BIKERNET NEWS–THANKSGIVING TURKEYS, DEADLINES AND WARM-UP FOR A RUN INTO THE DESERT

I’ve been itchin’ for a long ride into the Arizona desert for a while. I’ve mentioned it to a couple of guys who said they were up for a putt. I’m sure some thought it was just bar room chat, but it wasn’t to me and an old riding partner, Dr. Hamster, as we call him. He’s written a book about golf recently consequently his name has shifted to Dr. Golf from time to time. Sounds very yuppie, but he’s not. You should see his garage.

Okay, so Dr. Hamster calls and we set a date for the day after Thanksgiving to ride out. We started to call the other guys and two of the originals bowed out, two more riders checked in including Kenny Price, the owner of Samson Exhaust. Our original plan was to ride to Tombstone and visit the Kennedy’s, then we discover they’re spending the holiday in Vegas. Frank Kaisler was going to go, but needed to handle business in Phoenix. He bowed out, then Micah McCloskey checked in and called with rooms at a resort on Route 66 between Kingman and William off Hwy 40. Hell, don’t know which way to turn, let’s just hit it.

We’ve been working on the King all week. New heads, cams, exhaust, etc. I’ll try to post a shot, between road tests and tinkering. Damn, I’ve still got to pack. I better get to the news. The turkey is in the oven:

THE TURNSIGNAL SWAP– Here’s a pic. of the S.E. rear turn signals mounted on a light bar under the passing lamps. These are mounted on a Fatboy. This is the second one we have done this way. Wha’da think??

–Pablo

THE OZARK REPORT–Hey dude, hope you have the best thanksgiving of your life. Me and my girl are going to titty bar Mike’s house for dinner. I’m frying a turkey and Miss Kitty is making all the other stuff. It’s funny though, they are from the west coast and food is different there. They don’t really do traditional southern cooking. It’s all good though and I’m just happy to have a place to go to be with friends.

–Ozark Ed

Thanks Ed and thank you to all the brothers and sisters who contribute to bikernet. Have a helluva holiday. –Bandit

AIRPORT MANNERS–There was a Biker with long hair walking through the airportin Salt Lake City. As he was passing a much more conservativecouple. He overheard the asshole husband say, “I can’t tellif that’s a girl or a boy.” So the long-haired Biker went right up to himand said, “Why don’t you suck my dick and find out.”

–Rogue

THE PHOENIX REPORT– Have you heard anything about the bankruptcy of Bikers Dream of Scottsdale? I heard they had sold over 25 high end bikes on consignment and never paid the previous owners. After that they filed bankruptcy. I heard Scottsdale PD confiscated everything and were looking for the owner, OJ Vanegas. Just wondering what’s going to happen to all those guys who got screwed and are now unpaid creditors. Do they have to wait for the courts and get pennys on the dollar? And what about the new owners of the bikes who upheld their end of the contract by paying the asking price of the bikes. I was told that Scottsdale PD froze all titles,leins,etc. Wouldn’t that suck to spend 20K on a bike that you can’t plate. Just wondered if you had any new news on this.

–thanks, BamBam

Haven’t heard, but we’ll report as soon as we find out.

SPEED TRAP– A state trooper spied a car puttering along at 22 MPH. So he turned on his lights and pulled the driver over. Approaching the car, he noticed that five old guys were inside, and they looked wide-eyed and terribly pale.

The driver pleaded with him, “Officer, I don’t understand, I was doing exactly the speed limit! What seems to be the problem?”

“Sir,” the officer replies, “You weren’t speeding, but driving slower than the speed limit can also be dangerous.”

“I beg to differ, Officer, I was doing the speed limit exactly: twenty-two miles an hour!” the old man said.

The trooper, chuckling, explained to him that “22” was the route number, not the speed limit. A bit embarrassed, the man grinned and thanked the officer for pointing out his error.

“But before I let you go, Sir, I have to ask… Is everyone in this car ok? These guys seem awfully shaken.”

“Oh, they’ll be all right in a minute,” the old man said. “We just got off Route 119.”

–from Miss Kris

Happy Thanksgiving to you!–

‘Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn’t sleep.
I tried counting backwards; I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned — the dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.
Tossing and turning with anticipation,
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door,
And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots and beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling, so plump and so round,
‘Til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees….
Happy eating to all. Pass the cranberries, please.

May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes ‘n gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious, may your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs!

Season’s Greetings from Debra and Ladd

–from Nuttboy

What’s the height of conceit?– Having an orgasm and calling out your own name.

WHAT’S THE FUTURE HOLD–Just wondering,I don’t here too much about the E.P.A. crap that the government will be stuffing up our asses soon. From what I understand,the 2007(?) standards will be so strict that our beloved air cooled motors will be a thing of the past…Any truth to this?

If it is true…The obvious..it will put the “Motor Company” to death(face it..the V-Rod really isn’t that cool), and if that were to happen, it would put a serious hurt to the economy. H-D seems to be the only recession-proof thing out there. What should we do with our money we usually spend on our bikes…buy guns?

–Jeffery Kors

Well said. Actually the only thing that needs monitoring is the population growth. We’ll out live all the regs, goddamnit. Don’t sell your Panhead yet.

POST YOUR OWN BIKE FEATURE ON BIKERNET–It’s almost Turkey Day and I spend most every Thanksgiving with mybest bud since 9th grade, here in Atlanta. I did serious damage atPearl Paint today.I know some of you folks out there had some wild scooter adventuresthis past year. Let’s hear about you, the loyal Bikernet reader for achange-what happened to you.

Check out Reader’s Showcase and tell usabout the mayhem, the tears, and the beers, whether it was on theroad or in the garage. Stories about finding treasure in old barns,the bike you thought would never be finished and your budies allteased you about, the first ride on the new scooter, or themysterious person you met on the bike. The kind of wild tale you hearwhen you’re sitting at the bar on a cold, snowy night, only there arepictures.

You don’t have to be a great writer. You don’t even have tospell or punctuate perfectly. Just type it like you were telling thestory to a friend. Doesn’t have to be long or short. We’re easy.Truth is always stranger than fiction.

Here’s a bike that was recently fed into the Reader’s Showcase area by Wilburn roach. You’ve got to read this one.

–CrazyHorse

BIKERNET FREE CONTEST, SUGGESTION BOX WINNER–I received a kick ass t-shirt yesterday in the mail, that I had won fromyour ass kicking site ( can not say how great this site is). Anyway, Thankyou from the bottom of my RED,WHITE,and BLUE heart!!!I will wear with pride and envy of my riding partners.

Again THANK YOU!!!
Keep up the great work
Keep the scoot full of gas, and haulin ass!

–Bill King

PERFORMANCE MACHING SOFTAIL PROJECT–this scoot began as a bone stock Softail. Check out the tech and what the talented crew of Performance Machine accomplished. Something to think about. The article is listed on the home page. Order a catalog from PM while you’re at it.

AMA THREATENED WITH EXPULSION BY FIM PRESIDENT– The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) announcedtoday that it has been threatened with expulsion from the F?d?rationInternationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the world-wide motorcycle sanctioningbodybased in Geneva, Switzerland, by Francesco Zerbi, President of the FIM.

Zerbi’s threat to expel the AMA, which is the sole U.S. affiliate of theFIM,was contained in a November 20, 2002, letter to AMA President Robert Rasor.Theletter was Zerbi’s response to AMA Pro Racing’s objection to the FIM’seffortsto unilaterally impose its authority, rules and sanction on the 16-event2003AMA Supercross series.

The AMA and AMA Pro Racing have sanctioned Supercross since 1974. Under theterms of a contract with Clear Channel Motorsports, the primary promotingorganization for AMA Supercross, AMA Pro Racing has the exclusive rights tosanction and manage the series. Neither the AMA nor the FIM is party to thatcontract.

The FIM, however, notified AMA Pro Racing that it must conduct those eventsaccording to FIM rules and under the direction of an FIM official. AMA ProRacing’s objection to the FIM’s demands resulted in Zerbi’s expulsionthreat.

“The AMA has been a loyal, supportive member of the FIM for over 30 yearsandhas always placed the interests of motorcycle sport among our highestpriorities. We intend to continue in our role as the national federationrepresenting American motorcyclists to the FIM,” said AMA President Rasor.”Ifthe FIM management persists in this extreme and unjustified approach, we’llvigorously fight those efforts to expel the AMA from the FIM.”

“The AMA agrees with AMA Pro Racing’s position that the FIM lacks theauthorityto hijack AMA Supercross for its own interests,” said Rasor, “and we’llstandbehind AMA Pro Racing’s efforts to use all necessary means to protect AMASupercross, the world’s premier Supercross series, from unwarrantedinterference.”

–from TBear

Continued On Page 2

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH–SEGAL ART, FLATHEAD ENGINES LIVE AND HAWAII’S LARGEST CHARITY RIDE

Continued From Page 1

“Thunder On A Wall” by Fritz

SEGAL FINE ART HOLIDAY INCENTIVE PROGRAM–Segal Fine Art is the only organization representing Harley-Davidson licensed artists. There’s a reason why. It’s the finest motorcycle art in the industry by Scott Jacobs, David Uhl and Fritz (that’s his piece, above). You can check out their art prints and 100th anniversary art work at your local dealer.

I’m proud to own this Fritz Piece. It’s stunning and makes me want to ride every time I look at it. Call 800-999-1297 for information or travel to www.segalfineart.com.

HAWAII’S BIGGEST CHARITY EVENT IS COMING– We need as many DONATIONS as we possibly can get. We welcome all types of donations: monetary, products, gift certificates, basically anything we can get. But let me reassure you that all proceeds will go to the charities, HCAP and there program and also for Toys 4 Tots.

On the 1st of December we have our last and biggest run of the year, we get participants from all over the US, different H.O.G. chapters and also the other Islands, it’s like a very mini Sturgis bike week.

It actually starts on Friday with a kick-off party and night run, and Sunday is the big event. Last year it was estimated that over 4,000 bikes where there (Harley’s, Speed bikes, Dirt, and Customs) to participate in the run!!

It will have a Bike Show, Bikini, Tattoo, and Arm Wrestling Contest, and live music from some of Hawaii’s Finest. This year we’ll also have a vendor’s section and a wall of fame, for donators and sponsors. So if you have flyers or even banners we’d be more than happy to display it. It will be held in the Hawaii Convention Center exhibit hall which is over 200,000 square feet, talk about huge!

All toy’s collected will go to the Marine Sgt. Villarreal for the Toys 4 Tots, all monies after hard costs will go to HCAP and the other charities.

Aloha and Mahalo
Darren P.
Ramones Contacts:
Dramones@aol.com DragonProduction@aol.com
Brian Silva #808-685-3947

FOR OLD ENGINES BUILT WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY–Have you wished for a Knucklehead engine to build a bobber? How about a flathead 80 or Indian flathead? There’s one company that builds these engines using the latest technology and materials to provide you with hot rods that will run until the cows come home. Check ’em out.

CBA/ABATE OF NORTH CAROLINA SWAP MEET– This was the annual fall bike show and swap meet put on by CBA. Billed as the “Biggest Bike Show and Swap Meet in the Carolina’s. A fall day of Deal’s and Wheel’s!! Their website is www.cba-abatenc.org

H-D of Charlotte goes every year to the swap meet. Mike Pullin is in charge of the booth and does a hell of job getting all the shit together for sale. This is of course with help from the “Meanest Woman Alive” and Angela one of our knock out clothing/part’s babes.

Sherry (Bright Eyes) and I had a large time. Met up with Ben from Ben’s V-Twin, Max and a few others. I enjoyed the old school Choppers and of course some excellent vintage Iron.

Lot’s of used part’s were all over the place. Been going to Swap meet’s for a long time. I have to say most of the stuff was not the recycled junk you usually see year in and year out.

Hey and it even quit raining for the weekend. Imagine that. It turned out to be a riders dream. It was great fall day in the Caroilina’s to be sure.

–Pablo

We ran the rest of Paul’s Swapmeet shots in the Bikers’ Rights News page if you want to check on his handywork.

BIKERNET’S GUIDE TO INNER STRENGTH–If you can start the day without caffeine or pep pills,

If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,

If you can overlook when people take things out on you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can face the world without lies and deceit,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

If you can do all these things,Then you are probably the family dog.

–from Ray R.

Continued On Page 3

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH–DEER SEASON OPENS, JOSE REPORTS AND MASS MAY CHANGE BIKE INSURANCE RULES

Continued From Page 3

WILL THE REAL DUMMY PLEASE STAND UP?– AT&T fired President John Walter after ninemonths, saying he lacked intellectual leadership. He received a $26 millionseverance package.

Perhaps it’s not Walter who’s lacking intelligence.

–from Rogue

NEW PART OF THE WEEK, CYRIL HUZE MIRROR GRIP EXTENSION– Cyril Huze offers new grips (for factory or internal throttle) featuring the possibility to use a mirror on the grip clutch side. This clutch side grip extension bolt on directly on all Cyril Spikee grips (3 designs: smooth, 3-band, twisted). Grip extension and mirror sold separately.

–Cyril Huze
Tel: 561-392-5557
Fax: 561-392-9923
Website: http://www.cyrilhuze.com
Webstore: http://store.cyrilhuze.com

KING ADDENDUM–We installed highbars on the King this week and ran the wires through the bars. What a goddamn ordeal. Here’s a comment from our dealership connection: “Wiring through the bars is a pain for sure. Not my favorite thing to do. Now Harley has these heated grips we are putting on for everybody, that shit runs through the bars also.”

–Pablo

BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT–Let’s see what’s new this week… What should I bitch about or what should I be happy for ?? Ah yes ! Daytona….What the hell is wrong with the people there !!! If it wasn’t for both bike events, the turkey Hot Rod thing, Spring Break and the 500… There would be no money coming in..No sir…

If you’ve ever been to this beach town between events you might know what I’m talking about,——————————- yeap , like the blank space back there, nothing… Main street is a ghost town. The bike shops are doing their thing but the walls echo when you go in. The hotels drop from $300.00 a night to $65.00 (for the ritzy ones), but some residents are being bothered by the noise !!!

Mind you , that horrible noise lasts for 15 days total, so they still have 350 days of peace. Bring it to Puerto Rico, do five whole weeks if you want. I’m sure the people here would not mind a super million buck influx. I know it won’t happen, but what if next March only a couple hundred bikes show up…..I bet my new chopper and Bandit’s Road Kill, that the residents will cry out loud for the bikers to come back. The noise the Chamber of Commerce will make would be louder than Biff&nb! sp;Rub with his new pipes. Then there’s always Orlando, maybe Tampa…Who cares about the beach. It’s a dump anyway. You want beach, you come to the Caribbean. It’s a shame that while cities are trying to attract bikers, the ones that have them try to get rid of them…. If anyone involved in the Bike week thing happens to read this, remember one thing: You are bitching now about bikes, what’s next ? Those damn race cars….Your main income is tourism…. Go ahead, get rid of both Bike events….I dare you…. You will be fucking sorry.

I guess you’ve noticed I’m being pretty mild, we’ve been pretty swamped (yeah, so what’s new !) Another WCC is done, my new chopper is receiving a lot of attention, and a Road Kill that will put Bandit’s to shame is about a day away (if our powder coater get’s his ass in gear). We are even shutting down all traveling ’till January. Lucky Thanksgiving is coming up, so we can put solid hours of work with no interruptions. Although I’m heavily pondering the trip to Tahiti with T Bear and some of the Bikernet staff, and maybe another quick visit to the Sunny (yeah right !) shores of California. Not only that but some new plans and a lot more work from my usual forums (Bikernet and The Horse) are leaving this island boy with less hours to sleep…and sleep is sacred! In other words…I’m toast. Anyway…there’s a lot of new projects coming up, lot’s of bikes and articles, so we will do what we have to do while we can…. Man , that Tahiti trip sounds better and better…So goddammit , let’s get to the news….

The Hog Caribbean rally will take place this coming week end, they will leave San Juan for a ride thru the mountains , but most of the event will take place around the southern town of Ponce. I’m sure all the 100th annusversary bikes will be traveling in packs, with their shinny chrome and nice leathers, (while it’s 85 degrees) Guess I will have a lot of stories for next week.. We even had a Road Kill for Bandit, but they gave it to Roy ,the Road captain. I guess his preferred customer card had a higher spending limit…The “Kickoff party” will take place tonight, I think we will pay them a nice visit…after I’m done with this.

Billy Lane is building the Easyriders bike for Daytona Bike week (if there’s one) VQ’s awards. Knowing Billy it will be a slap in the face to the mere mortals…With that, the Camel bike, the Discovery bike and every day stuff. Choppers Inc. seems to be as busy as ever (yeah and me bitching, geezz..)

Speaking of Discovery, Billy has a Master plan of riding from Boston to Columbus in February…I had some practice last week while in California, but have been standing in front of my fridge, for half an hour stints trying to create some endurance…up to now all I’ve managed is to raise my cold and sinus pill consumption, and calling several nut houses who will take Billy….

Our new Chopper…the beast that will beat Bandit’s Road kill to Sturgis, aka Plata o Plomo ( money or lead) aka Da’ Evil child, is already on the lift. Most of the components are in my possession, with very few things missing… It’s all going according to plans, the Shovel will be the power plant of choice. I’m checking it out right now, and maybe will do some mods for a bit more. “Performance” down the road, the tranny will be a 5-spd Rev Tech with kicker…plus lots of other “surprise components” . The frame is the first of our Caribbean Custom Cycles specials…with a mere 45 degree, 6 inches up and 4″ on the backbone….RIGID ! Soon…grasshopper…soon…

Anyway, that’s about it… I know you…(Bikernet’s Caribbean fans) were expecting more…but wait ’till I feel better, (those cold tablets make me groggy). I’ll be back with a vengeance.

–Jose, Caribbean Bikernet Report (done between a welding and fitting break)

So I take it, you won’t make it on the route 66 Arizona run next weekend? Light weight.

BIKERNET FAMILY THERAPY–Women believe if a pet cat strays, it’s because of a lack ofaffection at home.

Women believe if a pet dog strays, it’s because of a lack ofaffection at home.

Women believe that if a woman strays, it’s because of a lack ofaffection at home.

Women believe that if a man strays, it’s because men arescum-sucking, fucking assholes!

–from Snivelin’ Steve

BIKERNET SUPPORTS DEER SEASON, SHOOT THOSE BASTARDS– I want to get my gun and start shooting. Everyone I know is all about the deer hunting right now. They sit quietly in a tree for hours at a time trying to be still. That is exactly the kind of shit I’ve avoided all my life. I like it loud and moving. If you could still shine those deer I would be more in to it. Drinking at night, riding around in the back of a truck shooting anything that crosses the road is for me.

Hell yes. I’m for sure with that. Of course, the man has shut me down on my desires again. The man has a rule against most everything I think is fun. When I’m king of the world it’s going to be a fun place.

–The Ozark King

MASSACHUSETTS MOTORCYCLISTS QUESTION INSURANCE DISCREPANCIES A motorcyclists’ group has hailed new support from the auto-insurers industry as a major step toward ensuring motorcycle owners get fair access to coverage options, reported the Boston Herald in their October 22 Business News section.

The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association claims that insurance policies in the state have for years unfairly treated motorcyclists differently than car drivers, and sent advocates to participate in the insurance industry?s annual rate hearings to voice their concerns.

On August 22, 2002, Betsy Lister and Paul Cote appeared and testified at the rate hearings, and distributed written submissions prepared by the MMA requesting that the Insurance Commissioner investigate “unfair, discriminatory, excessive pricing, and violations of public policy involving motorcycle coverages and rates.”

Consequently, the auto insurers agreed recently with several key proposals that the motorcyclists’ group sought, though the final decision still rests with state Division of Insurance Commissioner Julie Bowler.

–Bill Bish

Read the whole AIM/NCOM Rights report in the Bikernet Rights department. And check with DJ (Dana) Coates for Bros Club insurance information. He’s the Bikernet Insurance Expert. We’re also working on an article with Dana on insurance coverage and registration laws from state to state with David Aldridge. Watch for it:

DJ (Dana) Coates,
The Small Business Insurance Center on the Internet
United Western Insurance Brokers Lic#0D73849an affiliate of United Agencies, Inc.
525 Cordova St. Pasadena, CA 91101-2552
Phone (626) 397-4700 x 205
FAX (626) 683-7682

BIKERNET DEEP THOUGHTS–….by Jack Handey.The next time you’re having a bad day, imagine this:

You’re a Siamese twin.
Your brother, attached at your shoulder, is gay.
You’re not.
He has a date coming over today.
But you only have one ass.
Feel better?

–from Dan

NEW FEATURE SPEEDS ACCESSORIES SEARCH ON HARLEY-DAVIDSON.COM– Harley-Davidson has added a more convenient way to browse the 4,500 accessories cataloged on its consumer website, harley-davidson.com. Beginning in October, the Genuine Motor Accessories section of the site will be organized by model and year, so users can view a catalog of accessories designed for each Harley-Davidson model from 1984 to present, making it much easier to look at items for a particular bike.

For almost as long as Harley-Davidson has been building world-class motorcycles, it has been creating the finest collection of motorcycle parts and accessories for those bikes. However, the huge volume of items offered in the Genuine Motor Accessories and Genuine Motor Parts print and online catalogs can make it difficult to locate specific items. Now there are three convenient ways to navigate the Genuine Motor Accessories catalog on harley-davidson.com: by specific vehicle year and model, by specific product names or part number, or by model family.

Harley-Davidson’s online catalog is the key source for the most current information on new accessory introductions as well as updates on existing accessories. Accessories can be added to the user’s shopping cart or to their wish list, which can then either be printed or sent via e-mail to any Harley-Davidson dealership.

DON’T FORGET TO ORDER A PERFORMANCE MACHINE CATALOG–Performance Maching is now apart of the Bikernet Crew. Check their site and order a catalog.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS–Above is a shot of the shrunken FXR during precision measurment taking. Giggie from Compu-fire is working on the mid-controls and needed a specific measurment. There you have it. Bikernet advanced technology.

I had been summoned to perform jury service as a good citizen no less than a dozen times. It’s not that I don’t want to carry out my duty, but deadlines always jump into lane leading to the courthouse. They finally snatched me and I was forced to show up or stand up in court to defend myself to avoid the fine.

I was picked for a trial and fought the crowded corridors to reach the court room. Lots of waiting around until we were called into the drab paneled room with the insignia of the city of Long Beach perched heavily over the judge’s head. He gave us a sheet of paper containing questions he would ask that indicated, if you answered positively to each one, that you weren’t a human being, but a legal spounged. If squeezed you would cough up a verdict. The judge told us the charge, but is was unclear, as if he read the code number without description, so I asked again, “What’s this guy charged with?”Now the truth bolted forth, “Cocaine possession.” I gulped. I dislike most drug laws. I’ve watched numerous lives ruined due to ridiculous drug restrictions. The questioning began. Ultimately the judge reached me and I confessed to my dislike of strident drug statutes. Then the prosecutor opened up on me. I told her that sitting in the jury booth reminded me of memories from 25 years ago when friends’ lives were ruined over drugs. The judge cut me loose.

Back to the waiting room. I think I propped open a door, because other jurers began to confess. One said in court that he smoked pot on the weekends. He was also asked to leave and probably followed to his car. Just being there made me nervous.

I was finally cut loose in time to pick up my jet-hot coated pipes for Monday’s dyno test. Have a helluva weekend and stay out of court, will ya.

–Bandit

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH–LOU FROM STD IS GONE, BIKERNET STAFFER JOINS GUERRILA GROUP AND BRAZILIAN COPS RIDE HARLEYS

Continued From Page 2

BIKERNET OZARK REPORT–NEW BIKES RULE–Just a few years ago, maybe four at the most, I had the newest bike of most of my friends. Now, everyone has a new bike. Philip just bought him a dyna. It’s not new but it only has about 1500 miles on it.

He’s been saying he was going to get it but he finally worked it all out on Friday. He’s a big guy. 6’2 or 3 and about 325. He has this little Panhead bike he built that’s a tiny little bike. He always looked strange being that big on such a tiny bike. You had it on the website for a trophy he won at the ABATE swap meet last year.

Anyway, his girl is a big girl and the Pan didn’t have a seat and the fender stopped at his ass, so there was no way even a tiny girl like my girl could ride on it. He and his girl came over Friday night on the dyna and we went riding. this bike is not much bigger than the pan but it has a seat for two. They used every bit of that seat, and both were hanging over the ends. It was funny as hell and, every time we would stop they would both bitch about the conditions. I laughed my ass off all night.

It was freezing cold and we were all decked in winter stuff and that just added more size to us. We rode out to Miss kittys, to the river, over to Rodneys shop, and anywhere Philip thought he might see someone to show his bike to. It was a great time.

I don’t know why everyone is buying new bikes at the beginning of winter. They paid the same price that they were going to pay in the spring. Now everyone wants to go riding. My chaps will see plenty of action this year. At least I hope so…

–Ozark Ed

BRAZILIAN CHAPERONES RIDE HARLEYS– They share their name -“batedores” – with the pioneers who once hacked their wayinto the depths of the Brazilian rain forest with machetes,opening paths through the dense tropical undergrowth.

But the 138 men and two women who serve under Capt. S?rgioMerlo of the S?o Paulo military police as motorcycleoutriders wield no knives. They slice, instead, through thechaos of S?o Paulo astride shiny scarlet-and-whiteHarley-Davidson Police Road Kings, clearing the way for thelimousined entourage of whichever president, princess orrock star is in town.

Their reward? Apart from a modest $300 salary, snapshotswith the stars – Michael Jackson even asked for a uniform -who most Brazilians could only dream of meeting.

In a city with 18 million people, five million cars and10,000 miles of mostly pothole-pocked tarmac, theirs is anear-Herculean task. At rush hour, over 60 miles of snarledtraffic is the norm.

So traumatizing is S?o Paulo traffic that C?cero Barrosmakes his living off a chain of driving schools he foundedthat offer workshops with psychologists to drivers whoalready have their license, but are too scared to brave S?oPaulo traffic.

“The mood in traffic is so hostile that some people developmore than fear,” he said. “It becomes a phobia.”

So Captain Merlo’s outriders need a mix of courage, guileand patience to carve through the traffic. Unlike policemotorbike escorts in other large cities, they are much morethan ornamental. Yet they do not have the luxury of sealingoff whole routes to let a dignitary’s convoy pass.

“If any of my officers totals a bike” – which retail inBrazil for $28,000 – “he’ll be paying it off for the restof his life,” Captain Merlo said.

Hence the forceful style of the “hackers” in traffic.

“They ride by with one boot raised as if they were ready tokick in the car door,” said Aylton Jelmayer, 52, who hasbeen driving taxis in S?o Paulo for 32 years. “But I guessthey have to be like that. Here you see cases where thetraffic won’t pull aside even for an ambulance with itssirens on.”

–from TBear

BIKERNET AUSTRALIAN REPORTER TAKES LEAVE OF ABSENCE– This will come as a shock to those of you who know me well, but I have made the monumental decision to take a complete year off.

There are a number of reasons, but the major contributor to my decision has been my involvement with a guerrilla group in Bolivia, who are fighting for freedom and justice against unbelievable odds.

I have been communicating with this group for several months, and now finally will join them. I know most of you will think I am totally crazy but I have not made this decision lightly.

Nothing you can say or do will stop me doing what I truly believe in.

I hope to see you again when the battle is won…..

–Ray R.

FREE BIKERNET STICKERS– Send us a self-addressed stamped envelope and we?ll send you free stickers. Mail it to:
Bikernet.com
P.O. Box 1168
San Pedro, CA 90733-1168

HAWAIIAN EVENT COMIN’– Our event is 2 weeks away!! And we’d like to thank all those who donated and supported us, Very Much!! And those that couldn’t we’d like to thank you also for your time.

Roy Gomez,Hawaiian Dragons MC,And the TOYS 4 TOTS Committee…. We’d all like to say MAHALO NUI LOA!!! Thank you very much and have a safe Holiday Season, God Bless……..

Mahalo Nui Loa,
Darren P.
Dragon Productions
94-823 Kime St.
Waipahu, HI. 96797
dragonproduction@aol.com

ENGLISH JOURNALIST LOOKING FOR A HORSE–Hi Rogue,Been home 10 days and its rained for 9 of them.I have a favour to ask. After an initial contact with The Horse BC via email when they showed interest in my work I’ve sent about 10 e-mails to them since Aug this year, but have not had a reply. Your buddy Bandit seems to be tight with them, maybe you could ask him to ask them if they are receiving my mails and if so why they aren’t answering them. I have a lot of material that’s very much their style – Pan, Knuck and Shovel chops, plus a few Brits and nasty Japs, both from the US and the UK and Europe and the text that’s already written for the features is very much their anti-Yuppie biker style.

I could send the features to Crossroads as they use my material already almost every month, but they would cut all of the sarcasm and acerbic nuances out of the text as it’s not really their style – and anyway, I have enough ‘nice’ HOG-type features for them to use.

I’d very much like to get these features published in the Horse, (and it’s not just the money as they’ve already told me that they don’t pay much, I really like the mag), but for whatever reasons they don’t answer my e-mails. I’ve included a sample text and a couple of jpegs of a rigid Shovel so that you can see that the features I’m talking about would fit the Horse format,

Any pull you have with these people would be appreciated, Regards,

–Bob

Geno will receive a dynamite laden missive in tomorrow’s mail.

BIKERNET FIRE CHIEF CHECKIN’ IN–I’ll be you didn’t know that the Bikernet compound is so large we have our own fire department. Karl Keierleber is the chief. For the last ten years he was the Chief of the Fire Department in Scottsdale, Arizona. He rode with me and Myron Larrabee, Mr. Easyriders, to Sturgis two years in a row. He has recently accepted the position as the Bikernet Fire Chief. His duty generally is to put out fires between the staff members. Here’s a note from the man:

Into an Irish pub comes Paddy Murphy, looking like he’d just been run over by a train. His arm is in a sling, his nose is broken, his face is cutand bruised and he’s walking with a limp.

“What happened to you?” asks Sean, the bartender.

“Jamie O’Conner and me had a fight,” says Paddy.

“That little shit, O’Conner,” says Sean,”he couldn’t do that to you, he must have had something in his hand.”

“That he did,” says Paddy,”a shovel is what he had, and a terrible lickin’ he gave me with it.”

“Well,” says Sean,”you should have defended yourself, didn’t you have something in your hand?”

“That I did,” said Paddy. “Mrs. O’Conner’s breast, and a thing of beauty it was, but useless in a fight.”

–Karl

IN MEMORIUM OF LOU TRACHTENBERG OF STD DEVELOPMENT–Nov. 18th, Chatsworth, CA- Lou Trachtenberg, 52, owner and founder ofSTD Development in Chatsworth, CA, passed away unexpectedly this weekendfrom yet to be determined causes after falling ill and beinghospitalized the day before. Lou had a history of medical problemsincluding kidney failure, which had been resolved 3 years earlier with akidney transplant donation from one of his company employees.

Located in Chatsworth, Ca, STD Development was founded by Lou in 1975. Aspecialist in race car engine building who also had a passion forHarleys, Low saw the need in the Harley market for much strongerreplacement Harley cases for use in high performance applications. Hisnew company was started by designing, building and offering the firstever complete set of performance replacement cases for the American BigTwin. Over the years the STD product line grew to include performancehead assemblies, transmissions, and now complete engine and drive trainassemblies. Lou took pride in building what are renown to be among thestrongest, best performing products for the American V-Twin market.

An honest, no bull kind of guy with a great sense of humor, Lou wasloved and respected by everyone who knew him. In his Last Will, Lou leftSTD company ownership to his employees who will continue running thecompany with the same pride in the products they build.

Any information regarding a memorial ceremony for Lou Trachtenberg,expected to be held later this week, will be noted on the STD websiteat: www.STDdevelopment.com or friends can phone STD Development at(818) 998-0210.

–from TBear

Continued On Page 4

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH–WIDE DYNA KITS, ANOTHER FLORIDA RALLY ATTACKED, PARTIES AND CHRISTMAS DEALS

Continued From Page 1

HELEN WOLFE’S BREAK FROM THE NEWS–Suzanne’s new roommate and long time friend MARYANN had her 27th birthday party Saturday night. They had a grunge garage band, and while the music started a little late, the cops came and stopped us a little early, right after they returned from the second keg fetch.

The redhead is MaryAnn, the long-haired gal in black is Suzanne’s daughter, a champion pole dancer (she said she’ll find ya some pics). Lil Leslie, our printer at work, is the short one (I’d say with the buzz on, but we all did so its moot).

–Helen

THE MAN’S CODE–How many men does it take to open a beer? “None”!!! It should be opened by the time she brings it.

CAN YOU SAY “HOLY CRAP!”–You would say that because there’s only 34 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!!! Now all at once, HOLY CRAP! Yeah, uh huh. I leave you alone for a few weeks and you forget all about your loved ones. You come here to Bikernet to read the news, look at the babes, ogle the bikes, no wait, that’s ogle the babes and look at the bikes. Anyway, I’m back to save the day. In addition to our own Gulch Gift shop, I’m gonna give a few banner links of other places you can go to purchase online for Christmas gift giving and shopping anytime.

JOKER MACHINE APPAREL–These guys have shirts and hats that are the shits. Not to mention their models are tasty. You’ll wanna check them out just for the babes alone. But while you’re in there I’m sure you’ll find something you’ll like, or something you can give as a gift. In the Gulch–

HA Leather–Joe’s products speak for themselves. Not to mention the customer service you get from Lori. They really know leather and how to make you a satisfied customer when you put your trust in them for your leather riding gear. Check em’ out! In the Gulch

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOT BIKE HOT SAUCE– These nice people sent us a bottle to test and I loved it! It has an orange sort of tangy taste. Bandit thought it wasn’t hot enough, but I was informed they were working on a hotter sauce. This first product was directed to a more general audience but next time they’ll go for the gusto. Can you say “flaming asshole?” Click on their banner for a visit and tell ’em Bikernet sent you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

STRAIGHT PIPEZ–Great Stuff For Real Bikers. These guys have T-shirts with attitude, hats and tanks & thongs for the women. Give them a visit and see if they have something in your size and style!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O.K. guys, I’ve given you more than enough help here so now it’s up to you. Just remember that Christmas is right around the corner and the fastest way to getting cut-off, as in no pussy, is to forget about your girl. Or, to forget about your best bro would be pretty fucked-up. He’s probably out shopping for you right now.

See ya!

Sin

PROTEST AGAINST MOTORCYCLE RALLY PRECEDES PERMIT REQUEST–By CHRISTINE GIRARDIN, crgirardin@naplesnews.com(Florida). Early plans for a daylong motorcycle rally in Bonita Springs are attracting the kind of interest the rally’s organizer could do without. Protesters are contacting City Council members and writing letters to local newspapers to register opposition to the event, even though organizer Luke McGinnis hasn’t yet submitted the paperwork asking the city to permit the rally.

McGinnis wants to have an afternoon motorcycle rally at the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track in Bonita Springs in April. He thinks that, with direct marketing to affluent, over age 40 riders in Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties, the event could attract 2,000 to 3,000 riders eager to meet with fellow motorcycle enthusiasts.

AT A GLANCE

Luke McGinnis will present his plan for the daylong motorcycle rally and application for a special event permit at the Special Events Committee meeting at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, at city administrative offices, 9220 Bonita Beach Road, building B, suite 203.

Bonita resident Bob Hall wrote his concerns in an e-mail to Mayor Paul Pass, who is an avid motorcyclist and now works for Harley-Davidson Motorcycles in Naples.

“Certainly you must realize that when an event of this type occurs, families will avoid Bonita Springs like the plague. Bikefest is not the image that we want in Bonita Springs,” Hall wrote. Bonita resident Pat Mansfield opposes the plan, citing the gridlock it could create on U.S. 41, Bonita Beach Road and Interstate 75.

BIKERNET LOVE TAPS– What’s the fastest way to a man’s heart?

Through his chest with a sharp knife.

–from CarlR

ROAD KING ADDENDUM–New oil cooler part number. In the Holiday P&A guide the P/N for the cooler are 62895-03 for chrome mount ($419.95) & 62817-03 ($399.95) for the silver mount.

The silver mount could be powder coated to match your black engine. Chrome suck’s especially for anything to do with the oil system!!!!!!

— Pablo

P.S. If your headed out to the Sunland (AZ) and have time, stop in Mesa and check out my buddy’s place. BLACKMAGIC MOTORSPORTS. His shop # is 480-668-6886, cell 602-524-3968. Worth a visit for sure. His name is John Hopkins Jr. Really good people with some great talent.

STREAMLINED FIX FOR FAT DYNA–Custom Valley MC?s done it again! The leader in wide tire conversions hasupped the ante with their all new BigFoot 240mm swingarm kit for 1991-upDynas.

Precision fitment is a hallmark of Custom Valley components, and the Dyna240?s no exception. Designed and engineered to maintain accurate alignment,the new kit takes stock frame modifications to a new dimension of customconversion.

Custom Valley?s kit, available with or without struts and fender, delivers atrue custom look for a fraction of the price for a ground up conversion.Most importantly, by maintaining original tracking geometry, handling,comfort, and reliability remain unaffected.

Manufacturing precision engineered wide conversions since 1996, CustomValley continues to lead the industry in innovative design and qualitycontent. Since his beginnings as a custom builder in the mid-?80?s, DenisDesRosiers recognized the early need for a geometrically sound conversion tosatisfy the demands of riders wanting the fat tire look. Dissatisfied withwhat he saw offered, DesRosiers designed a solution that didn?t sacrificehandling for appearance, and the results are easy to see in his conversionsthat look like they came from the factory.

Other Custom Valley BigFoot conversions are available for Softails andcustom hardtails. All come complete with mounting hardware, and can beordered with or without drivetrain extension components.

Dyna kit #10440-25, shown above for 2002 and up, comes complete with fenderstruts and transmission offset conversion.

Custom Valley Motorcycles
282 A St-Jacques N.
Causapscal (Quebec) Canada G0J 1J0
Wk: (418) 756-6417
e-mail: cusval@globetrotter.qc.ca
web site: www.customvalley.com

Continued On Page 3

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH–NEWS FROM SAMSON, V-RODS IN JEOPARDY, AUSTRALIAN GUN REPORT

Life is too exciting, too busy, to hetic and too demanding, yet we find a few minutes a day to have a drink and kick back. As she crawled on top of me this morning I was feeling stressed. We’ve got the King torn down and we’re waiting for extended cables from Barnetts to complete the beast so I can ride the sucker onto a dyno on Monday. Then we’ll begin the process of pouring more coal to the cylinders for additional power.

The bike needs to be running strong for a ride to Arizona next weekend. In the meantime, Nuttboy stopped by yesterday and we debated the handlebars on the Shrunken FXR. No conclusion was discovered so we moved calmly onto the final stage of the exhaust system. We rolled over to San Pedro Muffler for a couple of parts. The owner is absolutely a cool guy and modified a chunk of exhaust we had and sold us a tip. We’re making our own muffler with a baffle ripped out of an old Samson exhaust system. Let’s get to the news before I run on about a strange experience I had this week–jury duty:

BIKERNET INTERVIEWS THE GIRLS OF THE MOTORCYCLING DISCOVERY CHANNEL–Jose, the Caribbean Bikernet reports has submitted 14 question to two of the girls who rode across country with the Discovery Channel on their tails (so to speak).

KEEP YOUR GUNS ACCORDING TO BIKERNET AUSTRALIAN REPORT–from Ed Chenel, a police officer in Australia.

Hi Yanks, I thought you all would like to see the real figures from Down Under. It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced by a new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by our own government, a program costing Australia taxpayers more than $500 million dollars.

The first year results are now in: Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent, Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent; Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent)!

In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300 percent. (Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did not and criminals still possess their guns!)

While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the past 12 months, since the criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is unarmed. There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the elderly.

Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has decreased, after such monumental effort and expense was expended in “successfully ridding Australian society of guns.” You won’t see this data on the American evening news or hear your governor or members of the state Assembly disseminating this information.

The Australian experience proves it. Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws affect only the law-abiding citizens. Take note Americans, before it’s to late!

–from Cindy

IS THE V-ROD TAKING SHOTS?– hot from the presses…Say goodbye to the V-Rod. Deep inside, secret information.There’s been a leak somewhere…. Let’s see what happens or is it a charade to boost sales on the lackluster, expensive V-Max’s brother…..

–Jose, chopperfreak@earthlink.net

SMOKE-OUT UPDATE– I think we have Ice Cream Man from Hell lined up for this years event. Also, Frank Kozik has greed to do a poster.

CLASS CYCLE TRAILER–DropTear trailer, a product of Wagtail, is a 2 person camper that converts into a bike hauler, or vise-versa. Styled after the tear drop trailers of days gone by, the DropTear uses independent air spring technology to put the deck of the trailer on the ground. Dump, Load, Inflate and Go.

All cabinetry and bedding folds out of the way to make room for your bike. Trailers are built to order with custom options with the idea of matching your tow vehicle and motorcycle. Hit the road with your rod and put your ride inside, with the DropTear trailer.

Call toll free 1 866 803-1836.

ENGLISH REPORTER INVESTIGATES EASYRIDERS–I was interviewed this morning by Gary Inman a reporter for BIKE magazine in the U.K. He asked me about the effort Easyriders made to break the world lands speed record. I was one of the proud members of the team that helped break the world lands speed record on Bonneville Salt Flat, at 321 mph in July of 1990.

Gary would like to speak to any of the 10,000 Easyriders readers who spent $25 to support the effort in lieu of corporate sponsors.

“As I mentioned, I’d really like a five minute chat with a biker who put some of their own hard-earned money into the Easyridersproject, even if it was a few dollars,” Gary said. “I need to speak to them in the nextweek, because I have a deadline.The article is going in Britain’s best-selling motorcycle magazine.They can e-mail me at gary@inmangb.com.”

Drop him a note if you were part of the readership team effort.

BIKERNET GUN FIGHT RULES–1. Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of yourfriends who have guns.

2. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.

3. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.

4. If your shooting stance is good, you’re probably not moving fast enough nor using cover correctly.

5. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)

6. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.

7. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived.

8. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and running.

9. Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on “pucker factor” than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

9.5 Use a gun that works EVERY TIME. “All skill is in vain when an Angel pisses in the flintlock of your musket.”

10. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

11. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.

12. Have a plan.

13. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won’t work.

14. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.

15. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.

16. Don’t drop your guard.

17. Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.

18. Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them).

19. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.

20. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.

21. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

22. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.

23. Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

24. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with a “4.”

–from Jose De Miguel

NEW TIM REMUS BOOK FOR HAMSTER LOVERS–Yep, it’s a book full of Hamster customs shot in Sturgis, called the Best of Sturgis. No Billy Lane bikes in this book. Check it out at WolfgangPublications .com or CarTech Auto Books and Manuals.

SMOKE-OUT CHARITY INFO–We are still raising money for kids with asthma to attend Camp Air Care for Mike Pullin’s Run For Breath out of Charlotte. The HORSE, Backstreet Choppers is setting up a booth at the Easy Riders Bike Show in Charlotte, NC January 25th to sell raffle tickets for the chopper we built.

The price of the booth doubled when I mentioned your name and then started to drop as I talked about the kids. What’s up with that? Obviously another female in your path of devastation and destruction.

–Edge

That should be, “Obviously another female on my path to spiritual bliss.”

BIKERNET’S MOST IMPORTANT MEN IN A WOMAN’S LIFE– Who are the most important men in women’s’ life: The Doctor because he says take your clothes off. The Dentist because he says open wide. The Milkman because he says do you want it in front or back. The Hair Dresser because he says do you want it teased or blown. The Interior Designer because he says once it is in you will love it. The Banker because he says if you take it out too soon you’ll loose interest.

–from Chris T.

SAMSON’S BIG GUNS 2 “CANNONS” ARE SLASHING THE COMPETITION–You want pipes that will deliver High Performance and Sound that will clear those roads for you? These Bad and Beautiful pipes are the ones. SAMSON EXHAUST has done it again with the new Big Guns 2 “Slashers” with the tightest fitting 220-degree, full-coverage, heat shields anywhere. The Big Guns 2 “Cannons” are just one of the new, exciting and great series of pipes from the Big Guns 2 family that only SAMSON can guarantee with Awesome Style, Sound and Performance. All “Big Guns 2” come complete with mounting brackets and hardware.

MSRP for the Long Slashers are $431.95 and the Short Slashers are $410.95 for sales contact your local SAMSON dealer or contact SAMSON EXHAUST.

Please visit www.SamsonUSA.com for the ultimate internet experience.

Samson Motorcycle Products, Inc.
3818 E. Coronado St. Anaheim, CA 92807
(800) 373-4217
714-518-2480 BUS.
714-518-2466 FAX

BIKERNET GREAT NORTH WET REPORT–Wednesday………6:30 pm………full moon, but black as hell……….foggy. Wife is fast asleep on the couch. Got my sweats on………..The perfect time to sit on my butt and watch the tube……….Ahhhhhhh! chuuuuuccccckkkkkk………… I look………..nobody there……… CHUUuuukkk………. What’s that? CHUUuuukkk………..

Who’s there? “HEY, YOU!” Oh. It is the riding-beast. It’s calling………. “You have been ignoring me!” Hmmmm………..Why not………… I go downstairs. I pull on the black leather boots. Chaps. Vest. Jacket. I cry out………”Oh, God!’

Leather over sweats? No self respecting hog rider would get caught dead………..Guess I had better be careful. I go upstairs and shake wife awake…….sort of. The man speaks……”I’m going for a short ride.”

She responds………. “Mmmphfff.” Which I interpret as either “So?” or “You are an idiot.”

Oh, well. Down to the garage. Key………lights!……….it starts! (Of course it starts…….you dummy!) And for you readers….it doesn’t leak oil, either! So, there! Roll it outside. First gotta drain the tank………..not the Harley. Man, it is black out here! Black leathers, black helmet, fog………I’m ready! 3 minute warm-up is over and …………I am off!

Gotta watch the wet leaves on the corner at the bottom of the hill. If I can see them, that is. North on Hart Road to 93rd. Can’t see beyond my low beam. 93rd. There is Scott’s house. Looks kinda dark, probably sitting on his butt, watching the tube. Gotta let him know that real men (idiots) go out and ride in most challenging (dangerous) conditions. I turn onto 93rd and wind it out in first and second………there, that did it. By the time he picks up the broken glass, I will be long gone.

South on Case Road and I pick up a pickup. In front of me that is. We are up to the 50 mph speed limit. Fog. If this guy hits something, I should be able to brake down to 20 or so by the time I hit him. Ok. The target is in sight! (again) Scott Lake Grocery.

I unmount…….(Lee Marvin…….Paint Your Wagon. Hey, who said I wasn’t sophisticated?) “Two Lotto tickets, please” ……………………God, I wanna quit! Back on the riding-beast. North on Case Road. Fog. I can do about 30 until it thins and then back up to 50. Turn on 93rd to Hart Road. Wow! Lotsa leaves here. Man, they look slippery! The riding-beast tippy-toes (there’s a picture) through the leaves and then winds out in first and second again. (may not have gotten all the glassware)

The windshield is now totally opaque, need a wiper. Going up the hill is a real trick. Peering over the windshield, it is so black, I am not sure where the pavement edge is……… But then………I’m safe! Now to call up the lottery website………

Guess what! I’m a…………………..LOOSER!

The Seattle area author’s name is Chuck Meyer. He made the 2800 mile run to Sturgis with us last August. On apersonal note, he’s battling cancer for the 4th time in 20 years….. One tough dude. – Digital

NEW FROM AEROMACH BILLET MIRRORS–The ?Sidewinder? Series.A radical looking stem that can be combined with a selection of mirrors.

Extreme Oval Mirror on Sidewinder Arms

Large Oval mirrors on Sidewinder Arms

Try a radical look by adding a pair of hell fire mirrors. A must for bikes with flame paint.

The prices range from $211.80 a pair to 219.80 pair.

Aeromach Mfg
Contact 800 990-9392 or www.billetmirrors.com

BIKERS RAISE MONEY FOR SHRINERS BURN CENTER–PAUL CATALA pcatala@hernandotoday.com.

BROOKSVILLE – Dressed in their leather jackets, bearing an array of tattoos on various body parts and blasting their tailpipes into the parking lot, the Warlocks weren’t the type of visitors most people would expect to see at a Shrine club. But the Florida Department of Law Enforcement did.

Saturday, the Warlocks, a Florida-based Harley-Davidson motorcycle group made up of 10 clubs, held their first-annual “West Coast Charity Biker Blow-out” at the Hernando County Shrine Club, 13400 Montour St.

Around 4 p.m., the motorcyclists started motoring in, planning on spending a day with some beer, food and music, with proceeds from sales going to the Tampa Shriners Children’s Hospital burn center.

But joining in on the festivities were officers with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Department, the Florida Highway Patrol and the FDLE. While Warlocks were inside the Shrine hall, having snacks, listening to a Cocoa Beach-based rock band and sucking down some suds, sheriff’s and highway patrol cars were parked along parts of Sunshine Grove Road.

DuPree, 46, said about three weeks ago, sheriff’s detectives tried to keep the Warlocks from holding another fund-raiser in Brooksville. He said his club has raised about $15,000 for area charities over the past year and hoped to raise at least $3,000 Saturday. Cyclists attending the benefit each gave a $10 donation to attend.

“They’re trying to harass and shut us down. They’re uninformed and think that we’re trouble,” he said. “They need to realize there’s a lot of riders here and they’re a lot of voters.”

“We’ll be here anyway. A lot of us here are upset. They’re (law enforcement) coming here just in spite,” he said. “This is an intelligence gathering mission,” is all an FDLE official, who wouldn’t give his name, said as he stood in the dirt lot. The Warlocks raised $2,300 plus they have about $700 worth of T-shirts left to sell, according to DuPree.

Continued On Page 2

THE BILL BISH RIGHTS REPORT–MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE MAY CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

Antique flicks courtesy of Bob T.

THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. For more information, call us at (800) ON-A-BIKE, or visit us on the web at .

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS
Compiled and Edited by BILL BISH,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists

BIKER WINS VOTING RIGHTS FOR PRISONERS The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that prisoners have the right to vote in elections. The challenge to the law was launched by Richard Sauve, a one-time motorcycle club member from Ontario who was sentenced to life in prison for murder.

He has since won parole, earned a university degree and has continued to campaign for voting rights for those who remain in prison.

By a 5-4 margin, the high court concluded Thursday that the federal government had failed to demonstrate any overriding social objective that could justify such an infringement of the Charter of Rights.

At issue was a section of the Canada Elections Act, passed in 1993, that denied prisoners serving terms of two years or more the right to vote in federal elections.

The ruling doesn’t guarantee that federal prisoners will ever actually get to vote because Parliament could pass a new law before the next election — although it’s not clear how much room the government has to maneuver.

POLICE HARASS CONFEDERATION MEMBERS Although the Eastern Pennsylvania Confederation of Clubs has met at the VFW Post in Darby for two years without incident or any problems with the neighbors or the police, and no breach of the peace has occurred during that time, beginning with their June COC meeting the local police began a pattern of harassment by taking down the license tag numbers of all the bikes in the parking lot.

Then at the August 22, 2002 meeting, Darby police gave parking tickets for every conceivable violation while the meeting was in progress, including some parked on private property with the permission of the owner. After the meeting, they, with the help of law enforcement officers from about four other local townships and some federal agents, stopped every biker who left the meeting as soon as they started to ride away, held some for extended periods of time, and interrogated them as they were extensively photographed and unlawfully searched.

According to reports, the apparent architect of the police action was the Chief of Police of Darby Borough, Robert F. Smythe, who stated outside of the VFW that he did not want “bikers” in his town, and would enforce the rules so that they would no longer meet in Darby Borough.

Many of the bikers were told by officers that certain club’s members were not to return to Darby. This is a clear violation of First Amendment rights to assemble and of association. Two bikes were impounded for high handlebars and one pickup truck was held for a day for lack of proof of insurance.

Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) Attorney Boyd Spencer has filed a Civil Rights Complaint in the U.S. Eastern District Court for the District of Pennsylvania, requesting declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent further actions by the defendants (Police Chief Smythe, the Darby Borough PD, and 25 other officers), and for monetary damages for their actions.

The suit (02-CV-7707), which will be heard by the Honorable Judge Marvin Katz, alleges unconstitutional actions by the law enforcement officers, and further describes violations of the bikers rights protected under the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.

“It has become evident that Defendants, and particularly Defendant, Robert F. Smythe, have developed and continued to engage in a pattern and practice of harassment, profiling, and selective enforcement intended to interfere with Plaintiff’s constitutionally protected rights to freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, due process of law, and equal protection under the law,” states the lawsuit.

Stay tuned for further developments.

MASSACHUSETTS MOTORCYCLISTS QUESTION INSURANCE DISCREPANCIES A motorcyclists’ group has hailed new support from the auto-insurers industry as a major step toward ensuring motorcycle owners get fair access to coverage options, reported the Boston Herald in their October 22 Business News section.

The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association claims that insurance policies in the state have for years unfairly treated motorcyclists differently than car drivers, and sent advocates to participate in the insurance industry?s annual rate hearings to voice their concerns.

On August 22, 2002, Betsy Lister and Paul Cote appeared and testified at the rate hearings, and distributed written submissions prepared by the MMA requesting that the Insurance Commissioner investigate “unfair, discriminatory, excessive pricing, and violations of public policy involving motorcycle coverages and rates.”

Consequently, the auto insurers agreed recently with several key proposals that the motorcyclists’ group sought, though the final decision still rests with state Division of Insurance Commissioner Julie Bowler.

Paul Cote, a spokesman for the bikers’ group, said the insurers’ support bodes well for a favorable decision from Bowler. “It’s a major breakthrough,” he said. “We’re grateful that they see the inequities and are taking steps to address those inequities.”

In an October 17 letter to Bowler, a lawyer for the Automobile Insurers Bureau of Massachusetts wrote that the group supports the following reforms:

Giving discounts to motorcyclists who install certain kinds of anti-theft devices, namely vehicle-tracking equipment. Currently, they don’t receive any discount.

Allowing motorcycle riders to buy vehicle insurance with up to $25,000 in optional medical coverage. Currently, such policies can cover up to $5,000 in medical costs for bikers, while auto owners can buy coverage with a limit of $100,000.

Allowing motorcyclists to have their premiums based on appraised values of their bikes instead of book values. Car owners already have that option.

The motorcyclists also want to extend multi-vehicle discounts to bikes, similar to car owners, but the insurers didn’t offer support for that change.

Chris Goetcheus, a Division of Insurance spokesman, said Bowler was receptive to the motorcyclists’ concerns, and will likely issue a decision within the next few weeks.

BIKERS BOYCOTT MYRTLE BEACH During the early morning hours of May 18, 2002 a couple riding a motorcycle were killed at the Myrtle Beach Spring Bike Rally when Lance Cpl. James J. Costello proceeded through a yield sign and collided with them in his unmarked Horry County Police cruiser.

Just prior to the Fall Motorcycle Rally, Horry County Solicitor Greg Hebree decided not to charge the 15-year veteran in the deaths of the two motorcyclists, Victoria Lee Zickafoose of Georgia and Charles Eugene Heyde Sr. of Michigan.

“For many years the local government and police force have been far less than biker friendly,” according to a press release by the Sons of Liberty Riders, a motorcyclists rights organization that rides the information super-highway as an Internet discussion group. “However, the latest incident and failure to bring appropriate charges has motivated bikers to take action.”

SoLR has called for a boycott of Myrtle Beach, and bikers from across the country are now supporting the boycott action, including ABATE of South Carolina where the Myrtle Beach rallies are held. “The purpose of the boycott is to educate the general public on some of the injustices served on only some classes of citizens, while bringing economic woe on those that promote the injustices,” says the SoLR. “Horry County had the opportunity to prosecute the guilty and failed.”

Police investigators insist that there is not enough evidence to support charges or disciplinary action, and an article in The Sun News suggests that, “Grand Strand officials say they aren’t worried about motorcyclists’ plans to boycott the Myrtle Beach area,” and hope that their effort will fizzle as memories fade prior to the spring Harley-Davidson rally.

But bikers from as far away as Maryland, Pennsylvania and Iowa are upset about the way the two motorcyclists’ deaths were handled during this year’s May rally, the paper stated.

“Through the power of the Internet e-mail system, I was informed of this tragedy,” Mary Bowen-Brown of Mechanicsville, Maryland, told The Sun News. “Once the e-mails are forwarded and contacts are made through different bike organizations, you can believe there will be thousands of bikers making their decisions not to return to Myrtle Beach this spring.”

The Carolina Harley-Davidson Dealers Association Myrtle Beach Rally is scheduled for May 9-18. 2003.

Stephanie Durham of Jacksonville, Florida, Zickafoose’s sister, doesn’t ride a motorcycle but is planning on coming to the May rally. “[I want to] basically express my discontent with the way things were handled,” she said. “I want it to be known that this happened and this is not going to be covered up or forgotten about.”

FLORIDA CONSIDERS MOTORCYCLE RESCUES Rescue workers are hoping a motorcycle fleet will help them save lives on Florida’s highways. Under a proposed program, Miami-Dade County firefighters would respond to emergencies on specially designed motorcycles, navigating through gridlock to accidents before other emergency vehicles arrive.

All county firefighters are trained as Emergency Medical Technicians and would have access to defibrillators, oxygen tanks and first aid kits.

“Here in (Miami) Dade County, traffic is a nightmare. There’s a lot of construction. Often when there’s an accident, it’s difficult for emergency vehicles to get to the people,” fire department spokeswoman Shari Holbert Lipner told the Associated Press (AP). “This is another way to get to citizens faster.”

The motorcycle officers would handle minor injuries when larger units must focus on more critical situations, Lipner said.

Such programs exist in Europe, but there are none of similar scale in the United States, Lipner said. The Daytona Beach fire department has a program with four motorcycles that’s used mainly on special events, such as Bike Week.

BMW has offered to donate 10 model 1100 RT-P emergency rescue motorcycles, which the firefighters would ride in pairs — reminiscent of the late 1970s TV show “Chips.”

The Miami-Dade County Commission will consider approval of the program in November, and the fire rescue bikes could be on the road by fall next year.

WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH: JUST YOUR AVERAGE JOE The average driver emits more than 912 pints of gas (farts) inside a car during his or her lifetime. This strange factoid, and others, was revealed by BBC Top Gear magazine in a list of statistics profiling the average driver.

The survey also found the average driver will have sex in a car six times in their lives. They will spend around two hours and 14 minutes kissing in their vehicles, researchers found. Mr. or Mrs. Average will swear or blaspheme 32,025 times behind the wheel. And peckish motorists each munch through about 21 lbs of chocolate as they trundle along. They will also nod off at the wheel 11 times and jump 181 red lights. The average driver will also honk the horn 15,250 times in a lifetime and be locked out of their car nine times.

Mr. or Ms. average driver believes their driving is better than 87% of other drivers and they pay attention to only 35% of road signs. In a lifetime of journeys, the average woman driver will throw two-thirds of her body weight out of the window as rubbish or other matter, while men will throw their entire body weight out.

No statistics were issued regarding motorcycle operators.

QUOTABLE QUOTES: “It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.”Francois Marie Arouet (aka: Voltaire), French Author and Philosopher (1694 – 1778)