The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame honors the most influential people in the motorcycle industry, sport, and culture, to highlight their accomplishments and to promote the future of motorcycling. On behalf of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame Board of Directors, I am proud to announce our 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees (in alphabetical order by first name):   1981 Team USA, winners of the Motocross Trophee Des Nations Chris Callen Jay Allen Roland Sands Scott Jacobs Donnie Smith, Arlen Ness Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Russell Radke, Freedom Fighter Bert Munro, Kickstands Down   Congratulations to each of these individuals. Stay tuned for Hall of Fame Highlights where the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame shares information about each inductee leading up to the ceremony.   The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s Hall of Fame Induction ceremony is sponsored by Law Tigers Inc. The induction breakfast ceremony will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at The Lodge @ Deadwood. Tickets sales open March 1, 2023. For corporate tables, please call Leah or Penny at 605-347-2001.

Hey,

I receive numerous inspirational quotes from brothers here, in India and from Ray in Australia. I enjoy them, find solace, comfort and inspiration in seemingly troubled times.

Here’s the odd aspect and I say this a lot. These are the best of times. We have access to more technology, health benefits, knowledge, travel, bike parts, beauty, wealth, love, peace, you name it, than ever before.

So, what do we do? Except for Bikers, folks are depressed, killing each other, fighting, slappig their ol’ ladies around, screaming that we are doomed and lying for whatever stupid reason.

So, what’s my point? The truth will set these lame bastards free to go back to the pure inspiration of life. Meanwhile, fuck ‘em all. Bikers represent all that’s good in this world by building more loud-pipe, cool choppers and riding free forever.

Let’s hit the news, and every time a chopper or loud-pipe performance bagger blazes down the street, put your thumbs up. That brother or sister knows what life is truly all about.

Let’s hit the news:

The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.

Are You Really Against Fossil Fuels? Read this Before You Answer
By Vijay Jayaraj

It is easy for anyone to say that they are against fossil fuels. Opposition to coal, oil and natural gas is fashionable and will prompt heads to nod and even hands to applaud.

But are people aware of the extent to which their lives are dependent on fossil fuels? Do they know that more than 90 percent of things used in their everyday lives are derived from fossil fuels?

From your toothbrush to your car tire, a majority of the things you use today has been made possible because of fossil fuels. Shoes, refrigerators, washing machines, coffee makers, furniture, pens, eating utensils, eyeglasses, commodes, medical gear, camping equipment, and the list goes on and on.

Consider the computer or the phone from which you are reading this article. They are made of glass, metal, plastic, lithium and silicon – all of which require fossil fuels to mine, process or manufacture. While some are chemical derivatives of fossil fuels, all depend one way or another on their combustion for electricity generation, process heat or transportation.

You wouldn’t have the iPhone, Android or MacBook without fossil fuels. Imagine the irony of typing out “end oil” from a phone that is made from fossil fuels! Or supporting climate activism by relaying video that was recorded with a camera made from fossil fuels! Of course, this sort of irony is displayed regularly and missed constantly.

In short, the most fundamental necessities – and the most cherished conveniences – of daily life are products dependent on the use of fossil fuels.

Electricity and Transportation

The industrial era was a time of great change, and the use of fossil fuels played a big part in that. From the early 1800s to the mid-1900s, coal was the primary fuel source for industry and transportation. Oil and natural gas became much more prominent in the latter half of the 20th century.

Cars, trucks, planes, ships, and trains use oil. If you go electric, the electricity for the vehicle is again predominantly generated from coal or gas. Even wind, solar, nuclear and hydro power are dependent on manufacturing and mining processes reliant on fossil fuels. If you intend to start a new life on the planet Mars or the moon, the rockets you use need fossil fuels.

While the use of fossil fuels as a source for electricity generation and transportation fuel has been discussed widely, their role in the manufacturing and farming sectors is seldom highlighted.

Cement, Asphalt, Steel, and Plastic

Cement, steel, and plastic are essential materials that are used in the construction, transportation and manufacturing industries, playing a key role in the development of modern civilization.

Paints, resins, fiberglass, coatings, varnishes, adhesives, and thousands of other materials are all made from fossil fuels. It is likely the clothing that you are wearing now was made using fossil fuels. In fact, most carpets, fabrics, coatings, cushions, upholstery, drapes, spandex and other textiles are made with the help of fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels are used as raw materials in the production of many chemicals and plastics. Lightweight, durable and versatile, plastics are used in a wide range of products, from packaging and consumer goods to automotive parts and medical devices.

Food Production

Fertilizers – produced with the help of fossil fuels – replenish the soil with essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, improving soil structure and fertility. Fertilizers have played a crucial role in meeting the global food demand by increasing crop yields by as much as 50 percent.

Not only do fossil fuels enable us to meet the bare necessities our everyday lives, but they are also the reason for the worldwide improvement in the quality of life since the 1950s.

The campaign against fossil fuels focuses on their use in the generation of electricity. However, every part of our material life is made better by fossil fuel derivates. They help us live more efficiently, safely and in an environmentally friendly way, reducing poverty and helping billions enjoy decent and safe lives.

This commentary was first published at Real Clear Energy, January 24, 2023, and can be accessed here.

Vijay Jayaraj is a Research Associate at the CO2 Coalition, Arlington, Virginia. He holds a master’s degree in environmental sciences from the University of East Anglia, UK and resides in India.

TOYOTA PARTNERS With DOUZE Cycles to Create a Cargo Electric Bike—

Is Toyota going full electric soon?

Toyota is partnering with DOUZE Cycles to create a front-loading cargo e-bike based on an existing model, as reported by Electrek.

DOUZE Cycles is an e-bike manufacturer, and the collaboration with the Japanese automaker will be based on the DOUZE Hêta model.

More Electric Bikes By Auto Manufacturers
Toyota is not the only car manufacturer on the move to create electric bikes. One is Peugeot, which has already developed its own line of e-Bikes. Another one is Spain-based SEAT which partnered with Silcence to manufacture seated and standing electric scooters.

General Motors (GM) has already built an electric bike in-house. And recently, GM showed off a HUMMER eBike via its licensing agreement to complement the HUMMER EV.

Jeep also has ventured into the high-power e-bike game through licensing agreements.

As more and more electric bicycles are being seen on the roads, it’s no surprise that car manufacturers are exploring them. Toyota also seems to be keener on producing electric motors. Who knows?

–April Fowell
Tech times

AMSOIL JOINS THE BIKERNET TEAM—Through the Huff Oil Group

We’ve worked with Amsoil products several times over the years. Especially now, with high oil prices, Amsoil offers support for its customers. You can easily become an Amsoil dealer and make a few bucks will having access to a terrific line of products. Here’s one:

• Reduces wear and deposits for maximum engine compression and power.
Now combine that with our Vtwin Primary Fluid for Smoother clutch operations and finding Neutral a lot easier, and our Vtwin Transmission Fluid for a better operating of shifting gears and reducing the “First Gear Clunk ” sound. Its no wonder that Amsoil 20w50 and our Primary and Transmission Oils are rode with confidence on the Highways!

Check it out.

https://www.amsoil.com/register/?zo=5354618

THE FIRST, New Bikernet Reader Comment!--THE LAST CROCKER EVER BUILT

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/THE_LAST_CROCKER_EVER_BUILT.aspx

I have begun telling my father’s life story. I have five photos of my father taken in 1943 with a 1939 big tank Crocker. I know this because before my father passed away, he told me the year he believed the photos were taken and the year of the vehicles that were in the photos. These photos were taken before he was shipped out for the WWII conflict with Japan. He and his best friend enlisted in the Marine Corp in August 1942. He sold the Crocker before being shipped out.

— Guy Krant
abbas.artists@gmail.com
Apple Valley, CA

“We offered to help Guy tell his story on Bikernet. Hang on.” –Bandit

SNOW OUTLAWS at Rice Lake is ON!–

Snow Outlaws snowmobile drag racing series pre-race report
STM Powersports Snow Outlaws Winter Nationals presented by Rice Lake Tourism

When: February 3-4, 2023
Where: Moose Lodge 402, Rice Lake, Wisconsin, USA

STM Powersports Snow Outlaws—the hottest show in snowmobile drag racing—is back in action THIS WEEKEND February 3rd and 4th with their first 2023 race at fabulous Rice Lake, Wisconsin—the quickest track in the sport. Pull up to Moose Lodge 402 and check out the world’s quickest sleds—nitro, alcohol, supercharged, turbocharged—you’ll see them all in action over 500 feet on the Rice Lake ice.

Pro Outlaw snowmobiles are the real studs of the snow, and Mike Allen rides the baddest sled around: Jeff Ratzlaff’s screw-supercharged nitro “Grinch” that debuted (and won) at Rice Lake last year. Veteran tuner Howard Haack helps with the maps on this Hypersports-built beast and with a championship winning season of lessons learned, this combo will be fun to watch and tough to beat. “I’m sure we can go 3.30s and that’s my goal for 2023,” Ratzlaff said at the end of last season.

Young Alec Gibas lost to the Grinch in the Rice Lake final last year but saw the light of the green sled’s header flames and returns with a Hypersports-built, blown nitro sled of his own—the Hulk! Nothing beats the smell of nitro in the crisp Wisco air and Rice Lake will see plenty of it.

Also expect to see Dominic Ernst and wheelie king Matt Luke on their turbo-methanol HRC-4 sleds, and many more.

Gibas won the Pro Xtreme 55 class at Rice Lake last year and will be defending that win again this year along with his laps on the Hulk. He’ll face the likes of ’22 Weenie Roast winner Brian Sullivan and his “John Deere” themed Hypersports HRC-2, Brian’s brother Corey Sullivan (the defending season champ), ’22 Long Lake winner Casey Ausloos, Matt Musselman and Samson Exhaust’s Mike Baverstock on their Jack Romine-tuned sleds, “Farmall” owned by Chad Nyhus and ridden by Scott Kostman, Mike Sweeney Jr., Samantha Martin and more.

Snow Outlaws boss Nyhus will likely be defending his Pro Mod championship on his “Dirty Allis” sled against Casey Rosenbrook, Tyler Stelton, Blake Saltzman, Cole Myers and more.

Racer registration is Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with a mandatory drivers’ meeting at 4:30. Qualifying and testing runs under the lights at 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

Saturday registration is from 9:00 to 10:00 am, drivers’ meeting at 10:00, eliminations at noon sharp.

Spectators get in free!

There’s simply nothing better going on in the Northern Hemisphere this time of year than Snow Outlaws drag racing. Chad and Jenny Nyhus, and the whole Snow Outlaws staff and family, can’t wait to fire up on Rice Lake this weekend. Whether you’re racing or watching, you will NOT want to miss this event!

Visit the Snow Outlaws Facebook page

This report was prepared by Tim Hailey. Enjoy everything there is to read, see and watch about powersports drag racing and more at https://www.eatmyink.com ;

OFFICIAL WEATHER REPORT FROM THE HISTORY CHANNEL—

On February 2, 1887, Groundhog Day, featuring a rodent meteorologist, is celebrated for the first time at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. According to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole on this day and sees its shadow, it gets scared and runs back into its burrow, predicting six more weeks of winter weather; no shadow means an early spring.

Groundhog Day has its roots in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas, when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles represented how long and cold the winter would be. Germans expanded on this concept by selecting an animal—the hedgehog—as a means of predicting weather. Once they came to America, German settlers in Pennsylvania continued the tradition, although they switched from hedgehogs to groundhogs, which were plentiful in the Keystone State.

–History Channel

SO……my picture is in the current National…..what the fuck is this rag?…..hold on…..EXAMINER! the National Examiner. the cover story is MICKEY MOUSE CLUB’S DARK SECRETS EXPOSED! and yes there’s an exclamation point.

TURNS OUT……not only is one of those em-effers (mouseketeers) now the Nation’s finest hack, surpassing those at the National Examiner and for that matter the New York Goddamn times and The Atlantic and The New Fucking Yorker and any OTHER commie rag you want to mention…….I’m also not even dead.

Needless to say, I will be informing the unnamed hacks at the Examiner that not only am I not dead and not only am I ONE OF THEM……their article is whoppingly misleading. But hey, that’s what hacks do: they’re failed novelists. So, they HAVE to make stuff up. Stay tuned for more details!

SO!……..they came up with seven different dark secrets, none of which were secrets and none of which were dark. Each dark secret is introduced with its own amazingly misleading headline. PLUS, the actual reality was nothing like the hack brigade decided that it was: All of them likely being 19 and interning for this rag in hopes of someday becoming Anderson Cooper.

DARK SECRET NUMBER ONE: PARENTS WERE BANNED – This is misleading. In fact, it’s the opposite. Ca law demands a parent or guardian has to be on the property or else the place gets shut down and half the management staff goes to jail. The parents were not permitted to watch the shootings. They would have been a total fucking pain in the ass to everyone and would not have ever shut up and would have taken over. Plus, if any of them had talent they would have been Mouseketeers and not us.

DARK SECRET NUMBER TWO: CONTRACTS WERE STUFFED WITH FINE PRINT – all contracts are stuffed with fine print. We all had agents. Agents are lawyers. There was nothing in the fine print that had anything to do with us and if there was our agents would have told us.

DARK SECRET NUMBER THREE: CAST MEMBERS WERE AFRAID TO DO DANGEROUS STUNTS – there were no dangerous stunts. There weren’t even any safe stunts. Just because Nancy Abbate was allegedly afraid to do something doesn’t mean it was dangerous. It means she was afraid.

So far, in this tale there have been 500,000 misleading allegations and uses of erroneous vocabulary regarding whatever in the hell the interns are writing about. And this isn’t even politics or national security or the covid hoax. This is the fucking Mouseketeers and this yarn is like something from The Ipcress File.

DARK SECRET NUMBER FOUR: CAST MEMBERS WERE PUT UNDER PRESSURE TO LEARN QUICKLY – It wasn’t pressure. It was why we were hired: because we could do shit. We had credentials. From previous Hollywood job-employments. We were professionals. We knew the rules. The only pressure was from our fucking parents, not the studio employees. They were welcome relief. Never trust a fucking hack. They live to lie.

DARK SECRET NUMBER FIVE: FREE TIME MEANT FREE WORK – I don’t even understand this one. That happens a LOT with me regarding journalists. We had to do “appearances.” Oh dear – performing at the Hollywood Bowl. Living at Disneyland, oh dear, everything paid for. We appeared at the Coliseum. Having thousands of people wanting to stare at you and cheer and applaud. Oh dear. Being the envy of the whole fucking planet and going on display, what horror. Fucking hacks.

DARK SECRET NUMBER SIX: KIDS HATED WEARING THEIR EARS. WHICH WERE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES – none of this is close to anything real. It was a costume. In TV and movies you wear costumes. It’s part of the job. If we weren’t in front of rolling cameras, we took the things off. In fact, someone would take them off. They were secured to our heads and individually crafted for that head. They were expensive. We barely had them on at all most of the time. So, this is preposterous hack blather. Journalists are pathetic people. Trust me. I am one. I know what the fuck I’m talking about.

DARK SECRET NUMBER SEVEN: KIDS BULLIED EACH OTHER – This article written by apparently no one who wanted their name attached to it could have as number 7 “The kids were required to have oral sex with male jihadists five times a day,” and it would have been CLOSER to the truth than what this item actually is.

This is like something out of Failed Writer
Concept Creation Handbook Number 300. Disney Studios in the ‘50s was a multimillion dollar a week enterprise. Now it’s a multi-BILLION dollar a week enterprise. Assholes didn’t get through the front gate, forget about being hired, and that’s the gist!

THE BIKES OF THE NDRA KING—

–Sam Burns

You are not paranoid.

Your body can pick up on bad vibrations.

If something deep inside of you says something is not right about a person or a situation, trust it.

–Ray Russell

For Publication/Distribution; 2023 A.I.M./NCOM National Ride Calendar

Returning to normal, and getting out to ride, whether cross-country touring or around the block ride therapy, is important to our sport and lifestyle, so Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) collaborated through the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) to provide a comprehensive calendar listing of major riding events from across America tor your convenience, and that of your readership or membership.

We scoured our resources to compile the attached A.I.M./NCOM National Ride Calendar, which we invite you to reprint, publish or otherwise distribute the flyer, via print and/or electronic platforms, to your own audience.

In order to effect the widest dissemination, the National Coalition of Motorcyclists requests your kind assistance in promoting this useful nationwide Riding Events information by printing the attached flyer in your publications, post it on websites, Facebook and other social media, or copy and distribute them during membership meetings or to set out at local motorcycle businesses.

THANK YOU in advance, and we hope to see you on the road!

Bill Bish,
NCOM Board of Directors / Public Relations Liaison

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!—

THE PUNISHMENT BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for January 26, 2023 – click here

Bill Gates owns over 240,000 acres of land. That is less than 1 percent of total US farmland. Howard Hughes told a friend, “Buy dirt, the cheaper the better.” What does that have to do with motorcycles? I enjoy your news for choppers and JJ’s rants.

–Ruben Serrano
superglide81@hotmail.com
TX

“As long as Bill supports the freedoms that made him wealthy, I’m good with it.” –Bandit

AMA Fights Unconstitutional Connecticut “Looney” Bill Threatening Motorcyclists’ Rights—

S.B. 96 pushes non-consensual organ donation for motorcycle crash victims not wearing a helmet

“The bill shows callous disregard for the motorcycling public,” said AMA Government Relations Director Mike Sayre. “Organ donation is a noble cause that regularly saves lives around the country, but the decision to become a donor is a deeply personal one — one that this legislation would take away from motorcyclists.”

“Not only is this bill insulting to motorcyclists,” Sayre added, “but it also violates the religious liberty of those whose faith prohibits posthumous organ donation, and is clearly an unconstitutional violation of bodily autonomy for any American.”

Within the text of the bill, the statement of purpose reads, simply, “to improve public health.” The AMA counters that if public health is really a concern, preventing motorcycle crashes in the first place must be the priority. This bill makes motorcyclist safety a secondary concern, reducing motorcyclists to little more than a collection of organs to be harvested upon their death.

When the AMA Government Relations Department contacted Senator Looney’s office, his staff responded that the bill was proposed to help fix declining organ donation rates in Connecticut and dissuade motorcyclists from riding without a helmet. The staffer stated that their position was that if motorcyclists put their lives at risk by riding helmetless, they assume those riders don’t care where their organs end up.

While the Senator’s office cites declining organ donation in the state, New England Donor Services, the parent organization of the New England Organ Bank — which is the federally designated Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) responsible for coordinating organ and tissue donation in the New England Area — expressed to the AMA its opposition to any legislation that presumes consent for organ donation.

According to New England Donor Services, the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA) is the model statute that governs deceased organ and tissue donation, and it’s one that has been adopted in every state of the Union. The UAGA is based upon gift law principles and requires an affirmative voluntary act, something that S.B. 96 completely disregards.

The AMA, which represents more than 225,000 motorcyclists across the country, contacted Connecticut Senate President Pro Tempore, Martin M. Looney, who introduced S.B. 96, demanding that he withdraw the offensive bill and make amends with the motorcycling community.

The AMA continues to fight to protect the future of motorcycling, with members from all walks of life coming together to celebrate and defend two-wheeled freedom from proposals like S.B. 96. Similar bills have been defeated by the AMA and its members, who have stood up and made their voices heard, and the AMA will continue fighting this despicable bill on behalf of motorcyclists in Connecticut and around the country.
The AMA urges Connecticut residents to take action by visiting

https://www.votervoice.net/Motorcyclist/Campaigns/100162/Respond.

Concerned motorcyclists who don’t live in Connecticut can express their outrage by emailing Connecticut Senator Looney at Looney@senatedems.ct.gov or going to http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/looney-contact.

“What did I say last week? The Punishment Society. Let murderers and drug deals out of jail and punish freedom riders.” –Bandit

[page break]

VANCE & HINES and SUZUKI to Reveal New Hayabusa—

Bodywork at NHRA PSM Test Session

Gainesville FL – This week, Vance & Hines will conduct on-track testing of new NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle (PSM) bodywork, designed to replicate the look of the newest generation of the Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle. The carbon fiber bodywork is going through NHRA’s extensive approval process with final approval expected in advance of the season’s first PSM race, the Gatornationals, in Gainesville, March 9 -12.

The Vance & Hines/Mission/Suzuki NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Team, with riders Gaige Herrera and four-time NHRA Champion Eddie Krawiec will campaign the new bodywork throughout the 2023 season. This is the first, newly-designed bodywork for Suzuki NHRA race bikes since 2008.

Updates on testing along with video and images of the new-look Gen 3 Hayabusa race bike are available during the test session on Instagram at @VanceandHines, @SuzukiCycles, @eddie.krawiec and @gaigeherrera.

FROM THE BIKERNET BLOG—
Extremely Rare 1908 Harley Strap Tank Auctioned for $850,000

Talking about highly collectible motorcycles, there are a few makes that consistently come up. Vincent. Brough Superior. Henderson. Occasionally, a rarity among rarities makes its way to the auction block, such as a Crocker Big Twin, or, if you’re really lucky, a Harley-Davidson Strap Tank.

It’s one of the finest examples of this model known to still exist in 2023. The Strap Tank is most definitely one of the most important models in Harley history—if not the most important.

This extremely rare machine is what just took the honor of the top-selling bike at the 2023 Mecum Las Vegas auction, and one of the coolest things about it is that it’s lived in Wisconsin for its entire life.

Read the Article and Watch the Auction Video on Bikernet Blog

https://blog.bikernet.com/extremely-rare-1908-harley-strap-tank-auctioned-for-850000/

–Wayfarer
Editor
Bikernet Blog & Facebook Page

“Plus, check our Auction report on Bikernet”
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/2023_Highly_Anticipated_Mecum_Auction_Report.aspx
 –Bandit

NEWS FLASH—from the Bikernet Meditation Room

Five Ways To Be Calm

Is being calm about passivity and numbness, or is it a superpower that makes us strong? Lindsay Baker explores the ideas behind serenity, and ways that we can achieve it.

“In order to make good decisions we need a calm frame of mind so that we can pause and reflect, rather than behaving merely reactively” – John Sellars

As Aurelius writes in Meditations: “The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength.”

The philosopher Epictetus, who was Aurelius’s primary influence, wrote: “When we are frustrated, angry or unhappy, never hold anyone except ourselves – that is, our judgements – accountable.”

Harmony of haiku
The traditional form of Japanese poetry, haiku, which consists of 17 syllables in three lines, is widely considered to have a calming effect on the reader.

Haiku and their close attention to the details of nature are part of the wider Japanese concepts of nagomi and ikigai, which roughly translated equate to a sense of meaning and harmony.

As Daisetz T Suzuki writes in Zen in the Japanese Culture: “A haiku does not express ideas but… puts forward images reflecting intuitions. These images are not figurative representations made use of by the poetic mind, but they directly point to original intuitions, indeed they are intuitions themselves.” The suggestion is that the composition of haiku is so intuitive, it is almost unconscious.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT:
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230120-five-ways-to-be-calm-and-why-it-matters

–Wayfarer
Editor
Bikernet Blog & Facebook Page

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY–Grammar Lesson

Is it “complete”, “finished”, or “completely finished”? No English dictionary has been able to adequately explain the difference between these two words – “Complete” or “Finished.” In a recent linguistic competition held in London and attended by, supposedly, the best in the world, Samsundar Balgobin, a Guyanese man, was the clear winner with a standing ovation which lasted over 5 minutes.

The final question was: ‘How do you explain the difference between COMPLETE and FINISHED in a way that is easy to understand?’ Some contestants said there was no difference between COMPLETE and FINISHED.

Here is his astute answer:

“When you marry the right woman, you are COMPLETE. When you marry the wrong woman, you are FINISHED. And when the right one catches you with the wrong one, you are COMPLETELY FINISHED!”

He won a trip around the world and a case of 25-year-old Scotch.

–El Waggs

ANOTHER BANDIT PANHEAD DESK REVEALED–
Panhead desk sits near a morning sun window. If you need better pics, I have to stay sober after sundown and in the winter that’s a chore.

When I pull the street velocity stack off revealing the performance baloney cut stack the idle increases slightly.

Note: My desk lamp that a friend of mine (Donald Ivie) and I created a number of years ago – it’s patented so don’t you dare!

–Dangerous Dan

 

MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINES IN INDIA–

I was looking at how different automotive magazines are in India

The first magazine exclusively about motorcycles (and scooters) and still the most respected one in the industry is Bike India magazine.

https://bikeindia.in/

Other automotive magazines are primarily covering cars with a slight sprinkle about motorcycles.

Bike India is a motorcycle magazine published by Next Gen Publishing Ltd. The magazine was launched in 2005 under founder editor Adil Darukhanawala. Indian Motorsport legend and Isle of Man TT alum Aspi Bhathena has been at the helm of the magazine since 2008.

Bike India is a jury member for the Indian Motorcycle of the Year award since, the award’s inception in 2007.

In 2007, EMAP, which then published Bike in the UK, took a 40.1% stake in Next Gen.

–Ujjwal Dey
Lead Correspondent
Bikernet International News Bureau

MORE FROM THE WORLD OF MOTORCYCLING–

 On-Road Motorcycles research report. This analysis offers an in-depth insight into the market until 2022.

Report Highlights:

– The global on-road motorcycles market is expected to grow from $50.32 billion in 2021 to $55.41 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%.

– The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted the chances of global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, at least in the short term. The war between these two countries has led to economic sanctions on multiple countries, surge in commodity prices, and supply chain disruptions, effecting many markets across the globe.

– On-road motorcycles market is expected to grow to $82.02 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%.

– Major players in the on-road motorcycles market are Harley-Davidson Incorporation, Yamaha Motor Co Ltd, Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A, Honda Motor Co Ltd, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd, BMW AG, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Hero MotoCorp Limited, Bajaj Auto Ltd, TVS Motor Company, Triumph Bikes, Aprilia , KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH, Royal Enfield, and Moto Guzzi.

Find out more:
On-Road Motorcycles Global Market Report 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact

–David Murphy
Research and Markets
Research and Markets, Guinness Centre, Taylors Lane, Dublin 8, Ireland.

Phone:1-800-526-8630
+353-1-416-8900

‘ORDINARY GUY’– Reveals SEVEN Life Lessons for YOUR New Year

Washington, D.C., January 27, 2023— A middle-aged father, husband and entrepreneur, Daniel Stuart Olmes is just an ordinary guy. Yet, as he attests, “I’m able to live an extraordinary life.”

In Memoirs of an Ordinary Guy: The Everyday Experiences that Changed My Life (Post Hill Press; January 2023; Paperback; ISBN: 9781637587317), Olmes shares his awakening to the amazing world around us — and within us — through stories about the small moments and chance interactions with other ordinary people that have brought him to a fuller understanding of what it means to be alive and why he was born.

“Every day, we encounter things that can inspire us to see the world a little differently, to take pause, to learn something new, or even to recognize the Divine,” Olmes reflects. “They can be a person, a memory, a character in a book, seven miles of asphalt, or even a can of Coke. They are anything and everything, and their gifts are many: a new perspective, a sense of peace, an important lesson, or perhaps a glimpse at another level of our being. They’re a delicate reminder that there’s always something beautiful to see, always something important to learn, and always a better way to live — a better version of ourselves.”

In Memoirs of an Ordinary Guy, Olmes presents a collection of short stories — all true events from his life — to not only chart his spiritual progression but also to inspire readers to find a new road to happiness. Along the way, he offers seven simple but powerful lessons:

1. No Complaints Necessary. “To complain, in my personal opinion,” Olmes asserts, “is to dishonor the struggles of so many. It’s a moral surrender and a foolish compromise of perspective and gratitude.”

2. Find Examples of Others’ Endurance … like Olmes did when his path crossed with a frail, hunched over, 90-something woman wearing a Mickey Mouse t-shirt and clutching a gym bag in her hand.

3. See Your Miracles … like Olmes did, twice, in his 20s, while recovering from alcohol poisoning (he’s been sober for more than 15 years) — and making your own. “We’re all capable of performing miracles,” he assures. “Most of the time in very small ways.”

4. Own Your “Greatness” (which isn’t the same as wealth and fame) and learn how to seize opportunities to be a great human being. “It takes hard work and diligent study,” he acknowledges. “A great person is tireless in their well-doing.”

5. We are ALL Connected. (Yes, every one of the planet’s eight billion people.) Why small acts of kindness and simple recognition of our common humanity can truly make a world of difference in someone else’s day and maybe even life.

6. Find Your “Pearl” … the one thing you’ll cherish above everything else in life — and find God (or YOUR sense of the Divine) in other people by cultivating the patience and humility to look and pay attention.

7. Why Happiness is a Choice .. .and why, ultimately, in his conviction: “Love is the only thing that matters.”

Memoirs of an Ordinary Guy is Olmes’ open invitation to everyone to be more mindful of the extraordinary possibilities within our reach and the love all around us every day.

About the Author
Daniel Stuart Olmes is a husband, father of twins, entrepreneur, and aerospace and defense executive residing outside of Washington, D.C., in the Northern Virginia suburbs. Currently the president and chief operating officer of a mid-sized government contractor, he is an avid reader, runner and volunteer, spending most of his time on the baseball field as a Little League coach. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Virginia Tech in 2000.

–from Justin Leober

QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!—

 S&S Shorty Carburetor Adjustments

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/SS_Shorty_Carburetor_Adjustments.aspx

Comprehensive and well-written, pretty much covers everything, but could have touched on air leaks, which must be addressed if carb is going to function properly at all.

— Phil
Molalla, OR

“Only two partners in the carb equation: Air and Fuel. You’re right.” –Bandit

WASHINGTON INTRODUCES BILL TO REPEAL INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE BAN

DON’T DELAY! Please contact lawmakers to request their support for this bill:

Overview: Lawmakers in Washington have introduced SAN-supported legislation (H.B. 1183) to repeal the law tying the state to California’s motor vehicle emission standards. Under current law, sales of new gas- and diesel-powered vehicles will be banned starting in 2035. The SAN believes that Washington residents, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families. The bill awaits consideration in the House Environment & Energy Committee.

–SEMA

THE BOTTOM LINE FROM DOWN UNDER–
As long as human beings are imperfect, there will always be arguments for extending the power of government to deal with these imperfections.

Unfortunately, governments are run by human beings and too often it leads to control freak totalitarianism – Unless we realize that tolerating imperfections is the price of our freedom.

–Ray Russell
Senior Guru
Emerald Palace
Australia

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM CLOSING—
Located in eastern Iowa in the small town of Anamosa, the National Motorcycle Museum has been home to over 500 motorcycles, a great bicycle collection and thousands of pieces of memorabilia.

After 22 years in this location, however, the Board of Directors, lead by Chairman Jill Parham, has decided to close the Museum later this year.

“We have struggled for several years to cover wages and utilities partly due to low visitation.” The Museum is one of about six motorcycle museums in America operated as a non-profit and was established in Iowa by J&P Cycles founders John and Jill Parham.

As is proper with closing non-profits, the Museum is using professional counsel during the process. Owners of loaned motorcycles have been contacted, motorcycles that belong to the Museum will be liquidated at auction to pay bills. Much of the Parham Collection will be sold as well.

If you would like to be informed of the sales, go to the Museum’s website and sign up for email, www.nationalmcmuseum.org. Since this is the unfortunate end of a fine museum, we hope you’ll make plans to visit one more time. Tentative closing date is September 5, 2023 giving visitors to Sturgis and the Blackhawk MC meet in Davenport a chance to stop by.

The National Motorcycle Museum’s Board of Directors and Staff would like to say Thank You to all of you for supporting the Museum and John Parham’s Dream for so many years!

WINTER HOURS: Thru March
OPEN: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm
CLOSED: Sunday and Monday
Hours and days subject to change

TEXAS WEATHER REPORT— This is some Drag Specialties Bullshit here!

three of the Drag Specialties isolators came apart. Three of the new ones in the bag are all close to an 1/8 of an inch too tall, probably had something to do with it! There’s a gap between the oil tank and battery tray with these. So, when you tighten those two bolts you got some stress pulling on them!

The only one that didn’t come apart, my last original one I sent you a picture of where it was made.

Just say no to Drag Specialties, the third one was the one behind the starter. I didn’t have it out when I took the picture. Now, I have to try and find some that will work.

So, the oil tank at the frame is the one that totally came apart. I’d like to get one of the Dewalt garage stools that goes to almost 27 inches, but since I don’t have one, I’m sort an eye height to the bolts for the battery tray oil tank, elevated on the table, didn’t notice the gap.

–RFR
Official Weatherman
Bikernet.com™

LANE FILTERING—Or splitting lanes.

 In 2022, nine states pursued lane-filtering legislation.

Arizona passed SB 1273 — with ABATE of Arizona leading the charge — resulting in the state becoming the fourth to legalize lane filtering. Utah passed HB 10, which extended the current sunset on lane filtering for an additional five years. Other than Utah and Arizona, California and Montana are the two other states that have already legalized lane filtering.

–MIC

BIKE FEATURE OF THE WEEK—

Wrecked Metals (208) 602-3899

wreckedmetals@gmail.com

wreckedmetals.blogspot.com

wreckedmetals.net 

–Sam Burns
Feature Bike Editor

1951 JACOBSEN POWER CYCLE PROTOTYPE DISCOVERED—

A brother, Cabana Dan owns this bike. There were only ten built as prototypes to compete with the Whizzer kit motorbikes. Dan only knows of two and this is one of them. It’s been housed in the National Motorcycle Museum for years, but since they plan to close their doors, Dan is headed to Iowa to pick it up.

See the whole tamale story in Bandit’s Cantina, Digital Discovery department.

Cantina Members click here for this Jacobsen gem.

–Bandit

BIKERNET CONTRIBUTOR REPORT–

Hey Bandit, it’s Marshall, Bills friend that you and him wrote a story about. Bill got me to join the Cantina, and I never regretted it. Really enjoyed reading your life and times, and the book you sent as well.

My personal favorite so far is the few chapters I read here of the Bonneville Run, love that one. I just wanted to let ya know how thrilled I am and how cool it is to see my bike featured on the Bikernet.

Not everybody can say that their Shovel or Twinkie was featured on a magazine or the internet for everybody to see. It’s just cool as can be. Really made my week reading that article.

Just wanted to say thank you, it’s an honor seeing it on here. I feel I must add too, that although the Bikernet isn’t the old Easyriders magazine, I think it’s a continuation of the Easyriders magazine spirit. You are the last of the group that made Easyriders the magazine that it was. You and Mann made that magazine. So, pardon me, if I call this the new Easyriders magazine at times. It does certainly feel like.

Can’t wait to read what else is in store here.

— Marshall Gillis
From the Bill May Piece

[page break]

THE BIKERNET CLIMATE DOOMSDAY STUDY GROUP—

Refuting the myth that just a small area of solar panels plus storage can power the world!

Storing just 3 days of global energy would cost $590 trillion at Elon Musk’s current prices. And the panels would take up more space than all the world’s cities, towns, and villages combined.

Several weeks ago, a common and destructive myth—that just a small area of solar panels can power the world—went viral on Twitter with help from Elon Musk (who has repeatedly promoted this myth). I decided to demolish it once and for all. My own Twitter thread on this issue so far has well over a million views, and Jordan Peterson and Scott Adams (both of whom are regularly engaged by Musk) have publicly encouraged Musk and others to respond. If you’re on Twitter I hope you encourage @elonmusk to respond, too.

Myth: Just a small area of solar panels plus storage can power the world.

Truth: Storing just 3 days of global energy would cost $590 trillion at Elon Musk’s current prices. And the panels would take up more space than all the world’s cities, towns, and villages combined.¹

We often hear just a small area of solar panels plus storage batteries can power the world.

“Such an obvious move” says Elon Musk about this idea, adding “Even solar plus batteries on a small section of Spain would solve EU energy needs.”

This is dangerously false.
Musk says that “to power the whole Earth” we need just solar panels and “some batteries.”

What is “some batteries”?

To store a mere 3 days of world energy, to be prepared for weeks (let alone seasons) with lower-than-usual sunlight, takes >1,350 terawatt-hours in batteries.²

 The world uses over 165k TWh of energy annually, or ~1.36 billion MWh in 3 days. 1000 Tesla Megapacks (3916 MWh of storage) have a price over >$1.7 billion. This would mean 3 days of storage using Tesla batteries would cost >$590 trillion. That’s 6X world GDP!³

For those who think $590 trillion in batteries will somehow soon become cheap due to economies of scale, consider this: Tesla Megapack prices have been increasing, not rapidly decreasing, lately.

And efforts to scale batteries on an artificial timetable drive up prices.4

The focus by Elon Musk and others on the space taken up by solar panels and batteries dodges the real issue: cost-effectiveness.

Due to stratospheric battery storage costs, no amount of solar panels can cost-effectively power the world.

Arguing that solar panels and batteries can provide energy to 8 billion people using modest space is like arguing that Rolls-Royces can transport 8 billion people using modest space.

Yes, there’s space for 8 billion Rolls-Royces—but the human time it would take to produce them is cost-prohibitive.

Another reason the world can’t be powered by solar panels and batteries: these only provide electricity—currently 1/5 of the world’s energy. Electricity can’t power many uses of energy (flight, cargo ships) and is very costly for others (many forms of industrial process heat).

The main lie of “Just a small area of solar panels can power the world” is that it ignores the insane cost of the necessary batteries.

But it also drastically underestimates how much space solar panels require.

For example, this viral Twitter post underestimates the area by some 25 times.5

The world uses >165,000 TWh of energy per year, which requires ~19 billion kW of power output on average. An optimistic, real-world power density for solar projects is 10 W/m^2. To power the world, you’d need ~1.8 million km^2 of solar PV projects—about the size of Libya.6

If 1.8 million square km of solar panels doesn’t seem like much, note that it is more than all cities, towns, villages, and human infrastructure combined (~1.5 million sq km).

And this excludes the huge footprints of solar and battery mining, manufacturing, and transmission.7

Summary: While we are told that the world can be powered by a small area of solar panels and batteries, the storage costs involved are impossibly high (hundreds of $trillions) and the panels involved would take up more area than all the world’s cities, towns, and villages combined.

The idea that the world can be powered by a small area of solar panels and batteries has been a major cause of today’s global energy crisis.

If you’re on Twitter, please share these talking points there.

–ALEX EPSTEIN

CHOPPERFEST RETURNS—

Receive a free Bikers Dream poster when you purchase your General Admission tickets in advance. Courtesy of Jacquie Mann.

Go to www.chopperfestival.com.

Please share these flyers on your social, help spread the word!

If you don’t plan on showing your bike and want to order a t-shirt or hoodie in advance, or get one for a friend? Click to shop now!!

SCOTT JACOBS FAMILY REPORT– 

Olivia here.

First, I wanted to share how cool it is for me to see my dad, Scott and sister, Alexa following their love for art and being able to make it their careers.

Alexa’s art has recently been brought onto cruise ships across the world with Park West Gallery just like our dad.

I’m a proud big sister.

Scott and Lex continue to expand their reach and client base with even art auction. At Jacobs Gallery, we are driven to release impactful paintings from their portfolio, so without further ado…

We give you two new pieces that exude elegance and their artistic talents.

Scott Jacobs
670 Main St

CUSTOM INNOVATION OF THE WEEK—Direct from Sparks.

–Sam Burns
Tech Editor
Bikernet.com™

INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY NEWS—

Noted Italian Distributor of Performance Motorcycle and Bicycle Suspension Products Opens US Distribution Arm

Hendersonville NC — Andreani, known throughout Europe as the premier distributor of motorcycle and bicycle suspension products, announced today the opening of their first US office and distribution center, located in Hendersonville NC. The facility is building a stock of products from their own lines as well as well-known brands that will be distributed to US bicycle shops and motorcycle dealerships.

The Andreani USA facility is a 10,000 square foot distribution center and houses the offices for Andreani USA. The company currently employs four people in the US and expects that number to increase as business grows. Andreani USA currently distributes products from SKF, Intek, Kayaba, Showa, and Ohlins, as well as its own Andreani line of suspensions for motorcycles and bicycles.

“The Andreani Group is thrilled to open our operations in the United States. The US market is a tremendous opportunity for our company. We believe that our approach to high performance two-wheelers, which is to provide great products and help technicians by offering comprehensive training, will have a significant impact on bicycle and motorcycle riders in the USA,” said President of Andreani USA Luciano Ubaldini.

Andreani Group International was founded in Pesaro, Italy in 1987 by Giuseppe Andreani, a former motorcycle racing champion. Initially focused on supporting the performance needs of motorcycle riders and racers, Andreani quickly realized that the science of vehicle suspension was not well understood by riders and technicians in the motorcycle world. Andreani worked with industry experts and built a training program, which became the premier resource for technicians and tuners in Europe to get the most out of their motorcycles.

Andreani USA will begin offering this type of training in the United States later this year and will encourage technicians from their customers’ dealerships to attend, along with tuners from some of the top road racing and motocross teams in the industry. The company will also offer training for mountain bike racing teams and technicians, leveraging the company’s deep roots in all types of performance two-wheelers.

The company expects the staff in Hendersonville to grow to 10-15 employees by the end of 2023 and will expand to offer more products and more top brands of motorcycle and bicycle suspension products.

THE CHINESE 350 HARLEY CONTROVERSY—

If only a million Chinese citizens buy this Harley 350 out of the half a billion Chinese who ride a motorcycle every day, the CEO will have delivered the “volume” and “profit” to the Wall Street freaks.

Surely, a premium will be charged for the brand name. The Benelli engine may be cheaper on a Benelli motorcycle and more expensive when wearing a Harley-Davidson badge.

It’s like their bicycle “Serial 1” — if people buy millions of “units” of H-D tee-shirts — surely there is money to be had here.

But why during the 120th anniversary of this brand ? Moolah !!! There is moolah instead of money to be made. LOL

https://blog.bikernet.com/what-we-know-about-the-2023-harley-davidson-x350-and-x350ra/

–Wayfarer
Editor in Chief Forever
Bikernet Blog

“How about a pint of booze and reduce that gallon by a pint? Now we’re having a blast.” –Bandit

TRIKE OF THE WEEK—

Ed Roth VW trike.

‘Big Daddy’ Roth-design trike

3-wheel motorcycle has original Rat Fink shifter knob

If the name Ed Roth doesn’t trigger happy thoughts, you might be too young to have grown up fascinated by his creations, custom vehicle designs done under Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s Rat Fink brand.

So impressive were his designs and his influence on both car and popular culture that the National Corvette Museum did an exhibition of his creations in 2021. Roth custom cars included the Orbitron, Mysterion, Bubble Ray and many others, and there were toys and T-shirts and model kits galore.

Roth, who was nicknamed because of his 6-foot-4 height, died in 2001 at age 69.

Gateway Classic Cars had it listed, but it has been sold. They have another of Roth’s trikes that is similar but has a monotone paint job.

(classiccars.com)

NEWS FROM THE LOWBROW CREW–

Do you love doo-rag vendors, endless crowds and riding in slow formation with thousands of motorcyclists who only kind of know how to ride?

No?

Neither do we!

That is why Lowbrow is headed down to hang with our friends at The Prowl in Bisbee, Arizona on Saturday, March 18th, 2023.

The whole town is a party, with music, bikes, weird vibes, good times, spicy jokes and cool drinks.

That’s the whole pitch. Just show up and hang out with us and a bunch of other people having a regular, old-fashioned, really good time. FTW!

PS – Spread the freakin’ word! Send your friends to www.lowbrowcustoms.com/theprowl or jump on The Prowl’s Instagram, follow ’em, tag your friends and make your plans!

ROYAL ENFIELD vs. THE REST OF THE WORLD—

Royal Enfield jump started the trend of middle-weight classic motorcycles over a decade ago. Now this space seems to be getting crowded since all the big players want a piece of the fast-selling action.

Yezdi and Jawa brands made a comeback. Following their coattails — the revived Norton and BSA are expected to be under 750cc motorcycles for new urban commuters + weekend warriors.

Then everyone was introduced to a Chinese Harley-Davidson X350 with a Made in China and designed in China parallel-twin engine….. in the 120th year anniversary of the American Motor Company.

BMW was already selling 310cc ADV motorcycles via TVS Motors successfully, with consistently improving sales numbers.

Now, Triumph has teamed up with Bajaj to offer a poor-man’s Triumph to compete against the poor man’s Harley-Davidson. Have a look at the Bikernet Blog which was on fire all week.

Bajaj-Triumph Bikes: Scrambler 250 and Street 250 Exclusive Details Revealed

https://blog.bikernet.com/bajaj-triumph-bikes-scrambler-250-and-street-250-exclusive-details-revealed/

–Wayfarer

PERMCO AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Set for July 21-23, 2023–

Don’t miss Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days on July 21-23 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Discount tickets for AMA members are on sale now.

One of motorcycling’s most diverse events, Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days combines the thrill of amateur racing with North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet. Additional activities include a classic bike show, vendor displays, demo rides, stunt shows and more for fans of all ages. Proceeds from the event are donated to the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Learn more and get tickets at vintagemotorcycledays.com.

UPDATE: WEST VIRGINIA ADVANCES MOTORSPORT RESPONSIBILITY ACT

DON’T DELAY! Please contact lawmakers to request their support for these bills:

Overview: West Virginia lawmakers have introduced SAN-supported legislation (H.B. 2569/S.B. 236) to establish the Motorsport Responsibility Act, which would define areas of responsibility and assumed risks by participants for recreational and commercial motorsports facilities. H.B. 2569 passed the House Judiciary Committee and awaits consideration on the House floor & S.B. 236 awaits consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The diverse motorsports venues and recreational areas are a major contributor to the West Virginia economy. This legislation will demonstrate the commitment and support of the industry.

REVIEW FOR TERRY THE TRAMP—”Terry The Tramp” By K. Randall Ball

Given the fascinating life of Terry the Tramp, this was an easy book to pick up. The hard part was putting it down.

Terry “The Tramp” Orendorff was for many years the International President of the notorious Vagos MC, and his is the “the story of a group of outlaws trying to find its place in an even wilder world, one in which Terry often found himself staring death straight in the eye.”

At 272 pages, the book is a wealth of information—an absolute pleasure to read. Highly recommended.

–John Stein
Author/Historian
Motorcycle Drag Racing History

DISTRACTED DRIVING—

The AMA continues to participate in the StopDistractions.org coalition that aims to reduce distracted driving through advocacy and educational material.

Currently, 48 states have distracted-driving laws on the books, and 18 other states worked to stiffen these laws during the 2022 legislative session. The AMA recognizes that distracted or inattentive driving has become a major concern to the motorcycling community and continues to engage on these legislative efforts.

–AMA

ANOTHER New Bikernet Reader Comment!—

THE WORLD OF CHOPPER MAGAZINES RELEASED

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/THE_WORLD_OF_CHOPPER_MAGAZINES_RELEASED.aspx

Great Article – thanks for the keen perspective & coverage for the last zillion years! 🙂
From your friends at ‘liquid magazine’ Open Road Radio

–Gina Woods
gina@openroadradio.com
Chicago

WAIT THERE’S MORE—

Tomorrow, I’m headed to Cabana Dan’s to work on another story about Dan’s 1913 Builds. Plus, we will strap my Nash modified bars to a bench and TIG weld them.

I’m researching a new TIG welder, but I have a tough time stepping up to a five grand Lincoln or even a three grand Miller, when I can buy a Vulcan from Harbor Freight for $900. Hell, they all might be made in China. I’m tempted to try the Vulcan. Let me know your thoughts.

I’m working with Kate in Rapid City to launch my “Outlaw Justice” book onto Kindle so I can print more copies. I sold out of this book, 10,000 copies about a year after I printed it. I’ve been out of copies for over a decade. It’s time to set it up and print a few more.

Okay, so I installed the Hawg Halter sprotor brake on the rear of the VL, XA, S&S FL Knucklehead project, but fucked up. It had issues with a brake anchor casting on the old VL frame and wouldn’t fit in its normal, between the frame rails, position, so I looked for an alternative. Something told me that wasn’t possible. I swear, I wasn’t smoking weed. Dan said it, “That’s cool but what about the chain?” Duh.

I plasma cut the casting and it worked, but I will go into the process in Chapter 2 next week.

I’ve been thinking about when the Doomsday is revealed and how bikers could help. The movie treatment challenge turned into a couple of Bandit’s Cantina episodes. The first one should be launched next week.

Here’s a thought to ponder in these weird times. Look at what we’ve accomplished in 2023 or more years. Then think about us as another mammal roaming the earth. That’s what we are, but we’re amazing. The most amazing mammal on this earth. Right now, we’re doing better than ever before, except for Putin and a couple of dictators. We have the opportunity to truly enjoy life and what we’ve accomplished daily.

And I joke about Choppers and Freedom, but it’s actually true. What we represent is super significant in today’s society. I’ll write a report about it or a Cantina Episode. From working hard to build something cool, that you can ride off into the sunset, to working with hand tools like the old school, to creating mechanical art, to ripping up the streets with sheer joy in our hearts and whiskey in our pockets, to being as grubby as they come and riding to her side tonight to experience the pure dichotomy of life, the rough and rugged touching the softest places on earth. What the fuck could be better.

Ride free forever!

–Bandit

Click Here to read the latest Weekly News only on Bikernet.com

I receive numerous inspirational quotes from brothers here, in India and from Ray in Australia. I enjoy them, find solace, comfort and inspiration in seemingly troubled times.

Here’s the odd aspect and I say this a lot. These are the best of times. We have access to more technology, health benefits, knowledge, travel, bike parts, beauty, wealth, love, peace, you name it, than ever before.

So, what do we do? Except for Bikers, folks are depressed, killing each other, fighting, slappig their ol’ ladies around, screaming that we are doomed…

Bikers represent all that’s good in this world by building more loud-pipe, cool choppers and riding free forever. Every time a chopper or loud-pipe performance bagger blazes down the street, put your thumbs up. That annoying bastard knows what life is truly all about.

Ride free forever!

–Bandit

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NEVER RIDE UNAWARE ! Simply Subscribe to Bikernet’s Weekly Newsletter. Its the motorcycling news you can use. Click Here to know!

by Keith R. Ball with photos from the book

This book is amazing because Denis’s life, always seeking the Fastest Lane was and is incredible. For Bonneville enthusiasts, this book is a must read.

Not only does it tell the trying stories around precarious run attempts, but it points out every pitfall to success on the salt. Denis also goes into detail concerning mechanical, aerodynamic, component and team difficulties.

Click Here to Read this True Adventure only on Bikernet.com

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bikernet.com Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/bikernetbiker
Click “Like Page” and Bikernet “Metaverse” will deliver the daily dose of Freedom & Fun.

Edited by John Stein

This book is amazing because Denis’s life, always seeking the Fastest Lane was and is incredible. For Bonneville enthusiasts, this book is a must read.

Not only does it tell the trying stories around precarious run attempts, but it points out every pitfall to success on the salt. Denis also goes into detail concerning mechanical, aerodynamic, component and team difficulties.

Of course, he discusses the funding issues and dealing with various types of Sponsors.

It’s easy to read, while carefully laid-out in a large coffee-table format with numerous captivating photos and captions. But unlike many photo-essay books relying solely on images and artistic layout, this book carries a significant literary timeline. It captures every historic racing event from the beginnings of Manning’s motorcycle racing history through every attempt to capture and hang onto the coveted World’s Fastest Motorcycle Land Speed Record.

–Keith R. Ball
Member
Easyriders Streamliner Team

by Bandit with photos from Mecum and Micah McCloskey

Are We Doomed or Kickin’ Ass?

Some feel the Las Vegas Mecum Motorcycle Auction is the Devil Incarnate. The money-making desire to flood the market with almost 2000 Vintage motorcycles in an unpredictable inflationary period could destroy the motorcycle industry and return us to where we started—grubby bikers.

Others were excited to find bits and pieces to complete vintage projects. Some wanted to sniff the action for clues to future sales. The Bikernet investigative team, which we can’t name included builders, brokers, collectors, racers and celebrities.

Click to Read the full photo feature report only on Bikernet.com

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Support the Bikernet.com fraternity – Join the Cantina – click to know more

Some feel the Las Vegas Mecum Motorcycle Auction is the Devil Incarnate. The money-making desire to flood the market with almost 2000 Vintage motorcycles in an unpredictable inflationary period could destroy the motorcycle industry and return us to where we started—grubby bikers.

Others were excited to find bits and pieces to complete vintage projects. Some wanted to sniff the action for clues to future sales. The Bikernet investigative team, which we can’t name included builders, brokers, collectors, racers and celebrities.

Didn’t experience the crowds this year, but the bids kept coming. Almost ¾ of the inventory was sold.

Here’s the official Mecum Auction Description:

Hosted today by Mecum Auctions, the world’s largest vintage and antique motorcycle auction has been held annually since 1991 in Las Vegas. Returning to South Point Hotel & Casino each January, the long-running auction has more than tripled in size and overall sales totals since Mecum’s acquisition in 2014. In January of 2020 alone, more than 1,540 motorcycles hammered sold in five days for a 90 percent sell-through rate and $22.6 million in overall sales.

Since 2014, Mecum Auctions has maintained status as the world’s top auction house in the offering and selling of vintage and antique motorcycles. After taking a financial stake in MidAmerica Motorcycles, Mecum was able to combine its respected brand and successful auction process with the expertise of the long-established motorcycle-auction company. The combination proved to be a winning one, and motorcycle auction successes have continuously skyrocketed.

Mecum is proud to be a leader in helping these collectible motorcycles achieve the respect and attention they deserve on a nationwide and even worldwide scale. The Mecum motorcycle division is committed to the mission of bringing buyers and sellers together over the shared love of these two-wheeled mechanical masterpieces, and no one does it better.

Back to the Action:

“Prices were all over the place,” said one of our band of reporters. Knuckleheads went soft pricing, while oddities captured the attention and high prices including motor-powered bicycles. Inline four Indians and Hendersons drew over $150,000 and seemingly ordinary ‘60s Hondas gaveled-down at over $65,000.

The record setting bike of the meet was a single cylinder 1908 Harley drawing $850,000, but after commissions that number jumped to $920,000.00, a record for Mecum. The owner bought it for $15.00 decades ago and painstakingly restored it, bit by bit. Plus, 1920s BMWs drew fine prices.

Laura Klock’s new bagger, charity build for her program to help teenage girls pulled only $25,000 and late model V-twin Harleys drew as little as five grand.

So, what does this say about the industry or the economy. One of my reporters pointed an ugly finger at Mecum for not checking the authenticity of motorcycles. More and more vintage components are being manufactured around the world. With a running engine many early bikes can be built from the ground up. Jeff Decker’s fine looking patina Cyclone was a terrific example.

It says a lot about the history currently available to enthusiasts, but that brain trusts are passing on as the brothers age and depart to leave too many unanswered questions.

And don’t dismiss the egos, competition between builders and their valuable relationships with collectors. We followed a 1914 Henderson inline four and received mixed reports. One narrative indicated a very clean restoration with a couple of re-pop parts. Another stated that the only original part was the engine, otherwise all re-pop. Who to believe and what was the final outcome?

Regarding the industry one long-time vintage broker said Mecum indicated a drop in pricing over the next year, which could indicate historically a three-year trend. Doomsday.

One the other hand others are very excited about the future. “It was all up and up,” an undercover agent reported. “Panheads were slightly soft as beautiful restorations drew just $20,000 while old BMWs and ‘60s Jap dirt bikes pulled sizeable bids through the roof.”

Bottom line, there’s still lots of funds the world over. Vintage motorcycles afford any guy the chance to collect something significant from the past and be able display is almost anywhere, unlike cars, boats, and planes. Vintage bikes tell unique, exciting stories and the collector has the ability to see and touch all the inner workings. Hell, you can’t collect watches and be afforded the distinct opportunity to see the guts of every running aspect of a vintage motorcycle.

Plus, and this is a major. As technology changes and the drive for electric vehicles increases, the more valuable our historic heritage will become. We all need a piece of motorcycle history to share with our peeps forever more.

And like it’s done in the past, if the electric EV movement blows up, we will be proud to own more ICE motorcycles!

–Bandit

by Janaki Jitchotvisut from https://www.rideapart.com

It’s one of the finest examples of this model known to still exist in 2023.

When you’re talking about highly collectible motorcycles, there are a few makes that consistently come up. Vincent. Brough Superior. Henderson. Occasionally, a rarity among rarities makes its way to the auction block, such as a Crocker Big Twin, or, if you’re really lucky, a Harley-Davidson Strap Tank. The latter extremely rare machine is what just took the honor of the top-selling bike at the 2023 Mecum Las Vegas auction, and one of the coolest things about it is that it’s lived in Wisconsin for its entire life.

As you can see in the video, as the bid amount quickly increased into the high six figure range, it still hadn’t met reserve. When it got to $850,000, the seller decided to lift the reserve—and indeed, that’s the selling price at which this pristine, beautifully restored, 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank crossed the stage.

Under Mecum’s listing of its top ten bikes from this auction, it gives the total price (including all applicable fees) as $935,000.

For those unfamiliar, the Strap Tank is most definitely one of the most important models in Harley history—if not the most important.

This model is what evolved from William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson’s initial shed builds, and was the first model to roll out of the Chestnut Street—later Juneau Avenue—factory. It quickly established a reputation for the brand’s builds that endured through the decades.

As the story goes, 150 Strap Tanks rolled out of the factory in 1907, increasing to 450 in 1908. Of those 450 bikes produced in 1908, fewer than a dozen are thought to still exist in 2023—and far fewer in as correct a condition as this one.

What makes this particular example so special? As the story goes, Milwaukee businessman David Uihlein, heir to the Schlitz Brewing fortune, discovered it in a barn about 70 miles outside Milwaukee, all the way back in 1941. This bike was complete—so he brought it home, and kept it there for the following 66 years. It was restored at some point by noted vintage Harley restoration expert Paul Freehill, and the original tank, wheels, engine belt pulley, seat cover, and muffler sleeve were included in this auction.

Watch the Auction Video here:

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by Bandit, Cabana Dan and the National Motorcycle Museum

A brother, Cabana Dan owns this bike. There were only ten built as prototypes to compete with the Whizzer kit motorbikes. Dan only knows of two and this is one of them. It’s been housed in the National Motorcycle Museum for years.

In the early years, the American motorcycle industry served riders with a broad range of machines including lightweight singles. But post-Depression most American motorcycles were at least 500cc’s and had a considerable weight and price tag. The price of a new Indian or Harley-Davidson could buy most of a new Ford or Chevy.

Read & View this Jacobsen gem only in Bandit’s Cantina – Click Here

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by Vaibhav Kashyap from https://bikeindia.in and Report from Kurt Morris

Kevin Benavides won the final stage 14 of the 2023 Dakar Rally to top the overall bike title results by 43 seconds over Toby Price.

The 2023 Dakar Rally’s final stage 14 was won by Kevin Benavides, who outpaced Toby Price by 43 seconds to win the overall bike title.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider won the final two stages on his 450 Rally Factory to move up from third to first and win his second Dakar Rally championship. The Argentine, placed second in the first stage, dropped to fourth overall in stage two but managed to maintain his podium position during the following 12 stages with impressive consistency.

On a Honda, Benavides finished the 136-kilometre-long special ahead of Price in second place by 55 seconds. Benavides had also won the 2021 Dakar Rally. The American, Skyler Howes of Husqvarna Factory Racing, was placed third overall with a fifth in the last stage, five minutes and four seconds behind Benavides.

After nearly 44 hours and 30 minutes and 5,000 kilometres of racing against the clock, the winning margin was less than a minute. Price had a 12-second lead going into the last stage and almost missed his third Dakar Rally bike title, but he gave credit to teammate, Benavides.

In his fourth start in the famous off-road rally raid competition, Howes earned his maiden podium finish. After six stages, this St George (Utah) native was in the lead overall. In stage competitions, he finished on the podium five times on his Husqvarna 450 Rally Factory.

Howes, who has recently won several significant races and has also established himself as a well-known factory-backed star rider in rallies, maintained his stunning ascent with a third-place finish at Dakar. He was the first American cyclist to be placed in the Dakar cycling race since Ricky Brabec (the first American winner of the Dakar Rally in 2020, who also took second in 2021).

India’s Hero MotoSports, made a valiant effort in their Dakar campaign. All the Hero MotoSports riders finished among the top 15 in the Dakar 2023 final stage, thus signifying the company’s most productive Dakar campaign yet. The motor sport squad from Hero MotoCorp won two stages at the Dakar 2023 and finished in many top 10 positions. With Franco Caimi achieving consistent results throughout the rally to be placed 10th overall, Hero MotoSports also finished the rally among the top 10.

Franco Caimi was Hero MotoSports’ top performer for the most part of the rally. He won several top-10 stage positions and this ultimately helped him in achieving a top-10 finish in the overall standings. The Argentine had to ride through the rally’s final stages in pain due to a mishap in recent days, but he persevered and displayed the genuine spirit of Dakar. He finished in P13 in the Rally GP Class at the end of the last stage, making his début Dakar rally with Hero MotoSports a success.

Sebastian Bühler posted his first podium result in a stage in his third Dakar campaign with Hero MotoSports, coming in second in stage two. Like Branch, Bühler lost some time during stage four due to the same problem, which prevented him from finishing among the top 10. Eventually, he managed 14th overall in the Rally GP division due to a number of top-10 performances and his steady pace.

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