BIKERNET NEWS FLASH….

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THE FINAL CHAPTER– A dense fog sat off the coast of Egypt as we steamed close yesterday morning and delayed our entrance into the Suez Canal by a couple of hours. As we entered we experienced something we have never endured in any port in the United States or Europe. Keep in mind that this is a rat bike of a ship, and not something that should draw attention. The hull is painted a dull, spotty gray. The lettering “Leon” was hand painted by someone who had no business with a black brush. The rest of the ship is rust and 14 coats of various paints from Hamster yellow to lawn green and rust red (the Rickmers colors). Yet even with the appearance of a marijuana smuggling ship and a crew to match, we were surrounded by a flotilla of ratty skiffs to highly varnished teak wood run-abouts carrying numerous Egyptians who sold tourist packages, leather jackets, metal plates of polished bras and enamel pharaohs. They surrounded the ship as a series of broad, 50-car and 200-passenger ferries attempted to cross the canal with packs of people from one Port Said on the Egyptian side to Sinai on the other. This portion of Sinai is controlled by Egypt, while the southern portion is part of Saudi Arabia and on the east it’s part of Israel. Lots of fighting has taken place on this small chunk of land that borders the Suez Canal and is no more than a desert of rock, gravel and boulders with rugged granite peaks, ridges arid valleys and tablelands. The greater part of the peninsula is very mountainous.

The canal was opened for navigation in 1869 and engineered by the same Frenchman who began the work on the Panama Canal, which was finished by Americans and opened in 1913. By the Convention of Constantinople on Oct. 29, 1888, the Suez Canal was open to vessels of all nations and is free from blockades except during time of war. From 1956 to ’57, it was closed due to the Suez Canal Crisis because of numerous sunken wrecks. In June of ’67 it was closed again as a result of the Israeli/Arab war and not re-opened to international shipping until June 1975. Without its shipping channel from Europe to the Pacific ports, ships are forced into a long difficult and notorious trip around the southern tip of Africa. That closure was responsible for increased fuel prices due to the added transportation costs.

So I headed down the stairwell yesterday evening for dinner and discovered Egyptians selling leather jackets, trinkets, toys and tools on each level of the stairway. Each one approached me as I descended to have quiet chow in the mess hall. It was bizarre and immediately I suspected that it was some agreement with the harbor that let them storm the ship.Later I met with the captain who told me that if he didn’t allow them on board we would have serious problems getting through the canal. He told me of a story where the wives of stevedores came to the docks in Thailand everyday, cooked and sold their food to the ship crews. One particular captain told his men that they were not allowed to spend money with these people. The next day no stevedores showed up and cargo off-loading ceased until business with the ladies resumed. That cost that ship a small fortune.

It took us three and a half days to find the Suez. If we had arrived between three and five in the morning we would have sailed through. Some 25 commercial vessels are allowed through going east and 25 west daily. It’s a traffic jam of ships. Ah, but since we steamed into port in the afternoon, we were stuck for the night. We were scheduled to depart at 1 a.m., which turned into 5 a.m. and took us 10 hours to make it to the city of Suez at the end of the canal and the beginning of the Gulf of Suez, which leads into the dense Red Sea. From there to the Gulf of Aden that rounds the corner of Saudi Arabia into the Indian Ocean heading to Singapore, which will take an additional 13 days.

Day before yesterday we passed the Island of Crete off the coast of Greece. The people of the city of Iraklion, Crete, once ruled the Mediterranean. They were rich with metals and ships, but one day a massive earthquake took the city out. It is believed by a large percentage of scholars that this is the city of Atlantis 4-5000 years ago.

The captain had another story about a nearby Kasos island named after the Greek Odyssey of the Cyclops. Our captain knew another captain who ran for major on that island and won. He did it by recruiting people to come to the island and vote for him. His competition was working the same angle and hired a number of excited voters to arrive on the island via a plane from Athens. The captain got word of the ploy and called a connection at the airport. They held up the plane due to “mechanical problems” until the election was over.

Alright, that’s all the bullshit stories I have to report at this moment. I will attempt to stay on duty. In the meantime I roughed out chapter 20 of my second Chance book and chapter 17 of the first one. I’ve got to come up with some titles for these fuckin’ novels. In the meantime, get your rides ready for the summer. It’s coming on strong—Bandit.

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH….

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Puss-In-Boots In The Nude!

Well, sorta. Don?t keep scrolling down guys, you?re not going to see her ass.I put a call out last week for your pictures of tattoos. I?ve only received a couple of responses so?.. Come on you people?.. Send me your tattoos! With your submission to sinwu@bikernet.com, be sure to include your address and I’ll send you a Bikernet sticker. One of the Bikernet bitches showed hers last week so don?t be shy. Let?s have em? people.

Hey Puss, sorry I won’t be making it out your way for my birthday. Chris Chrome and some shady folks from the IMB Academy are taking me out for sushi. The Sifu’s birthday is Monday the 21st, the day before mine. He said for my birthday he won’t kick my ass. For his birthday I have to… well, I’d better not say since Bandit isn’t around. Someone keeps telling him what’s going on here. There’s a rat in the headquarters and it ain’t no female.

Layla

5 stages of sex

1) The first is Smurf Sex. This happens during the honeymoon period;youboth keep doing it until you’re blue in the face.

2) The second is Kitchen Sex. This is at the beginning of the marriage;you’ll have sex anywhere, anytime, even in the kitchen.

3) The third kind is Bedroom Sex. You’ve calmed down a bit, perhaps>> havekids, so you gotta do it in the bedroom.

4) The fourth kind is Hallway Sex. This is the phase in which youpasseachother in the hallway and say, “SCREW YOU!”

5) There is also a fifth kind of sex: Courtroom Sex. This is whenyougetdivorced and your wife (or husband) screws you in front of everyoneinthecourtroom.

Quilting2friendship Fat Theology

And God populated the earth with broccoli and cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives. And Satan created McDonald’s. And McDonald’s brought forth the 99-cent double-cheeseburger. And Satan said to Man, “You want fries with that?”

And Man said, “Super size them.” And Man gained pounds.

And God created the healthful yogurt, that woman might keep her figure that man found so fair.

And Satan brought forth chocolate. And woman gained pounds.

And God said, “Try my crispy fresh salad.”

And Satan brought forth ice cream. And woman gained pounds.

And God said, “I have sent your heart healthy vegetables and olive oil with which to cook them.”

And Satan brought forth chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter.

And Man gained pounds and his bad cholesterol went through the roof.

And God brought forth running shoes and Man resolved to lose those extra pounds.

And Satan brought forth cable TV with remote control so Man would not have to toil to change channels between ESPN and ESPN2.

And Man gained pounds.

And God said, “You’re running up the score, Devil.”

And God brought forth the potato, a vegetable naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition.

And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fat fried them. And he created sour cream dip also.

And Man clutched his remote control and ate the potato chips swaddled in cholesterol.

And Satan saw and said, “It is good.”

And Man went into cardiac arrest.

And God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

And Satan created HMOs.

Truck Black Box

Over the last five years the NTSB has been covertly funding aproject with U.S.auto makers whereby the auto makers have been installing “black boxes”in allfour-wheel-drive pickup trucks they have manufactured. This was todetermine, infatal accidents, the circumstances in the last 15 seconds before thecrash. Theywere surprised that in 42 of the 50 states, the last words of the drivers in61.2 percent of thefatal crashes were, “OH SHIT!” Only the states of Arkansas, WestVirginia,Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee weredifferent,where over 89.3 percent of the final words were, “Hold my beer and watch this.”

Harley-Davidson Introduces Firefighter Special Edition–

Cast from the strong and reliable reputation of Harley-Davidson’s Touring line, the new for 2002 Harley-Davidson Firefighter Special Edition salutes the heroes who risk their lives everyday.Sporting a solid Scarlet Red paint scheme with double gold pinstripes and the renowned characteristic Harley chrome treatment, the Firefighter Special Edition FLHTC Classic Electra Glide, FLHRI Road King and FLHTCUI Ultra Classic Electra Glide are signature red fire trucks on two wheels. Powered by Harley-Davidson’s Twin Cam 88 engine, the Firefighter Special rolls with smooth, supple power. Rubber isolation mounts keep vibrations to the rider at a minimum, while the plush suspension makes the ride into the station comfortable.

Kin to the Peace Officer Special Edition models, the Firefighter Special Editions come with a decal to fit on the bike’s console describing the model as the “H-D Firefighter Special Edition”, while cast wheels finish up an aesthetic treatment that complements the touring model’s classic lines.

The honor of being a firefighter has its rewards, and the only way to order a Firefighter Special Edition is by submitting a copy of an official firefighter identification card when ordering the model through your local dealer

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s web site at www.harley-davidson.com.

BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS BOOK REPRINTED–

The Bonneville Salt Flats history book is scheduled for its thirdprinting,but will be a second edition with selected corrections. It will be a soft coveredition with a retail pricing of $24.95. This will allow more people toafford the book. The books are expected to be in the warehouse no later thanMay 2002.

On a sad note, the publisher has informed me they are allowing the hardbound edition to go out of print. In an effort to stave off the inevitable alittle while longer, I worked out a one-time opportunity to make one finalorder of hardbound books (these will also have the above mentionedcorrections) and will place the order Jan. 31.

Without making any financial commitment, I am polling interested parties todiscover what, if any, interest there would be in obtaining the finalhardbound editions of the book.

I am also ordering a limited number of unbound books that will becomespecially autographed editions available for sale at a future, undetermineddate (It’s going to take a long time to get them all signed by the racers).

If you have any interest in either the hard bound, or special autographededitions, please reply to me no later than Jan. 27.

LandSpeed Productions will be upgrading its communications network and maybe off-line for up to three weeks. The fax number will also be changing.There is no guarantee that email will be delivered to me after the 27th.When the new service is established and stabilized, contact information willbe made available.

–“LandSpeed” Louise Ann Noeth

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BIKERNET NEWS FLASH….

If you’ve been staying on top of this mess, fine. If you just stumbled in here, you’re in for a surprise. I’m supposed to write a stunning motorcycle related news column weekly, but I can’t. No, I wasn’t run over by four old golfers in Palm Springs. I’m on a tramp freighter traveling around the world–from Los Angeles to, hopefully, Los Angeles, and from Houston to Houston by ship. I’m nearing the halfway point as I sit dead in the water in Port Said on the coast of Egypt.

This is the MV (motorized vessel) Leon owned by the Rickmers Shipping Company (since 1834). I found out yesterday that MS stands for Majesty’s Ship. It use to be HMS for Her (or his if the king was on top of the heap) Majesty’s Ship.

Before I get to the news, I want to mention how fortunate I am to be able to send these reports and stay in communication with the site. Thanks goes to my old pal Bob Bitchin, who owned Biker Magazine and Tattoo, and who now owns the sailing magazine “Latitudes and Attitudes,” of which I own a small portion. Since Bob deals with sea-going communication systems, he turned me onto an iridium satellite phone. The phone works, although I will write a report on the foibles of its use for the sailing magazine. It’s a costly device and for the Bikernet girls to call me and whisper in my ear ranges from $2.47 a minute to seven bucks. That’s fuckin’ outrageous and if anyone knows anything cheaper for satellite phone calls, holler quick. We’re going broke trying to bring you these reports.

On a more positive note, and I may have mentioned this before, when I packed my sea bag and hit the trail, I put the site in the hands of my trusty crew: Layla, Sinwu, Nuttboy, Digital Gangster and Jon Towle. I confess that I had no notion of what I was doing and was sure that they could spring a vast, more glorious site on the Internet world. They proved me right. Hits surpassed the 1.7 million hit mark last month, more new customers than ever before. They must be doing something right.

BIKERNET STOCK TIP–I just couldn’t resist giving you this opportunity to make some moneywith me! I’m buying this stock for sure!

Pfizer Corp. (NYSE PFE) is making the announcement today that VIAGRAwill soon be available in liquid form and will be marketed by Pepsi Cola(Pepsi Bottling Group NYSE PBG) as a power beverage suitable for useas-is,or as a mixer, under the name “Mount And Do”.

Pepsi’s proposed ad campaign suggests: “It will now be possible for aman to literally pour himself a stiff one.”

Sharing the Victory Experience: Victory Motorcycles Launches Victory Riders Association and Ride Program

Victory riders are a diverse lot. They come in all shapes and sizes, live everywhere from California to Maine, and they have customized their bikes so no two Victorys look alike.Yet all Victory owners share one defining characteristic: A love of the Victory motorcycle experience. They love to ride their Victorys and they love to develop friendships with fellow Victory riders.To help Victory owners share their experiences with more of their fellow riders, the Victory Motorcycle Division has introduced the Victory Riders Association, the VRA, the official Victory riders group.Every registered owner of a Victory motorcycle is automatically a member of the VRA. There is no membership fee and no obligations for members except to enjoy the ride.

There is, however, an official quarterly magazine and a new series of organized group rides for Victory owners.”We are developing the VRA methodically,” said Victory Marketing Manager Darcy Betlach. “The first element of the VRA was Victory Magazine, which we introduced in the spring of 2001. Now we are introducing Victory Rides and the Corporate Ride Coordinator program, and we all continue to add elements to the VRA.”

Victory Rides are exactly what the name says: Group rides for Victory owners. The rides are planned by Corporate Ride Coordinators (CRCs), Victory riders who volunteer to plan successful Victory Rides in their local areas.Victory owners who have experience organizing events and who know what it takes to create a great ride are applying to become CRCs, Betlach said. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their riding experience, organizational skills, ride proposals, and three references, one of whom must be a Victory dealer.

CRCs work with area Victory dealers to ensure that all area VRA members are aware of the events, and to utilize the dealers’ resources and event-planning experience, Betlach said, but CRCs have final responsibility for planning the details of each ride.

In the programs first year, Victory Rides are expected to be held in 16 metropolitan areas with strong concentrations of Victory owners: Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, Atlanta, Orlando/Tampa, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis, Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, and Phoenix.VRA members will be informed of upcoming rides in their home area by mail and e-mail, and dates of all Victory rides will be posted on the Victory Web site (www.victory-usa.com). Every Victory Ride is open to all VRA members (and their riding buddies), so Victory owners are more than welcome to travel to events held long distances from home.”Knowing Victory owners and how they love to ride, I expect they all view Victory rides in other regions as opportunities for road trips,” said Betlach.

For more information on Victory Motorcycles, including a dealer locator, visit the Victory Web site at: www.victory-usa.com. A dealer locator service is also offered at (800) POLARIS.Victory Motorcycles is a division of Polaris Industries Inc. Information about the complete line of Polaris products is available from authorized Polaris dealers or from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.

Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), Victory motorcycles, watercraft, and the Polaris RANGER for recreational and utility use. Polaris is the largest snowmobile manufacturer in the world, and one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of ATVs and watercraft. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories, and parts available at Polaris dealerships. Consumers can also purchase apparel and vehicle accessories around the clock online at www.polarisindustries.com.

Eight Inches Of Pure??
This had most of the state of Michigan laughing for two days and a veryembarrassed female news anchor who will, in the future, likely think beforeshe speaks.

What happens when you predict snow but don’t get any …. true story …

A female news anchor who, the day after it was supposed to have snowed anddidn’t, turned to the weatherman and asked “So Bob, where’s that 8inches you promised me last night?”

Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too they werelaughing so hard !

Bikernet Caribbean Report

The year is over and now it really feels like it. We are already planning forDaytona and the dealer expos. We are getting used to writing ’02 on checksand invoices and new projects are already on the building tables. We have alocal party called Fiestas de San Sebastian, which lasts five days andmarks the end of our holiday season and hence the beginning of this newyear.

Bandit should be around the coast of Sardinia, close to isola Magdalena andCosta Esmeralda. This is a lovely area, where the Italian creme de lacreme go to vacation. Nice seas when they want to be, but the nastiest thistime of year. I hope the USS Rust Bucket takes him to safe harbor.

I?m guessing a lot of us have seen the new Jesse James show, “MotorcycleMania 2.” I’m guessing there’s no stopping now for the custom bike builder(in general). Let me tell ya’, not only Jesse benefits from these specials,but so does all of the industry.If the viewers were actually paying attention (and not only drooling overthe bikes), you might have noticed that:
A) A segment of film was transposed, the primary and jockey shift were onthe right side of the bike.
B) Chopper Dave’s hard-to-find carb was an S&S (how hard are those tofind?)
C) Giusseppe (the Italian guy) was very lucky, the black bike was a lenderfrom Pete.
D) Jesse’s new red Ferrari at the shop.
E) Shaq drinks shitloads of pop.

Anyway, it was very interesting and I believe mere mortals (non riders) gota good idea of all the different stages of bike building, painting, chrome,etc. And I bet it was a blast riding with all those characters. We hopethere is a third one, or maybe the Discovery Channel expands to otherbuilders and more motorcycle stuff.

We decided to take time off and ride to theWest Coast of Puerto Rico with some friends. The new bikes needed adecent break-in period so we put in about 200 miles this week end. Check out thephoto. This is how the Caribbean is in the winter, also a group of uson a break from the rigids.

The Storm Riders MC, a local club, joined us in the ride and also celebratedtheir yearly party at one of the west side resorts. It was a good time forall, and good riding back and forth.

We are already working on the WCC bikes 3,4 and 5. We want to takethese to Daytona Bike Week. We will report as the bikes start to takeshape. And as I was mumbling in the beginning, the end of the year bringsthe end of the two projects WCC 1 and 2. Here they are in finished form.

The Sporty chopper project will be done in less than two weeks. The paintis being done as I type.

Coamo, the largest concentration of bikes in the island, is near. More than 10.000motorcycles ride through the mountain roads and show up in this tiny town.Will let you know as prepping events take shape.

Since this is kind of a closure week, I would like to thank all thereaders and the Bikernet crew for putting up with my crap week after week.Also to the people who have shown up at our shop or have taken the timeto say hi at some events, we plan on having more stuff going on, morebikes, and maybe now and then some babes. Thanks again.

Jose Bikernet Caribbean
Jose @ChopperFreak.com

TACO BELL
For all of us who have or have had small children…we canrelate!

My 3-year-old son had a lot of problems with pottytraining; and Iwas on him constantly. One day we stopped at Taco Bell for aquick lunch inbetween errands. It was very busy, with a full dining room.While enjoyingmy taco, I smelled something funny, so of course, I checkedmy 7-month-old daughter’s diaper, and she was clean. Then I realizedthat Matt had not asked to go potty in a while, so I askedhim and he said,”No.”

I kept thinking, “Oh Lord, that child has had an accidentand I don’thave any clothes with me.”Then I said, “Matt, are you sure you did not have anaccident?””No,” he replied.I just knew that he must have, because the smell wasgetting worse.

So I asked one more time, “Matt, did you have an accident?”Matt jumped up, yanked down his pants, bent over and spreadhis cheeksand yelled…. “SEE, MOM, IT’S JUST FARTS!!!”While 100 people nearly choked to death on their tacos, hecalmly pulled uphis pants and sat down to eat his food as if nothinghappened. I wasmortified!

Some kind elderly people made me feel a lotbetter when theycame over and thanked me for the best laugh they had everhad! Another oldgentleman stopped us in the parking lot as we were leaving,bent over to myson and said, “Don’t worry son, my wife accuses me of thesame thing all thetime…I just never had the nerve to make the point like youdid.”

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BIKERNET NEWS FLASH-VON DUTCH JOINS, JOSE’S BACK AND THE MARINES REPORT IN (CONTINUED)_

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VON DUTCH COMES TO BIKERNET–We’re pleased to report that Von Dutch will continue his rebel artistic legacy through a line of products with the classic Von Dutch label and they will be featured in the gift shop of Bikernet.com. We were fans of Mr. Dutch before he left us and are proud to see his legacy continued on the site.

STOLEN E-MAIL FROM THE STAFF AT BIKERNET–Who cares about me. Damn, look at you girl. Yes, a shower would be heaven.To gently stroke your wet, slippery body would be a fantasy coming true.Mmmmm, to take you out of the shower and slowly rub lotion over every inchof you. Paying close attention to the soft area just besides your p**sylips. I would love to suck on your n**ples, then run my tongue down yourbelly as I slide my hands down to lotion your legs. Love, Sin Wu.

At least the morale is high at Bikernet.

I’ll Show You Mine If You Show Me Yours

We need your images! Send us pictures of your tattoos to post and we’ll send you a free Bikernet sticker. All submissions should go to sinwu@bikernet.com. Please be sure to include your address.

Free Dragonfly Shirts!All you have to do is submit your Digital Discovery and be the chosen one. Read how to submit on the Home Page.

We’re looking for one-of-a-kind items or something that just makes us go “Dude, that’s bad!” Images and a short story is what we ask for. Come on, send us your submissions!

MESSAGE FROM A MARINE ON AFGHAN FRONT–It’s fuckin’ freezing here. I’m sitting on hard,cold dirt betweenrocksand shrubs at the base of the Hindu Kush mountainsalong the Dar ‘yoi PomirRiver watching a hole that leads to a tunnel thatleads to a cave. Stakeout, my friend, and no pizza delivery for thousands ofmiles. I also glanceat the area around my ass every 10 to 15 secondsto avoid anotherscorpion sting. I’ve actually given up battling thechiggers and sandfleas,but them damn scorpions give a jolt like a cattle prod. Hurtslike abastard. The antidote tastes like transmission fluid but God bless theMarine Corps for the five vials of it in my pack.

The one truth the Taliban cannot escape is that,believe it or not, theyarehuman beings, which means they have to eat food anddrink water. Thatrequires couriers and that’s where an old bountyhunter like me comes inhandy. I track the couriers, locate the tunnelentrances and storagefacilities, type the info into the handheld, shoot thecoordinates up tothesatellite link that tells the air commanders where to drop the hardware,webash some heads for a while, then I track and record the new movement.

It’sall about intelligence.We haven’t even brought in the snipers yet. Thesescurrying rats have noidea what they’re in for. We are but days away fromcutting off supplylinesand allowing the eradication to begin.

I dream of bin Laden waking up tofind me standing over him with my boot on his throat as I spit a bloodyearinto his face and plunge my nickel-plated Bowie knife through hisfrontallobe. But you know me. I’m a romantic.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: This country blows, man. It’snoteven a country. There are no roads, there’s no infrastructure, there’snogovernment. This is an inhospitable, rockpit ruled by11thcentury warring tribes.

There are no jobs here like we know jobs.Afghanistan offers two ways for a man to support hisfamily: join the opiumtrade or join the army. That’s it. Those are youroptions. Oh, I forgot,youcan also live in a refugee camp and eatplum-sweetened, crushed beetlepasteand squirt mud like a goose with stomach flu if that’s your idea of aparty.But the smell alone of those “tent cities of thewalking dead” is enough tohurl you into the poppy fields to cheerfully scrapebulbs for 18hoursa day.

And let me tell you something else. I’ve been livingwith these Tajiks andUzbeks and Turkmen and even a couple of Pushtins forover a month and ahalfnow and this much I can say for sure: These guys, all of em, are Huns.Actual, living Huns. They LIVE to fight. It’s what they do. It’s ALL theydo.They have no respect for anything, not for theirfamilies or for each otheror for themselves. They claw at one another as a wayof life. They playpolowith dead calves and force their 5-year-old sonsinto human cockfightstodefend the family honor. Huns, roaming packs ofsavage, heartless beastswhofeed on each other’s barbarism. Fucking cavemen with AK 47s.Then again, maybe I’m just cranky.I’m freezing my ass off on this stupid hill becausemylap warmer is running out of juice and I can’t recharge it until the suncomes up in a few hours.

Oh yeah! You like to write letters, right? Dome afavor, Bizarre. Write a letter to CNN and tell Judy and Bernie and thatawful, sneering, pompous Aaron Brown to stop calling the Taliban”smart.”They are not smart. I suggest CNN invest in adictionary because the wordthey are looking for is “cunning.” The Taliban arecunning, like jackalsandhyenas and wolverines. They are sneaky and ruthless and, whenconfronted,cowardly. They are hateful, malevolent parasites who create nothing anddestroy everything else. Smart. Pfft. Yeah, they’re real smart. They’vespent their entire lives reading only one book (and not a very good one,asbooks go) and consider hygiene and indoor plumbing to be products of thedevil. They’re still figuring out how to work a Bic lighter. Talking toaTaliban warrior about improving his quality of life is like trying toteachan ape how to hold a pen; eventually he just gets frustrated and sticksyouin the eye with it.

OK, enough.Snuffle will be up soon so I have to get back to myhole. Covering mytracksin the snow takes a lot of practice but I’m getting good at it. Pleasetellmy fellow Americans to turn off their TV sets and move on with theirlives.The story line you are getting from CNN is utter bullshit anddesignednot to deliver truth, but rather to keep you glued to the screen throughthecommercials. We’ve got this one under control. The worst thing you guyscando right now is sit around analyzing what we’re doing over here becauseyouhave no idea what we’re doing and, really, you don’t want to know. Weareyour military and we are doing what you sent us here to do.

You wanna help? Buy some fucking stocks, America.–Saucy Jack

A Classy Lady—
In most cases I refuse to forward e-mail of the chain letter or spam type. Again, in most cases, the content is not correct, contains mistakes, lies or has been so twisted that the intended point is all but lost. Here is one I received and checked out as best I could. It seems real enough and concurs with other stories of the same type. Nothing to do with bikes but here for your reading pleasure:

3/66 First tour of performing in Vietnam.

12/22/68 Goes with Bob Hope Show for second tour of Vietnam

There is Justice: Ann-Margret and the Vietnam Vet

Richard never really talked a lot about his time in Vietnam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8-by-10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann-Margret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.

A few years ago, Ann-Margret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo, so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o’clock for the 7:30 signing. When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore,circled the parking lot and disappeared behind a parking garage.

Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted. Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GIs so far from home.

Ann-Margret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard’s turn. He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, “I understand. I just wanted her to see it.”

She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, “This is one of my gentlemen from Vietnam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for ‘my gentlemen.’ ” With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to do about the bravery ofthe young men she met over the years, how much she admired them and how much she appreciated them.

There weren’t too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he was the only one there.

Later, at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he’d like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. “That’s the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army,” he said.

Richard, like many others, came home to people who spit on him and shouted ugly things at him. That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a vet. I’ll never forget Ann-Margret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband. I now make it a point to say “thank you” to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.

If you’d like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make.

Why Permanent Markers Make Good Christmas Gifts—

No child was hurt during or after this photo was taken.

First the Lord made man in the Garden of Eden.
Then he said to himself, “There’s something he’s needing”
After casting about for a suitable pearl,
He kept messing around and created a girl.
Two beautiful legs, so long and so slender,
Round, slim, and firm, and ever so tender.
Two lovely hips to increase his desire,
And rounded and firm to bring out the fire.
Two lovely breasts, so full and so proud,
Commanding his eyes, as he whispers aloud.
Two lovely arms, just aching to bless you,
And two loving hands, to soothe and caress you.
Soft, cascading hair hung down over her shoulder,
And two dreamy eyes, just to make him grow bolder.
‘Twas made for a man, just to make his heart sing.
Then he added a mouth, and ruined the whole damn thing

Cyril Huze Rolling Chassis

It’s never been easier to build your own custom motorcycle. As long as you know the right components to start with. Cyril Huze offers several rolling chassis kits based on his new Stray Kat rigid frame. They use only premium parts to help you build your own custom. No cheap chassis with components of unknown origin and quality. If you want nothing else than the highest level of craftsmanship, start with one of these kits. From 3- to 6-inch stretch, from 36- to 42-degree rake. All the parts included have been test fitted and used on Cyril Huze top customs. Built it right the first time with components made to work together.

Cyril Huze
Tel: (561) 392-5557
Fax: (561) 392-9923
Web site: http://www.cyrilhuze.com

Motorcycle vs. Woman
Inventor Arthur Davidson, of the Harley-Davidson MotorcycleCorporation, died and went to heaven. At the gates, St. Peter told Arthur, “Since you’vebeen such a good man and your motorcycles have changed the world, yourreward is, you can hang out with anyone you want in Heaven.

Arthur thought about it for a minute and then said, “I want to hang outwith God.” St. Peter took Arthur to the Throne Room, and introduced him to God. Arthur then asked God, “Hey, aren’t you the inventor of woman?” God said, “Ah, yes,” “Well”, “professional to professional”, you have somemajor design flaws in your invention. There’s too much inconsistency in thefront-end protrusion. It chatters constantly at high speeds. Most modelsrear ends are too soft and wobbles too much. They are very hard to getstarted. The intake is placedway too close to the exhaust. And finally, The maintenance costs areoutrageous!

“Hmmmmmm, you may have some good points there, “replied God”, hold on.God went to his Celestial super computer, typed in a few words and waitedfor the results. The computer printed out a slip of paper and God read it.”Well, it may be true that my invention is flawed, “God said to Arthur,” butaccording to these numbers, more men are riding my invention then yours !!!

HORSE INSIDERS’ REPORT–Edge has the details for the upcoming SMSO pretty much all worked out. They’re posted on our site and will be in issue 22. The event is shaping up to be the best ever.

Please keep your eyes open for The Horse shirts being sold at malls, bike shops and novelty stores, especially around Cincinnati, Indiana and Kentucky. As most of you already know, a former employee was caught embezzling, stealing and forging checks, plus selling counterfeit shirts. Shirts were allegedly spotted in Indiana…we’re checking it out today.

The show in Cincinnati is supposed to be twice as large as last year’s. I hope to attend and need to know who else is planning on going. If you’ve never been to a show like this, be advised, it’s not a rodeo-type event, but a show where manufacturers display their latest products. I enjoy seeing everyone in one central location, but there is little to gain as far as business goes.

As you guys get the magazines, please feel free to shoot me an e-mail and tell me if you have any comments, concerns or suggestions. I value your input and hope everyone feels that as long as they’re part of the mag, that pride of ownership will compel suggestions.
–Hammer

Here?s a sneak peak at the next cover of Horse.

Continued On Page 3

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH-VON DUTCH JOINS, JOSE’S BACK AND THE MARINES REPORT INAs usual, I don’t have any notion of how to kick this thing off. As most of you know, I was found guilty of a terrible crime and tossed aboard a corroding German vessel for five months of international community service. That’s the reason for the lack of motorcycle subject matter. Believe me, there are as many outlaws at sea as there are hiding behind highbars, on the freeways, in the states.

I’m currently in the Mediterranean Sea, one day out from Genoa, Italy. I’m learning shit on this cruise that should completely change my outlook on the world, but who the hell knows. I’ll pass a bunch on to you as I sway from port to port. We just passed Gibraltar yesterday, which is almost the southern most point of the continent of Spain. Actually, Algeciras is, but for some reason the British were very concerned about keeping the eight-mile-wide Straights of Gibraltar open for English shipping into the Med so they control Gibraltar. You can imagine that over the years the Spanish got fed up with the limeys in command of their little tiny peninsula, so the Spaniards won’t allow them access to their water supply. Gibraltar is so small that the British had to cement the east coast to prevent the briny Med from washing it away. In the process they developed a system to catch the rain water off the cliff and that’s what they use for their supply of fresh water until they can work out something with the Spanish.

OK, so here’s a report on the vandalism that struck the ship a couple of days before New Year’s. Two women?s cabins were broken into. A purse was stolen from one and cigarettes and a watch out of the other. An investigation was set in motion and three people were immediately looked upon suspiciously. First it was the crew, a bunch of scurvy, but well mannered Filipinos. The second was a religious group that came aboard that evening to entertain the crew. A gypsy formula was applied in their case. They may have sent young guns to the passengers’ rooms while their slinky sister kept the crew smiling. Finally the police told us that there is no specific security at this particular dump of a harbor and people roam the docks and ships freely. There is also a couple of street gangs that make working the docks their form of club fundraising. They usually attack captains’ cabins for cash and electronic equipment.

Two days after the robbery sent the crew and security within the Rickmers company into an uproar, the master stewart returned from cleaning chores with the blonde’s purse. Her wallet was missing but the idiot thief didn’t check the zipper pockets so he missed the credit cards. Then the day after New Year’s the hard-working Antwerp police returned to the ship with Santa’s sack full of loot from the thief’s/drug addict’s apartment. Seems scurvy bloke was riding a bicycle in the snow in the port New Year’s Day. A suspicious character who had already been busted for drug use and ordered to leave the country was roaming the quiet industrial streets of the port. The police pulled him over and questioned him, then after a search discovered something that appeared to be stolen. They then searched his apartment and found a litany of watches, wallets and personal effects that did not belong to him. He went down and everything, including the contents of the wallet was returned, except for the snakeskin wallet. What the hell is going to happen next? Let’s get to the news.

Rudy?s Last Act As Mayor—

Caribbean Report—
Some of you might have missed last week’s report. I was out of town on aflash trip. I’m very sad to report that Roger Bourget’s (from Bourget’sBike Works) oldest daughter, Autumn Marie Bourget, passed away the first of theyear in a motorcycle accident in Phoenix. She was barely 20 years old.Details of the accident are not important, what is, is the dreadful loss fora family that is a very important part of motorcycling now days. Ourmemories and condolences go to the Bourget family, Godspeed Autumn.

A brother recently told me that there is no love like a parent’s love for their child. I have known a couple of friends in the industry who have lost their children recently to various causes. This is the third and hopefully the last. Our deepest sympathy to the Bourgets.–Bandit

On another note, here’s a photo of the WCC No. 2 before and after. As youmight have been following, this bike was redone by us at Caribbean CustomCycles. Like always, Jesse and the crew were very helpful with this project.Soon a complete build will be featured here on Bikernet.

Our local airport rats have informed us that the Bikernet ladies havearrived to the shores of our island. Reports are that lonely looking babes withcomputer related stuff are staying in one of our local beachside hotels andwere heard ranting “Bandit sucks” all night long. Maybe that?s why the siteseems more relaxed lately, 80 degree weather and azure seas will do that toyou, plus an overdose of Latin males (or females) willing to “party.” Wealso received reports of large bills being paid by Se?or Bandit in localbars and restaurants. Obviously they have not been by the shop yet (maybethey think we don’t know) but we will keep informing our interested readersabout the adventures of the lonely Bikernet babes in Puerto Rico.

As we all know, the new Jesse James TV program is scheduled for Sunday, Jan.13 at 9 p.m. on the Discovery Channel. Motorcycle Mania 2 will be chock-full of the WCC crew antics and some stars and their bikes, plus the tripto Sturgis. If you miss it, I’m sure they will show it agazillion more times so don’t sweat it.

The name of the new Camel bike builder was leaked out. The name wasrevealed by our agents at the ultra-secret gossip department, but he?s sounfamiliar I can’t remember. I promise next week I will let you guys know.

The February/March issue of the Horse features Jesse James and the WCC crew,a kick-ass interview by Kozik and our orange WCC bike.The mag should be arriving just about now.

Our new Web site, ChopperFreak.com, will be up and running pretty soon. I will letknow when the whole thing starts. Meanwhile, you can e-mail us at Jose@ChopperFreak.com

Oh well, time to go. It’s been a pretty sad week and beginning of the yearfor us. Needless to say, it was a super hectic trip to Phoenix and back. It doesn’tmatter where you are or what you are doing, it’s imperative to be withfriends in this sort of situation.Seems like Bandit is freezing his ass somewhere in Ye’Old Country, while theBikernet babes are frolicking and cavorting in the shores of Puerto Rico.Maybe our crew should go look for them. I hear rum and being lonely makesan explosive mix, triple treats might be heading our way, who knows.

See ya’guys next week. Jose. Bikernet Caribbean.

ANOTHER CRIME REPORT—In Bulgaria, when a man is wanted, they don’t print up tiny fliers and post them in the post offices. Here’s an example of the high level of police involvement. Since I swear that I have not reached that region on the Black Sea, I profess my innocence.

Will somebody please take that down before I get to Italy?

Continued On Page 2

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH-VON DUTCH JOINS, JOSE’S BACK AND THE MARINES REPORT IN (CONTINUED)_

Continued From Page 2

Brains
In the hospital the relatives gathered in the waiting room where their family member lay gravely ill. Finally, the doctor came in looking tiredand somber. “I’m afraid I’m the bearer of bad news” he said as he surveyed the worried faces. “The only hope left for your loved one at this time is a brain trans-plant. It’s an experimental procedure, semi-risky, and youwill have to pay for the brain yourselves.”

The family members sat silent as they absorbed the news. After a great length of time, someone asked: “Well, how much does a brain cost?” The doctor quickly responded, “$5,000 for a male brain, and $200 for afemale brain.”

The moment turned awkward. Men in the room tried not to smile, avoidingeye contact with the women, but some actually smirked. A man, unable tocontrol his curiosity, blurted out the question everyone wanted to ask: “Why isthe male brain so much more?” The doctor smiled at the childish innocence and soto the entire group said, “It’s just standard pricing procedure. We have to mark down the price of the female brains, because they’ve actually been used.”

Chis Tronolone

Senior Moments
An elderly couple was watching television, and they only spoke to one another during the commercials.

During one of those commercials, the husband asked his wife, “Whatever happened to our sexual relations?”

After a long thoughtful silence, and during the next commercial, the wife replied, “You know, I don’t really know. I don’t even think we got aChristmas card from them this year.”

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When the husband finally died his wife put the usual death notice in the paper, but added that he died of gonorrhea. No sooner were the papers delivered when a good friend of the family phoned and complained bitterly, “You know very well that he died of diarrhea, not gonorrhea.”

Replied the widow, “I nursed him night and day so of course I know he died of diarrhea, but I thought it would be better for posterity to rememberhim as a great lover rather than the big shit he always was.”

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An elderly couple was on a cruise and it was really stormy. They were standing on the back of the boat watching the moon, when a wave came upand washed the old woman overboard. They searched for days and couldn’t find her, so the captain sent the old man back to shore with the promise thathe would notify him as soon as they found something.

Three weeks went by and finally the old man got a fax from the boat. It read: “Sir, sorry to inform you, we found your wife dead at the bottom ofthe ocean. We hauled her up to the deck and attached to her butt was an oyster and it was a pearl worth $50,000… please advise.”

The old man faxed back: “Send me the pearl and re-bait the trap”

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A funeral service is being held for a woman who has just passed away. Attheend of the service, the pal bearers are carrying the casket out when theyaccidentally bump into a wall, jarring the casket. They hear a faint moan! They open the casket and find that the woman is actually alive!

She lives for ten more years, and then dies. Once again, a ceremony is held, and at the end of it, the pallbearers are again carrying out the casket.Asthey carry the casket towards the door, the husband cries out: “Watch that wall!”

———————————————————-

When I went to lunch today, I noticed an old lady sitting on a park bench sobbing her eyes out. I stopped and asked her what was wrong. She said, “I have a 22 year old husband at home. He makes love to me every morning and then gets up and makes me pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit and freshlyground coffee.”

I said, “Well, then why are you crying?”

She said, “He makes me homemade soup for lunch and my favorite browniesand then makes love to me for half the afternoon”.

I said, “Well, why are you crying?”

She said, “For dinner he makes me a gourmet meal with wine and my favoritedessert and then makes love to me until 2:00 a.m.

I said, “Well, why in the world would you be crying?”

She said, “I can’t remember where I live!”

———————————————————–

Two elderly ladies had been friends for many decades. Over the years they had shared all kinds of activities and adventures. Lately, theiractivities had been limited to meeting a few times a week to play cards.

One day they were playing cards when one looked at the other and said,”Now don’t get mad at me…I know we’ve been friends for a long time…but I just can’t think of your name! I’ve thought and thought, but I can’t rememberit.

Please tell me what your name is.”

Her friend glared at her. For at least three minutes she just stared andglared at her. Finally she said, “How soon do you need to know?”

American Side Road Cycles—
Another new member of the Bikernet family. Be watching for their banners and give them a visit.
Welcome aboard guys!

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THE FINAL WORD– As it turns out, we only loaded 3,000 tons of cargo in Hamburg, then 13,000 tons in Antwerp and should load another 2,000 tons in Genoa for a total of 18,000. That’s within about 3,000 tons of the maximum cargo before this rusting Rickmers rolls over and sinks. We have a 15,000 horse power diesel engine (run on crude oil) with a supercharger that can push this bastard along at 17 knots as it was doing in the extra briny waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Yesterday I was on the bridge as the captain excitedly pointed out a ship that was blasting through the waves at 24 knots(about 29 mph). He informed me that ships that can steam along at 24 to 30 knots may have from 50,000 to 150,000 hp depending on the size of the ship. He told me that they are building ships that will hold 8,000 containers. Think about that.

OK, so we’ll load up with more shit like train locomotives, cement pumper trucks, containers and I-beams in Genoa and head through the Suez Canal for Singapore, Jakarta, China (including Hong Kong and Shanghai) and Vietnam. That’s where the cargo will depart. I asked the captain today if that was the extent of it. A part of me wanted him to tell me that it was. I would have preferred that he told me he would pour the coals to MS Leon, skip across the Pacific and drop me off in San Pedro so I could see my babes at Bikernet. Ah, but not so fast. We will be picking up cargo in China and may have to make as many as three stops in Japan before crossing the Pacific and home. Fuck, where’s the Jack Daniels?

Regarding the cargo, I snatched a manifest to check it out. In the process I went over a couple of things regarding cargo with the captain. Seems everything from carousels to vibrators are loaded onto the ship under the guise of being machinery. “I was told machinery,” the captain said. “It had a brightly colored tent on it and animals on posts around the edge.”

He told me of a time when he delivered cargo to a small group of Cape Verde Islands, off Dakar, which is on the coast of Africa. The capital of this small chain of islands is called Praya or Beach or Bitch (I wasn’t sure). Seems there is a variety of people on the islands from blacks to Chinese. The Chinese controlled the islands for awhile but everyone was starving under communist rule so they kicked the Chinese off the islands. Then since they had no agriculture and the only food source was fish, the U.N. stepped in and sent the supplies. Get this. When the ship arrived with the stores, a man came down to the rickety dock and doled out the food to the people of the islands as they unloaded the cargo. Kids would run up and steal food with their own bags. It was a shopping market on the dock.

He also unloaded a piece of construction equipment that didn’t have a steering wheel but levers to steer it like some fork lifts. No one on the island knew how to drive it. He was the first mate at the time and had to get off the ship and give the owners lessons. They crashed it anyway. Here’s the final tale. He went to another island in the chain with a piece of very heavy equipment. At the time his ship did not have a crane capable of unloading it, but the island had one. As they tried to unload the equipment (like a dump truck) they discovered that the crane could not lift the dumper high enough to clear the deck. Desperation set in and the people on the island began to cry. He told them to wait, and had the ballast on the ship shifted so that the ship leaned enough to remove the equipment. He was a fuckin’ hero on that spot of soil.

So about a week ago we pulled out of Antwerp, Belgium, just after dark because the sea-going traffic was fierce. Some 20 ships were leaving at the same time. We steamed up the man made canal in Antwerp, which runs parallel to additional docks on the Schelde River. There are two sets of locks connecting the Kanaaldok to the river. We were loaded so we were forced to take the Kanaal north for 6 miles to the deeper locks. Our draft, the distance between the water level and the bottom of the hull was 9.4 meters, or about 32 feet. After the locks equalized the water levels we entered the Schelde River for the 80-mile run to the coast and the North Sea, then turned left into the English Channel

A couple days out we ran in circles to stay in calm seas as lashing in the holds were corrected. We were in the center of the Bay of Biscay, off the coast of France. As soon as we headed south we entered what is called the Summer zone and the temperature immediately rose to more comfortable levels. The weather is completely strange. In one day at 20 mph we can fully change our climate.

A day later we entered the Straights of Gibraltar, which is eight miles wide. At 1700 we passed Gibraltar in a 20 knot winds and a drizzle. The coast of Morocco is just 3 miles to our starboard. To the left, Gibraltar is just a silhouette in the fog. The Med is as calm and smooth as a lake, it’s even glassy this morning as we enter the Ligurian Sea heading into Genoa this evening.

I was going to meet some Hamsters in Italy, but they’re in Rome and too far from the coast to make the run. That’s cool. I’ve got a mission to accomplish in Genoa, and of course it involves women. I’ll report in the Sunday Post in the Cantina, then again in the Bikernet News next week on Thursday.

I’m up to Chapter 16 of both Chance Hogan books that I’m desperately working on while Layla works at getting me an agent in the states. More on that later. Remember, every day this year you have 1440 minutes to use. Unlike money, you only get to use them once, then they’re gone–forever. Take care of each one.

Ride Forever–Bandit.

Digital Sounds Off About Licensing Fees In Washington State

With the passing of another year came my birthday at the end of December. Every four years, that also marks the expiration of my Washington State Driver’s license. So, 2 days before hand, I made my way down to the local Department of Licensing office to pay the fee and get on my merry way. Well, maybe not so merry…..

I’ll get to the point. Here’s the breakdown of fees. $25 for a licence to drive any big ass non-commercial gas guzzling road hog you want. Add a commercial drivers license (CDL) – add $15 bucks. A measly $15 to drive a big semi, capable of ripping up the road and killing dozens with a single fuck-up at the wheel. Want a Motocycle endorsement?………. Add $25!

Now, why I ask, am I charged DOUBLE the licencing fee to ride a motorcycle rather than drive a passenger vehichle or pickup truck? Not only do I ride for pleasure and running errands, but I also ride 50 miles a day (when it isn’t snowing) bike back and forth to work to save fuel, traffic, and emmissions. Hell, I even take my wife with me to keep her out of the car! So why the tax? Shouldn’t people get a break on their licence for being so noble as to save the wear and tear on the roads, our natural resources, and our air quality? It seems contradictory. I can ride a bike in the carpool lane down a Washington State Highway, even when riding solo. So, why does the Department of Licensing feel the need to punish a rider when the Department of Transportation is doing what IT can to condone the use of Low Emission Vehichles?

Somebody tell me – PLEASE! Send your responses to ‘Your Shot’. We may just put togther a list of politicians we can flood with e-mails over this issue.

Thanks – Digital

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH – JESSE JAMES JOINS SAN PEDRO POLICE FORCE (CONTINUED)

Continued From Page 2

A Word From Beautiful Brenda—
As I was putting this news together, I received a phone call from our resident model/spokeswoman/mistress of ceremonies/ray of sunshine – Brenda Fox.
She told me a story about Richard, the dude who bought the Blue Flame. She ran in to him at the Rock Store about a week ago and just happen to have some of the post cards of her on the Blue Flame.

She gave him some, they chatted for a bit then he rode off on that beautiful bike. A few blocks away, Richard was pulled over, (he really did make a complete stop), and was about to get a ticket when he gave the cop the postcard. The cop looked at it, then told him to get outta there! No ticket! The power of a beautiful woman.

TIME OUT–back at the ship we neared another holiday. I tell ya something had got to change about these godforsaken harbors. Every harbor is an industrial wasteland full of sharp-edged iron chunks rusting while waiting for a ship to be loaded on for a voyage to China. We live in a joyful society while our world of goods gets from place to place by being packed on rusting hulks that pull into one dour desert of junkyard steel after another. All we can see from each port we sail into are burning release valves and smoking, rotten warehouses and refineries for as far as the eye can see. In each case we need to beg someone to come to this area of the destitute to rescue us from a ghetto of cranes and fork lifts and stevedores surrounding 50-gallon drums full of cardboard and burning pallet wood to keep warm. Most of the crew, including the captain, never leaves the ship.

They never see the frozen lakes of people ice skating, or the theaters or grand museums packed with the artifacts and the legends that brought these burgs to the prominence they now enjoy. They never see the colorful night life. They never see the brightly printed magazines after they have carried the paper to port. They don?t go to shore to see the beautiful women after they hauled the machinery that made the dresses. It?s a shame. On top of their steel cells and industrial surroundings, crime strikes and violence reigns.

A couple of days before New Year’s Eve, a religious group from the seaman?s mission came on board to entertain the Filipino crew. Either during or after their couple of hours on the board, two cabins were broken into or a woman?s purse was stolen. Another babe lost her watch and assorted items off her desk while she slept. The next morning the thievery came to light and the captain was alerted. Some assumed that a member of the crew was at fault, another thought it was someone from the religious groups.

At first the captain simply shrugged as the loss wasn?t great, but I didn?t like the idea that someone had entered a woman?s cabin without the correct prompting. I pushed for action that would indicate to the wrong doer that we were going to kick some ass if it happened again. I began my own sideline Chinatown investigation, although I wished I had Jean Harlow at my side during the cavernous hunt into the seaport underworld. I discovered that this harbor, as most harbors aside from Hamburg, had very poor security and people wander on and off ships without so much as a sign-in list. There is no security at the gang planks and kids sneak onto ships and usually hit whatever is close to an exit. The Antwerp police admitted that there are gangs that roam the dark port streets busting into anything they can carry away and attack ships and predominately captains? cabins. That?s where the electronic equipment and cash is. The investigation continues with constant and unrelenting questioning of any young woman I can find.

Two nights later I slipped off the rotting hulk of a tuna can that carries cargo around the world and slid into the ornate world of the Hilton in downtown Antwerp.

With the blond of blonds on my arm, I entered the ornate ballroom overlooking the historic plaza next to the mammoth cathedral packed full of original Ruben paintings, the man responsible for paintings of men built like steroid-packed oxen and women as voluptuous as your imagination can go. Each painting was based on a religious theme. During one day?s excursion we wandered through the home of Mr. Ruben and I wished I could have beamed in David Mann and shared this experience with him.

Into the ballroom we strolled enjoying the high fashion of women in slinky dresses that slid on their silky skin and old farts in tuxedos. As we sat through one course after another in the lavish presence of the town?s high society, two things struck me: One was the ship and its imprisoned crew cooking another whole pig and drinking whiskey surrounded by cold steel walls and snow capped darkness.

I was suddenly enveloped in lurid visions of my fugitive past. I don?t know what befell me, if it was the tall beautiful blonde two tables away who sought my attention with each sip of wine as her husband spoke to her intently. She wore a loose fitting gown that was held on by two miniscule straps that danced on her otherwise naked shoulders. The silver gown flowed over her unencumbered Rubenisque breasts. Her golden hair was pulled to the back of her head and held with a silver tie that revealed the soft curve of her neck, like Layla wears her hair at home. Something came over me like a silver bullet from my past, a revelation of my sins with women. I thought of the pain I inflicted on my last wife. It wasn?t a mere consideration, but a flashback of painful moments, relationship torpedoes launched in a sea of tears. I reached for my glass of wine, but knew full well that it wouldn?t hide the missile that was all too clear and irreversible. Another bomb came as the image of my first wife crying appeared in my heart. I couldn?t shake them, as if I was forced to relive my tainted past as the New Year approached.

In the Sunday post I mentioned that as a New Year?s resolution we should make a woman smile, something I love to do. In my mind I fight the rules and my spirit fights for freedom while my heart cries for the pain I?ve inflicted. I?m not sure there is an answer, but there is loyalty and truthfulness. I wish all relationships would be filled with joyous days and never end. I wish pirates had a source of maidens who understood their spirit and let them wander unhampered. I suppose if you?re a pirate, you must admit it and ride or sail away to another port as we will in two days. Ah, me laddy, it?s to Genoa, Italy, and another adventure.

We left the bright lights and slinky skirts and returned to the tarnished ship before midnight to spend the last moments of 2001 with the crew. But due to my efforts to enhance security, the gangplank had been raised while the officers and crew partied on the bridge and tried to look past the dark and dour conditions of the harbor to see the fireworks in the distance through the fog. We stood on the snow-covered concrete dock in the dark as the ship?s horn announced the beginning of a new year and a crew member hustled to our assistance. Have a wonderful 2002, and make every day count for something.–Bandit

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH – JESSE JAMES JOINS SAN PEDRO POLICE FORCE (CONTINUED)

Continued From Page 1

INSIDER HORSE TRADING–Recently, our Web master and bad guy sleuth, the Digital Gangster, began to sneak links into bike mag e-mail portals so we can scoop up insider information on several magazines. Here?s a report on the outlandish chopper mag HORSE:Although I write from this address (military), it’s not the address I want bookmarked for obvious reasons. The recon account is being cancelled, so it will be no more! Just wanted to pass that on.

I’m working on issue 23 right now. I’d like submissions by the 15th, or at least let me know what you’re planning on submitting, so I know how much space to allow. I already have something from Englishman, some great stuff by the way. I also have something from Indiana Bill. Rod, let me know if you’re going to do a short write up on Tony’s Knuck.

Shows are right around the corner: Cincinnati, Indy and Daytona. I will try to make Cincinnati, but am in doubt about Indy and Daytona for reasons related to commitments on Feb. 28, which may take the wind out of my sail. Otherwise, I’ll make them all.

WI was thinking about having the twins attend Daytona and Cincinnati. That may be more than we can afford, so any recommendations would be appreciated. I want to start putting them out and see if it’s worth having a recognizable model every year. I think it is, and will draw people to them and our magazine.

I need someone to work with Ed Martin to do a write up on a bike we’re using on the next cover. Any takers?

Matt…I like your humor; use it and do some spoofs or takes on current trends, etc. The posts on Backtalk regarding the issue with the reverse photo was good.Jon Towle, you’re a genius, regardless of what Geno says behind your back.Anyway, that’s all I have for now. -Hammer.

RUN FOR BREATH UPDATE–As often as we can, we will publish information on the 4th annual Run For Breath, sponsored by Charlotte Harley-Davidson. I was invited to be the master of ceremonies last year and rumor has it that I may have the honor of attending again this year.

This event is designed to collect contributions for a kids? asthma facility. Mike Pullin, the parts manager at Charlotte H-D, lost his son to an asthma attack five years ago and he kicked off this event in his son?s name. Last year I invited Lee Clemens from Departure Bike Works in Richmond, Va., to attend as he had recently lost his son, Travis. When Lee and Mike met, a new and lasting friendship bond was formed, and Mike has attended a Departure Bike Works event in Richmond.

The event takes place in July and we?ll give you reports from time to time including news such as: HORSE magazine will be involved through staff member and one helluva writer, Edge. He?s working with Mike and a woman called the ?Meanest? from the dealership. I don?t dare touch on this woman. If I say one nasty word about that lady, she?ll kick my ass into the middle of tomorrow.

Speakin of Mike Pullin—-
Check out his latest creation??Skeletor

Hey Bandit,Here are some pics of my 91 Springer, aka Skeletor. I changed the bars,exhaust and seat. I think it came out pretty cool! A little info on thebike. I bought the bike new in 1991. The engine has an Andrews EV46 cam,Screamin’ Eagle ignition module, S&S E carb and Samson rip saw exhaust. The rear fender is all steel — twoFat Boy fenders made into one!

Later!

Mike

ANOTHER INSIDER MAG REPORT–Here?s a snatched e-mail from the editor of Cruising Rider, Josh Placa, who hides in a cave in Sedona, Ariz. ?To twist your melon further, over, I have included the new names for thespring, summer, etc. issues, which we think make more sense. I mean, afterall, what da fuck is “Peak Season?” Readers, advertisers and even fatheadfreelancers can now know what de fuck they’re working on, over.

Spring (new name for ’02 will be March/April) — done

Summer (new name for ’02 will be May/June) — deadline 1/15 (on sale4/3/02)

Peak Season (new name is July/August — 3/15 (on sale 5/29)

Fall (new name is Sept./Oct. — 5/1 (on sale 7/24)

BIKERNET INSIDER REPORT–Since I?m halfway around the world, the only way I can maintain my heavy-handed control over every goddamn aspect of the site is to have the Digital Gangster check outgoing Bikernet e-mails. This e-mail is to some new broad Sin?s chasin?.
?YOU ARE SO NASTY…….UMMM! I do want to know more about you. Is this goingto be just a cyber thing or are you seriously wanting to know me? If so,then tell me about you and I will most likely let you wash my hair, latherme and rub lotion anywhere you desire. Sin.?

Help me out. What the hell does she mean?

ALTERNATE BIKER WEB SITE– I haven?t checked it out because I?m creeping into the middle of the ocean and it costs me mint to go online. What the hell, check it out and let me know what you think: Beauty of Speed – A state of the art power quest http://www.beautyofspeed.com/.”Dedicated to 1940s Harley-Davidson, Indian and Crocker Motorcycles speedand racing.”

Among sections noted…Updated Oct. 26, 2001Now up: a complete index ofwhere to get 45 performanceparts. Get more power!

-John

FORBES MAGAZINE NAMES HARLEY-DAVIDSON AS COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Performance, passion and outlook cited in story

MILWAUKEE — (Dec. 20, 2001) Harley-Davidson Inc. has been named Company of the Year by FORBES Magazine, one the world’s leading business publications. The honor and accompanying article entitled “Love Into Money” appears in the Jan. 7, 2002, edition of FORBES and on the magazine’s Web site at www.forbes.com.

Key factors cited for the FORBES Company of the Year award include Harley-Davidson’s record sales growth and earnings, along with strong overall financial performance. In addition, the article notes the company’s long and storied history as well as the devotion of its enthusiasts as deciding factors. “Harley-Davidson stirs passion in its riders, its dealers and its employees and translates that passion into profit,” the article states.

The article also focuses on Harley-Davidson’s new V-Rod motorcycle and its development, the Buell line of motorcycles, the Rider’s Edge New Rider Course, and the Company’s history and technological advancement.

Harley-Davidson Inc. is the parent company for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport and sport-touring motorcycles. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing, insurance and credit card programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and customers.

DEGREES OF BLONDNESS

ONE
A married couple were asleep when the phone rang at 2 in the morning. The wife (undoubtedly blond), picked up the phone, listened a moment and said, “How should I know, that’s 200 miles from here,” and hung up.

The husband said, “Who was that?”The wife said, “I don’t know; some woman wanting to know ‘if the coast is clear.”

TWO
Two blondes are walking down the street. One notices a compact on the sidewalk and leans down to pick it up. She opens it, looks in the mirror and says, “Hmm, this person looks familiar.”

The second blonde says, “Here, let me see!” So the first blonde hands her the compact. The second one looks in the mirror and says, “You dummy, it’s me!”

THREE
A blonde suspects her boyfriend of cheating on her, so she goes out and buys a gun. She goes to his apartment unexpectedly and when she opens the door she finds him in the arms of a redhead. Well, the blonde is really angry. She opens her purse to take out the gun, and as she does so, she is overcome with grief. She takes the gun and puts it to her head. The boyfriend yells, “No, honey, don’t do it.”

The blonde replies, “Shut up, you’re next!”

FOUR
A blonde was bragging about her knowledge of state capitals. She proudly says, “Go ahead, ask me, I know all of them.”

A friend says, “OK, what’s the capital of Wisconsin?”

The blonde replies, “Oh, that’s easy W.”

FIVE
Q: What the blonde ask her doctor when he told her she was pregnant.

A “Is it mine?”

Surrogate Father
The Smiths were unable to conceive children, and elected to use a surrogate father to start their family. On the day the proxy father was to arrive, Mr. Smith kissed his wife and said, “I’m off. The man should be here soon.”

Half an hour later, just by chance, a door-to-door baby photographer rang the doorbell, hoping to make a sale. Good morning madam. I’ve come to…”

“Oh, no need to explain. I’ve been expecting you,” Mrs. Smith cut in.

“Really?” the photographer asked. “Well, good! I’ve made a specialty of babies.”

“That’s what my husband and I had hoped. Please come in and have a seat.” After a moment she asked, blushing, “Well, where do we start?”

“Leave everything to me. I usually try two in the bathtub, one on the couch and perhaps a couple on the bed. Sometimes the living room floor is fun too; you can really spread out!”

“Bathtub, living room floor? No wonder it didn’t work for Harry and me.”

“Well, madam, none of us can guarantee a good one every time. But if we try several different positions and I shoot from six or seven angles, I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the results.”

“My, that’s a lot of. . . ” gasped Mrs. Smith.

“Madam, in my line of work, a man must take his time. I’d love to be in and out in five minutes, but you’d be disappointed with that, I’m sure.”

“Don’t I know it,” Mrs. Smith said quietly.

The photographer opened his briefcase and pulled out a portfolio of his baby pictures. “This was done on the top of a bus in downtown London.”

“Oh my God!!” Mrs. Smith exclaimed, tugging at her handkerchief.

“And these twins turned out exceptionally well – when you consider their mother was so difficult to work with.”

“She was difficult?” asked Mrs. Smith.

“Yes, I’m afraid so. I finally had to take her to Hyde Park to get the job done right. People were crowding around four and five deep, pushing to get a good look.”

“Four and five deep?” asked Mrs. Smith, eyes widened in amazement.

“Yes”, the photographer said. “And for more than three hours, too. The mother was constantly squealing and yelling – I could hardly concentrate. Then darkness approached and I began to rush my shots. Finally, when the squirrels began nibbling on my equipment, I just packed it all in.”

Mrs. Smith leaned forward. “You mean they actually chewed on your, um…equipment?”

“That’s right. Well, madam, if you’re ready, I’ll set up my tripod so that we can get to work.”

“Tripod?”

“Oh yes, I have to use a tripod to rest my Canon on. It’s much too big for me to hold very long. Madam? Madam?…Good Lord, she’s fainted!”

A Slab Of Rocks
A team of archaeologists were working in Jerusalem when they found slabof rock with five figures carved on it. In order the figures were:

1. A Woman 2. A Donkey 3. A Shovel 4. A Fish and5. A Star of David.

After months of studying the rock and figures on it, the leader tookthe rock and went on a lecture tour. He said the carvings were severalthousands of years old but even so they revealed a lot about the peopleof that time.

1. The woman being placed first in the line of figures indicated thatwomen were held in very high esteem. It was most likely a familyoriented culture.

2. The donkey indicated they had domesticated animals. They probablyused the donkey to till the fields.

3. The shovel shows they were highly intelligent as they knew how tomake tools.

4. The fish shows they knew how to augment the crops they raised byalso reaping from the sea.

5. The Star of David of course indicates they were a very religiousgroup of people.

A little old man in the front row finally got the attention of thespeaker. When acknowledged he said………….I’m sorry to blow yourconclusions, but you were reading it left to right. In Hebrew we readfrom right to left. That way it reads……… “Holy mackerel, dig the ass on that woman!!

Rogue-

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BIKERNET NEWS FLASH – JESSE JAMES JOINS SAN PEDRO POLICE FORCE Thank Thor, the god of iron and silver, that he did. I needed a contact on the inside of a cop shop last week. As usual, I don?t know where to start this week. I?m still sitting on the rusting bucket of moneymaking (I think, not sure) bolts in 4 degrees celsius in Antwerp, Belgium. Did I have any notion that I would ever be on a world run in Belgium? Fuck no, but I?m here and enjoying it. Sorta. As usual there are crimes and mayhem involved in every sordid tale I weave. This one started calm enough like Christmas, then all hell broke loose.

First, some background. Belgium kicked off its history in the 13th century with cargo ships rolling across the English Channel to England. It rapidly became the heart of cargo shipping between Europe and England and vice versa. Between Brugge, Gent and Antwerp, all cities on the coast of Belgium, they had it made. But, between religious wars, the French Revolution and any other numerous catastrophes, they survived to have one helluva friendly country. If you open a map on any cobblestone street corner, a resident will step up and offer guidance.

The basis of the name of this city is wrapped around a biker of sorts. Seems there was a giant who stopped every ship that entered Antwerp along the Schelde River and demanded a toll before they could enter the port. If he wasn?t paid post haste, he hacked off one of the captain?s hands and threw it out to sea. OK, so one day this little Belgian tyke named Barbo comes along, lops off the giant?s hand and throws it to sea, putting an end to his carnage. Hence, Antwerp was named after hand throwing, which is called handwerpen.

So we arrived through another river leading in from the North Sea in blistering cold weather. Every day we have a cab take us to the train station where the Russian mafia runs diamond and jewelry shops behind a roll-up tin front. Antwerp is known for its diamond trade, with stones shipped in from South Africa. The section of town dedicated to the diamond trade is in no way connected with the mob?s hangout next to the train depot.

There are also a couple of other distinctions that need mentioning. One is the cathedrals, which are unbelievable. The ornate workmanship in churches dating back to the 1300s is beyond belief. I spent some time in a humble church as a kid before I joined the union of outlaws and never returned. But you can see why people escaped England and Europe to find religious freedom and deeper understanding. Religions controlled all that went on, all the jewels and wealth, and wielded tremendous power over the population. You can see it in every gold ornament in these churches. It?s almost frightening. The other aspect of Antwerp that?s wild is the shopping. This is a town full of narrow, winding streets with buildings that were built yesterday or nearly 1,000 years ago, side by side.

This is a woman?s paradise. There are shops everywhere, high-class joints, flea markets in parks, fish markets alongside the river, department stores, franchise Levi’s joints, and fashion, fashion and more fashion. There?s even a bird market on Theater Square on the weekends. So you would have thought that there would be thousands of knockout broads walking the streets in the latest slinky item. Hell, you couldn?t tell, they were all covered from their slinky ankles to their kissable chins with furry shit to keep them warm.

We better get to the news before I launch into the New Year’s party and the criminal element attacking the ship:

JESSE CROSSES THE LINE
Here?s a quote and news about the once- outlaw custom bike builder: ?HAPPY NEW YEAR, GOD DAMNIT!….I WENT BY YOUR PLACE YESTERDAY ON MY COPROADKING AND HIT THE SIREN! YOU HEAR IT?….JESSE JAMES.

As it turned out, there were three women in the headquarters that night trying to get high and have an orgy. Jesse?s siren scared them into thinking cops were about to invade the headquarters and ruined their night of play. Now here?s more news on West Coast Choppers:

While in Hamburg, Germany, I stumbled on a Harley boutique and two doors down was a West Coast Chopper with Jesse?s signature painted on the window. Could it be the real deal?

Jesse has become a regular on the Discovery Channel. Here?s the latest–Don’t make da Vanilla Gorilla put da Chrome to your dome! CHECK THEDISCOVERY CHANNEL JAN. 13 FOR “MOTORCYCLE MANIA 2″ & COMING SOON”MONSTER GARAGE!” SERIES ON DISCOVERY, SPRING 2002

DOWNED HAMSTER LIVES–There are special brothers in our lives and one in my life went down recently. He?s an attorney, but he?s a helluva hard riding sonuvabitch and a man who is full of wit and love for his brothers. He will always help others if given the chance. He?s one of my favorite Hamsters and a special man in every aspect of his life. Here?s a note from Hamster headquarters:

DOMINICK JUST CALLED ME. HE IS HOME FROM THEHOSPITAL AS OF TODAY AND GETTING ADJUSTED. HE JUSTWANTED ME TO TELL EVERYONE THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHINGAND GIVE HIM A FEW DAYS AT HOME TO FIGURE EVERYTHINGOUT AS FAR AS REHAB AND NURSES COMING IN AND OUT INCASE ANY ONE WANTS TO GIVE HIM A CALL.

THANKS EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!

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