Here's a shot of the bagger mentioned in the article. You'll run across another shot of it below.

Below is mostly the words from an article written by Wilburn Roach for American Rider on Ron Finch's first dresser project. You'll enjoy it and it covers much of what Ron is up to. He's a classic cycle artist.–Bandit

It was my first Bagger,” Ron admitted as if he was confessing to an affair. He's a noted high-priest chopper builder. Baggers denote the anti-Christ to a life-long chopper rider.

“I can't use custom manufactured frames,” Ron said, sparks dancing off the concrete deck around his feet. “I never know where the gas tank will end up.” He barked in a gravely voice referring to his latest rolling metal-art-sculpture coupled to a strong handmade chrome moly frame. “The frame is light,” Ron said, “I could run smaller O.D. tubing and no-one builds a pure swingarm frame anymore. They're all goddamn Softails.”

“We hard mounted the bags,” Ron said, “but they leaked so we tested rubber mounting.” The front third of the handmade aluminum bags contain fuel. They hold 4 gallons total which will power the light frame and 120-inch Keck motor for over 100 miles. “That's enough for me. I'm ready for a beer stop,” he added.

Ron rode this Keck driven twisted sculpture to Milwaukee from Pontiac, Michigan and to Myrtle Beach 1,200 miles from home. Ron's twisted steel for over 38 years and continues to rock the custom industry with one-of-a-kind creations. In 1965, he created Finch's Custom Styled Cycles, in Pontiac. In 1972, with an expanding clientele, Ron and his wife Ruth, moved to Auburn Hills, Michigan. With a dedicated crew, an artistic eye, genius for sculpting rod and wild painting techniques, he's still behind the torch. “I tig weld,” Ron said describing his welding choice. “I usually have a helper to hold pieces together and prefer team work.

It takes three of us to bend, mark, cut and weld. I tack most of my material and have someone back-up my welding. It don't trust myself.

Hell, I would prefer to braze everything.”

I asked him for the notion behind this concept and he coughed, “I always have a design in my mind,” Ron said, “but I never draw anything. I just go for it.” He made the handlebars by hand, the headlight out of cut 2-inch tubing chunks, and modified the Milwaukee Iron fenders. “We widened the rear fender and cut slots in the front which I framed in 3/16-inch tubing.” He built the battery box out of a threshold door vent. “The first battery would barely turn over that big engine,” Ron said, “I finally scored an Odyssey and installed compression releases. My partners hated push-starting me. As soon as the Keck fired it blasted away leaving them lying in the street.”

He recently sold his shop of 25 years to Home Depot, gathered up all his tools and metal art and moved it into the building behind his house. “We shut the retail shop down,” Ron said, “I build bikes, paint and get to ride more.” He also actively builds metal art sculptures and appliances for whoever wants his artistic touch in their home or office. METALife is the company title. Building everything from plants, animals, gates, bed frames, furniture, fences, even railings, a bridge and a deck, Ron is using his mastery of metal-working toward art. “I'm designing racks and art in a couple of doctor's offices right now,” Ron said. “They're nuts, but if they like my shit, they'll get it.”

When he told me this was the last bike he built for himself, it begged the question, “You're last bike?”

“No goddamnit,” Ron snapped, “Of course not. It took me a while to move my shop, but I'll start another project before long. I'm still building several bikes for customers. Now get off my back.”

I hung up the phone, took another look at this acid trip metallic concoction on wheels and sought solace in the garage behind dark welding glasses, the spark of a surreal torch flame and a cold beer. Inspired to build another ashtray with a burnt piston and an old cam shaft, I snapped the spark lighter. If you want to reach Master Finch, don't grab the phone. He won't answer it. Try his web site: finchscustoms.com.

Just recently Ron competed with Jesse Rooke in a Biker Build-off. “The ride was incredible until we hit the Delaware Bridge,” Ron told me. “My rear wheel bearings blew out.” Original productions was paying $5,000 an hour for helicopter footage and they needed a set of bearings quick. It wasn't the wheel manufacture's fault. As they assembled the bike in record time for the Build-Off competition Ron hammered the rear axle in place only to jar a bearing race out of wack.

They contacted Hallcraft for new bearings and were informed that any standard bearing would work. That wasn't the case and the bearing shop wasn't able to replace the set, so they contacted the nearest custom shop, two hours away. “No Problem,” was the response, but when they arrived the parts weren't available.

“But a customer, with the same wheel, came to my rescue,” Ron explained and they were on the road again to the show where Ron and Jesse competed for top honors. Can't tell you what the results are until the show airs.

Rumor has it that he scheduled for another Build-Off in the near future. Hang on.

–Wilburn Roach

BIKERNET NEW YEARS FIRST SPECIAL REPORTS–LAST CALL FOR FREE IRONWORKS, SCREAMIN EAGLE FOR DYNA FAT BOB, CHRIS KALLAS BIKER PRINTS ON SALE, DOHERTY PHANTOM FILTER, A MOKE AND WHEEL CHROME PROBLEMS.

Continued From Page 2

DETONATOR WHEELS CHROME PROBLEM IN 2004– The piece on Assalt Weapan turned out very nice and was run over three pages.Naturally I’ll send you a copy and get the mag to do so also if they haven’t already.Read your piece about Detonator wheels in the Sunday post.

They came stock on my 2004 CVO bike, Orange Betty a FLHTCSE and the chrome was bubbling and peeling off in chunks just after the warranty expired.H-D didn’t want to know about it. I’ve junked them for now, maybe powder coat them for use on a future project bike …

–Doc

ITS 2008 ………. YEAR OF THE W8LESSROTOR …..LETS ROCK THE INDUSTRY — As you know the Charlie Brechtel band is doing a show at Bikernet.com headquarters in Wilmington , Ca.. Sat the 12th of Jan . 10 DAYS , THEN SHOW TIME AT BIKERNET …. A little background info .

The Charlie Brechtel band is one of the headliners at The Buffalo Chip in Sturgis , S.D. this summer, thousands of people camp there, with the biggest and best concerts. A huge attendance that is booked years in advance. Z.Z.Top is also appearing at the same venue in Sturgis . .

Expected at the bikernet.com event are many of SoCal’s finest bike builders . An estimated ???? (could be huge) , motorcycle industry leaders , builders and related industry businessmen are expected The evening is being professionally recorded and taped , then will be presented to Discovery Channel, Speed Channel, etc. for future television airing , music video c-d ‘ s , posters , flyers . etc.

Between band breaks we will be doing live commercials and interviews. I will be there , ON MY HOT-ROD , Thursday the 11th, helping with set-up, clean-up …. We will produce a live W8Less Rotor commercial for the Sturgis Rider Live airing on SRL.com and Bikernet.com Michele Smith with American Thunder is on the guest list also . Michele is the young lady we did the interview with in Bakersfield , Ca. this past summer .. Tens of dozens of people have commented on the interview , usually about Michele Smith first, then the rotors . Darn it ..

Just a note for upcoming biz plan considerations??? Since Nov 2005 we have had a presence as a major sponsor on Bikernet,com. with over 10 million hits per month, globally , with some 11,000 unique users per day.

There may not be a bigger bang for the buck ??? . Bikernet.com has instant GLOBAL access and an instant news outlet. We send news and it will be printed. It’s part of the sponsor program .

Bikernet.com is also launching an online Metric News Magazine, 15th of Jan, called Bikernet Metric.

The rotors that we have provided for Kip Woodring , RENTON, WA. , the Thunderpress Magazine Gear-head , tech-writer , are being installed and articles prepared by Kip . Kip is also submitting articles to major magazines as well . Thanks Kip … Bandit says he can’t stop without w8less . Note the stop sign in background ……

–Ray
(831) 594-7783

2008 IS GOING TO BE GREAT!– I am in the process of installing two sets of the swing arm retrofit so I have some $, Das a good thing, haha. Have a couple of other jobs as well.

Working on getting ready to go to Cincy for V-Twin Expo. Are you going? I have a possible tech article; I will let you know as soon as I check it out.

Still need a True Dual Exhaust for a 2008 FLHTI. For a Tech Article! I can contact Daytona Twin Tech for a brain box if one does not come with exhaust.

Next month have to service my bike.

–Rogue

BIKERNET METRIC LOGO UNDERWAY–Here is another go at the engine. I made the lower part more narrow, the circle on the bottom a little bigger and the engine spokes end in points. Let me know if you want me to stylize it more. I’m still playing with what could go on the cylinder cover. I was thinking maybe a pair of devil girls. As for the circle at the bottom, I was thinking about putting a 5-Ball there. What do you think?

–George

BIKERNET ASSALT WEAPAN TO BE FEATURED IN ACCURATE BOOTH AT V-TWIN SHOW IN FEBRUARY–Went home for Christmas, shot another deer, hired a new employee, finished my Tiki hut, fed my snakes, getting “Bitch Slap” ready for Cinci., working on booth set-up (10×20 and includes you).

Man I am ready for the New Year! XR Knuckle Engine almost ready and will send pics to you. We will have it for Cinci! Wish all of you a very prosperous NEW YEAR! While hunting I developed a new camouflage. It looks like your car keys. Betcha’ can’t find me now.

–Berry

THE CONCEPT OF FREEDOM AT RISK IN A WORLD OF SAFETY AND FINANCIAL RISK–“Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently, he who molds publicsentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions. He makes statutes or decisions possible or impossible to be executed.”

–Abraham Lincoln, 1858

This quote was found while researching the power of those forces involved in mandating helmet laws. It’s an article about how think tanks are being used in order to come up with campaigns to sway public opinion. (The keywords search used was corporatism thinktank fear public). There is a section which discusses strategies used by NC to make its’ seat belt campaign a model for other states. These same people who have used their resources to increase seat belt use, with the Click It or Ticket campaign, are the same people who have been blitzing the media in order to sway public opinion regarding helmets. There should be no doubt that highways safety programs in many other states will be looking to follow examples of the NC GHSP in North Carolina if we are unable to turn the tide in 2008.

http://www.mediaeva luationproject. org/MobilizingWi ll.pdf

I recommend taking some time to read it through, because it shows what those who oppose mandatory helmet laws are up against. It may also include some skills we can get good at.

Among other things, it asks, and attempts to answer the question:Why are some social problems defined in terms of “poor behavioral choices” of individuals while other problems are blamed on the unhealthy business practices of companies that manufacture harmful products or the governmental agencies that regulate them?

In NC, our media is very reluctant to print our news releases, or to air our side of the helmet issues, but they jump on a release by the NC DOT in a flash, even when it contains misinformation. We are going to have to contend with this in 2008 by preparing media statements and press releases, and discredit theirs. “Honest Abe” is correct. It is not just the legislative building where we lose our rights, as evidenced by the NC GHSP attempts to bias judges. It is also public opinion, greatly influenced by the media where we tend to lose. Legislators often make their decisions based on what they hear from the public. They use their regulatory power to offer up the rights of hundreds of thousands to decide, rather than face an outcry by one family member losing a loved one, because the government did not adequately protect.

Many legislators believe the primary duty of government is to ensure safety. There is doctrine from our founding fathers to support their safety idealogy. Safety nannies began including safety from ourselves, and those “poor behavioral choices” some of us might make.

Fortunately, there are still some legislators, who interpret the governmental responsibility for safety to be restricted to safety from invading enemies, safety from an intrusive, overbearing, oppressive government, and public health involvement to be restricted to combating real and verified contagious epidemics. Some good lawmakers even insist that no laws should be made unless there is overwhelming constitutional basis. Those candidates will need our support in 2008.

In NC, over the last few days, the media has been reacting to NC DOT media blitzes about changes to the helmet laws. A few are mentioning our protest actions in several counties. Some of us have been going into forums, and have made some extremely persuasive arguments that constitutional rights are in serious jeopardy. The helmet law is vague, and will still be arbitrarily enforced, because the standard targets individuals. In opposition to us, those who support this assault on our liberties, have been indoctrinated to blame all motorcycle fatalities on “poor behavioral choices”, including the fact that we ride motorcycles rather than automobiles and SUV’s, which are mainstream.

We’ve heard “motorcycle enthusiasts” say they love their helmet, and how it saved their life. US DOT Secretary Mary Peters, a GW political appointee is saying it. Some enthusiasts, as well as some bikers, are convinced helmets saved them several times. Some of them support our right to decide, while others do not understand any concepts of freedom. We say go ahead and wear one (caution: they are not all that the government claims), just don’t force a helmet onto me. They do not understand the difference between rights and privilege, and wouldn’t know the constitution if it slapped them in the face. I found the following which might explain something about those people who swear by helmets:

Research by Wasserman et al. in 1988 * involved the questioning of cyclists on the streets as to whether they had hit their heads in the previous 18 months. This had happened to 20% of helmet wearers vs 2.7% of non-wearers – a seven-fold increase. Such results consistently help to explain why most helmet law supporters believe a helmet has saved their life – it’s partly because they are more likely to hit their heads. * (Wasserman, R.C., Waller, J.A., Monty, M.J., Emery, A.B. and Robinson, D.R., Bicyclists, helmets and head injuries: a rider-based study of helmet use and effectiveness, American Journal of Public Health, 1988)

There are people who state, as though fact, that everyone who rides without a helmet is guaranteed to eventually die from head injuries in a motorcycle crash. I heard the same thing from people who are against smoking, and the many other “poor behavioral choices” I make. So, which is it going to be? I can’t die from them all. At least, I won’t die from eating fast foods. I know I shouldn’t be saying this on the first day when many folks are struggling through the first day of some resolutions, but if we were to all give up everything we love, perhaps we will all die from boredom.

In 2008, there are several important fronts we will be working. One of them must be public opinion, but charity runs and picking up trash from the side of roadways to show we’re nice people is not going to do one single bit of good. We’ll need to get very good at blitzing the media, often, with messages that open peoples eyes as to where the bureaucrats claim to do well, when they are really not. In particular, the public who does not support our freedoms, will need to know the skiers and snowboarders will be next, with helmet checks at the southeast chairlift. More roadblocks will be appearing, with checks of “vhere are you papers” at state lines. The only ones free to travel about the country will be undocumented aliens, because without papers they will be the only ones without tracking devices.. There are proposals for gun owners to use smart guns which can only be used if the shooter has the correct chip implanted under the skin of their forearm. Eventually intelligent highway systems may outlaw not only motorcycle riders, but automobile drivers as well.

The line in the sand we have drawn that says no to mandatory helmet laws, is not just about helmets. It has much wider implications for freedom, if we can turn the tide. We will need the public to become concerned about the loss of each right, one by one, which has been increasing exponentially for the last 70 years.

See you at the protests, on liberty rides, in the courts, and at the voting booth,

–jan
jan@bikersusa.org

RARE MOKE DISCOVERED IN AUSTRALIA–Bought this fully restored Mini “Moke” today (for Annie of course – shish!she doesn’t know yet!!!)

Be a bit of fun during summer!

–Uncle Ray

DOHERTY PHANTOM FILTER– Anyone with a custom scooter they actually intend to ride has labored over where to hang an oil filter. Fret no more. Doherty Machine has just introduced a filter assembly that is fully functional and totally “out of sight.”

The PHANTOM OIL FILTER is designed for horseshoe style tanks, but adapts easily to fit a variety of applications where at least 2 1Ž2″ of flat mounting surface is available. The unit itself consists of a bolt-in or weld-in, mounting flange (both are included), and screw-in filtration assembly. Caps are fit with a barbed, oil return line fitting at the side for unobstructed seat clearance. All bolt-in sealing surfaces are O-ringed and the unit makes use of OEM style filter elements. Installation requires simple drilling of filter access hole and flange mounting bolt locations where applicable.

The PHANTOM FILTER is precision machined from billet aluminum and steel with aircraft grade hardware. This unique filtration system allows you to maintain a clean appearance while protecting your engine’s vitals.

The PHANTOM OIL FILTER kit retails for $219.95 and is available direct from Doherty Machine by calling 800-956-9409. Catch Doherty on the Web at www.DohertyMachine.com

THE TECH MASTER PABLO CHECKS IN– How da hell are you. By the time you read this it will probably be 2008, Happy New Year I think your doing a hell of a job. Remember no one gets out of here alive so have fun, ride hard, live free and fight for what you believe. Family freedom, right to ride free, GOD, oh did I say that,freedom to feel how you want, happy, sad orwhatever. GOD BLESS US ALL. May the sun always warm you, may the wind be friendly, and may your beer be cold and your jack smooth.

— A BOTHER IN THE WIND OLD HIPPIE

Click here to enter Bikernet free contest area and receive Bikernet Updates.

READER RECEIVED GIFT BOX–Hey, thanks for the cool stickers and book sent over Christmas. Greatlyappreciated. Could of used a cool t-shirt, xl, but what the hell, freeis free. Great site, glad I joined and gave you money. Well worth it.

Stay cool,
–Rocky Boatman

More boxes are headed out next week.–Wrench

CHRIS KALLAS BIKER PRINTS– Chris Kallas captures the spirit and freedom of riding in all if his high-quality color lithograph prints. They are great for your office, den, garage or shop. They add that feeling you get by throwing a leg over your sled.

These are limited edition prints that are produced on 80# acid free cover stock. Get your inner-biker fix right here.

NEW SCREAMIN’ EAGLE SLIP-ON MUFFLERS FOR DYNA FAT BOB–Throaty, Street-Legal Sound and Fresh Styling from Harley-Davidson.

MILWAUKEE (Nov. 30, 2007) – The new Screamin’ Eagle Street Performance Slip-On Mufflers for Dyna Fat Bob (P/N 80674-08, $349.95) from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories produce a throaty tone and offer bold, custom styling. Each muffler has a ballistic inlet shape and embossed “Screamin’ Eagle” logo. The black Blunt Revolver end caps feature cut-out chambers that expose and contrast with the mirror chrome finish of the muffler body. These mufflers are 50-state street legal on stock-displacement 2008 FXDF Fat Bob models. Installation requires separate purchase of two muffler clamps P/N 65283-94.

For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.

LAST CALL FOR FREE ISSUE OF IRONWORKS MAGAZINE–About two months ago we sent out a mailing offering a FREE copy of IronWorks Magazine to any and all who’ll fire us their physical mailing address and the deadline for us to submit those address’s is drawing near, so if you’re interested in getting on the mailing list all you need to do is respond.

NO tricks, NO catches, just a FREE copy of the best publication in the American V-twin market. You can consider it a Christmas present from DOUGZ Custom Paint & Fabrication because we’re just nice people, or you can consider it sucking up. Either way you get a FREE issue!

We need to submit the address’s to IronWorks by Jan. 10th so send us yours by then or you’re shit outta luck!

Doug Wozney
DOUGZ Custom Paint & Fabrication LLC
2323 Palace St. La Crosse, Wi. 54603
(608) 783-3684
mailto:doug@dougz.com
http://www.dougz.com

ANOTHER BIKERNET WINNERS SPEAKS UP–I received one of the Christmas care packages and wanted to say, Thank You. It was a great surprise with some cool stuff and good reading material to pass time till the snow melts.

Bikernet rocks.

–Rick Fisher
aka Fish

THERE YOU HAVE IT, FIRST THURSDAY NEWS IN 2008–Not bad, if I don’t say so myself. Here’s my rundown for the Assalt Weapan for January until March. Jim Waggaman, at Air Stream Studios is finishing the tank adjustments, repainting the front fender and rear panels right now. The Pegasus crew and I will complete the Pegasus installation and dial in the wiring.

Kent Riches, of Air Tech Fairings, with our new Assalt Weapan unit.

I just picked up a complete fairing at Air Tech Studios and will begin building mounting brackets. I’m going to display the bike at the Grand National Car Show at the end of January then immediately ship it to Accurate Engineering for Dyno tuning. Then Berry, at Accurate, will haul it to Cinci for the Dealer show, then to Daytona for the Seminole Roadhouse Display. From there we hope to run the beast at the Maxton Mile.

Kent designed streamliner bodies for Easyriders, Bob George, Vesco and many of the fastest car guys in the world. He’s currently making the new Ack Attack streamliner body after last year’s wreck on the salt.

I just called Leif Gustaffson at his custom windshield shop in Florida and discovered that he’s closed until the 7th. Holy shit. We were turned down by the Fisher Foundation, because of the questionable Bikernet Content and we will reach out to the USO for a Veterans Charity to support.

So our Veterans’ program is not dialed in, but we’re working on it to raffle the Assalt Weapan off and do the utmost for veterans and take the winner to Bonneville in ’09 as a member of the 5-Ball Racing team. There you have it. Some of our kick-off goals for ’08. Hang on.

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

BIKERNET NEW YEARS FLASH –BAD POLITICIANS, SAM DIXON SHOOT CALENDAR, SADDLEMANS AND METRIC THUNDER GIVE SEAT AWAY, D&D BEST EXHAUST, ER SHOWS HIT SACRAMENTO AND CRAZYHORSE NOMINATED FOR THE BIKERNET AUTHOR OF THE YEAR

Continued From Page 2

THE SERPENT WINS THE THUNDER SADDLE CONTEST FOR DECEMBER– Bikernet’s Capo, Keith R. Ball, selected Don Kralis for his outstanding snake tattoo as December’s Thunder Saddle sponsored by Saddlemen winner. Don will see it represented on his new custom Thunder Saddle from Metric Thunder.

“December’s tattoo contestants were outstanding,” explained Ball. “Kralis’ tattoo kept my attention and I really enjoyed the dramatic design. It’s a blast to see Bikernet and Metric Thunder enthusiasts getting involved and showing imaginative ink work.”

Don Kralis rolls on a 2000 Suzuki 1500 LC. Don will be riding in style on a new Thunder Saddle that represents a prize worth over $650.

For the next 6 months Metric Thunder will be giving away a custom Thunder Saddle a month. Each saddle comes equipped with Saddlemen’s Saddle Gel. Saddle Gel makes an incredibly comfortable seat and allows you to stay on your motorcycle for longer periods of enjoyable riding.

To see the December Thunder Saddle tattoo contestants, click here.

Enter The Contest

To enter the Thunder Saddle contest by sending an email to: tat@horsepowermarketing.com with your:

Name
Telephone number
Picture of you and your tattoo
Year and model of motorcycle

Get Your Thunder Saddle

If you would like to get your own Custom Thunder Saddle then call Bob Osias with Metric Thunder at (866) 744-7900.

D&D EXHAUST QUESTION OF THE WEEK–Q: What is your best performing D&D pipe?

A: The 2 into 1 performs best due to the scavenging effect of our hand ported and polished merge collector. This serves the same function as a crossover pipe only without disturbing the flow. Fat Cats work best with stock and slightly modified engines while Boarzilla pipes are configured for big bore and highly modified applications.

Completing the burnout is an Old School Bobber built by Hardbikes. This bike runs the D&D Performance Enterprises high-performance exhaust system on a 96 inch S&S Engine with IST ignition.

This question was sent in from Brian Steel of Arlington, TX. Mr. D&D is taking all questions. Send your performance exhaust question to Mr. D&D at

RETIREMENT PLANNING FOR 2006– If you had purchased $1000.00 of Nortel stock one year ago, it would now be worth $49.00.

With Enron, you would have had $16.50 left of the original $1000.00.

With WorldCom, you would have had less than $5.00 left.

If you had purchased $1000 of Delta Air Lines stock you would have $49.00 left

But, if you had purchased $1,000.00 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, You would have had $214.00.

Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle.

It’s called the 401-Keg Plan.

–from Joe Lankau

2-WHEELERS PRODUCT OF THE WEEK–American made Goodson Air Cleaners Price $189.95. These puppies were designed by Dennis Goodsen, of Fantasy in Iron, in Denver, Colorado. They are also manufactured in the US.

Recently a gentleman, who will remain nameless, blatantly stole Dennis’s hard work and design and attempted to manufacture the product out of the country to beat the man’s price. Watch out. The one featured here is the real thing and legal action is in the works. It breaks my heart to see this happen. There are so many directions to roll in, there’s no need to copy another man’s hard work.

A REBEL CHRISTMAS–Merry Christmas to all your family, and to the Bikernet crew and readers. Wish everyone could live where you can ride on Christmas Day.

But we’d all settle for being able to ride free.

–Rebel

CANADIAN DEAL OF THE WEEK–This bike started life as a ’91 Softail custom. I put 5 inches on the back bone and remove 2 inches from the down tube to install a FL front end. We streched the tank 8 inches, built my own fenders and saddle bags, then painted the bike metalflake with cobalt blue and did a flame job. I had the engine rebuilt and got it fully polish. I got two kinds of seats, one solo (tan one) and a dual seat in black.

It might be for sale, if I got the right price. contact:

–Gilles Sauvageau
450 372 0313
I am in quebec canada
sauvageaukustom@hotmail.com

EVEN THE DEVIL HAS A CHRISTMAS TREE– hope all is well with you and yours, Merry Christmas and happy new year!

–Kent & Holly

P.S. There will be gumbo and bloody Marys at the shop on new years day to heal the hangovers!

Click to see morefrom Lucky Devil

HOW TO BEAT DRUG BUSTS– A former US policeman and undercover drug agent has appalled narcotics officials by introducing a Christmas video for drug users on how to avoid arrest and fool the police.

Barry Cooper, who is described by former colleagues as perhaps the best drug- enforcement officer in America, will next week begin marketing Never Get Busted Again, which will show viewers how to “conceal their stash, avoid narcotics profiling and fool canines every time”.

Cooper, who supports the legalization of marijuana, made the video because he believes that the fight against drugs in America is a waste of money. The convictions of marijuana users fills prisons with non- violent offenders, he says.

“My main motivation in all of this is to teach Americans their civil liberties, and what drives me in this is injustice and unfairness in our system,” Cooper told the Tyler Morning Telegraph in Texas.

He said that he will launch a video, DVD and website on Mondy. During an impressive career as a drug officer he made more than 800 drug arrests and seized more than 50 vehicles and $500,000 in assets.

“He was probably the best narcotics officer in the state, and maybe the country, during his time with the force,” said Tom Finley, his former boss.

The decision to produce a video has dismayed drug officials.

Richard Sanders, an agent with the Tyler Drug Enforcement Administration, said he plans to investigate whether it violates any laws.

“It outrages me personally, as I’m sure it does any officer that has sworn an oath to uphold the laws of this state and nation,” Sanders said. “It is clear that his whole deal is to make money and he has found some sort of scheme, but for him to go to the dark side and do this is infuriating.”

Cooper argues murderers, child molesters and rapists often receive shorter jail terms than drug users. “The trillions of dollars we’re spending in our war on drugs should be used to protect our children,” he said. “Our children are being molested every day and everyone knows we have lost the war on drugs.”

–by Tim Reid

–from Rogue

EASYRIDERS V-TWIN BIKE SHOW TO SHINE AT CHARLOTTE CONVENTION CENTER, JANUARY 27TH AND 28TH–(Newbury Park, CA) – November 2006 – Easyriders Events proudly announces the 2007 Easyriders V-Twin Bike Show Tour at the Charlotte Convention Center from January 27th through the 28th. Show hours are Saturday from 10:00a.m. until 10:00p.m. and Sunday, from 10:00a.m. until 5:00p.m. All ages are welcome to this family-friendly event showcasing the best custom motorcycles in the world. A complete schedule of events is available online at www.EasyridersEvents.com.

Bike Show attendees can expect to see the best of the best custom-built motorcycles in the world combined with hundreds of motorcycle-related merchandise and service exhibitors. Thousands of custom designs will be showcased throughout the Tour, with top honors being awarded in Kansas City, Missouri on May 5 at the Invitational Bike Show. Bike Show competitors in the all-new Pro Class will be vying for more than just top honors; they’ll be competing for one of six places on the 2008 Easyriders Centerfold Tour, which affords the opportunity for any bike builder to reach an unprecedented level of national exposure.

Custom Chrome Product of the Week. S&S carb jet kit. Check their website or a dealer quick.

TOP 10 CORRUPT POLITICIANS FOR 2006– These guys make motorcycle clubs look like amateurs. The Government Needs To Clean Up Their Own Dirty Laundry BEFORE They Try To Lock Up The Citizens.

Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today released its 2006 list of Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians.” The list, in alphabetical order, includes:

1. Jack Abramoff, Former Lobbyist – Abramoff is at the center of a massive public corruption investigation by the Department of Justice that, in the end, could involve as many as a dozen members of Congress. Abramoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud and a host of other charges on January 3, 2006, and was sent to prison in November to serve a five-year, 10-month sentence for defrauding banks of $23 million in Florida in 2000.

2. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) – In January 2006, Hillary Clinton’s fundraising operation was fined $35,000 by the Federal Election Commission for failing to accurately report more than $700,000 in contributions to Clinton’s Senate 2000 campaign. New information also surfaced in 2006 raising more questions about Hillary and her brother Anthony Rodham’s connection to the Clinton Pardongate scandal, where presidential pardons were allegedly traded in exchange for cash and other favors.

3. Former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-CA) – In November 2005, Cunningham pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. He was sentenced to8 years, four months in prison and ordered to pay $1.8 million in restitution in March 2006.

4. Former Rep. Tom Delay (R-TX) – Tom DeLay, who was forced to step down from his position as House Majority Leader and then resign from Congress, decided in 2006 not to run for re-election.Congressman DeLay has been embroiled in a series of scandals from bribery to influence peddling, and was indicted twice by grand juries in Texas.

5. Former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) – Foley left the House in disgrace after news broke that he had been sending predatory homosexual emails to a House page. A recent House Ethics Committee report indicated that Republican leaders knew about Foley’s dangerous behavior, but failed to take action. Democrats, meanwhile, shopped the story to the press to influence the elections. Outrageously, the Committee recommended no punishment for those involved.

6. Rep. Denny Hastert (R-IL) – In addition to mishandling the Foley scandal, outgoing House Speaker Dennis Hastert allowed House ethics process to ground to a halt on his watch. Gary Condit, Cynthia McKinney, William Jefferson, John Conyers, Tom Delay, Duke Cunningham, Jim McDermott, Patrick Kennedy are examples of alleged wrongdoers who faced little-to-no ethics enforcement in the House.

7. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) – Hastings is one of only six federal judges to be removed from office through impeachment and has accumulated staggering liabilities ranging from $2,130,006 to $7,350,000. Hastings was “next in line” for Chairmanship of the House Select Committee on Intelligence until a wave of protest forced Nancy Pelosi to select another candidate. Nonetheless, Hastings is expected to continue to serve on the Intelligence Committee.

8. Rep. William “Dollar Bill” Jefferson (D-LA) – Jefferson is alleged to have accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to help broker high-tech business deals in Nigeria. According to press reports, he was also caught on tape discussing the deals, while an FBI search of his home uncovered $90,000 in cash stuffed in his freezer.

9. Former Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH) – Ohio Republican Congressman Bob Ney resigned in early November 2006, three weeks after pleading guilty for accepting bribes from an Indian casino in exchange for legislative favors. Ney was the first congressman to be convicted of a crime in the web of scandals involving former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and is expected to serve a jail sentence.

10. Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) – Senator Reid came under fire in 2006 for failing to properly report to Congress a $700,000 land deal. Reid also accepted more than $30,000 of Abramoff-tainted money allegedly in return for his ”cooperation” in matters related Nevada Indian gaming.

“This list shows public corruption is endemic to our nation’s capital and that the anti-corruption work of Judicial Watch is needed more than ever,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “The list could be much longer, as there are far too many politicians who abuse the public trust and place themselves above the law.”

Visit http://www.judicialwatch.org for more information.

— Tom Fitton Judicial Watch

–from Bikernet Watchdog Rogue
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005
www.bikerrogue.com

BIKER BEAUTIES STAFF PUBLISHED 2007 COLONIAL H-D CALENDAR–Today we release the 2007 Colonial Harley-Davidson Calendar Poster. Poster is 18 inches x 24 inches. You can purchase the poster at http://www.bikerbeauties.com/free/merchandise/index.shtml for $9.95 plus S&H.

Posters are shipped in protective cardboard tube to prevent damage.

ACCOLADES FOR BIKERNET CORRESPONDENT AND MOTORBOOKS INT AUTHOR–Crazy Horse the painter gal says she thanks to you in one of her books. Shesure does a GREAT job on her paint. I was given one of her books forChristmas and I could not put it down. Does her work look as good close-upas in the book? Is she as down to earth as her book makes her out to be?

I mean, first..I never knew Craz y Horse was a woman. Her tips and hintsare very valuable. Glad she is sharing her knowledge.

–Carl

From Richiepan

BIKERNET NEW YEARS NEWS FINISH–Okay, I played with some political stuff for this end-of-the-year news blast. Suppose at the end of any year we should sit back and reflect on this chunk of our lives, then mentally prepare for 2007. I think 2006 was tough in some respects, and fantastic in others. It was a teacher in many ways.

I feel good about the future and in particular about 2007 from a motorcycling standpoint. I believe/hope the Iraqi conflict will be answered and handled. Gas prices will taper down. The threats against our lifestyle regarding noise and EPA emissions will be dealt with and our industry will grow substantially. We have a terrific opportunity to work with SEMA, the hot rod aftermarket organization and all state motorcycle rights groups, to keep the custom bike world free and alive.

Stay outta trouble. Buy this bike from Jose and Caribbean Custom Bikes and fix it up. Whatta classic.

Okay, so party your brains into a haze, but after the menudo and bloody Marys figure out what the hell we’re doing next.

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

BIKERNET NEW YEARS NEWS SPECIAL REPORTS–THE STEALTH INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO 2007, ASSALT WEAPAN RESEARCH GROWS, BIKERNET SPONSORS THE BROKEN SPOKE, BIKERNET RADIO INTERVIEWED SADDLEMAN, AND RUCKER HIT SPEED VISION

Continued From Page 1

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM STEALTH SHOP INVESTIGATION IN NORTH CAROLINA–Hey 2006 is almost over! I hope all of you had a GREAT Christmas!

Things are laid back this week at STEALTH BIKE WORKS. Everyone is recovering from Christmas and getting ready for NEW YEARS. Not much going on. The Easyriders Bike Show comes to Charlotte January 27th & 28th. WE will be putting a bike in the show.

There is a lot coming up in 2007. We start planning the Run For Breath “In Memory Of Justin Pullin” next month. We are planning a couple of new things as far as SBW goes for the new year. More info on that a little later. Last I heard the new bike build off’s will air in Febuary. That will help break the winter cold a little.

This weekend I will be heading back to Virginia to see my Mom and Brothers and some good friends. I did not make the trip Christmas so I decided to go this weekend. It will be good to see them.

All of us at Stealth Bike Works would like to wish Mr. Bandit and everyone at Bikernet a GREAT New Year. We would also like to extend the same to all of the readers.

Until next week, RIDE!
–STEALTHMAN

PABLO COMMENTS ON LATEST BONNEVILLE ASSALT WEAPON DRAWING FROM CHRIS KALLAS–Been looking at latest on the website. The sketches got me thinking. I started digging in my old file cabinet. I found a old S&S brouchure on their Tramp III bike. It’s called “An Experiment In Going Fast”.

These pic. might be good reference info. for you. They also used a girder front end. Made from aircraft tubing. Also shown is the frame being made at Dennis Manning’s shop.

S&S might still have copies of this old 4 page brouchure. It’s from about 1982 or so. Check out the RB racing website www.rbracing-rsr.com for some additional info.

–Pablo

A BIKERNET NEW YEARS LESSON IN THE CODE OF THE WEST– I’ve been a long time fan and had a questions about something that’s been bothering me for a while. Here’s who I am, in order to provide a bit of background. “Motorcycle enthusiast” is probably the best term to describe me. I have no idea how to turn wrenches and know that I’d rather get a scooter that would force me to learn the hard way. “Book smart” with little or no common sense or street smarts (I’m fond of saying that I usually let stupidity carry me through when fear should be stopping me). I’m not a biker or a bro – to me, those are honorifics that would have to be given to me by someone who is a biker or who calls me bro first and only after I earn that right. No scoot right now, but still trying to keep abreast of the biker world. Been to Sturgis twice (and nowhere else), had a blast both times – with the exception of the thing that is on my mind. Married to a woman who has years of experience with biker culture and is miles ahead of me with understanding what’s up – she was the one who helped me get my motorcycle endorsement and paid for a couple years of Easyriders, Biker and In the Wind. That was where I first read your work, and discovered who Indian Larry was.

Should I give up any hope of being a biker and leave it to being an observer, watching but never being, just to make sure I don’t screw anybody else? Or is this one of those terrible conicidences, something to think about and remember, but not something to prevent me from going further?

— Matt

Thanks for taking the time to write. You need to read the code of the west in Bandit’s Cantina. The first rule is “Get up and dance.” You can’t do anything in life without that one rule. If you get up and start to move, feel every ounce of that freedom. Then sit back and ask yourself if you enjoy it? If you did, keep rolling. You’ll know when and where to stop. Don’t let anything, mistakes, blunders, falls, anything, to stop you.

We only go around once. If you want to do something, ya gotta move. If not you’re burnin’ daylight, and daylight is precious. You’ll noticed I didn’t put any particular move or goal in this ramble. One of the wonderful things about being a biker is the myriad of options. The choice is yours. Whatever you do, do it with pride and the understanding that there are no judges, only your sense of freedom and self-inflicted restrictions or obstacles.

Report in in six months. I want to know what happened. I heard a quote the other day: The past is just History, the future is a mystery and today is a gift. Don’t waste it.

–Bandit

BROKEN SPOKE AND STURGIS COUNTY LINE SPONSORS BIKERNET–We’re working with Jay Allen, a Bonneville racing freak, on his efforts in Sturgis this year. The Broken Spoke and County Line locations are sponsoring Bikernet and we’re sponsoring the Broken Spoke and County Line party locations.

Our Blackhills homebase will be located at Jay’s new Sturgis County Line location. That’s where we’ll eat, sleep, party and hang out. We’ll throw a bike show for riders only. The Girls of Bikernet will be there, plus Bikernet Radio for live interviews. Hang on for more reports.

SPEAKING OF BIKERNET RADIO–Thunder Bob caught up with Tom Monroe, Saddlemen’s point man for Sales and Marketing, at the last round of the AMA Supermoto Championship in SOCAL to discuss the Thunder Saddle Contest sponsored by Saddlemen.

Saddlemen saddles are built by a design team that works regularly with show-bike builders on innovative, one-off custom sleds. The innovation and technology, which is developed for the custom saddle, is naturally filtered into the production line. That’s why Saddlemen consistently delivers new products and ideas to motorcycle seating and luggage.

So far Metric Thunder’s Thunder Saddle contest has given away two saddles valued at $650 each. The contest runs for an additional six months with a total of 8 saddles handed out at a value of $5,200 in awards. Click hereto listen to the show.

LIVIA, EDITOR OF BIKER BEAUTIES MAGAZINE, SIGNS AS ENKAY POLISH GIRL–Livia from Biker Beauties Magazine is the new Enkay Polishing Ad Girl. You’ll see several variations of the new ads featuring Livia popping up in magazines all over newstands in the coming months. Check out Enkay’s website at http://enkaypolishing.com

SPECIAL EDITION YEAR-END CLEARANCE!–We have just a few 2006 Peace Officer and Fire Fighter “SpecialEdition” motorcycles left! If you are an active or retired LawEnforcement Officer or Fire Fighter, you are eligible to purchase oneof these fine motorcycles at unheard of prices!

Fire Fighter “Special Edition”:

FLSTFI Fat Boy with lowering kit, stock #886727, $14,995 + fees.
FLSTCI Heritage, stock #983127, $14,995 + fees.
FLHRI Road King, stock #983126, $14,995 + fees.
FLHRI Road King, stock #886726, $14,995 + fees.

Peace Officer “Special Edition”:

FLSTFI Fat Boy, stock #079081, $14,295 + fees.FLSTFI Fat Boy, stock #983101, $14,295 + fees.

You will never find a lower price on these “Special Edition”motorcycles! Contact Rachelle Pennington right away to takeadvantage of this offer. Call 310-539-3366.

Offer good only on the 2006 model stock numbers listed above. Feesand taxes apply. You must be an active or retired Law EnforcementOfficer or Fire Fighter with ID to purchase one of these motorcycles. Motorcycle photo for illustrative purposes only. It may not berepresentative of the stock numbers above.

–www.californiaharleydavidson.com

BIKERNET PRE-YEAR END HIGH CULTURE PHOTO ART EXHIBIT–It was the year of brotherhood for this photog but the 5,000 mile rides, the bikes, the babes, the sunsets and the margaritas are also forever burned into my lens.

Have a Happy and Safe New Year’s and Best Wishes for 2007.

–Whiplash Biker Photog
soffordphotos@comcast.net

CHOPPERS AND BOBBERS WHEELS–Oxnard, CA- Advanced Metalforming Technologies, Inc. (AMT), an industry-leading manufacturer of high-end aluminum wheels and blanks supplier to many of the industry’s leading wheel manufacturers has recently started manufacturing motorcycle wheels under their own brand name?Forge-Tec Motorcycle Wheels and Accessories.

All processes are completed in-house, utilizing only state-of-the-art equipment and highly sophisticated process technologies. All Forge-Tec wheels are rotary forged utilizing one of their proprietary forge presses using only “virgin” aircraft grade 6061 aluminum?.there’s no recycled aluminum in their products.

Forge-Tec has 13 new styles, including the new Ruckus (pictured) available in a wide variety of popular sizes and applications (including the new 23″ x 3.5″ front wheel and 20″ x 10.5″ rear wheel), with matching rotors, pulleys and sprockets. All wheels go out shipped with the rotors and pulley attached and torqued to OEM specs which eliminates a lot of guess work at the dealer level and ensures that wheels arrive to their customers in perfect condition.

For further information on complete wheels, please contact Forge-Tec Motorcycle directly at 805-982-9820. Forge-Tec Motorcycle Wheels and Accessories, 950 Richmond Ave., Oxnard, CA 93030. Dealer inquiries invited!

“Pictured here is the Ruckus”

V-TWIN TV MEETS RUCKER PERFORMANCE–Rucker Performance will be featured on V-TWIN Television on January 2, 2007 on the SPEED Channel. V-TWIN goes behind the scenes of Rucker Performance, one of the top builders in the motorcycle industry. Check out this episode of V-TWIN TV featuring Rucker Performance on the SPEED Channel.

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 10pm and 2am.
Wed 10am. and Sat 8am.
(Eastern Times)

LIFESTYLE CYCLES NEW YEARS PARTY–Come out and ring in the New Year Orange County Style!All your friends from LifeStyle Cycles well be there!See you on the 31st!

JIMS TOOL OF THE WEEK–One of our News Years Resolutions is to introduce Bikernet Readers to the JIMS tool of the week. These things take time. We received a CD with JIMS trannys, then a CD of tools we couldn’t open, then this CD with four images and no text. So what’s this tool designed to do? Not sure. Go to the JIMS site. They make tools for everything.

30 STEP FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE–1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
3. Colt: The original point and click interface.
4. Gun control is not about guns; it’s about control.
5. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?
6. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
7. “Free” men do not ask permission to bear arms.
8. If you don’t know your rights you don’t have any.
9. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.
10. The United States Constitution (c) 1791. All Rights reserved.
11. What part of “shall not be infringed” do you not understand?
12. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
13. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
14. Guns only have two enemies: rust and politicians.
15. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.
16. You don’t shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.
17. 911 – government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.
18. Assault is a behavior, not a device.
19. Criminals love gun control — it makes their jobs safer.
20. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.
21. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.
22. You only have the rights you are willing to fight for.
23. Enforce the “gun control laws” we ALREADY have, don’t make more.
24. When you remove the people’s right to bear arms, you create slaves.
25. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.26. “A government of the people, by the people, for the people…”
27. “An armed society is a polite society.”
28. “Gun control is a firm stance and a steady hand.”
29. “Ted Kennedy’s car has killed more people than my gun.”
30. ” Never bring a knife to a gun fight.”

–from Buckshothttp://www.easyridersevents.com/”>

EASYRIDERS V-TWIN BIKE SHOW ROCKS SACRAMENTO CONVENTION CENTER IN JANUARY, BE THERE, BE THERE, BE THERE–(Newbury Park, CA) – November 2006 – Easyriders Events proudly announces the second stop on the 2007 Easyriders V-Twin Bike Show Tour at the Sacramento Convention Center on January 13th and 14th SPONSORED BY BIKERNET.COM. Show hours are Saturday, from 10am-10pm and Sunday, from 10am-5pm. All ages are welcome to this family-friendly event showcasing the best custom motorcycles in the world. A complete schedule of events is available online at www.EasyridersEvents.com.

Bike Show attendees can expect to see the best of the best custom-built motorcycles in the world combined with hundreds of motorcycle-related merchandise and service exhibitors. Thousands of custom designs will be showcased throughout the Tour, with top honors being awarded in Kansas City, Missouri on May 5 at the Invitational Bike Show. Bike Show competitors in the all-new Pro Class will be vying for more than just top honors; they’ll be competing for one of six places on the 2008 Easyriders Centerfold Tour, which affords the opportunity for any bike builder to reach an unprecedented level of national exposure.

As featured on Country Music Television’s new hit show, Foxworthy’s Big Night Out, the Purrfect Angelz (a.k.a. The Home Wreckers) will perform live at each Bike Show location and are available for photo shoots with bikes entered in the competition. In addition to the top-notch choreography and fashion shows put on by the Purrfect Angelz, the Fryed Brothers Band, which has been called the “epitome of biker bands,” will entertain the crowd with several live musical performances throughout the weekend. Miss Easyriders 2007 will also be at the Sacramento Convention Center to meet and greet the crowd.

Dorian Swanner, owner of Carolina Custom Products, Inc., is building a ground-up custom motorcycle to be given away to one lucky attendee at the end of the 2007 Bike Show Tour. This custom motorcycle is a Carolina Custom drop seat chopper with a polished S&S motor, Baker 6-speed transmission, 300 rear tire and features exotic sheet metal with custom paint. Swanner has also designed and created custom trophies for the 2007 tour, which are sure to beautify any winner’s trophy case. Additionally, Ralph Randolph of Rockem and Sockem Motorcycle Co. is feverishly building a one-of-a-kind motorcycle to be given away at the 2008 Easyriders Rodeo Tour Grand Nationals in Chillicothe, Ohio. Both giveaway bikes will be on display for the public at all 2007 Easyriders V-Twin Bike Show Tour locations.

Additionally, world-class creations from Paul Yaffe of Paul Yaffe Originals, Kendall Johnson of Kendall Johnson Customs, James and Dave Kaye of The Detroit Bros., Ralph Randolph of Rockem and Sockem Motorcycle Co., Bill Rucker of Rucker Performance and Austin Weiss of Streamline Designs will be displayed for up-close viewing at each of the Easyriders V-Twin Bike Shows. “Each of this year’s builders has been selected and personally invited to join the ranks of ‘Centerfold Tour’ predecessors like Billy Lane, Rick Fairless and Ron Finch. The excitement is in the diversity of these phenomenal motorcycle builders,” explained Easyriders Events president, John Green.

BIKERNET.COM AND Lucas Motorcycle Oil Products proudly sponsors Easyriders Events. For additional information regarding the 2007 V-Twin Bike Show Centerfold Tour, Carolina Custom Products Motorcycle Giveaway, Rockem and Sockem Motorcycle Giveaway, Exhibitor Information or Bike Show Competition Entry, please call our offices toll-free at 1-800-962-9857 or visit us online at www.EasyridersEvents.com. For media passes to any of the 2007 Bike Show locations, please call our offices toll-free at 1-800-962-9857.

Continued On Page 3

BIKERNET NEW YEARS NEWS FLASH–EASYRIDER WILD SHOW CIRCUIT, JIMS TOOL OF THE WEEK, HAMSTER BIKER BUILD-OFF RIDE TO POMONA AND WIN FREE TICKETS TO ARLEN NESS SHOW

Check the tech on the hubless brake–it’s hot. The brake and the girls.

Happy Goddamn New Year,

It’s going to be a dandy. I believe it. I stumbled onto this quote recently: The Past is History, The Future is a Mystery and today is a gift. Cherish each day.

Let’s hit the news, so I can weld a stand to hook up a gas heater in the shop. It’s cold, if you can call Southern California cold, ever.

The Easyriders Pomona, California show is the following weekend. I’m hauling the shrunken FXR and the Salt Shaker. The Easyriders Event crew scheduled a bike show every weekend for almost three straight months. Insane. We’re going to bring you coverage as they happen and two class winner features for each show. We’ll have our hands full. Happy New Year:

THEY?RE MAKING MORE THAN LEATHER VESTS AT LIL JOES— Mike Mills and Lori Hailey became Mr. & Mrs. Mills and baby Gracie completed the happy union. She doesn?t know it yet, but Gracie produces THE FINEST leather jackets, vests, lambskin shirts, etc? Mike and Lori are very proud to welcome Gracie in to their lives; she is the finest product of these two apparel geniuses have created.

Now, about that apparel? in case you didn?t know, Mike and Lori have been faithful sponsors of Bikernet from the beginning. First as HA Leather and now as Lil Joe?s Legendary Leathers. If ever we need and jacket or vest, Lil Joes is who we turn to. Shit, the only reason we need a jacket or vest is to give one as a gift. The ones we already have, worn well for the years we?ve owned them.

They also have a denim vest, ?Black Magic?, with leather trim that has to be seen to appreciate. I have one and love it.

No one can deny the quality and durability of Lil Joes, so if you?re looking to buy a new jacket or vest, check them first. www.liljoesleather.com Tell them Layla sent you.

Welcome Gracie Lynn Mills, to this whacky world.

NORTH CAROLINA HEADED TO THE DOGS–GREENBORO, N.C. – In a far-reaching decision that could potentially make cheerleaders or pop singers a target for prosecution, a 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ban on erotic simulation in adult entertainment venues throughout the state of North Carolina.

The case of club owner Giovanni Carandola vs. Douglas A. Fox, chairman of the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, met its fate this week before the Circuit Court, which ruled that the state can prohibit erotic movements or gestures at alcohol-licensed establishments even if the performer is fully clothed. Only venues that are “primarily” devoted to the arts or theatrical performances are exempt from the ban.

The court’s decision comes as the last stop in a battle that began in 2000 when a commission officer for the ABCC witnessed dancers at Carandola’s Christie’s Cabaret “performing in a manner that violated then-applicable state law.”

Two years after Carandola was first cited, the 4th Circuit struck down that law for being overly broad, only to have the Legislature amend it last year with even more specific guidelines prohibiting adult venues from allowing simulated sex acts of any kind that mimick masturbation, sodomy, sexual intercourse, bestiality, oral copulation or flagellation. The terms of the amendment also included touching, caressing or fondling of the breasts, buttocks, anus, vulva or genitals and the use of artificial devices or inanimate objects.

In final arguments before the 4th Circuit, attorneys for Carandola argued that that law, even in its amended state, had a chilling effect on adult entertainment and posed a major threat to protections of the 1st and 14th Amendments.

Carandola even brought in anthropologist Dr. Judith Hanna to testify that movements in dance “such as those with the hips, thighs, breasts, hair and hands have traditionally been associated with simulating sex,” therefore making the law so broad as to prohibit constitutionally protected expression of the most basic kind.

The law exempts theaters, concert halls, art centers or theatrical performances when those performances are expressing “matters of serious literary, artistic, scientific or political value.”

“No one would mistake a dancer gyrating her hips for someone having intercourse, nor believe that a Carolina Panthers cheerleader patting her buttocks as part of a dance routine was masturbating,” Judge Diana Gribbon Motz wrote in her dissent.

–from Rogue

WIN FREE TICKETS TO THE ARLEN NESS BIKE SHOW– Win Free Tickets and Swag for the January 27th and 28th 2007 Arlen Ness Bike Show in San Jose, CA. Enter your contact information and we will draw a name each week. Go to Arlen Ness Bike Show for more details.

WINNERS:
Jani Albers wins 2 show tickets
Juan Gutierrez wins 2 show tickets
Michael A. Noble wins 2 Show Tickets
Bob Silva wins 2 Show Tickets

American Thunder Promotions produces the Arlen Ness Bike Show, the Donnie Smith Invitational Bike Show and the Donnie Smith Rochester Bike Show.

Arlen Ness Contest

First and Last Name: Phone Number: Your Age:19 and under20-3031 and older Email: Address City State Zip

IN SEARCH OF A GABEL COVER– I need some information. I have a Kawasaki (inverted bracket). Itis assembled in a Harley-Davidson Sportster 883, year 2000. Do you have a GabelCover for this modification? The size are: Superior part 206 mm X 52 mm, inferior part 197 mm X 52 mm and its thicknest, part 59 mm. A photo of the moto is included for farther details.

–DAVID ADAN
specialized77@msn.com>

AGENT ZEBRA RUINED–A perfectly good outlaw goes to shit. Be very careful. Women can have this affect on you. Agent Zebra was a professional bull rider, fist fighter and always carried a modified H&K .45 caliber semi-auto on his hip. Now look at him. We are considering a Rogue intervention with a keg of Jack Daniels.

V-ROD TANK 19’3 INHALT–Die Fahrer der alten V-Rod Modelle (bis BJ 2006) m?ssen den Fahrern der neuen Baureihe in Zukunft nicht mehr hinterherfahren, denn mit dem Rick’s Motorcycles 19l V-Rod Tank, sind sie in Reichweite den neuen Modellen nicht mehr unterlegen.!!Nach dem sehr gro?en Erfolg des V-Rod 19l Tanks im vergangenen Jahr, hat man sich bei Rick’s Motorcycles entschlossen, dass Herstellungsverfahren zu optimieren, die Qualit?t weiter zu verbessern und dazu noch den Preis zu senken.

Ab Februar 2007 wird der V-Rod Tank in einem Rotationsverfahren hergestellt, wodurch die Qualit?t auf demselben hohen Niveau steht wie die Serientanks der gro?en Motorradhersteller.Als positiver Nebeneffekt konnten die Herstellkosten durch diese neue Produktionsform deutlich gesenkt werden und dadurch sinkt auch der Preis f?r die Kunden.

Gab es bei der ersten Version des Tanks noch recht hohe Lieferzeiten so wird der neue Tank immer auf Lager sein und ist innerhalb von wenigen Tagen bei der Kundschaft.

Ein weiterer Vorteil der neuen Variante ist, dass sie f?r alle Reifengr??en bis 300er Breite passt und nicht mehr nach Gr??en unterschieden werden muss.

Artikelnummer
Beschreibung
VK inkl. 19%
50-0000300-0

Tank Rick’s V-Rod 19 Liter / 5 gal (up to 280 tyre) 649,00

WEALTH PAYS OFF–Local millionaire Charles Lamar Switzer will not have to return to prison, a judge decided on Wednesday.

Circuit Judge Nick Geeker resentenced the 56-year-old Gulf Breeze resident to the 10 months he already had served in state prison for a cocaine-trafficking conviction as part of the “Operation Sandshaker” drug bust in 2003.

Switzer, who sat on Pensacola Junior College’s advisory board before he was arrested in 2003, also was fined $2,500.Geeker originally sentenced Switzer to three years, which he began serving in January.

However, on Nov. 3, the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee ruled that Switzer’s numerous cocaine buys could not be added up to meet the threshold for cocaine trafficking. The court ordered Geeker to enter a conviction for the less-serious charge of conspiracy to sell, manufacture or deliver cocaine.

That charge does not carry the mandatory three-year minimum sentence for Switzer’s original conviction.

Switzer had been free on bond pending the appeal.

Switzer was one of more than 50 people charged in the cocaine investigation dubbed “Operation Sandshaker.” A number of the defendants purchased small amounts of cocaine that, over time, added up to a significant amount, prosecutors argued.

During trial, Simon tied Switzer to 78.15 grams of cocaine between 2001 and 2003.

–by Nicole Lozare

–from Rogue

JOKER CHROME BILLET DIPSTICK–– For use with Joker Clutch release cover (941228) and all 87-06 Big Twin models (except 06 Dyna Glide); repl. OEM #s 37071-87 and 37075-87.

RETAIL $39.95

PART NO. DESCRIPTION
06-05 DIP STICK, CHROME
06-05R DIP STICK, RED

–Kendall
star23@jokermachine.com>

BIKER BUILD-OFF COMES TO EASYRIDERS BIKE SHOW IN POMONA, JANUARY 6-7TH–As some of you may already know, Scott Webster, myself and the rest of thecrew just finished our Biker Build Off bike and are preparing ourselves forthe long haul from Ohio to California. Once we arrive in California we willbe meeting up with our competition Butch & Dawn from Stinger Custom Cycles.We meet in San Francisco January 4th to begin the filming of the ride and endup in Pomona the 6th at the Fairplex for the Easyriders Bike Show. Scott andI (along with Butch and Dawn I’m sure) would like to extend an invitation toany and all Hamsters to join us. If anyone is interested, or needs additionalinfo please contact us at the shop – 440-266-1635.

Thanks, and hope to see some of you there!

–Brian Korelec
Hamsters Ohio

We’re going to get a group together and ride from LA to Bakersfield on Fri. Jan 5 and meet up with the Biker build off group. They plan a stop at the Holiday Inn Express in Bakersfield and will be leaving Sat. Morn. to ride to the Easyriders show in Pomona. If anyone is interested in joining us call me or send me an e-mail for details.

–Gene Koch

You received these emails from me. This was misinterpreted as a Hamster vs. Hamster Build Off. We need to correct that. Brian Korelec works for Leroy-Thompson Choppers, and is assisting in the build off. Technically the build off is between Scott Webster, who is not a Hamster and Butch and Dawn from Stinger Custom Cycles. Butch is a Hamster. We just wanted to make that clarification, so there is no confusion.

Show/Build-off Ride Accomodations

Wednesday, Jan 3, 2007
Holiday Inn Express
160 Shoreline Hwy Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 332-5700 x166
Contact: Kathie Brown

Thursday, Jan 4, 2007
Best Western Carmel Mission Inn
3665 Rio Rd. Carmel, CA 93923
(800) 348-9090
Contact: Kansas

Friday, Jan 5, 2007
Holiday Inn Express
4400 Hughes Lane Bakersfield, CA 93304
(661) 833-3000
Contact: David Lim

Saturday, Jan 6, 2007
Sheraton @ Fairplex
Dawn has the details….

–Sarah E. Bowman
Associate Producer
Biker Build Off

EASYRIDERS V-TWIN BIKE SHOW RETURNS TO THE LOS ANGELES FAIRPLEX IN POMONA–(Newbury Park, CA) – November 2006 – Easyriders Events, SPONSORED BY BIKERNET.COM, proudly announces the kick-off of the 2007 Easyriders V-Twin Bike Show Tour at the L.A. Fairplex in Pomona, Calif. on January 6th and 7th. Show hours are Saturday, from 10am-10pm and Sunday, from 10am-5pm. All ages are welcome to this family-friendly event showcasing the best custom motorcycles in the world. A complete schedule of events is available online at www.EasyridersEvents.com.

Bike Show attendees can expect to see the best of the best custom-built motorcycles in the world combined with hundreds of motorcycle-related merchandise and service exhibitors. Thousands of custom designs will be showcased throughout the Tour, with top honors being awarded in Kansas City, Missouri on May 5 at the Invitational Bike Show. Bike Show competitors in the all-new Pro Class will be vying for more than just top honors; they’ll be competing for one of six places on the 2008 Easyriders Centerfold Tour, which affords the opportunity for any bike builder to reach an unprecedented level of national exposure.

As featured on Country Music Television’s new hit show, Foxworthy’s Big Night Out, the Purrfect Angelz (a.k.a. The Home Wreckers) will perform live at each Bike Show location and are available for photo shoots with bikes entered in the competition. In addition to the top-notch choreography and fashion shows put on by the Purrfect Angelz, the Fryed Brothers Band, which has been called the “epitome of biker bands,” will entertain the crowd with several live musical performances throughout the weekend.

Dorian Swanner, owner of Carolina Custom Products, Inc., is building a ground-up custom motorcycle to be given away to one lucky attendee at the end of the 2007 Bike Show Tour. This custom motorcycle is a Carolina Custom drop seat chopper with a polished S&S motor, Baker 6-speed transmission, 300 rear tire and features exotic sheet metal with custom paint. Swanner has also designed and created custom trophies for the 2007 tour, which are sure to beautify any winner’s trophy case. Additionally, Ralph Randolph of Rockem and Sockem Motorcycle Co. is feverishly building a one-of-a-kind motorcycle to be given away at the 2008 Easyriders Rodeo Tour Grand Nationals in Chillicothe, Ohio. Both giveaway bikes will be on display for the public at all 2007 Easyriders V-Twin Bike Show Tour locations.

Ralph from Rockem, a master builder in the centerfold tour.

Additionally, world-class creations from Paul Yaffe of Paul Yaffe Originals, Kendall Johnson of Kendall Johnson Customs, James and Dave Kaye of The Detroit Bros., Ralph Randolph of Rockem and Sockem Motorcycle Co., Bill Rucker of Rucker Performance and Austin Weiss of Streamline Designs will be displayed for up-close viewing at each of the Easyriders V-Twin Bike Shows. “Each of this year’s builders has been selected and personally invited to join the ranks of ‘Centerfold Tour’ predecessors like Billy Lane, Rick Fairless and Ron Finch. The excitement is in the diversity of these phenomenal motorcycle builders,” explained Easyriders Events president, John Green.

Bikernet.com and Lucas Motorcycle Oil Products proudly sponsors Easyriders Events. For additional information regarding the 2007 V-Twin Bike Show Centerfold Tour, Carolina Custom Products Motorcycle Giveaway, Rockem and Sockem Motorcycle Giveaway, Exhibitor Information or Bike Show Competition Entry, please call our offices toll-free at 1-800-962-9857 or visit us online at www.EasyridersEvents.com. For media passes to any of the 2007 Bike Show locations, please call our offices toll-free at 1-800-962-9857.

High resolution photos of this year’s Centerfold Tour master builders as well as 2007 Easyriders V-Twin Bike Show Tour sponsors are available exclusively at www.EasyridersEvents.com/pressroom. Easyriders Events is licensed to Action Promotions, Inc., a Florida corporation that specializes in motorcycle entertainment for Easyriders, V-Twin and their related publications exclusively.

Continued On Page 2

What hit the American Motorcycle industry like straight pipes and tire sizzling burn-outs, at 4 in the morning? Television, in the form of Motorcycle Mania one and two. The introduction of chopper building skills and rebel attitude, unleashed broadband, to citizens all over the country, rocked the biker world. Then chopper heaven in the form of Biker Build-offs struck with round two. Who was responsible for this Tsunami boon to our lifestyle? It was Hugh King, the producer/director/writer and editor at large of Original Productions.

Hugh felt the crisp freedom and wild wanton wickedness of the chopper industry in 1947 as a Milwaukee youngster, with his nose pressed against his living room window. An older neighborhood wildman, Billy Brody, screamed down the street on a bobbed ’46 Indian Chief. He tore across his folk’s lawn and slid to a stop on the front porch ignoring the driveway and garage alongside the house. That scene, on the Oak shrouded street, was emblazoned in Hugh’s expanding creative mind for years to come. In fact he added a wild black and white scene of a biker burning into a bar, to his documentary resume while living off grants and making social action films.

In 1989 he hauled ass to California and scrambled for a position cutting Easyriders Home Videos.

Through the reams of vast, rough-shot, motorcycle footage he learned the Harley biker industry, from event coverage, to land speed record attempts. Hired by Original Productions he produced reality shows. Then one fateful day, while warm California rays graced his small Original Productions, office, Tom Beers, his boss, wandered in.

“Discovery Channel called,” he said. “They want a feature on the custom motorcycle industry. You’ve experienced the motorcycle world. It’s your assignment.” Since the offices were located in Burbank, California, Hugh investigated valley shops and called motorcycle mag editors. A mystery connection was made, and an old crocked finger pointed toward West Coast Choppers. “And the rest is history,” Hugh said.

“Discovery didn’t billboard the first Motorcycle Mania episode,” Hugh said. “They only mentioned it one-half hour before it aired, but by act 4 they knew we had hit a home run.”

By Motorcycle Mania two, Jesse became a star. “Viewers wanted to talk to him,” Hugh said of growing audience. “We filmed it for the average Joe and sensed immediately that people wanted to reach out and touch tools. There was a deep longing for the ability to make something out of nothing.”

Jesse smacked a cord in young American viewers with a ballpeen hammer against a flat sheet of aluminum. Fans witnessed pure raw alloy shaped into sleek gas tanks. “The footage of metal being annealed was graphically inspiring,” Hugh said. At that stage he was the producer, director, writer and editor (Tom Beers was the executive producer).

Discovery was rocked and wanted more, so Hugh directed the first four Monster Garage segments, then kicked off the Build-Off series.

“We shot Borget versus Billy Lane and Discovery ordered three more,” Hugh said. “It was another grand slam.”

Life kicked into high gear for Hugh and again Original Productions was approached by Discovery Channel to make Motorcycle Mania III or “Jesse James Rides Again” starring Jesse James and featuring his buddy, Kid Rock. Jesse worked with wheelwright, Fay Butler, in Massachusetts to learn the intricacies of copper fabricating. Fay manipulates old yoders like an artist’s brush shaping copper. Yoders were used in WWII to fashion sheets of metal for fighter fuselages and wings. Jesse and Fay worked together to shape the copper chopper gas tank.

The MMIII film endeavor raised the bar for Hugh. “I had the opportunity to work with high def film and top quality camera equipment,” he said. “We got to use the highest standard automobile commercial equipment like a Shot Maker and Chapman cranes for dramatic rolling angles.” His life hit overdrive as he filmed the building of the Copper Chopper for Jesse, American Bad Ass Chopper for Kid Rock, and they hit it to Mexico. “Nothing went according to plan,” Hugh said. “We changed the itinerary constantly. The people of Mexico were terrific as we shot from El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico, in 125 degrees, through 350 miles due south to Chihuahua.”

Hugh filmed spectacular footage of the two riders passing smoldering sand dunes, sweeping vistas and lumbering Iguanas crossing the rugged roads toward Copper Canyon.

“We suspected trouble from Federales,” Hugh said, “but Jesse and the Kid befriended the law. They stood alongside the smoldering highway and blasted sand dunes with the cops’ weapons.”

Having the time of their lives they rode south to Chihuahua, a growing city, and searched through the old market place. Riding west they climbed 6,000 feet to Copper Canyon, in the middle of the Sierra Madres, which is six times longer than the Grand Canyon. They slept in a small village on the lip of the gorge, in a town of 65.

Jesse and the Kid accomplished their goal of escaping fame and fortune as they continued West toward the coast over torturous curved roads through blinding lightening storms and over a territory where the only vocation is hijacking. “We slept in the camera van,” Hugh said, “since there was no place to stay, until we reached the white sand beach on the Sea of Cortez. It was a transcendental experience.”

Motorcycle Mania III will experience limited theatrical release later this year, followed by Discovery Channel airing. Hugh has a year and a half invested in the film while directing Biker Build-offs with Billy Lane, Dave Perewitz, Roger Borget, Paul Yaffe, Indian Larry and currently with Yank Young, Chica, Eddie Trotta, Russ Mitchell, Arlen and Cory Ness. “Choppers have turned my life upside down,” Hugh said. Although the family man doesn’t own a bike, he rides constantly. “I’ll jump anything the builders let me straddle,” Hugh said. You can see the motorcycle mania fever boiling in his gaze.

What’s the future hold for Hugh King? The Biker Build Off series is rockin’ through another chrome and flamed season and even hotter segments are headed for next year. “We kicked off the series with Billy Lane and Roger Borget,” Hugh said. “Initially it was intended as an elimination competition, but no builder can manufacture one ass-kickin’ bike after another, every 30 days. We currently pick builders by regions and diverse styles.” In 2005 he hopes to throw a massive live finale in Las Vegas and take the bike voting interactive.

At 65, Hugh ramped into an all-time high with custom bikes. He’s riding it for all it’s worth and the entire industry benefits.

HUGH KING SIDEBAR:

THE LAUGHLIN BUILD-OFF– On April 20th ten of the world’s greatest bike builders thundered into Laughlin, Nevada. For 72 hours in a secret desert shop they worked non stop to create BBO X, a one-off 124 cubic inch, rigid, right side drive, black and chrome, spear-like chopper. Then they presented it to Hugh King, producer of Discovery’s Great Biker Build Off. The geniuses who came together to make this awesome steed were Arlen Ness, Cory Ness, Russell Mitchell, Eddie Trotta, Mitch Bergeron, Kendall Johnson, Matt Hotch, Joe Martin, Chica and Hank Young.

Chica hand fabricated the gas tank. Hank Young made the oil tank. Kendall Johnson was responsible for assembling and tweaking the 124 cc. S&S motor and the Baker 6 speed transmission, Mitch Bergeron was responsible for the frame and the billet down tube (in which was cut in the Roman Numeral X and the Discovery planet), Matt Hotch fabricated the fenders, Joe Martin built the pipes and did the pin striping, Russell Mitchell and Eddie Trotta built the front end and Arlen Ness and Cory Ness were responsible for the paint and the overall supervision of the project.

A special guest appearance was made by legendary seat maker, Danny Gray who fabricated a black leather seat with a zebra stripped manta ray inset.

On Saturday night, April 24th, before thousands at the Laughlin River Run, BBO X was unveiled and formally presented to Hugh King.

Each of the ten builders had competed in Bike Build Off before. Their ten bikes were on display at the Discovery both where the people voted on which motorcycle they thought was best in show.

Matt Hotch’s low slung, blue beach cruiser took the prize. Watch every Monday night for a new Build-Off on Discovery.

THE BILL BISH LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FOR DECEMBER–CHINA HUNTS DOWN CYCLISTS, EPA IN ARIZONA, CITY TRIES TO PASS HELMET LAW AND MORE

Author and freedom fighter, Bill Bish.

THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. For more information, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit us on our website at http://www.ON-A-BIKE.com.

COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish
National Coalition of Motorcyclists

CHINESE CITIES CONTINUE TO BAN MOTORCYCLES China, the world?s leading producer of motorcycles with more than 13 million units manufactured annually, has been systematically banning or limiting the use of motorcycles. Most recently, the large Chinese city of Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton, will join over 100 other cities in banning all motorized two-wheelers. As of January 1, the city?s 260,000 registered motorcycles in the city will be forced off the roads, as well as an additional 100,000 unregistered ones and 100,000 electric bicycles, and tens of thousands of people who use the vehicles to earn a living and make deliveries must turn them in for scrap or move them out of the city.

After six decades of control, Communist officials are accustomed to issuing sweeping draconian edicts such as this, confident that they unfailingly act for the benefit of all citizens, while individual rights are ignored and citizens simply must accept what the one-party state decides is best and are helpless to act on their frustrations.

In 2002, Guangzhou shortened the service life of motorbikes to 8 or 10 years from the previous 13 years, and offered cash rewards to owners who discarded their bikes before their ?end of life? expired. The city began phasing out motorcycles, leading up to a total ban by 2007. But after motorcycle and scooter prices plunged, throngs of residents eagerly turned to two-wheel transportation, jamming up the roads, contributing to air pollution and increasing snatch-and-run crimes committed by motorcycle-riding thieves. Motorcycles were involved in half of the city?s accidents last year.

Since 1994, cities like Shanghai, Tianjin and Nantong have stopped issuing licenses to new motorcycles. In Shanghai, many motorcycle shops were even shut down recently. Motorcycles are not replacing cars in Chinese cities, they are replacing bicycles so whereas the environmental impact of a shift to motorcycles in Western cities would lead to cleaner air, in China it’s the other way around.

Analysts estimate that China will not have an urban market for motorcycles by 2010 if more cities continue to ban their use. Nowadays, the Chinese government is following a “no encouragement and no support” policy towards the motorcycle industry.

SALT LAKE CITY PLAYING HEAD GAMES The Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah has proposed a municipal ordinance that would implement a city-wide helmet law for all motorcyclists and bicyclists, though the state of Utah does not mandate helmets for adult riders.

The proposed ordinance reads in part: 12.24.130 Motorcycle or motor-driven cycle — Protective headgear — Closed cab excepted — Electric assisted bicycles, motor assisted scooters, personal motorized mobility devices.

A. A person may not operate or ride on a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle on a street, highway or public park unless the person is wearing protective headgear which complies with specifications adopted under Subsection (C).

The Salt Lake City Weekly newspaper had this to say about the helmet law: ?City Hall is on the verge of proposing a helmet law that would make Salt Lake City one of the few cities in the country requiring that all bicycle-riding adults don a safety helmet.

?The proposal also applies to motorcycles; small, motorized scooters and the Segway, that two-wheeled platform President George W. Bush fell off. Skateboarders, however, would be spared.

?The city?s smokers rolled over for the ban on lighting up on golf courses and in public squares, but bike riders might not be so complacent.?

ABATE of Utah is requesting that riders contact Mayor Rocky Anderson and voice your opposition to this legislation. You can contact Mayor Anderson by phone: (801) 535-7704, by e-mail: mayor@slcgov.com or by letter: 451 South State St., Room 306, SLC, UT 84111.

U.S. DOT ANNOUNCES SEATBELT USE DOWN, HELMET USE UP According to a new study recently released by the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), seat belt use in the U.S. is currently at a rate of 81 percent, down slightly from the use rate of 82 percent in 2005.

Citing the new report, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters also noted the latest data shows that 51 percent of U.S. motorcyclists now wear helmets, up from 48 percent in 2005. She pointed out that in the West, motorcycle helmet use rose from 50 to 72 percent between 2005 and 2006; and from 42 to 47 percent in the Northeast. However, the use rate fell from 53 to 50 percent in the Midwest and from 49 to 45 percent in the South. Only helmets that comply with DOT standards were included in the survey.

According to Administrator Nicole R. Nason, the NHTSA recently started offering federal grants to states for programs that help reduce the number of motorcyclist accidents. For example, this year the agency will make available $6 million in grant funding to states for motorcycle safety training and motorist awareness programs.

NO EMISSIONS TESTING FOR PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA MOTORCYCLES Owners of more than 6,200 motorcycles in Pima County, in which Tucson is located, will soon no longer have to worry about whether their vehicles can pass the state’s emissions tests, but the 22,000 motorcycles registered in Maricopa County, where the city of Phoenix is located, remains one of the only places in the U.S. where motorcycles must pass emission testing.

Both areas of the state have had testing programs for years to comply with federal air-quality rules, particularly as they relate to carbon monoxide and ozone pollution. State legislators voted for the exemption in 2005, but the law was contingent on getting the required approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — that order came December 15th as the EPA agreed that exempting the motorcycles from the testing in Pima County will not harm air quality in the Tucson region.

“This is a big step in the right direction,” said Bobbi Hartmann, a lobbyist for the motorcyclist groups in Arizona and a member of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) Legislative Task Force.

Motorcycle groups such as ABATE of Arizona, the Modified Motorcycle Association (MMA) of Arizona and the Arizona Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs had backed the legislation, hoping to get their vehicles exempted from what they call unfair and unnecessary emissions regulation. State records had shown that 26 percent of the motorcycles taking the test failed while cars flunked at the rate of 16 percent.

Click Here To Visit Rock Em ??

MSF AND TEAM OREGON EMBROILED IN LAWSUITS The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has filed a lawsuit against Team Oregon Motorcycle Safety Program of Oregon State University alleging the parties infringed on MSF copyrights, and charging that they ?willfully misappropriated the MSF’s motorcycle safety and training curriculum materials in connection with the development and publication of Team Oregon’s Basic Rider Training (BRT) curriculum materials, and prepared derivative works based on the MSF’s copyrighted curricula,? and other charges.

The suit seeks to permanently enjoin the defendants from using the Team Oregon BRT, as well as from marketing or offering the Team Oregon BRT to other states or entities.

“The MSF has worked with the state of Oregon in connection with motorcycle safety training and policy for more than 20 years, and continues to support Oregon motorcyclists,” said Dean Thompson, director, communications of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. “The MSF currently works with the Oregon Division of Driver and Motor Vehicle Services on licensing issues.?

“This is the first time in its history that the MSF has initiated legal action,” Thompson said. “We would prefer to focus on our mission of making motorcycling safer and more enjoyable. But if an organization does not protect its intellectual property rights, it can lose them. The MSF does not object to another entity developing a different basic riding curriculum. However, the MSF does take issue with any entity that takes a shortcut by misappropriating the MSF’s curriculum and misrepresenting it as its own.”

BikePAC of Oregon Executive Director Ken Ray responded to the lawsuit, stating in part, ?We are disappointed that MSF has chosen to file a lawsuit after their curriculum was deemed inadequate for Oregon. Although BikePAC is not involved in this legally, all motorcyclists in Oregon will suffer when money and energy that should go to rider training is having to be used to defend Team Oregon against MSF attorneys.?

Ray went on to explain that the ?MSF has implied or threatened legal action for several years ever since Team Oregon began phasing out the MSF curriculum and began using one developed by Steve Garets and other Team Oregon instructors. MSF has maintained that printed material dealing with motorcycle training is their intellectual property. Most recently the Motorcycle Safety Foundation attempted to have their motorcycle-training curriculum certified to meet Oregon standards to replace a DMV skills test for motorcycle endorsements. Although a final decision has not been reached by the Oregon Traffic Safety Commission on the MSF proposal, the Governor?s Advisory Board on Motorcycle Safety after a year of analysis and testimony unanimously voted to recommend disapproval by OTSC.?

PELOSI TARGETS GRASSROOTS LOBBYING House Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) has pledged to take up a lobbying reform proposal that would impose new regulations on speech by grassroots organizations (such as motorcycle rights organizations), while providing a loophole in the rules for large corporations and labor unions.

The legislation would make changes to the legal definition of ?grassroots lobbying? and require any organization that encourages 500 or more members of the general public to contact their elected representatives to file a report with detailed information about their organization to the government on a quarterly basis.

The report would include identifying the organization?s expenditures, the issues focused on and the members of Congress and other federal officials who are the subject of the advocacy efforts. A separate report would be required for each policy issue the group is active on.

?Right now, grassroots groups don?t have to report at all if they are communicating with the public,? said Dick Dingman of the Free Speech Coalition, Inc. ?This is an effort that would become a major attack on the 1st Amendment.?

The Lobbying Transparency and Accountability Act, which made some of these changes, was actually approved by both the House and the Senate in the 109th Congress, but failed to make it through a conference committee.

OKLAHOMA BILL WOULD REDUCE MOTORCYCLE TOLLS An Oklahoma state lawmaker is proposing giving a break to motorcycle riders on the state’s turnpikes. State Representative Paul Wesselhoft says it’s not fair for motorcyclists to pay the same price as a car on the toll roads because motorcycles cause less wear and tear on the roadway. And he says the bikes cause less pollution and are more fuel-efficient.

His proposal calls for motorcycles to be charged half the toll currently charged to two-axle vehicles such as cars and SUVs. Rep. Wesselhoft says he doubts the state would lose any revenue by reducing the toll because he believes more bikers would drive the turnpikes if the toll were lower.

Rep. Paul Wesselhoft (R-Moore, OK) has been coordinating with ABATE of Oklahoma regarding advancing this legislation, which ABATE of Oklahoma’s State Board has voted to fully support. ABATE contacted the Central Oklahoma HOG Chapter to provide a Harley for a photo-op for Rep. Wesselhoft, who has prior motorcycling experience, to introduce his proposal to the media.

?We appreciate Representative Wesselhoft?s decision to introduce this measure, which will be beneficial both to our state and to improving motorcycling Quality of Life in Oklahoma,? said Tiger Mike Revere, State Coordinator of ABATE of Oklahoma and a member of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) Board of Directors.

UK LICENSING PLAN FOR ALL MOTORCYCLES A plan to crackdown on teenage motorcyclists plaguing estates and shopping centers was unveiled by Labour MP Chris Bryant, who wants to bring in a new law calling for all bikes – including off-road scramblers and mini-motorbikes – to be forced to have license plates.

Many of the bikes used by hooligans to terrorize others are unlicensed as they are officially classified as off-road machines, he said. Police are reluctant to chase them fearing riders could be thrown off and be killed or injured. But Mr Bryant believes by putting number plates on bikes officers would know who owns the vehicles and track them down.

He told the London Mirror that, “Unlicensed so-called ‘off-road’ bikes are a lethal nuisance. The racket they make and the danger they pose to pedestrians and drivers means it’s time we licensed them.”

Sales of mini-motorcycles, which can go up to 60mph, have soared ten-fold since 2002, to 100,000 last year.

WEIRD NEWS: Bees mistake motorcycle cushion for real flowers. Vivid flowers on a cushion used by a woman for her motorcycle were so lifelike that hundreds of bees attempted to collect honey from it, the China Daily newspaper reported. Seeing so many bees flying over the motorcycle, parked at a village near Shenyang of Liaoning Province, the rider was scared out of her wits and cried for help. She was rescued from the spot only after fire fighters were called in to drive the bees away.

CNN POLL REVEALS MOST AMERICANS THINK GOVERNMENT IS DOING TOO MUCH A quarter century after the Reagan revolution, a CNN poll found that most Americans still agree with the Gipper; “Government is not the answer to our problems — government is the problem.”

The poll showed that an overwhelming majority of Americans perceive, correctly, that the size and cost of government have gone up: discretionary spending grew from $649 billion in fiscal year 2001 to $968 billion in fiscal year 2005, an increase of $319 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Queried about their views on the role of government, 54 percent of the 1,013 adults polled said they thought it was trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses. Only 37 percent said they thought the government should do more to solve the country’s problems.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) 40th President of the United States & 33rd Governor of California