by Dustin Wheelen from https://www.rideapart.com An American middleweight melee. For decades, the Harley-Davidson Sportster dominated the American middleweight V-twin class, mostly by dint of being the only American middleweight V-twin. Without a top contender to challenge its reign, the Motor Company only issued modest upgrades since 1986. However, that all changed when the Indian Scout burst onto the scene in 2015. Heavily based on the Victory Octane, the revived Scout paired Indian’s rich heritage with thoroughly modern equipment. The liquid-cooled, DOHC, 1,133cc V-twin was the antithesis of Harley’s ancient air-cooled Evo engine. Compared to the Sportster’s signature teardrop tank and engine cooling fins, the Scout’s low-slung stance and neo-bobber aesthetic presented a viable alternative to Harley’s aging platform. Facing a formidable foe and new emissions regulations, the Bar and Shield telegraphed its counterpunch when it revealed the Custom 1250 in July, 2018. Nearly three years later, that haymaker finally landed when Harley officially announced the 2021 Sportster S. Complete with a liquid-cooled, DOHC, 1,252cc V-twin, the new Sportster’s spec sheet now stands toe-to-toe with the Scout. Of course, we won’t know who wins the battle in the showroom until the Sportster S arrives at dealerships. For now, however, the tale of the tape tells a fascinating story. Overview 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S – Vs – 2021 Indian Scout Middleweight Might Featuring Harley’s shiny new Revolution Max 1250T, the 2021 Sportster now produces 121 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque. While the Scout previously set performance benchmarks for the category with 100 horsepower and 72 lb-ft of torque, Indian’s entry cruiser now looks outgunned. Of course, the Revolution Max V-twin touts a larger displacement, which helps the Sportster S steal that performance feather from Indian’s cap. On top of that power deficit, the Scout lugs around 59 extra pounds, weighing in at 561 pounds compared to the Sportster’s 502-pound wet weight. Straightline acceleration and top speed define a motorcycle not, but agility goes to the Hog as well. With a 59.8-inch wheelbase, fully adjustable USD fork, and a linkage-equipped monoshock, the Sportster S outmaneuvers the Scout’s 62-inch wheelbase, conventional front end, and dual rear shocks. Indian does outfit the Scout with a 16-inch wheelset shod in sticky Pirelli Night Dragon rubber while Harley opts for a 16-inch rear and 17-inch front. We could surmise that the smaller wheelset gives the Scout a handling edge if it weren’t for the Sportster’s specially-developed Dunlop GT503 tires. Thanks to an aggressive profile and sticky compound, the Dunlops compensate for the Sportster’s larger front wheel, helping to deliver a 34-degree lean angle compared to the Scout’s 29 degrees. Novice-Friendly Though Indian no longer holds the performance edge, the Scout still has a fighting chance. At 29.6 inches, the 2021 Sportster’s perch is a full four inches about the Scout’s 25.6-inch seat height. Most riders won’t have an issue with the Sporty’s seat height, which sags to 28.9-inches in the saddle, but even less will have problems with Indian’s low-slung seat. Of course, novice and inseam-challenged riders benefit most from a low seat height and the Scout is good option for that reason. Conversely, Indian only offers optional ABS on the Scout while the Harley flaunts rider aids like traction control, cornering ABS, ride modes, and engine braking settings. On top of the full electronics suite, the Motor Company’s new round, four-inch TFT display also outshines the Scout’s analog speedometer and digital tachometer combo. Of course, you could reason the Scout’s spartan accommodations help beginners learn the ropes with a less cumbersome system, but it’s usually better to have rider aids and not need them as opposed to the other way around. If we’re going to make any case for beginner-appropriate features, however, it should start with the brakes, and the Sportster delivers yet again. Championing a full Brembo braking system with a radially mounted four-piston front caliper, floating single-pot rear binder, and master cylinder, the Sportster S stops surprisingly well. On the other hand, the Scout’s single two-piston caliper up front and single-piston clamper in the rear don’t deliver as much stopping power as its counterpart. The Final Decision: Though the 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S walks away with nearly every round in its pocket, we still have to consider one very important detail: price. At $14,999, the souped-up Sporty is $3,000 over the Scout’s MSRP. Coupled with a 121-horsepower V-twin, Harley’s asking price could easily put the Sportster S out of most beginner’s grasp. When price is taken into account, the two cruisers stack up much more evenly, and may even cater to different customers/budgets. With that said, we can’t wait to see how the Sportster and Scout duke it out in the future. Will Indian fight back with an even punchier V-twin? Will Harley offer a cheaper Sportster option without diluting too much performance? The middleweight cruiser class is a much more competitive environment these days, and we can’t wait to see Sportster and Scout continue to battle it out in the future.

by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

At the 80th Daytona 200 Race – King of the Baggers Goes Oval Racing Next Year, Daytona 200 to Allow Triumph and Ducati.

When one hears the word Daytona, the first thing that comes to mind is the insane racing that goes on there, especially the Daytona 500 event dedicated to cars. But the same name can easily be associated with an equally grueling endurance race for motorcycles.

They call it Daytona 200, and it has been around in some form or another ever since 1937. Next year in March, when the upcoming event is scheduled, people attending will be celebrating the 80th edition of the race. On their end, organizers will do so with new rules and bagger racing as a side dish for the first time ever.

Bagger racing on sanctioned, iconic tracks has not been around for all that long. Or maybe it has, but it only got traction after back in 2020 Harley-Davidsons and Indians went at each other’s throats in a single high-adrenaline race, called King of the Baggers, at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Then, 2021 came with King of the Baggers as a three-race series (eventually won by Harley’s Kyle Wyman), and we also got the Bagger Racing League’s Drag Specialties Battle of the Baggers for the first time.

Next year in Daytona, most of the bikes that were raced this year, and hopefully, even more, will line up on the starting grid once more. It is there where the next season of King of the Baggers kicks off, marking the first time ever when such motorcycles have been raced “on the high banks of a Superspeedway with speeds expected to exceed 160 mph.”

So far, the organizers of the series, MotoAmerica, did not provide any info on how the race will shape up, so we have no idea how many tri-oval laps riders will have to do before being declared winners.

As said, this year’s three-race series winner is Kyle Wyman, who rode a Road Glide to victory, defeating last year’s single-race series winner, Indian Challenger rider Tyler O’Hara. It’s unclear at this point how the roster for the 2022 season will shape up, and the total number of races is kept under wraps as well.

The opening salvo of the King of the Baggers will, of course, not be part of the Daytona 200 main event, but there are things to discuss here as well, the most important of them all being the fact more motorcycles are now allowed in.

This is due to rule changes that “take into consideration several performance-related items that establish benchmarks for balancing a wide variety of middleweight performance machines.”

Based on the 2022 World Supersport Technical rules, the modifications should allow incredible two-wheelers like the Triumph 765, Ducati Panigale V2, and MV Agusta F3 to be fielded in the race, joining the existing Yamaha YZF-R6, Suzuki GSX-R600, and Kawasaki ZX-6R.

Daytona 200 will continue to be an open tire event, meaning each of the teams will be able to choose whatever tire manufacturer they like for the competition.

Back in March this year, the winner of the Daytona 200 was Brandon Paasch, who rode his Suzuki motorcycle to the win in 57 laps, completed in a little over two hours. The fastest lap of the race was actually the last one, and it went to Paasch in 1:49.752. That was enough to put him ahead runner-up Sean Dylan Kelly and his Kawasaki by just 0.30 seconds.

The 2021 Daytona 200 takes place on the weekend of March 10-12. The event is not part of the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship, meaning riders from around the world can take part.

At the time of writing, there is no info on the price for tickets or available packages.

PRESS RELEASE:

16 SEPTEMBER 2021
MotoAmerica, home of AMA Superbike and North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is thrilled to announce that it will partner with Daytona International Speedway to host one of the world’s most prestigious races – the DAYTONA 200 – during the weekend of March 10-12, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The 2022 DAYTONA 200, set for the green flag on Saturday, March 12, will be the 80th running of the event that began on the Daytona Beach shoreline in 1937 before moving to the World Center of Racing in 1961.

The DAYTONA 200 will feature new rules based off the proposed 2022 World Supersport Technical rules, which take into consideration several performance related items that establish benchmarks for balancing a wide variety of middleweight performance machines. These new rules open the door to motorcycles such as the Triumph 765, Ducati Panigale V2, MV Agusta F3 and others to compete alongside the current Yamaha YZF-R6, Suzuki GSX-R600 and Kawasaki ZX-6R. The DAYTONA 200 will also continue to run as an “open tire” event, allowing multiple tire manufacturers to join the competition.

The DAYTONA 200 will not be included as part of the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship, leaving the opportunity open for the best riders from around the world to compete for the minimum $175,000 in purse and contingency that will be offered.

In addition to the DAYTONA 200, the MotoAmerica weekend at Daytona International Speedway will be the opening round of the 2022 MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Championship, marking the first time Baggers will race on the high banks of a Superspeedway with speeds expected to exceed 160 mph, and also the first round of the Twins Cup Championship.

“The DAYTONA 200 is known worldwide to be one of the most exciting motorcycle races in the world,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey, who won the DAYTONA 200 in 1987. “We are proud to work with Daytona International Speedway, the AMA and FIM North America organizations to continue to enhance the prominence of the DAYTONA 200. With the new DAYTONA 200 rules in place, we are hopeful that this will open the door to more manufacturers and teams joining us in March. It’ll be a great way to start off the 2022 season. And, wow, Baggers on the high banks! What a spectacle that will be. Obviously, this is MotoAmerica’s first trip to Daytona, and it’s my first trip back to the Speedway since 2008. I’m looking forward to what is going to be a really cool weekend.”

“The tradition of the DAYTONA 200 is unprecedented, and we are thrilled to work with such a reputable group in MotoAmerica to continue the tradition,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. “Racing two-wheel style has been a staple in Daytona for many years, first on the beach before moving to Bill France Sr.’s incredible creation of the 31-degree banking of Daytona International Speedway and Infield Road Course. There’s nothing like the excitement that the DAYTONA 200 provides, including close finishes that have become the norm.”

“The AMA is pleased that the DAYTONA 200 will now be run and managed by our AMA/FIM North America partner MotoAmerica for 2022,” said AMA President and CEO, and FIM North America President, Rob Dingman. “This has been one of our goals since 2015 when we established our partnership with MotoAmerica and facilitated the return of professional road racing sanctioning rights to the AMA.”

Earlier this year, Brandon Paasch, at only 19 years old, used an old, veteran move common to Daytona, to capture the 2021 DAYTONA 200 in breathtaking fashion. After running second for most of the last portion of the race, Paasch, utilizing the draft, reeled in leader Sean Dylan Kelly and calculated a perfect slingshot move at the entrance of the tri-oval as the duo came to the checkered flag, winning by just .031 of a second, and taking home the traditional Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch.

Nine World Champions, including seven 500cc/MotoGP World Champions – six Americans (Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz and Nicky Hayden) and one Italian (Giacomo Agostini) – have won the Daytona 200.

The winningest riders in the Daytona 200 are former World and AMA Superbike Champion Scott Russell (1992, ’94, ’95, ’97 and ’98) and 1995 AMA Superbike Champion Miguel Duhamel (’91, ’96, ’99, 2003, 2005). The pair have each won five Daytona 200s.

More information on the 2022 DAYTONA 200 will be announced soon, including additional support classes, final rules, entry instructions, broadcast coverage and ticket opportunities.

The iconic Daytona International Speedway will be the site of a host of motorsports events in 2022, beginning with the Rolex 24 in January, the DAYTONA 500 and Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth in February, along with the 81st Annual Bike Week At DAYTONA in March, featuring the Monster Energy AMA Supercross and DAYTONA 200.

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest speedway news. For information on all events, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTS, DISCOUNTS, BENEFITS AND MORE: COMOTO FAMILY OF BRANDS INTRODUCES NEW RIDERS PLUS MEMBERSHIP

RevZilla, Cycle Gear, J&P Cycles, and REVER Unveil a Premium Annual Membership Program For The Powersports Community

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Sept. 15, 2021)—Geared toward powersports enthusiasts, the Comoto Family of Brands is pleased to announce the launch of its Riders Plus Membership (RPM). The new membership program will span the company’s portfolio of brands, which includes RevZilla, Cycle Gear, J&P Cycles and REVER, providing premium benefits and experiences for the motorcycle, e-bike and scooter enthusiast.

The Riders Plus Membership (RPM) is designed to elevate the powersports enthusiast’s shopping and customer experience by providing access to various perks and benefits, such as:

· Free two-day shipping for purchases across the Comoto Family of Brands

· Generous cash-back opportunities

· 10% off discounts and early access to releases from exclusive brands such as BILT, REAX, Sedici, Speed Metal, Street & Steel, Stockton Tools

Comoto has the largest network of powersports brick-and-mortar retail properties across the U.S., and members can use RPM benefits online, or at any of the more than 160 stores nationwide. To date, more than 20,000 members have joined the RPM program.

“This membership program is based on the vision of creating a feature-rich set of benefits for our community of enthusiasts. We’re inviting riders to officially join the Comoto family and experience the benefits of the membership program that will enable their passion for gear, content and experience,” said Steve Bontempo, Chief eCommerce & Digital Officer. “This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to roll out additional community benefits over the next year.”

To better support motorcycle aficionados and their lifestyles, Riders Plus Members will receive access to an exclusive customer concierge phone line, available 7 days a week (with the option to schedule dedicated appointments), to provide expert insight across the spectrum of purchase considerations. Additional experiential benefits span several categories, including member exclusive event experiences, private access to Twisted Road motorcycle rentals, and a free REVER Pro membership—a $39.99 value.

“We are thrilled to be included in this unique program, making it easier for members across the country to get on two wheels with the support they need—whether that be prepping for a road trip, or testing a new bike before purchase,” shared Austin Rothbard, CEO of Twisted Road. “It’s been rewarding to continue growing ridership in the U.S. with Comoto, two wheels at a time.”

Riders Plus Membership is currently available to any powersports enthusiast for an annual fee of $59.99. Members who join now will receive an exclusive welcome package, along with the first-ever magazine issue of RevZilla’s media brand, Common Tread. To join the community, visit www.revzilla.com/rpm.

About Comoto Holdings
Comoto Holdings is America’s largest and fastest growing omni-channel platform in the powersports aftermarket industry; dedicated to advancing the experience of moto enthusiasts across the globe. Comoto’s brands, RevZilla, Cycle Gear, J&P Cycles, and now REVER, deliver premium products, dedicated expertise, engaging media, and passionate customer support of the rider community, through best-in-class ecommerce and retail experiences.

This week Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Joe Manchin (D-WV) reintroduced the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act of 2021. The bill, S. 2736, ensures that racing enthusiasts continue to have the ability to convert motor vehicles into vehicles used solely for competition. This bill also clarifies that it is legal under federal law to manufacture, sell, distribute, and install race parts that modify the emissions system of a motor vehicle that is used solely for racing.

The bill is in response to actions taken by the EPA in 2015. At that time, the EPA issued a proposed regulation that would prohibit the conversion of emissions-certified motor vehicles into vehicles used in motorsports competitions. The 2015 proposed regulation also prevented the sale or use of emissions-related race parts for those modified vehicles.

An important component of S. 2736 is that it helps protect the aftermarket parts industry. A robust and thriving aftermarket parts industry is vital to the motorcyclist community. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is part of a broad collaboration of groups working together in D.C. on this topic.

As you may remember, earlier this year the House of Representatives introduced a similar bill, H.R. 3281, that now has 101 cosponsors. To see if your member of the House is a cosponsor of the RPM Act, click here.

If you’d like to read more about the Senate bill, click here.

Look for further updates and calls to actions on this issue before the end of the year!

See you in Atlanta!

Next week is shaping up to be another great Meeting of the Minds! If you make it down to Atlanta, be sure to introduce yourself to our D.C. lobbyist, Rocky Fox. Rocky is always looking to learn about what you are working on back home.

An important part of Meeting of the Minds is making connections between our members around the country and back in D.C. If you have relationships with your hometown Senators or Congressman, make sure Rocky knows!

Let’s have a great few days down South!

https://mrf.org/

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.

One of the best parts about owning a motorcycle is having a front-row view to all things nature. There’s nothing standing in between you and all the colors of the natural world. Fall is one of the best times to go cruising through the wilderness. Leaf peepers are known for chasing bright yellows, reds, and oranges all over the country as autumn sets in. Chances are there’s a great leaf-oriented stretch of road near you.

Get Your Bike Ready for the Trip

Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have everything you need to explore the open road. Some of these routes can be quite remote, so you need to have a plan in case things take a turn for the worst.

Above all else, use helmet communication to keep in touch with your loved ones on your trip, especially if you stray far from home. You should be able to call for help or check your GPS without taking your eyes off the road. You drove all this way to look at the leaves, after all.

Looking down at your phone can be a recipe for disaster. You also need to keep your hands on the handlebars at all times to stay in control. Use a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet to use your electronic devices hands-free for more peace of mind behind the wheel.

Find a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet with speakers that produces clear audio. You need to balance the sound of your music, call, or GPS with the sounds of the road in case another driver needs to get your attention.

Your phone may not be there to rescue if you get lost or get into a wreck. Consider bringing along paper maps of your destination and a backup communication system, such as two-way radio, in case you don’t have access to cell service.

Inspect your motorcycle to make sure it’s ready for the trip at hand. Add air to the tires, if needed. You should know the approximate distance of your trip. Check the mileage and consider visiting your local mechanic if it’s been over a year or 6,000 miles since your last tune-up.

Tunnel of Trees – Michigan

The country’s “third coast” is known for its rich forestry and sprawling coastlines and Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees is perhaps the best example of both. The branches of the trees extend over the road, creating what looks like a tunnel.

Most of the action takes place on M-119. You can catch it at the north end of Petosky. The tunnel official starts in Harbor Springs. Follow the route for another 20 miles around the edge of Lake Michigan. The bluff, which runs around 140 feet above sea level, keeps you up high for a panoramic view of the coast. Be sure to slow down or stop when taking in the sights. The state road narrows at several points, including the infamous Devil’s Ridge. Lots of drivers will probably have their eyes on the trees, so don’t be surprised if they make a mistake.

Coastal Route One – Maine

Route One has a reputation across the East Coast. It makes for a stunning drive, whether you’re coming from Key West, Florida or New York City. We suggest taking it all the way north to Maine, where you’ll see some of the most picturesque roads of your life. New England is full of many charms, including open farmland, quaint towns full of history, and weaving coastlines, and Route One lets you see the best of everything.

You’ll need to take I-95 about 90 minutes north of Boston to the Maine border. From there, hop on Route One to cruise through small towns like towns as Kennebunkport and Ogunquit, both of which are teeming with lush forestry. The road takes you along the coast, which gives you the chance to explore the area’s many islands, nooks, and peninsulas. You’re bound to pass a lighthouse or three.

There’s a certain humble charm to the remote towns of Northern Vermont. Turn down the noise of your engine to enjoy the peace and quiet as the water laps against the rocky shore. Wildlife can get pretty bold in the more rural parts of the state. Don’t be surprised if you run into a moose as soon as you get out of the city.

San Juan Mountain Skyway – Colorado

If you love the mountains, head out west to Colorado to experience the thrill of the San Juan Mountain Skyway. The road gets its name for its steep incline and sharp turns. The road goes from 6,200 feet above sea level near the city of Cortez to over 11,000 feet near what’s known as the Red Mountain Pass.

It gives you the ultimate mountain experience, complete with expansive river valleys, peaks over 14,000 feet tall, and trees that feel larger than life. The arching road gives you a cascading view of the trees during the fall. You can see several miles into the distance in some parts.

The road starts in Durango, CO, the largest city on the path. This is the time to stock up on supplies. Your choices start to thin out from here. Follow the road north via U.S. 160 to Mancos. Consider stopping by Rocky Mountain National Park and Mesa Verde National Park while you’re in the area if you feel like seeing more of what this iconic state has to offer. It continues for a total 235 miles, or 7 hours, going all the way up to Telluride and Silverton.

It’s best to start your trip in the early fall, as some roads turn icy early in the season. The mountains have a climate all their own, so be prepared to encounter some snow along the way. Bring along a few extra layers to stay warm on your motorcycle as temperatures fluctuate.

Nothing beats the gorgeous palette of fall foliage. Chart a course for one of these autumn destinations to enjoy the ride of your life.

The Liberators: Military Harley-Davidsn Motorcycles: 1939-1952
By David Sarafan

As Allied soldiers advanced through occupied territory in Europe in the closing months of WWII, the first Americans the townspeople say were scouts mounted on WLA Harleys.

This book includes photography of the various derivations, photo example of too kits, and production numbers for WLAs. There are also photos of data plates related to various Harley military motorcycles, including the WLA, the Canadian WLC, the Big twin UA, the experimental flat-twin XA and the Knucklehead-powered three-wheeled TA.

It’s 118 pages and available from Portrayal Press: www.portrayalpress.com

Harley-Davidson 1915-1929 Pocket Valve Big Twins: An Identification and Restoration Guide

By Steve Slocombe

Steve, president of the AMCA’s European chapter and former AMCA board member set out to create a formerly uncover model guide.

Steve is well-known for his work on Harley VL flathead twins from the ‘30s, having published a four-volume guide that is the definitive collection for anyone looking to own or work on these bikes. And in “Harley-Davidson 1915-’29 Pocket Valve Big Twins: An identification and Restoration guide,” he provides the same authoritative perspective on the pocket-valve era.

It’s arranged in a large-format, spiral-bound book that you can peruse in your easy or lay out flat on your work bench.

It’s 220 pages and available from www.replicantmetals.com

In “Bumper’s Garage,” author Geoff Holladay tells the story of Steve, a young boy who is having problems with the chain on his bicycles. His dad knows just the guy to help—a gray-haired man named Bumper who tinkers in an old repair shop.

It’s a kids book and only 32 pages for only $14.95 through www.bumpersgarage.com

Here’s another group from Velcoce

Product Details
Publisher: Veloce
ISBN: 9781787110991
By Jeff Clew

Paperback or eBook • 20.7x25cm • 144 pages • pictures • Flowing format eBook

A Veloce Classic Reprint.

For those who were there, and for those fascinated by 1950s British culture, Jeff Clew’s insight to motorcycling in the ‘50s will provide a delightful nostalgic journey into the past, while those younger riders who cherish 1950s motorcycles today will discover a whole new dimension to their enjoyment of the machines.

Reprinted after many years of absence! For many, a motorcycle bought at the beginning of the 1950s was a first taste of the freedom offered by personal transport.

Although British postwar austerity was fading, money was still tight and new machines virtually unobtainable, but there were plenty of cheap prewar machines around and an ex-War Department motorcycle could be bought from one of the big city dealers on the never-never; better still it would be sent to your local railway station. Ex-army dispatch riders’ coats and boots would serve to keep the weather at bay as the new motorcyclists explored and enjoyed the quiet roads in a pre-motorway era.

The decade would become a Golden Era of motorcycling as manufacturers brought new and excitingly advanced machines to an appreciative audience which had never even heard of a Japanese motorcycle.

Motorcycle sport mushroomed in popularity at a time when you actually had to go to the race to see it and helped to reinforce the public’s ever-growing enthusiasm for the motorcycle. the era would also see the arrival of the moped, scooter and bubblecar.

For those that were there, Jeff Clew’s insight to motorcycling of the ‘50s will provide a delightful nostalgic journey into the past, while those younger riders who cherish 1950s motorcycles today will discover a whole new dimension to their enjoyment of the machines.

Product Details
Publisher: Veloce
ISBN: 9781845840785
By Richard Skelton

Paperback or eBook • 20.7x25cm • 144 pages • pictures • Flowing format eBook

A celebration of the sports moped charting the history of a genre created unwittingly by the government in 1972 and killed off by more legislation five years later.

This book recaptures the spirit of happy and carefree times and looks at the bikes that gave freedom and mobility to a generation.

If you’re red-blooded and somewhere between 35 and 50 the chances are that your first bike was a sports moped.

This book takes you on a nostalgic full throttle trip back to the heady days of the 1970s and early ‘80s when these fabulous little superbikes were available to 16-year-olds.

Packed with photos from past and present, this book will revive wonderful memories of the machines, the people, the fashions, and even the music of the time. Includes coverage of AJW, Batavus, Casal, Cimatti, Derbi, Fantic, Flandria, Garelli, Gilera, Gitane, Honda, Kreidler, KTM, Malaguti, Motobecane, Negrini, NVT, Puch, Suzuki, Testi, Yamaha and Zundapp.

Charts the extraordinary rise of the sports moped in the 1970s and early ‘80s
Fascinating detail on a huge number of machines.

Owners recollections
Social history too, music and fashions of the era
Superbikes for 16 year olds!
A nostalgic road trip through history

Product Details
Publisher: Veloce
ISBN: 9781787111196
By Ian Grainger

Paperback or eBook • 22.5×22.5cm • 128 pages • 380 pictures • Flowing format eBook

Back in print after a long absence!

Guides you through the scootering way of life and all its factions, giving a unique insight into the modern scene and all its diversities – warts and all! Includes interviews with well known scootering personalities, plus over 150 colour photos of award-winning custom scooters.

There has been plenty said and written about scooters over the years, but until now there has been no definitive look at the culture surrounding the riders’ chosen way of life. Many authors have written about mods and the infamous and often over-hyped beach battles of the 1960s, but hardly any have tried to capture the atmosphere of the modern scene in print.

The original mods are still responsible for fuelling the imagination of past, present and future generations, and for leaving a rich scooter heritage behind them. Although the mod way of life was the spark which lit the fuse for many of them, the majority of scooter riders have evolved into lifestyle scooterists.

As the author says “We may not dress in a particular style, our scooters may not be adorned with lights and mirrors, but we still burn with the same passion as our scooter riding ancestors. It’s over sixty years since the first Italian scooters rolled off the production lines, but there is still a buzzing and vibrant lifestyle surrounding them.

The small capacity machines have overtaken the lives of thousands of us, often to the detriment of everything else we hold dear. Careers, relationships and families have suffered for this overwhelming and expensive addiction. An addiction to which there is no cure.

We live and breathe the sickly-sweet smell of synthetic two-stroke oil and worship at the altar of our chosen gods, Lambretta and Vespa (or occasionally Gilera and Italjet). Our hands are permanently ingrained with the oily ‘tattoos’ of a thousand engine rebuilds, and our major organs have suffered the long term effects of our hedonistic lifestyleor a.”

Including interviews with well-known scootering personalities, over 150 color photographs of award-winning custom scooters, best-selling scooter models, and information on rallies and events, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in these fun machines.

Nostalgia with a modern twist
Interviews with prominent scooterists, past and present
Scooter rallies, from the inside out
The scooter scene as a way of life
People, friendships and comradeship
Custom scooters, what’s wrong with spending £25k on a scooter?

The machines, what’s hot and what’s not
Racing, who ever said scooters are slow?
Over 150 colour photographs

Product Details
Publisher: Veloce
ISBN: 9781787114463
By Ian Falloon

Paperback or eBook • 20.7x25cm • 160 pages • 163 pictures • Flowing format eBook

When the great Ducati engineer Fabio Taglioni designed the 750 Ducati in 1970 there was no way he could comprehend how important this model would be. The 750, the Formula 750 racer and the Super Sport became legend: this book celebrates these machines. Year-by-year, model-by-model, change-by-change detail.

When Ducati s great engineer Fabio Taglioni designed the 750 Ducati in 1970 there was no way he could comprehend how important this model would be. His design was unlike any other before or since: a 90-degree V-twin with single overhead camshafts driven by a train of bevel gears. Taglioni soon developed his 750 into a Formula 750 racer, and in 1972 beat the rest of what the world had to offer at the Imola 200. With this victory, the desmodromic 750 became a legend.

Ducati responded by producing a hand-built limited production desmodromic Super Sport. They also continued to produce the touring 750 GT and sporting 750 Sport until legislation killed them at the end of 1974. Today, this triumvirate of 750s represents the end of an era; the era before cost accounting and government design requirements.

These were amongst the last pure, unadulterated sporting motorcycles built and it is not surprising they have inspired a new generation of retro classics, the Sport Classic of 2005 and 2006. Author, Ian Falloon, is a Ducati expert with several books on the marque including the best-selling Ducati Story, and Ducati Twins Restoration Guide. He has owned several 750s over the years and has a particular enthusiasm for this model, still owning the 750 Super Sport he bought back in the 1970s.

The definitive reference/sourcebook on Ducati’s classic bevel-twins
Written by a world-renowned expert

Product Details
Publisher: Veloce
ISBN: 9781787112483
By Rod Burris

Paperback or eBook • 22.5×22.5cm • 224 pages • 450 pictures • Flowing format eBook

The definitive development history of the most famous Velocette motorcycles, this third edition includes updated information and the most comprehensive appendices ever published on this historic marque.

The definitive development history of the most famous Velocette motorcycles, written by an acknowledged expert. Based on the author’s earlier work, which was out of print for many years, this edition has been fully revised and updated, and includes the most comprehensive appendices ever published on this historic marque.

As one critic said: “THE best book about Velos – I know because I’ve got the lot. Go buy it.”

by Mark Masker from https://vtwinvisionary.com

The V-Twin Visionary Smoky Mountain Tour makes landfall this week at Smoky Mountain H-D! Experience four days of the world’s best motorcycle riding. Enjoy real-deal Tennessee barbecue and some of the best Southern rock bands around. And of course there’s all the riding to be done in the surrounding beauty of the Smoky Mountains.

Additionally, Tour and VIP passes are on sale now. Both get you into the big show and come with their own perks.

When you’re done and ready to chow down and drink up, Smoky Mtn H-D and The Shed Smokehouse has you covered, too. They’re the basecamp for the big party. Check out the latest and greatest P&A from our sponsors while you’re here, too.

More details on the V-Twin Visionary Smoky Mountain Tour to come in the weeks following.

Hey,

This is a wild day fulla project progress.

I can’t believe everything that’s going on and how brothers and sisters are not giving up or staying home. There’s action everywhere no matter what.

Hell, most aftermarket companies like S&S and Paughco are having banner years.

–Bandit

Click Here to Read the Weekly News on Bikernet.com

Join the Cantina for more – Subscribe Today.

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Hey,

This is a wild day fulla project progress. Working on a stained-glass project for the front door, a house number plaque on the property with polished aluminum diamond plate and brass numbers. Will need to do some machining. The pipe pieces arrived to level-out the mantle.

I received a bid on the shop for our Ranch house. It was almost twice what I was hoping for, but I was prepared for the worse. The shop could be finished by the first of the year. Talk about an exciting year. 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.

INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL MOTORIST ASSOCIATION—The sausage-making is in full swing as opposing parties in Washington wrestle the Senate’s $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and the House’s $3.5 trillion version to the ground. In Infrastructure Urgency, Part 1, NMA E-Newsletter #659, we shared the first two in a series of NMA emails directed to members of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committees from both chambers. We urged them to strike proposed funding for anti-motorist Vision Zero programs and anti-engineering speed limit reductions.

While the likelihood of our advocacy efforts swaying the opinions of most legislators remains to be seen, the responses received so far are helping us identify pro-driver champions with whom we can work.

The same is true of subsequent rounds of personalized NMA messages sent to the T&I Committee members recently. View our Automated Enforcement email to Capitol Hill below. In next week’s newsletter, look for our criticism of the proposed pilot programs for implementing new mileage-based road user taxes and a very interesting reply from a member of Congress.

NMA August 23rd/24th Email to Senate and House Top T&I Aides
H.R. 3684 Infrastructure Bills: Concerns of the Motoring Public, Part 3 – Automated Enforcement

Dear Richard,

The real question with automated enforcement is whether the public wants the federal government to fund automated ticketing programs that include a profit motive for cities and camera vendors. For-profit photo enforcement has been the trigger for a long list of prosecuted corruption and fraud.

As noted in Parts 1 and 2 of this email series from the National Motorists Association, a nonprofit driver advocacy organization, the funding of Vision Zero programs to the tune of $1 billion through 2026 will signal the federal government’s tacit approval to restrict driving beyond established norms while simultaneously increasing enforcement efforts. The net effects, particularly when automated enforcement is part of the equation, are increased non-compliance with traffic laws by safe drivers, higher ticketing rates, and increased distrust between communities and law enforcement.

There are also a number of constitutional objections to automated enforcement, not the least of which is that the cameras don’t positively identify the driver in an alleged violation, so the ticket is automatically issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. The owner may or may not have been behind the wheel at the time of the incident. This becomes “guilty until proven innocent,” which can be difficult to defend against, even if truly innocent.

There is nothing more detrimental to public trust than enforcement methods that place or are perceived to place profit motives over fairness and safety. But the revenue extracted from automated enforcement programs comes close because, over the past 17 years, as this crime line so aptly illustrates, more than seven dozen prosecuted instances of fraud and corruption have been instigated by operators of red-light and speed camera programs. A sampling of some notable lowlights follows my sign-off below.

If federal funding of automated enforcement is to be done, it must be on the basis of break-even operation. With discord between the police and community continuing to simmer, tickets by camera — especially those that line the pockets of others — is a recipe for creating an even wider societal divide. And, this should be no surprise, when camera programs are forced to relinquish profits and are no longer money-makers, history shows that the hardware is typically removed in due time. That wouldn’t be so if safety was the primary motivation for automated enforcement.

One more question related to something you live with every day in DC. Do Senator Merkley’s constituents really want this type of command-and-control enforcement in their own cities? Based on the regular feedback we get from motorists, the answer is more likely than not, “Not in my backyard.”

The NMA, a nonprofit organization representing the nation’s motorists, encourages Senator Merkley to oppose the federal funding of automated enforcement directly or through Vision Zero programs.

Thank you for your consideration,

Gary Biller
President/CEO

NAMZ HOSES AND CLAMPS–For over 21 years, NAMZ has offered the finest American made electrical components for your motorcycle needs! But did you know that NAMZ also offers a variety of other products that will help you achieve a ride that’s custom to your lifestyle.

Made in the USA, our top of the line 25ft hose spools are sold in the most common sizes of 1/4″, 5/16″, and 3/8″. Spools are manufactured using Thermoid brand reinforced rubber hose that is braided with 100% brass, copper, and stainless materials for the NEW or “old school” look you’re after.

THE IRON BUTT OF IRON BUTTS–Chris Hopper

Hop is moving right along and has surpassed the old record of 45,000 miles in 45 days and is presently in uncharted waters.
Let’s all join in and give him a big “Hell Yeah”!!

–Rogue

https://www.facebook.com/groups/714962975227532/user/100000187400018/

I definitely won’t be that grandpa who gets to tell his grandkids about back in the day he used to sit in his garage polishing his chrome for 3 hours. Instead, they’ll get to hear cool stories of amazing rides and sites seen around the country.

Get out there and ride, don’t spend so much time washing and polishing something that’s steadily depreciating anyways. Use that money and time for gas and go make some memories, but do stupid shit like this, lol. The same my way for ceramic coating and polishing will get you 300-500 miles down the road—easy choice!

Doing the Heart of Texas Rally this weekend, and unfortunately the weather wasn’t pleasant, but I persevered and got the points I was after.

TESLA CONCEPT: The ‘SOKUDO’ by Make Haste Corp.

Similar to the impact that the custom bike world’s had on the design of production motorcycles, the makers of today’s track and performance-focused cars have increasingly looked to modern concept artists for inspiration and influence when penning widebodies and aero bits. And two of the most eminent artists currently working in this space are Ash Thorp and Carlos “colorsponge”

Born in Spain and now based in London, Carlos has amassed more than 15 years of experience in the digital realm and has contributed to everything from vehicle designs to episodes of Netflix’s Love Death + Robots. Largely self-taught, Ash boasts a portfolio that’s is no less impressive, having worked on numerous triple-A video game titles and big-name movies including 2014’s Robocop, Ghost in the Shell, Ender’s Game, James Bond: Spectre, and various high-profile vehicle projects such as designing Ken Block’s Fox-bodied “HOONIFOX” Ford Mustang Gymkhana Car and penning the design for the mid-engine muscle car-style Batmobile for the latest Batman flick — just to name a small fraction of the accolades on Pecino and Thorp’s resumes.

The pair is also the force behind the Make Haste Corp. (or “M.H.C.”), a fictitious brand and the name of a long-term project in which the duo aims to produce a total of two dozen digitally rendered vehicles over the course of the 2021 year. “It’s a false company name I created when Carlos and I were building our other project Evinetta. We loved the logo and the name so we kept it and appointed it as the title to the potential 24 builds we’ll be doing this year,” Thorp tells us.

A FEMA survey shows that a possible ban on the sale of new petrol-powered motorcycles is rejected by more than 90 percent of the motorcyclists that took part in the survey.

In July and August 2021 FEMA conducted an online survey on motorcycle emissions and a possible ban on the sale of new petrol-powered motorcycles. The survey was available in 12 languages and was filled out by 23,768 people (1,188 women and 22,580 men).

When asked ‘What do you think about a possible ban on the sale of new petrol-powered motorcycles?’, 92.91% of the motorcyclists that responded rejected such a ban. There are differences between countries, but the disapproval rate of a possible ban on the sale of new petrol-powered motorcycles does not fall below 80% in any European country.

In comparison to the survey FEMA conducted in 2016, we see a larger group of motorcyclists that would be willing to buy a newer motorcycle if older bikes (pre-2006) were to be banned from entering the city (55.46% in 2021, against 44% in 2016). Of the respondents over 44% would consider another mode of transport if such a ban occurred, which could lead to a major mobility shift in certain cities.

This could be an even larger issue when city authorities decide to ban fossil fuel vehicles from entering the city, because in that case over 76% of the respondents would change their mode of transport, rather than switching to a non-emissions motorcycle (electric/fuel cell). This could have drastic effects on urban mobility as we know it.

A large majority (88.75%) of those that would be willing to switch to a non-emissions motorcycle in the case of banning fossil fuel vehicles from entering the city, is not willing to pay more for such a motorcycle than for a motorcycle with a combustion engine that runs on fossil fuels.

When asked what they would do If the sale of new petrol-powered motorcycles was banned, a majority of 53.38% would stop riding when they are no longer able to buy a new petrol-powered motorcycle. 38.96% of the respondents would buy a zero-emission motorcycle when there are no new or used petrol-powered motorcycles available anymore. Only 7.67% would already buy a zero-emission motorcycle when there are still petrol-powered motorcycles available.

When asked if they could you enjoy a non-emission bike as much as their current bike, if a total ban on all fossil fuel vehicles would be introduced, or if they would stop riding, 58.92% would stop riding. This is a major change in attitude since 2016, when 46% of the respondents said they would stop riding. Of the respondents, 41.08% could enjoy riding a non-emission motorcycle, against 54% in 2016.

Click for all results from the survey.

The current plans from the European Commission and some national governments to limit the sale and the use of fossil-fueled vehicles lead to more questions than there are answers at the moment.

How realistic is it to rely fully on electric vehicles? Will there be enough electric vehicles on the market, will there be enough electricity, will there be enough charging points, will the grid be able to deal with the extra demand, will electric bikes ever get sufficient range? And how about e-fuels? Can those be developed to a level where they can compete with the fossil fuels we know today, if we look at the cost and effectiveness? Will all these alternatively fueled vehicles be affordable for the average user?

FEMA’s general secretary Dolf Willigers said: “Motorcycles are becoming more fuel economic and cleaner. Compared with cars, that tend to use more fuel and that use more space to drive and park, especially in the cities, motorcycles are becoming much more economic and less pollutant than they already are. We see a bright future for motorcycles and other powered two-wheelers, provided that the European Commission and the British government leave room for the internal combustion engine for motorcycles. With the non-fossil fuels that are already in development, motorcycles will stay affordable and become clean and CO2 neutral.”

FEMA president Anna Zee said: “Several national governments are considering a future ban on the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines, a development that may have a huge impact on our choice of vehicle and on our lifestyle. Although FEMA understands and supports the further development and integration of electric vehicles, we will work for a future with electric motorcycles and motorcycles with an internal combustion engine side by side.”

The motorcycle industry seems to focus on producing electric powered two-wheelers for urban use and is not (yet) producing significant numbers of bikes that could possibly replace the current fleet of larger bikes. Antonio Perlot, the secretary general for ACEM, the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers, told FEMA: “ACEM expects that the predominant share of the urban mobility powered two-wheeler market will be electric by 2030, with increasing spill overs on the whole motorcycle range towards 2050. Needless to say, whilst established manufacturers are also entering the electric motorcycle segment, for most pure electrification is focusing mainly on smaller, short range vehicles, aimed mainly at the urban environment, where the perspective of higher volumes is in line with their industrial dimension.” Click here to read the full ACEM statement.

Written by Wim Taal

Could You Handle the Meanest Viper on two wheels?–
The Dodge Viper holds a special place for many auto enthusiasts due to its raw performance, stunning looks, and the fact that it remained an uncompromised driver’s car for all of its existence. Of course, the heart of the Viper is its unique powerplant, an all-aluminum V-10 developed to be the meanest naturally aspirated track terror that Ma Mopar ever cooked up. Over the years the V-10 grew from an already massive 8.0 liters and 400 horsepower to 8.3 liters and 500 hp … and finally 8.4 liters and 640 hp. The mighty, tire-shredding V-10 made the Viper one of the most capable—and also the most feared—track cars available, so naturally someone would drop the torquey powerplant into a motorcycle. Because that makes sense.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/motorcycles/could-you-handle-the-meanest-viper-on-two-wheels/

This Viper-powered creation, a two-wheeler built by Allen Millyard and referred to appropriately as the Millyard Viper V10, is an actual motorcycle and does actual motorcycle things. Since building the hot-rodded cycle in 2009, Millyard has racked up more than 9000 miles and ridden it in excess of 200 mph. In this video from last year, Millyard goes over some of the more interesting parts of the bike’s fabrication, from building a suspension out of two Yamaha coilovers and a pair of car springs to engineering an ingenious ratcheting center stand. The swingarm, brake system, single-speed gearbox, and hand- and foot-operated clutch are also works of art and serve as fantastic examples of problem-solving.

You may be thinking that Dodge built a Viper-powered motorcycle back in the day. Well, sort of. Dodge built several copies of the Tomahawk concept, a four-wheeled, Viper-powered creation that was more sculpture than vehicle. It could lean, and test rides (drives?) proved it was functional, if not without its quirks. Millyard’s creation is a triumph and shows what can be done with some machine tools and a lot of brilliant thinking. Perhaps most remarkable is that the nearly 1400-pound creation looks like a proper motorcycle. Just watch the video and be amazed at Millyard’s fabulous creation.

–by Brandan Gillogly, Hagerty Media

RIDING IN THE RAIN TIPS FROM THE LEADERS–Seven Tips for Safer Riding in the Rain
Tip #1: Be Bright

You don’t have to look like a construction worker, but a reflective vest will go a long way toward you being more visible to cage drivers.

Tip #2: Consider Extra Lights

“Fog lights” or auxiliary driving lights come in two general varieties: a short-but-wide light pattern, or a longer-and-narrower light pattern. Either will make you more visible to traffic.

Tip #3: Tires

We just replaced the tires on Tim’s Honda Interstate because, frankly, why take a chance? In addition to good treads, keep an eye on the pressure (under-inflated tires are more prone to hydroplaning).

Tip #4: Speed/Distance

It’s simple math (or maybe not so simple depending how you feel about math!). If you’re traveling at 60 mph, you need 5.4 seconds to come to a stop on a good day. In the rain, it will take longer. (Math nerd? Get details by clicking the button below!)

Tip #4: Braking

Never apply the front brakes alone (it can cause your front wheel to slip, which is worse than it happening to the rear). A 60 rear / 40 front ratio is ideal (click the button below for tips on how to do that.)

Tip #6: Read the Road

Leaves, crosswalk lines (or other painted surfaces), tracks, or spills all have the potential to mess up a rider more when it’s wet/rainy. Be aware to be safe!

Tip #7: Last but not least: Reduce your Speed.

(Are we noticing a theme here? Slower is better in the rain!)

There’s more at the Leader Web site.

Leader Motorcycle Assessories
959 236th Avenue NW, Saint Francis
MN 55070 United States
facebookyoutubepinterest
612-387-5650
zoom@leadermotorcycle.com

WaPo Worried About ‘Climate Despair’ That It’s Been Peddling For Years – Promotes ’10-step program inspired by’ Alcoholics Anonymous to cope
WaPo: “Yes, the planet will get hotter. Sea levels will rise further. Extreme weather will worsen, and more people will suffer,” writes WaPo. “[M]ore people than ever could experience serious challenges to their mental health as a result.”

“A nonprofit organization called the Good Grief Network, [created] a 10-step program inspired by the structure of Alcoholics Anonymous whose meetings provide ‘social and emotional support to people who feel overwhelmed about the state of the world,’ says it has reached over a thousand people in four years. Steps in the program range from accepting ‘the severity of the predicament’ to reinvesting ‘into meaningful efforts.’”

–Climate Depot

Too bad it’s all bullshit. We need more CO2 and greenhouse gasses are good. Here’s a quote from Bill Pekny’s book, Tale of Two Climates: Even if C02 increased twofold from 410 ppm to 820 ppm, or tenfold to 4,100 ppm in the future, the story would still be the same. Natural water vapor rules the radiative, heat-retaining capability of the atmosphere. Said simply: Water vapor always dominates the greenhouse effect, never C02 nor any other gas in the air, whether natural or human-caused. WTF –Bandit

CHECK OUT THE SHOP OF THE WEEK–Jake Wells
Jake’s Custom Cycles Inc.
655 Long Lane
Upper Darby PA19082
Jake’s Custom Cycles is located at 655 Long Ln in Upper Darby and has been in the business of Retail – Motorcycles since 2000.

610 259 4600 shop 610 721 2323 cell

LATEST FOR SALE AT SIERRA MADRE MOTORCYCLE COMPANY— Can’t go on vacation without finding more old junk!

1913 Fielbach Limited.

Otto Fielbach started building moto-cycles in 1904. In 1913 he introduced this beautiful V-Twin design with 1,130 cc displacement. It was only built two years, 1913 & 1914. His machines were too high of quality and price as compared to more mass-produced Indians and Harleys. Plus, Harley Davidson was involved in blocking Fielbach from receiving additional finances to grow his company. Thus, Fielbach Motors closed its doors in 1914.

This machine is 1 of only 6 remaining in the world and only 1 of 3 I have ever seen. I hope you enjoy seeing this wonderful piece of early two wheeled transportation.

–Steve Klein
SierraMadreMotorcycleCompany.com
“An Honest Alternative”

Maybe Melody can go in search of a new city with Zero-Accidents in the next Cantina Episode.

–Wayfarer

LEE GREENWOOD AND HELPING A HERO AWARD TWO ACCESSIBLE HOMES TO WOUNDED VETERANS—
Special ceremony took place Friday, September 10 in Nashville, hosted by Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Helping a Hero and Bass Pro Shops held a ceremony Friday, September 10th in Nashville, Tennessee to award accessible homes to LCpl Eric Frazier (USMC, Ret.) who lost his legs in Iraq, and SGT Antonio Mullen, USA (Ret.) and their families.

Country music icon Lee Greenwood, the National Ambassador of Helping a Hero, Grand Ole Opry member John Conlee, award-winning singer Tony Orlando, along with Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, Kelley Paul, wife of Senator Rand Paul and General Rob Givens, USAF (Ret.), Corp. Sue Downes and Shilo Harris celebrated with the deserving veterans and their families.

In addition to the awarded homes, Greenwood presented Kelley Paul, wife of Senator Rand Paul, the Lee Greenwood Patriot Award for her continued selfless efforts to help our wounded veterans.

Friday’s ceremony featured patriotic musical performances from Greenwood, Conlee, Orlando, and SPC JP Lane, USA (Ret.), including a color guard presentation from the Hendersonville Fire Department with hundreds of people to cheer and support these heroes as the community celebrated their journeys to new homes.

The ceremony also commemorated the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with a symbolic bell ringing, National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, wreath laying, 21-gun salute, playing of “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes, and a Tennessee National Guard flyover of two Army Black Hawk helicopters while the 13 names of those service members lost in the attack in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 26th were read.

NASCAR’s Richard Childress hosted Helping a Hero’s Lee Greenwood Patriot Awards event at Childress Vineyards last May where Johnny Morris, Founder of Bass Pro Shops, announced he would fund ten Helping a Hero homes. In addition, Morris has pledged 25% of the funding needed for the next 100 Helping a Hero homes. Helping a Hero and Johnny Morris have launched the 100 Homes Challenge and invite Americans and companies to join the challenge to fully fund these 100 homes.

These wheelchair-accessible homes make daily living easier, featuring wider doors, a roll-in shower, a roll-under sink, and other important safety features.

QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!

The Art of Buck Lovell

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/The_Art_of_Buck_Lovell.aspx

Sick

— President Obama
The Moon, Pussy, Thailand

Sand Sports Super Show this Weekend at OC Fair & Events Center in Costa Mesa

Sand Sports Super Show presented by Nitto Tire is this weekend at the OC Fair & Events Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., Friday, September 17 through Sunday, September 19.

The Sand Sports Super Show presented by Nitto Tire brings hundreds of exhibitors to Southern California for the biggest and most exciting dune and sand sports expo in the world. Attendees can get up close to the latest UTVs/ATVs, Side x Sides, Sand Rails, Toy Haulers, accessories, apparel and a whole lot more, during a full weekend of festivities.

Within the sand sports community, the Sand Sports Super Show plays a pivotal role in uniting and mobilizing enthusiasts, cultivating growth, and fostering safety awareness.

The American Sand Association, in partnership with Polaris will raffle off a Polaris RZR XP 4 Turbo 2, customized by SDS Motorsports. The winning tickets will be drawn Saturday, September 18 at the Main Stage. Tickets can be purchased at the ASA Booth. The winner does not have to be present to win.

The Sand Sports Super Show will take place on Friday, September 17, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, September 18 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, September 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Discount tickets are available in advance online at www.sandsportssupershow.com.

At the gate, single-day tickets are $20 (Adult- ages 13-over), with kids (ages 6-12) $7 and kids five and under, free.

Follow on Facebook and Instagram @SandSportsSuperShow.

[page break]

NEWS FROM THE MASTER OF LIGHT–Artist David Uhl – Update

Hello to all! Wanted to update everyone on a few things and ask your assistance on something.

** We’ll be taking the gallery to Custer State Park next week for the Buffalo Roundup. They hold an art exhibition as part of the festivities and we’ll have a collection of David’s western works on display September 23-25.

** Our production team continues to crank out the shipments. We appreciate everyone’s patience!

** David’s first-ever “coffee table” art book is scheduled to be out in November. Stay tuned for my announcement about the special art book/art packages we’ll be offering, in addition to the book.

Finally, we are considering taking the gallery to Daytona for Biketoberfest October 14-17. In order to make this long trek from Colorado successful, we’re looking for other shows in Florida shortly after that one. If you know of any motorcycle, aviation or Fine Art events, please let me know!

Thanks in advance for your help and please let me know if I may be of assistance!

–Greg Rhodes
International Sales Director

David Uhl Fine Art
Uhl Studios

303-913-4840

ANOTHER BROTHER PASSES–Clyde “Clyde the Glide” Fessler, Hamster, Arizona

Clyde was proud to be a Hamster and wore yellow wherever he went. He also loved telling people about the Hamsters to anyone that asked (and often to those who didn’t!). As his only son, I salute all of you Hamster brothers and all the Hamster spouses. I’m not kidding when I say my dad would have been lost in retirement without all of your love, kinship, and connection.

My father transitioned into Heavenly Hamster Hill on Monday, September 13, 2021 at 5:28pm in Scottsdale, AZ.

They say that you die twice. Once when you leave this earth and the second when you’re forgotten. Let’s honor my dad’s memory in ways that allows us to heal and cherish the man we called “Clyde the Glide”.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. From the entire Fessler family, we say a heartfelt thank you to all of you.

–Clyde Derek Fessler (son)

Annmarie Satriano-Hoskins (Derek’s partner)

Clyde Donovan Fessler (grandson)

Xander Fessler (grandson)

Lorelei Fessler (granddaughter)

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–Once upon a time…a small boy named Basheer lived in a tiny Moroccan village.

All his classmates hated him for his stupidity…especially his teacher who was always yelling at him “you are driving me crazy Basheer”

One day his mother went to check out how he is doing at school and the teacher told her honestly that her son is simply a disaster, getting very low marks in exams and never had she seen such a dumb boy in her whole career.

The mother could not accept such a feedback and she took her son out from that school. She even shifted to another city.

25 years later, that same teacher had a cardiac disorder and she was advised to undergo an open heart surgery.

It was a complex surgery which only one surgeon could perform.

Left with no other choice, she travelled to consult the surgeon and the surgery was successful.

When she opened her eyes, she saw a handsome doctor smiling at her.

She wanted to thank him but being under the effect of anesthesia, she could not talk.

The doctor too was staring at her face which had started turning ominously blue.

She was raising her hand trying to tell him something but in vain and eventually died.

The doctor was shocked and was trying to understand what just happened, till he turned back and saw our friend Basheer working as a sweeper in that hospital, who had unplugged the ventilator to connect his vacuum cleaner.

If you were thinking that Basheer became a doctor, it is because you have been watching too many movies, TV series or have read too many motivational messages on social media.

Basheer is Basheer.

PIC OF THE WEEK FROM SAM–The café racer culture began in the streets of England in the 1950s. The term café racer was used to describe kids who liked to hang out in what was known as transport cafés and enjoyed racing their bikes, that could reach top speeds.

–from Sam Burns

LATEST FROM WINDVEST–You’ve got T-Bars….

We’ve got you covered!!

These set up are for T-bars. It can be mounted any place on the straight up portion of the risers. The hardware is available in several different diameters (1″, 1.25″ or 1.50″ diameter).

The finish comes in either chrome or powder coat black

Give us a call or email us with any questions. If you have something totally custom, we might be able to help!

WindVest Motorcycle Products | www.windvest.com
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1917 HENDERSON ARRIVES IN NEW YORK CITY– from LOS ANGELES
On this day in 1917, Alan Bedell left Los Angeles, California on his Henderson motorcycle arriving in New York City (3,296 miles) in seven days, sixteen hours and fifteen minutes later, breaking the record set by “Cannonball” Baker on an Indian Twin.

The Henderson suffered just one flat tire, went through three sets of Champion spark plugs and used three Duckworth chains. Bedell suffered just one crash, which somewhat damaged his knee, on a wet road in Indianapolis and averaged 17.89mph.

Using the stock 3.5gal gas tank, Bedell’s only changes to the machine were the addition of a Mesinger air cushion saddle and a Carlton generator to power the original Coffman spotlight.

Unfortunately, the young Californian was not to make or break many more records, as tragically his young life ended a short time later when he fell victim to the influenza epidemic of the First World War.

Photo: Alan Bedell when he set a transcontinental record in 1917.

–from Sam Burns

FROM THE NEW BIKERNET THOUGHT TEMPLE AT PILLAR PEAK–
“It is wise to direct your anger towards problems – not people; to focus your energies on answers – not excuses.” – William Arthur Ward

“When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor E. Frankl

We are never too old to become better version of ourselves.

The hardest work is working on yourself.

Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some difficulties in life come to clear your path.

–Wayfarer
Monk in training
Bikernet Thought Temple
Pillar Peak, South Dakota

NEW 5-BALL RACING—
The name 5-Ball Racing came from a long line of thugs and mugs. We started the name in 2006 when we went to Bonneville for the first time in 16 years. Keith “Bandit” Ball was a member of the Easyriders Streamliner team that set the world land speed record at Bonneville at 321 mph. That record stuck for 16 years.

Check our leathers at:

https://fiveballracing.com/

–Frank Ball jr.
Supreme Leader
5-Ball Leathers

THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON SUCCESS SUGGESTION BOX–
Was wondering if anyone has sent in anything new for “Suggestion Box” for Harley-Davidson.

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/The_OFFICIAL_HarleyDavidson_Suggestion_Box.aspx

The new financial results declared recently and the success of the Pan America after the “Panning” of their first electric motorcycle LiveWire – people must be having something to say.

Maybe revive that Suggestion Box now.

All the top motorcycle brands such as Honda, Yamaha, BMW, Triumph, Ducati, Indian Motorcycle, etc did not rush in to launch an Electric Motorcycle just because media and politicians said that’s what’s gonna happen through legislation in a few years.

They are spending time and resources for thorough development to ensure feasible models that their existing customers would be interested in trying out. BMW has only this month presented their Concept Model AMBY (Adaptive Mobility) – not launched it for sale at every dealership, nor have they stated any timeline for retailing such electric two-wheelers.

Every company, car or motorcycle, launch various petrol/diesel models every few years to test new designs – but a whole new technology platform of electric vehicles is not something they just launch to be the first one to compete against new Tech Start-ups.

None of the big car brands cared to compete against Tesla until Tesla car sales (and performance of their electric cars) showed big numbers and brand loyalty. Only then they put serious money into developing electric powertrains, battery systems, software, etc.

–Wayfarer
Master Technician
Bikernet.com™

THE CARB GOD PASSED–Sad news in the motorcycle world, Mike Millay has passed away due to COVID-19 related pneumonia at age 81. He was a frequent vendor at antique motorcycle swap meets and was known as the “Linkert Carburetor Guy” receiving carburetors to be repaired from all corners of the world.

He also restored many antique motorcycles before, during and after his restoration work for the Harley-Davidson archives. His craftsmanship and attention to detail can be seen in many of the motorcycles displayed at the H-D Museum.

–from Sam Burns
Certified Historian
Bikernet.com™

CALIFORNIA H-D BIKE NIGHT ACTION–Shots from the California H-D event. It all started off at 6:00 pm Friday. Jodi was the coordinator of the event. She had a lot to offer in vendors. The event had something for all Harley enthusiasts.

There was a tattoo vendor, an assortment of beer at a 2 dollar price, a t shirt vendor and a couple of exotic dancers. You could go inside with an open container and look at all the inventory. Good time was had by all, patched or no patch. We all got along well all night.

Jodi and her California H-D team put on a hell of a party. Till next time.

–Gearhead

TERRORIST THREAT OF THE WEEK–
the grooming process is continuing. eventually Islam will be declared mandatory. Everything ELSE will be crimes subject to beheading. This is fact.

–J.J. Solari
Media Consultant
Bikernet.com™

EPA FINES SPEED SHOP AS PART OF ITS NATIONAL COMPLIANCE INITIATIVE–As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) targets and increases enforcement against automotive aftermarket companies through its National Compliance Initiative, the federal agency is harming legitimate businesses in the motorsports industry.

Despite the EPA’s nonbinding, informational claims that it is not targeting aftermarket companies that produce parts for dedicated race cars, the EPA continues to pursue cases based on supposition, impose inordinate monetary fines, and pursue legal actions to the contrary.

Recently, the EPA issued a fine against PFI Speed, a small speed shop in Colorado, for selling just 37 Hondata S300s over a two-year span. The fine was issued after company owner Brent Leivestad complied with an EPA inquiry for details about the company’s sales. Without any other contact from the EPA, Leivestad was shocked to receive a letter accusing the shop of selling illegal products. The letter included an $18,000 fine that, if not paid within 30 days, could increase to as much as $180,000.

“I was dumbfounded. I couldn’t even believe it,” said Leivestad. “I am a speed shop and sell race parts—I didn’t know that was wrong. I didn’t understand the basis of the EPA’s claim, I didn’t go in front of any trial or talk to anybody from the EPA, and the threat of ‘settle and pay within 30 days or else’ felt like a real shakedown intended to deny my rights.”

To protect the motorsports industry against further EPA overreach, PRI is calling on the racing industry and enthusiasts to unite and urge Congress to pass the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act. The bipartisan bill will clarify that it is legal to convert street vehicles into dedicated race cars, and that businesses can legally produce, market, and install racing products.

“There are thousands of legitimate motorsports businesses that are at risk of EPA overreach,” said Dr. Jamie Meyer, Performance Racing Industry (PRI) President. “The EPA is putting these businesses—which are typically small, home grown, less sophisticated shops—in situations where they have to take on the full might of the federal government. The EPA is doing nothing to validate its enforcement efforts, and these small businesses are left with little choice but to comply.”

The EPA, which is responsible for enforcing the Clean Air Act (CAA), a 1970 law that regulates motor vehicles on streets and highways throughout the United States, has been fining businesses such as PFI Speed for producing, selling, and installing race use-only products. The products are often used on vehicles that began as street cars and were subsequently converted into dedicated race cars that are trailered to and from the track, and never driven on streets or highways again.

The CAA only applies to vehicles driven on streets and highways, and the EPA contends that it is not targeting race-only vehicles. However, the EPA has pre-classified many motorsports products as illegal and is issuing fines without investigating the circumstances. Companies selling these products are presumed guilty by the EPA, regardless of the product’s use.

“The RPM Act must be passed into law to provide the racing community with certainty and confidence in the face of EPA threats,” said Meyer. “Without the RPM Act, businesses will shut down and the entire motorsports community will be severely impacted. It’s time for the motorsports community to push back and protect our racing rights.”

Leivestad agreed: “I’ve been doing this for 20-plus years, and it sounds like the EPA is trying to put us out of business. We need to get behind the RPM Act and get it pushed through now, more than ever.”

www.competitionplus.com
–NMA

MIC Represents Motorcycling on National Transportation Safety Board Roundtable
The MIC’s Scott Schloegel spoke on behalf of the MIC, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and motorcycling during a virtual roundtable on safe vehicles hosted last week by Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board – the independent U.S. agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation.

The two-hour discussion covered a wide range of topics from automated driving systems to anti-lock brakes, operator impairment, and safety training. Homendy herself has taken MSF rider training and has been considering a motorcycle purchase.

“I am actually going to take more motorcycle safety classes before I do purchase one,” she said. “(The MSF is) a great program and I will say there are actually advanced programs after that, that I plan to take, and the place I took mine actually offers private lessons as well. So, it’s fantastic.”

Schloegel, senior vice president at the MIC Government Relations Office, discussed motorcycle industry development of ABS, cornering ABS, traction control, riding modes, and radar systems.

“More and more they are becoming options that are available on those bikes,” he said. “With…the advancement of that technology…they take up less space on the bike, which is critical for a motorcycle, and they are also less weight. You are seeing those advancements continue and more and more of that is becoming standard.”

–MIC

Pirelli Congratulates Army of Darkness Race Team on Capturing the WERA/N2 Endurance Championship–

DIABLO Superbike Slicks Lead Army of Darkness to Summit Point Raceway Series Finale Victory and 17th National Championship

Pirelli Tire North America congratulates the Army of Darkness (AoD) racing team of Chris Peris and Ben Walters on capturing the WERA/N2 endurance victory at Summit Point Raceway and their 17th national endurance championship. The AoD Yamaha YZF-R1 relied on the performance of Pirelli’s DIABLO Superbike 125/70R-17 SC2 front and 200/65R-17 SC1 rear slicks to take the race win and secure the Heavyweight and overall championships for the fourth consecutive season.

“Endurance racing is definitely making the most of a lot of variables together to give the team the best chance to win in the long run,” said Oscar Solis, senior racing manager, Pirelli. “Army of Darkness have managed to do this both on and off the track this year. We applaud them for their tenacity. This not only proves Pirelli as a great tire for a single race, but also for an endurance of four hours. It has been great to work with the team to secure the championship.”

Peris managed to put in an incredible time during qualifying that saw him take pole position with 1.5 seconds to spare on his nearest competitor. Peris would go on to set the fastest laps of the race and was backed by his teammate Walters’ strong, consistent laps and the team’s quick pit stops, making it too much for their competition to overcome.

Chris Peris set the quickest time for pole position and would go on to set the fastest laps of racing at Summit Point Raceway.

“There have been 18 WERA/N2 endurance races over the last four years and I’ve been privileged to be a part of AoD winning 13 of them,” said Walters. “There are thousands of things that can go wrong with the bike, track, or another competitor and then we still have to bring a fast platform to the track and turn the lap times and, after all that, still have perfect pit stops. If you told me at the start of 2018 that we were going to win over 70 percent of the races going forward, I wouldn’t have believed it. We have had very strong competition each year, but racing fortune is smiling upon us and we keep pulling off the late-season rally to win the championships. It’s like a storybook ending each year!”

For more information about the complete line of Pirelli motorcycle tires, please visit Pirelli.com

DIABLOTM is a registered trademark of Pirelli Tire S.p.A

BE THERE. BE THERE–18th Annual Indian Larry Block Party
Date: Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021
Location: 70 N 15th St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

The Indian Larry Block Party returns for the 18th year and trust us– you don’t want to sit this one out. This year’s block party will take place on Saturday, September 18, 2021 beginning at 12 p.m., and we’re thrilled to announce our plans for the event. Read below for more details on what to expect at the 18th Annual Indian Larry Block Party.

Grindhouse Gallery: Motorcycle + Art Exhibition – This year, Indian Larry Motorcycles will host the first ever “Grindhouse Gallery: Motorcycle + Art Exhibition” during the weekend of the 18th Annual Block Party. The gallery will take place in a beautifully renovated warehouse/boiler room located in the back lot of the shop. Grindhouse Gallery will feature a hand-curated display of 20 motorcycles from some of the most talented builders in the country including Billy Lane, Paul Cox, and Roland Sands.

Grindhouse Gallery will also feature work from renowned artists and craftsmen in the bike industry including Darren McKeag, David Uhl, and Jeff Decker. The gallery will open on Friday, September 17 with a VIP cocktail event that evening, and will be open to the public on Saturday, September 18 during the Block Party. Stay tuned for more information regarding the opening event taking place on Friday.

Rhett Rotten’s Wall of Death – For the first time since the 1930s, The Wall of Death is coming to Brooklyn! The Wall of Death is a classic carnival sideshow attraction that has been around for over a century, and Rhett Rotten is one of the few modern-day stunt riders who keeps the tradition alive. Block Party goers will experience the thrill of watching Rhett Rotten ride his motorcycle around the Wall of Death while performing stunt tricks along the way.

Additional Block Party Features:
Eastcoastin’ Crew
Live Bands
DJ in VIP Area
Vendors
BBQ + Drinks
Free Indian Larry Tattoos for Tips

CLICK HERE FOR VIP TICKETS. YOU’LL RECIEVE THEM AT ILM.

AHDRA Nitro V-Twin Thunder Coming to Orangeburg–AHDRA motorcycle drag racing series pre-race report

event: AHDRA Southern Nationals

when: September 17-18, 2021

where: South Carolina Motorplex, Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA

AHDRA all-American motorcycle drag racing is bringing their thundering Nitro V-Twin show to the home of the Southern Son. The AHDRA Southern Nationals will blister the South Carolina Motorplex in Orangeburg, South Carolina, on September 17-18, and you will not want to miss the sights, sounds and smells of AHDRA’s nitro and gasoline Harleys and Indians.

Ryan Peery has won the last two NHRA Top Fuel Harley races, including the huge U.S. Nationals, and now will see what his championship-bound bike can do on the eighth mile in Orangeburg.

Peery will be joined by Bad Apple Racing’s Tracy Kile, Dr. Jimmy McMillan, and more.

Local second generation star Armon Furr will lead the Hawaya Racing Nitro Funnybike field, but he’ll have Sam White, Rocky Jackson and points leader Michael Balch to deal with.

Hawaya Racing Pro Fuel will have a large field of carbureted nitro bikes, including South Carolina’s White, Jackson, champ Preston “President” Bartlett, Jim Martin, and more.

GMS Racing Pro Open features the hottest, no-bar Harleys in the world. These gas burners add power with turbos or nitrous to haul some serious ass.

Zippers Performance Pro Modified, Pingel Modified, and Horsepower Incorporated Hot Street are all out-the-back-door, pro gasoline classes.

Law Tigers Pro Bagger run their bags out the back door, while T-Man Performance Bagger Eliminator racers run to a dial-in. Expect big fields of both.

Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson 6.35, Universal Fleet & Tire 7.00 index, 5.95 index, 6.60 index, 7.35 index, and Mad Monkey Motorsports Eliminator will all be competing, along with the Trophy class.

So, bring your American made V-Twin motorcycle, your safety equipment, and start drag racing! Find out how your bike and skill level measures up, or just come and watch.

Bill Rowe, his family, and the AHDRA community welcome you to drag racing action on the South Carolina Motorplex eighth mile!

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

BIKERNET BRINGS YOU ALL THE ANSWERS TO LIFE–Jesus vs Government

The difference between Jesus’ version of Christianity and the Government’s version of Christianity is Jesus’ version of Christianity is voluntary. The Government’s version is not only mandatory it’s demonic. For instance in an actual epidemic spread by contact you only avoid other people when you are actually afflicted or dangerously contagious, such as for example, with tuberculosis. Or Pneumonia. And you do this out of a personal sense of responsibility and empathy.

In a Government Declared epidemic, such as the Out of Nowhere Contagion of Covid 19 which statistically leaves 99% of its “victims” unscathed, you are ordered to isolate yourself even when healthy or immune or having received the unapproved vaccination which is not actually a vaccine by definition of “vaccine”….you are ordered to “be responsible”, meaning “obedient” by command as a “duty” to all the rest of mankind, which you are personally now the caretaker of.

Which of the two above “burdens” and “yokes” is the light one. Which is the one impossible to successfully bear.

And there you have it: the difference between good and evil, the eternal question tossed about in utter bewilderment by philosophers for 8,000 years, explained simply and easily by me. You are quite welcome. Go your way and be stupid no more…

–Dr. J.J. Solari

BREAKING NEWS: RPM Act Reintroduced in U.S. Senate for 2021—Act Now!

Our voices have been heard once again! After receiving more than 1.5 million letters from enthusiasts like you, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act) has been reintroduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate in the 2021-2022 session of Congress!

The RPM Act must be enacted into law to guarantee your right to modify street cars, trucks, and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles, and ensure that industry can offer parts that enable racers to compete.

More than ever, now is not the time to take our feet off the gas. Even if you’ve previously contacted your lawmakers about the RPM Act, we need your voice once again now that the bill has officially returned for consideration in both houses of Congress in 2021! Tell your federal officials to do their part to finally save racing from government threat by supporting and passing the RPM Act into law this year.

CLIMATE DOOM HEADLINE OF THE WEEK–
apparently this global-warming roulette wheel is rigged so that the house always wins: no matter WHAT the fucking weather is HAHAHAHAHA

–J.J. Solari
Certified Weatherman
Bikernet.com™

[page break]

IRISH RICH MOVES TO THE BADLANDS—He’s escaping Colorado, but he’s moving his entire operation to Sturgis, but across the city line into Meade County. More reports in the near future.

–Bandit

THE NAKED TRUTH–Naked woman driving a golf cart interrupted police during six-hour stand-off

Are you ready for this? Because it sounds like something straight out of an action-comedy movie.

A woman was arrested in Florida after she interrupted a police stand-off by ploughing through the tense scenes on a golf cart – while naked.

Jessica Elisabeth Smith, 28, now faces a charge for resisting an officer without violence after her antics that disrupted the police, who say they were in the middle of a six-hour armed standoff with suspects in Dunedin, near Tampa, when Smith made things even more difficult.

Police were first on the scene due to reports of someone shooting at others from the roof of a home, according to WFLA. When the suspects fled the area, officers chased after them.

A gun was fired by one of the suspects towards bystanders, but fortunately, no one was injured, police said – though, during their attempted escape, the suspect allegedly shot himself in the leg.

As all this was happening, Smith drove into the crime scene in her golf cast, despite several Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office patrol cars marking the area, according to court documents.

Despite being warned by officers to get out of the cart, Smith allegedly ignored their demands and continued to drive toward the target’s home. Her “actions and inability to follow directions put multiple deputies at risk for potentially getting shot at,” the affidavit read.

Police were eventually able to get Smith out of the golf cart and apprehend her with handcuffs.

By Sinead Butler, Newsbreak

NHDRO’s Racing at Norwalk!
September 14, 2021–NHDRO motorcycle drag racing series pre-race report

event: NHDRO Midwest Fall Nationals/World Finals presented by Liguori Drag Racing

when: September 17-19, 2021

where: Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio, USA

The Midwest’s largest motorcycle drag racing series—NHDRO—is making their first trip to the Midwest’s favorite dragstrip—Summit Motorsports Park. The Midwest Fall Nationals/World Finals presented by Liguori Drag Racing marks a sudden finale to NHDRO’s championship points season, and the whole NHDRO racing family is in for a real Big Money, Shootout-laden treat.

NHDRO’s Shootout Friday kicks the weekend off with a $10,000 Box vs. No-Box Shootout. Bracket Racing stars Tom and Joe Klemme, Dustin Lee, Robert “The” Mann, Norwalk stars Kevin and Craig Adams, and many more will all be cutting lights and taking stripes, measuring each other against the best in the world.

Friday will also be Ryan Schnitz Racing Road Course day—the no-time class that’s taking the nation by storm. Kyron Drake’s wild rides took the win last time out, but this class is just now getting serious. Martin runner-up Nico Grier, Mitch Pennington, “Kawasaki” Steve Adams, and many more have been tuning up and calling out competitors for this one.

Friday will also see the first round of qualifying for all Pro and Sportsman classes, including the big-tire nitrous and turbo studs of Grothus Dragbikes/Klemme Performance Motorcycles Pro Ultra 4.60

Dan McCarten has a strong 57 point lead in the 4.60 championship fight, with Jeff Jones in second. Joey Brandgard is another 8 points behind, and 7 points ahead of Les Stimac.

The MTC Pro Street championship battle is very tight, with Rudy Sanzottera 13 points ahead of Josh Ford and his nitrous Suzuki Hayabusa. Sanzottera’s Quicktime teammate (and brother-in-law) Brad Christian is another 28 behind in third.

Christian is the defending champ. Will Rudy break through this year for a well-deserved championship?

Jeremy Teasley has a short 8-point lead over Thomas “Turtle” Cole for the Schnitz Racing Top Gas 8.20 index championship, with Ryan Schnitz another 35 points back.

But there are other big Top Gas stories this weekend. Doug Fisher and David Beshera will run the rain-delayed U.S. 131 Top Gas final. Beshara is fifth in points and an extra win would help him make a big move at this event.

And both Beshara and Fisher will be hoping to win the $500 (plus interest?) bonus that “Kounselor” Kenny Schwartz is paying to the delayed Top Gas winner,

Teasley also has the BB Racing Super Comp 8.90 index points lead by 27 over Greg Mallett, who has 11 on Joe Klemme. Young Trevor Schnitz is another 50 points back.

Marty White leads M2.Shocks 8.70 Quick Street points on his mysteriously quick “Katanabusa,” 34 points ahead of veteran racer Dave Page. Eric Yost is another 12 back, followed by Rashad Rowe.

Marty also leads Kevin Dennis Insurance Street ET points, just 30 ahead of John “Spooky” Markham. Look out! When Spooky can sniff a championship, he’s a dangerous, dangerous man.

Justin Blackford and Rashard Rowe are tied for third, 80 points out of the Street ET lead.

Advanced Sleeve Dirty 30 9.30 is the other class that didn’t finish at Martin, and Joe Klemme and Rylan Rowe will also race that final at Norwalk. These two are also locked in a championship battle in the class, with Klemme ahead by 51 points. Todd “Bounty Hunter” Smith is third.

Klemme also has the points lead in MPS Pro ET, 20 points ahead of Beshara, who’s 60 points ahead of Doug Fisher.

Saturday night will see the Stock Wheelbase Shootout, another no-time class. Expect to see Martin winner Dustin Clark back for more, along with Drake and anyone else with a stock wheelbase and confident clutch hand.

VooDoo Grudge will throw down between all the Shootouts and late-night bracket racing till midnight each night.

Brian and Niki Welch look forward to welcoming the NHDRO family to everyone’s favorite track—Summit Motorsports Park at Norwalk!

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

THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS STILL WIDE OPEN–My wife was standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror.
She was not happy with what she saw and said to me,
“I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you
to pay me a compliment.’

I replied, “Your eyesight’s damn near perfect.”
And then the fight started……

I rear-ended a car this morning…the start of a REALLY bad day!
The driver got out of the other car, and he was a DWARF!!
He looked up at me and said, “ ‘I am NOT Happy!”
So, I said, “Well, which one ARE you then?”

That’s how the fight started.
________________________________

as a Christmas gift…

The next year, I didn’t buy her a gift.
When she asked me why, I replied,
“Well, you still haven’t used the gift I bought you last year!”

And that’s how the fight started.
____________

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary.

She said, “I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds.”

I bought her a bathroom scale.
And then the fight started……

After retiring, I went to the Social Security office to apply for Social Security. The woman behind the counter asked me
for my driver’s License to verify my age.

I looked in my pockets and realized I had left my wallet at home. I told the woman that
I was very sorry, but I would have to go home and come back later.

The woman said, “Unbutton your shirt.”

So, I opened my shirt revealing my curly silver hair.

She said, “That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me,” and she processed my Social Security application.

When I got home, I excitedly told my wife about my experience at the Social Security office.

She said, “You should have dropped
your pants. You might have gotten disability too.”

And then the fight started…

–El Waggs
Official Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina Bad Joke Library

Two-time 2020 GRAMMY winner Tanya Tucker and Emmy-award-winning RuPaul release their empowering new anthem– “This Is Our Country,” and the lyric video via World of Wonder’s WOW Records, today. “This Is Our Country” was written by RuPaul, Leland, Freddy Scott and Tom Campbell to celebrate love, self-empowerment and unity when the division in our country has hit an all-time high.

To stream and download “This Is Our Country,” click HERE.

Love is the answer,
Love always wins,
Love has the power to be born again

The track premiered first on the RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 6 finale last week when the top 4 queens were tasked with writing original verses to the song. Tanya and RuPaul have a long history of being fans of the other, and Tanya most recently appeared virtually during the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 6 to give the queens a few words of encouragement and explain that finally winning her GRAMMY® Awards were worth the wait.

For real-time updates, visit TanyaTucker.com

DC BIKERNET REPORTER CHECKS IN–
if DC shut down all operations except the military and war-machine departments and got rid of all the other departments and so called “services” that no one wants – which is why
DC has to force people to pay for them even if they don’t use or want them, and as long as the war department kept making new cool shit….overnight America would be great again.

We wouldn’t even NEED Trump to do it. EYE could do it. MAKE ME PRESIDENT! Thank you. Yhis isn’t complicated.

–J.J. Solari
Bikernet Presidential Candidate

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!

BEST OF TIMES BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for September 9, 2021

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/BEST_OF_TIMES_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_September_9_2021.aspx

How about Stolen Dream Catchers

Made me think about when my ’49 pan was stolen in ’72. The builder got into something over his head and left MA for Cali. I was told latter his life was on the line. JR, the builder, never tried to contact me once he made it to the west coast. And I never saw my unfinished bike again.

–Rhys
Daytona Beach, FL

Thanks for this: I started on the first episode. It’s a tough one, because all the other episodes with be centered around the characters and the circumstances developed in the first one.

I will appreciate your input once I have the first draft on Bikernet. Fortunately for the web, we can make changes quick.

–Bandit

BIKERNET MEDICAL ALERT–The Department of Health and Human Services, which is run by the formerly man and now woman pictured, who does not appear healthy and may not actually be human….he, she or it is now going to create a new entity that will By Its Command make the weather nice, or maybe not nice, and will order everyone to have the same degree of healthiness. Which will probably be a very low degree of it.

One should not be surprised at what this person is planning to do to you considering what it already did to itself.

–Dr. J.J. Solari
Bikernet Medical Center

BIKERNET BOOK OF THE WEEK CLUB FINDINGS—These came directly from the Antique Motorcycle Club of America. Let’s get started:

The Liberators: Military Harley-Davidsn Motorcycles: 1939-1952
By David Sarafan

As Allied soldiers advanced through occupied territory in Europe in the closing months of WWII, the first Americans the townspeople say were scouts mounted on WLA Harleys.

This book includes photography of the various derivations, photo example of too kits, and production numbers for WLAs. There are also photos of data plates related to various Harley military motorcycles, including the WLA, the Canadian WLC, the Big twin UA, the experimental flat-twin XA and the Knucklehead-powered three-wheeled TA.

It’s 118 pages and available from Portrayal Press: www.portrayalpress.com

Harley-Davidson 1915-1929 Pocket Valve Big Twins: An Identification and Restoration Guide
By Steve Slocombe

Steve, president of the AMCA’s European chapter and former AMCA board member set out to create a formerly uncover model guide.

Steve is well-known for his work on Harley VL flathead twins from the ‘30s, having published a four-volume guide that is the definitive collection for anyone looking to own or work on these bikes. And in “Harley-Davidson 1915-’29 Pocket Valve Big Twins: An identification and Restoration guide,” he provides the same authoritative perspective on the pocket-valve era.

It’s arranged in a large-format, spiral-bound book that you can peruse in your easy or lay out flat on your work bench.

It’s 220 pages and available from www.replicantmetals.com

Bumper’s Garage by Geoff Holladay

In “Bumper’s Garage,” author Geoff Holladay tells the story of Steve, a young boy who is having problems with the chain on his bicycles. His dad knows just the guy to help—a gray-haired man named Bumper who tinkers in an old repair shop.

It’s a kids book and only 32 pages for only $14.95 through www.bumpersgarage.com

Here’s another group from Velcoce

Product Details
Publisher: Veloce
ISBN: 9781787110991
By Jeff Clew

Paperback or eBook • 20.7x25cm • 144 pages • pictures • Flowing format eBook

A Veloce Classic Reprint.

For those who were there, and for those fascinated by 1950s British culture, Jeff Clew’s insight to motorcycling in the ‘50s will provide a delightful nostalgic journey into the past, while those younger riders who cherish 1950s motorcycles today will discover a whole new dimension to their enjoyment of the machines.

Reprinted after many years of absence! For many, a motorcycle bought at the beginning of the 1950s was a first taste of the freedom offered by personal transport.

Although British postwar austerity was fading, money was still tight and new machines virtually unobtainable, but there were plenty of cheap prewar machines around and an ex-War Department motorcycle could be bought from one of the big city dealers on the never-never; better still it would be sent to your local railway station. Ex-army dispatch riders’ coats and boots would serve to keep the weather at bay as the new motorcyclists explored and enjoyed the quiet roads in a pre-motorway era.

The decade would become a Golden Era of motorcycling as manufacturers brought new and excitingly advanced machines to an appreciative audience which had never even heard of a Japanese motorcycle.

Motorcycle sport mushroomed in popularity at a time when you actually had to go to the race to see it and helped to reinforce the public’s ever-growing enthusiasm for the motorcycle. the era would also see the arrival of the moped, scooter and bubblecar.

For those that were there, Jeff Clew’s insight to motorcycling of the ‘50s will provide a delightful nostalgic journey into the past, while those younger riders who cherish 1950s motorcycles today will discover a whole new dimension to their enjoyment of the machines.

Product Details
Publisher: Veloce
ISBN: 9781845840785
By Richard Skelton

Paperback or eBook • 20.7x25cm • 144 pages • pictures • Flowing format eBook

A celebration of the sports moped charting the history of a genre created unwittingly by the government in 1972 and killed off by more legislation five years later. ??This book recaptures the spirit of happy and carefree times and looks at the bikes that gave freedom and mobility to a generation.

If you’re red-blooded and somewhere between 35 and 50 the chances are that your first bike was a sports moped.

This book takes you on a nostalgic full throttle trip back to the heady days of the 1970s and early ‘80s when these fabulous little superbikes were available to 16-year-olds.

Packed with photos from past and present, this book will revive wonderful memories of the machines, the people, the fashions, and even the music of the time. Includes coverage of AJW, Batavus, Casal, Cimatti, Derbi, Fantic, Flandria, Garelli, Gilera, Gitane, Honda, Kreidler, KTM, Malaguti, Motobecane, Negrini, NVT, Puch, Suzuki, Testi, Yamaha and Zundapp.

Charts the extraordinary rise of the sports moped in the 1970s and early ‘80s
Fascinating detail on a huge number of machines.

Owners recollections
Social history too, music and fashions of the era
Superbikes for 16 year olds!
A nostalgic road trip through history

Product Details
Publisher: Veloce
ISBN: 9781787111196
By Ian Grainger

Paperback or eBook • 22.5×22.5cm • 128 pages • 380 pictures • Flowing format eBook

Back in print after a long absence!

Guides you through the scootering way of life and all its factions, giving a unique insight into the modern scene and all its diversities – warts and all! Includes interviews with well known scootering personalities, plus over 150 colour photos of award-winning custom scooters.

Back in print after a long absence!

There has been plenty said and written about scooters over the years, but until now there has been no definitive look at the culture surrounding the riders’ chosen way of life. Many authors have written about mods and the infamous and often over-hyped beach battles of the 1960s, but hardly any have tried to capture the atmosphere of the modern scene in print.

The original mods are still responsible for fuelling the imagination of past, present and future generations, and for leaving a rich scooter heritage behind them. Although the mod way of life was the spark which lit the fuse for many of them, the majority of scooter riders have evolved into lifestyle scooterists.

As the author says “We may not dress in a particular style, our scooters may not be adorned with lights and mirrors, but we still burn with the same passion as our scooter riding ancestors. It’s over sixty years since the first Italian scooters rolled off the production lines, but there is still a buzzing and vibrant lifestyle surrounding them.

The small capacity machines have overtaken the lives of thousands of us, often to the detriment of everything else we hold dear. Careers, relationships and families have suffered for this overwhelming and expensive addiction. An addiction to which there is no cure.

We live and breathe the sickly-sweet smell of synthetic two-stroke oil and worship at the altar of our chosen gods, Lambretta and Vespa (or occasionally Gilera and Italjet). Our hands are permanently ingrained with the oily ‘tattoos’ of a thousand engine rebuilds, and our major organs have suffered the long term effects of our hedonistic lifestyleor a.”

Including interviews with well-known scootering personalities, over 150 color photographs of award-winning custom scooters, best-selling scooter models, and information on rallies and events, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in these fun machines.

Nostalgia with a modern twist
Interviews with prominent scooterists, past and present
Scooter rallies, from the inside out
The scooter scene as a way of life
People, friendships and comradeship
Custom scooters, what’s wrong with spending £25k on a scooter?

The machines, what’s hot and what’s not
Racing, who ever said scooters are slow?
Over 150 colour photographs

Product Details
Publisher: Veloce
ISBN: 9781787114463
By Ian Falloon

Paperback or eBook • 20.7x25cm • 160 pages • 163 pictures • Flowing format eBook

When the great Ducati engineer Fabio Taglioni designed the 750 Ducati in 1970 there was no way he could comprehend how important this model would be. The 750, the Formula 750 racer and the Super Sport became legend: this book celebrates these machines. Year-by-year, model-by-model, change-by-change detail.

When Ducati s great engineer Fabio Taglioni designed the 750 Ducati in 1970 there was no way he could comprehend how important this model would be. His design was unlike any other before or since: a 90-degree V-twin with single overhead camshafts driven by a train of bevel gears. Taglioni soon developed his 750 into a Formula 750 racer, and in 1972 beat the rest of what the world had to offer at the Imola 200. With this victory, the desmodromic 750 became a legend.

Ducati responded by producing a hand-built limited production desmodromic Super Sport. They also continued to produce the touring 750 GT and sporting 750 Sport until legislation killed them at the end of 1974. Today, this triumvirate of 750s represents the end of an era; the era before cost accounting and government design requirements.

These were amongst the last pure, unadulterated sporting motorcycles built and it is not surprising they have inspired a new generation of retro classics, the Sport Classic of 2005 and 2006. Author, Ian Falloon, is a Ducati expert with several books on the marque including the best-selling Ducati Story, and Ducati Twins Restoration Guide. He has owned several 750s over the years and has a particular enthusiasm for this model, still owning the 750 Super Sport he bought back in the 1970s.

Now in paperback
The definitive reference/sourcebook on Ducati’s classic bevel-twins
Written by a world-renowned expert

Product Details
Publisher: Veloce
ISBN: 9781787112483
By Rod Burris

Paperback or eBook • 22.5×22.5cm • 224 pages • 450 pictures • Flowing format eBook

The definitive development history of the most famous Velocette motorcycles, this third edition includes updated information and the most comprehensive appendices ever published on this historic marque.

The definitive development history of the most famous Velocette motorcycles, written by an acknowledged expert. Based on the author’s earlier work, which was out of print for many years, this edition has been fully revised and updated, and includes the most comprehensive appendices ever published on this historic marque.

As one critic said: “THE best book about Velos – I know because I’ve got the lot. Go buy it.”

Now reissued in paperback, due to popular demand.

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BEST HEADLINE OF THE WEEK–I’m the guy that said there are never any good news headlines. Turns out…That’s not always the case. I don’t know who Tana Mongoose is but she looks like good news to me.

–J.J. Solari

NEVER GIVE UP—I can’t believe everything that’s going on and how brothers and sisters are not giving up or staying home. There’s action everywhere no matter what.

Hell, most aftermarket companies like S&S and Paughco are having banner years.

Brothers doubted that I actually married the Redhead again, after 30 some years. Another brother complimented the Redhead and shot arrows at me. “She looks great, but you’re just another old, grubby biker.”

The Redhead is after me for a puppy. We had two mutt, black labs. The last one passed away while I was in the Badlands. Still breaks my heart. Tore me up. Don’t think I could outlive another pet. The bastard better attend my funeral.

In the meantime, I can’t stop or slow down. It’s the code. Gotta Ride fast and free until the end, and fuck anyone who doesn’t like it…

I’m proud to say I would rather weld than watch commercial TV.

I walked into an engraving shop yesterday and after we chatted for a while, the woman asked, “What brings you to the Badlands.”

I looked at her sorta stunned and said, “Motorcycles goddammit!”

–Bandit

Photo attribution: Biker Switchboard

On this day, September 11, 1937, The Washington Post reported that “D.C.’s Lone Girl Motorcyclist Stormed Loudly To Get Permit.” The girl was Sally Robinson and after nearly a decade of operating motorcycles illegally, she decided it was time to get a permit.

But even though the Post makes clear that there were no laws on the books to support discrimination on the basis of sex, the policeman administering the test still did not agree.

“First he said I was too little, then he said I was too young,” Miss Robinson declaimed yesterday, malice towards all policemen shining in her eyes.

She is 27 years old and 4 feet 11 inches tall, and didn’t see what either factor had to do with her sitting behind the handlebars of a motorcycle. After she passed the written examination twice—scoring an 80 and 92 respectively—and brought in a lawyer, Robinson was finally permitted to take the driving portion of the test.

Well, theoretically: The policeman announced that he would not ride with her in the sidecar of the machine he provided for the test—he said he was afraid to. But when the test was over, the examiner announced, “Lady, you handle it as well as a man could. Your balance is swell, and you know the machine, but I didn’t see you kick it over so I can’t give you the permit.”

Robinson was incensed. “I called him such names—well, I was ashamed of myself,” she said. “But it worked, and I have the permit.” And with that, she became the first legal female motorcyclist in the Capitol.

From there, she sought membership in the Capitolians, a newly-formed D.C. Motorcycle Club.