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/

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

 

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

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.”

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.

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.”

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

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

(605) 717-0009

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 !!!

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.

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

RIDING FREE for 25 Years

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.

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.

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

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

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

[page break]

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

–American Biker

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

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’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 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.

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.

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

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

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

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:

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

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.

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.

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.

[ 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

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

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:

–Wayfarer
Bikernet International News Desk

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.

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.

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.

First, for the frame, he was looking for something narrow, light, and of course compatible with the Sporty engine. The frame is a Kraftech, rigid Sportster style with stock 30° rake and 0 stretch. This made using the stock narrow glide Sporty front end easy. When we discussed his vision, he was firm. He wanted it to be low, narrow, and tight. Nothing extra, just as naked as he could get away with. The gas tank is a ridged, 2.4 gallon Mustang to match the ridged 4.75-inch Stingray rear fender. He wanted this thing to look fast sitting still, but more in the lines of Indian Larry than Jesse James.

It was practically an untested machine. I was careful as I gradually picked up speed and took my time testing the slim tires…the front rim riding on a 21-inch Avon Speedmaster. The rear hoop rides on a 16-inch-MT-90 Shinko. Although these tires looked “period correct” for a late ’70s, early ’80s build, I had never ridden on them. I was cautious, but it turned out fine. They handled great, and the slim width made the bike handle like she was on rails…just amazing. The squared corners on the skinny ties reminded me of the bias ply tires of the past, but they handled great and my concerns proved unfounded.

We pulled the bike into the garage and let her cool off while we both cooled off and talked bikes for probably too long. He promised to give me first crack if he ever sold her, and I promised I’d buy it, take care of her, and he’d always have the opportunity to ride her whenever he wanted and could even buy her back in the future. At least this way he’d know she was at a good home.

To my surprise, two months later I owned Lil Ruby. I’ve added a few finishing pieces to complete the look he was after and repair the broken parts from shakedown runs. For example I added a chromed fork brace, chrome kick stand (replacing the broken one), air cleaner and gas cap from Amazon (replacing the stock oval one), Vans grips, TC Bros Throttle assembly (replacing the mismatched ones) changed fluids, fresh coat of wax, and double checking of blue loctite on a few of the known rattlers, while riding the snot out of her.

Today, she’s a quick half-choke start and warms up in about 2 minutes. I can safely take her on a loop here in Illinois, where I roll the throttle confidently on two lane black top.  I’m surrounded by rolling corn and soybean fields of green like nothing you can imagine.

 

by Johnny White

Lil’ Ruby is what I have named her, but this came after I bought her from the original builder this Summer. You see, Lil’ Ruby started life as a 2002 Sportster that my son-in-law bought in 2015.

He bought the bike from another young man who needed cash more than he needed a Sporty, and my SIL had cash in hand. He rode it home to his mother’s house and estimated he had the motor out of the frame less than 2 hours later.

The Harley Sportster wasn’t his goal though. He planned before he purchased the bike. You see, he devised his strategy long before his purchase, and since a Sporty is the cheapest H-D motor he could get, well then that’s what he went with. He was on a mission to build a tight little chopper/ bobber that he could ride through town and not see another exactly like it anywhere.

CLICK Here to Read this Photo Feature on the Tech behind this cool Chopper

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Riding Free for 25 Years!!!

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION — MEETING OF THE MINDS 2022

“Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.” – Iowa State Motto

In 1847, those words became part of the Iowa State Seal. They ring just as powerful today as they did 175 years ago. Certainly, they ring true for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and the 38th Annual Meeting of the Minds.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation takes seriously the quest to protect the freedoms that motorcyclists sometimes take for granted. A lobbying team with a never-ending presence on Capitol Hill. A definitive commitment to grassroots activism with the MRF’s annual Bikers Inside the Beltway. And the annual Meeting of the Minds – nearly forty years of bringing bikers’ rights advocates together to enhance their organizational and legislative skills.

The 38th Annual Meeting of the Minds, scheduled for September 22-25 in Des Moines Iowa, will be a 3-day exercise in freedom enhancement. The event will demonstrate just how much the MRF and attendees prize liberty and the commitment to maintain our rights

Meet the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and the freedom fighters who are instrumental in the quest to protect motorcycling and maintain the freedoms we enjoy.

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 represents.

Workshops and presentations include but not limited to:

• Up-to-the-minute Legislative Updates
• Working with motorcycle clubs for the common goal of defending freedom
• Aging demographics – what it means to motorcycling
• Paying the price of freedom

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation lives and understands that freedom is about maintaining our rights and not just another word for nothing left to lose, understands Eternal Vigilance… and 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 over-zealous bureaucracies. The MRF is committed 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. Visit 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 this link to register for the conference Meeting of the Minds 2022. Last Day to Book: Wednesday, September 7, 2022.

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.

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.
VISIT WEBSITE FOR DETAILS: http://mrf.org

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Royal Enfield BTR Road Racing endures trying weekend at Pittsburgh Race Complex.

Extreme heat, torrential downpours, tricky track conditions, through it all at Pittsburgh International Race Complex shined the heart and dedication of the Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. (BTR) road racers. It wasn’t an easy weekend at Pitt Race, especially not with the much-anticipated Sunday main event ending in a red flag. Though it wasn’t the finish anyone was looking for, including winner Kayleigh Buyck, there were some memorable and redeeming moments from the MotoAmerica weekend.

There’s no doubt Kayleigh Buyck has the bullseye on her back in the Build. Train. Race. MotoAmerica paddock. Coming off a three-race win-streak, Buyck was looking to add another BTR race win to her collection, and the rest of the women on the grid were just as determined to stop her. None more so than Jenny Chancellor, who came into Pittsburgh fired up for a win.

Throughout the changing conditions at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, the BTR women were advised to keep their rain tires on, which saw them run the main race on wets in the drying conditions. After getting out to a poor start, Chancellor quickly made her way to the front and led every lap of the race aboard her Continental GT 650, right up until the moment it mattered. On the final lap, she lost control and went down, prompting the red flag to come out. Had she gotten back on her bike and back on the track, she would have been awarded the win, but sadly she ended the day with a DNF. The win went to Buyck, followed by Crystal Martinez in second and Chloe Peterson in third.

“What a crazy, amazing weekend at Pitt Race!” exclaimed Chancellor. “I feel like I finally found my comfort zone on my Royal Enfield and rode great all weekend long. I was definitely disappointed to not finish the race, but I have already put this behind me and am looking forward to our next round in New Jersey.”

“Not the way I wanted to take a victory, ever, but racing is racing,” said Kayleigh Buyck. It was an otherwise stellar weekend for the championship leader. Buyck led the way in qualifying, and was awarded a Wilber Watch for taking pole position.

Podium finisher Chloe Peterson agreed with the sentiment, calling the weekend overall “a bit conflicted. Happy I made it on the podium again in third but not happy that it happened because of the race ending with a red flag. I wanted to see how my battle with Crystal played out. It was a tough race going out with full rain setup on the GT650 with a basically dry track. My strategy was to ride smart and not crash. I didn’t want a repeat of going down at Road America. I redeemed myself, made it on the podium and consider it a success.”

“Racing is not easy; there will always be challenges to overcome and variables beyond your control,” said Breeann Poland, Marketing and Communications Lead – Royal Enfield Americas. “These women dealt with all the challenges, kept putting in the work, supported each other and encouraged each other all weekend. Seeing the improvement every time we go out, the great racing and the smiles afterward are what make it all worth it. That’s what Build. Train. Race. is about.”

Pitt Race Results
1. Kayleigh Buyck (#16)
2. Crystal Martinez (#25)
3. Chloe Peterson (#55)
4. Ash Truxal (#31)
5. Jessica Martin (#23)
6. Cora Tennyson (#95)
7. Michaela Trumbull (#27)
8. Trisha Dahl (#44)
9. Alyssa Bridges (#30)
10. Nicole Pareso (#11)

About Royal Enfield: The oldest motorcycle company in continuous production in the world, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. Royal Enfield North America (RENA) is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is developing a growing network of more than 150 dealers in North America, including the contiguous U.S. and Canada. RENA currently offers the all-new Classic 350, Meteor 350, Himalayan and the 650 Twins (INT650 and Continental GT 650) motorcycles, along with a range of Genuine Motorcycle Accessories and apparel.

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Riding Free for 25 years

 

“A motorcyclist was killed on I-15 in Draper, Utah when a Tesla crashed into the back of the bike,” reported Fox13 News in Salt Lake City on July 24, adding that “the driver of the Tesla said he had the ‘auto-pilot’ setting on…he told police he didn’t see the motorcyclist.”

“Wow, and even in a driverless vehicle, the ‘I didn’t see the motorcyclist’ gets a rider killed,” commented NCOM Board Member Ed Schetter, who recently presented a “We Just Want Our Place on the Road” seminar at the National Coalition of Motorcyclists’ NCOM Convention in Nashville that examined the inevitability of driverless cars, relating the impact on motorcycling.

“Such an incident stresses our need to protect our space on the road, as I pointed out in my presentation,” said Schetter, a veteran of the auto industry and Executive Director of ABATE of Ohio.  “I wonder who the biker’s family gets to sue?  The Driver?  Tesla?  The Software Company?  Sometimes you just shake your head.”

UN SET TO ALLOW INCREASED SPEED FOR AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
The United Nations (UN) is set to allow for an increase in speed for the operation of self-driving vehicles, as well as new tests focused on how well they can detect motorcycles.

Until now, the speed limit for the autonomous driving of vehicles has been 60kph (@37mph), but that is now set to increase to 130kph (80.7mph) thanks to an amendment to UN Regulation No. 157 adopted by the UNECE’s World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations.  The amendment also allows for autonomous lane changes, and is set to be implemented from January 2023.

The regulation also states, according to the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA), that “all tests that need to be conducted for a system like ALKS (Automated Lane Keeping System) or LCP (Lane Change Procedure), have to be carried out with a passenger car target as well as a powered two-wheeler target.”

This means that, although the autonomous technology is able to operate at a higher rate of speed, the safety for bikers when approaching an autonomous vehicle should now be improved upon, because their ability to detect motorcycles should (hopefully) be improved.

HONDA DEVELOPING LANE ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR THE BIKES OF THE FUTURE
Recent patent filings from Honda for camera- and radar-enabled lane assist for motorcycles across its roster would keep their bikes in-lane via AI.

“Lane assist” is a commonality now in modern cars, but not so common in motorcycles, as electronic aids which detract from the actual riding of the motorcycle for the person holding the handlebars are generally avoided by the manufacturers, who do not want to lose their core enthusiasts, which is also why autonomous technology has not advanced far in the two-wheeled world, especially compared to the much larger automobile market and tech-hungry car culture.

Honda is developing their lane-keeping assist system (LKAS) with the aim of making accidents a thing of the past, but if they are to reach their goal of slashing car and motorcycle deaths by half in the next eight years and bring the number down to zero by 2050, we can expect to see a massive influx of rider-assistance systems like this in the very near future.

The plan combines driver assistance tech with a predictive AI computer system that can spot situations which lead to driving errors before they happen, and is intended to be introduced in the second half of this decade.

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.”

JURY ACQUITS TRUCKER CHARGED WITH SEVEN-COUNT MOTORCYCLE HOMICIDE
On the morning of June 21, 2019, truck-driver Volodymyr Zhukovskyy admitted to driving under the influence of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine before crashing his 2016 Dodge Ram 2500 Tradesman crew-cab pickup into a pack of Marine Corps veterans riding their motorcycles near Randolph, New Hampshire, killing seven members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club.

Prosecutors argued that Zhukovskyy, who had previous DUI convictions and should have had his license suspended, repeatedly swerved back and forth before the collision and told police he caused it.  But the judge dismissed eight charges related to whether he was impaired, based on a contested blood test, and his defense attorneys blamed the lead biker for causing the accident, claiming that “he was drunk and not looking where he was going when he lost control of his motorcycle and slid in front of Zhukovskyy’s truck.”

Following a 2-week trial, jurors deliberated for less than three hours before finding Zhukovskyy, 26, innocent on seven counts of manslaughter, seven counts of negligent homicide and one count of reckless conduct, setting him free after being held in custody since the accident.

This high-profile case has garnered staggering coverage across the country, and the surprising verdict has been soundly criticized by many, including New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R) who said he shares in the “shock, outrage, and anger that so many have expressed” since the crash.  “The Fallen Seven did not receive justice today, and that is an absolute tragedy,” Gov. Sununu stated.

PETITION CALLS FOR PROPER PUNISHMENT FOR BIKE THIEVES
A petition has been launched on the Change.org website calling for tougher sentences for bike thieves.  The petition was started by British biker, Xander James from Hull, U.K., and has already amassed thousands of signatures — enough to draw attention of local news.

“As we know, motorcycle & vehicle theft is the highest it’s ever been, this is partly due to the minimal sentences from the Crown Prosecution Service,” explains James on his petition to the U.K. Parliament and Scotland Yard.  “We need change.  We can’t safely park our vehicles outside our own homes anymore!  But with the Crown Prosecution Service handing out cautions & early release they keep doing it.”

Along with tougher sentencing, James wants to see Operation Yellowfin receive more support from the Government, a police operational initiative which was launched locally in 2018 to tackle motorcycle crime and anti-social behavior.

STURGIS TRAFFIC DOWN, BUT STILL HIGHER THAN AVERAGE
The good news is; the Department of Transportation counted over half a million vehicles entering Sturgis, South Dakota during the 82nd annual Black Hills Motorcycle Rally week, but the bad news; that’s down 4.4% from last year.

The city of Sturgis estimated the 2021 attendance at 555,000.  Although down from 2021, the 2022 total vehicle count is still higher than the five-year average of 492,535.

Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie told the Black Hills Pioneer that 2021 was far better than expected because people had been in lockdown during the pandemic and just wanted to get out and travel.  “It was a significant Rally last year.  It was actually the largest Rally we had other than the 75th for more than a decade,” he said.  “Given that last year was such a large Rally, it’s not unexpected that numbers are down.”

BONNEVILLE MOTORCYCLE SPEED TRIALS CANCELED DUE TO FLOODING
On August 13, 2022, the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials organizers officially announced that the 2022 event is canceled.  This year’s speed trials had originally been scheduled to take place from August 28 through September 1, 2022, but due to flooding on the Bonneville Salt Flats, the BMST, FIM Land Speed World Records, and AMA Land Speed Grand Championship is officially canceled for 2022.

Heavy storm systems brought flooding to the salt flats, and when organizers did an aerial assessment of the state of the standard track area on August 12, they found that “the entire length of our tracks and beyond are flooded,” and noted that “Although the area is drying, it is unfortunately not drying quickly enough for the event to take place.”

GWRRA CALLS IT QUITS
Putting down their kickstand for good, the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) is waving farewell after 45 years of meeting the nicest people, and ceased operations following this year’s Wing Ding 43 in Shreveport, Louisiana at the end of July.

Founded in 1977 with the motto, “Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge,” the GWRRA called itself, “the world’s largest single-marque social organization for owners of Honda Gold Wing/Valkyrie motorcycles” that once boasted nearly 80,000 members across 53 countries, with 800-plus chapters staffed by 4,000 volunteer leaders.

SAVE THE DATE – 2023 NCOM CONVENTION IN PHOENIX
Next year’s 38th annual NCOM Convention is now scheduled for Father’s Day weekend, June 16-18, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona, so plan ahead to join with hundreds of like-minded bikers’ rights activists from across the country for a weekend of learning, sharing and camaraderie!

QUOTABLE QUOTE:

“But where, says some, is the king of America?  I’ll tell you. . . . let a crown be placed . . . , by which the world may know, . . . that in America the law is king.  For in absolute governments the king is the law, so in free countries the law ought to be king; and there ought to be no other . . . “

 

~ Thomas Paine (1776), Patriot