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The Bros Bikernet Weekly News for September 1, 2022

Teaser from Buck Lovell Photo Shoot
Nothing But Fun…. Get-in on it, only at Bikernet.com What can I say, we have tons of inspirational quotes in the news this week. We have friends and old outlaws visiting from the coast. We ate at Scott Jacobs restaurant in Deadwood last night. Scott has been a licensed artist for Harley-Davidson for 32 years. Tomorrow we are having a gang over to discuss choppers and winter builds. We discussed the Sturgis Hall of Fame for next year. I just wish the whole world could have as much fun and as many bros as us grubby bikers. Hang on for the next report, and in the meantime ride free forever. –Bandit

CLICK Here to Read the Weekly News – only on Bikernet.com

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

Not to mention, we have the Bandit’s Bad Joke Library, H-D Homecoming Rally news, AMA Hall of Fame Bike Night 2022, a song for your ol’ lady, and neXt will be another Girl of Bikernet Feature headed to the Cantina

Riding Free for 25 Years

JOIN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA, click to see benefits & free swag

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THE BROS BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for September 1, 2022

Hey,

What can I say, we have tons of inspirational quotes in the news this week. We have friends and old outlaws visiting from the coast. We ate at Scott Jacobs restaurant in Deadwood last night. Scott has been a licensed artist for Harley-Davidson for 32 years.

Last week I rode my ’46 Knucklehead around Boulder canyon, and every time I shut it off, it got pissed and wouldn’t start again. It just wanted to keep going.

Tomorrow we are having a gang over to discuss choppers and winter builds. Ah, I didn’t know Keith Terry can fix or rebuild starters. I have two that need help. We discussed the Sturgis Hall of Fame for next year.

I just wish the whole world could have as much fun and as many bros as us grubby bikers.

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.

FIRST QUOTE FOR THIS WEEK
 
“There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth.”

–Leo Tolstoy

TEASER FROM BUCK LOVELL PHOTO SHOOT—That’s Charlie from Sturgis, SD. These are shots from a feature photo shoot for Cycle Source Magazine. Hang on for the full feature on the esteemed pages coming up in an issue near you.

If you need old shit for your motorcycle reach out to Charlie’s company Rustyoldiron: 708-431-6778. And if you’re into wild romantic, Western photography of the Black Hills check out Buck’s web site.

—-Buck Lovell
Lovell Photography & Design
B.L.A.B.B. (Buck Lovell’s American Biker Blog)
bucklovell@gmail.com / bucklovellsblog@gmail.com
20824 Eddy Place
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 490 2991

HARLEY-DAVIDSON LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION LOW RIDER EL DIABLO MODEL
 
Newest Icons Collection Motorcycle Boasts Stunning Paint and Performance from an American Legend

MILWAUKEE (September 1, 2022) – Harley-Davidson turns up the intensity on an iconic styling theme with the introduction of the Low Rider® El Diablo model, the latest offering in its limited-edition Icons Collection program. In a nod to an American West Coast custom styling trend, the Low Rider El Diablo model combines lean performance and sport-touring versatility with a stunning paneled hand applied paint scheme and the sonic power of Harley-Davidson® Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate.

“The Low Rider El Diablo is a modern expression of the iconic 1983 Harley-Davidson FXRT and a representation of the creative times it was born in,” said Brad Richards, Vice President of Design and Creative Director – Motorcycles Harley-Davidson. “It embodies the spirit of counterculture in Southern California in the ‘80s in a contemporary package that features meticulously crafted custom paint, including pinstripe trajectories that nod directly to those of the original FXRT.”

The Icons Collection

An extraordinary series of motorcycles inspired by some of our most recognizable and sought-after models. Each Icon in the collection will celebrate H-D’s signature colors, designs and parts — along with the latest technology. A limited collection, each model will be individually numbered and only produced once. A new Icon will debut annually, with no more than two bikes released in any given year.

Low Rider El Diablo Model

The Low Rider El Diablo is a model intended to take style and sport touring performance to an extreme. The Low Rider El Diablo model combines the touring capability of hard bags and a frame-mounted fairing with the taut handling performance of the Harley-Davidson® Softail® chassis and the V-Twin muscle of a Milwaukee-Eight® 117 powertrain. Global production of the model will be limited to a one-time build of 1,500 serialized examples, scheduled to reach authorized Harley-Davidson® dealers in Fall 2022, with an MSRP of $27,999*.

Artistry In Motion

The Harley-Davidson® Low Rider® ST motorcycle serves as the foundation of the Low Rider® El Diablo model. The limited-production Low Rider® El Diablo model transforms the look of the Low Rider® ST model with the addition of a detailed paint scheme applied by Gunslinger Custom Paint. The paint scheme begins with a base of El Diablo Bright Red and a second pass of Bright Red Sunglo.

The red pinstripes are masked off, and a layer of El Diablo Dark Red and Dark Red Pearl is faded around the panel shapes to add depth. After masking, a layer of El Diablo Dark Red Metallic is applied to surround the El Diablo Bright Red color, with a fade effect where the colors meet to add depth. When the masking is removed El Diablo Bright Red pinstripes are revealed on the saddlebags, tank sides, fenders and fairing. Pale Gold pinstriping is then hand-applied within the El Diablo Bright Red panels. The El Diablo Bright Red Sunglo is formulated with a tinted clear element to create a “candy” effect.

Black finishes on the powertrain, front end and exhaust highlight the El Diablo paint scheme. Radiate cast-aluminum wheels are finished in contrasting Matte Dark Bronze.

The Low Rider® El Diablo motorcycle paint is hand-applied by the artisans at Gunslinger Custom Paint in Golden, Colo. The Gunslinger roster of nationally-known painters, designers, artists and manufacturing team leaders has decades of experience as a supplier of custom-painted components for Harley-Davidson® Custom Vehicle Operations motorcycles and Limited Edition paint sets.

High-Performance Audio

The Low Rider El Diablo model features factory-installed audio designed for outstanding performance and an ideal fit within the fairing. A powerful, intelligent amplifier with digital signal processing (DSP) technology developed jointly by Harley-Davidson and Rockford Fosgate is engineered to perform in the demanding motorcycle environment. The system connects to a mobile device via Bluetooth to play stored or streaming audio through a pair of built-in two-way speakers.

  • Speakers include a pair of 5.25-inch woofers and two remote tweeters for great audio performance.
  • Bluetooth 4.2 provides a strong wireless connection to most devices with minimal compression for outstanding sound quality.
  • A compact 250-watt amplifier mounted within the fairing delivers crisp, clear sound quality at any volume.
Connectivity with the Harley-Davidson Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate mobile app offers unique features like Automatic Volume Control (AVC) that allows hands-free volume control based on vehicle speed, adjustable 7-Band EQ, firmware updating, and step-by-step system configurator.
 

Learn More about the Harley-Davidson Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate.

Low Rider El Diablo Model Key Features
  • Frame-mounted fairing shape is inspired by the classic FXRT Sport Glide® model fairing, favored by West Coast customizers.
  • Aerodynamic performance was developed through CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis and real-world testing.
  • A single center and Softail® triple splitstream vents reduce rider head buffeting at highway speeds.
  • A 6-inch high windshield has a Dark Smoke tint.
  • Single 5.75-inch LED headlamp.
  • The Milwaukee-Eight® 117 V-Twin engine with precision oil/air cooling is the pinnacle of torque and displacement from a factory-installed, regular-production Harley-Davidson® powertrain. This engine delivers outstanding performance and instant bragging rights on the street.
  • 117 cubic inch displacement.
  • 125 ft. lbs. of torque at 3500 RPM
  • High-performance camshaft is matched to displacement and air flow intended to maximize performance.
  • High-performance, tuned Heavy Breather intake with forward-facing exposed filter element flows more air into the engine to produce exciting mid-range torque, and gives the motorcycle added hot rod presence.
  • High-performance 2-into-2 offset shotgun exhaust is tuned to provide smooth and broad mid-range torque while producing a stirring tone.
  • Dual counter-balancers help reduce primary vibration at idle for improved rider comfort.
  • Dealer-installed Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Stage Upgrades from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories are available to boost engine performance even further.
  • Lockable clamshell saddlebags can be removed in seconds with an internal quick-release mechanism, converting the bike from sport-touring to urban cruising mode. (Combined saddlebag capacity is 1.9 cubic feet/53.8 liters).
  • Tall monoshock suspension raises the rear of the motorcycle to improve ride comfort and increase lean angle.
  • Inverted 43mm forks.
  • Dual front disc brakes.
  • Premium Michelin® Scorcher® 31 tires (Front 110/90B19, Rear 180/70B16) enhance ride and handling performance.
  • Digital “tech gauge” instrumentation in the handlebar riser presents a stripped-down “no gauges” look.
  • A deep solo seat helps hold rider in place during aggressive acceleration and cornering.
  • One-inch-diameter moto handlebar mounted on four-inch pull-back risers is a West Coast style element that puts the rider in an aggressive posture on the bike.
  • Low-profile tank console.
  • Bright LED brake/tail lamps.
  • USB charging port.
  • Standard Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and Cruise Control.

To learn more about the Harley-Davidson® Icons Collection, and the Low Rider® El Diablo model, go to: http://h-d.com/icons.

BIKE FEATURE OF THE WEEK—Here is one of Earl’s Triumphs (R.I.P.). The guy had major machining and fabrication talents.

He was located in a small shop in San Pedro. I still have one of his billet signatures like the kicker shown here.

–Sam Burns
Feature Bike Editor
Bikernet.com™

BRAND NEW BIKERNET READER COMMENT
 
Mike Egan Story 1943-2021

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Mike_Egan_Story_19432021.aspx

Hi, I got some badge from USA
the badge said: Southern California Chapter
Antique Motorcycle Club, Mike Egan
National Meet, La Mirada, Oct. ’79.

I checked his name by internet, So I think this is the guy. I did not know he was passed away.

But if you can contact his family
let them know.

— Hayami “sonny” takeharu
zama, kanagawa
Japan

“Thanks, and I will reach out.” –Bandit

QUICK, FROM THE LOWBROW EMPIRE
 
Save $34 to $88 per gas tank, for a limited time!

Grab one of these top selling gas tanks and save a bunch of dough…

Plus, get free domestic shipping!

One of these gas tanks may be perfect for that current build, or a future one…

Sale pricing applies while supplies last, as they say.. don’t snooze on this!

THE DARK ROAD AHEAD— Are you afraid of the dark?

With road fatalities increasing by 10.5% from 2020 to 2021, safety advocates are looking for causes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has begun a nighttime test of vehicles that use automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems to address the high percentage of pedestrian crashes that occur on dark roads.

“As we expected, most of these pedestrian AEB systems don’t work very well in the dark,” says IIHS President David Harkey. You heard that right, out of the 23 brands of mid-sized cars and trucks, only 4 scored the highest rating of “superior” by the IIHS. When the same testing was done in daylight, 19 of the 23 vehicles received the highest score.

While pedestrians are the focus of this study, motorcyclists are rightly concerned. All too often, motorists assume the technology in their cars is perfect and rely too heavily on it. This study shows that this new technology is far from flawless!

Motorcyclists are operating at higher rates of speed, with a different profile, and in closer proximity to other vehicles than pedestrians or other roadway users. If a car, with this new technology, can’t see a pedestrian walking across the street at night directly in front of them, can it see a biker in the lane next to them?

This is one of the many topics we will discuss at the MRF’s upcoming Meeting of the Minds in Des Moines, Iowa, September 21-25. To learn more about the MRF and the Meeting of the Minds click here.

To read about the IIHS study and see which vehicles were not up to the IIHS standards, click here.
 
 

SECOND QUOTE OF THE WEEK
I just follow a new mantra — my wisdom quote for the Thursday News :

“If you can’t solve the problem, don’t aggravate it.”
 
— Wayfarer
Monk is Training

Bikernet Thought Temple
Pillar Peak, SD

CHOPPERFEST ALERT
 
The 17th Annual David Mann Chopperfest will be held Sunday, December 11, 2022 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura, CA from 8am – 4pm.

This event will feature a very special David Mann and Friends Art Show with tons of original and tribute art on display and for sale. The “If You Build It They Will Come” all brand antique and custom Motorcycle Show features 22 classes with something for every motorcycle enthusiast. There will be hundreds of motorcycle culture Vendors as well as a new and used parts Swapmeet, World Class Bike Builders showcasing their latest bike builds, Rock and Blues bands. Join us to celebrate the legendary David Mann, the artist whose work influenced and inspired so many!

General Admission is $15, Military with ID $10, kids 12 & under Free

Bike Show Registration:
Register your bike online or download the bike show registration form. You can mail it in, or send to tory@chopperfestival.com. 805.217.2113 Bike Show registration is $40 and includes 1 General Admission, 1 David Mann ChopperFest Event T-Shirt and Poster.

Vendor and Swapmeet registration: Vendor registration is now open. Vendor/Swapmeet forms can be downloaded by clicking the link below, visiting www.chopperfestival.com or you can call or email Tory to reserve your space. 805.217.2113, tory@chopperfestival.com.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK FROM American Prime Manufacturing— APM Advance Assembly

This Comp Master brand advance assembly from American Prime has a 304 stainless steel base, center post and pivot pins.

The weights are coated with a specially formulated polymer that protects from heat saturation, reduces friction, and, in most cases, strengthens the component to make it more efficient.

The special CNC-coiled springs hold precision tolerances controlling spring rates to within 5% of specification to provide the maximum advance and retard applicable to the model.

They are manufactured with precision-drawn wire, then zinc plated for corrosion protection with post baking for relieving any potential of hydrogen embrittlement. The kit includes the center bolt, is made in the U.S.A. and assembled at the APM facility in Santa Fe Springs, California. Rebuild and spring replacement kits are also available.

AMERICAN PRIME MANUFACTURING
www.americanprimemfginc.com

NMA LEGISLATIVE Alert — Please Forward this Email to Family and Friends!
 

First Major Congestion Tolling Program Proposed in U.S. Let’s Make It the Last.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which is responsible for public transportation in the greater New York City (NYC) area, has announced a public comment period ending September 9, 2022, on the implementation of the Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program. The Program’s claimed purpose is to reduce traffic congestion in the Manhattan CBD while generating revenue for future public transportation improvements at the expense of motorists.

Since this would be the first activation of a congestion pricing plan by a major city in the United States, all motorists have a vested interest in the outcome. That is why we are encouraging members across the country to respond to the MTA in opposition to the tolling plan during the comment period. You could be impacted if you visit NYC for business and/or pleasure, so you should feel entitled to comment.

Information on how to comment by webform, email, or voicemail is provided below. Remember, you have until September 9th to respond.

Ultimately, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will decide whether to impose the tolling plan so it is the audience for our comments. The FHWA can essentially approve it, direct the project sponsors to modify the plan based on public comments, or flat out reject it. Because the sponsors are in favor of implementing the tolling program — with all that revenue generation — the best hope for motorists is a massive push-back during the public comment period. You can help drive that opposition and deliver a message to other jurisdictions considering similar budget-bolstering tolling.

This is a money grab to pay for MTA services without providing any congestion relief to motorists. In essence, the CBD Tolling Program would create an inner-city tollway on roads below 60th Street, forcing motorists to pay again for roads they funded many times over through the gas tax.

Reasons for Opposition
There are many reasons to oppose congestion tolling in NYC or elsewhere. We recommend you choose the two or three that resonate most with you to include in your comments to the MTA. We don’t want a verbatim repeat of the full list of opposition points, which could give the impression of an organized “form letter” drive and cause the responses to be discounted.

Congestion tolling is another tax, not a user fee. Low-income drivers are taxed disproportionately, but so is everyone since the cost of goods and services goes up to cover the increase in transportation costs.

Congestion tolling is double taxation. Drivers are forced to pay two taxes for the same road: a gas tax and a toll tax. And, depending on the scenario, Connecticut and New Jersey motorists may have to pay congestion tolls on top of existing bridge and tunnel tolls.

Congestion tolling is an inefficient, bureaucracy-laden form of taxation. Toll management, enforcement, and operations have run anywhere from 8 percent to over 35 percent of revenue collected. That is money spent not on road improvements but on efforts to gather revenue for non-road projects.

Congestion tolling is all about providing $1 billion/year for the MTA. Each of the possible seven toll scenarios is designed to generate this annual revenue for the MTA. No investment allocation to provide congestion relief is specified in the plan.

Congestion tolling isn’t guaranteed to reduce congestion. Drivers are forced to pay for supposed congestion relief based on the false hope that the additional cost to drive will force reduced traffic.
 

Congestion tolling worsens traffic diversion. Traffic diversion from tolled routes can adversely affect surrounding neighborhoods and clog alternative toll-free routes.

Go to our website to make comments.

Webform
The webform has several fields and an essentially unlimited comment box with no provision to attach documents. The required fields are first and last name, email, and the county you live in. The “county” pulldown offers several choices, including “I am not sure or prefer not to respond.” That is a legitimate selection for anyone not in the New York tri-state region, but if you have a reason to represent a particular county or state listed, please do so. You do not need to include a company or affiliation, and you don’t have to provide a phone number.

Email
You can also respond by email at CBDTP@mtabt.org or directly to the FHWA at CBDTP@dot.gov. You can be creative with the subject field to immediately express your opposition since these are dedicated addresses for comments on the program. No mandatory information is required.

Voicemail
For those who would rather speak their mind, you can leave voicemail at 646-252-7440. After you indicate a language, you are prompted with, “Please leave your comments or questions here.” There is no requirement for providing mandatory information such as name or address, but we do recommend providing your name —your first name at a minimum.

Tips for Commenting
Please follow through before the end of the comment period on September 9th.

It is often helpful when commenting to include anything that makes a personal connection to the issue. Another approach is to express what would bother you about the program and perhaps what you would do or not do if the program were implemented.

Whatever approach you take, please comment to ensure the motorist’s viewpoint is loud and clear. You choose your vehicle for the travel advantages of safety, speed, comfort, and convenience. If the value and fairness of being tolled are not apparent, drivers become nothing more than cash cows.

[page break]

NEWS FROM THE SHERIFF— Now at KOS GREECE

The Club Reborn (No religious) just went from One clubname to another

Mid-August They Have since the two Corona-years had a RUN to officially close summer in Sweden

2022 They left for Nora, a Swedish Deadwood But happened 300 years earlier
That mining area was behind Swedish wealth which now is Gone….

Average length of these long-forkers goes from 24” and up

Average age 35 so there is hope

I felt like an Old Indian Chief by the campsite telling stories from the ‘70s

Only bummer so many runs at the same Time 2022 so attendance down however the positive We could Cruise at 75 mph and still make sure nobody left behind.

Sportsters slowly getting into the game, cheap and fast.

Election in 3 weeks so SHERIFFMEDIAGROUP hide out in the Greek part of Mediterranan til the smoke clears
10-4

–The Sheriff
On the run
Europe

BIKERNET RECOMMENDATION— Remember last year, I sent you some pics of my roached Pan engine and I was asking about a builder to do the repair. You suggested Carlo up at A&E in Auburn.

Well, I went up and talked to him and we got it set up to do the work. I am really happy with the work he did, whole new bottem end. Came out great. That guy is good. Took a little while, but that’s ok. So, thanks again

I had him go through my 4 speed too, he made it right and no leaks. The bike is all back together now and am starting to put some break-in miles on it.

Here are some pics, I changed a few things, cut the pipes down, new oil system, had some stuff chromed. Finally found a good chrome shop here in CA. Meclec down in Fresno. Nice work and decent prices and turnaround times.

Thanks again brother.
— KERRY

“Carlo and Emma have been together forever, through a Harley-Davidson dealership, custom shop, drag racing and now an Indian Dealer in Auburn, California. I was there for their induction into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of fame. Good people!” –Bandit

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION ALERT–We Told You So…

At last year’s MRF Meeting of the Minds in Atlanta, Georgia the fate of the internal combustion engine was discussed. In fact, at the urging of ABATE of Illinois, the following language was added to the MRF’s 2022 Legislative Priorities: “Work to ensure the survival of combustion engines. Including elimination of the California air quality waivers which threaten combustion engine production.”

In October of 2021 California Governor Gavin Newson signed a bill into law banning the sale of all off-road, gas-powered engines, including generators, lawn equipment, pressure washers, chainsaws, weed trimmers, and even golf carts.

And less than one year later we learn this, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that governs motor vehicle emissions for the state adopted new rules that will require 35% of the new cars sold in the state are electric or plug-in hybrids by 2026, with that percentage rising to 68% by 2030 and 100% by 2035.

That’s right, new gas burning cars will no longer be for sale in the country’s largest state in less than 15 years. Other states, including Massachusetts and Washington have already signaled that they would follow California’s lead.

  • What does the future of motorcycling look like?
  • Will the bike you are riding today be legal in a few years?
  • What will your kids or grandkids be riding… or will they even be allowed to own a motorcycle?

Your Freedom is under assault and without your help we can’t fight back!

Thank you to all the members of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation for defending your Freedoms.

“We need all street riders to join this fight, if you are not a member of the MRF click on the logo below to join.

Ride Safe and Ride Free!” — Bandit
 
 

QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!
COOL BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for August 25th 2022

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/COOL_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_August_25th_2022.aspx

Glad to hear the Dicey Knuck is getting much needed time on the road.

–Rhys
DB, FL

“Yes, having issues with ethanol fuel and we might remove the mag. I have another auto-advance circuit breaker and a mini battery. Runs great once it starts…” –Bandit

FEATURE FROM THE PAST—Hang on! From Ann Robinson with an illustration by Hal Robinson.

–Bandit

 
 

 

STAFFER COMMENT
Most excellent regarding your Sturgis Rally Report. You, your family, friends, and brothers are all amazing. I was speaking to my wife this afternoon about all your activities and the wonderful work done by the Hamsters. She asked about your age and without thinking I told her.

Now I look like a real slug. Seriously though, I appreciate all that you and yours do. Be well and as you say, all the best.

–Sam Burns
Supreme Contributor

Bikernet.com™
 
“Thank you, sir.” –Bandit 

SAVE THE DATE!–15th International Conference on Climate Change.
 
Is the true crisis climate change … or climate policy?

IT’S BACK: Make plans NOW to join The Heartland Institute at the 15th edition of the most-important and informative conference on climate science and energy policy in the world. Held at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista in Orlando, Florida — a location we picked to honor Florida’s status as by-design ‘free state.’

This conference will once again bring together the world’s best experts to analyze the latest climate science and the wrong-headed energy and policy solutions the world’s governments are determined to impose on us all.

From the green energy boondoggles in the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” in the United States, to the ongoing wind-power disaster in Germany, and threats of energy cuts in the winter in the UK, the climate policy “solutions” are a real and growing problem for the people of the world. Why are we making life poorer and more miserable for most of the people on the planet when there is no climate crisis?

Attend this conference to learn the truth, and inspire your own passion to spread that truth around the globe.

“I would love to attend this. Maybe Rogue could cover it and the MRF should send a board member.”—Bandit

THIRD INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK
 
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” –Winston Churchill

TECH QUESTION FROM STAFFER– I have been trying to find these pipes, do you know anyone that makes or might have them?
 

I have googled the crap out of it and no luck. And please focus on the pipes …lol.

BTW the Cantina story is very creative.

–Barry G

“I would say they are handmade and you can get the pieces from Paughco.” – Bandit

IN PARTY POOPER NEWS
Actual News Headline: “2 hurt in motorcycle-boat collision near Garrett”

by Lori Dillon

DEKALB COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a crash between a motorcycle and a boat that injured two people.

It happened shortly after six Wednesday night in the 1300 block of State Road 8, near State Road 327. The motorcycle was traveling behind an SUV hauling a boat. The SUV slowed for stopped traffic and the motorcycle operator, Kyle Landrum from Fort Wayne, was unable to avoid hitting the boat and trailer.

Landrum and his passenger, Kayla Griffith from Garrett, were both thrown from the motorcycle. Medics took both to the hospital for treatment. Information on their conditions was not released. The driver of the SUV was not hurt.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash.

SOURCE:
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/2-hurt-in-motorcycle-boat-collision-near-garrett/

–Wayfarer,
Editor in Chief – Bikernet Blog
https://blog.bikernet.com/
Bikernet.com™

ANOTHER QUOTE OF THE WEEK–Can you search inside yourself, find your weaknesses, and muster up the determination to overcome them all?

–anonymous
In Hiding
Black Hills, SD

 

CHARITY EFFORT OF THE WEEK
Checking back in as the Comoto Family of Brands is excited to share its partnership with GEICO to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF). The duo have already raised $50,000 to help support families affected by this disease. But the race is not over — Comoto hopes to surpass last year’s fundraising total of $305,000 this year and you can help spread this message!

On September 18, Comoto will be hosting the 2022 National Ride for Kids Day fundraising event. This event includes 10% of proceeds across all participating brands (RevZilla, J&P Cycles, and Cycle Gear) being donated to the foundation. It also includes hosting the Philadelphia Ride for Kids. Full details can be found in the press release below my signature.

Would you be interested in sharing with your readers to encourage participation and bring awareness? I’d also be happy to connect you with a Comoto executive for an interview via phone or email to further discuss the company’s commitment to find a cure for pediatric brain cancer.

I’ve copied my colleague Susannah here as I’m out next week and she can answer any questions and connect you with the Comoto team.

Best,

Cletis
 

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–2016 Harley-Davidson FLTRUSE – CVO Road Glide Ultra FOR $28,500.00

SEE IT HERE: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=12644278

Stock # 13534C is a 2016 Red/gold Harley-Davidson ROAD GLIDE CVO FLTRUSE with only 18215.00 miles!

This bike is a FULLY CUSTOM Road Glide some of the features/Add-ons on this bike are

* 110c.i.Screaming Eagle Motor with a 6-Speed trans.
* Chrome 2 into 1 exhaust
* Big wheels @# front and 18 rear Chrome and painted to match
* Detachable touring pack with custom passenger seat,smoked lightingand speakers
* Fully chromed pull back apes
* Painted inner fairing
* CVO package
* Front LED turn signals with smoked lens
* Chrome lower legs

This bike is only $28,500.00

Plus, license, $85.00 documentation fee, and local sales tax. NO HIDDEN FEES like some dealers. And we have no reconditioning or prep fees. This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 92-point safety/mechanical/structural inspection.

Fill out an online application today. We have EZ FINANCING and EXTENDED WARRANTIES available!

Lifestyle Cycles is located at 1510 State College Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92806.

Open 7 days a week.

NOT LOCAL? WE HAVE SHIPPING AVAILABLE! Call today (714) 490-0155.

We carry Street Glides, Road Glides, Road Kings, Ultras, Sportsters, Softails, Dynas, and much more!

We are California’s pre-owned Harley Mega-Store with over 200 Pre-Owned Harley-Davidsons in stock!

To view our current inventory,Please visit www.LifestyleCycles.com or www.facebook.com/LifestyleCyclesUsedHarleys/
 

HOMETOWN RALLY IS HERE!
Roll up and check out all the music, food and fun found on Harley-Davidson Museum’s 20-acre campus – including the grand opening of the Factory Shop!

MILWAUKEE, USA (Sept. 1, 2022) – The party of the summer starts today! The Harley-Davidson Museum is your central rally point for the Hometown Rally™ and a celebration of all things Harley-Davidson. Over the Labor Day weekend, nearly every inch of the H-D Museum’s 20-acre campus will be filled with free music, good food from MOTOR® Bar & Restaurant and some of our favorite food trucks, thrilling stunt shows, boonie bike races and so much more.

And you know the latest and greatest from Harley-Davidson will steal the spotlight in our all-new Garage event space. But you don’t have to just admire them – the demo fleet will be filled with the new models from Harley-Davidson just itching to be taken for a spin. Enjoy a ride astride a new H-D® motorcycle through the Menomonee Valley, or join fellow riders who are aiming a bit farther with the Women’s Ride or the Pan America® Owner’s Ride, launching from the H-D Museum (advance registration required).

And if your travels take you to all six participating H-D® dealers over the weekend, collect the six dealership rally tokens and stop in at the H.O.G. tent on the H-D Museum™ campus to receive a special gift from H.O.G.

But with new galleries, new display and two new shops on campus, there’s plenty to explore at the crossroads of 6th & Canal. If you haven’t seen the new Experience Gallery, now is the time – especially with extended hours Thursday, Sept. 1 – Saturday, Sept. 3 (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.) and expanded tour offerings. On Sept. 1 & 2, guests can enjoy early morning access, plus coffee and conversation with Bill Davidson, great-grandson of founder William A. Davidson and Vice President of the H-D Museum. This special program takes place in the H-D Museum’s brand-new Experience Gallery. Advance reservations are required as this is a very limited-capacity event. After enjoying coffee and morning pastries with Bill, guests will be treated to a Beyond the Gate Tour of the H-D Museum, including the Motorcycle Vault. And on Sept. 3 & 4, check out the Beyond the Gate Tour before the H-D Museum opens to the public. A limited number of guests will be welcomed to enjoy a guided, pre-opening tour of the Museum and the Motorcycle Vault. Make your reservations today!

If you’re looking to take home memories and more, the H-D Museum™ campus now features two retail outlets to get your H-D® gear. check out the fresh threads from the Harley-Davidson® Shop with more than 150 new items lining the shelves – including new items to celebrate next year’s 120th Anniversary. And beginning Sept. 1, Harley-Davidson’s first-and-only Factory Shop will be open to the public. The Factory Shop is an outlet for non-current H-D Products that have limited inventory – including helmets, gloves, jackets and more. The two locations will encompass more than 13,000 square feet of Harley-Davidson premium retail experience.

It’s not a party without music. Fan favorite Hairball kick starts the fun on Thursday, Sept. 1, with headliners Parmalee and Jackyl keeping it rolling all weekend long.

But the campus will still be buzzing in September with the last Bike Nights of the season happening on Thursdays and Valley Week coming to campus on Sept. 30 for an outdoor movie night.

PROGRAMMING / EVENTS

Hometown Rally™, Sept. 1-5
 

Join us Labor Day Weekend at the Hometown Rally™, for a celebration of all things Harley-Davidson. Situated on the 20-acre campus of The Harley-Davidson Museum, it features live events, exhibitions, motorcycle demos, and something for every enthusiast. Start with a visit through the museum which serves as a central rally point for all of the events taking place at that downtown site and six surrounding Harley-Davidson® dealerships. From there, a two-wheeled adventure is yours for the making.

H-D Museum™ Bike Night Concert Series powered by Budweiser® King of Beers and Bulleit® Bourbon, Thursdays, 5 – 9 p.m.
 

All wheels unite every Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Join riders (and non-riders) for free live music from some of Milwaukee’s favorite bands, fun, drool-worthy rolling sculptures and outdoor food and beverage. The Bike Night Koozie Special is back. Enjoy $3 Busch Light all season long. Plus, the all-new Harley-Davidson® Shop is keeping its doors open until 8 p.m. for Bike Nights throughout the season.
9/8 Robert Allen Jr. Band
9/15 The Verdict
9/22 Bruce Humphries and the Rockabilly Rebels
9/29 Blacktop Kings

[page break]

VINTAGE INDIAN OF THE WEEK

–Sam Burns
Vintage Indian Editor
Bikernet.com™

KEEPING THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN
Two good ol’ boys, Bubba and Junior get promoted from Privates to Sergeants.

Two good ol’ boys, Bubba and Junior get promoted from Privates to Sergeants.

Not long after, they’re out for a walk and Bubba says, “Hey, Junior – there’s the NCO Club.

Let’s you and me stop in and have us a drank.”

“But we’s privates,” protests Junior.

“NO, we’s sergeants now,” says Bubba, pulling him inside

“Now, Junior, I’m gonna sit down and have me a drank.”

“But, we’s privates,” says Junior.

“You blind, boy!” says Bubba, pointing at his stripes.

“We’s Sergeants now!”

So they order their drinks and pretty soon a hooker comes up to Bubba.

“You’re cute,” she says, “and I’d like to take you someplace and make you feel good — but I’ve got a bad case of gonorrhea.”

Bubba pulls his friend to the side and whispers, “Junior, go look in the dictionary and see what that gonorrhea means.

If it’s good, give me the okay sign.”

Junior goes to look it up, comes back, and gives Bubba the big okay sign.

Three weeks later Bubba is laid up in the infirmary with a terrible case of gonorrhea.

“Junior,” he says, “What you give me the okay for?!”

“Well Bubba, in the dictionary, it says gonorrhea only affects the privates.”

Then he pointed to his stripes and says, “But we’s Sergeants now!

–Joe Smith
Peach Country Branch
Bandit’s Cantina Bad Joke Library

A ROYAL ENFIELD NOTE
What I especially like about my Royal Enfield is that it remains faithful to its Tradition; a good big mono tumbled long-run and since time immemorial. It is not a famous brand that has emerged from a dusty corner to remake an ersatz trying to regain its former glory. Born Bullet G2 in 1948, she won many victories in enduro, both individually (Scottish, British Expert) and as a team in the ISDT, the premise of today’s rallies.

 
Admittedly, my Mk.II benefits from many much more modern elements, but that’s good! And that it can flourish again…

Top: Royal Enfield Classic MK.II – 2021-2022?
Bottom: Billy Mills; 1967 ISDT, 1966 Royal Enfield 499cc Bullet

–Sam Burns

BAKER DRIVETRAIN NEWS
Bagger Racing with the Baker GrudgeBox

Requiring no case modifications for installation, and as used by Trask in its Bagger Racing 2017 Road Glide, the Baker GrudgeBox was designed for big engine applications and engineered with a focus on “excessive torque capacity and crisp shifting.”

“The power-robbing nature of the stock helical gears were replaced with straight-cut spur gears for minimal parasitic losses associated with gear-to-gear torque transfer. Circumferential tooth thickness is 100% thicker than stock and the width is 40% thicker than stock for no excuses on strength and durability.”

Built to take high horsepower abuse found in late model H-D performance applications while providing elegant shift precision, it is available for 2006-2017 Dyna, 2007-up Softail and Touring and 2017 and up M-8 applications.

Bert Baker says that the straight 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th gears are “designed and geared for performance buffs, racers and speed freaks seeking negligible power loss. We use wide-ratio gearing for heavier performance applications.

“The GrudgeBox is built for aggressive take-offs and long distances at above-average speeds with a 250 rpm drop at higher highway speeds (approx. 80 mph) – our engineering focus throughout the design has been on excessive durability and we use a patent-pending bulletproof main drive gear bearing with gears up to 40% wider than stock, positive dog tooth engagement in gear with pie-shaped shift dogs and frictionless linear detent shift system for smooth shifting.”

BAKER DRIVETRAIN
www.bakerdrivetrain.com

BIKERNET FINANCIAL NEWS
 
“Neither a borrower, nor a lender be. For loan oft loses both itself and friend. And borrower dulls the edge of husbandry.” – from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet

(from Act 1, Scene 3 of the play)

Lenders remember very differently than borrowers, psychologists’ study finds.

The researchers narrowed their study to loans between individuals, not loans from institutions or even parents, because it’s safe to assume most parents know they will never see their money again.

But when it’s a trust agreement between peers, it gets really tricky.

Read full article at source:
https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/borrower-lender-scientists-explain-loan-friend-dangerous/story?id=16857078

–Wayfarer
Financial consultant
Bikernet University

THE SCIENTIFIC TRANSPARENCY FILES–Fossil Fuels are the Greenest Energy Sources

The CO2 Coalition just published an excellent article by member Indur Goklany concerning just how “green” fossil fuels are.

According to Dr. Goklany, “Contrary to the claims of proponents of the Green New Deal and Net Zero, fossil fuels are the greenest fuels.

First, uniquely among energy sources, fossil fuel use emits CO2, which is the ultimate source of the elemental building block, carbon, found in all carbon-based life, i.e., virtually all life on Earth.”

Second, fossil fuel dependent technologies have increased agricultural yields directly or indirectly by at least 167% (Goklany 2020). This increase in agricultural productivity is due to the use of fossil-fuel-dependent technologies, specifically, nitrogen fertilizers, pesticides and carbon dioxide fertilization resulting from fossil fuel emissions.

Read Fossil Fuels are the Greenest Energy Sources here. https://co2coalition.org/publications/fossil-fuels-are-the-greenest-energy-sources/

Please support our mission

The CO2 Coalition is the world’s leading organization providing facts, resources and information about the vital role carbon dioxide plays in our environment. Would you like to support this important mission?

Please help us to advance our cause with a tax-deductible contribution. You can send a check to:

CO2 Coalition
1621 North Kent Street, Suite 603
Arlington, Virginia 22209 or donate on-line here
https://co2coalition.org/donate/

AMA NEWSAMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Night September 10, 2022

Bike Night at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame will be held on Sept. 10 from 4 – 8 p.m. Activities include free admission to the museum, food and entertainment. Find out more.

Can’t make it to Bike Night? The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. (Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) Plan a visit or group ride to the museum.

Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series
Ready for a little adventure? Check out these upcoming events for the Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series:

Sept. 10-11: Baby Burr, New Plymouth, Ohio
Sept. 10-11: Land Between the Lakes 200, Golden Pond, Ky.
Sept. 17-18: Buffaloe 500, Columbus, Ind.
Sept. 17-18: Yosemite Dual Sport Adventure, Groveland, Calif.
Sept. 24-25: Show Me 200, Bixby, Mo.

Sept. 24-25: Big Woods 200, Wabeno, Wis.
 

Find more Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series and AMA National Adventure Riding Series events.

SONG PICK for the Week

Song: Automatic
Artist: Miranda Lambert
Album: Platinum (sic) (2014)
Songwriters: Miranda Lambert / Natalie Hemby / Nicolle Galyon

Quarter in a payphone
Drying laundry on the line
Watching sun tea in the window
Pocket watch tellin’ time
Seems like only yesterday, I’d get a blank cassette
Record the country countdown ’cause I couldn’t buy it yet

If we drove all the way to Dallas just to buy an Easter dress
We’d take along a Rand McNally, stand in line to pay for gas
God knows that shifting gears ain’t what it used to be
I learned to drive that ’55, just like a queen, three on a tree

Hey, what ever happened to waiting your turn
Doing it all by hand?
‘Cause when everything is handed to you
It’s only worth as much as the time put in
It all just seems so good the way we had it
Back before everything became automatic

If you had something to say
You’d write it on a piece of paper
Then you put a stamp on it
And they’d get it three days later
Boys would call the girls
And girls would turn them down
Staying married was the only way to work your problems out

Hey, what ever happened to waiting your turn
Doing it all by hand?
‘Cause when everything is handed to you
It’s only worth as much as the time put in
It all just seems so good the way we had it
Back before everything became automatic, yeah
Automatic

Let’s roll the windows down
Windows with the cranks
Come on, let’s take a picture
The kind you gotta shake

Hey, what ever happened to waiting your turn
Doing it all by hand?

‘Cause when everything is handed to you
It’s only worth as much as the time put in
It all just seems so good the way we had it
Back before everything became automatic, yeah
Automatic

–Wayfarer
Official DJ and Music Curator
Bikernet.com™

LEGENDS ARRIVES AT HOMETOWN RALLY

Join us Labor Day weekend for Hometown Rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Come find the Legend Suspensions tent at House of Harley-Davidson September 1st – 5th during Hometown Rally. We are excited to see you, talk suspension, and celebrate all things Harley-Davidson during the holiday weekend.

SEPTEMBER 1ST – 5TH
House of Harley-Davidson
6221 West Layton Ave.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

“This is interesting, because if you want your new Harley to handle and ride correctly, you need to discuss your options with these guys quick.” –Bandit

JUST ONE MORE QUOTE OF THE WEEK
 
“In the end, it matters less that you can fight. What you fight for is the real test.” – John McCain

HANG ON! Every week is a blast in the Black hills or should I call it motorcycle Nirvana.

We have another Girl of Bikernet Feature headed to the Cantina. Quick join up and support Bikernet and Cantina content.

Later today, I’m going to put Lucas ethanol treatment in all my gas tanks. Ethanol is a problem.

This Linkert was perfectly tuned until the dread Ethanol had its way. I’m still struggling with it.

The fucking Bastard, Mike Kane had this brass plaque engraved recently at my engraving connection in the hills, the Winners’ Circle. I have another trophy plaque to engrave. I’m wondering if I should win or not. Maybe I’ll make it 5th place for 5-Ball.

More clutch action with 45 John’s 1947 trikes. Hope it worked.

My UL tech is expanding every day. I’m now going to run dual Paughco mufflers, a new oil filter, old stock rebuilt front brake, and more. Hang on.

I went to Dakota V-twin for oil and Sparkplugs. Didn’t think it would be difficult, but it was sorta confusing. Randy had 60-25 oil, so I went for a case. He had to order my sparkplugs for the Knuckle and Pans. What do you recommend?

I walked into a local Hardware store and discovered these. I had to buy one, then I noticed they were made by veterans and 100 percent American made. Then I tried the Jalapeño hot sauce, not too hot and great flavor.
 

 

Hang on for the next report, and in the meantime ride free forever.

–Bandit

Read More

Smokeout : Last Day To Get Pre Sale Tix!

SmokeOut Is Just A Week Away!

Wednesday, August 30th.. The LAST day to get pre-sale tickets to the resurrection of “The Original Chopper Party”! This is going to be one for the ages and you definitely don’t want to miss it!

Last Day to Get your Tickets Early – visit: https://smokeoutrally.com/tickets/

Legacy Invitational:
The SmokeOut Legacy Invitational Is one of the new features that we will be adding to the rally for 2022. As a way to institutionalize, the builders who blazed the trail through SmokeOut history while providing them with a platform to invite the next generation in.

As SmokeOut originals the veteran builders will have bikes on display throughout the weekend, some of which may be the very bikes that they broke ground with at this very location.

Our initial class of 2022 is not yet complete but includes the likes of Billy Lane, Paul Cox, Jeff Cochran, Bill Dodge, Steve Broyles, Pat Patterson, and Donnie Loos with more being added weekly.

Each of these builders will have the responsibility of selecting a legacy builder of their choosing that they believe will carry the torch. Look for their names to be announced here as the builders complete their selections.

­There will also be Bike Shows including:

  • Led Sled Sportster Showdown
  • Ride In Custom Bike Show
  • Hardcore Performance Show
  • Perewitz Ol School Paint Show

* EIGHT GREAT BANDS Will be Rocking as you Roll

* Check out all the other Shenanigans

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

Tell’m Bikernet.com sent ‘ya !!! Riding Free for 25 years

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Accident Scene Management : Save A Life

by Rogue

As much as we do not like to talk about it there are an alarming amount of people being injured while riding their motorcycles. Things are being done around the country in hopes of reducing these incidents.

One of the things we can do is to become knowledgeable about what to do if we are present when this happens.

Read this Important Article on Bikernet.com

A ‘Crash Course’ in Accident Scene Management (bystander assistance program) is to be held on Sunday September 18, 2022.

Support Biker Lives Matter at https://bikerlivesmatter.com

Please do spread the word, even if you are unable to register for the program this time.

FREE Trauma kit included

Read More

The Minneapolis Blonde : Girls of Bikernet.com

Just Walking to High School
By Bandit

Suddenly, we have two Girls of Bikernet coming to the Cantina. So, what’s the story line. I don’t have one, but I’ll tell you my thoughts and see where it leads.

First, I was determined to write another Why Chop? story about a guy who builds his first chopper for love, romance or a girl. He’s not a great looking guy, athletic, or tough, but he wants to impress this particular girl. He watched her from afar and discovers the glint in her warm brown eyes when a flashy motorcycle or hot rods rolls past.

* Get all the eXclusive content on Bikernet.com – Click and Subscribe to Bandit’s Cantina *

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SAVE A LIFE

 As much as we do not like to talk about it there are an alarming amount of people being injured while riding their motorcycles. Things are being done around the country in hopes of reducing these incidents.

In the meantime, one of the things we can do is to become knowledgeable about what to do if we are present when this happens.

 

 https://roadguardians.org/

Accident Scene Management was started in 1996 to reduce injuries and fatalities to motorcyclist through first responder education. This is the critical time to keep the motorcyclist alive until the ambulance and professional help like EMTs arrive. 
 
Approximately 236 motorcycle crashes result in injuries every day in the United States, with a average of about 86,000 total injuries from crashes per year.
 
According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) around 56 percent of all motorcycle crashes occur on urban roadways, with the majority of those accidents taking place at intersections. A rider in a collision with another vehicle are almost 27 times more likely to die and eight times more likely to be injured, than the occupants and driver of the vehicle.
 
You can help riders, family members and friends by taking the Accident Scene Management Class. This is a worldwide class taught by Vicki Sanfelipo and her certified instructors.

https://bikerlivesmatter.com/a-crash-course-for-the-motorcyclist/

 
 
If you live in Florida, BIKER LIVES MATTER is working with
ACM Lead Instructor  Diane MacLennan to make these classes available to you.
For more information on sponsoring a class in your area, send information to 

bikerlivesmatter.com/contact/ 

 The first class will be held at American Legion Post 81 in Melbourne Florida on September 18th 2022 and is open to anyone.
 
Link to sign up for class. 

 Hope to see you there. You could save a life!

Read More

STURGIS 2022 RALLY REPORT

This is going to be good, like the party of parties before the battle for freedom and America begins. I’ll stay between the white lines as I attempt to cover the rally and my first wild experience after relocating to the Black Hills and available for action every day.

The constant hum of action prevailed daily, with the rumble of V-twins, non-stop shows, concerts, celebrations, parties and jamming bars are just the tip of the chromed mountain leading up to the rally. Last year, my shop wasn’t complete, and I was attacked by the deadly Covid virus. I found myself locked down in my basement dungeon. Only semi-prepared this year, the rally kept coming like it or not.

Let’s back up some and look at the times leading up to the action. I did all I could to keep the shop building progress on track. I encountered troubled neighbors who got in the way, and I needed to grapple with property line decisions and quickly available resources. It got it handled, a new fence constructed, and we moved on.

I needed a trailer for our Bonneville effort and worked with Mike Baynes, a Hamster who owned a trailer sales company in Belle Fourche. I visited his facility and he offered help with a bridge over the creek traversing through my property to reach the other side. Now we have access to another half-acre.

Speaking of Bonneville lurking just two weeks after the rally, we had projects to tackle. We needed to deal with repairs and prep. Fortunately, we rapidly built a team who wanted to see the Salt Torpedo, our streamlined trike, on the salt.

I also worked with a local welder to complete a gantry to allow us to work on the Salt Torpedo and replace the rear tire. It froze in the winter. Damn, a brand-new tire. There went another $500. Jason, our contractor was kind enough to offer his equipment to move crates within working distance of the shop and a group of brothers, including Hamsters offered to come and tear down each crate.

When I first arrived in Sturgis, the moving company off loaded the massive truck and packed the upper level two-car garage to the rafters with shop equipment and too boxes. Unfortunately, there was no room for the Salt Torpedo and the Redhead’s new car. The Torpedo was relegated to the outdoors. The cold winter destroyed the rear tire, cheaper than a new wife.

As the shop reached completion, Jason moved everything out of the upper garage. We moved equipment into the shop, but critical stuff was missing, like legs for benches and bench vices. My Smithy lathe was delivered but not into the shop until it was finished and then we ran into set-up issues.

This all occurred less than three weeks before the rally. Every day I forced progress of some sorts. We were able to move benches and equipment, but we couldn’t get to work without final building inspection. Then we faced the final electrical inspection. But we continued to take major steps and once the inspections passed, we could start to get to work unencumbered.

We ran into minor issues like setting up the lathe and making it work or not work with existing outlets. My contractor and electrician decided I needed 50 amp 220 outlets, which didn’t match any of my equipment. Chris, the boss of Baldwin electrical, made me a pigtail to support the difference and it worked, I could start welding.

My lifts were both damaged from the move. One needed a new airline and the other needed reassembly and ultimately a new retaining spring, so I reached out to Handy Lifts for a replacement part. A local auto parts made a new line for the other lift, and I was golden, almost. I still need a brass 45-degree 3/4 pipe thread fitting.

I bought a replacement yesterday.

We rapidly closed in on the rally, Salt Torpedo preparations and Bonneville including new certified harnesses, certified fire extinguishers and the tire.

My grandson, in Los Angeles, just completed his first major event with 5-Ball Racing Leathers, at Born Free and he wanted out of the city. I figured they could figure it out. The options included trailers, driving, riding in groups, or just the two riding out together, which is how it happened.

I started riding bikes from our Deadwood storage to the shop digs in Boulder Canyon. Nuts, bikes ran fine until the ride three miles into the canyon, then they acted up. That included my 2014, recently serviced Indian. It wouldn’t start. The battery in the fob needed to be replaced.

As I grappled with my deadline, bike and shop issues, I would occasionally think about other folks is similar circumstances. Take for instance, Arlin Fatland, a Hamster who owns 2wheelers in Denver. For over 30 years, he and Donna packed up an entire shop and headed to Sturgis, where he bought a satellite store. He brings staff and runs the store and then peels back to Denver, where he has run his bike shop for over 50 years. Lots more stuff to think about.

How about Woody, his family and Marilyn Stemp who run the Buffalo Chip. Fuck, imagine all the bullshit, plumbing, electrical, tents, RVs, tacos, staff and rock groups they deal with during the rally. I’m super lightweight when it comes to this experience, but still it was my first time. Here’s a quick rally take from Marilyn:

“Ha – my brain is fried! I get it now…

“Impressions of the rally? Several factors seem to be affecting the trend toward arriving early to the Rally – and leaving early, too.

“Add to this: the city decided a few years ago to make the rally begin on the first Friday in August. If that Friday is on, say, the 5th of the month like this year, the entire event gets pushed back to the second week of August instead of the first.

“I heard polar opposite reports regarding foot traffic in town. Some said it was mobbed, others indicated light. So who knows? I only got off site twice and both times took me toward the east. I thought motorcycle traffic on I-90 was light.

“Just my 2 cents…”

The day before the rally hit Adrian, who has lived in Deadwood for over 20 years reached out. “I broke my side-mount taillight, license plate bracket off my Softail. Gotta fix it quick.”

Suddenly, another factor fed into the rally mix. I have a shop. Adrian brought his bike over and we went to work, but he had a construction job, so he peeled out. Before he left, he told me the story behind his first rally once he moved. “It ruined it for me,” Adrian said. “I was doing an interior design job in the Bullock Hotel and brothers started to roll into town. My boss took one look as my face and told me, “Get out and come back in a week.”
 

 

I built a bracket to save his billet aluminum system, reshaped the unit and rewired the taillight. The next morning a brother called. He broke his belt somewhere between the east coast and the badlands. Grease loaded his bike in their support truck and unloaded and rode his son’s Sportster the rest of the trip. I steered him to Dakota V-Twin, Randy Cramer’s stellar shop and U-Haul trailer dealership in Spearfish. I couldn’t deal with the rally and become a working shop. Holy shit.

Randy did the job of installing a chain final-drive system. When Grease stopped by our joint he brought me an emergency belt, which he chose not to try out. I’ve never seen one before and plan to frame it. Hang on.
 

 

I suddenly discovered my calendar was packed with a minimum of two events a day starting with Saturday arrivals and the Hamster block party.

Sunday was already packed with the Flying Piston Breakfast and the Chip industry party at the Michael Lichter exhibit and something in the evening.

I rode the 2014 Indian down to the Chip, signed books, took interviews, met lots of folks and had breakfast sans ketchup or salsa. WTF over. After breakfast, Dr. Hamster, Frankie and I rode to the Michael Lichter building, built specifically for Mike’s stellar exhibits, but he wasn’t there, and we couldn’t get in. Reports indicated this was Mike’s best exhibit ever. Right up to the rally I helped write and edit his bike and art plaque copy.

I installed a Baker 4-6 speed transmission in a Paughco frame with Paughco trees and gas tank and delivered it to the Chip for a grand show award of some sorts. The recipient would also receive an S&S engine. Paughco did a terrific job supplying raked trees and everything chromed or powder-coated. The winner would score!

Finding the pallet of stuff at the Iron Horse Saloon was a trip, and I hope the Cycle Source Magazine staff received all their goods. Security was sorta lax.

I also grappled with my two Panheads and the ’48 UL. I wanted to ride a different one to each event, but each bike had issues. Whenever we had a minute, we played with carbs, clutches and fuel issues.

Frankie and the good doctor came over and we tested the two Panheads. They rode them to the Deadwood Outlaw Square for a Choppers Magazine show. The left case is cracked on the UL, and I wanted Cabana Dan to take a look. I’m tempted to tear it down this winter and go through the engine.

Micah McCloskey rode fast and hard from the west coast with some Ugly brothers and needed to ride out on Wednesday after the Sturgis Museum Hall of Fame breakfast where Carlo and Emma were being inducted, also Uglys. We had limited time to meet and it turned out to be Monday morning when Hamsters and team members came to inspect the Salt Torpedo shinning in the new shop.

Just a couple of days before, we struggled with BMST, AMA and FIM Bonneville land speed record sign-up registration forms. Micah was forced to have a doctor fill out forms and sign off on his racing capabilities. We were required to take a series of photos of the Salt Torpedo. Cabana Dan helped clean and prep the liner.

At first it wouldn’t start. Micah was concerned and I chased the power source to the coil, nada. Ultimately, I discovered a bad ground and ran a ground directly from the battery to the German ignition system.

 

 

The day before Micah’s visit, I fixed the ground on the ignition system and Cabana Dan and I installed the new certified harness system, but Micah needed to adjust all five to his slight frame. That was one of his assignments on Monday. About 30 guys came over to check the action and watch as Micah fired the Salt torpedo, checked the controls and shifting. It was good to go, except Carl Pussar recommended a carb strap to prevent movement. I’ll handle that.

The mandatory annual Hamster meeting called for required attendance at 4:30. The banquet followed. I attended the meeting, took notes and then slipped out the back door to meet with some thugs in a dark canyon about a carburetor. The Hamsters raised over $507,000 for the Children’s Hospital, Life Scape, in Rapid City, a record.

I received a call; my new FIM assigned number 5 Salt Torpedo stickers were ready at Quick Signs in Spearfish. I received another call about my Bonneville Team shirts.

The next day, Tuesday, I rode to Nemo with 200 Hamsters for the memorial ride for Hamsters who are no longer with us. The weather was perfect, and the ride up winding Vanocker Canyon into the Jack Pine woods couldn’t be more amazing. I think one brother broke down.

A quick mention of the Hamsters. It’s a group made of a combination of industry guys who own motorcycle shops or motorcycle companies, other businesses guys and even sports figures, but all enjoy custom bikes. The other Hamster notion or code is giving back. They support lots of charity efforts and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. About 30 of the Hamsters now live in South Dakota. If you’re ever in a jam and need help and you stumble across a Hamster, he will help, and he’ll probably buy you a drink.

We all took various roads back into towns around the region, like Deadwood, Lead, Sturgis, Spearfish and Rapid City. I steered my 5-Ball Indian into Deadwood to the Lodge for a Hall of Fame breakfast rehearsal. I was scheduled to introduce Tom Seymour, the founder of Saddlemen seats, a 2022 Sturgis Museum inductee.

 

 

Afterwards, the Redhead and I blasted into a little town west of Rapid, Piedmont and the new Saddlemen Headquarters overlooking a magnificent view of the valley below. We ran into Jeff, the V-Twin visionary, who ran several shows and several industry cats and the new boss of Saddlemen, Dave Eckart. Also Buster, from Saddlemen, enjoyed the rally for the first time in a few years.

The following day I spent half of it at the inspiring Sturgis Hall of Fame breakfast, and then spent some time with my grandson, because Frankie and Dr. Hamster planned to hit the road at the crack of dawn the next morning. Micah called and the Redhead and I slipped into Sturgis in the evening to Pappy Hoel’s old digs for an Ugly dinner with Vinnie and the crew.

I received a call. Doctor Hamster’s Evo FLH minus bag lids needed an air-cleaner bracket, quick. Fortunately, he handled it and the next morning they stopped by the shop before heading toward the west coast.

I peeled back to Spearfish for the Hamster barbecue and ride to Sturgis. Suddenly, the rally seem shot, over, gone or toast. Rigs pulled out, brothers packed to cut a dusty trail in the morning and the airport got busy. Late Thursday night I received a call from Michael Lichter and his son Shawn. “Can we meet for Breakfast at Sturgis Coffee?”

“What time?” I asked.

“Early, we gotta roll to Denver,” Mike said.

We met, although the times changed some. Mike is another rally master who kicks his own ass every rally, while trying to produce a world class, art/custom motorcycle exhibit annually. This is his 22nd year. He pushed himself way too hard. I can say that, and his son will roll his eyes.

“Our headlights went out at 3:00 in the morning on the way out,” Shawn said. “Then the taillights became intermittent.”

On top of organizing and directing this exhibit with 40 bikes and several artists, Mike commits to producing a complete photo shoot of every bike on display. A feature photoshoot takes about four hours. Do the math. He spent all night long at the Chip building many nights, without air conditioning, and was lucky to get out before 2:00 in the morning.

Plus, he was supposed to shoot the rally, for Easyriders magazine. “I couldn’t get focused,” Mike said.

“Plus, our SUV tailgate stopped closing and we had to bungie it,” Shawn added. Then in the middle of the rally a biker at the Chip ran into their trailer with his bike, got up, dusted himself off and rode away damaging their rear fender. “No big deal,” Shawn added.

There’s never a dull moment at a Sturgis Rally…

–Bandit

2022 Rally Reports:

Every rally is an adventure for everyone. “The numbers were down, but I noticed fewer emblazoned plastic bags full of new purchases,” Arlin Fatland said from his shop on Main Street, Sturgis.

Marilyn Stemp from the Chip:

“My reports for the 2022 Rally indicated fewer people came to the Black Hills than in prior years,” said Marilyn Stemp from the Chip. “That view, in my opinion, is partly colored by a shift in when people arrive and how long they stay: rally-goers continue to arrive earlier “to beat the crowds” and leave town mid-week to get home, a reflection of advancing school start dates.

“Apart from numbers, I believe a desire to travel post-Covid fueled enthusiasm while gas prices may have held back discretionary spending. The people I overlapped with were happy and positive. Creativity was on display as builders revealed new work, fresh elements entered the Rally experience, and a ton of good was done for charitable efforts.”

A few Wonderful Rally words from a Bikernet Reader:
 
“2022 marks my 39 trip to the black hills, admitting not always on one of my scooters. Just love South Dakota, and its people!

Rally week has always been the best. I’d go back to camping in the park. I plan on coming every year no matter what. I’m old now planning on getting a lot older, so as a precaution to aging, I built a sidecar. Nothing is going to stop me.

YES, ride forevermore!

— Stevie B
Just South of chi-town, IL

Report from a former Texan:
 
You know, Sturgis is the mecca of all riding and rally lore. The roads are smooth, curves are plentiful, and the beer is cold. I LOVE the atmosphere of South Dakota and am bummed to have missed it again.

On a positive note, since I moved to the Midwest, I get to experience a lot of the things that made me love traveling to South Dakota from South Texas. The cool feel of the soft grass and the crisp morning air, the warmth of the sun and contrasted cool shade just a few feet away and rolling blacktop with miles of un-interrupted green landscape to look over.

It’s the nirvana of riding free and feeling the blessings of nature on our skin while forgetting the nonsense of everyday stresses that make Sturgis the epitome of why we ride at all.

Great coverage as usual, see you soon.

–Johnny White

Resources:

Life Scape

Paughco

Saddlemen Seats

Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Iron Trader

Dakota V-Twin
 

(605) 717-0009

Read More

From the streets – 2022 Sturgis Rally Report

by Bandit with photos from the Redhead and Wrench

This is going to be good, like the party of parties. I’ll stay between the white lines as I attempt to cover the rally and my first wild experience after relocating to the Black Hills and available for action every day.

Constant hum of action prevailed daily, with the rumble of V-twins, non-stop shows, concerts, celebrations, parties and jamming bars are just the tip of the chromed mountain leading up to the rally. Last year, my shop wasn’t complete, and I was attacked by the deadly Covid virus. I found myself locked down in my basement dungeon.

Only semi-prepared this year, the rally kept coming like it or not.

Read the real adventure on your saddle and get ready for another – Click Here

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Join the Cantina — or Shop for rare Goodies at 5-Ball Racing — We are Riding Free for 25 Years & ensure you do so too !!!

Read More

MRF Updates: Wee Tol You So….

August 26, 2022: We Told You So…

At last year’s MRF Meeting of the Minds in Atlanta, Georgia the fate of the internal combustion engine was discussed. In fact, at the urging of ABATE of Illinois, the following language was added to the MRF’s 2022 Legislative Priorities: “Work to ensure the survival of combustion engines. Including elimination of the California air quality waivers which threaten combustion engine production.”

In October of 2021 California Governor Gavin Newson signed a bill into law banning the sale of all off-road, gas-powered engines, including generators, lawn equipment, pressure washers, chainsaws, weed trimmers, and even golf carts.

And less than one year later we learn this, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that governs motor vehicle emissions for the state adopted new rules that will require 35% of the new cars sold in the state are electric or plug-in hybrids by 2026, with that percentage rising to 68% by 2030 and 100% by 2035.

That’s right gas burning cars will no longer be for sale in the country’s largest state in less than 15 years. Other states, including Massachusetts and Washington have already signaled that they would follow California’s lead.

  • What does the future of motorcycling look like?
  • Will the bike you are riding today be legal in a few years?
  • What will your kids or grandkids be riding… or will they even be allowed to own a motorcycle?

Your Freedom is under assault and without your help we can’t fight back!

Thank you to all the members of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation for defending your Freedoms.

We need all street riders to join this fight.

Ride Safe and Ride Free!

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation: The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.

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

Get the motorcycling News that matters, every Thursday only on Bikernet.com – click here

RIDING FREE for 25 Years

Read More

COOL BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for August 25th 2022

 
Hey, 


The Rally is a couple of weeks behind us,
and hopefully I will launch my report tomorrow. Rumor has it Easyriders Magazine is struggling. A couple of staff members have bowed out, and they didn’t do well with their Captain America subscription raffle bike. It sold on ebay for $38,000. Is that legal? That’s not showing respect for the contributors and builder, Mondo at Denver’s choppers.

On the positive side, Ron Paugh at Paughco is considering building another Captain America replica with Mondo in the future. Ron has the most original Captain America bike on the planet and knows the history. He’s the man to build them. Stay tuned.

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.

THE LATEST FROM THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION–Two Stories Caught Our Eye

August in Washington, D.C. is normally a quiet time of year as lawmakers have left town and will not return until after Labor Day. Despite this, a few issues caught our eye that we wanted to make you aware of.

On August 11th Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) sent a joint letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on how the agency is working to address its report showing that Tesla vehicles were implicated in numerous crashes, including crashes involving serious injuries and five known deaths. As we mentioned last week, two fatal crashes between Tesla vehicles and bikers in California and Utah earlier this year have raised concerns at the MRF.

According to the letter, “Federal investigations and recent reporting have uncovered troubling safety issues associated with these systems, including but not limited to the following:

Driver Engagement– The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that Tesla’s Autopilot system does not effectively monitor driver engagement and respond to driver inattentiveness.

Erratic Driving – Reports have found that vehicles in Full Self Driving (FSD) mode have imperiled bicyclists and pedestrians, driven down tram tracks, and crashed into bollards.

Rolling Stops– Last year, Tesla issued a software update enabling FSD to make “rolling stops,” in which the vehicle fails to come to a complete stop at all-way stop intersections.

Passenger Play – Last year, Tesla introduced a new “Passenger Play” feature enabling occupants to play video games on the center console while the car is in motion, which could be used by the driver when the Autopilot feature is engaged.

Phantom Braking – In October 2021, Tesla recalled certain vehicles equipped with FSD software over issues with vehicle braking. 11 Vehicles equipped with this software were reportedly braking sharply in response to falsely detected road hazards.”

The other major news this month was the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Included in the legislation was a 10-year tax credit worth up to $7,500 for the purchase of a new electric vehicle and a $4,000 tax credit for a used vehicle. The Department of Energy has released a list of nearly 30 vehicles that meet the requirements for the tax credit, however, clearly missing from the list are electric motorcycles. The tax credit only applies to four wheeled vehicles assembled in the United States.

Now there is no doubt that many of the 10 million bikers in this country have no interest in purchasing an electric motorcycle! If it doesn’t run on an internal combustion engine, they have no interest in riding it. Nevertheless, it’s concerning when the federal government crafts policy regarding our transportation system and omits motorcycles from that policy. While D.C. has ignored bikers, a handful of state governments have rightly included motorcycles in their state-run tax credit programs for electric vehicles.

Even with Congress on vacation until September, the MRF remains committed and vigilant in defending the rights and safety of all bikers.

Ride Safe and Ride Free.

NEWS FROM THE MAGNIFICENT ARCH MOTORCYCLES–J.W. Speaker Provides Premium Lighting Solutions for all ARCH Motorcycles

J.W. Speaker, an LED and emerging lighting technologies designer for automotive, powersports, transport, and industrial products, creates technologically advanced lighting solutions for every ARCH Motorcycle produced.

J.W. Speaker’s premium LED headlights for all ARCH Motorcycle units built in 2022, including the ARCH KRGT-1 and the upcoming ARCH 1s and ARCH Method 143 models. J.W. Speaker and ARCH Motorcycle will also partner in developing customized LED lighting technology for future ARCH models.

“J.W. Speaker has been at the forefront of innovative LED lighting designs for decades and developed the world’s first dynamically Adaptive Motorcycle Headlight, designed to calculate bank angles on a real-time basis, automatically sending light up or down as the motorcycle leans into a corner,” said Trish Logue, Director of Marketing at J.W. Speaker.

“J.W. Speaker has been an important collaborator of ours for years, so we’re excited to evolve that relationship further as we look ahead to the release of upcoming models like the ARCH 1s,” said Gard Hollinger, co-founder at ARCH Motorcycle.

ARCH Motorcycle was founded on the idea of redefining the American performance cruiser and delivers an unrivaled riding and ownership experience through an obsession for innovative design, engineering excellence and dedication to the rider. Every ARCH Motorcycle is delivered via a uniquely collaborative process tailoring livery and ergonomic fit to each owner. What started off as an exploration of what may be possible in the world of motorcycling has quickly evolved into the benchmark for the premium motorcycle category.

For more information on J.W. Speaker’s premier LED lighting technologies, visit www.jwspeaker.com.
 
Information on ARCH Motorcycle is available at www.archmotorcycle.com.

RED CROSS ALERT— With the increasing pace of disasters like wildfires and hurricanes — and as we’re currently seeing in Texas, record-breaking rainfall that’s causing extreme flooding damage — the Red Cross must be prepared to provide lifesaving assistance anywhere and anytime it’s needed.

This work is so important that we set a goal to raise $500,000 by midnight to fuel our response efforts. With this deadline coming up in just a few hours, will you make a gift today to help provide emergency assistance like food and shelter to communities coping in the aftermath of a disaster?

HELP THE RED CROSS RESPOND TO DISASTERS

NEWS FROM BONNEVILLE— Dear Racers,

I am heartbroken to not be able to host BMST 2022, and we will certainly miss seeing all of you achieve your goals, have fun, and get to do what we all love.

The amount of water out there amazed me. If you haven’t already seen it, check out- our Facebook page. It has a video that will show a bit more about what we saw out there that forced our cancellation.

We were excited to implement race-driven improvements that include additional signage, flagging, better line marking equipment (to save time and increase the quality of markings we can add), and a hybrid center-line markings to help orient you on-course.

We appreciate your patience as we are an all-volunteer organization and we’ve been implementing our cancellation procedures to minimize costs.

The good news is that some items purchased for course improvements will be ready to go next year and we have been able to recover some deposits and prepayments thanks to supportive vendors and organizations. However, we already went to print on 2022 merchandise and have other non-recoverable deposits.

What this means for you:
All registered participants will be receiving their 2022 Participant T-shirt and decal. We have several options for you to designate how your registration fees can help the continued success of the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials and are offering options beyond what is currently listed in our standard Terms and Conditions.

These includes

  • Donating your entry to sustaining the event by becoming an official ‘Friend of BMST’ with some exclusive rewards.
  • Donating a portion of or your entry registration
  • Rolling over your entry registration to 2023
  • Refunds

We understand that everyone is in a different financial position, and we hope it offers flexibility in how your registration fees are processed. All income from BMST Sponsorship, registration, gate tickets and merchandise sales go directly into funding the event. As an all-volunteer program, we work diligently to stretch every dollar for a premier land speed racing experience.

In the coming days you will receive an email with the details and a link to form to complete the cancellation process regarding your entry registration, as well as an opportunity to purchase merchandise and support BMST now and in the future.

Again, I appreciate your patience as I’ve switched from preparing the event to cancellation. I do wish I was out there right now awaiting your arrival to race!

Yours in Racing,

Delvene Reber,
Event Director/Owner
Deliciate Promotions LLC
Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials

PH: 530.263.7276

BonnevilleMST.com
on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @bonnevillemst

Special Thanks to our sponsors:
Moto Nomaddicts- On The Salt- CAS Group, Red Hook Racing, HunterSills Racing, John Caraway, Stripper Juice, Fez Monkey’s Salt Racing, Z Man Machining, Morto (Neil & Gina Olson), Sodium Distortion, Big Bad Nitro Daddy, Killerfish Engineering

Brought to you by Deliciate Promotions LLC,
Sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association and Inscribed with the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme.

NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF J.J. SOLARI
My favorite Facebook videos are the ones where the wise and pontificating student of the Constitution tells the cop outside his car window that he doesn’t have to do anything the cop tells him to do. Not once has the cop ever said, “Well, this has been very informative! Enlightenment has come unto me this day! I feel like I have not only advanced my education but that a door has been opened in my spirit through which the angels of knowledge have swarmed and have found lodging inside my heart! Go thy way, citizen! I have impeded your life and stalled your day enough! Proceed unto thine destination!”

That has not happened even once. What HAS happened is the cop screams for a while, then takes out a metal object, breaks the window, wrangles with the still-lecturing inhabitant, unsnaps the seat belt, opens the door, drags the occupant to the ground and kneels on his temple until 20 more cops arrive, which happens within 30 seconds after the expert in constitutional laws cheek hits the gravel.

To date not one police officer has listened to the particulars of the legal arguments being presented and become convinced that stopping the driver was a big mistake in judgement and that remorse and apologies were in order. In fact, it’s as though the dissertations on the Founding Fathers’ hopes and desires for a fair and just society and the listing of their measures and plans for achieving it are falling upon deaf, if not increasingly infuriated, ears.

J.J. Solari
Constitutional Law Professor
Bikernet University

JOHNNY MAC’S CHOPPER HOUSE— Charitable Custom Motorcycles & WONDERFUL SPONSORS

At Johnny Mac’s Chopper House in Philadelphia, our focus has been on building motorcycles for qualified charities, and so far it’s been terrific.

We have one rule when choosing a charity, it has to support the military, kids, or dogs. We then work closely with the charity to handle advertising, social media, colors, and more.

We had HUGE success with our first charity build for Philabundance in Philadelphia, only to be followed up by our latest Tunnel to Towers Foundation Custom Build at the MECUM Auction in Las Vegas 1/28/22, which brought in $41,000.00.

What’s up next? Well we are already on it, two new builds again, for our charities. Want to be involved, donate some parts from your company or a few dollars, all help is accepted. See the full feature on our latest charity builds on Bikernet tomorrow.

We are ALWAYS looking for donations and parts so if your budget allows, please consider a donation here https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WLNJ4YWY3TYKC, or buy a shirt here https://usaproductfactory.com/?orderby=menu_order, which all sales & donations support the building & transportation of the motorcycle.
 
Watch for the full story tomorrow on Bikernet.com. –Bandit 

SUPREME QUOTES FOR THE WEEK–
With all the bad news you got — here is some inspiration for all those who persevere

“A fool’s brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry. Hence university education.” — George Bernard Shaw

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.” – Richard P. Feynman (winner of Nobel Prize in Physics, 1965)

“A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.” – Bruce Lee

“A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.” – Baltasar Gracian

“The misfortune of the wise is better than the prosperity of the fool.” — Epicurus

“A wise man fights to win, but he is twice a fool who has no plan for possible defeat.” – Louis L’Amour

–Wayfarer
persevering monk in training
Bikernet Temple

NEW FROM SUPPORT GOOD TIMES— The SGT Till I Die Tshirt in black or white colorways.
 

Available worldwide at SUPPORTGOODTIMES.COM

 

NEWS FROM THE WORLD AUTO PARTS INDUSTRY
Auto parts industry booming, but dollar keeps rising. So not easy to import fuel for those cool motorcycles and four-wheelers. During the chips shortage, along with people needing to commute under Covid strains scare, the price of used-vehicles were highest ever recorded in India.

Auto parts industry reports highest ever revenue

Despite reporting the highest-ever revenue in rupee (INR 4.2 lakh crore), auto component business in terms of dollar stood at USD 56.5 billion in the last financial year compared to the peak sales of USD 57.1 billion in FY19

Read full article at:
https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/auto-components/auto-parts-industry-reports-highest-ever-revenue-of-inr-4-2-lakh-crore/93710628

–Wayfarer

WILD TRIKES OF THE WEEK

–Sam Burns
Supreme Trike Editor
Bikernet.com™

THE LATEST FROM THE CHOPPER CHRONICLES–Windsor (NY) man arrested for motorcycle theft.

A 37-year-old Windsor man was arrested for motorcycle theft on August 15th.

Scott Frost II allegedly displayed a handgun when he stole a motorcycle from a residence in the Town of Windsor.

Frost has been charged with one count of Robbery in the First Degree, a class B Felony.

He was arraigned on his charge and remanded to the Broome County Jail.

SOURCE:
https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/crime/windsor-man-arrested-for-motorcycle-theft/

I’m working on the second Chopper Chronicles story. –Bandit

 

 
ANOTHER QUOTE OF THE WEEK–
 

“Advise caution, even draperies have ears.” –Charlie Chan (Warner Bros)

[page break]

NEWS FROM SEMA– VIN CONTROVERSY SPURS ACTION IN STATE LEGISLATURES
 

RESTORERS REJOICE AS NEW LAWS PROTECT AGAINST PROSECUTION

By Shauna Morrison

Everyone from the biggest car enthusiast to your average Joe has a dream car. You know: the car. The car you fantasized about since you were 16. The one that you gawk at on the street or at car shows. The car that you spend years saving for. The car that, when you see it, your heart races and you get butterflies in your stomach.

Imagine finally getting your hands on your coveted dream car only to have the state seize it as “contraband,” with the state intending to destroy it. Well, such was the nightmare case for one Kansas enthusiast.

Richard Martinez spent decades looking for his dream car—a red and white 1959 Corvette convertible with a hard top—and finally found it at a dealership in Merrillville, Indiana, in 2017. He bought it for $50,000 and brought it back to Kansas to register, expecting to drive his prized car on the streets in no time. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) had other ideas.

KHP seized the Corvette as “contraband” at a routine state inspection when the inspectors found new rivets on the dashboard VIN plate, suggesting that the VIN plate had been removed. In fact, it had been removed years earlier during the car’s restoration process and then reinstalled.

According to Kansas state law at the time, police were required to seize and destroy any car on which the VIN “has been destroyed, removed, altered or defaced.” Although KHP declared Martinez innocent of any wrongdoing and found that nothing was removed from the vehicle with nefarious intent, his car was still slated for the crusher.

Under the law, there was no exception for a car lawfully purchased by someone who had no reason to be aware of its VIN issues. Martinez filed a lawsuit in the hopes of saving his dream car, which has been sitting in an impound lot in Topeka, Kansas, since its seizure.

SEMA learned of Martinez’s problem in late 2021 and immediately enlisted the help of a committed ally in the Kansas State legislature: Representative Leo Delperdang. As SEMA’s 2021 recipient of the Stephen B. McDonald Lawmaker of the Year award, Representative Delperdang has a proven history of pro-hobby advocacy, championing an effort to ease restrictions on vintage vehicles eligible for antique registration. Eager to prevent what happened to Richard Martinez from happening to any citizen of Kansas, Rep. Delperdang introduced H.B. 2594.

The Kansas House and Senate unanimously passed the bill, and Governor Laura Kelly signed it into law this spring. The new law ensures that restorers do not face prosecution for removing a vehicle’s identification number during the restoration process. It clarifies that a VIN may be removed from an antique vehicle “if the removal and reinstallation are reasonably necessary for repair or restoration unless the person knows or has reason to know that the antique vehicle is stolen.”

Kansas was not the only state to tackle this issue in the 2022 legislative session. Arizona passed SEMA-supported legislation to allow full restoration of pre-1981 vehicles, including temporary removal of the VIN when necessary.

The new law allows for the removal and reinstallation of a VIN if the vehicle was manufactured before 1981 and if the removal and reinstallation is reasonably necessary for repair or restoration. Before Governor Doug Ducey signed the bill into law, enthusiasts in Arizona who intentionally removed or altered a VIN—regardless of reason or vehicle model year—were guilty of a felony.

The biggest opponent of VIN removal exceptions for restorers is law enforcement. Some argue that VIN-tampering laws aid law enforcement in their ability to catch car thieves and deter thefts. They believe that laws like the ones passed in Kansas and Arizona could allow the states to become havens for stolen cars and chop shops. While this claim is a valid concern, wary citizens can rest assured that police will still be able to enforce existing VIN-tampering laws against bad actors.

The laws passed in Arizona and Kansas seek to narrow the scope of VIN tampering by adding clarifications to similar laws that are already in place. The new laws protect classic-car restorers and owners by creating an exemption that allows them to bring their dream cars back to their full glory.

Other states have tried to enact less severe VIN-tampering laws. Colorado statutes declare as contraband any vehicle that has its identification number removed, defaced or altered. The state then grants the person from whom the property was seized a post-seizure hearing to plead his or her case, giving them the chance to prove their ownership.

Illinois changed its laws in response to a court case where the circumstances were quite similar to Martinez’s. In 1979, Allison Bridegroom purchased a brand-new 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix, unaware that the VIN number on the vehicle was a false identification number that belonged to a car registered in Texas. Under Illinois law at the time, the vehicle was to be seized and sold by the state. Bridegroom filed a lawsuit that ended up at the Illinois Supreme Court, where it was determined that Bridegroom was innocent of wrongdoing and that seizing his car violated his right to due process.

This incident sparked Illinois to amend the law to leave an exemption for owners who were unaware of any VIN tampering on the vehicle. Current Illinois law states that vehicles are not considered contraband if the owner is unaware that the manufacturer’s VIN has been removed, altered, defaced, falsified or destroyed. This prevents the state from taking the vehicle and allows rightful owners to keep their prized cars.

While Colorado and Illinois laws are friendlier than those in other states and prevent innocent owners from getting caught up in the system, they do not go as far as they need to. Every restorer should have the right to thoroughly restore a vehicle into award-winning condition without fear of being prosecuted for tampering with a VIN.

SEMA’s government affairs team is working to ensure that right nationwide to prevent what happened in Kansas from happening anywhere else. This is just one example of how SEMA stays on top of emerging issues and is at the forefront of protecting the automotive hobby.

 

YAMAHA Continues Investing in the Future for Outdoor Enthusiasts
 
New Yamaha Grants Aid the Public Land Managers, Recreationalists, and Thousands of Kids Nationwide

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, today announces the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) grant awards totaling $145,175 for the second quarter of 2022 in support of its ongoing mission to protect, improve, and expand access to public land for motorized and outdoor recreation. This quarter, Yamaha OAI resources were deployed to help national efforts, as well as specific projects directly impacting the future of motorized recreation.
 
Projects being funded in the second quarter grant cycle include:
  • Developing a database of public land trades to help generate public awareness and involvement in protecting access for recreation.
  • Conducting a workshop educating land managers on sustainable trail building and maintenance to protect the safety of riders and the future of access on public lands.
  • Significant trail rehabilitation and rerouting efforts to improve off-road experiences while protecting sensitive environments.
  • Introducing kindergarteners to biking.
 “We continue to prioritize projects offering innovative and sustainable solutions to the problems facing access to land for motorized and outdoor recreation. This quarter’s applicants delivered in many impactful ways and we are excited to continue being involved in making real progress on the ground,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s Motorsports marketing manager. “We are additionally pleased to continue our partnership with The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee in support of their efforts to build 150 miles of legal motorized trails on the Northumberland Plateau.”

The second quarter grants for 2022 have been awarded to six applicants:

  1. Colorado Wild Public Lands — Basalt, CO
  2. Indian Creek Valley ATV Club – Indian Head, PA
  3. Limestone Trail Hawks — Aroostook County, ME
  4. National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council
  5. All Kids Bike
  6. The Nature Conservancy – Tennessee Chapter
The application deadline for consideration in the third quarter of this year’s funding cycle is September 30, 2022, and riding clubs, land stewardship associations, and public land managers are encouraged to work together with Yamaha dealers to identify projects and apply for support.
 
To aid those considering applying for a Yamaha OAI grant, visit YamahaOAI.com for submission guidelines, an application, answers to most popular questions about the program, and recaps of some typical projects.

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY— My goal for 2022 was to lose just 10 pounds … only 15 to go!

Ate salad for dinner … Mostly croutons & tomatoes … Really, just one big, round crouton covered with tomato sauce … And cheese …
FINE, it was a pizza … Ok?!

How to prepare Tofu:
1. Throw it in the trash.
2. Grill some Meat.

I just did a week’s worth of cardio after walking into a spider web …

I don’t mean to brag, but …. I finished my 14-day diet food in 3 hours and 20 minutes!

A recent study has found women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it …

Kids today don’t know how easy they have it … when I was young, I had to walk 9 feet through shag carpet to change the TV channel …

Senility has been a smooth transition for me …

Remember back when we were kids and every time it was below zero out, they closed school? Me neither.

I may not be that funny or athletic or good looking or smart or talented … I forgot where I was going with this …

I love being over 70 … I learn something new every day … and forget 5 other things.

A thief broke into my house last night … He started searching for money … so I woke up and searched with him …

My dentist told me I need a crown … I said, “You bet, pour mine over rocks” ….

I think I’ll just put an “Out of Order” sticker on my forehead and call it a day …

“Just remember, once you’re over the hill, you begin to pick up speed.” So, lighten up and enjoy the ride downhill!

–Sam Burns
Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina Bad Joke Library

RECENT REPORT FROM THE PRISM GANG
 

1-Day Build | 1961 Panshovel

If you follow our channels, you’ll recognize this bike. We built this ’61 Harley-Davidson Pan / Shovel in one day and have since brought it all over the country from TMMR in Tennessee to Sturgis, South Dakota.

We’ve made several videos documenting the build, but realized we haven’t shot photos of it yet. So, we asked Jonny Bourgault to snap some pics of it using his 35mm film camera.

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION – MEETING OF THE MINDS 2022

“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” – Thomas Jefferson

For nearly forty years, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation has been eternal vigilant. Nothing demonstrates more the MRF’s commitment to freedom and liberty than the MRF’s ongoing presence on Capitol Hill and the offices of members of Congress.
Eternal vigilance comes from an unyielding commitment by the MRF that goes to the roots of the nation’s premier bikers’ rights advocacy organization – the Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference.

The 38th Annual Meeting of the Minds, scheduled for September 22-25 in Des Moines Iowa, will do everything to reinforce the MRF’s commitment to motorcyclists’ rights and staying eternal vigilant.

Charlie “Chopper” Gilmore – U.S. Army veteran, motorcycle restorer, and freedom fighter is on deck as just one of the presenters at the 2022 Meeting of the Minds. His presentation – The Price of Freedom – is taken from life experiences and will certainly motivate and inspire attendees. Plus, the conference is sure to reinforce the MRF’s commitment eternal vigilance.

The Meeting of the Minds – renewing old friendships and making new ones. The Meeting of the Minds – three days of nuts-and-bolts workshops to augment the tools needed to promote and protect the rights of all motorcyclists. The Meeting of the Minds – more than a dozen presentations and workshops to build and strengthen individual’s and state motorcyclists’ rights organization’s commitment to protecting the freedoms motorcycling brings us all.

Workshops and presentations include but are not limited to:

  • Up-to-the-minute Legislative Updates
  • The necessity of Political Action Committees
  • Riding skill enhancement
  • What aging demographics means to motorcycling

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation lives and understands Eternal Vigilance… understands The Blessings of Freedom… and understands the commitments needed to protect rights, liberty, freedom, and our motorcycles from the pending siege from over-regulating and callous bureaucracies. Jefferson, Paine, and a host of others took stands to promote and defend the freedoms that all motorcyclists’ rights advocates understand.

The Meeting of the Minds – September 22-25, Marriott Downtown Des Moines, 700 Grand Avenue. Use the MRF website to Book your group rate for Motorcycle Riders Foundation Annual Meeting 2022. Or call (888) 236-2427 and mention Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) when you make reservations. Use the MRF website to register for the conference Meeting of the Minds 2022. Last Day to Book: Wednesday, September 7, 2022.
 
MRF website : https://mrf.org

Thank you for your support of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and we look forward to seeing you in Des Moines for the 38th Annual Meeting of the Minds.

QUICK, GRAB A STURGIS SHIRT–+ FREE Shipping through August 22, 2022!
 
ORDER TODAY while supplies last!
 

(One Promo Per Order. Not Valid on Sale Items. Can’t be Combined with Other Offers or Specials.)

–American Biker

NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM
 
It is likely you recall something about your first bicycling experience. That recollection might be the bicycle, the birthday you got it, or the first rides and maybe, first crashes while learning. Training wheels sometimes helped, sometimes hindered but eventually we mastered the ride that led us to motorized vehicles later in life; Motorcycles.

While there is motorcycle rider education through Motorcycle Safety Foundation and state programs offered for motorcycle riders’ licenses, in most cases we learned to ride bicycles in a more casual, even haphazard manner. Dad or mom walked along side helping with balance or catching us before we hit the pavement. But for about the past ten years there’s been a more formal training approach…

–NMM

FROM 1978 EASYRIDERS MAGAZINE
 
We spoke on the phone yesterday.

This is just a quick pic that I pulled off the net, but I still have the whole magazine article and pics from 1978.

I figured just this shot might jog your memory. Who built this FANTASTIC machine?
 
This, to me, has always been the epitome of what a chop should be, and I’ve been reading chopper rags for going on 50 years now ( riding and building my own bikes also).

I’ve just always wanted to know WHO?

–Thanks, Todd

“I believe it was Frank Kaisler R.I.P., but I’m putting it out there for confirmation.” –Bandit

THE UK WANTS TO BAN THE SALE OF NEW FOSSIL FUELED MOTORCYCLES
 

The government of the United Kingdom has launched an open consultation, called “L-category vehicles: ending sales of new non-zero emission models,” in which they announce a sales ban for new non-zero emission motorcycles from 2035: “It is important that motorcycles do not remain fossil fueled as the rest of the transport fleet cleans up,” states Trudy Harrison MP, Minister of State for Transport.

‘L-category’ vehicles include 2- and 3-wheeled mopeds, motorcycles, trikes, sidecar-equipped motorbikes, and quadricycles, and in the consult the government clearly states: “While cars and vans vastly outnumber motorcycles on UK roads, motorcycles are an important and sizeable vehicle population, with 1.3 million currently licensed in 2021. We do not want to see them remaining fossil-fueled as the rest of our vehicles clean up.”

The British government has already committed to phasing out new cars and vans that run solely on petrol or diesel by 2030, and all new non-zero emission road vehicles by 2040.

Jim Freeman, Chairman of the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) said: “The BMF will oppose any proposals to ban the use of motorcycles powered by internal combustion engines while such vehicles are still capable of being run. We also oppose a ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine-powered motorcycles while there is the possibility of providing alternatives to fossil fuel and while the electric vehicle charging infrastructure does not adequately support electric motorcycles.”

–Bill Bish
NCOM biker newsbytes

Read Bill’s complete legislative report on Bikernet, quick. See below, without scientific transparency we’re toast.” –Bandit

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/NCOM_Biker_Newsbytes_for_August_2022.aspx

 

[page break]

AMA NEWS—Motorcyclists repel hill climb assault.

The “Monson Monster” operated by the Quaboag Riders Motorcycle Club since 1946 is known for some of the most challenging hills in the country. But that didn’t stop the Town of Monson, Mass., from issuing to vaguely written cease-and-desist orders to ban hill climbing under the guise of zoning laws.

The false accusations brought out hundreds of bikers to protest closing the hill. The Zoning Board of Appeals struck down the cease-and-desist order. Bada bing.

KODLIN TRACKBOARD COLLECTION
 
KODLIN TRACKBOARD LINE FOR THE STYLISH PERFORMANCE ORIENTED RIDER

Brand new at Kodlin Motorcycles is a line of CNC machined billet aluminum floorboards, brake pad pedals, pegs and mini boards.

All Kodlin extra lightweight Trackboard products are CNC machined from billet aluminum in a black anodized finish with all needed hardware included for an easy installation.

The floorboards are sold in pairs and fit 1980-2022 H-D Touring models.

Same fitment for the matching Brake Pedal Pads that are sold each and feature a small “K” Logo.

Shifter pegs are sold each and fit all H-D models using a traditional style 5/16NF screw in toe peg.

The Kodlin Mini Boards complete the package or can be used as driver pegs for multiple applications.

They require the use of Kodlin specific splined adapters that are sold in pairs and are model specific

Please check www.Kodlinusa.com for details.

BANDIT SEEKS HONESTY
 

I discussed legislative agenda with a motorcycle rights group recently. They wanted to stick to their historic agenda, as if the battlefield was still the same as it was 20 years ago. I asked if they wouldn’t ask their legislators for scientific transparency and open discussion regarding the climate (or free speech). They disagreed. Here’s how I responded:

But if the most important topic to impact all aspects of our industry is not on the agenda, why attend? Climate doom is absolutely the most important issue for our industry, our time, our society, our lifestyle, freedom you name it.

I could be wrong, but there is one easy way to find out. Ask for scientific transparency. If you guys decide not to ask this simple question, our lifestyle is gone, toast, nada in a few years. You won’t need to worry about helmet laws, a socialist government will dictate everything. Humanity and freedoms will come a distant second or even third to the planet agenda.

You need to read Green Murder by Ian Plimer from Australia.

–Bandit

DIRECT FROM THE STURGIS POLICE FILES
 

Six men arrested in Sturgis Motorcycle Rally sex-trafficking investigation

https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2022/08/19/six-men-arrested-sturgis-motorcycle-rally-sex-trafficking-investigation/

–Wayfarer
Chief Investigator
Bikernet.com

KEEP THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN EVEN FOR PETS
 
Dog Rules:

1. The dog is NOT allowed in the house.

2. Okay, the dog is allowed in the house, but ONLY in certain rooms.

3. The dog is allowed in all rooms, but has to stay OFF the furniture.

4. The dog can get on the OLD furniture only.

5. Fine, the dog is allowed on all the furniture, but is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.

6. Okay, the dog is allowed on the bed, but only by invitation.

7. The dog can sleep on the bed whenever he wants, but not under the covers.

8. The dog can sleep under the covers by invitation only.

9. The dog can sleep under the covers every night.

10. Humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the dog.

The Honeymoon!

Little boy says to his dad one day, “Dad, when you and mummy got married, afterwards you went away on that thing called a honeymoon”. Dad says, “ Yes son that’s right”. Little boy says, “ Did I go with you and mummy”? Dad says, “Well son, you went with me and you came back with your mother”!

–Joe Smith

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK
 
2019 Harley-Davidson FLTRXS – Road Glide Special FOR $27.995.00

SEE IT HERE: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=12633622

OUR MOST ROAD-DEVOURING MACHINE GOES TO A DARKER PLACE
Blacked-out and loaded with premium features. Fire up the thrill-inducing Milwaukee-Eight® 114 V-Twin engine and you’re in for one hell of a ride.

Features may include:

SET YOUR OWN BOUNDARIES
 

BLACKED-OUT FINISHES
Blacked-out from the front forks to the tips of the exhaust for an aggressive, modern look.

MILWAUKEE-EIGHT® 114 ENGINE
The most displacement in standard H-D® Touring models. You get 114 cubic inches of passing and horizon-chasing power.

BLACKED-OUT TALON™ WHEELS
Big, bold wheels with spokes that extend all the way to the edge of the rim, so you can roll in with style and attitude.

STRETCHED SADDLEBAGS
A sleek look on the outside and roomy on the inside with more than enough space to stash your riding essentials. The lids open with a single touch of one hand.

NEW BOOM!™ BOX GTS INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
A new, evolved interface experience that offers a contemporary look, feel and function of the latest mobile devices and tablets, with exceptional durability and features designed specifically for motorcycling. Every element is optimized to enhance the rider’s interaction with the bike and connectivity with the world.

REFLEX™ LINKED BREMBO® BRAKES WITH STANDARD ABS
The front and rear brakes are electronically linked to provide exactly the right amount of brake to each tire no matter the road condition. No matter how good you are, this will make you a better rider.

RESPONSIVE SUSPENSION

And More!

TUNES OF THE WEEK–This is quite a song – check out the lyrics for sure. Hard-hitting words.

Song: Crooked Tree
Artists: Shaggy and Sting
Album: 44/876
(album title inspired by the International Dialing Code for calling from UK to Jamaica)

* * *
 

All rise for the Honorable Judge Burrell.

This court is called to order,
These charges are serious,
Stand up and face the bench,
How do you plead, Sir? How do you plead?

“Guilty as charged, ” the Judge decreed, “stand up and face the bench,
I have some words to say to you before we recommence.
A list of crimes this serious, I swear I have not seen,
In all the years that I have served Her Majesty the Queen.

Arson, murder, blackmail, grand larceny and theft,
Drug dealing, human trafficking, I ask the court, what’s left?
Are there words of mitigation, before I pass the sentence?
Anything that you can tell the court to add to your defense?”

I faced the court, thought long and hard before I gave reply,
“There’s something that you need to hear, from me before I die.
The circumstances of my birth were something short of bliss,
I have this from my mother, it was told to me like this…

‘The day that I was born, she said, The Good Lord woke from slumber,
Looking ’round his timber yard, He found He had no lumber,
Apart from some old twisted branch, in shadows left to lurk,
He pulled it out into the light and set about his work.’

She told me that the world should not expect too much of me,
When the Good Lord carved my crooked soul, out of a crooked tree.
When the Good Lord carved my crooked soul, out of a crooked tree.”

“Stand up and face the bench,
I’ve heard all you’ve got to say,
That there look on your face says you’re guilty,
And now it’s your judgment day.”

“I’m not asking for forgiveness,
I’m not proud of what I’ve done,
I did the things I had to do, like any other mother’s son.
None of us are perfect, so remember what you see.
When the Good lord carved this crooked soul, out of a crooked tree.
When the Good Lord carved this crooked soul, out of a crooked tree.”

Songwriters: Gordon Sumner (Sting) / Shaun Pizzonia / Orville Burrell (Shaggy) / Martin Kierszenbaum / Shane Hoosong / Dwayne A Shippy
(album released year 2018)

–Wayfarer
Editor in Chieftain
Bikernet International New Desk

BANDIT’S CANTINA LAUNCHED ON KINDLE VELLA
 

We’ve edited and launched 12 saucy chapters of the Bandit’s Cantina series on Vella, under the Kindle books site. You can read three for free, then they have some token system to follow. We will launch a new chapter or two each week.

They are also available, all 100 of them in Bandit’s Cantina.

You can find Kindle Vella stories by going to the Discover page in the Kindle app on iOS devices or the Store tab in the Kindle app on Android and Fire devices and tapping the Kindle Vella link, and by visiting the Kindle Vella store at http://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella.
 

Read first 3 episodes for FREE
https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella

Bandit’s Cantina Series
by Keith Randall Ball (Author)

Bandit loves every minute of the biker lifestyle, building bikes & running wild. By his 40s he was able to open his own place overlooking the Port of Los Angeles, Bandit’s Cantina where all hell broke loose weekly. It’s a place where romance flourishes, fights rage, the Cantina family supports & protects one another. K. Randall Ball, Keith “Bandit” Ball is a published author, former Easyriders editor, Bike builder, Land Speed Record holder, ex-Hells Angel, Vietnam Vet, founder of Bikernet.com, you name it.

HANG ON FOR THIS
 

1,200 Scientists and Professionals Declare: “There is No Climate Emergency”

The political fiction that humans cause most or all climate change and the claim that the science behind this notion is ‘settled’, has been dealt a savage blow by the publication of a ‘World Climate Declaration (WCD)’ signed by over 1,100 scientists and professionals. There is no climate emergency, say the authors, who are drawn from across the world and led by the Norwegian physics Nobel Prize laureate Professor Ivar Giaever. Climate science is said to have degenerated into a discussion based on beliefs, not on sound self-critical science.

The scale of the opposition to modern day ‘settled’ climate science is remarkable, given how difficult it is in academia to raise grants for any climate research that departs from the political orthodoxy. (A full list of the signatories is available here.) Another lead author of the declaration, Professor Richard Lindzen, has called the current climate narrative “absurd”, but acknowledged that trillions of dollars and the relentless propaganda from grant-dependent academics and agenda-driven journalists currently says it is not absurd.

Particular ire in the WCD is reserved for climate models. To believe in the outcome of a climate model is to believe what the model makers have put in. Climate models are now central to today’s climate discussion and the scientists see this as a problem. “We should free ourselves from the naïve belief in immature climate models,” says the WCD. “In future, climate research must give significantly more emphasis to empirical science.”

Since emerging from the ‘Little Ice Age’ in around 1850, the world has warmed significantly less than predicted by the IPCC on the basis of modelled human influences. “The gap between the real world and the modelled world tells us that we are far from understanding climate change,” the WCD notes.

The Declaration is an event of enormous importance, although it will be ignored by the mainstream media. But it is not the first time distinguished scientists have petitioned for more realism in climate science. In Italy, the discoverer of nuclear anti-matter Emeritus Professor Antonino Zichichi recently led 48 local science professors in stating that human responsibility for climate change is “unjustifiably exaggerated and catastrophic predictions are not realistic”. In their scientific view, “natural variation explains a substantial part of global warming observed since 1850”. Professor Zichichi has signed the WCD.

The Declaration notes that the Earth’s climate has varied for as long as the planet has existed, with natural cold and warm periods. “It is no surprise that we are experiencing a period of warming,” it continues. Climate models have many shortcomings, it says, “and are not remotely plausible as global policy tools”. They blow up the effect of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, but ignore any beneficial effects. “CO2 is not a pollutant,” it says. “It is essential to all life on Earth. Photosynthesis is a blessing. More CO2 is beneficial for nature, greening the Earth; additional CO2 in the air has promoted growth in global plant biomass. It is also good for agriculture, increasing the yield of crops worldwide.”

In addition, the scientists declare that there is no statistical evidence that global warming is intensifying hurricanes, floods, droughts and such-like natural disasters, or making them more frequent. “There is no climate emergency,” the Declaration goes on. “We strongly oppose the harmful and unrealistic net-zero CO2 policy proposed for 2050,” it says, adding that the aim of global policy should be “prosperity for all” by providing reliable and affordable energy at all times. “In a prosperous society, men and women are well educated, birth rates are low and people care about their environment,” it concludes.

The WCD is the latest sign that the ‘settled’ fantasy surrounding climate change science is rapidly breaking down. Last year, Steven Koonin, an Under-Secretary of Science in the Obama Administration, published a book titled Unsettled in which he noted that, “The science is insufficient to make useful projections about how the climate will change over the coming decades, much less what our actions will be.” He also noted that rigidly promulgating the idea that climate change is settled demeans and chills the scientific enterprise, “retarding its progress in these important matters”. In 2020, the long-time green activist Michael Shellenberger wrote a book called Apocalypse Never in which he said he believed the conversation about climate change and the environment had in the last few years “spiralled out of control”. Much of what people are told about the environment, including the climate, is wrong, he wrote.

Of course, green extremists in academia, politics and journalism will continue to argue for the command-and-control they crave through a Net Zero policy. In the end, their warped view of the scientific process will fade, leaving a trail of ludicrous Armageddon forecasts, and yet more failed experiments in hard-left economic and societal control.

Chris Morrison is the Daily Sceptic’s Environment Editor.

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY VOCABULARY LESSON OF THE WEEK
 
macadamize

[ muh-kad-uh-mahyz ] SHOW IPA
verb (used with object)

To pave by laying and compacting successive layers of broken stone, often with asphalt or hot tar.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF MACADAMIZE?
Macadamize “to pave by compacting successive layers of broken stone” is a verb based on the noun macadam, the word for a road paved in this way. Macadam is the namesake of John Loudon McAdam, the inventor of this technique, and the surname McAdam “son of Adam” is a compound of the Scottish patronymic element Mc- (also Mac-) and the Hebrew-origin name Adam. Mc- is anglicized from Scottish Gaelic mac “son,” while Adam comes from Hebrew adham “man,” which may be related to any or all of the Hebrew words adhom “red,” adhamah “earth,” or dam “blood”; for a similar pattern, compare Latin humanus “human” and humus “earth.” Macadamize was first recorded in English circa 1820.

HOW IS MACADAMIZE USED?
I noticed little matters, as usual. The road was filled in between the rails with cracked stones, such as are used for macadamizing streets. They keep the dust down, I suppose, for I could not think of any other use for them.

OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, “MY HUNT AFTER THE CAPTAIN,” THE ATLANTIC, DECEMBER 1862

–from Dictionary.com

TEASER FROM JACK
 

We are about to launch two Girls of Bikernet in Bandit’s Cantina, this one from good friend Jack McIntyre. Hot stuff.

JACK MCINTYRE
PHOTOGRAPHER, SPECIALIZING IN THE POWERSPORTS INDUSTRY
VETERAN OWNED COMPANY
JACK MCINTYRE PHOTO
STREETSTUDIOPHILLY.COM
IRON TRADER NEWS.COM
HOUSE OF CHOPPERS NATION.COM
FLYING PISTON BENEFIT.COM
BIKERNET.COM / CANTINA
JOHNNY MAC’S CHOPPER HOUSE, PHILLY

 

NEW EV BATTERY RULES– not all well for EVs on the road, regulations appear already
 

INDIA: Mandatory standards for EV batteries in 2-3 months

According to sources, the standards and testing protocols will be notified simultaneously for both two- and four-wheeler EVs. The government will also make it mandatory for vehicle manufacturers to sell EVs with only standard-compliant batteries.

Read complete article at:

 
That sounds like the selling of  ‘lead in petrol’ issue for vehicles on roads long back (poisoning)?”

–Wayfarer
Bikernet International News Desk

EASYRIDERS EVENTS ARE COMING
 
Don’t miss out! The Easyriders Bloomville Rodeo is just around the corner, August 1st – 5th.

Vendors, there are still a few spaces to fill, so get your application in to us before it’s sold out.

On-line tickets sales will be closed Wednesday Aug 24, 12 noon PDT. But don’t panic, you will still be able to purchase your tickets at the gate.

Go to EasyridersEvents.com for more info

ROYAL ENFIELD Welcomes SCRAM 411 to North America

Adventure tourer meets street scrambler with the fun and versatile all-new 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411

Royal Enfield, the global leader in midsize motorcycles (250-750cc), is proud to welcome the all-new 2023 Scram 411 to North America. Adventure-touring meets the accessibility and playfulness of a classic scrambler with Royal Enfield’s first ADV crossover.

Based on the globally popular Himalayan motorcycle, the Scram 411 brings a modern, urban twist to this proven platform, while maintaining its adventure DNA. The Scram 411 is an engaging, accessible and capable street scrambler, ideal for city riding, but its competent rough-roading capabilities mean the fun doesn’t stop when the pavement ends.

Built upon Royal Enfield’s venerable 411cc single-cylinder engine platform and the Harris Performance-developed chassis, the Scram 411 combines spirited agility on the street with the capability to tackle rugged roads. A 19-inch front wheel and streamlined styling characterize the appearance of the all-new Scram 411 motorcycle, which delivers a lighter, nimbler, and more street-smart package tuned for urban life.

The front wheel and one-piece seat lend to distinct ergonomics of the Scram 411, delivering a comfortable, neutral riding position with an easy reach to the ground. The Scram 411 sheds the distinctive engine guards, windshield, center stand and rear rack of its adventure-touring counterpart, leaving a delightfully agile, freshly styled ADV crossover motorcycle. The new geometry livens up handing for a responsive ride on the street, while long-travel suspension, provided by the 41mm fork and link-mounted shock, maintain class-leading ground clearance and well-rounded capability.

The 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 in Blazing Black. Look for it in seven distinctive colorways.
 
Mark Wells, Chief of Design at Royal Enfield, loves how easily the Scram 411 can navigate a wide spectrum of terrain and challenges.

Speaking about creating a new subspecies of motorcycles, he said, “Most scrambler motorcycles focus only on aesthetics and looks. When we began work on the Scram 411, we were determined to create a motorcycle that would be distinct in design and purpose, and bring the best of rough-road capability to urban riding. With its distinctive look and design, playful colorways, accessible riding proposition, the Scram 411 is an ultimate ADV crossover for the urban environment.”

With the global goal of offering a fresh, multipurpose motorcycle for modern urban markets from London, New Delhi and Tokyo, the Scram 411 brings its own potential to the North American market. Whether it’s winding back roads, exploring the countryside or cruising beach towns, the Scram 411 will welcome new riders as well as delight experienced motorcyclists with its versatile performance and accessible nature, both in price and size.

The Scram 411 will be available in seven distinctive colorways, and will arrive at North American Royal Enfield dealerships as early as September 2022. The first 1000 units in North America will feature the Royal Enfield Tripper Navigation, a simple and intuitive turn-by-turn navigation pod that pairs with your smartphone via the Royal Enfield App. Royal Enfield will also offer an all-new Scram 411 Collection of apparel and Genuine Motorcycle Accessories.

The 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 will retail for $5,099 USD, $6,749 CAD.

SO WHAT’S NEXT?—Cool August Nights hit’s Deadwood this weekend and we will check the action.
 

Yesterday, we rode two 1947 45 flatheads into the hills and through Spearfish Canyon, on mostly dirt roads, about 100 miles. We had a blast until we reached a hill too steep for the 45 trikes. The clutch started to fade on the blue one and we retreated to the highway home.

 
 

 

I’ve decided to add two Paughco mufflers to my UL and I sent my front brake to Capitol Clutch and Brake in Sacramento, CA for new, bonded woven shoes and forming to my brake drum. I want to move on this tech quickly and be able to ride it before the snow falls. I’m also going to black out the white wall on the rear and add an oil filter. That should do it. Hang on for the tech.

 

In the meantime, I’m going to start riding the dicey ‘46 Knucklehead around town and maybe to Cool August nights.

I had some interest in my 1928 lower end, front end and frame. It’s the first year of H-D 45 flathead, which was produced until about 1972, amazing.

Hell, I received a small quiet message that a Knucklehead engine is headed my way from S&S, along with parts for the Salt Torpedo S&S B carb. Then I will start on my winter project VL-XA-FL chop. It’s going to be very cool and in keeping with the black hills. You will witness the entire build on Bikernet, step by step.
 
Let’s fight for choppers and riding free forever.
 
–Bandit 

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