.
H.R.1181: Protecting Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights: H.R. 1181, The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act – Under current practice, if a veteran or beneficiary is appointed a fiduciary by the VA, they are automatically submitted to the FBI’s National Criminal Background Check System (NICS)-making them ineligible to purchase a firearm. No American should be denied their rights because someone else handles their finances, let alone a veteran. This legislation ensures no veteran who utilizes a fiduciary will lose their second amendment rights without due process.
As your Representative, I remain committed to improving the VA and ensuring that our veterans receive the best care possible. If you know of any veteran in our community who is having trouble or needs assistance with VA services, please encourage them to contact my staff at 321-632-1776. My team and I are here to serve you.
–Bill Posey
Member of Congress
AMA ALERT– Blender pump confusion may lead to inadvertent mis-fueling with E15 fuel Contact the AMA with information!
There is a serious push by pro-ethanol lobbyists to confuse consumers at fuel retail stations this summer in an effort to increase sales of E15 fuel.
What are they saying?
According to a recent news article, “federal regulators say E15 must be labeled as a ‘Flex Fuel’ in most areas of the country.” And, “it’s the same fuel that gas stations have called E15, and that regulators said was approved to use in any vehicle 2001 and newer.”
The article also stated “the E15 label change is only for the summer and doesn’t apply to some areas of the country.”
What is the truth?
There is no federal regulation to mandate a new “Flex Fuel” label for the summer. Retailers are attempting to sell E15 fuel in the summer months (June 1 – Sept. 15) as a “Flex Fuel” to circumvent the Reid Vapor Pressure restrictions. RVP is a measure of gasoline’s propensity to evaporate. As part of the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments, Congress enacted a provision allowing conventional gasoline to exceed the RVP limit by up to 1 psi provided it contained up to 10 percent ethanol.
The 1 psi waiver is not available to ethanol blends greater than 10 percent (e.g., E15). The ethanol industry has asked Congress to extend the 1 psi waiver from E10 to E15, contending that it is needed to allow E15 sales during the summer driving season.
Why does this matter to motorcyclists?
The American Motorcyclist Association opposes E15 fuel because using E15 in motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles may cause engine and fuel system damage and void the manufacturer’s warranty.
None of the estimated 22 million motorcycles and ATVs in use in the United States is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency to use E15 or higher ethanol blends. Using E15 in motorcycles and ATVs violates federal law.
Yet the rush to force more E15 fuel into the marketplace by the ethanol industry greatly increases the chances of inadvertent misfueling by motorcyclists and ATV owners — as well as owners of boats, small engines and other machines that aren’t warrantied for E15 use — due to blender pumps, confusing pump labeling and the lack of any significant consumer education by the ethanol industry or the federal government.
AMA’s response
The AMA reached out to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding this new so-called “mandated label.”
Their reply stated:
– There is no new rule effective this week.
– E15 is not a flex fuel. It is gasoline. Simply changing the label doesn’t make it a legal flex fuel.
– The agency made this clear in a proposed rule issued last year, the Regulatory Enhancement Support Growth Rule (REGS Rule). This rule provides the details of what is and isn’t legal.
– E15 is gasoline and as such needs to comply with all gasoline standards during all times of the year. This includes volatility standards in the summer.
– E15 also has specific labeling requirements that need to be met and maintained under the E15 misfueling and mitigation plans.
What you should do if you see an E15 “Flex Fuel” label on a blender pump?
Please take a photo and note the retailer and address. Send the photo and information to the AMA at grassroots@ama-cycle.org.
Now more than ever, it is crucial that you and your riding friends become members of the AMA to help protect our riding freedoms. More members mean more clout against the opponents of motorcycling. That support will help fight for your rights – on the road, trail and racetrack and in the halls of government. If you are a motorcycle rider, join the AMA at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join.
JIMS TOOL OF THE WEEK– JIMS Milwaukee Eight Camshaft Needle Bearing Remover and Installer
The new Milwaukee Eight® engine returns to the single cam design, which requires a new tool (Part No. 5806) for accurate replacement of the camshafts inner needle bearing.
JIMS has created a remover that uses the “JIMS Style” collet as well as a fine threaded installation driver for correct and accurate replacement. JIMS has incorporated a new removal hole that works as a window and allows you to see what you’re doing while using the tool.
The suggested MSRP is $275, and can be purchased through any authorized JIMS dealer. Watch for this tool in action on the JIMS YouTube Channel! For more information contact us at sales@jimsusa.com or visit www.jimsusa.com.
THREESOME REPORT FROM BIKERNET TRIKES– Now Get Paid to Test Drive a Polaris Slingshot
All you gotta do is visit your Slingshot Dealership and ask for a Test Drive in the months of June and July. You get a $20 prepaid gift card and your new favorite Trike company will make a donation to United Way to the maximum extent of US $ 25,000 for every ride.
Slingshot SLR never looked more attractive. And you do charity by simply test riding a splendid thrill machine. So get in and stand out. Polaris Slingshot is now offering financing as low as 1.99%.
Can-Am Spyder celebrates 10th Anniversary
Spyder riders had an awesome time at the Spyder 10th Anniversary Homecoming event in Quebec this past weekend. BRP hosted nearly 3,000 Spyder owners. It marked the largest ever gathering of Spyders, with a guest list that included owners from all over the world — U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia, Russia, and Europe.
It was quite a spectacle, and was a great representation of the Spyder lifestyle. Entire group got a grand tour of the factory, the Design & Innovation Center, the R&D facilities, and their powersports museum. Revellers on Spyders also enjoyed guided rides and ongoing entertainment with music, food trucks and more throughout the three-day celebration. BRP unveiled three special edition models along the way.
PRE-ORDER your Can-Am Spyder 2018 10th Anniversary Edition.
FIVE YEAR UNLIMITED WARRANTY on Trikes
California Sidecar (CSC), the industry’s leading trike manufacturer, is introducing an all-new, groundbreaking 5-year/unlimited warranty on all trikes manufactured by CSC. This warranty will be the new standard warranty for all trikes manufactured by CSC.
“We have the most dependable and reliable suspension in the trike market,” said California Sidecar Manager Dwight Harrington. “CSC is confident in our product and our commitment to our customers. As such, we are putting our money where our mouth is. Our products are tried, true and tested. We believe in our products and want to back them up with a promise of quality and reliability to our customers.”
California Sidecar was originally established as a sidecar manufacturer in 1974. As they gained experience and built their reputation, CSC entered the trike market in 1995 and continued to build its brand and its success. California Sidecar offers trike kits for the Honda, Harley Davidson, Indian, Kawasaki, Victory and Yamaha. They also offer multiple Escapade trailer models.
Buyers can get the warranty by purchasing a new trike kit from any trike dealer across the country, or directly from CSC, located in Arrington, VA. To locate a dealer, or schedule a test ride, go to www.californiasidecar.com or call 800-824-1523.
AMERICADE 2017 – Ride Out and Celebrate
Celebrating 35 Years of Americade on 2017 from 6th June onwards. At Americade’s 35th we will have Dinner Boat Cruises, Concerts, Motorcycle Judging, Stunt Shows, BBQ’s, Parades, Comedy Shows, Free Rider Education, and Parties! Wow! “The Queen of American Lakes!” is the cruise you can look forward to there.
Americade’s highly respected motorcycle judging awards prizes to a wide range of class winners and Customs. Get a Diploma from Americade University with Seminars on dozens of different topics. Hear the latest from motorcycle industry experts. EVENT SPONSORS include BMW, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Polaris Slingshot, Indian Motorcycles, Yamaha, Avon Tyres, Dunlop Tyres, Honda, Suzuki, etc. All of them will be offering demos and displays.
Americade’s 35th has more off-the-bike events going on than at any other event in the U.S.! Yep, it’s big. So, set some time aside to comb through the various activities. Specific Motorcycle Amenities include Washing stations, Motorcycle visible from room, Paved parking, etc.
STARTS JUNE 06, 2017 to JUNE 10th 2017. http://www.americade.com
TRAILBLAZERS RECENT RELEASE– VOTE FOR THREE TRAILBLAZER MEMBERS AMA HALL OF FAME
Trailblazer, Steve Johnson is also on the AMA ballot in the Road Race area. During his 4 decade career as race mechanic, he prepared bikes that won two world championships (1971 and 1998) with Yamaha 250 GP (Phil Read), World Super Bike for Kawasaki in 1993 (Scott Russel), 4 Daytona 200 wins in the 1990s for Yamaha (1994 & 1995) Dave Sadowski, Eddie Lawson, Scott Russell). Plus 21 National Championships for Yamaha & Kawasaki in Road Racing, Motocross and Super Cross.
So vote for Trailblazers Bill VanTichelt, Peter Starr and Steve Johnson
If you are an AMA Hall of Famer or Life Time Member of AMA and haven’t received your ballot, please contact the AMA (614) 856 2222 or jmassey@ama-cycle.org
HARDY ALLEN ILL
Sent by Dennis Mahan
Hardy Allen
920 Heather Lane
Chino Valley, AZ 86323
When Hardy worked for Dan Gurney, Ebony magazine wrote a long article on him in their May 1970 issue, Page 112. If this URL isn’t right, just google it.
https://books.google.com/books?i&=xxaD9f5RxN4C&pg=PA112&source=gbs_toc_r&.cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false
Autotalks Launches Bike-to-Vehicle (B2V) Technology to Prevent Motorcycle Accidents–
June 7, 2017, Kfar Netter, Israel – Autotalks, the world leader in V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication solutions, is launching its bike-to-vehicle (B2V) solution, a technology for the prevention of motorcycle accidents. The solution is based on the B2X (Bike-to-Everything) chipset developed by the Israeli company.
Bosch, as a leading global supplier of technology and services, announced on May 23 that it is carrying out a development B2V study that incorporates Autotalks’ B2V technology alongside Ducati’s motorcycles and Cohda Wireless’ software stack.
The company also said that according to Bosch accident research, the B2V technology could prevent nearly a third of all powered two-wheeler accidents with casualties in Germany.
Autotalks’ B2V solution enables detection of motorcycles that are not visible to the human eye or cameras of any sort. The advantages of the Autotalks’ solution include, among other things, simple integration, low power consumption, the smallest form factor, highest range of operating temperature and smallest physical size, which results in its resistance to the strong vibration and challenging environmental conditions of motorcycles.
The use of DSRC (dedicated short range communications) protocol enables cars and motorcycles to safely exchange data such as speed, direction of travel, location and braking mode. Since motorcycles rarely have telematics services and are not obliged to support the eCall regulation, they do not include a cellular modem. Therefore, according to Autotalks, the simplest and cheapest connectivity for motorcycles is DSRC.
Hagai Zyss, Autotalks’ CEO, explained: “The launch of B2V technology is a significant milestone for Autotalks as well as for motorcycle drivers. Motorcycle accidents are one of the world’s leading causes of unnatural deaths. According to World Health Organization data from 2015, 23% out of 1.25 million traffic fatalities is a motorcycle rider. A 2013 study conducted by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that motorcyclists have a 26-fold higher risk of death than those who drive other vehicles.”
Zyss added: “A considerable proportion of the drivers involved in an accident with a motorcycle claimed that they did not even see the motorcycle approaching. Motorcycles are characterized by their relatively small size, high speed and maneuverability, which make it difficult to identify them and predict their movements. B2V will enhance motorcyclists’ safety.”
SELF-DRIVING ALERT– MRF Friends and Supporters:
A quick “FYI” for you, I understand that Representative Greg Walden of Oregon and Senator John Thune of South Dakota are working on national self-driving vehicle legislation that could replace state-by state rules and make it easier for automakers to test and deploy the technology.
We also expect a hearing in the Senate on June 14 and will be working with our champions on the Committee to ask questions concerning motorcycles and how they are factored into safety checks in the development of these vehicles.
And in related news, the U.S. Transportation Department said it would unveil revised self-driving guidelines within the next few months. You’ll recall they issued a draft in September and what is forthcoming will be an update. Your MRF will be taking a close look to see if motorcycles are impacted and in what way they are considered with this new technology.
Of course I will send out a link to any legislation once it is released and will likely follow up with an engagement with our software allowing you to contact your Member of Congress to give them our talking points on motorcycles and the relationship to autonomous vehicles on the road.
–Megan J. Ekstrom
Vice-President, Government Affairs & Public Relations
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
2221 S. Clark Street, 11th Floor
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: (202) 725-5471
www.mrf.org
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QUOTE OF THE DAY–
“No matter where we live on the planet or how difficult our situation seems to be, we have the ability to overcome and transcend our circumstances.”
—LOUISE HAY
RYDESHOPRACING IS ALIVE AND COOKING— The industry is changing on a daily basis. Billy McCahill bought STD and went to town building replacement vintage cases, big bore cases, Panheads, you name it. When he started the industry was on fire, but times change even daily.
He’s a mastermind and the engine building business slipped for a moment, so he pulled back, although he still supplies transmission cases and engine cases for a few builders. He’s capable of anything, so reach out to him, if you need anything and can pay for it.
He’s now building composite brake components of amazing quality for Lyndall Brakes and he’s building two piece rear wheel sprockets so you can readily change your sprockets.
Keep an eye on Billy, Steg and his crew. They’re always up to something new.
–Bandit
Ryde Shop Racing
12155 Pangborn Ave
Downey, CA 90241
www.rydeshopracing.com
HOW IS YOUR ENGINE OIL DOING?
Thank you for the information- great article. I should get one!
— Hugh Bain
Melbourne, FL
BATES FOOTWEAR Signs On as Official Footwear of Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis
Bates Footwear has signed on to become the Official Footwear of the Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis. Bates Footwear will supply their American made motorcycle boots in support of the organization’s annual group ride to the Sturgis Motorcycle rally.
The Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis will take 20 veterans on a nine-day journey through America’s most beautiful back roads and highways to the biggest motorcycle rally in the nation. Participants will be outfitted with Bates Footwear’s Bomber and Freedom boots. Sourced and manufactured in the United States, these motorcycle-specific performance boots will accompany riders on their adventure through the American heartland.
“We are so honored to be able to work with Veterans Charity Ride and extend them our support,” commented Julie McCauley, Bates Footwear’s Marketing Manager. “Bates enjoys a long tradition of providing footwear to the men and women that serve this country, and we are grateful to have an opportunity to give back to that community. We look forward to playing our part in this incredible program that will certainly change lives for the better.”
Veterans Charity Ride is a non-profit organization that uses motorcycle therapy and other life changing, life saving programs to provide uplifting and healing experiences for the wounded, severely injured and amputee veterans from all branches of service. Each year, the VCR takes a group of veterans on Indian Motorcycles, custom built Champion Sidecars and Trikes from Los Angeles to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota for the adventure of a lifetime. Learn more at www.VeteransCharityRide.org.
Participants will be equipped with the American-made Freedom or Bomber riding boots from Bates Footwear.
“At Veterans Charity Ride, our mission is to get our wounded veterans outdoors and back into the environment, so they can experience life and living again,” explained Veterans Charity Ride Founder Dave Frey. “Our partnership with Bates Footwear will assist us greatly with our mission. Just about every one of our veterans has worn Bates boots during their military service.
Now that we are back home, off the battlefield, we look forward to Bates keeping our veterans safe and protected while riding on this adventure of a lifetime. Thank you Bates for your commitment to our service men and woman, it truly means a lot to us and we look forward to a long and healthy partnership!”
Learn more about the Bates Footwear PowerSports Line at www.BatesFootwear.com
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ASCOT DEALS FOR FATHER’S DAY– Father’s Day is Right Around The Corner…
Fear not, Ascot has got you covered! So, what do you get the ol’ man? Heres a few Ascot pieces that are sure to bring him back to the good times!
30% OFF ENTIRE ONLINE STORE!
COPY CODE: ASCOTDAD
Paste into “Gift Card or Discount Code” Section at Checkout!
Last day is 6/13/17!
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MAG Names Zach Parham as President of Company’s Retail Group– Motorcycle Aftermarket Group (MAG) today names Zach Parham as the president of MAG Retail Group, which includes Motorcycle Superstore and J&P Cycles. Parham replaces Kevin Strawbridge who is stepping down to pursue new opportunities.
Zach Parham, 32, has been with the company for 10 years and his most recent role was Vice President, Merchandising and General Manager for J&P Cycles. He has been a member of the MAG Retail Group Leadership Team for several years and has held roles of increasing responsibility throughout his tenure with the company. Parham takes the reigns after helping J&P Cycles achieve its best retail sales month in the company’s 38-year history in April. Motorcycle Superstore achieved an enviable 9.3 (out of 10) customer satisfaction score in May, as measured by BizRate.
Motorcycle Aftermarket Group (MAG) names Zach Parham the president of MAG Retail Group, which includes Motorcycle Superstore and J&P Cycles. Parham, 32, has been with the company for 10 years and his most recent role was Vice President, Merchandising and General Manager for J&P Cycles.
Motorcycle Aftermarket Group (MAG) names Zach Parham the president of MAG Retail Group, which includes Motorcycle Superstore and J&P Cycles. Parham, 32, has been with the company for 10 years and his most recent role was Vice President, Merchandising and General Manager for J&P Cycles.
“It’s an honor to represent these legendary brands and I am eager to lead our talented team towards a successful future,” said Zach Parham. “Kevin led us through some difficult but important changes, which have set us up to take the business to the next level. I’m driven by our relationship with our customers and am committed to make our customer experience even better by being the innovator in motorcycle industry retail.”
“We appreciate the work that Kevin and Zach have done to transform our retail business. Consolidation of operations, improvement in fulfillment and expansion of our customer support are improvements that our customers feel,” said Andy Graves, president of Motorcycle Aftermarket Group (MAG).
Zach is the second-generation Parham to lead J&P Cycles. Zach’s father, John Parham founded J&P Cycles in 1979 and led the company until its sale to MAG.
Zach Parham’s appointment is effective immediately and Strawbridge will remain with the MAG Retail Group through July 31 to support the transition.
About Motorsports Aftermarket Group (MAG): MAG is comprised of the most desired parts, accessories and gear brands to motorcycle riders and dealers including: J&P Cycles, Motorcycle Superstore, Vance & Hines, Kuryakyn, Performance Machine, Roland Sands Design, Progressive Suspension, Burly, Renthal, and Mustang Seats. Tucker Rocky/Biker’s Choice is the leading partner to motorcycle dealers for parts, accessories, gear, information and technology. For more information, visit www.maggroup.com.
–Rogue
GET A FREE COPY, QUICK— If you want to see the latest deals on wild vintage rides, Triumphs, Vincents and other check out an issue, quick.
Walneck’s Inc., 7923 Janes Avenue, Woodridge, Illinois 60517
Tel 630-985-2097
walneckswap.com 
WILD NEW METALSPORT 18-INCH ROTORS– Metalsport introduces its new 18” floating Rotor & Caliper kit
•The Caliper is a joint manufacturing effort between Metalsport and Brembo.
•The Rotor Outer Ring is 420 heat treated stainless steel.
•The Carrier is 6061-T6 Aluminum, cut to match Metalsport wheel designs.
•The Rotor/Carrier is assembled with specially designed stainless steel buttons for long lasting performance.
•The kit includes a 6061-T6 caliper bracket, made in house at Metalsport, and stainless steel mounting hardware.
Quality is over the top! Our engineering team has gone all out on this kit and claims it will outperform any 18’’ Rotor/Caliper on the market. Test results and testimonials will be available soon.
So if you want the best, call Metalsport.
Metalsport
10112 MILLER WAY SOUTH GATE, CA 90280
562-776-9594
metalsportwheels.com
RIDE TO WORK ACTION– More Motorcycle and Scooter Riders On the Road on Monday, June 19th This Year
The 26th annual worldwide Ride to Work Day is expected to be one of the largest-ever, according to Ride to Work, the non-profit organization that coordinates this annual event.
On Ride to Work Day a much higher number of America’s 8,000,000 cycles and scooters are ridden to work. Some estimates put the numbers of added riders at over 1,000,000. Across equal distances, commuting riders can reach their destinations more quickly—in up to 20% less time than those using automobiles in some situations—and motorcycles and scooters consume less resources per person per mile, and they take up less space on roads and in parking areas.
“Many people do not always appreciate the societally positive value of transportational riding, and some don’t know there are also a few hidden deleterious ramifications from having almost everyone default to private autos. Cars are wonderful machines, and we love them, but the reasons to ride, when one can, go beyond stuff like energy or carbon footprints” states Andy Goldfine, an event organizer.
This Day is about more than traffic congestion, motorcycles and economics. Winston Churchill famously said: “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” Other thought-leaders have presented or expressed the same idea in different ways. It applies to things beyond our homes and buildings. It’s about all technologies, including our mobility tools.
That’s why riding and the annual Ride To Work Day event is important. This Day is not narrowly about encouraging the wider adoption of transportational riding…it’s about increasing the understanding of—and tolerance for—those who choose this form of mobility, and about providing support and encouragement to those who like to ride in transportation-centric ways.
The Ride to Work website includes forum areas, merchandise, information, and free promotional support materials.
BIKERNET READER REQUEST–
Greetings, I am very interested in the Article that Jim Inman had put on the web in 2010 about the two pepper red 1955 Harley Panheads rescued from a Saudi Desert dump during the 1991 Gulf War era.
I have a sister to one of those bikes that also came from the middle east in the 80’s. Mine is within 1 digit away from the serial # shown the article. I contacted the Wisconsin Harley Davidson in the town listed in the article and they claimed that they have not heard of those two bikes and never had them on display at their dealership before being sold to a collector for restoration and preservation.
I would like that collector to contact me if possible to share any history or info. on these great finds. Thanks for any info. that you may be able to share.
— Gary Swanson
612-816-1359
swandog1948@yahoo.com
BAKER DRIVERTRAIN NEWS– GrudgeBox Update!
After nearly two years of design, development and testing, the wait is over
Our new GrudgeBox 6-speed overdrive transmission kits are engineered and manufactured in the USA with a focus on excessive torque capacity and crisp shifting. There has never been a tougher transmission for the Harley-Davidson aftermarket. If you’ve got big horsepower, you need to get a GrudgeBox. They are selling fast, get yours today!
Last Call! Your MMA’s 2017 Harley-Davidson Bike Raffle and Celebration!
HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR Massachusetts Motorcycle Association
2017 HARLEY-DAVIDSON BIKE RAFFLE TICKETS YET?
The Celebration and drawing is 5 weeks away, and fewer than 500 are still available!
The 2017 Harley-Davidson Street Glide in Custom Velocity Red Sunglo paint is looking for its new owner! For a listing of all options on the bike see the flyer below. On July 15th, 2017, one lucky winning ticket will be drawn!
As always, tickets are $20 and strictly limited to 2500 — they will be sold up until the drawing at the event, or until they’re gone! 3 of the past 5 years have SOLD OUT!
A limited number of tickets are available at the Upper Deck in Salisbury Beach and at the upcoming Harley Rendezvous; the remainder are available online for only the next few weeks or until they SELL OUT!
Or order yours online today! Click here or visit www.MassMotorcycle.org — but don’t delay! Using your credit card via our secure server is the fastest and easiest way to ensure you receive the tickets that you want.
At this point, we can no longer accept mail orders – all orders must be purchased online with a credit-card or in person. Tickets purchased online using a credit card will be immediately entered into the drawing and the purchaser’s portion of the ticket will be postmarked prior to the event. Orders not accompanied by payment will be automatically cancelled.
Why not join us at the FREE Annual Raffle Bike Party at the Upper Deck on Salisbury Beach? Saturday, July 15th looks to be a great time with live music. Spend the weekend or just the day with us! Enjoy the beach, ride the coastline, and join us for the drawing! We’d love to have the lucky winner in the crowd, so come on down and join us for the festivities!
There will be live music on the boardwalk Friday evening. On Saturday, the Street Glide will be on display all day, and at 6 PM the events start to really kick in! The drawing will be followed by Fireworks over the water at around 10:15 PM and live music until closing!
Come Join Us! ALL ARE WELCOME!
Get your ticket today — you do NOT need to be present to win! Information about the raffle bike and the celebration is also available by visiting the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association’s Facebook page: http://www.MassMotorcycle.org.
Have you renewed your Massachusetts Motorcycle Association Membership?
2017 MMA Harley-Davidson Raffle Bike
Tickets available now!
A strict limit of 2500 will be sold!! Click here to purchase yours today!
Support your MMA Gold Card Sponsors! They support you!
Why not support the MMA with AmazonSmile?
Click here or go to www.MassMotorcycle.org today!
Very Good VERY Great ARTICLE ????
— Douglas Ling
San Michele al Tagliamento, Venezia , Italy
NEWS FROM EASYRIDERS MAGAZINE FRONT– I heard from a longtime ex-staffer, she faced her last day at Paisano…
Everybody apparently ‘let go’ with one member now tasked with all
the mags production, if any, for some unknown time period…
We just heard of Easyriders events layoffs.
Who knows what lies in store…on many levels…
But as we know the show must go on… so here’s a look at something different …a hotrod/weird bike combo built by a guy I ran into recently at the Culver City Car Show…had met him a couple years ago as well..So I put together this double feature of
sorts…
–Anonymous freelance contributor
TOP 1 ACK ATTACK: MIKE AKATIFF, THE MAN BEHIND THE WORLD’S FASTEST MOTORCYCLE– Motorcycle Racer, Avionics Expert, Land Speed Record Holder!
San Mateo, CA — TOP 1 ACK ATTACK became the world’s fastest motorcycle when it set the Land Speed Record of 376.363 mph/605.697 km/h back in 2010. Although no one has beaten his twin-engined streamliner in the better part of a decade, builder Mike Akatiff is not the type to rest on his laurels. Rather than retiring, he is going after 400 mph on the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in the Andes mountains August 3-8, 2017.
“I’ll never retire,” he says. “The day I retire, I’d be dead. I always need to be doing something.” Since 2000, that something has been the quest for the motorcycle land speed record. He has succeeded in building the world’s fastest motorcycle — three times — but the fact that going more 400mph is theoretically possible continues to motivate Mike. “We touched 400 mph, but it doesn’t mean anything because it’s not officially recorded… we had onboard equipment that showed about 402.6 when we set the record.”
Largely self-taught, Mike Akatiff cut his teeth tinkering with motorcycles…and developing a knack for proving people wrong when they tell him something is impossible. As he puts it, “I was always interested in mechanical stuff and explosives, too — like making my own fireworks.”
From his first bike build at 13, through a career of flat track racing, tuning and tinkering, starting a motorcycle dealership in his 20s, developing several successful aftermarket companies to switching gears and going into the Avionics field, Akatiff has also seemed to succeed at doing the impossible. However, the LSR chase has proven to be the most challenging and rewarding job he has ever had… and it still has its share of explosive moments.
Fast forward to September 3, 2006 and perfect conditions on the Bonneville salt flats when the TOP1 ACK ATTACK, driven by Rocky Robinson, broke the land speed record. The twin Suzuki Hayabusa engines propelled the 20-foot long streamliner to a two-way average speed of 342.797 mph, which was approximately 20 mph faster than the previous record — a record that had stood for 16 years! It was a remarkable achievement for everyone involved, and as Mike said, “we thought that record would stand forever.”
As it turned out, the record lasted just two days. Chris Carr in the BUB Lucky 7 streamliner built by Denis Manning eclipsed the ACK ATTACK’s record by going 350.884 mph. The next year was more fireworks as pilot Rocky Robinson crashed at a little over 300 mph. “He wasn’t hurt, but the bike was pretty well messed up,” Mike recalls. What do you do after wet and slippery conditions caused a crash at the 2007? Come right back and go for the Land Speed Record again!
“We’re racers… we’ve got to get the record back!” But when the team went back out to Bonneville in 2008, they really struggled with problems. “Handling was an issue. But in the very end we were able to up the record to 360 mph. We again had the record and thought we would hold it for awhile… it lasted less than a day as another team went out and ran 367 mph on the last day of the time trials.
A host of modifications were made before TOP1 ACK ATTACK finally took to the salt again in 2010. “We wanted to take it to the dynamometer just to make sure the bike was running right. We thought what would be one day on the dyno became almost three weeks of thrashing the bike.” No matter what they did they could not figure it out. “We had some of the best people on it, but we couldn’t make the bike run cleanly.” Still not satisfied, the team ran out of time and headed to Bonneville. “It was just one challenge after another out there! First thing we ran into was the bike wouldn’t go straight. It wanted to turn left no matter what we did. Rocky would have to lean it to the right to try to keep it going straight.”
Turned out one of the changes from 2008 was swapping the rear tire. An accomplished pilot (as could be expected from his Avionics background), Mike flew back to San Jose in the middle of the night, found the old tire and then flew back to Bonneville. “Worked fine and the bike ran straight… however it wouldn’t shift into low gear!” The team decided to swap out the front engine right there on the salt, which took them 24 hours straight.
After the marathon engine swap, the bike ran straight as an arrow and Rocky was happy with how it was running… then it wouldn’t shift out of 4th gear. It wouldn’t shift into 5th or 6th, so Rocky suggested they put the highest gear they could and run for the record in 4th. “Theoretically it was possible… but the bike accelerated so slowly that we passed him up in the truck by the first quarter mile,” says Mike. Perseverance paid off and the record TOP 1 ACK ATTACK set on the last run of the day back in 2010 stands to this day.”
Fortunately the run for the record in Bolivia in August should be anything but wet and slippery! “I haven’t seen salt this good in 40 years,” said fellow LSR icon Mike Cook after visiting the Salar de Uyuni last month. With a few years to work the bugs out and with the help of sponsors like TOP 1 and Ace Cafe, ACK ATTACK is ready to blast by 400 mph mark.
“TOP 1 Oil offered their support before we ever went out to Bonneville or broke any records,” says Mike. “Since then, they’ve been a tremendous sponsor through all of our record-breaking runs. I would not have taken the ACK ATTACK as far as I have without them. I can’t say enough about the Ryan family and the other TOP 1 Oil guys.”
“The funny thing is that Mike didn’t want our sponsorship in the beginning,” chuckles TOP 1 VP of Sales & Marketing Frank Ryan. “He could do it all on his own and saw sponsorship as being more trouble than it was worth. But once he started using the products, he came around. We share a bond based on trust, a passion for superior quality… and like Mike, we don’t like to be told something can’t be done!”
Follow along in the quest for 400 mph at https://www.facebook.com/top1ackattack/
HEARTLAND USA NEWS– TuxCut Billet Tear Turn Signals from Heartland USA
Heartland USA is an American aftermarket designer with a clear mission: to provide riders with the opportunity to turn their motorcycle into a one-of-a-kind custom creation. To that end, Heartland USA offers design-driven components to enhance the look of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles.
Machined from billet aluminum as a one-piece design that’s water and vibration proof, the billet tear LED turn signals come in two sizes: Medium; 1-1/2” Diameter x 4-3/8” Long, and Small; 1” Diameter x 3-3/8” Long. The signals feature clear lenses that let the red or amber LEDs beam through in their respective color when illuminated.
Heartland offers these signals in their TuxCut finish. TuxCut refers to a contrast cut finish, where parts are coated black before a machine process is applied, resulting in a jeweled contrast look.
Make sure to explore Heartland USA’s website for more components and follow them on all the social media platforms. Hit the banner below to visit them on the web now.
–Ben Lamboeuf
LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK— Killer price on a King.
2001 Harley-Davidson Road King Anaheim, California
Our Price
$8,995
Mileage: 22,264 miles
THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS STILL WIDE OPEN– LEROY’S LAST SUPPORT PAYMENT
Today is my baby girl’s 18th birthday. I be so glad that this be my last child support payment! Month after month, year after year, all those payments!
So I call my baby girl, LaKeesha, to come to my house, and when she get there, I say: “Baby girl, I want you to take this check over to yo momma house and tell her this be the last check she ever be gettin’ from me, and I want you to come back and tell me the ‘spression on yo mama’s face.”
So, my baby girl take the check over to her momma. I be anxious to hear what she say, and bout the ‘spression on her face. Baby girl came back and walk through the door, I say, “Now what yo momma say ’bout that?”
She say to tell you that “you ain’t my daddy” …and watch the ‘spression on yo face.
–from Rogue and Sidehack Jerry
MOTORCYCLE PROFILING PROJECT NEWS– New Louisiana Law Exempts Motorcyclists From Anti-Masking Arrests
Motorcyclists in Louisiana score a big win! Efforts of motorcycle rights advocates paid off when the Louisiana legislature approved a law exempting “persons driving or riding a motorcycle” from the state’s anti-masking statute. (See Louisiana State Legislature-HB161)
The Louisiana House passed HB 161 on a vote of 95-0 on June 5th, 2017 following a mass majority approval by the state Senate on May 30th, 2017. The legislation is on its way to the Governor’s desk.
The MPP reported in November of 2016, (See “Bikers Arrested for Wearing Bandanas”, November 29, 2016) following a trip to Louisiana as a guest speaker at a Louisiana
Confederation of Clubs and Independents (LCOC&I) meeting, that motorcyclists wearing legal helmets were being arrested for violating a state “Anti-Masking Law” originally intended to deter public acts of terror being committed by the KKK.
This obvious abuse of Louisiana statute was being used as a tool to profile and target motorcyclists, particularly in the Shreveport area.
The MPP provided a legislative proposal to Louisiana ABATE and the LCOC&I advocating an amendment to Louisiana’s anti-masking law exempting individuals wearing state approved safety gear while riding their motorcycles for the 2017 session.
Louisiana motorcyclists followed through and successfully lobbied their legislators proving that grassroots political rights movements can be effective and achieve results very quickly when mobilized and organized. The MPP congratulates and commends these efforts because they serve as an example and a model for other states attempting to combat motorcycle profiling and discrimination in all of its various forms.
–David Double D Devereaux
Washington State Council of Club
Motorcycle Profiling Project
http://www.motorcycleprofilingproject.com
THE PLAN— We always have a plan. During the Nuremburg trials psychologists studied behavior and discovered that if your boss leaned on you and it seemed okay in the work environment you might do anything, like killing thousands, especially if you weren’t pulling the trigger.
Hell, I don’t know what to make of it. But I do know we have a plan to bring you a ton of content in the very near future. We might start on my grandson’s Dyna this weekend.
We should wrap up Paul’s, at JIMS, bike feature in the near future.
Frankie is beginning to send me notes regarding the Scott Jacobs Art Retreat. Hang on for the story. The Deny 528 ’46 Indian feature will be published tomorrow morning
This 5-Ball logo is resurfacing on a couple of fronts. First, on my Sturgis Panhead project. And 2-Bit Choppers is making a derby and points covers. I like this logo, plus we are going to print some new shirts.
Hang on. I need to get to the post office and mail a 5-Ball Leather shirt.
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit
