SEMA’s Government Affairs staff have been successful thus far in killing or amending many onerous proposals before they become law

In 2021, New York enacted a bill into law–the SLEEP Act–that aims to crack down on excessively loud vehicles. The law goes into effect on April 1, 2022. Unfortunately, vague local news reporting has created confusion amongst enthusiasts about what the law will actually do. The SEMA Action Network (SAN) is here to set the record straight. NOTE: The contents of this article focus on the impact of the new law on light-duty cars and trucks, not motorcycles. Background: Since 2021, over a dozen states, including New York, have introduced bills aiming to curb the amount of noise emitted from a vehicle’s muffler. While no two state’s means of achieving this goal have been identical, they all have one thing in common: they were requested by constituents upset by loud vehicles in their community. Why? For many workers across the country, the pandemic meant an unexpected shift to remote work. As a result, people became far more aware of their surroundings, and the noises that come with them, especially from cars and trucks. Fortunately for enthusiasts, SEMA’s Government Affairs staff have been successful thus far in killing or amending many onerous proposals before they become law.

So, what about in New York?

Claim: A new bill in New York will ban exhaust modifications Rating: Fiction In January 2021, lawmakers in New York introduced a pair of bills (S. 784 and A. 471) seeking to curb loud cars and trucks. The bills were amended several times prior to passage and were approved by Governor Kathy Hochul in late October. Importantly, the proposal did not change the state’s existing exhaust noise laws, which require every motor vehicle to be equipped with a muffler in working condition and prohibits the installation of bypasses, cutouts, or similar devices. Comparable language is universally used by states across the country and is designed to prevent motorists from deleting their muffler and/or catalytic converter. So, what does the new law change? Put simply, it allows for larger fines for those breaking existing law pertaining to the use of cut-outs, bypasses or similar devices. Prior to enactment, New York had one of the lowest exhaust noise fines in the country. This law allows larger fines to be issued (capped at $1,000) if the situation warrants. Claim: New York’s new exhaust noise bill creates a 60-decibel muffler limit Rating: Fiction As mentioned above, S. 784 and A. 471 do not change New York’s underlying exhaust noise laws, it simply gives the legal system more discretion to enforce against bad actors. However, the initial versions of the bill were quite different from the final product, and some in the automotive media have used early versions of the bill as their reference when reporting on the proposal. So, what sort of differences are we talking about? As initially drafted, cars and trucks would have been limited to 60-decibels of exhaust noise, subject to a flat $1,000 fine, and police cars would have been equipped with sound meters to help enforce the law. None of these proposals made it into the final version of the bill. The decibel limit was removed as it would have rendered practically every car on the road illegal, the universal fine was changed to a cap, and the sound meters were scrapped as well. Claim: A letter sent to retailers and vehicle inspectors states that all exhaust modifications are illegal. Rating: Fiction In advance of the SLEEP Act going into effect on April 1, 2022, a letter signed by the DMV Commissioner was sent to automotive retailers and vehicle inspectors in the state notifying them of the law change. The letters are misleading and make overly broad statements about what the new law does. As it relates to cars and trucks, the SLEEP Act added one new section to the law on which the state may begin to enforce starting April 1–VTL 375 (31)(b)–which states that a “cutout, bypass, or similar device” may not be used to increase a vehicle’s muffler noise. As stated above, these parts were already illegal for street use across the country and in New York. SEMA is actively working with the DMV to clarify this guidance. Claim: A car or truck with modified exhaust will now automatically fail inspection in New York. Rating: Fiction According to the state’s DMV, their vehicle inspection procedures have not changed as a result of the new law. Inspectors are not equipped with decibel readers and do not perform sound checks on vehicles. To learn more about the inspection process for cars and trucks, please click here. Claim: The phrase “cut-out, bypass, or similar device” could be interpreted as meaning any aftermarket device. Rating: Fiction The use of “cut-outs, bypasses, or similar devices” is universally illegal in the United States regardless of whether or not they make a vehicle louder. For most states, comparable language explicitly banning these devices has been on the books for over 60 years, including in New York. While no state has explicitly defined the phrase, a definition can be found in the United States Code of Federal Regulations and in municipal ordinances across the country. In each instance, the definition is substantively similar to that of the federal government’s: “Cutout or by-pass or similar devices means devices which vary the exhaust system gas flow so as to discharge the exhaust gas and acoustic energy to the atmosphere without passing through the entire length of the exhaust system, including all exhaust system sound attenuation components.” Questions? Please contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org

If you haven’t already, Check Out the Brand New 5-Ball Racing Garage Online Shop !!! CLICK HERE – Let us know what the lawman said about them….LOL.

Nearly 700 XDA motorcycle drag racers on Maryland International Raceway quarter-mile

by XDA Media Staff

This past weekend nearly 700 XDA motorcycle drag racers ran down the Maryland International Raceway quarter-mile for the 28th annual Platinum General Services Spring Nationals.

With a beautiful weather forecast and racers eager to resume racing after two years of pandemic hurtles, the pits were jam-packed with racers ready to start the 2022 racing season.

Friday saw record turnouts with nearly 300 racers entered in test and tune. And with the rush to get the season started, the track was hit with multiple oil downs as racers continued to push performance limits. However, the MIR crew prevailed and kept the show moving along as racers put on a crowd-pleasing show.

Get the Full Report & Event Photos on Bikernet.com – CLICK HERE

About XDA Racing
The Xtreme Dragbike Association (XDA) is an east coast motorcycle drag racing series with 700+ motorcycle racers competing at each event. Visit www.xdaracing.com for more information.

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It’s Nuts with Worldwide News

Life is amazing, treacherous, full of love and hate. This year is a tremendous example of our many plights.

I’m watching a documentary series called the Butterfly Effect. It’s about the turning points in Man’s history and how each one is effected – societies, countries and the world.

As bikers, we have our choppers or race bikes to take us away from whatever the world throws at us.

Try to ignore much of what the world says. Focus on your next ride, your next run or race. Join and support your local or national motorcycle rights group. Let them know you appreciate their efforts to keep us riding free.

Let’s hit the news!!! – Bandit

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Hey,

Life is amazing, treacherous, full of love and hate. This year is a tremendous example of our many plights from Covid to the Ukraine. I’m watching a documentary series called the Butterfly Effect. It’s about the turning points in Man’s history and how each one effected societies, countries and the world.

If you have kids or grandkids, the year is a stark lesson including how we think and process everything happening around us. I have some troubled neighbors. I’ve tried to coach them on how they can change their minds about anything. So far, it’s not working. Maybe they are bi-polar.

I don’t think it would be a bad notion to sit down with your kids and listen to their thoughts and concerns about life in America and the world. Hear what they say and let them know if they are troubled, they can change the way they think through mindfulness and meditation. It’s a bit of a workout, but very possible. Also, let them know you will always listen.

As bikers, we have our choppers or race bikes to take us away from whatever the world throws at us, until we are banned. That creative process is our escape from what the world or our politicians have in mind. Try to ignore much of what the world says. Focus on your next ride, your next run or race. Join and support your local or national motorcycle rights group. Let them know you appreciate their efforts to keep us riding free.

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 LAST EARTH DAY–
April 22, 2022, will be the last Earth Day that assumes human carbon dioxide causes dangerous climate change because next year a Montana climate lawsuit will prove this assumption is false and change the world.

Our Children’s Trust (OCT) of Oregon uses children as plaintiffs in climate change lawsuits. OCT has pending state actions in Alaska, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington and is working to file similar lawsuits in all 50 states.

The first active OCT lawsuit, Held v. State of Montana, will begin on February 6, 2023. Montana’s Attorney General Austin Knudson is preparing to strongly defend Montana.

OCT filed a climate petition in Montana’s Supreme Court in May 2011, claiming they took their case to the state Supreme Court because a climatological tipping point was imminent. Now, eleven years later, no tipping point has occurred.

The court rejected OCT’s 2011 petition because I organized a public intervention to OCT’s petition. Among the intervenors were many Montana elected officials, including Matt Rosendale who is now Montana’s US Congressman.

Montana’s Supreme Court rejected OCT’s 2011 petition ruling,

“If they cannot prove a connection between eliminating Montana’s minute carbon emissions, and reducing the pace of global climate change, then public trust doctrine cannot, even under their own flawed legal theory, apply.”

OCT’s 2022 lawsuit thinks it is still 2012 and lists former governor Steve Bullock as a defendant.

The significance

Held v. State of Montana may go down as the most significant climate-change trial in history because it will influence every subsequent climate trial around the world.

If the plaintiffs win, they will put Montana’s economy in reverse. Energy costs will go up, state income taxes will go up, education quality will go down, and the IQs of Montana’s children will go down as the schools brainwash their malleable young minds to believe junk physics.

The plaintiffs want all Montana’s electricity, transportation, heating, cooling, and industrial production to run on 100% renewable energy by 2050.

This is ridiculous, of course, because producing and installing wind machines emits more carbon than the machines will save during their lifetime. And killing thousands of predatory birds is not “caring for the environment.”

The carbon fuels that they want to eliminate are the most efficient and cost-effective energy source we have, and we have it in abundance in Montana and the Bakken.

They don’t want Montanans to have small nuclear-powered stations that will be available by 2025 to provide abundant low-cost energy.

The argument

Thanks to the plaintiffs and their attorneys, this trial will force the alarmist scientists to face their scientific opposition, which they have so far avoided.

The plaintiffs must prove carbon fuels are the dominant cause of their listed harmful weather and climate events.

The defense must prove this plaintiffs’ theory is wrong.

I read all hundred pages of the OCT lawsuit. They present their scientific case in about 20 pages.

They have not improved their science since 2011 while scientists on my side have made significant improvements. We are going to destroy the dark side in this lawsuit.

My easy-to-read book, Climate Miracle, is about how to win climate debates and shows how Montana can easily win this lawsuit.

Conclusions

Climate alarmism is a political war and truth is the first casualty of a war. They reject climate truth to achieve their political goals.

The plaintiffs use fear to sell climate fiction. Montana’s defense will show the truth about climate change, and this truth will change the world.

Climate fiction will make us slaves. Climate truth will make us free.
They started it. Montana’s ‘gonna’ finish it.

–Ed Berry, PhD, Theoretical Physics, CCM

HARLEY-DAVIDSON HOMECOMING EVENT AND 2023 DATES ANNOUNCED
Four-Day Festival in Milwaukee Celebrates Harley-Davidson’s 120th Anniversary and Kicks Off the Annual Homecoming Event

MILWAUKEE, WI (April 25, 2022) – Harley-Davidson will celebrate its 120th Anniversary by launching the Harley-Davidson Homecoming™ event, an annual four-day festival filled with music, food and moto-culture. The inaugural event will take place at multiple venues throughout the Milwaukee area on July 13-16, 2023, and welcomes riders, enthusiasts, and fans to meet in Milwaukee for a huge celebration.

“We invite everyone, riders, non-riders and fans around the world, to join us in Milwaukee next summer for the Harley-Davidson Homecoming where we will celebrate 120 years of our incredible brand,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson. “This will be the first in a series of unforgettable annual events in Milwaukee. Stay tuned for more details in coming months, and we look forward to celebrating with you in 2023.”

To find lodging options in Milwaukee visit https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/homecoming/. Camping and RV parking information is available at Wisconsin Campgrounds https://www.wisconsincampgrounds.com/. Note that most reservations are not available to book until one year in advance of event.

Harley-Davidson recently launched “The Road to Harley-Davidson Homecoming Challenge” where riders and non-riders alike can participate in chances to earn virtual badges, win daily and monthly prizes and enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a grand prize trip to Milwaukee to participate in the Homecoming event. For sweepstakes Official Rules, program and prize details and more information regarding The Road to Harley-Davidson Homecoming Challenge, download the Harley-Davidson App, or visit H-D.com/ride.

HOW MUCH IS YOUR MOBILITY FREEDOM WORTH?–Alarmed by the recent wave of unjust, unfair, and unnecessary government actions? It’s no secret: items on the agenda include EPA overreach, powertrain and fuel mandates, banning off-roading, and even your basic right to preserve, restore or modify your vehicle.

Or how about this story: Although the State of Kansas Admits This Guy Is Innocent, It Still Wants To Destroy His 1959 Corvette. Drastic recourse must be taken RIGHT AWAY—or we may ultimately lose the automotive freedoms we cherish.

–NMA

SUPPORT GOOD TIMES—Supports Titties and Beer. Don’t you?

SEMA LEGISLATIVE BREAKING NEWS–
Kansas Signs into Law Bill to Ease Titling Procedures for Antique Vehicles

UPDATE: Oklahoma Advances Bill to Allow Military Vehicle Titling to Senate Floor

EPA to Expand E15 Ethanol Fuel Sales into Summer

Province of British Columbia Proclaims “International Collector Car Appreciation Days” in July 2022

Michigan Introduces Bill to Reduce Registration Fee for Most Vehicles

California Introduces Resolution Celebrating Automobile Cruising’s History and Culture

Illinois Fails to Pass Single Plate Bill as Legislature Adjourns

Virginia Signs into Law Anti-Hobby Exhaust Noise Bill

Governor Glenn Youngkin signed into law SAN-opposed legislation (H.B. 632) to reform enforcement of Virginia’s exhaust noise laws. H.B. 632 repeals a 2020 bill which prevented law enforcement from stopping motorists solely for exhaust noise violations. Virginia prohibits mufflers that use an “excessive or unusual level of noise” and mandates that mufflers must be identical to their factory setting, comparable to factory equipment, approved by the Superintendent, or meets or exceeds standards of SAE International, ANSI, or the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In the next legislative session, the SEMA Action Network (SAN) will be seeking to implement a fair testing procedure and decibel limit for vehicle owners accused of unreasonable exhaust noise violations. Accordingly, please encourage others to get involved now by signing-up with the SAN without cost or obligation.

Thank you to those who voiced concerns with lawmakers about this effort.

–SEMA

VOTE NOW! for your favorite bike and help pick the winners of the Coker Showdown!

Take a moment and vote for your favorite bike from the ten Coker Showdown finalists!

Voting ends on April 30th, 2022.

Scope out this wide array of bikes sporting Coker Tires, it is quite the mix of wild machines!

VOTE NOW

PS – Help us spread the word! Share www.lowbrowcustoms.com/cokershowdown on your favorite forum, group, corkboard, or in a heated barroom discussion so like-minded weirdos can vote on their favorite bike!

THE INFRASTRUCTURE FILE IS OPEN–Tale of Two Cities’ Smart Intersection Programs

Pittsburgh, PA, and Lakeland, FL have instituted smart intersections but are handling them differently. As more cities become connected, i.e., having elements of infrastructure and society interconnected digitally via the internet, intelligent signaling might revolutionize traffic flow, for better or worse.

Market analysis firm Navigant Research has projected that smart signals will become a $3.8 billion global business in 2028. The USDOT mandate announced earlier this year requiring that municipalities dedicate a percentage of their infrastructure spending to Complete Streets programs might spur this growth industry.

In 2012, Pittsburgh installed smart signals at nine intersections utilizing the Rapid Flow Technology Surtrac (Scalable Urban Traffic Control) System, a briefcase-sized box at each junction. It gathers information on vehicular flow and uses it to adjust traffic signals in real-time—it’s a decentralized adaptive traffic control system. In the initial tests, city traffic engineers found that travel time dropped by 26 percent, intersection wait time decreased by 40 percent, and vehicle emissions were reduced by 21 percent. Pittsburgh was ripe for trying the system, which was developed at Traffic21, a nearby Carnegie Mellon University’s transportation research group.

Here’s how Surtrac works: Each intersection node utilizes a traffic camera to monitor traffic in real-time. The Surtrac computer in the suitcase node crunches a range of scheduling options and then continuously evaluates the signal timing while sending the information to neighboring nodes at other intersections. Surtac basically brings computational analysis closer to the data sources, improving response times while regulating unpredictable urban traffic. The current system only looks at traffic flow and does not (yet) surveil individual vehicles.

In 2022, Pittsburgh has grown its Surtrac program to 50 smart intersections, and plans are for the city to invest $30 million for 150 more. Currently, 22 cities use Surtrac—it’s relatively cheap and easy to install and maintain.

On the other hand, Lakeland utilizes a similar system but with a twist. Recently, officials announced that the city received a $500,000 grant from the state to expand its Intersection Avoidance Safety Program. Located east of Tampa, the city of nearly 108,000 will expand its program to include 25 additional high-impact intersections that work in conjunction with the city’s red-light camera program.

Similar to Surtrac, the Intersection Avoidance Safety System has sensors that measure the speed of a vehicle and its distance from an intersection. It predicts whether the driver will run the red light or be clear of the intersection in time. If so, it alerts the signal controller to extend an all-red phase, which means that all directions at the junction have a red light. This forces any driver approaching the intersection to stop.

In February 2021, the city council authorized these AI sensors to be placed at four of its red-light camera intersections. A city spokesperson said at the time, “The person who is running the red light, to begin with, gets a ticket, so it doesn’t reward bad behavior. However, it does reward the person who may have been T-boned.”

Lakeland is the first place in Florida and the country to use this particular system. In the next phase of the program, the city plans to explore a warning system that uses a driver’s smartphone or some other in-vehicle technology to give an alert about a possible red-light runner.

Both Pittsburgh and Lakeland utilize artificial intelligence and surveillance to decide intersection timings. On the surface, improving traffic flow is a lofty goal. Still, if automated traffic enforcement becomes a part of the equation, these systems could justify another way for a city to make money off the backs of motorists. Incorporating in-car alerts could also cause distracted driving at a critical time when navigating traffic at an intersection.

These AI data inputs will likely change how arterial streets are configured to give priority to pedestrians and bicyclists under Complete Streets and Vision Zero programs. While the safety goals are laudable, Surtrac and similar systems will undoubtedly subject motorists simultaneously to more regulation and distractions. Sensory overload is not often conducive to driving safely, particularly at intersections where traffic converges.

–NMA

NEWS FROM THE DAV–While on deployment in Kosovo, I suffered a traumatic brain injury and major damage to my lungs and other organs due to chemical exposure.

My recovery was extremely tough. I was in a coma for two months. I had to learn how to write and walk again … So when I returned home, I was bitter. I was angry. I really hated myself and everything else, and I went into a very deep depression. I even contemplated taking my own life.

DAV really saved my life and completely changed it.

Give Now
I participated in adaptive sports through DAV and found the inspiration I needed to turn my life around. Now, I have a new passion and purpose in life. And I pay it forward by showing up for my fellow veterans and their families as they heal.

I am DAV, and this is my story. But my story is just one. DAV helps more than 1 million veterans, like you, in positive, life-changing ways each year. As a member of DAV, you support your fellow veterans.

And sometimes, you even save their lives. Please make a special donation today to support DAV and your fellow veterans.

–Adam Greathouse
U.S. Army Veteran

If you are a veteran joining the DAV can change your life. I am a very positive example. Once you are signed up find your local DAV rep and meet with him or her. If you’re not blown away by their desire to help you, find another rep. –Bandit

GRAND NATIONAL ROADSTER SHOW FOR 2023–Make Plans to Join us February 3 – 5, 2023!

While it has only been three months since Grand National Roadster Show 2022, we’re already busy planning for 2023 and have some big news to share.

GNRS 2023 will be moving to February 3-5, 2023. That’s right, no more having to choose between joining us for our 73rd year or catching the playoffs. Same great event with the amazing cars, builders, entertainment and vendors you’ve come to expect with a new date.

Full details and ticket information will be made available in the coming months, so stay tuned and mark your calendars now!

Please note: if you have already made a hotel reservation with the Sheraton for GNRS 2023, the hotel has graciously agreed to transfer the reservation to the new date with the same arrival/departure day pattern.

However, you must contact Stacey Wang (Stacey.wang@sheraton.com) at the hotel between May 1 and May 31 to confirm the reservation on the new dates. Any reservation not confirmed by June 1 will be cancelled.

Thank you for your support and making GNRS one of the best car and bike shows anywhere! If we don’t catch you this at this weekend’s Sacramento Autorama, we look forward to seeing you at GNRS on our new dates in February 2023!

TRIKES of the WEEK— From the master curator.

–Sam Burns
Trike Curator
Bikernet.com™

VENDOR SPOTS AVAILABLE IN STURGIS—We know of a cool spot directly across the street from the massive Iron Horse Saloon on Lazelle Street. Let us know if you need a spot.

–Bandit
KRB@Bikernet.com

[page break]

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–
A doctor examining a woman who had been rushed to the Emergency Room, took the husband aside, and said, ‘I don’t like the looks of your wife at all.’

‘Me neither doc,’ said the husband. ‘But she’s a great cook and really good with the kids.’

An old woman goes to the Wizard to ask him if he can remove a curse she has been living with for the last 40 years.

The Wizard says, ‘Maybe, but you will have to tell me the exact words that were used to put the curse on you.’

The old woman says without hesitation, ‘I now pronounce you man and wife.’
_____________________________________

Two Reasons Why It’s So Hard To Solve A Redneck Murder:

1. The DNA all matches.

2. There are no dental records.

A blonde calls Delta Airlines and asks, ‘Can you tell me how long it’ll take to fly from San Francisco to New York City ?’

The agent replies, ‘Just a minute.’

‘Thank you,’ the blonde says, and hangs up.

–Joe Smith
Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina Bad Joke Library

5-BALL GARAGE NEWS OF THE WEEK—We are cooking with the new Shopify Shop. Check it out and let us know if we need to correct anything.

–Bandit

FREEDOM TO DEVELOP–What is the freedom to develop?

To develop is to change our environment from one form into another form—in particular, a form that the developer regards as more conducive to human life. All energy production requires development, and a lot of it.

Thus, for energy production to occur, we need to be free to develop; to be free to take our ideas—the best place for a power plant, which basin has the most potential for oil and gas, a new kind of refinery—and translate them into value.

What does freedom to develop mean? It means that others cannot forcibly interfere: private individuals should not be able to sabotage development, as sometimes happens with pipelines, and governments shouldn’t be able to sabotage development, which is far more common.

Pro-development vs. anti-impact

If we want the best laws to promote human well-being through energy abundance, we need this freedom. However, there are a lot of people in the world, particularly in wealthy countries, who advocate the idea that development is bad. They sometimes call it “being green” or “minimizing impact.”

If you really take that idea seriously it means that we shouldn’t do the things that we need to do to prosper, and that in fact we shouldn’t have done most of what we’ve already done to make ourselves prosperous.

If we’re anti-development, if we want to minimize our impact, then we should have never turned the patch of dirt and trees in the northeast United States into New York City.

If you look at the map of North Korea and South Korea, you’ll see that South Korea is lit up at night while North Korea is almost completely dark: if we really want to minimize impact, North Korea is doing a much, much better job.

I think this anti-development idea is a dangerous idea. We don’t want to be anti-development. We want to be anti-pollution, but pro-development.

The vital importance of private property rights

This doesn’t mean that the government has to develop itself. It just means the government has to allow people to be free to develop.

Historically, the United States has been the world’s energy leader and the world’s energy innovator because we have had the most freedom to develop of any place in the world—including a strong respect for private property rights, which are vital for enabling people to develop energy resources.

But today, the right to private property and the right to develop are both under attack. Much damage has already done by anti-development activists preventing people from using their land as they choose, and instead saying that landowners are obligated to use their land only in the way the activists see fit.

We might ask, “Does freedom to develop mean that anyone can develop anywhere?” There’s room for debate here, but in general, people who own private property can and should preserve the areas that they really want preserved and develop the areas they really want developed. It’s a very dangerous idea that one person’s property rights should be restricted because someone else wants that property to remain pure.

If I buy several acres with some trees, and then I learn that underground there’s an amazing amount of hydrocarbons, I should be free to extract that so I can get a royalty from it. Someone in Washington D.C. or Washington State shouldn’t get to say, “I want your land” or to tell you how to use your land.

The freedom to develop is crucial, so if we respect the freedom to develop while respecting the freedom from endangerment, we can make a lot of progress.

–Alex Epstein
Center for Industrial Progress

#SEEMOTORCYCLES

Two years of strong motorcycle and scooter sales, continued demand for rider training, and higher gas prices mean more riders are likely to be on the roads this spring and summer, so the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is doubling down on getting the word out to #SeeMotorcycles.

“May has been the traditional start of the riding season for many across the country because the weather is getting warmer and the days longer,” said Erik Pritchard, MSF president and CEO. “That’s why it’s a great time to remind drivers to actively look out for motorcyclists, and for riders who are taking their bikes out of hibernation to do a thorough pre-ride inspection. It’s also a good idea to take time to refresh your riding skills, ideally with a safety course.”

Motorcycles and their riders have a smaller profile than cars and trucks, and it can be easy to overlook them.

“We encourage drivers to use their turn signals, keep speeds down, and be vigilant when driving, especially when changing lanes,” Pritchard said. “Please remember to #SeeMotorcycles.”

–MIC

SIGN UP FOR BIKERNET BLOG EMAIL ALERTS—It costs nothing and forever be respected by the staff and girls.

Give it a shot

LATEST GUN NUT REPORT—A Jam-Packed Weekend You Don’t Want to Miss!

Join fellow Second Amendment patriots for a freedom-filled Memorial Day weekend! See the latest and greatest products from the industry’s leading manufacturers, book the hunt of a lifetime, and learn from subject matter experts at one of our many seminars!

Don’t miss out on our jam-packed schedule of events either. Featuring prominent political speakers, the women’s event of the year, and highlighted by a star-studded concert, there truly is something for everyone at the 2022 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits!

NEWS FROM THE BARGE—

The New York Times takes a closer look at Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, #InherentVice: http://nyti.ms/1yCHYro

The Wilmington Chowder Barge is the only authentic floating restaurant adjacent to the Port of Los Angeles. It’s going to be the biker hangout of the region since Walkers Café Closed. Besides the food is way better. Try the chowder, it’s amazing. I would know.

–Sin Wu
Da Boss
Chowder Barge
Wilmington, CA

Pirelli’s RYAO Road Racing Program Returns for 2022–The Nine Round Program Encourages Pirelli-Equipped Racers to Compete in Multiple Classes at CCS and ASRA Events Throughout the Nation

Pirelli Tire North America has announced that the RYAO road racing program will return for 2022, taking place at upcoming Championship Cup Series (CCS) and American Sportbike Racing (ASRA) events throughout the nation.

The program, which kicked off this past weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park on April 23-24, consists of nine events and encourages Pirelli-equipped riders to compete in multiple classes. Riders on Pirelli race compound tires who register to compete in one class will be eligible to race in as many additional classes as they wish with no extra registration fees.

DAMON MOTORCYCLES– Heating Things Up in Miami

On May 6th, 2022, the HyperSport & HyperFighter will be making a special appearance at our Miami Pop-Up Event hosted by Simply EV.

Come join us for an exclusive opportunity to see the bikes in action, say hello to the team, and connect with other Damon fans. There will also be livestreams of the F1 Miami Grand Prix events, car simulators, and delicious food & drinks!

EARTH DAY IN THE NEWS AGAIN–Earth Day’s failed predictions of 52 years ago & the amazing environmental improvements that have occurred since.

Morano: “We should actually promote prosperity, technology, and wealth. We should do what we’ve been doing since the first Earth Day in 1970, when we had filthy rivers, dirty air, and massive pollution.

We raised awareness and ended up with, in the 50 years since 1970, radical increases in population, radical increases in economic growth, and incredible improvements in just about everything, to the point where even mainstream media and climate activists now admit that the pollution problem has largely been solved. Where we were and where we are now is a light-and-day difference. I would argue that we do the best environmental policy, that we invest in technology, and that we keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

–Marc Morano
Climate Depot

KEEPING THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY WIDE OPEN—
Two Mexican detectives were investigating the murder of Juan Gonzalez.

‘How was he killed?’ asked one detective..

‘With a golf gun,’ the other detective replied.

‘A golf gun! What is a golf gun?’

‘I don’t know. But it sure made a hole in Juan.’

Moe: ‘My wife got me to believe in religion.’

Joe: ‘Really?’

Moe: ‘Yeah, until I married her I didn’t believe in Hell.’

A man is recovering from surgery when the Surgical Nurse appears and asks him how he is feeling.

‘I’m O. K. But I didn’t like the four letter-words the doctor used in surgery,’ he answered.

‘What did he say,’ asked the nurse.

‘Oops!’

–Joe Smith
Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina™

Mees Edges Out Factory Teammate Briar Bauman to Capture the Win, with Bauman Finishing Second and Brandon Robinson Rounding out the Podium in Third

Minneapolis, MN. (April 25, 2022) – Indian Motorcycle Racing, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance, had a stellar showing at round three of the 2022 American Flat Track series in Odessa, MO for the inaugural I-70 Half-Mile, with Jared Mees scoring his second consecutive victory of the season, moving him into the championship lead with a four-point advantage. Factory teammate Briar Bauman took second, while Brandon Robinson rounded out the top three aboard his Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750, giving Indian Motorcycle Racing an impressive podium sweep.

Coming off his dominant performance at the Texas Half-Mile, Mees looked to keep his momentum going and make a strong statement that he is the rider to beat in 2022, which is exactly what he did. While Bauman got a strong jump off the line to take the early lead, Mees started in third and swiftly moved towards the front by overtaking JD Beach on the opening lap. On lap three, Mees had closed in on the back of Bauman before sneaking his FTR750 to the inside and propelling himself into the lead. This time, Mees couldn’t run away with the win and spent much of the 25-lap race fending off advances from his teammate. It was a fight to the finish as Bauman put together a late-race charge to try and overtake the reigning champion. Mees was able to maintain his position, taking the checkered flag and win by a mere 0.116-seconds.

Brandon Robinson moved into third in the early portions of the race and despite his attempts to make it a three-way battle for the lead, he ultimately settled into position and took the checkered flag in third. This marked his first podium finish of the 2022 season.

“This was a solid showing for the whole Indian Motorcycle team, coming away with a podium sweep,” said Gary Gray, Vice President Racing, Service & Technology for Indian Motorcycle. “Although this win didn’t come as easy for Jared [Mees], with Briar [Bauman] right on his rear throughout the entire race, it was still an important win as he’s now leading in the championship standings. There is still a lot of racing left this season, but I think it’s going to be a battle to the finish between these two.”

“What a day,” Mees said. “Mother Nature actually played a good hand for the racetrack for us. Thankfully we got the racing in before the next storm came in. These races that are quick with just one round of qualifying and right into a Main Event are hectic. You’ve got to be on point from word go. What a hectic Main Event with Briar. I felt him breathing down my neck the entire time. A track like this makes for a lot of tiny little mistakes, but everybody has their fair share of them, and we stuck it out and got to the checkered flag first.”

After three rounds, factory Wrecking Crew riders sit 1-2 in the championship chase, with Mees having 64-points and Bauman sitting at 60-points. Both riders have a small cushion heading into rounds four and five, as third sits at 51-points.

The 2022 American Flat Track season continues on May 28 and 29 for the Red Mile Doubleheader in Lexington, KY.

Sponsors for Indian Motorcycle Racing’s American Flat Track efforts include Progressive Insurance, S&S®, Indian Motorcycle Oil, Mission Foods, Bell Helmets, Drag Specialties and Parts Unlimited.

For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com

NEWS from the MASTER of LIGHT–
As you probably know, David’s hard cover art book has been in the works for quite some time now. We are pleased to announce that you can now place your order and you have a few different options (detailed below).

There is a lot of information in this email, so please read through carefully and let me know if you have any questions!

This 231-page look at his Fine Art career, now spanning 24 years, is a beautiful compilation of David’s artworks and history of his amazing journey thus far. Readers will enjoy learning the back story on many of his works. The amazing Jessi Combs found her way onto the cover, as is fitting. Willie G Davidson was kind enough to write the forward.

Unless you are buying one of the premium packages and want to add a separate book order, the book is only available through our website. You can click on the link below in this email to place your order.

Art Book, $95.00

Art Book signed by David Uhl, $145.00

** Shipping the books is $10 for orders shipping to the lower 48 United States. For orders to be shipped outside that area, please email or call me.

2,500 books have been produced. David is keeping some of these books for special premium offers. As a thank-you for being on his email list, he is giving you a chance to view these options before he posts this on social media later this week!

OPTION 1 – Art book presented inside the felt-lined leather case along with a signed/numbered watercolor print. The image will be David’s first-ever true self-portrait with a beach (Daytona) background. Only 75 of these will be offered in the edition. The first 30 we sell will be at $895 plus shipping. The image below is only partially completed but should give you a good idea.

Buy the art book here!

***************************************
If you are interested in one of the premium packages or have any questions, please reply to this email or call me at 303-913-4840. I am now in Panama City Beach for the event this week.

Thanks for your time and hope you have a great week!

–Greg Rhodes
International Sales Director

David Uhl Fine Art
Uhl Studios
303-913-4840

[page break]

HANG ON! Cancel Earth Day Again, celebrate Earth–
Despite unsupported allegations of increasing doom and disaster due to dangerous man-made warming, just the opposite is occurring.

A dispassionate review of Earth’s ecosystems and the human condition reveal that both are prospering — and not by a little but by a lot.

By nearly every metric, Earth’s ecosystems and the human condition are thriving. Much of the improvement is the result of a modest one degree of warming since the middle of the 19th century and an increase in CO2, likely the result from the burning of fossil fuels that have provided prosperity unknown to any previous generation.

We have done a very good job in protecting our ecosystems, cleaning our air and water and protecting endangered species. That should be celebrated. But Earth Day is no celebration. The observance has been hijacked by extremists who have made a bogeyman of the harmless gas carbon dioxide, ignoring its benefits as a plant food.

With no purpose other than to serve as a fund raiser for climate cultists, Earth Day should be canceled.

Read the entire commentary here first published at the Washington Examiner

Our new billboard is funded!!

Thanks to the many generous supporters who rose to our challenge to fund the money needed to get our second billboard up on the busy Pennsylvania Turnpike. With more than 35,000 vehicles going past it every day, it is likely we will reach as many 6 to 10 million people during the six-month contract.

Want to fund our important missions? We will soon roll out our education materials that will support fact-based science targeting the home school mothers and fathers. Please thoughtfully consider donating either by check or online.

–By Gregory Wrightstone
CO2 Coalition
1621 North Kent Street, Suite 603
Arlington, Virginia 22209 or donate on-line here

HERE’S THE FULL STORY–As a fourteen-year-old student in south-central Pennsylvania at the time of the first Earth Day in April 1970, I recognized the need for a real cleanup of what was a horribly abused environment. When I went off to study geology at college, I embraced the environmentalist movement as my own. In my early years at university, I subscribed to Mother Jones and the Militant. For a short time, I was even a member of the Socialist Workers’ Party.

Along with millions of other young and not-so-young people, I recognized the urgent need to improve our industrial processes and behaviors in a way that was more mindful of our air, water, and land. It may be difficult for a present-day adolescent to realize just how badly we were treating Mother Earth back then. It was common practice for people to throw trash and empty cans out of the windows of their Chevys and Fords. Industrial waste in the Cuyahoga River caught fire, a giant oil rig blowout offshore of Santa Barbara despoiled much of the western coast, Lake Erie was declared “dead,” and air pollution was so bad in Los Angeles that “smog” was coined.

Accompanying that first Earth Day were dozens of apocalyptic predictions of doom not too dissimilar to those of today. Among the most alarming were from Paul Ehrlich that “100-200 million people per year will be starving to death during the next ten years” and that some “65 million Americans would perish in the Great Die-Off between 1980 and 1989.” Kenneth Watt claimed that “we have about five more years at the outside to do something.” Even the New York Times warned, “Man must stop pollution and conserve his resources, not merely to enhance existence but to save the race from intolerable deterioration and possible extinction.”

Well, here we are 52 years later, with nearly all of the objectives of the inaugural Earth Day in the rearview mirror. The quality of our air and water has improved tremendously and likely has not been this clean since the advent of the Industrial Revolution. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there has been approximately a 50% decline in emissions of key air pollutants just since 1990 — sulfur dioxide by a whopping 90% (Figure 1). This improvement in air quality occurred during a period of increasing prosperity and growth of the U.S. economy. People drove more miles, and population and energy use increased.

Commensurate improvements have occurred to our nation’s water resources as well. Cleveland’s waterway, aflame in 1969, was named “River of the Year” in 2019. The once “dead” Lake Erie is now a mecca for sport fishing, and the formerly polluted waters of Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers are now known as the site of a major bass fishing tournament. In the coalfields of the northeast, thousands of miles of streams once left lifeless by mine-acid drainage now support fish and bald eagles. Industries often return water to streams cleaner than it was at the plant intake.

Despite unsupported allegations of increasing doom and disaster due to dangerous human-made warming, just the opposite is occurring. A dispassionate review of Earth’s ecosystems and the human condition reveals that both are prospering — and not by a little but by a lot.

NASA reports a significant increase in worldwide vegetation over the last 35 years is “largely due to rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.” This CO2-driven plant enhancement is also fueling crop growth from the hottest to the coolest climates that are turbocharged by a modest rise in temperature that is extending growing seasons.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the United States has seen a 50% increase in forested acres and an astounding increase in Pennsylvania alone of more than 500%. The area burned by forest fires globally is in significant decline. The number of acres burned in the United States is 20% of that burned 80 and 90 years ago.

By nearly every metric, Earth’s ecosystems and the human condition are thriving. Much of the improvement is the result of a modest one degree of warming since the middle of the 19th century and an increase in CO2, likely the result of the burning of fossil fuels that have provided prosperity unknown to any previous generation.

We have done a very good job in protecting our ecosystems, cleaning our air and water, and protecting endangered species. That should be celebrated. But Earth Day is no celebration. The observance has been hijacked by extremists who have made a bogeyman of the harmless gas carbon dioxide, ignoring its benefits as plant food.

With no purpose other than to serve as a fundraiser for climate cultists, Earth Day should be canceled.

Gregory Wrightstone is a geologist, executive director of the CO2 Coalition in Arlington, Virginia, and an expert reviewer of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (AR6). He is the bestselling author of “Inconvenient Facts: The Science that Al Gore doesn’t want you to know.”

This commentary was first published on April 21, 2022 at the Washington Examiner.

HAL ROBINSON BANDANA NOW AVAILABLE—Hal was the master of pen and ink drawings. Every piece of art was hand drawn meticulously.

Hal is gone now, but his wife is keeping his legacy alive with a few products and T-shirts.

https://5-ballgarage.com/products/hal-robinson-bandana

–Bandit

HANG ON FOR THIS–Like you said it “it’s all nuts”.

Someone asked for more! Like the adage “you asked for it”.

No “prerequisite” is required – unlike in the “billion dollar industry” it addresses where size is the prerequisite for a career.

They deleted the Tweet (Screenshot Attached) but the course is still going to be offered for 2 Credit points.

–Wayfarer

This US college offers a pornography class where students ‘will watch pornographic films together’

The course, titled Film 300O: Porn, will require students to watch pornographic films together and discuss the “sexualization of race, class and gender, and as an experimental, radical art form.”

Westminster college has stoked a controversy with its ‘porn’ class

A private college in the US is offering its students a pornography class which will require them to “watch pornographic films together”. Westminster College in Utah has said it will stand by its plan to offer an elective class on pornography during the upcoming May term despite social media backlash, Deseret News reported.

The liberal arts college in Salt Lake City stoked a controversy after the class listing for the pornography elective was shared on Twitter. The course, titled Film 300O: Porn, will require students to watch pornographic films together and discuss the “sexualization of race, class and gender.”

“Hard core pornography is as American as apple pie and more popular than Sunday night football,” read the listing, which appears to have been taken down from the college website amid social media backlash.

Despite the onslaught of criticism and the listing which seems to have been deleted, Westminster College says the class will be take place as planned in its upcoming term.

“We have no intention to back away from offering this class. By and large, the campus community is supportive of that academic freedom and Westminster’s commitment to talking about tough subjects,” said Westminster College’s chief marketing officer Sheila Yorkin on Thursday.

Yorkin added the course would be taught by a “well-trained, published Ph.D. who’s taught classes like this and similar to this and subject matter along these lines. She has lots of measures in place if students are feeling either uncomfortable or whatever the case may be to leave the room and there’s no academic punishment for that. So she’s really aware of the sensitive nature of it and she’s a professional.”

According to USA Today, 14 students had signed up for the class as of three days ago. Yorkin said the course has been offered in the past as well.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/westminster-college-in-utah-offers-a-pornography-class-where-students-will-watch-pornographic-films-together-8401341.html

It’s kickstart only, jokey-shift and a mid-control suicide clutch. Note the seat. The own must be a very light pilot, no suspension. Hang on!

–Sam Burns
Feature Editor
Bikernet.com™

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–2017 Harley-Davidson FXDLS – Low Rider S for $16,995.00

See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=11892411

2017 Black Harley-Davidson LOW RIDER SPECIAL 110 FXDLS

ONLY 48874.00 Miles !!!!!

This bike is a super clean Dyna 110S with tons of extras

Some of the features/Add-ons on this bike

* Screaming Eagle 110c.i. Motor
* 6-Speed trans
* Bassina Exhaust-Big breather intake-Power Commander
* T-Bars with Club style fairing
* Progressive front cartridge’s in Gold tubes-Rear Fox shocks
* Saddleman seat
* Gold MX pegs-Mirrors

Just $16,995.00

Plus license, and a $85.00 documentation fee and your local sales tax. NO HIDDEN FEES like dealers. We have no reconditioning or prep fees.

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 92-point safety and mechanical/structural inspection.

You can fill out an online application with EZ FINANCING and EXTENDED WARRANTIES available to purchase!!! and you can ride today!

Lifestyle Cycles located at 1510 State College Blvd,Anaheim,CA,92806 NOT LOCAL WE HAVE

******SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!******

Call today (714) 490-0155. **Open 7 days a week**

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

All throughout dinner my wife’s best friend’s four-year-old daughter stared at me as I sat opposite her. The girl could hardly eat her food for staring.

I checked my shirt for spots, felt my face for food, and patted my hair in place, but nothing stopped her from staring at me.

Finally, I asked her, “Why are you staring at me?”

Everyone at the table had noticed her behavior, and the table went quiet, waiting for her response.

Finally…. the little girl said….
“I am just waiting to see how you drink like a fish.”

–Wayfarer

CHIX on 66– Presented by Harley-Davidson Teams Up with Tucker Powersports

Riveter Chapter of the AMCA proudly announces that Tucker Powersports has been named the official oil sponsor for the Chix on 66 ride June 10-25, 2022. This sponsorship will allow our riders to replace oil, filters, and other fluids to keep their motorcycles freshly lubricated across the entire 2,500-mile route.

Chix on 66 is a cross-country ride comprising 40 women that will follow the entirety of Route 66 from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Riveter Chapter President Karan Andrea says, “When putting on a 2,500-mile ride like this, a lot more thought and planning goes into putting our bikes on the road and keeping them there. Since we are traveling east to west, the latter part of the journey will be through desert, which punishes everything—our machines as well as our bodies.”

“Tucker Powersports has generously stepped up to help us take care of our machines by providing us with oil, filters, and other consumables that we will need. I am particularly appreciative since I am doing this ride on my ’74 Shovelhead. Being able to put fresh oil in her before we hit the high desert will give me, as well as all the other women riding both antique and modern motorcycles, peace of mind riding through the heat.”

Tucker Powersports is a world-class distributor of powersports aftermarket parts, accessories and apparel.

Tucker offers tens of thousands of products for American and metric motorcycles and other powersports vehicles from its market-leading brands. Tucker will provide, through its Twin Power and BikeMaster brands, a supply of individually chosen motor oil and oil filters for each Chix on 66 participant so that riders can change their oil along the route.

The company will also supply other fluids and supplies that may be needed for minor on-the-road repairs.

www.chixon66.com

NEWS FROM WINDVEST–15th Annual Norm Dober Memorial Run

Let’s celebrate the founder of WindVest and remember our fallen friends and family.
Take a ride around the lake and head to The 19th Hole for lunch.

Meet at: WindVest Motorcycle Products
Date: May 21st, 2022
Time: Kickstands up at 10am

16840 Joleen Way, Ste B2
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
408-762-7180

THE BIKERNET UNIVERSITY LYRICS OF THE WEEK–
Here is another great song about finding yourself on the road (though this one also mentions a car like the Sting song “Fill Her Up”).

–Wayfarer

* * * *

Song: “My Church” by Maren Morris

Won 2016 Country Music Association Award (CMA) for New Artist of the Year

I’ve cussed on a Sunday
I’ve cheated and I’ve lied
I’ve fallen down from grace
A few too many times
But I find holy redemption
When I put this car in drive
Roll the windows down and turn up the dial

Can I get a hallelujah
Can I get an amen
Feels like the Holy Ghost running through ya
When I play the highway FM
I find my soul revival
Singing every single verse
Yeah I guess that’s my church

When Hank brings the sermon
And Cash leads the choir
It gets my cold cold heart burning
Hotter than a ring of fire
When this wonderful world gets heavy
And I need to find my escape
I just keep the wheels rolling, radio scrolling
‘Til my sins wash away

Can I get a hallelujah
Can I get an amen
Feels like the Holy Ghost running through ya
When I play the highway FM
I find my soul revival
Singing every single verse
Yeah I guess that’s my church

Can I get a hallelujah
Can I get an amen
Feels like the Holy Ghost running through ya
When I play the highway FM
I find my soul revival
Singing every single verse
Yeah I guess that’s my church

Hey, can I get a hallelujah
Can I get an amen
Feels like the Holy Ghost running through ya
When I play the highway FM
I find my soul revival
Singing every single verse
Yeah I guess that’s my church
Yeah I guess that’s my church
Yeah I guess that’s my church

SOURCE: https://www.lyricfind.com/

THE ELECTRIC CASE FILE—Chennai electric vehicle store gutted after major fire.

The incident took place at a dealership of Okinawa Autotech, which recently recalled 3,215 units of its ‘Praise Pro’ scooters on April 16 in the wake of incidents where the vehicles caught fire.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of the IANS report stated that the fire broke out as the battery of one of the e-vehicles exploded. The copy has since been changed to reflect that the fire was the result of a short circuit at the store.

An Okinawa dealership burnt down to ashes in Chennai on Saturday, April 16, owing to an electric short-circuit in the building. No casualties were reported and the fire was put out with the help of locals but the entire showroom on the main road in Kunrathur was gutted. Okinawa, which recalled 3,215 units of its ‘Praise Pro’ scooters on April 16, just before the dealership was engulfed in flames in Tamil Nadu, said in a statement shared with IANS that no EV scooter or battery fire started the incident, as was reported earlier.

“The fire was due to an electric short-circuit in the panel wiring in the building. The dealership has also confirmed the same,” the company said. Five new e-bikes, and a total of 17 bikes were damaged, including 12 bikes that came in for service. Items in the showroom also caught fire and were damaged. Police have registered a case and are investigating. The fire caused a stir in the area for some time. This was the sixth EV fire incident since the onset of summer this year.

 

I picked up some rejected rectangular tubing for my new patio fence from A&J Welding Supply. My contractor bought a bit for his back hoe, so we can readily bore the holes in our nasty gumbo earth.

I need a new front brake cable for the Pandemic. I used whatever I had, but if the Redhead is going to ride it, it needs to be more robust for quicker action.

During the run to Carson City we visited the Paughco Empire and manufacturing plant. The redhead wanted some of these rolling wooden crates. Check out the new Paughco Web Site. They’ve come a long way and improved the user friendly aspects.

We faced a blizzard last weekend.

I’m supposed to see Irish Rich tomorrow about my VL for a Knucklehead frame.

 

Here’s a shot from the previous storm. I got a kick out of the ice slipping off the end of the table as if it was a tablecloth.

We ran across Buffalo Trace whiskey in a Sturgis Alley late one night. It’s damn good. I’m about ready for a shot.

In the meantime ride fast and free forever.

–Bandit

With a beautiful weather forecast and racers eager to resume racing after two years of pandemic hurtles, the pits were jam-packed with racers ready to start the 2022 racing season.

 
Orient Express Racing Pro Street
The Orient Express Pro Steet racers never disappoint as they always give the crowd a stellar show. Racers started testing on Wednesday at the track as the season opener is always a learning curve. These Pro Street teams continuously make upgrades to push their performance to the next level. And it was apparent as 6 second passes became the norm every round.

Class champion Rodney Williford was the number one qualifier every round. Williford turned the dials as needed every round to keep his turbo Hayabusa on top. His final number for qualifying was an astounding 6.397 made in the third qualifier.
 
Qualifying was exciting as several racers dropped their personal best ET’s and put big numbers on the boards. By the end of qualifying, fifteen racers were running in the six-second zone. Justin Shakir struggled in the first two qualifying rounds, but then in three, he ran a 6.467.

The first round of eliminations was action-packed as fourteen of the sixteen competitors easily put 6 second times on the boards. Williford took wins against Rudy Sanzoterra, Jordan Haase, and Greg Wallace before facing Ryan Hable in the final. Hable took wins against Ricky Wood, Justin Shakir, and Darion Payne on his road to the final.

In the final round, Hable needed to cut a great light for any chance of a win. Williford, who could efficiently run in the forties with a wrist twist, is a tough competitor to beat. And Hable did his job cutting his best light of the weekend, but it wouldn’t be enough for the Williford Racing powered Hayabusa running a 6.472 at 225.63 to Hable’s 6.962 performance.
 

 
DME Racing Real Street
Class champion David Stewart took the number one qualifying spot in DME Racing Real Street with a 7.569. And Stewart looked to be on track for a season-opening win as he took wins against Courtlan Whiting and Rickey Gadson to land himself in the final against Ben Knight. Knight was not on his ProCharger this season. Instead, he is aboard Ralphie Navarro’s Hayabusa, and he took this all-motor platform to the final after taking wins over David Fondon, Chad Sosnowski, and class champion Mark Hylton.

In the final, Knight did what he does best and cut a light on Stewart to make it an exciting side-by-side run as the pair raced towards the stripe. Stewart ran a faster 7.634 to Knight’s slower 7.677, but that holeshot will get you every time, and Knight’s win light came on for his first Real Street win!
 
MaxxECU Pro Xtreme
This weekend John Collins qualified #1 with a 3.988 in XDA’s quickest eighth-mile category, MaxxECU Pro Xtreme. Collins would not be able to turn the qualifying position into a win as Chris Cutsinger took him out in the semi-final round. Cutsinger would face Canadian racer Terry Schweigert in the finals.

With these bikes pushing the limit every round, Schweigert’s bike would suffer damage to give Cutsinger a solo pass in the final and his first Pro Xtreme win. Cutsinger gave the crowd a show despite the easy win when he blasted down the track and threw a 3.994 on the scoreboard!
 
MaxxECU Pro Xtreme is presented by Billy Vose Racing, Fast by Gast, Dunigan Racing, DME Racing, Grothus Dragbikes, Harley Haul, Rob Bush Motorsports, Robinson Industries, Schnitz Racing, Timblin Chassis, and Worldwide Bearings.
 
HTP Performance Super Stock
HTP Performance Super Stock features stock wheelbase motorcycles with limited modifications. This class is all about the riders and what they can do to squeeze the most power out of these motorcycles with just their clutch hand in control. The challenge with a stock wheelbase motorcycle in drag racing is controlling the torque off the starting line to keep that front tire on the ground for a quick and smooth transition from launch to acceleration.

 
Vance & Hines 4.60
The country’s quickest and most popular 1/8th-mile index class is Vance and Hines 4.60, and thirty-two competitors showed up to fill the field at the Platinum General Services Spring Opener. Durwood Rawlings took the number one qualifying spot with a 4.601, followed by the class champion Ronald Procopio with a 4.602. Procopio would get right back to work, winning four rounds to land himself in the final against Michael Ostrowski, who qualified with a 4.605.

The final round was won at the tree as the champ turned on the red light with a -.003. This red light handed the win to Ostrowski and gave him the 2022 championship chase advantage.

Boosted Bulls
Boosted Bulls is back this season as a championship earning class as XDA is looking to bring the turbo grudge bikes back into the arena and give them a place to show out. The class started with sparks as Frankie Stotz on DME Racing’s ‘Reddi-Wip’ crashed in round one against Malcom Phillips. Stotz was fighting a wheelie and keeping the bike away from the wall when the bike washed out from under him as the front wheel hit the track.  He walked away from this crash with bruises and will be back out later this season.

Phillips on ‘Billy Mays’ went on to take on Desmond Spalding on ‘Moonshine’ in the final but someone drank all the shine and Spalding was a no show due to engine carnage and handed the first win to Phillips.

APE Nitrous Bulls

3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls
In 3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls the class champion David Page went out in round one to David Martin on ‘Unknown.’ Martin has been in a battle with Page for the last two seasons trying to dethrone him. And this weekend Martin got the jump on him and did not waste that win as he went on to win the next round again Howard Gerken on ‘Son of Sam.’ This win landed him in the final against Spencer Claycomb on ‘Under the Influence.’

Spencer Claycomb has put in a lot of work on the off season and has been racing and testing for the last few months, so he would not be easy prey for Martin. Mullet power would prevail in the final as ‘Under the Influence’ found his way to the win light to start the season with the points lead.

Tommie’s Motorsports DMV Bulls
The Tommie’s Motorsports DMV Bulls class was sold out by Friday night with 16 entries. This affordable grudge class is designed for races who have not competed in the elite Boosted Bulls and Nitrous Bulls classes of XDA.

Class champion Cody Lowe on ‘Codeine’ was ready to defend his thorn this past weekend as he easily turned win lights on against Geoff Godfrey, Carl Lucas, and Derek Sobiech to make it to another final. John Carter on ‘The Gray Matter’ would be the last victim of the night as Lowe made easy work of him in the final to take his place in the winner’s circle once again.

1 Stop Speed 5.60
In the eighth-mile class of 1 Stop Speed 5.60, class champion Dustin Lee took the number one qualifying spot with a 5.601 over forty-three competitors. However, Lee was eliminated in round two of competition despite grabbing the top spot.

Mickey Thompson Tires Top Sportsman
In Mickey Thompson Performance Top Sportsman, the fastest ET racers on the property competed for one of the thirty-two spots available. Pablo Gonzalez, who won two events last season, took the number one qualifying spot with a 7.462. Unfortunately for Gonzalez, he would not make it past round two.

However, Boo Brown and Hank Lovett had no problems cutting down the competition to win four rounds to face each other in the final. For the second time of the weekend, Brown would be chopped down at the tree with Lovett’s .003 reaction time over his .079 giving Lovett the advantage to get to the stipe first and turn on that coveted win light.

MPS Racing Pro ET
The MPS Racing Pro ET class had a tremendous turnout for Sunday competition, with one hundred and thirty-five racers. The semi-final featured heavy hitter Hank Lovett, Kenny Webster, Dustin Lee, and class champion Mike Schulz. Dustin Lee and Hank Lovett would come out victorious to make it to the eighth-round final.

Hank Lovett, who won Top Sportsman had merged into Pro ET at the fifth round and was looking to double up for the weekend. The final round would be a letdown for Lovett when his bike broke on the starting line, and had to be backed out of the beams. Dustin Lee would break the beams for the win and start the season leading the points.

Brock’s Performance Street ET

VooDoo Components Bracket Bash
The VooDoo Components Bracket Bash featured on Saturday had a stout 135 entries. But with a season opener riddled with oil downs and on track delays, only four rounds of competition were completed before the decision was made to call it a day and split the purse among the remaining riders.

Hard Times Parts & Service Gambler’s Race
The Friday Hard Times Parts and Service Gamblers Race featured sixty-four sportsman racers looking to get competitive action before event qualifying. With a payout of $4,000 to the winner, this Friday-only race is intense, with racers throwing down double-o lights and running dead on their dials.

 
Notable
The Platinum General Services Spring Nationals also featured the Top Fuel Motorcycle of Dave Vantine as his team came out to test his nitro monster. And he did not disappoint, running a 5.935 at 256.26 to set the MPH track record at Maryland International Raceway.

The next stop for the 2022 XDA season will be at Virginia Motorsports Park for the 36th annual MTC Engineering Summer Nationals on May 20-22, 2022. There will be over 700 Professional, Sportsman, and Grudge motorcycle racers in competition, battling it out for over $80,000 in cash purse. Make plans now to watch the best drag racers in the country put on the premier horsepower show the East Coast has to offer.

About XDA Racing

Purchase, Pegs and Paint
By Bandit with photos from the Redhead

It all started in the center of an odd South Dakota winter, 2022 and a hunt for a running Knucklehead engine. I found myself talking to several knowledgeable brothers in the industry and the price for Knucklehead engines climbed spectacularly. Hell, shit, piss, way beyond spectacular.

Steve Massicot at Paughco mentioned an old employee who needed funds and had a UL for sale. A complete bobber, although the running aspect was in question.

I remembered George Christie’s classic flathead with fatbobs. We rode to the Yuma River run in the early ‘70s.

As you know, I’m nuts and believe I can fix anything. Most bikers can, so I cut a deal, but UL Steve wanted cash….

READ This Tech & Rebuild Adventure – Step by Step – with Photos on Bikernet.com – Click Here as the Newest Feature Article on Custom Build Series comes Alive!!!

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KYLE WYMAN CHARGES TO ROAD ATLANTA KING OF THE BAGGERS VICTORY ON FACTORY HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE MOTORCYCLE
Jesse Janisch Dominates Production Twins on Harley-Davidson XG750R at Odessa Half-Mile

MILWAUKEE, WI (April 24, 2022) – Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle® factory rider Kyle Wyman scored a hard-fought win in the MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers race at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga. on Sunday. The defending series champion passed for the lead on lap three and pulled away for the win aboard a race-prepared Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® motorcycle. James Rispoli finished second on the Vance & Hines Racing Harley-Davidson Road Glide motorcycle.

“This win definitely feels good,” said Wyman following the race. “I’m so happy to do it for everyone on the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle team. They deserve it so much. They have been working day and night since Daytona to get us here and made some significant improvements to the bike that allowed me to be much more aggressive on the track today. Winning today and having James finish second has really helped us in the points chase.”

Wyman topped the field in King of the Baggers qualifying on Saturday, posting a best lap of 1:31.87, lowering the class lap record on the 2.55-mile Road Atlanta road course by 4.5 seconds. Later on Saturday, Wyman crashed during the King of the Baggers Challenge sprint race to determine pole position for the eight-lap feature, and was set to start in sixth position on the second row for Sunday’s main event.

On Sunday Wyman jumped out to third place on the opening lap and trailed pole sitter Bobby Fong and Rispoli. Fong crashed his Indian motorcycle on lap two and was out of the race. Wyman passed Rispoli for the lead on lap three and then gradually pulled away, opening a gap of 0.66 seconds by lap five and 1.24 seconds by lap seven.

Wyman crossed the finish line 1.86 seconds ahead of Rispoli, averaging more than 100 mph per lap. Tyler O’Hara was third on an Indian, 3.49 seconds behind Wyman. Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle® factory team rider Travis Wyman finished in sixth place.

The Mission King of the Baggers series features race-prepared American V-Twin touring motorcycles. Harley-Davidson® Factory Team Road Glide® motorcycles are powered by race modified Screamin’ Eagle® Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight® 131 Performance Crate Engines.

After three of seven rounds on the 2022 Mission King of the Baggers series, Kyle Wyman moves from sixth to third place in the series standings, tied with his brother Travis Wyman at 41 points, 20 points out of first place. The Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle® factory team returns to the track June 3-5 at the MotoAmerica Superbikes Weekend at Road America raceway in Elkhart Lake, Wis.

JANISCH STORMS TO PRODUCTION TWINS WIN ON ODESSA HALF-MILE

Vance & Hines Racing team rider Jesse Janisch rode a Harley-Davidson XG750R motorcycle to a dominating win in the Mission Production Twins main at the inaugural Progressive American Flat Track series I-70 Half-Mile on April 23 in Odessa, Missouri. Janisch started on the front row after qualifying second for the event. The semi-final rounds were cancelled due to approaching weather.

Janisch stormed into the lead at the start of the main and was never challenged, building a gap of 9.43 seconds by the end of the 22-lap race. For the 35-year-old racer from Beaver Dam, Wis., the win was sweet redemption for a disappointing 14th-place finish at the Texas Half-Mile on March 19.

After three of 17 events on the 2022 Progressive American Flat Track series Production Twins schedule Janisch is in third place with 47 points, 13 points out of first place.

The Progressive American Flat Track series is back in action for a double-header race weekend May 28-29 on the Red Mile in Lexington, Ky.

About Harley-Davidson: Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture with an expanding range of leading-edge, distinctive and customizable motorcycles in addition to riding experiences and exceptional motorcycle accessories, riding gear and apparel.
Learn more at www.harley-davidson.com

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FIRST OFFICIAL BTR FLAT TRACK FULL-GRID, JOHNNY LEWIS DEBUTS NEW CHASSIS AT I-70 HALF-MILE

Jaycee Jones fires first shot of 2022 BUILD. TRAIN. RACE. Flat Track, Moto Anatomy X takes next step in Royal Enfield Twins FT evolution

Milwaukee, WI (Monday, April 25, 2022) – The Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Flat Track program held its first full-grid race of the 2022 season at I-70 Motorsports Park in Odessa, Missouri, where seven returning riders and eight new faces took to the track. The larger field of racers combined with a new American Flat Track venue and some wild weather conditions created a whole new race dynamic, but in the end, there was a familiar face atop the podium—Jaycee Jones topped the first 2022 BTR Flat Track race featuring the full roster, storming to victory ahead of newcomer Zaria Martens and BTR veteran Jillian Deschenes.

The women of BTR Flat Track were looking forward to a test day I-70 Motorsports Park as a final test-and-tune session ahead of the season. But due to strong winds and track equipment issues, the program was abbreviated, only leaving the women with two test sessions. From there it was trial by fire as the BTR Flat Track field took to the grid for the first official round of the season (following the “BTR Select” exhibition at the Volusia Half Mile).

Jaycee Jones led the way from start to finish, never relinquishing control of the eight-lap race. Behind her, the battle to watch was between Zaria Martens and Jillian Deschenes. The two dueled throughout the race, much to the Missouri crowd’s delight, with 18-year-old Martens besting veteran BTR racer Deschenes at the checkered flag.

“It was flawless racing by all 15 BTR Flat Track women, and a great start to the season,” said Breeann Poland, Marketing and Communications Lead – Royal Enfield Americas. “Despite limited track time and the ladies not being able to get ample time on their bikes, they supported each other, offered each other advice and feedback, and went out there and put on a great race. Having 15 women from various backgrounds and personalities all under one canopy, working together with a shared competitive spirit is what we’ve always strived for.”

Through the combination of seasoned veterans and newcomers, and an overall faster field of riders, the night proved to be particularly challenging for Gabrielle Hughes, who was faced with the challenge of improving her lap times in order to line up for the main event. Through teamwork and perseverance, Hughes summoned the fortitude to slash several seconds off her lap times to card her best-ever performance.

“It was a rollercoaster of emotions for me,” Hughes said. “Our seven-session practice the day before the race but cut short after only two. The racetrack was a completely different beast the next day and the rough track terrified me. But Jillian and Zaria helped me get my head straight, and Bree lit a fire under my butt. My awesome team wouldn’t leave me behind and I went out and beat two girls. I am hungry to keep pushing forward, and each race I am going to come back stronger this season.”

JOHNNY LEWIS DEBUTS ALL-NEW CHASSIS

The I-70 Half-Mile also marked a first for Johnny Lewis and the Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield Team, as they debuted an all-new Harris Performance-designed chassis in the Twins FT motorcycle. Lewis is taking on the full 2022 season in the Production Twins class of American Flat Track, where he and the team continue to make progress on the Twins FT.

“This all-new chassis is a clean-slate design, and is the culmination of two years of race testing and feedback from Johnny Lewis,” said Breeann Poland. “Together with the world championship-winning expertise of Harris Performance, this new chassis is much improved, and ready to take on a full season in American Flat Track racing.”

The I-70 Half-Mile turned into the proving grounds for the new chassis, and although the test sessions that were originally slated to take place at the Odessa, Missouri venue were abbreviated due to weather and complications with track equipment, Lewis and the Moto Anatomy X Team were able to put the new chassis to the test.

“We were able to extensively test the new chassis for the first time at I-70,” Lewis said. “Although we had very limited track time due to weather, we did what we could in that time. We were able to find some areas to improve on between now and our next race, the Red Mile, which happens to be the first Mile for Royal Enfield in AFT. We’re feeling pretty excited and confident heading into uncharted territory in Lexington, Kentucky.”

Lewis put in solid laps during the Production Twins main event, where he finished sixth in order to maintain a solid top-five position in the championship. Johnny and the team look forward to taking an important step at the following round—the first Mile race of the season—the Red Mile Doubleheader in Lexington, Kentucky taking place May 28-29.

Royal Enfield BUILD. TRAIN. RACE. Flat Track
I-70 Half-Mile Results

1. Jaycee Jones
2. Zaria Martens
3. Jillian Deschenes
4. Lanakila MacNaughton
5. Stephanie Pietz
6. Makenna Hiatt
7. Malary Lee
8. Alex Bumpus McDonald
9. Erin Ferris
10. Anna Serena
11. Kaiela Hobart
12. Nean Kiskela
13. Gabrielle Hughes
14. Moriah Hummer
15. Mia Reese

Visit https://www.americanflattrack.com/results/default for detailed results.

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., Canada and Puerto Rico. RENA currently offers the all-new Classic 350, Meteor 350, Himalayan and the 650 Twins (INT 650 and Continental GT 650) motorcycles, along with a range of Genuine Motorcycle Accessories and apparel.
For more information on Royal Enfield North America, visit www.RoyalEnfield.com/us/en/, www.Instagram.com/RoyalEnfield_NA, www.Facebook.com/RoyalEnfieldNorthAmerica.

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It all started in the center of an odd South Dakota winter, 2022 and a hunt for a running Knucklehead engine. I found myself talking to several knowledgeable brothers in the industry and the price for Knucklehead engines climbed spectacularly. Hell, shit, piss, way beyond spectacular.

While, discussing some vintage parts with Steve Massicot at Paughco, he mentioned an old employee who needed funds and had a UL for sale. A complete bobber, although the running aspect was in question. I remembered George Christie’s classic flathead with fatbobs. We rode to the Yuma River run in the early ‘70s.

Then Steve sent me some shots of another Steve’s 1948 UL, which I later discovered is most likely a 74 cubic inch flathead. In 1948 all of the U models were 74s. The UL was the high-compression solo-twin, the U being medium compression and the US the medium compression side-car model. Many came with aluminum heads, and they were available as an add-on. There were only 970 ULs built in 1948, the last year of the big flatheads. As a comparison, over 4,000 EL Panheads were built in 1948 and almost 8,000 FLs. About the same for Knuckleheads the previous year.

The shots revealed a lot, like no front brake, however the driveline was complete, the bike was a classic from the rebuilt stock springer and custom made extra-wide highbars. I was intrigued by the classic style, and the previous owner, builder, Steve Hannah was 6’4”. It seemed to fit him is a classic David Mann sorta way. I don’t own a flathead, which also intrigued me.

Steve still restores bikes for Ron Paugh’s masterful collection. He cleaned up the stock Knucklehead frame, rebuilt the star-hubs and transmission. According to Steve Massicot, the owner didn’t like the sound of the engine and found the valves out of adjustment. He dialed it in and rode it from Carson City to Virginia City, but was still concerned and never rode it again.

As you know, I’m nuts and believe I can fix anything. Most bikers can, so I cut a deal, but UL Steve wanted cash. I robbed a bank, and the redhead and I watched the weather closely, made rough arrangements, because you never know. There seemed to be a slight opening in the waves of snow and bitter cold making a habit of rolling over Wyoming while heading north. We took a gamble and decided to peel out at 4:00 a.m. to dodge a snowy front heading into South Dakota in January.

The cracked compass said due west for 1200 miles or 18 hours. Leaving early, when it’s 20 degrees may mean it was clear, but the roads were slick and icy. We blazed out of the black hills trying to study iffy road conditions under the lingering darkness and then over the vast and unrelenting Continental Divide three times.

We have designed a short cut through Wyoming. It cuts from the northeastern corner southwest through Muddy Gap to Interstate 80 in Rawlins where it became a meandering straight shot out of Wyoming into Utah and from there into Nevada where we stopped for the night in Wendover right on the border. That night was a story into itself between sloppy casinos, bad casino restaurant help, one Wendover restaurant, a Mexican take-out joint and a Best Western Motel.

The next morning, we faced a nearly straight shot for 6 hours or 424 miles into Carson City and the Supreme Paughco Headquarters. I’ve known Ron Paugh for over 50 years. He’s one of the supreme backbones of our industry, supportive and inspirational. Last year he was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He’s run Paughco through all the good times and the bad and always had the precision vintage parts we needed.

Ron was bending pipes in the shop where he lives now, which is massive, but he took a break and gave us a tour. His line of parts never stops growing.

We arrived right on the dot of 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon the estimated ETA and followed Steve Massicot over to Steve Hannah’s house a couple of miles away.

Hannah is a biker to the bone. He was suspicious, had to have cash and still had the long hair and oily Levi’s he’s been wearing for 40 years. His house was more of a garage as we moved through tarps leading into the back of his home and one room full of motorcycles after another. The UL sat in the center of one dusty room with a partially finished ceiling. It was a jewel in the middle of a myriad of semi-finished projects.

We rolled it out into the hazy afternoon sun for inspection. UL Steve was sure the left case was cracked and would lead to doom. He was also confident the bike would run with a new battery and some high-test fuel. I liked the classic cut of his jib and could tell the old flathead had been built with care, but the flat black Sportster gas tank needed to be painted. I saw a couple of minor elements I would correct, but I slipped him the briefcase and we loaded the ’48 in the back of the van for the trip home.

Like most of us, the first thing we dive into is a list of improvements. I extended the rear tank mounting tabs on the Sportster tank and brazed the cracks. I worked with Jason Mook of Deadwood Custom Cycles to chase and clean the petcock threads and find a painter.

He works with a couple of guys, and one is Greg Robley in Boulder Canyon, not far away. You would think flat colors would be a breeze compared to high gloss, but that’s not the case. Greg is a painter as a hobby. He works construction at the Homestake Mine. “I’ve never been down into the caverns,” Greg said. That’s where the scientists are endeavoring to study neutrinos another break-through element in matter.

As it turns out Greg wanted me to go with gloss black, because adding the matt and lining it up with the gloss scallops was a delicate chore. He found an imperfection in the first round and was forced to paint it twice.

I’ve added a quart of Mobil One motorcycle 20-50 oil and started to kick it. I ordered a Knucklehead manual that includes the big side-valve models up to 1947 because Knucklehead were replaced by the famous Panhead line in 1948.

I started to read about adjusting the valves, which is straight-forward. I read about the timing and oil pump adjustments. Why is it that the manual says see (8) on image 68, but it doesn’t exist?

I’ll probably call Lee Clemens, who is sorta retired from Departure Bike Works and pick his brain about tuning the flathead.

I immediately wanted to replace the classic upsweeps with a two-into-one exhaust system, and I scored some parts from Paughco. I know it would make the bike run better and give it some back pressure. But the more I look at the bike, the more the upsweeps are classic and cool. I’m still grappling with that mod.

There’s a current issue hanging around my neck like a sailor’s albatross. My shop is not complete in Boulder Canyon. The UL is stuffed in a small garage in Deadwood with access to limited tools and equipment. Hell, I don’t have a milkcrate to hoist the bike onto.

I try to tell myself, “Patience my son…” The shop could be finished in three weeks.

But I don’t ever give up or give in. I continued to fill in the blanks. I went on the search for a battery. Check my battery article with Lowbrow.

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=15044

It took a while, but I discovered the Mighty Max 12-volt, 100 cranking amps battery for about $25 bucks. Amazing. Let’s see how it hangs. I took out Steve’s fake case and padded the Mighty Max into place and was able to finish it off. For some odd reason Steve wired the bike so the lights work even if the ignition is off. Not a great notion. Too easy to leave the lights on and drain the battery.

I may correct that, but I also wanted to match the foot pegs with a set of stock rubber pegs. I started asking guys I know about used H-D pegs. For years, with all the custom shit, the first thing guys removed from stock bikes was their stock rubber pegs and replaced them with chrome-billet shit. Then they encountered extreme vibration and looked for cool custom shit with chrome and rubber cushions. Some of the cool custom rubber shit didn’t last.

Anyway, the old, tough stock shit piled up in builders’ garages, tossed in the corner. Ebay seemed to be the source for stock shit, and I purchase two sets of pegs and one set of peg extensions. Let’s see what arrives and when.

In the next episode, I will bring you a report on the starting procedures and what we found. I might also show you what I have in mind for exhaust mods. Hang on.

–Bandit

This is Photojournalist Kiran Ridley’s secondhand, 200 cc, Chinese-built motorcycle he relies on to get around in Ukraine. Second-language issues could be blamed for the Xplode name written on the side panel — something you don’t want your motorcycle to do, especially in a war zone.

From the Common Thread Team
by Neale Bayly of RevZilla

Editor’s Note: I discovered this story on Common Thread the ZevZilla web site. I hope they don’t mind Bikernet sharing this with our readers. You should go to their site to see Ridley’s moving photos.–Bandit

Simple things at first about his motorcycle: a badly wobbling rear wheel and a high idle speed, along with the machine’s refusal to run without the choke engaged. As a motorcycle journalist, I am surprised the motorcycle is not known to me. It’s an odd 200 cc single-cylinder, four-stroke machine that “rides like shit — you are fighting it all the time,” he tells me.

The circumstances of how he acquired the machine are fascinating, as he tells me about a chance meeting with a heavily tattooed pizza delivery rider that led to a conversation and an opportunity to purchase the delivery rider’s second motorcycle. It took just a few calls, a meeting, and with an exchange of cash the deal was done. Ridley was mobile.

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