Foothill Ranch, Calif. (April 17, 2022) – Round 14 of the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross Championship brought riders from across the country to Atlanta Motor Speedway for a unique racetrack in the infield of the iconic racing venue. Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Jason Anderson claimed his fourth win of the season with a commanding performance in the 450SX Main Event. Meanwhile, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda and Austin Forkner earned fourth place and seventh place respectively in the 250SX East/West Showdown. Anderson and the rest of the Monster Energy Kawasaki team arrived to Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday morning to find the grounds flooded from overnight rainfall. As the rain continued through the morning hours, scheduling adjustments were made to preserve the track. The revised schedule granted the riders in each classification a single 13-minute timed qualifying session prior to the start of the racing program. Adding to the challenge of learning a track in such short time, the specially designed Atlanta circuit hosted one of the longest starts in Supercross history, multiple whoop sections and over twelve turns, altogether producing the longest lap times so far this season. Knowing his time on the track was limited, Anderson launched straight out to a high pace on lap one of the timed session. The No.21 KX™450SR rider battled at the top of the leader board for the entire session as he made the most of the slick conditions. When the session concluded, Anderson recorded the second fastest time of the morning with a 1:25.286. At the start of the first 450SX Heat Race, Anderson emerged from the first turn in second position. With dryer track conditions and increased traction, Anderson quickly turned up the pace from his qualifying laps and took control of the lead before the end of Lap 1. The New Mexico native responded to pressure from the current points leader by improving his lap times as the race progressed. There was a brief exchange for the lead position on Lap 5 before a crowd animating pass while sliding around the inside of one of the track’s sweeping 180 turns moved Anderson back into the top spot. When the checkered flag flew, Anderson was over four seconds clear of the competition, claiming his fifth heat race win of the season. When the gate dropped for the 450SX Main Event, Anderson once again launched his KX™450SR out to the front of the pack. The podium positions were tightly contested for the opening laps as Anderson tactfully moved passed his main championship rivals. On Lap 3, Anderson gained control of the lead by capitalizing on a mistake from the competition. The Atlanta crowd soon erupted again as Anderson took advantage of the clear track in front of him to start jumping an impressive triple-quad rhythm section before the finish line. Continuing to jump the rhythm lap after lap, igniting the crowd consistently, Anderson steadily built a sizeable lead over the riders behind. By Lap 11, the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider was more than eight seconds ahead of the closest competitor. With a nearly perfect race from start to finish, Anderson crossed the checkered flag first, lighting the Monster Energy fire cannons and securing his fourth Monster Energy Supercross win of 2022. Anderson’s impressive win in Atlanta moves him three points closer to the 450SX Championship points lead as he stands firmly in second place with three rounds remaining.

“It seemed like we might have a mudder this morning but, the dirt came around after the sun showed up around mid-day. By the time my Main Event started, the track was gnarly but, we’re in a great spot with the bike so I was able to keep pushing the pace through the tough conditions. Even though the whoops were cupped out and edgy, the bike was consistent and predictable, so I kept charging across them every lap. The whole team has put in a lot of effort to have the KX™450SR working as good as it is right now so hopefully we can enjoy a few more of these wins before the season ends.” – Jason Anderson

Returning to the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship, Forkner joined his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki 250SX Western Regional teammate Shimoda in Atlanta for the first East/West Showdown of the year. In one of the first groups to take to the wet track, Forkner proved he hasn’t missed a beat by jumping right to the top of the 250SX East qualifying leaderboard. When his qualifying session concluded, the Missouri native had the second fastest lap time with a 1:28.808. In the 250SX West qualifying, Shimoda made himself acquainted with the track by exploring a variety of different lines and setting the sixth fastest lap time with a 1:30.773. When the 250SX East Heat Race rounded the first turn, Forkner found himself ahead of only one rider as he narrowly avoided a first turn crash. The No.33 KX™250 rider made quick moves through the opening lap, however, passing his way into seventh by the end of Lap 1. Despite racing through traffic on the wet track, Forkner began setting the fastest laps of the race. Forkner passed at least one rider each lap while rapidly closing the distance between himself and the leader. When the white flag waved, Forkner was up to third in the running order but, the tenacious rider wasn’t settled. On the final lap, the fans at Atlanta Motor Speedway roared with cheers as Forkner made two daring passes to claim the 250SX East Heat win by a thrillingly slim margin and establish himself as a contender to win the 250SX East/West Showdown. At the start of the 250SX West Heat race, Shimoda proved he had made gains with his starts by launching out to the early lead. Shimoda led the opening lap before a couple minor mistakes on Lap 2 forced him to relinquish the position and settle into third place. The Japanese-born rider matched pace with the riders ahead as a battle for the top five positions ensued for the better portion of the qualifying race. On the final lap, Shimoda lost one more position before finishing out the race in fourth place with a direct transfer to the 250SX East/West Showdown. When the gate dropped for the 250SX East/West Showdown Main Event, the No.30 KX™250 rider Shimoda rocketed out to the holeshot and early lead while Forkner quickly made his way forward from sixth. After a few swift passes by Forkner, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki duo occupied two of the three podium positions for the opening laps with Shimoda setting the pace out front and amassing a roughly two second gap over the rest of the field. On Lap 3, Forkner lost a position after the split sand section and settled into fourth until he eventually dropped back to seventh due to a small crash in a rutted corner a few laps later. Meanwhile, Shimoda proved his grit by battling for podium contention and withstanding pressure from the respective championship challengers of each regional series through the first 10 laps of the race. Shimoda balanced intensity with finesse on the non-traditional supercross track to maintain control of third position in the running order until he was overtaken through the whoops while approaching the white flag. Shimoda challenged back for a final lap battle over the last podium position but ultimately crossed the finish in fourth place. Forkner regained his momentum late in the race and finished with a respectable seventh place result. Shimoda’s fourth place finish in Atlanta marks his fourth top-five of the season and moves him to only two points shy of fourth in the 250SX Western Regional Championship points standings. Forkner’s seventh place finish secures his third top-ten result of the season as the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki rider had an impressive return to the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship.

“This weekend my starts were really good in the heat and the Main Event so that is nice progress on something I’ve been working to improve. At the beginning of the main I felt strong and was comfortable out front with the lead but, I think my speed was a little bit off this weekend, so I ended up being passed by a few riders. I want to be back on the podium, so I wouldn’t say that I’m satisfied with fourth place but, there are positives to take away from this weekend and we will keep trying to be better.” – Jo Shimoda “I’ve been eager to get back to racing and definitely wanted to show that I’m a contender for wins this year. In the Heat Race, I was really happy with my riding. To come through the whole field and get a win with a last lap pass on last weekend’s overall winner was a good way to get back into the swing of things. I’ve only been back on the bike about a week now, so I was really happy with my race craft and I think I was on track to have another strong performance in the Main Event until I crashed while running in third. Overall, it was great to be racing again and I’m ready to fight for some wins before the championship ends.” – Austin Forkner

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Lowbrow Battery Line-Up and J&P about Testing

By Bandit, the Lowbrow Team and Anthony Todd from J&P Cycles

We found ourselves in the battery market again recently. We ran into a couple of issues. First, trying to fit a battery into an almost stock 1948 center oil tank. Lowbrow has an option, but it involved a very small anti-gravity lithium battery. Unfortunately, they were out of stock. Plus, they didn’t have a gel option. They did have a cool, stock, replica battery case.

I did find a stock replacement battery but only in 6 Volt. I needed a 12-Volt unit for my 1948 UL. It had been modified for a 12-Volt system. Then the Lowbrow crew came up with this handy battery guide, so I thought I would share it with an article by Anthony Todd, of J&P Cycles, about testing charging systems.

I went to J&P Cycles, but they don’t list battery dimensions on their website. I would think that would be a major drawback to sales, especially involving custom bikes. We all face custom oil bags with odd size battery holes. Or worse, we have limited space for a battery and need to adapt. We need to know the dimensions. Let’s roll through the Lowbrow report.

The development of motorcycle batteries has really advanced in recent years. Back in-the-day a conventional motorcycle battery with an acid pack was the standard. You would open the top caps, pour in your acid pack, and throw it on a charger for 24 hours. This was the typical process for a lead acid classic motorcycle battery.

There are a variety of types of motorcycle batteries for you to choose from these days. AGM maintenance free batteries, Gel AGM batteries, and Lithium motorcycle batteries are all on the market.

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Remember to Not Be Evil

TWELVE QUOTES ON SACRIFICE:

“To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.” – Steve Prefontaine

“Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.” – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.” – Napoleon Hill

“People sacrifice the present for the future. But life is available only in the present. That is why we should walk in such a way that every step can bring us to the here and the now.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

“The greatest of follies is to sacrifice health for any other kind of happiness.” – Arthur Schopenhauer

“I think that the good and the great are only separated by the willingness to sacrifice.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

“There is no moral authority like that of sacrifice.” – Nadine Gordimer

“Every wish, every dream, every idea comes to existence only through blood, sweat and sacrifice.” – Ivan Moody

“Sometimes, you have to sacrifice your talent to please the public.” – Govinda (actor)

“Mankind deserves sacrifice – but not of mankind.” – Stanislaw Jerzy Lec

“If you choose to do something, then you shouldn’t say it’s a sacrifice, because nobody forced you to do it.” – Aung San Suu Kyi

“If you want to sacrifice the admiration of many men for the criticism of one, go ahead, get married.” – Katharine Hepburn

Sometimes the news kicks my ass. Then a hot news flash flies in the door. In this case we received a report from The Sierra Madre Motorcycle Company, Austin, Texas branch operated by Steve Klein. He currently holds one of the rarest Crockers on the planet and several other motorcycle treasures. He recently bought 400 acres of land outside of town to hide his line-up of the rarest motorcycles on the planet, plus tend to his herd of cows and riding horses.

1steve_4706

I’m going to attempt to add a video clip to this report, plus Mr. Klein’s report and images of life threatening hail.

Bandit, this poor quality 8 second video was taken by my neighbors across the road from our property 4.5 miles West of Salado TX. All the trees/woods you see in the video are on my land. The twister did not cross my fence line. But it took out two rural baptist churches and 15 homes on acreages in the two miles adjoins me. When it arrived at my fence line it lifted over us for several miles and dropped back down and tore up more homes & killed more horses and cattle.

We were both not at home. Joanie in Dallas with Grandbabies and I in South Texas working.

We were blessed! Thank you fir checking in on us!

–Steve Klein

Partner

Sierra Madre Motorcycle Company

www.sierramadremotorcyclecompany.com 

 

BIKE SHED MOTO COMES TO LA–Housed in a huge warehouse built in the Arts District in 1945, in concrete, brick, wood, glass & steel, on a 30,000SF plot, Bike Shed L.A. offers a 325 seat restaurant, cafe, fully-licensed-bar and multi-brand retail emporium with an events space, barbershop, tattoo studio and private members bar.

1580 Industrial St, LOS ANGELES

www.bikeshetmoto.com

–Markus Cuff

City Streets Investigator

Bikernet.com(TM)

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The Legislative session is more than three-quarters over with today being day 94 and 26 days left. Quick numbers: Senate introduced 206 bills; 14 to S-T&E with only 8 transportation issues; House introduced 376 bills; 32 to H-T&LG with 12 about transportation. So, you can see, there hasn’t been much concern with transportation issues this year. There continues to be only 1-2 more bills introduced each day because of being “late-statis” bills which need approval from the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House. The various committees are busy right now, even addressing those bills that were introduced way back in January, but there will still be some bills that are “killed” due to no action at all.

I haven’t done an in-depth analysis yet, but it appears more bills are being passed than are being PI (killed). The Governor has signed pretty many already but hasn’t gotten to HB22-1043 (Definition of a Motorcycle).

SB22-175 (Distracted Driving) passed the Senate floor on 2^nd reading yesterday and is scheduled for 3^rd reading on Monday, 4/18. Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Holbert, gave a very “persuasive” argument in support of the bill at 2^nd reading, citing how his personal distracted driving experiences have changed his view to supporting a bill which he had opposed in the past. More later as the bill progresses through the process.

Making progress on a resolution for “May is Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month”. More later….

–Deb Craig

www.MRF.org

It’s Packed with Solid Chrome and Metal-flake News

We just rebuilt our Bikernet.com online shop or the 5-Ball Garage. Click on the Pit Crew Vest image below and check it out. Let me know if have any questions or suggestions like, “start over Mofo.”

While the Hand Built show rocked Austin, Arizona Bike week jammed. Chris Callen covered the Friends FXR Build-off featuring major builders in the industry.

Never a dull moment. Keep riding fast and free and we’ll keep fighting Forever.

–Bandit

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Hey,

We are living in strange times to say the least. I had a discussion with the leader of a major vehicle organization regarding Climate Doom and Scientific Transparency. He wouldn’t go there with his organization. “Some of my members will get upset.”

I told him two things: “I’m just asking for Scientific Transparency, the truth. Just demand the truth.” And, “If you don’t demand the truth, what will happen? Choppers will be gone.” Doesn’t make sense. We either question authority or die.

Here’s the strange aspect to the whole argument. I’ve even talked to kids you have a better understanding of the issue than some adults. Fossil Fuels can never just go away. Look around you. Everything is made with fossil fuel technology including medicine and the containers it comes in. Nuts.

Here’s an interesting concept, which was mentioned by Michael Shellenberger recently. It’s call the Citizens Jury. South Korea, like many countries has an energy issue. They reached out to 700 citizens. It wasn’t mandatory. Anyone could drop out at any time. They explained the positive and negative aspects to refurbishing their nuclear power plants and then asked the jury to decide. The citizens decided to move forward with nuclear. Interesting. It’s all about the truth.

Let’s hit the news…

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

LAW TIGERS TIPS–Top Motorcycle Safety Tips for Riders Everywhere

Riding a motorcycle isn’t just a form of transportation; it’s a way of life. Anyone who rides a bike will tell you that they’ve made adjustments to their wardrobe (“can I ride my bike wearing this?”), they’ve formed new friendships, and they pay attention to the weather more than the average human.

With this lifestyle, there’s also an element of danger to consider. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that mile for mile, motorcyclists face a 29x higher likelihood of being involved in a fatal accident.

The good news is that, while we can’t guarantee you’ll never have a wreck, you can greatly increase your chances of a thrilling ride that ends with you arriving safely at your destination if you follow safety guideline.

Let’s hit number 5 this week

Tip 5: Take Safety and Riding Courses Regularly
You’ve probably already taken a safety course (if you haven’t, do that pronto), but have you considered taking a more advanced riding course?

Once you’ve mastered the basics, an advanced class can better equip you to drive defensively. From maneuvering and braking techniques to collision avoidance techniques, the skills you learn here can upgrade and enhance your experience.

If it’s been a while since your last class, consider a refresher to keep your skills and knowledge up to date.

–Law Tigers Team

HANG ON FOR THIS–Mobile Application for Road Safety Enforcement

NRSA of Ghana in Africa is developing a mobile application to improve road safety across the country.

Known as the Public Eye Enforcement Programme (PEEP), the mobile application will empower anyone with a smartphone to record road traffic violations and forward to the National Road Safety Authority for the prosecution of offenders.

“We are going to take advantage of the constitution aspect of citizens’ arrests and empower anybody who owns a mobile device to be able to record” Chairman of NSRA noted.

He added that the sender of a video which led to prosecution would be rewarded.

“If a person sends in a video and the video leads to prosecution, the mobile number of the sender if registered with the mobile money, will get a percentage of the fine,” he said.

Read Full Post at:
https://blog.bikernet.com/mobile-application-for-road-safety-enforcement/

–Wayfarer

Reeves’ love of motorcycles is no secret, so when CyberPunk 2077 said it would feature Arch Motorcycle in it, the deal was sealed.

Reeves co-founded the company in 2011 alongside LA County Choprods’ Gard Hollinger, and the futuristic Arch Motorcycle that will be featured in the game is loosely based on its top-of-the-line Method 143, whose carbon fiber mono-cell chassis is an engineering marvel in its own right.

“When CD Projekt Red approached me about doing CyberPunk 2077, they also spoke about integrating – they were fans of, these people that work at the company, were fans of Arch Motorcycle, and so they approached the idea of creating a specialized Cyberpunk 2077 version of the Arch Motorcycle and I thought that was a very fine idea,” said Reeves.

Arch Motorcycle also helped supply the soundtrack for CyberPunk 2077 by taking an Arch Motorcycle out to California City Municipal Airport and recording its exhaust singing its wide-open song because the snarl of an Arch Motorcycle on the boil is a beautiful thing. The audio recordings attempted to capture nuances of the motorcycle’s drivetrain and character as well.

That guttural growl will now forever be a part of the CyberPunk77 experience as gamers mob around Night City on a 2077 Arch as Reeves’ CyberPunk persona Johnny Silverhand.

THE BIKERNET BARN FIND OF THE WEEK–8 MAN MOTOR CAR the SPEEDER—for train repair.

I don’t know what to say, but I need to find railroad ties, rails and spikes to make a place for it to land…

Here’s a story about one: It is serial number 5913 USA number M1013 and was delivered January 1945. What makes it interesting to me is they used everything they could from the MB, purchased right from Willys. The engine complete with oil filter, air filter, regulator, battery, bell housing and T-84 transmission and all of the gauges are the same as the MB. They even used the MB fuel tank and radiator. It is 4 wheel drive and that is accomplished through chain drive and a forward-reverse lever which gave three gear speeds in each direction so the transfer case was not needed.

When it was found and purchased 5 or 6 years ago, it was still in very good running condition and had never been allowed to set outside. Most of the vehicle is wood and due to inside storage for 60 years 95% of the original wood was saved in the total restoration. You can see in the as purchased photos (yellow trim) how good the wood was, only the side rail boards had to be replaced mainly from being kicked and broken. Before restoration it was used on several Sunday rail trips in the Jackson Ohio area. It will go much faster that you will want to drive it. As you can see from the photos it was professionally and totally disassembled rebuilt, researched for paint scheme and reassembled. With the wood being in such good condition it was easy to sand down to the original colors and markings.

PHONE:
740-703-3794

–Bandit

NEWS from the MASTER of LIGHT–
Greetings from Lakeland, Florida and the Sun n Fun fly-in! We’ve had a great week here and will be wrapping things up later today.

Our production department continues to ship artwork and puzzles, so we appreciate your patience.

I will be returning to Florida later this month for the Thunder Beach Spring Rally in Panama City Beach. If you’re going, please stop by and see us at Frank Brown Park!

Art book sales are still on hold, so please hang tight and I’ll update you in the next week or two.

–Greg Rhodes
International Sales Director
David Uhl Fine Art
Uhl Studios

An email claimed that a speed limit reduction in Portland, Oregon “resulted in lower observed vehicle speeds and fewer vehicles traveling at higher speeds.” I was suspicious because it is well known that speed limits and speed limit signs do not have a strong effect on traffic speed. My suspicions were justified. There was no speed reduction.

Look at the science, not the publicity. The paper itself, from Portland State University, reports on the consequences of a speed limit reduction to 20 mph on minor residential streets in Portland. Some streets had been posted 25 or 30. Most of them did not have any signs before.

With the lower speed limit the average speed increased from 21.6 to 21.7 mph. Most drivers used to obey the speed limit. Now most drivers are speeding. These speed limit reductions were on residential streets meant for local traffic only, not arterials and collectors meant for commuters and shoppers. Not even the residents of those streets support the new speed limit.

I don’t give that 0.1 mile per hour increase much weight, despite it being declared “statistically significant,” nor am I impressed by the report that the fraction of vehicles at or below 35 mph increased from 98.9 percent to 99.4 percent. If you have to hold a magnifying glass up to the speed curve and squint to imagine a change, the experiment failed. The data set is not clean enough or complete enough to draw strong conclusions. The scattered measurements taken over the years were clearly not part of a controlled experiment. For example, depending on exactly when the “before” measurements were made NE Ainsworth Street might have been posted 20, 25, or 30, or had no speed limit signs. One or two parked cars on the street on the day speed was measured could have had a large effect on reported speed.

The conclusion most consistent with the evidence is the so-called “null hypothesis”: nothing happened. As a long line of similar experiments already showed. As Boston found out. As Spokane found out.

Advocates of low speed limits like to say they are for pedestrian safety. But in Portland these new limits aren’t being posted where pedestrians are unsafe. Pedestrian, by the way, is a misnomer. In one case a truck ran over a man sleeping in a tent next to an Interstate highway. According to The Oregonian, many people “experiencing homelessness” camp out along busy roads, and most of the Portland pedestrians now experiencing lifelessness come from that community. I bet the residents of streets with less traffic don’t want the “unhoused” living more safely near them.

In modern traffic regulation slogans are more important than science. Mayors chant “Vision Zero” and when it doesn’t work they keep doing it anyway. We keep hearing about the myth of the “vulnerable” road user who is found by government statistics to be much less likely to be injured or killed by a “speeder.”

Making up low numbers in the name of safety does not work. Treating drivers as enemies does not work. But it’s the only tool modern politicians know how to use.

–By John Carr
NMA Massachusetts Activist

THE BILL MAY REPORT–Hey Bandit, check what I’m doing with the Triumph. I fired it up today. It’s healthy. The VA gave me a new right knee March 9. I turned around and kicked it with my left leg. The right one is coming along though. I should be able to kick it properly in about a month. I’m in it around 1600 dollars now.

That’s a ‘51 Cadillac hearse in the background. It has the original 331 V8 with that great Cad 3-speed on the column. It runs really good. I bought it in Oklahoma for $3000. Interior is trashed. I’m having the seat redone.

Doug at independent motorcycle works is buying it for 7000. I work for him part time. He wants to make a shop truck out of it. I had to spend 1500 to get it to Nashville. Not going to make much but it’s fun.

–Bill May

HANG ON REPORT–Magic mushrooms can treat opioid addiction

Harvard University researchers found opioid use disorders were 30% less likely among people who used psilocybin compared with those who never had it, according to the study published Thursday in Scientific Reports.

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound in certain types of mushrooms that are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The researchers analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2015-2019 to assess the association between psychedelics and opioid use disorders.

More than 200,000 participants reported whether they had abused opioids or experienced dependence on them in the past year and whether they had taken the psychedelic drugs psilocybin, peyote, mescaline or LSD in their lifetime. Researchers found potentially protective benefits only with psilocybin.

“The big takeaway is that this is such a fertile area for further research,” said Dr. Evan Wood, chief medical officer at Numinus Wellness, a Canadianbased company advancing psychedelic- assisted therapies. “There’s an underlying biological mechanism from which psilocybin may lead to … resiliency against some of the underlying risk factors of opioid use disorders.”

Study authors found those who used psilocybin were also up to 34% less likely to have experienced seven of the 11 symptoms of opioid dependence and abuse in the past year.

The new study supported findings from a 2017 report, using responses from the same database from 2008-2013, that found psychedelics were associated with a 27% reduced risk of opioid dependence and 40% reduced risk of opioid abuse in the past year.

Although the new study turned up protective benefits only with psilocybin, that might be because it’s experiencing a cultural moment, health experts said, not because other psychedelics don’t have potentially protective benefits.

“There’s no real good reason to think that one (psychedelic) would work better than the other,” said Albert Garcia-Romeu, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “There’s been a sort of shroom craze and, as a result, there’s been a lot more people looking into using psilocybin for medical and health reasons that you don’t see with some of the other more obscure psychedelics.”

The study’s authors speculated psilocybin might protect against opioid user disorder by affecting the transmission of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that research has shown are correlated with addiction.

Although psychedelics might have the potential to play an important role in addiction therapy, experts warn against using them outside of clinical settings.

The authors of a study speculated psilocybin contained in some mushrooms might protect against opioid user disorders.

–Adrianna Rodriguez
USA TODAY

–from Rogue
Senior Editor Bikernet
Bikernet.com™

A WORD FROM WOMEN RIDERS NOW–Since 1999, the #1 Motorcycling Resource for Women

Hi from Genevieve!

This newsletter is our way of sharing news and articles recently posted on WomenRidersNow.com (WRN).

The start of this season holds a special place in my heart. I was born on the first day of spring, March 20, and for those of us thawing out from winter, spring signifies rebirth and fresh starts.

And now, more than ever, I’m excited to kickstart my motorcycle life by joining my local Harley-Davidson HOG chapter to find new riding friends and travel around Montana’s beautiful “Big Sky Country” where I live. I haven’t been a HOG member since 2008 when I received the free 1-year membership when I purchased my new Harley. As a member, I’ll meet new riders that will add a much-needed spark to my riding life this season. After 32 years in the saddle, I relish in new ways to keep my two-wheeled life full of joy and fun.

If you’re looking to add a fresh layer of adventure to your motorcycling life or want to dig out from the doldrums of the last two years, consider joining a riding club. You may find new riding friends through either an affinity group for your motorcycle brand like what I’m joining or one of the many female-focused clubs.

WRN has the most up-to-date listing of local, regional, national, and international women’s groups. If you don’t find what you’re looking for there, visit your local motorcycle dealer and inquire about riding organizations in your area.

Thank you for being part of the WomenRidersNow.com community. We love you and hope you have a joyful riding season this year.

Hugs,
–Genevieve Schmitt
Founder and Contributor WomenRidersNow.com

THE TIMELESS EXPERIENCE IS REBORN– 2022 ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC 350

Royal Enfield is proud to reintroduce the Classic to the North America – the model that elevated Royal Enfield to a global brand

Royal Enfield, the global leader in midsize motorcycles (250-750cc), is proud to introduce the all-new 2022 Classic 350 motorcycle to North America. With over 3 million Classic motorcycles sold in more than 75 countries, the Classic is the best-selling Royal Enfield in the 120-year history of the brand. Completely redesigned from the ground up, the Classic 350 marks the beginning of the next chapter of this iconic model.

The design inspiration of the Classic range dates back to the Royal Enfield G2 350 Bullet in 1948, a motorcycle that revolutionized the industry with the introduction of the articulating swingarm. While this innovation transformed the performance of motorcycles at the time, the modern Classic 350 invites us to rediscover the experience of pure motorcycling. Nostalgic style cues blend with a confidence-inspiring ride, with modern touches and a refined overall feel that celebrates the original unhurried, uncomplicated feel of an authentic handcrafted motorcycle.

The 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 is powered by an all-new 349cc air-/oil-cooled single-cylinder DOHC engine, launched recently on the Meteor 350. Distinctive post-war styling continues to define the Classic line, the newest generation built around an all-new chassis with improved strength for a stable, comfortable ride and lightweight handling. Developed through cooperation between teams based at Royal Enfield’s two state-of-the-art technology centers—in India and in the UK—the reborn Classic 350 arrives as a genuine global collaboration, reflecting 120 years of motorcycle history.

While the timeless experience remains central to the Classic 350, modern touches such as electronic fuel injection, plush suspension and front and rear disc brakes with dual channel ABS bring comfort and performance into the modern age. Feel the familiar thump at idle, but note the smooth glide of the all-new counterbalanced 349cc single-cylinder engine at speed. True to its lineage, the 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 brings the golden age of motorcycling into the modern era.

FEATURE BIKE OF THE WEEK—This is a very tight, compact Evo Softail built by Tuey and completely blacked out.

–Sam Burns
Feature Bike Editor
Bikernet.com™

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION ALERT—
Tuesday, at an event in Iowa, President Biden announced plans by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to temporarily lift the summer restrictions on the sale of gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15).

The decision will allow E15 to be sold between June 1 and September 15. Normally only a 10% ethanol blend can be sold during that period to reduce smog caused by the 15% blend’s higher volatility. This move by the administration is an attempt to bring down surging fuel prices. However, most estimates predict this change will result in a decrease of just 5 to 10 cents per gallon.

Citing the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the EPA is using its emergency exemption authority to make the policy change. The EPA says it will review the policy every 20 days and make adjustments if needed.

All motorcyclists should be educated on the proper fuel to use in their bikes. More ethanol in the marketplace may limit your fueling options. Be vigilant and as always ride safe and ride free.

–MRF

Ethanol is bad for vintage and stored motorcycles.—Bandit

AHDRA to Remember “Nitro Santa” with Gainesville Opener

event: AHDRA Don “D.J.” Johnson Nitro Spring Nationals sponsored by MTC and Gainesville Harley-Davidson

when: April 1-3, 2022
where: Gainesville Raceway, Florida, USA

Much like the life of nitro Harley tuner Don “DJ” Johnson, the all-American motorcycle drag race named in his honor ended too soon on April 3rd. Saturday rain shut down qualifying for the AHDRA Don “DJ” Johnson Nitro Spring Nationals sponsored by MTC and Gainesville Harley-Davidson, and dreaded weepers finished eliminations early as the Sunday afternoon sun brought that rain back up through the Gainesville Raceway shutdown area pavement.

Purses and points were divided and distributed according to where each class was in the schedule at the time the event was cancelled. But two nitro classes—Top Fuel and Hawaya Racing Nitro Funnybike—still have their All Harley World Shootout belts to race for.

Top Fuel belt competition will pick up where they left off the next time that all four racers still standing are together again at the same AHDRA event. The class also still has something extra special (and extra valuable) to race for in addition to the belt—brand new 45 degree “Dominator” cases donated in DJ’s memory by 2002 Top Fuel champ Ron Houniet and Fast Lane Racing. That’s an incredible gift by the Canadian Houniet and one much coveted by every racer in the field.

But the only ones with a chance will be current champion Ryan Peery, “Billy Jack” Jackson, Robert “Ziggy” Stewart, and John “JT” Toth. Performance leaders Jackson and Peery will face each other when racing resumes, and Toth will have lane choice against Stewart.

“Sportsman and even some pros, we don’t do it for the money. I do it for the love of going fast.”

Bill Rowe and his family will persevere and move on to the next event—the sportsman-only AHDRA Shoot-Out at Rockingham Dragway on June 18, followed by a full national event at Milan Dragway on July 29-31.

The AHDRA website is at http://raceahdra.com/

For more information, email AHDRA’s Bill Rowe at bcrowe92891@gmail.com

AHDRA thanks Cox Double Eagle Harley-Davidson, Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson, Gainesville Harley-Davidson , MTC Engineering , Hawaya Racing, Pingel Enterprise, GMS Racing Engines, Zippers Performance, Horsepower Inc., Vanson Leathers , Universal Fleet & Tire, IHDRA, V-Twin Powersports, Daryl Coffin Motorsports, All-Harley World Shootout, and Racers For Christ.

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

QUOTE OF THE WEEK– Live by the Truth
Truth and relativism can’t co-exist. “Your truth is not my truth” is an impossibility. Real truth has only one version, and it exists outside of opinion.

“Seek the truth,” the old saying goes, “and the truth will set you free.”

Let’s begin our defense of civilization by seeking truth, wherever that quest may take us.

BY JEFF MINICK
How to Save Western Civilization
Epoch Times

The Original Nash Motorcycle “NMC” Hammer—

100% US made 100% US materials!

The original inspiration of Taber Nash, the original NMC ball peen hammer was an idea that came to him after the birth of his third child and only daughter. It was a bumpy journey for her first months of life. To help escape the stress Taber would work on the wax mold that soon became the NMC hammer heads we use today.

Each hammerhead is casted in stainless steel or bronze. They come embossed with the USA on one side and NMC on the other.

Each hammer is equipped with USA Tennessee hickory wood handles. Finished in polished, brushed, hand distressed and black chrome options.

Made in the Good Ole’ US of A

Specs:
13 Overall length
4.25 Head Length
22 Ounce Head Weight

LETTER TO TIME MAGAZINE–Editorial Integrity Rules

Monday morning editorial meeting.

One reporter raises his hand, “So, what are we going to do with Hunter’s lap-top story this time? We buried it last time so Biden could win, but look at the country. It’s a mess. How about the World… What did the media have to do with that?”

The editorial staff department heads murmur and shake their collective heads. Something isn’t right in the room.

The Climate Editor stands up and coughs to break the spell. “We’ve got something worse to consider, if that’s possible,” he starts. He’s a new guy and intimidated by the shear intellect in the room. “The IPCC just posted another climate doomsday report. Are we supposed to believe the planet is doomed in three years? Is it our mission to terrify the public for all these years without questioning the data? Are we investigative journalists or political journalists? Can’t we ask?” He sits down abruptly, terrified he might lose his job post-haste.

The editor yanks his fossil fuel manufactured Nylon handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his brow. He wants to suspend the meeting and find his flask…

–Bandit

$50.00

The Harley-Davidson Source Book celebrates these iconic motorcycles in encyclopedia form. Rich with vivid photography, insightful commentary, and production specs and data, this is the #1 resource for die-hard Harley fans all around the world.

–National Motorcycle Museum

Hi Bandit!

Oh man, my boyfriend and I just bought an ’05 Saxon Warlord…lost the seat on the turnpike in Kansas (50 mph crosswinds, ugh!)…then a semi hit it!

We need a seat so bad and need info on who made the seats for Saxon…specifically the ’05 Warlord. We have exhausted our searches and leads.

Ran across your article and found this email link.. Can you please email me back at titaniumcowgirl07@gmail.com with any info you may have that can help us? Thank you so very much.

Tami & Dean

I reached out to Gard Hollinger at the magnificent ARCH motorcycles. He once designed bikes for Saxon. You might try Mustang seats. You also might reach out to Saddlemen Seats. – Bandit

[page break]

NEW FROM BILTWELL— 100% waterproof/dustproof and just the right size, the EXFIL-65 is built for any adventure. It works mounted vertically on a sissy bar, or laid down on or across a luggage rack. Multiple tie-down points on each side and six rows of MOLLE give plenty of options for add-ons and mounting.

Straps sold separately

www.biltwell.com

They use saddlebags, tank-bags, “trail bags”, bungee-cords over various regular bags and the solid fiber installed luggage boxes. Leather bags don’t last much under the monsoon and heat of the sun in some regions.

— Ujjwal Dey
Feature & Fiction writer (since 2003 for Bikernet.com)

YouTube videos of Bieber with some of his other bikes have surfaced over the years, but this is an official partnership with the Italian icon. “Being a part of Vespa and collaborating on creating something so unique was such a fun adventure for me,” he adds. “I just remember seeing a Vespa and being like, ‘I want to ride one of those.”

Orders are being taken for the Sprint Justin Bieber X Vespa starting April 18. MSRP for the Bieber edition Sprint 50 is $4,999, before taxes.

LANE SPLITTERS WIN–Arizona Passes Lane Filtering Law

Arizona is the fourth U.S. state to legally sanction lane filtering

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has signed a law legalizing lane filtering after the bill cruised through both the Senate and House chambers with strong bipartisan support. The law now puts the state in the company of California, Utah, and Montana.

The passage of Senate Bill 1273, sponsored by Sen. Tyler Pace (R-Mesa District 23) and championed by ABATE of Arizona, allows riders to cruise slowly between lanes at speeds no faster than 15 mph if the other vehicles are stopped. Modeled off Utah’s legislation, the practice can only be done on roads posted at 45 mph or less. It does not allow riders to pass on the shoulder or on the median.

“This law has been four years in the making,” said Michael Infanzon, legislative director for ABATE of Arizona. “But we had a really great sponsor for the bill this year with Senator Pace. He is an active motorcycle rider and it was key to have someone who understood the danger of being rear-ended. This is all about safety and nothing more than part of the plan to reduce motorcycle fatalities in Arizona.”

With the law set to be in effect 90 days after adjournment, likely to be mid-September, ABATE of Arizona and the Arizona Motorcycle Awareness and Safety Foundation will be working with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Department of Public Safety to educate riders and the public on the new legislation.

“Once the legislation was sent to the Governor’s desk, we started collaborating with the government to get PSAs and TV spots moving,” said Infanzon.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s most recent data, 30 percent of all motorcycle crashes in 2020, including 11 out of 106 fatal motorcycle collisions, were the result of rear-end collisions.

“ABATE of Arizona put up a strong showing to successfully get this law signed,” said the American Motorcyclist Association’s (AMA) Western States Representative Nicholas Haris. “It is a welcome sight to see more states adopting commonsense safety laws that protect motorcyclists when they are most vulnerable to a collision. The AMA is committed to working with riders nationwide on efforts to pass similar legislation and educating the public about its benefits.”

Meanwhile, Utah has extended the authorization for motorcyclists to lane filter for an additional five years to allow state officials to review the practice and gather data on its safety benefits. With the passage of H.B. 10 on March 22, the state is affirming that its initial experience has been a success worth continuing.

“With the signing of H.B. 10 Utahans have recognized the benefits of lane filtering,” said AMA On-Highway Government Relations Manager Tiffany Cipoletti, “which allows motorcyclists the choice to filter in traffic when it is safe to do so.”

Utah legalized lane filtering in 2018 with the initial bill and now the extension sponsored by state Rep. Walt Brooks (R-St. George District 75).

“I am very happy to have the support of the Department of Public Safety and of the legislature to extend lane filtering for an addition five years,” said Rep. Brooks. “The original sunset of three years, and dealing with COVID, did not provide the data needed to remove the sunset. I am confident that as riders use lane filtering properly over the next five years, the general public will become familiar with the practice and the data will prove this is a good policy for Utah, and will become permanent.”

Rep. Brooks has been a vocal supporter of the practice as a motorcyclist himself, and has assisted efforts in other states like Arizona to legalize the practice. The AMA is grateful for Rep. Brooks’ support of motorcyclists and the safe practice of lane-filtering.

“We are fortunate to have motorcyclists in elected office like Representative Brooks and Senator Pace,” said AMA Director of Government Relations Michael Sayre. “Brooks’ firsthand experience as a rider and work to gain the support of law enforcement in Utah were very important and have helped lay the groundwork for success in other states.”

The AMA endorses lane splitting, given the long-term success in California and the University of California-Berkeley research study showing that the practice enhances motorcycle safety. The AMA will assist groups and individuals working to bring legal lane splitting and/or filtering to their state.

“As lane-splitting support continues to gain traction across the country,” the AMA’s Cipoletti said, “we are eager to help more motorcyclists engage their state legislatures on this issue.”

Currently, the AMA is actively engaged in supporting a lane filtering bill in Oklahoma (H.B. 2667), too.

–Motorcyclist Magazine May/June 2019 Work Issue

I would hope the state would initiate a major public service campaign. Let motorists know the benefits to them with the passage of this new law. We don’t want cagers pissed off. –Bandit

The Taunus is a mountain range in Hesse, Germany, located north of Frankfurt. The tallest peak in the range is Großer Feldberg at 878 meters.

The motorcyclists’ response will be a large demonstration on Saturday May 14th. The demonstration starts around 11.30h at the district office of the Hochtaunus district, Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1-5, 61352 Bad Homburg vor der Höhe. From there a motorbike parade will ride to the Sandplacken/Feldberg.

The motorcyclists are demonstrating against the motorcycle bans for several reasons:

Testing until the result fits

The temporary closure of the route in 2022 (every second weekend of the month, from April up to and including October) is dubbed a ‘test’ by the district council. This is now the second (alleged) test of a route closure only for motorcycles after a test closure that had already been carried out in 2019.

In his press release of 26 March 2019, the District Administrator, Ulrich Krebs had promised (quote): “The test blocking is open-ended… We will sit down with everyone involved and look at and evaluate the findings from the data collected in May and September (2019).” To date, however, this promise has not been kept. There was no open, transparent discussion of the results with the motorcycle associations. This creates the impression that the authorities will keep ‘testing’ until they get the result they want.

The German motorcyclists’ organization (and FEMA member) BVDM wrote to the district administrator and the mayors of Schmitten and Oberursel, as well as all parties in the district council in March 2021 (before the start of the motorcycle season) and proposed constructive, effective measures to solve the problem and asked for a meeting. Politicians never complied with this request. The letter was never answered. Therefore, the motorcyclists interpret the current regulation as an ‘authoritarian’ affront. There is no attempt to engage motorcyclists and citizens in problem solving.

Breach of word by local politicians

The district administrator’s road closure is obviously supported by the mayor of the municipality of Schmitten (Julia Krügers, CDU) and the first city councilor of the city of Oberursel (Christof Fink, Bündnis 90-Die Grünen).

In the 2021 local election campaign, both politicians had promised the motorcycle associations in writing that route closures would only be considered as a ‘last resort’ if other measures were proven to be ineffective. Milder, alternative measures (which the motorcycle associations had even submitted in writing) were not and are not carried out or tested in a verifiable manner.

This breach of word by the politicians also outraged the German motorcyclists. On behalf of the district association of the CDU (Christian Democratic Union) in the Hochtaunuskreis, on 18 ??June 2020 Markus Koob (district chairman of the CDU in the Hochtaunuskreis, member of the district parliamentary group and member of the Bundestag, the national parliament) made the following statement (quote): “… However, I do not think blanket driving bans on Sundays and public holidays for all motorcyclists are appropriate. These are the days when motorcyclists can primarily pursue their hobby and of course also have the right to be allowed to do their tours with legally purchased machines.”

Not a single one of the party politicians has called for, examined or proposed alternative measures. The ordered road closures are a confrontational setting of the ‘last resort’ without even considering alternative measures.

The vast majority of motorcyclists have a great deal of understanding for the problems of noise-plagued residents caused by the illegal behavior of some motorcyclists. That is why the BVDM is not committed to a so-called ‘temporary noise break’ as a solution to the problem, but to a permanent and sustainable reduction in noise emissions.

Several motorcycle associations are working together for the demonstration on May 14th. For the latest information about the demnostration, go to the BVDM website.

Written by Wim Taal

They need to read Orwell. I don’t get what the problem is, but control freaks don’t care.–Bandit

BIKES on the BAYOU– Following Easter Weekend

Apr. 22-24, 2022 at Eleanor Tinsley Park

WHAT: Next weekend downtown streets will roar to life during Bikes on the Bayou at Eleanor Tinsley Park. The celebration of two-wheeled transportation including motorcycles, bicycles and scooters is an all-inclusive festival with music, activities, shopping, and community gatherings.

Allen Parkway will be lined with vendors, stunt riders from Team Yahama, X-Games BMX medalists on halfpipes and ramps, special events like a Hooter’s wing eating contest, an invitational bikini competition, and the Ball of Death. Two stages will fill the air with music from Saving Abel, Lil Troy, Everclear, Framing the Red, Cody Canada & the Departed, and Jake Worthington who appeared on the TV show, The Voice.

WHEN: Friday, April 22 – Sunday, April 24

Music line up: http://bikesonthebayou.com/

WHERE: Eleanor Tinsley Park and along Allen Parkway

TICKETS: Tickets are $20 for the full weekend and guests have come-and-go privileges with their tickets.

MORE INFO: For more information, visit http://bikesonthebayou.com/

ELON MUSK’S Engineering Principles – The 5 Step Process

There’s this interview with Elon Musk, showing around the SpaceX rocket production facility in Texas. There’s a lot of talk about rockets and stuff, though in between he’s giving some fascinating insights into the design process and the principles he’s following. The “5 Step Process” as he calls it. Wanted to write it up for myself, so I though I can share it here as well.

The following is a collection of what’s said during the interview, content composed from the subtitles. Did slight adjustments for readability.

I have a rule just implement rigorously is the sort of 5 Step Process.

1) Make your requirements less dumb
Your requirements are definitely dumb. It does not matter who gave them to you.

It’s particularly dangerous, if a smart person gave you the requirements, because you might not question them enough.

Everyone’s wrong, no matter who you are, everyone’s wrong some of the time.

2) Try very hard to delete the part or process
The bias tends to be very strongly towards “let’s add this part or the process step in case we need it”

If you’re not adding things back in 10% of the time, you’re clearly not deleting enough.

Whatever requirement or constraint you have, it must come with a name, not a department. Cause you can’t ask the departments, you have to ask a person and that person who’s putting forward the requirement or constraint must agree that. They must take responsibility for that requirement.

Otherwise, you could have a requirement that basically an intern two years ago randomly came up with and they’re not even at the company anymore. And actually there’s no one at the department that currently agrees with that.

3) Simplify or optimize

The reason it’s the third step is cause it’s very common, possibly the most common error of a smart engineer, to optimize the thing that should not exist. Why would you do that? Everyone has been trained in high school and college that you gotta answer the question, convergent logic.

So, you can’t tell a professor “your question is dumb”. You will get a bad grade. So everyone, without knowing it, they got like a mental straight jacket on that is they’ll work on optimizing the thing that should simply not exist.

There’s another important principle, which is that you really want everyone to be chief engineer. So, if everyone is chief engineer means that people need to understand the system at a high level to know when they are making a bad optimization.

4) Accelerate cycle time

You’re moving too slow, go faster. But don’t go faster until you’ve worked on the other three things first. If you’re digging your grave, don’t dig it faster, stop digging your grave.

5) Automate

I have personally made the mistake of going backwards on all five steps multiple times. Literally I automated, accelerated, simplified and then deleted. Automating was a mistake. Accelerating was mistake. Optimizing was a mistake. We just deleted and just bypassed this $2 million robot cell as a complete pile of nonsense.

Bonus

I think, currently a factory is underrated, and design is overrated. So, people generally think that, in this Eureka moment you come up with the idea and that’s it, now it’s good. But we design like this: literally a thousand percent, maybe 10000% more work that goes into the manufacturing system than the thing itself.

Basically, the amount of effort that goes into the design rounds down to zero, relative to the amount of the effort that goes into the manufacturing system.

And if this was not true, I’d be like “1000 Raptors [rocket engines] please. – Oh, you can’t make them? Oh, okay :(“

So, this is like just very fundamentally underappreciated. If people have not been in manufacturing, especially manufacturing of something that’s relatively new, then they don’t understand.

They think the design is the hard part, and they think production is like a copier or something like that. This is completely false. I can’t emphasize enough, I’m trying to correct the misperception that design is the hard part. It is not the hard part.

–Christian Scheb

XDA Launches the 2022 Motorcycle Drag Racing Season–

On April 22-24, the XDA racers will launch hard into the 2022 motorcycle drag racing season with the 28th annual Platinum General Services Spring Nationals at Maryland International Raceway (MIR), located in Mechanicsville, Maryland.

With a pandemic behind us and the Spring weather coming to bloom, the XDA racers are eager to get back to racing and give the fans a show that will keep them glued to their seats.

The 2022 XDA season is going to be absolute fire with 6-second, 230+mph Pro Street Motorcycles, 7-second, 190mph Real Street bikes, 3-second 1/8 mile Pro Xtreme class, lethal clutch hand Super Stock, the “Running of the Bulls” Grudge Shootouts, and 700+ Sportsman motorcycle racers competing for over $500,000 in season cash purse and $130,000 in season contingency!

Saturday night the starting line will be bussin’ with the HTP Performance Afterdark Underground Grudge Program. This season the Boosted Bulls (Turbo Bikes) return as a championship points class to join APE Nitrous Bulls (Nitrous Bikes), 3 Sixty 5 Transport Monster Bulls (Heavyweights), and Tommie’s Motorsports DMV Bulls (63″ All Motor Bikes). With legitimate grudge racers looking for a well-prepped track to show off their horsepower and make that paper, XDA’s on-point track prep can’t be beat with the #KillerMillerSpiller.

The baddest street tire motorcycles in the world can only be seen at XDA events. The 650+ horsepower motorcycles of Orient Express Pro Street feature turbocharged, supercharged, and nitrous injected motorcycles running at speeds over 230mph in the 1/4 mile in just 6-seconds!

Aruba will be represented at the season opener, with Jayson Geerman making the commute for his first XDA event. Class newcomers Blake Sanders and Ronnie Trainham will also be making their first Pro Street appearances as they look to take on the veterans of a class that holds an ET record of 6.346 and a MPH record of 236.05! Make plans to come out and watch these gladiators dominate the quarter mile at speeds that can’t be seen anywhere else.

DME Racing Real Street will be serving up 7-second, 190mph passes with a bit of drama mixed in for exciting action on and off the track. Drae Taylor will be moving from Super Stock to Real Street for some quicker action this season. Stand out land speed racer, who holds a one mile 277.9 mph record, Shane Stubbs will be in the mix this season with teammate Ralphie Navarro. And former Michigan running back Ty Issac will also be making his XDA Real Street debut to add to the Real Street stable of talent.

The eighth-mile heads-up class of MaxxECU Pro Xtreme features Turbocharged, Supercharged, and Nitrous Injected wheelie-bar monsters. Chris Theodoridis will be pulling double duty in the pro ranks running in Pro Street and then switching gears to jump on an entirely different performance stage with these wheelie-bar monsters. Class veterans Rob Garcia, Chris Cutsinger, John Collins, Kevin Clarke, Terry Schweigert, and Tommy Saxon will be back for 2022 as they look for a championship season.

MaxxECU Pro Xtreme is presented by Billy Vose Racing, Fast by Gast, Dunigan Racing, DME Racing, Grothus Dragbikes, Harley Haul, Rob Bush Motorsports, Robinson Industries, Schnitz Racing, Timblin Chassis, and Worldwide Bearings.

The stock wheelbase HTP Performance Super Stock class is returning for its third season. Two-time Champion David Fondon will NOT be returning, as the GOAT has been retired in Super Stock per HTP’s new rules. HTP’s new rules state that champions only have the following season to defend their title before they have to move up to a pro class. The clutch hand racing will be fierce this season as these stock wheelbase riders will be looking to take over the empty throne.

Vance & Hines 4.60 is the quickest eighth-mile index category in motorcycle drag racing. With only 660 feet to turn on the win light, riders must be deadly accurate as the bulbs drop on the four-tenths pro tree. For the past two years, Ron Procopio has held back-to-back championships.

But these championships were no easy feat as they came down to the last few passes of each season finale. This index category attracts some of the biggest names in motorcycle drag racing, and they even make qualifying exciting as they go hard every pass. It will be a stunning feat if Ron Procopio can become a 3x Champion in this class. Come out and watch the action next weekend at MIR.

The XDA will also hold competition in the 1 Stop Speed 5.60 Index, Mickey Thompson Tires Top Sportsman, MPS Racing Pro ET, and Brock’s Performance Street ET, giving sportsman racers a place to compete in a professional environment. The 2022 season will also continue to feature the Saturday VooDoo Bracket Bash and the faithful Friday Night Hard Times Parts & Service Gambler’s race. There is $28,000 up for grabs in cash payouts for sportsman racers at each event!

The Platinum General Services Spring Nationals will also hold the 2021 Championship Awards Ceremony Saturday at 3:30pm on the main stage to celebrate the XDA Champions and the Top 10 finishers in each class. Plus, $1,000 in cash prizes, courtesy of Ralphie Navarro from Platinum General Services, will be given out during the Awards Ceremony; you don’t want to miss your chance to win CA$H!

With over 700 racers attending XDA events from across the world, a massive vendor midway, thousands of fans, legendary Miller track prep, excellent media coverage, and a dedicated team of XDA officials at the helm, the XDA continues to be the place for motorcycle drag racers. We invite you to come out and see the action for yourself, or even better yet, ride in and try your luck in our entry-level Brock’s Performance Street ET class.

Visit www.xdaracing.com/springnationals

Originally ABATE of Illinois was scheduled to host STEAM in 2020, however, as with most things in 2020, things didn’t go according to plan! Nevertheless, ABATE of Illinois put on an excellent event this year. The weekend was a great opportunity for riders from different states to share their personal experiences working on motorcyclist issues at the state level.

Topics included working with clubs, using modern media to activate your members and the history of the MRF. However, as we all know, more was learned after hours in the hospitality suite as riders shared their personal experiences, strengthening and building personal relationship, rider to rider.

The guest speaker at the Saturday evening banquet was Representative Darrin LaHood of Illinois. Rep. LaHood is a longtime friend of the ABATE of Illinois and a champion for biker rights in D.C. At the dinner, Rep. LaHood was presented with the MRF Legislative Champion of the year vest.

Just three days after Heartland STEAM ended, ABATE of Illinois got some more great news. Thanks to the efforts of ABATE of Illinois and their legislative team, the Illinois General Assembly advanced legislation bringing motorcycles to the forefront of the electric vehicle push in Illinois. Congratulations on a hard fought victory for the bikers in the Land of Lincoln.

Thank you again to all the Heartland STEAM attendees and thanks to ABATE of Illinois for hosting a great event. We can’t wait to be at STEAM 2023 in North Dakota!

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

DVD REVIEW—Okay, so I just watched the Drag racing DVD from Gear Head Racing, which is for sale in the 5-Ball Garage.

It was a well-rounded video history of motorcycle drag racing.

I would like to see one done more on the history of Harley-Davidson drag racing.
For me the sound of a T/F Harley- Davidson is just mind blowing!!

The Harley riders and builders are a bit more colorful with more soul, I think! Then there are the legendary manufacturers of Harley- Davidson drag racing equipment.
– S&S Cycle, Truett & Osborn, Trock Cycle, Axtell etc.

–Paul Davis
Bikernet DVD Review Specialist
Bikernet.com™

THE NEW SPORTSTER MODEL TAKING OVER–The Harley-Davidson Nightster motorcycle is the next chapter in the Harley-Davidson Sportster legacy – a leap forward in performance and design built on a foundation laid 65 years ago.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/nightster.html

Pipes are fugly but other than that it’s cool.

— Geno.

Makes me want to buy one of the last year originals. –Bandit

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THE CLIMATE DOOM NEWS–Climate fanatics hurt America

On April 7, 2022, (Daily Inter Lake) Dorothy Bradley (D) and Bob Brown (R), claimed, “The world’s changing climate is the biggest issue.” They argued we must “commit ourselves to ensuring that our planet, and all its species and all its beauty, is thriving 51 years from now.”

Climate fanatics incorrectly believe government-paid scientists who advise the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are not influenced by the source of their money.

Climate fanatics incorrectly believe “many preeminent climate scientists” represent truth in science. They do not. Votes do not count in science. Besides, there are too many bad scientists.

Climate fanatics incorrectly believe climate change effects prove we caused them. They do not. Effects, real and imaginary, are irrelevant to the cause of climate change.

Fundamental principles are

(a) events do not prove their cause,

(b) no amount of evidence “proves” a belief is true, and

(c) only one contradiction with data or physics proves a belief is false.

These principles show nature, not human emissions, controls the climate.

Climate fanatics don’t get it that their climate belief requires the following to be true.

(1) That the 5% human CO2 inflow into the atmosphere magically becomes 30% of the CO2 in the atmosphere – a physical impossibility.

(2) That human CO2 magically stays in the atmosphere longer than natural CO2 – a physical impossibility because human and natural CO2 molecules are identical.

(3) That we can control the CO2 level by restricting human CO2 emissions and by capturing CO2 – which contradicts IPCC’s own data.

(4) That the CO2 level controls global temperature – which contradicts data that show historical CO2 changes come AFTER temperature changes.

(5) That climate models emulate nature – which is untrue because they make the incorrect assumptions listed above, wasting billions of dollars of taxpayer money.

We are no more to blame for climate change than the “witches” climate fanatics burned centuries ago. The difference between the 18th century and now is the climate fanatics have redefined their witches.

True science shows there is no climate emergency and no basis for carbon capture, large wind projects, or tax exemptions to decrease CO2 emissions. Attempts to control CO2 or methane emissions will have no effect on the climate.

Climate fanatics waste our engineers’ time on “green” energy when we should use them implement nuclear energy.

There is no “brief and rapidly closing window” to save the planet. There is no “inferno descending on us.” We do not need a “massive social transformation.”

The only political actions we need on climate change is to open the door to scientific truth and to stop government from using climate issues to tax and control us.

–Ed Berry, PhD, Physics
Montana

IMS OUTDOORS SHOWS REPORT— the Powersports industry’s leading consumer motorcycle tour that connects enthusiasts with top brands, today announced two strategic partnerships for the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show (UBCBS).

Jordan Mastagni, president of Hot Bike Magazine, will take over management of UBCBS.

Jordan is gearing up to bring his 20+ years in the motorcycle industry as a moto-journalist and builder enthusiast to the Progressive IMS Outdoors staple attraction, which has evolved into the industry’s most prominent competition throughout its 11-year tenure. Year after year, hundreds of builders use the competition as a springboard to showcase their rolling works of art and compete for cash, prizes, and the “King of Builders” title, crowned in the championship round held in Southern California at the last event of the tour.

“It’s an honor to work alongside the Progressive IMS Outdoors team this year,” Jordan says. “I’ve worked closely with the custom motorcycle community throughout my career and have so much respect for the time and creativity it takes to produce a custom build and I look forward to seeing what this year’s group brings to the competition.”

Classes for the 2022 competition include Custom Street, Custom Classic and Freestyle, plus the People’s Choice Award. Winners of the Custom Street, Custom Classic, and Freestyle classes will take home $500 – $1,000 in cash from Progressive IMS Outdoors, plus prizes from sponsors. Winners of each round are invited to compete in the Championship Round at the end of the tour for the title “King of Builders”, $10,000 in cash, and prizes.

Take Action

David Chipman, Biden’s first nominee to head the ATF, failed to achieve enough support in the Senate to be confirmed. After a long campaign by the NRA, the Biden Administration withdrew Chipman’s nomination.

Like Chipman, Dettelbach is a dedicated gun controller with a background that proves he would be neither fair nor objective as head of ATF. When running for Ohio Attorney General in 2018, Dettelbach endorsed gun bans, restrictions on lawful firearm transfers, and further expansion of prohibitions on who can lawfully possess a firearm. This led NRA-PVF to award Dettelbach an “F” for his positions on the right to keep and bear arms. Ohio voters wisely rejected Dettelbach and his gun control promises in 2018.

It will once again be up to gun owners to make clear that a failed anti-gun politician has no more place at the head of the ATF than a failed anti-gun lobbyist. Please contact your U.S. Senators using the link above, and respectfully encourage them to oppose Dettelbach’s nomination.

Yours in Freedom,

–Ken Lan
NRA-ILA Grassroots
http://www.nrailafrontlines.com/

THE JUDDS ANNOUNCE FALL 2022 ARENA TOUR
“THE FINAL TOUR”
WITH VERY SPECIAL GUEST MARTINA MCBRIDE—

LEGENDARY MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO TO PERFORM HIT “LOVE CAN BUILD A BRIDGE” TONIGHT ON THE 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS

THE JUDDS GO ON TOUR–NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, GRAMMY-winning iconic duo, The Judds, announce their first tour in over a decade, The Final Tour.

The 10-date arena tour, produced by Sandbox Live and Live Nation, kicks off on Friday, Sept. 30 in Grand Rapids, Mich. at Van Andel Arena, making stops in Toledo, Green Bay, Fort Worth, and more before concluding in Nashville, Tenn. at Bridgestone Arena on Friday, Oct. 28. Martina McBride will join as a very special guest on select dates. Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning April 15th at TheJudds.com. See below routing for on-sale times. Fans can sign up for pre-sale ticket access at TheJudds.com.

“The fans have always been my family of choice. I love them dearly, so I’m chompin’ at the bit to belt out our hits and reconnect with them once again. The cherry on top is singing with my beloved, wild and extremely talented daughter… the best singer of any genre, Wynonna! She asked me if I was still going to twist, twirl and crack jokes. I answered, “Heck yeah! I’m too old to grow up now!” Naomi shared.

“What I’m looking forward to most is celebrating Judd music with the fans. Mom and I have had quite the journey over the last 38 years, and the fans have been with us through it all. This tour is a celebration for them!” said Wynonna.

“The Judds were my very first concert and this is a full circle moment for us. Launching Sandbox Live with The Judds “The Final Tour” makes perfect sense. We are so proud to produce their epic return to live concerts with our partners at Live Nation and Leslie Cohea and the incredible team at Sandbox,” states Jason Owen (President and CEO of Sandbox).

The Judds, one of the most successful duos in country music history, will make a triumphant return to the CMT MUSIC AWARDS stage tonight, to perform their international hit and chart-topping single, “Love Can Build A Bridge” with the iconic landmark of Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame as their background, a nod to the duo’s upcoming 2022 induction. The performance kicks off a soon-to-be momentous year for Naomi and Wynonna as they’re officially enshrined in the hall of fame in May.

Wynonna and Naomi Judd brought a fresh acoustic sound to country music, with unmistakable harmonies surrounding Wynonna’s powerful lead vocals. The Judds are often celebrated for a rarely-interrupted stretch of 14 No. 1 hits when every single of theirs released by RCA landed in the Billboard Top 10; and a career that defined what it means to be individualists in the music business. The Judds dominated touring in the ‘80s with 20 Top 10 hits, have sold more than 20 million albums and blazed a trail for duos and women who have followed them. Together, The Judds have 16 Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum albums and longform videos, led by 2x Platinum albums Why Not Me and The Judds Greatest Hits. Their stripped-back style revived the popularity of acoustic sounds in country music and opened up the genre for more traditional approaches.

THE FINAL TOUR 2022 DATES:
Sept. 30 Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, Mich.*+
Oct. 1 Huntington Center – Toledo, Ohio*+
Oct. 7 Denny Sanford Premier Center – Sioux Falls, S.D.*+
Oct. 8 Resch Center – Green Bay, Wisc.*+
Oct. 14 Gas South Arena – Duluth, Ga.*+
Oct. 15 Propst Arena at The Von Braun Center – Huntsville, Ala.*
Oct. 21 Choctaw Grand Theater – Durant, Okla.**+
Oct. 22 Dickies Arena – Fort Worth, Texas**+
Oct. 27 Mississippi Coast Coliseum – Biloxi, Miss.*
Oct. 28 Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, Tenn.*+

**general on-sale at 9 a.m. local

+with very special guest Martina McBride

Only thing was, capable as the engine is, it didn’t overwhelm us, Pat Garvin going as far as saying “By the seat of the pants I’ll admit the midrange felt strong but it didn’t really feel like it put out much more power to the back wheel than a stock Twin Cam 103.”

Luckily, it didn’t take S&S Cycle long to come out with a 475C Chain Drive Cam Chest Kit for the Milwaukee-Eight. It’s one of the best ways to wake the M8 up. Learn everything you need to know about it in our Milwaukee-Eight Cam Install for Harley Tourers article and video.

Never one to rest on its laurels, S&S Cycle has now launched a street legal bolt-in performance cam for late-model M8 Harley tourers that won’t void your warranty, the first of its kind. The S&S Cycle Street Legal 475 Cam/Calibration kit includes a Powervision PV3 Tuner with four built-in tunes.

The Powervision PV3 can be bar-mounted so riders can see data in real-time or it can be used solely for tuning. With this kit, there’s no need to throw the bike on a dyno. Warranty and CARB friendly, its available in chain or gear drive.

S&S Cycle threw a 2019 M8 114 with its 475 cams installed on its dyno and the engine put out 105.82 horsepower and 114.74 lb-ft. of torque (*numbers achieved with the addition of a 50-state compliant El Dorado exhaust and Stealth Air Cleaner as well.) They also dynoed the stock 2019 FLHTK 114 which put out 75.12 horsepower and 100.94 lb-ft. of torque.

–Bryan Harley
J&P Cycles

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–2013 Harley-Davidson FLHX – Street Glide

FOR $10,995.00

SEE IT HERE: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=11889891

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

STOCK # 13246

2013 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson STREET GLIDE FLHX

This bike is a *****SALVAGE TITLE*****

35417.00 Miles .

Some of the features/Add-ons on this bike

* 103 c.i. Motor
* 6-Speed trans
* Black ape hangers
* Blacked out exhaust
* Saddleman seat
* Speaker lids

Just $10,995.00

This motorcycle has not been refurbished and does not come with any warranty expressed or implied!

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

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

Call today (714) 490-0155.

To view our current inventory, please visit www.LifestyleCycles.com

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to include motorcycles in the discussion of electric
transportation—specifically to incentivize the purchase and use of electric motorcycles—was advanced by both chambers of the General Assembly Wednesday evening.

“ABATE of Illinois is pleased the General Assembly overwhelmingly passed SB2940. When signed into law, this will ensure all motorcycles, including electric motorcycles, are included in the future of Illinois transportation,” said Ryan Hubbard, State Coordinator for ABATE of Illinois. “Motorcycles are a primary mode of transportation for thousands of riders in Illinois, and their inclusion in transportation planning is an important part of ensuring everyone can return home safe after every ride.”

When the Clean Energy Jobs Act passed in 2021 with electric vehicle language that specifically excluded motorcycles, ABATE of Illinois made it a priority to remedy the issue. The changes in Senate Bill 2940 ensures electric motorcycles are considered when planning infrastructure and provides an incentive of $1,500 towards the purchase of an electric motorcycle.

“The transition to electric vehicles will affect all forms of transportation. As a longtime
supporter of motorcyclists in Illinois, I wanted to make sure they were treated equally when it came to this transition,” said State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), chief sponsor of the bill in the Senate. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done to bring together stakeholders to secure motorcycles as part of the future of transportation in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 2940 passed both chambers of the General Assembly with no opposition. The bill had over 30 Senate sponsors and 60 House sponsors, including the Speaker of the House and House Minority Leader.

“The unanimous bipartisan support of SB2940 by the General Assembly sends a clear message that motorcycles will continue to be accounted for when planning the future of transportation,” said Josh Witkowski, State Legislative Coordinator. “ABATE of Illinois looks forward to having the Governor sign this bill and join with the General Assembly in their support of Illinois motorcyclists.”

TRIKES OF THE WEEK—

–Sam Burns
Exclusive Trike Editor
Bikernet.com™

–Helen Keller

I find it so easy to get off track. Whether it be writing my morning writings, eating healthy, finishing a project or some sort of goal. Each and every day we are faced with obstacles and challenges that can take our focus off our goals. I find that I can come up with the best excuses and reasons why I am not on track and justify it in my mind for a short time.

Well, I am here to tell you that excuses are a terrible choice, get rid of them if you want to make the changes in your Life. As I have written many times it takes character to make changes in your Life, which is the ability to carry out a good resolution long after the mood in which was made has left you.

We must be persistent and consistent on our pursuit in Life to improve and be better people. Each morning we have a choice of what we are committed to accomplish and to follow through on, take the time out in the morning to Pause to get on track, read those goal sheets and stay focused.

And So It Is
Namaste’

Obstacles are things a person sees when one takes one’s eyes off their goal.

–Yale Gelfant
Choppers Cycle

NEWS FROM THE PRISM GANG–Bike Night, Charlotte, NC

We held our first Bike Night this past Wednesday and had a great time with everyone who came out. We’re planning to host Bike Nights the first Wednesday of every month, which puts our next event on May 4 (weather pending).

If you want to join our next one, everyone is welcome to come on out to chat with us, check out the shop and see a ton of cool local bikes. We’ll be riding together to a Charlotte, NC staple, the Tipsy Burro, at 7:30 each Bike Night.

Last photo is what the original bike started life as, 1963 Triumph Thunderbird. I think it came out absolutely STUNNING. Check out all the ‘details’, especially the extensive ‘massaging’ to the engine’s head.

It was displayed at the Austin TX ‘Hand Built” Show https://revivalcycles.com/pages/handbuilt-motorcycle-show

–El Waggs
Tech Editor
Bikernet.com

Inside this coffee table book you will find racing baggers, Travis Pastrana, Wayne Rainey, our favorite hungover Aussie, drug lords, a rad new building, a BMW R 18 on NOS, ebikes, 1995 and 2000’s sexiest man alive and a whole bunch of custom motorbikes… “That’s just how we ROLL.”

“We’ve put together a collection of articles, photography, and art chronicling the last couple of years of bike builds, events, products, key industry personalities and more. So dive in and catch up on all of the moto-induced excitement since ROLL V.1″

There is just one catch… ROLL cannot be bought. However, RSD customers can score a free Limited Edition copy of the ROLL Zine with a purchase of $250 or more, while supplies last.

Market Growing along with Service Needs

CHARLOTTE, NC – Huck bikes are street-legal electric mopeds, with a VIN, and have a range of 40-50 miles per charge of the battery. In the last two years, Huck has continued to design and refine its models, with three models on the market in 2022, including the Rebel, Overland and the Stinger (fall 2022). As the company has expanded, Huck has worked to shore up its supply chain ensuring components are accessible, increased shipping capacity and beefed up the team, especially on the technical side.

With more than 725 electric motorbikes out across the U.S., the need is growing for a dealer network to support existing Huck Cycles and to continue the growth trajectory. Huck Cycles, based in Cornelius, North Carolina, has opened applications for dealers following the release of their updated 2022 model line. Leading the charge is the Rebel, a retro-inspired street legal moped class bike that features a welded steel tube frame and hub drive motor. The 3000 watt motor is powered by a 1800kwh lithium ion battery and a 150 amp controller. Range on a full charge is up to 50 miles and speeds as high as 40 mph.

Also new for 2022 is the Overland, an all aluminum bolt together bike designed for riders who want a little more dirt under their tires. The Overland can be configured as a workhorse bike or a fun off-road adventure bike. The Overland can also be configured with dual batteries to increase the range and speed.

“We have been growing Huck Cycles during the past few years and have gained solid traction with our riders who love our bespoke approach to building motorbikes. As more have bikes have been spreading across the country, dealer interest has been growing,” said Brett McCoy, CEO and founder of Huck Cycles. “Our commitment to our dealers is the same as to our North Carolina and U.S. suppliers – we are partners in this together.”

Typically, Huck Cycles’ dealers are looking to diversify their product mix and add a new revenue component. So, the opportunity starts with the ability to be a point of services for existing Huck Cycles that have been sold to consumers, enterprise, fleet and/or rental channels. Additionally, dealers may choose to join one of our three tiers of dealer commitment or there is also a showroom partnership, in which a dealer does not maintain inventory. And, as the partnership evoles, there are products, gear and accessories, which Huck dealers may want to offer.

“All our frames, tanks (battery covers) and seats are manufactured within 50 miles of our facility,” McCoy continued, “customers can customize their bikes by selecting a seat, tank, shocks, tires and more to really design the bike the way they would like.” Eight different tank colors are available as well as a wide variety of seat colors and styles.

There is a real opportunity here for dealers to meet this market growth, arising from a great product, the increased cost of fuel, shift to electrification and other demographic shifts driving demand for alternate forms of transportation. Huck sees that our dealer network will continue to expand and has a program designed to help its dealer partners succeed.

I’m working with the Lowbrow gang and J&P on a short tech about available batteries from Lowbrow and charging system testing. This battery costs just $25 from Amazon. I’ll test it.

Maybe next week I will deliver on my first ’48 UL tech, when my Greg Robley tank is delivered. If I’m lucky, it will start and run after a tune-up. Waiting on the replica manual. Damn, it arrived today.

We just rebuilt our Bikernet.com online shop or the 5-Ball Garage. Click on the Pit Crew image above and check it out. Let me know if have any questions or suggestions like, “start over Mofo.”