Hey,
I don’t know where to start, but my stress level dropped some over the last harried week. Goddamnit, I’m supposed to be retired, relaxed, rum soaked and tinkering in the shop.
I finished our burnt Panhead patio table and removed that from the list. I just finished a railing for the back of my mom’s house. She just turned 86 and of course I spaced on her birthday. She’s getting a tad feeble. Most of the parts are in to start the 5-Ball Factory Racer project and it will slip onto the lift this weekend. Check the tapered leg Pauchco Springer. It’s too cool and classic.
Next week I’m attending the SEMA show in Vegas and may have some very exciting news for our industry in the Sunday Post 11/9. I recently hooked up with an agent for the first Chance Hogan book and he wants me to write a movie treatment. I don’t have a clue, but I’ll finish it in the next two weeks. You can read a rough draft of Chance invades San Pedro, California in the Cantina. Let’s hit the news, then we’ll touch on a couple of other projects.
CALIFORNIA COURTS GOING TO WAR WITH THE MONGOLS–Oct 23, 2008 ? Washington, DC – By Michael Doyle; McClatchy Newspapers – Uncle Sam could end up owning the name of the Mongols, a West Coast motorcycle gang accused by federal prosecutors of “crimes and acts of violence.”
Like other motorcycle outfits including the Hells Angels, the Brotherhood Nomads, the Misfits and the Wicked Women, the Mongols trademarked their name. Now, culminating a three-year undercover investigation, federal prosecutors are hoping to take that name away from them. The move is sure to face court scrutiny.
“This trademark is subject to forfeiture,” U.S. Attorney Thomas O’Brien in Los Angeles declared Tuesday. “If the court grants our request .. . . then if any law enforcement officer sees a Mongol wearing his patch, he will be authorized to stop that gang member and literally take the jacket right off his back.”
The apparently unprecedented trademark forfeiture move comes as authorities in Los Angeles filed a 177-page indictment charging 79 Mongols with an assortment of racketeering, drug and money laundering offenses. Raids pulled in gang members in California, Washington and Colorado, among other states.
While prosecutors target tattooed gang members who bear nicknames like “Risky,” “Bullet” and “Suicide,” however, outside legal experts question the notion of seizing a gang name.
“It’s an interesting theory, but you’ve really got to wonder whether it would have any practical effect,” noted David B. Smith, formerly the deputy director of the Justice Department’s asset forfeiture office. “My hunch is the Mongols are just going to keep wearing their patches.” Smith, the author of “Prosecution and Defense of Forfeiture Cases,” added in an interview Wednesday that while the Justice Department’s move was “pretty clever,” he wondered “what a judge and jury would think about the case.”
Free speech scholar Rodney Smolla, dean of the Washington and Lee University School of Law, added Wednesday that the Justice Department action poses the possibility of “a violation of the First Amendment.” The consequences certainly could be unusual. If the Justice Department succeeds, the federal government will own rights to the name Mongols. The government could then charge violators with trademark infringement; or, at the least, have one more reason to confront gang members on the street.
The Mongols gang has more than 50 chapters in California cities, as well as in a dozen other states. Its greatest strength is in Southern California, where prosecutors say about 400 of the gang’s 600 members live. “Members often commit their crimes and acts of violence with the conviction that they cannot be prosecuted because they believe victims and witnesses are afraid to testify against them,” the indictment states.
Prosecutors identified for potential forfeiture the Mongols name, a home in West Covina, Calif., and “at least” $5 million. Forfeiture would follow conviction. The money and home are conventional forfeiture targets. The trademarked name isn’t.
The self-described Mongol Nation formally filed for a trademark on the name Mongols in July 2003, Patent and Trademark Office records show. The applicants explained they were “promoting the interests of persons in the recreation of riding motorcycles.”
“The membership patch can only be worn by a member, and only if the member is in good standing,” noted the application prepared by the Mongols’ attorney, Michael Doram. The trademark application was signed by Mongols Chief Executive Ruben “Doc” Cavazos, who was among the men arrested Tuesday.
In January 2005, the trademark was granted. In April this year, records show, the Mongol Nation transferred the trademark registration to a newly established Pasadena, Calif., company called Shotgun Productions. Doram also represents Shotgun Productions. “I will have no comment to offer,” Doram said by e-mail Wednesday. The transfer of the trademark registration could potentially complicate the forfeiture scenario, as Shotgun Productions is not named in the new indictment.
More typically, authorities will seize money and property, disabling alleged criminal enterprises while boosting state and federal agency coffers. Last year, the Justice Department reported asset forfeitures totaling $1.5 billion, including a Cessna 441 airplane in Florida, $2.9 million in cash in Beverly Hills and a $14 million home in Las Vegas. Local law-enforcement agencies like the results.
Last year, for instance, the Justice Department reported transferring to the Fresno, Calif., Police Department nine seized vehicles with a combined value of $143,000 while the Gainesville Police Department in Florida got some free electronic equipment.
But even before the latest intellectual property venture, the technique has been controversial. Earlier this year, for instance, conservatives criticized the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for its “Always Think Forfeiture” slogan. The agency once distributed Leatherman tools engraved with the phrase, prompting congressional complaints. “The slogan will not be used in the future in any capacity,” bureau spokeswoman Deb Satkowiak said in May.
THE HARBORTOWN BOBBER–Lots of news coming in the next couple of months, so we’re planning to send an update every week or so (please let us know if it’s too many emails!) We’re hard at work editing our new film called “The Harbortown Bobber” which is a true homage to the backyard builder. We’re even putting together a film about the tour we had through Europe. Teasers will be coming soon…
We recently discovered a cool film called Devils & Angels about some of the amazing artists within the kustom world. We’ve made it available in the Choppertown Store, so please take a look when you get a chance.
The DVD features:
Japan’s masters of striping Makoto, Mr. G and Grimb.
Doug Dorr, Jeral Tidwell and legend Damian Fulton.
Straight Jacket Kustoms car club, Grand National Roadster Show, “Weld This” Art Show, and Gasoline Gallery’s “California Screamin” Art & Hot Rod Show.
BIKERNET WEEKLY PRODUCT RELEASE FROM RIVERA PRIMO / 10-30-08,CHAIN DRIVE COMPONENTS / COMPENSATOR ASSEMBLIES–Looking for compensator parts for your ride, look no further !Rivera Primo stocks these chain-driven parts in a variety of configurations for your later model Big Twin.
Each assembly includes the shaft extension, cover with spring plate, sliding cam, enginenut & sprocket.
For 1994-2006 Softail? & 1994-2005 Dyna models complete assemblies are availablewith 25-tooth sprockets in standard, .500″, 1.00″, 1.4375″ & 1.50″ offsets.
For 1990-1993 Softail? models these assemblies are delivered with a 24-tooth sprocket.As with the later model assemblies, they are available with standard , .500″, 1.00″,1.4375″ & 1.50″ offsets.
Complete compensator assemblies range in price from $190.00 to $240.00. Call forspecific part numbers & prices.
For these & other fine products contact:Rivera Primo
12450 Whittier Blvd. Whittier, CA 90602
Tel: 800-872-1515
Tel: 562-907-2600 Fax: 562-907-2606
www.riveraprimoinc.com
THE BIKERNET EXCLUSIVE DAVE ZIEN 1 MILLION MOTORCYCLE MILES REPORT–Thanks for posting that clip from Rogue about Zien on the verge of 1 million miles on one bike, his 1991 FXRT.
I’ll keep you posted on the Zien mileage quest. He broke down in Yuma and ended up in the hospital on top of it with some heart problems. He rented a car last Friday and drove up to Sacramento for the NCOM convention, waiting for a remanufactured motor from the factory. Hopefully, it will get bolted in and he can get on the road again this week.
I’m going to meet him somewhere, probably Florida, and ride back to Milwaukee with him for his last 1,000 miles. I wish I had a better idea of when he’ll reach his mark, but I hope it’s soon. We’ll have snow up here before too long.
Also, nice to see Colleen Schwartz’s pictures on Bikernet. She’s cool and does amazing photography. She was at our party during the 105th with Doc Robinson, Heavy Duty magazine. Later in the week, Rogue and I attended her party at her studio grounds. Great party, with bands, dancing girls and custom bikes, mostly from Dave Cook.
–Tony “Pan” Sanfelipo
Investigator
Hupy and Abraham, S.C.
JIMS BIKERNET TOOL OF THE WEEK–Timken Bearing Race Installer–Use to install bearing races in left crankcase. Use this precision tool topress in bearing races straight time after time (A must for the later enginecase).
For removal of Big Twin races, in 1969-02? cases, use JIMS toolNo.94547-80A.
No.2246 – Use on all Big Twin 1969-02. (Note: Includes Twin Cam andaftermarket motors.) Use on all Sportster? 1977-03. Use on all Buell1987-02.
Suggested Retail Price $242.60
S&S HOLIDAY TOOL BOX CONTEST CONTINUES–Our Win a Tool Box promotion was so well received; we thought another contest was in order. So starting today, all orders placed until 11/30/2008 will give you an entry in our new sweepstakes to win a $250, $125 or $75 shopping spree on the S&S website.
This is the perfect time of year to get a head start on your holiday shopping?and we will ship everything you buy in the continental United Sates FREE! So rather than waste gas circling the mall parking lot, just log onto www.sscycle.com/shop and stock up on gifts for friends and family. Each order you place will earn you an entry in our new contest.The S&S online site has all the things you need for winter service like Mobil 1 oil and S&S oil filters, air filters and spark plugs.
Another reminder is for S&S 50th Anniversary apparel?supplies are very limited and some sizes are already sold out, so if you want a long or short sleeve T-Shirt featuring the famous 50th Anniversary logo you better hurry up. The limited edition 50th Anniversary shop shirts are down to just a few units of each size left and that is it?forever.
One exciting sale going on during this promotion is the remaining S&S/MAC Tools tool box has been reduced from $649.95 to $595.00 during this special promotion!
So, with the few remaining nice days left before winter rears its ugly head, spend your time out on your bike. Spend your non-riding time knocking out your holiday shopping early?online with no visits to the mall. And remember, each purchase you make until 11/30/2008 will give you an entry in our new sweepstakes to win a $250, $125 or $75 shopping spree on the S&S website. Plus, you get free shipping on everything in the continental United States.
CAMPUSES TAKE ACTION WITH FREE BIKES–Free Bikes! The University of New England and Ripon College in Wisconsin, came up with the best incentive to encourage freshmen to leave their cars at home! Colleges are setting up free bike sharing or rental programs, and some universities are partnering with bike shops to offer discounts on purchases. A great example of a simple solution for students to help stop global warming.
NEGOTIABLE DEAL OF THE WEEK– fresh built by Randy $8000.00.
–Tim
Negotiableparts@aol.com
LA County Choprods introduces the vintage inspired “Honey Pot” Oil Filter–Inspired by the “Hildebrandt” oil filters popularized during the ’50s and ’60s by Truckers and Hot Rod enthusiasts the look, functionality and size have been improved for use on motorcycles. They’re cast, heat treated and precision machined from aluminum and are available in three different finishes, Natural, Polished and Black Wrinkle with Polished Highlights.
Each assembly comes complete with stainless steel lid mounting hardware and a quality spin on HD style oil filter and is machined to accept NPT fittings. They are compatible with anything up to a Twin Cam and a wide variety of mounting and oil line adapters are being designed to accommodate most applications.
For more information on this and other high quality LACC parts visit www.lachoprods.com or phone (310) 353-CHOP (2467).
–Ken Conte
HOLIDAY THOUGHTS–Just think – if the Indians had given the Pilgrims a donkey instead of a turkey, we all would be having a piece of ass for Thanksgiving.
–from Bruce Snyder
D&D DEALER SYSTEM CONTINUES TO EXPAND–Here are the new dealers from last week
1) Redding H-D 1268 Twinview Blvd Redding, CA 96003 530-241-7117
2) Gary’s Motorcycle Service Center 1933 California St. Redding, CA 96001 530-245-9848
3) All Things Chopped 1920 B 24th St Great Bend, KS 67530 620-792-2233
4) Carlton H-D 11771 St Rt 44 Mantua, OH 44255 330-274-3141
5) Niagara Powersports Inc 2268 Youngstown-Wilson Rd Ransomville, NY 14131 716-791-4325
6) Moto 400 108 Prominence Ct Dawsonville, GA 30534 706-265-6686
7) Cycle Tech 8010 Commercial Ave Loves Park, IL 61111 815-877-0614
–Jennifer
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