SleevesUp: Ride On For Jesse Rooke #27 This is a VIRTUAL blood drive to honor Jesse Rooke; it is for out of state family & and friends, or anyone who can’t be at the June 1st blood drive. https://sleevesup.redcrossblood.org/campaign/ride-on-for-jesse-rooke-27-3/ You can participate VIRTUALLY in the blood drive by clicking “PLEDGE TO GIVE BLOOD”, then donating at your local American Red Cross🩸 📆This Virtual blood drive is from: May 1, 2024 thru August 31, 2024. “Ride On for Jesse Rooke #27”- will be linked with the IN PERSON drive on June 1, 2024, when we will be honoring Jesse’s life at an American Red Cross blood drive at The Martin Auto Museum in Glendale, AZ. ***The IN PERSON drive June 1st is by appointment only, limited to 30 people. Please consider donating via the Virtual drive, if the June 1st appointments are booked.**** This blood drive is intended to honor the life and passions of Jesse Rooke. Jesse was highly motivated and very entrepreneurial. Many know of his business building custom motorcycles – those who met him personally or knew him well also experienced his passion to inspire kids to pursue active lifestyles – especially athletics and motorsports. Every new business idea he had involved inspiring and motivating kids. He loved encouraging and talking about Scarlett, his nephews, niece, cousins, and friend’s kids active endeavors. He enjoyed RC cars, BMX, bicycle racing, auto racing, motorcycle racing – anything active. For this blood drive, we’d like to think about the kids he cared so much about, especially those who might struggle to follow his inspiration due to health or other challenges. Our hope through this blood drive is to continue to help others. We aim to give life through these blood donations in Jesse’s name.💙💙💙 For more about Jesse, check out this YouTube clip from Sturgis: https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2006/09/01/jesse_rooke_darla_custom_bike_motorcycle/ * * *  

The 30th annual Platinum General Services event, proudly presented by the XDA, took on a bittersweet tone this past weekend at the Maryland International Raceway. As engines thundered against the backdrop of spring skies, the event unfolded with a poignant undercurrent, marking the first race since the passing of XDA co-owner Chris Miller.

Miller’s absence was deeply felt, his legacy casting a long shadow over the track he helped cultivate into a haven for speed enthusiasts. Despite this, racers and fans alike came together in a powerful display of solidarity and respect, celebrating his memory by ensuring the event he cherished ran with the precision and passion he was known for.

During three exhilarating days, competitors from far and wide converged, introducing fresh talent to the racing scene while seasoned veterans showcased their enduring skills.

However, Mother Nature had her own plans, as rain delays added a twist to the race schedule. These interruptions, although unwelcome, did little to dampen the spirits of the racers and fans alike. The track buzzed with activity between the showers, with pit crews working feverishly to make the most of the dry spells and prepare the bikes for the intense competition that awaited them.

Orient Express Racing Pro Street
Winner – Rodney Williford
Runner-up – Mark Rendeluk

The season opener for the Orient Express Pro Street class was nothing short of explosive. With a qualifying field boasting 23 bikes, the stage was set for high-speed competition. Reigning champion Rodney Williford wasted no time in asserting his dominance, leading the pack with a blistering 6.436-second pass at 232.39 mph. The crowd was on edge as Jason Dunigan notched the event’s top speed at 233.68 mph, and qualified second with a 6.482.

In eliminations, the air vibrated with intensity. Tony Ficher shattered his personal records, blazing through with a 6.473 at 229.74 MPH to triumph over Jamie Lopes. The action intensified as first-round victories went to heavy hitters including Williford, James Waugh, Justin Shakir, Greg Wallace, Dunigan, Darion Payne, and Mark Rendeluk.

The second round was full of nail-biting showdowns, with Rendeluk and Payne delivering an impressive side-by-side duel in the forties. Rendeluk edged out Payne with a 6.457 against his 6.477 effort. Williford, Shakir, and Dunigan also advanced, setting the stage for a dramatic semi-final.

Anticipation was high as Rendeluk faced off against his DME Racing teammate Dunigan. Both riders, having posted stellar 640s in the preceding round, promised an electrifying clash. Yet, fate had other plans; Dunigan encountered starting line woes, leaving Rendeluk to seize the win light and secure a spot in his second consecutive final.

Williford continued his relentless charge, securing a win with a 6.44-second run against Shakir’s 9.316. The final round was a spectacle of speed and skill, as Rendeluk’s sharp .010 reaction time clashed with Williford’s .059. Despite Rendeluk’s advantage off the line, Williford’s unyielding momentum carried him through to victory with a 6.431 to Rendeluk’s 6.555. As the smoke cleared and cheers filled the air, Rodney Williford stood once again as the season opener victor.

DME Racing Real Street
Winner – David Fondon
Runner-up – Jason Iannotti

The DME Racing Real Street class carved out its own chapter of milestones, birthing a saga of new talent and dramatic upsets.

Qualifying sessions unfurled with the reigning champion, Rickey Gadson, taking the number-one spot with a 7.440. Naturally, the crowd was whipped into a frenzy as Gadson not only lived up to the expectations but exceeded them by clicking off a monumental 200+ MPH run, the first in Real Street history, with a 201.79 MPH. The feat remains unofficial, though, as his subsequent passes didn’t back up the record.

Jason Iannotti, having qualified at the lower echelon of the ladder with a 10.720, demonstrated the power of perseverance. He ousted the defending champion Gadson in round one, overpowered Caleb Holt, and cruised past a semi-final bye, catapulting himself into the final round.

Parallel to this narrative, David Fondon, the number two qualifier with a commanding 7.519 aboard his HTP Performance Suzuki, made his presence felt. Dispatching Ty Isaac, Drae Taylor, and former class champion David Stewart, Fondon was resolute on his path to the finals.

Anticipation reached its peak as Iannotti and Fondon stood on the brink of potentially securing their first DME Racing Real Street victory. As they rolled up to the water box, spectators braced themselves for an electrifying showdown.

The air was thick with anticipation as this match alone would guarantee we would have a new crowned winner at the end. When the lights dropped, Fondon leapt off the line and grabbed the advantage with a razor-sharp .022 reaction time to Iannotti’s .150. It was a head-to-head sprint, with Iannotti giving chase, thundering down the strip in a valiant bid to overturn the lead. In the end, Fondon’s early advantage held firm, and he stormed across the finish line with a victorious 7.469 over Iannotti’s hard-fought 7.535. The drama is bound to follow at the MTC Summer Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, May 17-19.

MaxxECU Pro Xtreme
Winner – Dale Leeks
Runner-up – Rob Garcia

The MaxxECU Pro Xtreme 1/8 mile heads-up class is experiencing an international invasion with attendance from two riders from Canada, Jean Gosselin and Gerry Hunt, along with Dale Leeks from the United Kingdom.

The battle for supremacy was intense from the get-go, with George Whitaker clinching the number one qualifying spot with a 4.072, narrowly shadowed by Gosselin’s 4.079. Despite earning a bye in the first round due to his top qualifying position, Whitaker didn’t hold back, setting the stage ablaze with a staggering 4.042.

Joining Whitaker as first-round victors were reigning champion Chris Cutsinger, the UK’s Dale Leeks, Rob Garcia, and John Collins, each demonstrating their prowess and staking their claim for the title.

However, the second round was met with a mix of anticipation and disappointment. The withdrawal of both Collins and Whitaker due to mechanical woes, along with Cutsinger’s earned bye, resulted in an unusual quiet before the storm of the semi-finals.

In the third round UK’s Leeks smoothly sailed into the finals with an earned bye, setting his sights on the ultimate prize. The other spot was fiercely contested by Rob Garcia and Chris Cutsinger, in a clash that had the spectators on the edge of their seats. Garcia, quick off the line with a .049 reaction time, went side-by-side with Cutsinger down the strip. In a display of raw speed and steely nerves, Garcia edged out with a 4.17 victory, a mere whisker ahead of Cutsinger’s 4.195, securing his place in the finals and capping off an electrifying round of eliminations.

Leeks and Garcia were evenly matched in power and precision, making predictions all but impossible. As the lights flashed, Garcia snatched the starting line advantage with a .028 reaction time. Despite Garcia’s aggressive launch, his bike faltered in power output and Leeks tore down the strip, executing a near-perfect straight pass and stopping the clocks at 4.013 to Garcia’s trailing 4.441, claiming victory in a decisive, adrenaline-fueled finale.

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

HTP Performance Super Stock
Winner – Jeremy Teasley
Runner-up – Caleb Holt

The HTP Performance Super Stock class was a battleground of precision riding skills. Darion Payne secured the number one qualifying spot with an 8.769 and a first-round bye. Yet, the tides of racing can turn quickly, and Payne was outpaced in the second round by Jamie Lopes.

Since the class’s birth in 2020, the Kawasaki ZX-14 has risen as the steed of choice, its presence on the track growing ever more dominant. This year, however, witnessed a spirited resurgence of Suzuki models making their mark early on. However all the Suzuki riders were out before the third round, setting the stage for a ZX-14 showdown once again.

Jeremy Teasley etched a path of consistent victories, besting competitors Dennis Iannnotti, Tim Cottrell, and Jimmy Leach to stake his claim in the finals. Meanwhile, Caleb Holt carved his own route to the decisive round, claiming wins against Mike Geer, Chris Moore, Jamie Lopes, and Mike Davis, proving himself a formidable force.

The final round was a showcase of skill, particularly off the line, in this hand-clutch class. Holt, with a swift .078, and Teasley, close behind with a .095, showcased their quick-draw capabilities. Despite Holt’s lead at the start, his performance deviated from the norm, clocking an ET of 10.235. This deviation left an opening that Teasley exploited, powering through to take the win with an 8.919 pass.

HTP Performance Grudge

Saturday night’s Running of the Bulls was sizzling, with fifty-one Grade A premium Bulls on the property to show out. XDA’s #KillerMiller track prep showed us in the shakedown runs that we had the quickest and fastest motorcycles grudge racing has to offer.

Booted Bulls
Winner – Frankie Stotz / Reddi-Wip
Runner-up – Derek Sobiech / Night Stalker

The Boosted Bulls class brought the heat with nine bikes ready for serious action. During the Shakedown rounds, these racers didn’t just set the bar—they launched it into orbit with their heart-pounding performances.

George Stanley, riding ‘On Time,’ snagged a bye to round two thanks to a lucky pull in the chip draw. Meanwhile, Frankie Stotz on ‘Reddi-Wip,’ Derek Sobiech on ‘Night Stalker,’ and Alex Moore on ‘Big Kountry’ tore through their competition, leaving no doubt about their speed and skill as they charged into round two.

Round two was all about Stotz and Sobiech laying down the law on the track, dominating like unstoppable freight trains. Their wins set the stage for a showdown so hyped, fans were pulling out their dollars.

Come the final throwdown, Stotz and Sobiech hit the strip, gunning it all the way to the wire in a head-to-head that was straight fire. Stotz clinched it, blasting past the finish line first to cap off a killer night with style. His win didn’t just showcase his chops; it threw down a gauntlet for the next big meet.

Nitrous Bulls
Winner – Antonia Patton / Big Dirty
Runner-up – Gaige Herrera / Big Bumpy

In the Nitrous Bulls class, it’s all about proving who’s got the fastest nitrous grudge bikes in the game. The vibe was intense out the gate, with riders throwing down some seriously blazing laps. Early rounds were all about tight races and high vibes, but as the night wore on, that cold air brought out the unpredictable side of nitrous oxide, messing with more than a few riders’ plans.

Antonio Patton rolling on ‘Big Dirty’ and Gaige Herrera on ‘Big Bumpy’ dominated the scene, blasting past their competition with sheer muscle and slick moves. These two were lined up for what everyone thought would be an epic clash in the final. But you know how it goes, fate had some twists. Herrera hit some snags after the semi-final and couldn’t roll up to battle it out in the final.

So, instead of a head-to-head battle, the event ended with Patton breaking the beams under power solo, taking the win without breaking a sweat. Even though the final lap lacked the usual drama, Patton’s performance all night long proved that ‘Big Dirty’ ain’t to be messed with when it comes to mastering the nitrous game.

3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls
Winner – Brandon Tyree / Made Man
Runner-up – Ken Alston / Leather Face

The 3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls brought in ten contenders, and man, these racers weren’t holding back—they were hitting that track like it owed them something. The side-by-side action was non-stop, giving the crowd plenty to holler about. But when it came down to it, the final felt like déjà vu from last year’s season opener, with the same old story playing out.

After three rounds of straight-up competition, Brandon Tyree on ‘Made Man,’ and Ken Alston on ‘Leather Face,’ proved once again they were the ones to beat. So, it was no surprise when they lined up against each other for the final showdown.

And guess what? Like last year, Tyree did it again, blasting across that finish line first and snagging another win for his crew. It seems like the winner’s circle is starting to feel like home to him.

Tommie’s Motorsports DMV Bulls
Winner – Desmond Spaulding / NWA
Runner-up – Cody Lowe / The Kracken

The Tommie’s Motorsports DMV Bulls class was another sold-out affair with 16 entries. Cody Lowe on ‘The Kracken’ made his mark at the Platinum General Services season opener by taking out ‘Moon Knight’ , ‘Josey Wales’ and ‘Grey Matter’ to earn a spot in Saturday night’s final.

Desmond Spaulding on ‘NWA’ was a dominant force with wins over ‘Monkey Business’ , ‘Tip-Toe’, and ‘Misbehavin’.

Spaulding won last year’s season-opener on ‘Mob Ties’ but this year he took that bike over to the Nitrous Bulls class. As he met Lowe in the final, he was laser-focused on the prize, and it paid off as he took the win and kept his winner’s circle domination in check.

All Motor Bulls
Winner – David Fondon / Bad B*tch
Runner-up – Curtis McDougald / Carbonator

David Fondon, rolling deep on ‘Bad Bitch,’ is the reigning king of the XDA All Motor Bulls, and he’s the main target everyone’s gunning for in this class. Curtis McDougald, steering the ‘Carbonator,’ stepped up to throw down, powering through three intense rounds to go head-to-head with Fondon in the final round.

When the lights went live, Fondon blasted off the line like a beast unleashed, leaving McDougald hustling hard to catch up. But Fondon was all gas, no brakes, hitting the eighth-mile marker in a flash and clinching another win. That’s how the boss does it—running the game and schooling the competition on how a bad bitch gets it done.

Vance & Hines 4.60
Winner – Mac McAdams
Runner-up – Ronald Procopio

In the world of 1/8th-mile index racing, the Vance & Hines 4.60 class is a crowd-puller, boasting forty riders vying for the top position. Precision was the name of the game, with three riders nailing a perfect 4.60 in qualifying. It was Brad Gleason, however, who outpaced his rivals with superior MPH, snatching the coveted number one spot from Lowry Callahan and Joe Procopio Jr.

Reigning champion Ronald Procopio exhibited his usual finesse, skillfully navigating the field and earning his spot in the final showdown. His semi-final conquest over Gleason was a pivotal moment, marking his resolve to retain his championship mantle.

Mac McAdams, longing for the taste of victory since his last XDA 4.60 win at the 2022 MTC Summer Nationals, embarked on a relentless pursuit of glory. His reaction times were a beacon of consistency, dismantling his opponents round after round.

As the Sunday night sky enveloped Maryland International Raceway, the tension was palpable as these two competitors crept into the starting line beams. The launch was near-simultaneous, with McAdams’s .027 reaction time narrowly outpaced by Procopio’s .026. They thundered down the eighth mile in tandem, engines screaming and the crowd erupting in cheers. In a breathtakingly close finish, McAdams broke through the drought, igniting the win light with a 4.606, edging out Procopio’s 4.614, and reclaiming his spot in the winner’s circle.

1 Stop Speed 5.60
Winner – Rico Brown
Runner-up – Brice Cornish Jr.

Jim Mauro and Harvey Hubbard both ran dead on 5.60 in 1 Stop Speed 5.60 qualifying. Mauro received the top spot due to a faster MPH.
On race day two contenders emerged to meet in the final. Brice Cornish Jr. has only entered 1 Stop Speed 5.60 a handful of times over the last few years, but he managed to win five tough rounds of eight-mile competition to see his first final in the class.

Rico Brown is a class staple, but he hasn’t won since the FuelTech Superbike Showdown in 2022. Both Cornish and Brown showed incredible reaction times in their five rounds, slaughtering the competition before meeting in the final.

And while both competitors were hungry for battle, there would be no exciting racing action as Cornish turned on the dreaded red light to hand the win to Brown before the race even started.

Mickey Thompson Tires Top Sportsman
Winner – Jeffery Santin
Runner-up – Dustin Lee

The Mickey Thompson Tires Top Sportsman class is renowned for showcasing some of the quickest elapsed times on the racing circuit. Jordan Haase, a formidable Pro Street racer, made a strong impression by clinching the top qualifying position with a 7.267 on his GSX-R1000, signaling his intent to dominate.

However, the journey through the brackets is fraught with pressure, and even the slightest error can have monumental consequences. Haase faced Jeffrey Santin in a second-round matchup but turned on the red light, a costly mistake that ended his run prematurely and paved Santin’s way to the finals. Santin capitalized on this opportunity, defeating seasoned competitors Jimmie Miller and Gary Clontz to secure his place in the final.

Meanwhile, reigning class champion Dustin Lee displayed relentless ambition, eliminating every challenger en route to the final. The stage was set Sunday night for a high-stakes duel between Santin and Lee aboard their Hayabusa’s. With Santin dialed in at 8.20 and Lee at 7.85, the final was going to require skill and precision.

As the lights went down, both racers launched with identical reaction times, ensuring the battle would be decided at the finish line. They executed strong, clean passes, each determined to clinch victory. In a dramatic twist, both riders broke out, pushing their machines beyond the brink. Lee, however, exceeded his dial-in more significantly, recording a 7.808 against Santin’s 8.163, handing Santin a thrilling and narrow victory.

MPS Racing Pro ET
Winner – Jeffery Santin
Runner-up – Wesley Jones

The Top Sportsman winner always earns a spot back into the fifth round of MPS Racing Pro ET competition for another shot at double-dipping their win and increasing their payday.

Santin took his win momentum and defeated Austin Bridge and Montrell Johnson to put himself in another final round. This time, he would be facing Wesley Jones, who won five rounds of tough bracket racing with incredible reaction times. In the final, Santin dialed 8.17, and Jones dialed 9.61. Jones cut his worst light of the weekend with a .099 to Santin’s better .022. Jones left the starting line first, but Santin caught up to him in a flash and was gaining on him as he crossed the finish line first by six feet to take the win with a 8.272 over Jones’s 9.666 run. Santin now leads points in two classes to start off the 2024 drag racing season.

Brock’s Performance Street ET
Winner – Russell Dennison Jr
Runner-up – Maurice Michie

The Brock’s Performance Street ET class kicked off the season with a formidable field of seventy-eight racers, all vying for an early advantage in the championship race. Among them, Russell Dennison Jr. and Maurice Michie showcased exceptional skill, unwavering consistency, and nerves of steel as they navigated through five intense rounds, setting the stage for a thrilling final showdown on Sunday night.

Heading into the final, Dennison dialed in at 8.70, while Michie targeted a 9.25. With Michie launching first with an impressive .088 reaction time, Dennison responded swiftly with a razor-sharp .067 reaction. As Dennison pursued Michie down the track, he steadily closed the distance, ultimately surging past Michie and crossing the finish line with a fourteen-foot lead. Dennison’s victorious run was clocked at 8.718, outpacing Michie’s 9.319.

Dennison, who secured a fourth-place finish last season, now establishes an early triumph that places him in a favorable position for this season’s points chase.

Voodoo Bracket Bash
Winner – Nick Noble
Runner-up – Barry Purnell

The Voodoo Bracket Bash brought an electrifying atmosphere to Saturday’s race. There were 126 entrants, all competing for not only the thrill of victory but also a substantial $3,000 purse. The competition was as fierce as the stakes were high, with each racer eyeing the coveted title.

As the field narrowed through rounds of relentless competition, Nick Noble and Barry Purnell distinguished themselves, expertly navigating through the bracket to meet in the much-anticipated final round. Noble set his dial at 9.32, while Purnell set his to 9.21, promising a close match right from the launch.

The tension built as both riders staged, ready to unleash their machines down the quarter-mile. Noble seized the initial advantage with an .027 reaction time, slightly quicker than Purnell’s still impressive .051. This early lead set the tone for the race, as they blasted side-by-side in the first sixty feet, maintaining their neck-and-neck pace throughout. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the pair thundered down the track, their bikes mere inches apart.

At the stripe, Nick Noble edged out Barry Purnell by a mere three feet, claiming the win in a breakout finish. Noble’s final time of 9.312 narrowly outperformed Purnell’s 9.162, marking a thrilling conclusion to one of the day’s most hotly contested races.

Hard Times Parts & Service Gambler’s Race
Winner – Robin Procopio
Runner-up – Jimmie Miller

A fixture in final rounds, Jimmie Miller found himself once again in a season opener final, this time against Robin Procopio, a seasoned competitor renowned for her consistent performances.

Procopio, aboard her bar bike, dialed in a tight 8.00, while Miller set his Hayabusa to an 8.83. The race was effectively set from the start when Procopio unleashed a near-perfect .008 reaction time, immediately placing Miller at a significant disadvantage with his .081, his slowest start of the night.

As they hurtled towards the finish line, the tension was high. It was an intensely close race, but Procopio clinched the victory by a razor-thin margin of .016 seconds, approximately three and a half feet. She crossed the line with an 8.049 against Miller’s 8.822, demonstrating not just superior reaction at the start but precision in execution throughout the race.

The XDA will return to Virginia Motorsports Park for the 38th annual MTC Engineering Summer Nationals on May 17-19, 2024. There will be over 700 Professional, Sportsman, and Grudge motorcycle racers in competition, battling it out for over $90,000 in cash purses at this event.

Visit xdaracing.com for event information, class rules, schedule, and more.

About XDA Racing
The Xtreme Dragbike Association (XDA) is an east coast motorcycle drag racing series with 700+ motorcycle racers competing at each event. Every XDA event hosts professional classes, sportsman classes, grudge racing, and a vendor midway. Lifestyle activities such as bike shows, bikini contests, DJs, and live bands are also held at select events. For more information on the XDA, please visit www.xdaracing.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @xdaracing

The book “I AM Delilah Jones aka Doris Gohlke: I Lived And Loved As I Pleased,” is, first of all, large. It’s the size of a sheet of normal bond paper, 337 numbered pages and full of photos. If you’re an edentulate reprobate like myself, you probably – and I hate to say this if she’s reading this– you probably took her into the bathroom with you when you were a strapping young lad because she was in damn near every “girlie mag” that was flooding the back racks of the newsstands, when they had newsstands, and she wasn’t bashful. This wasn’t the Hustler age of girlie mags, they weren’t porn, but they WERE forbidden by moms, girlfriends, and – what are they called?…..oh yeah, wives.

I know what you’re saying: “Is there any tang-of-the-poonage in it?” No. “Is there any cock?” No. It’s not a porn book. She isn’t a porn star. “Well what the fuck is she?” Ok, well, now we’re getting somewhere. And there’s no reason for vulgarity with all the fucks. I’d like to establish an atmosphere of decorum if that’s ok. There’s a lady present. I know what you’re saying; “Yeah! You!” Like as though I didn’t see that coming.

Delilah Jones, escapee with her family from Berlin during the Hitler days, is today, right now, still going strong; I suspect is keeping her clothes on at this point, and spent her whole life, prior to lately, enthusiastically taking her clothes off in front of an audience. I guess it was like being paid for what as a child she assumed was just normal life: being undressed. Her parents were nudists. She might not have even known clothes existed as a youngster.

This book is basically a scrap book, very likely the only one ever produced by a “girlie mag” superstar. She’s not a superstar pro’bly to the public but the professional girlie-mag photographers of the day, all of them well-known to historians of girlie-mags, sought her out PROBABLY because of her attitude. Which was, I am guessing: not being a pain in the ass.

Magazines are a business and the heyday of girlie mags was a business regarded by “proper society” as degrading sinful filth. They were regarded by wives and girlfriends the way Trump is regarded now by, say, Pelosi. But taking photos for magazines is a job. The best photographers, meaning, if nothing else, the ones the women could stand being around because the photographers wanted photos and not dates….the top “glamour” photographers wanted Delilah in front of their lenses. But she also performed for, well, just strangers.

I am a huge fan of the Mafia Business Model. That doesn’t mean I am a huge fan of the Mafia personnel. But they’re not fucking with ME. So I gut no complaint. My attitude regarding the Operating System of the Mafia however? Huge fan. The Mafia is an organization that is basically the free market. It’s basically in competition with the organization created by the Constitution, which is an organization basically devoted to market-disappearance.

The race is, apparently, to see who will stay in existence longer, the Mafia or the Feds. The Mafia tries to provide, for a price, things people actually want. The Feds just fuck with people for no reason and then charge them for absolutely no services rendered. It’s crazy. People call it freedom. If the Mafia had written the Constitution and not bureaucrats things woulda been a lot different and a huge lot better. We’da had a better highway system for sure: contraband needs routes!!

So where is this going. Oh, yeah: all strip joints in the heyday after WW2 were Mob controlled. So this book could PROBABLY be a whale of a lot more informative than it is. However, Delilah is focused here on the stripper life, or at least her involvement with it, which was, and is, enthusiastic involvement.

This is a happy book. She’s a happy woman. She loves, or loved – I THINK she’s retired – she loved performing without clothes for what APPARENTLY were “upscale” nude reviews. This is a book of her history with a ton of black and white photos and personal remarks regarding her career. And it was actually a career.

Escaping from Hitler I guess you learn survival skills: her SISTER, one of them, was married to Sterling Silliphant, who at the time was the most successful creator of tv series pro’bly in TV history. So she was hobnobbing, probably not the right word, I dunno, with the elites of Hollywood and I am guessing the West Coast, if not National, Mob. But this isn’t a Mob book.

This is a photo-history of her professional and recreational life. It PROBABLY would be of more interest to women than to men as far as readability is concerned because – unlike with her stripping – I THINK the target audience for this book is women. She talks about travel, she talks about costumes, – which she routinely designed and made for her co-workers – schedules, workmates, incidents that are likely far more gossipy than she has presented because this is not that kind of a book, but you can surmise scenarios.

Everything she talks about would ignite a long list of interview questions from any reporter. But this is about her experience as a stripper. Not as a gossip. All of it in the golden age of things “nice” girls didn’t do in public.

Now, in all of this I have avoided the elephant in the room, since this is likely being read only by men, and that elephant in the room is the inquiry or observation or suggestion or intimation, though unspoken so far, and that query is, if I can articulate it politely in case there are children present…”Well…isn’t the only REAL reason for strippers to even exist is to create down the road, maybe later that night when the strip show customer has returned home, to create human ejaculant into a pile of tissues or a stack of laundry?”

Frankly, I don’t see that as a demeaning end-result. In as much as ejaculant transferred from inside a ballsack to a new location inside someone else’s groinage is why we’re all here in the first place. Think twice before fulminating against ejaculant, is my advice to you. You are after all 50% ejaculant and 50% egg yoke. The fact that the ejaculant may or may not end up in a Kleenex or a towel or a t-shirt or on a tree trunk or on your mom rather than sent specifically into a vagina NOT a sheep’s is something I think only Catholics should worry about.

Since to Catholics, ejaculant intentionally sent on a journey to nowhere – rather than specifically sent on a journey into a human egg – sends the donor to Hell. Or at least gets him into the line for instant ELEGIBILITY to Hell unless said ejaculator tells another man inside a confessional booth, in other words a very, very, small enclosed cabinet, just the two of you talking calmly back and forth with each other about your cum shots….unless that man tells the other man about it….he will go to Hell. If he dies before talking to the man in the little room. These admissions regarding emissions between these two men go something like this:

”So did you masturbate more than once?”

“You mean since our last session together in this closet?”

“I mean, no, just during this self-abuse session that has driven you in here to avoid eternal damnation.”

“Well I’ve been masturbating a blue streak actually since our last Forgiveness Go-Around, actually.”

“Have you confessed to all of them? Or are you starting fresh with just the one you talked about at the start just now.”

“To save some time?….can I have a complete past-and-present whitewash? A kind of bucket-load over the head of forgiveness? Is that available?”

“No, I need to know the exact number of times you masturbated.”

“What about just masochistic arousal-and-deprivation, what about that, is that masturbation?”

“The Pope hasn’t actually itemized that.”

“Seems uncaring. What about the degree of hardness.”

“When was the last time you masturbated.”

“Last night. After the girlie thing at the burlle-q emporium. She did the shimmy-shimmy-shake topless in a micro bikini on the stage and I did the pumpy-pumpy-squirt when I got home.”

“I forgive you.”

“Thanks your worship. Say…..why do I see jizz draining over to my side down there on the floor?”

All of which brings me to what you might be asking but probly aren’t: “So isn’t stripping all about getting men hot?”

That’s a good question. Reading this book stripping seems to be instead – at least from the stripper side of things – more about pride in the workplace. I know good employees. I should be doing all the hiring everywhere. And this broad’s work ethic is phenomenal. I mean let’s face it, it’s all about generating paid admissions. It’s a job.

This book is basically an itinerary of The Stripper Life from a stripper who took the job very seriously enough to where, as they say in the Mob, she was an earner. The Mob respects and caters to earners. I don’t think Mob homage was her motivator. I think job performance was her motivator.

She made costumes for herself and the other strippers. She was the go-to model for the major girlie photographers for the rags and mags that spent their lives under the bed or under the porch wrapped in a tarp. She made bosses and customers happy and got along with her co-workers and they apparently got along with her. It’s like inside her head she was always thinking “Why would anyone think there was anything WRONG with this life??”

From reading this, my first stripper-history book, maybe the only one in existence, I get the real strong feeling that stripper life is a lot like outlaw biker life: a self-enclosed support system, trying to do your thing, not fucking with people, and having as much fun in the process as possible.

This book is a history, not a tell-all. She’s no snitch. But if she ever becomes one in another book, she won’t need it packed with photos to keep the interest alive is my guess, not that photos are a problem!!!

She’s basically a totally selfless saver of lives: the strippers of her day were often the only thing that kept the men of my day deciding, over and over, “Yeah, I guess there really IS a reason to live after all: showgirls and strippers.”

endo

Hot Day, Sweet Beer by Rhys
with illustration by Wayfarer

Pulled out of my garage and took off down the street. No particular destination just needed the wind in my face.

After an hour or so came across a little joint on a country road with outside seating at picnic tables. I dismounted my steel steed and sat down . A cute little thing came out and I asked for an ice cold draft.

Sipping the brew and listening to the exhaust tick I thought it was a good day to be alive.

(publication dated 28-Apr-2024)

* * *

Click to read all the entries from this year and then visit the previous year’s entries and winners.

The Tavern Stop
by Gearhead

I walked into the dark tavern after midnight. The last call was in a couple of hours. There she sat waiting for her biker knight in the corner. I sauntered over and sat down next to her. “What is your name Doll.”

“My name is Mariah,” she muttered, her red lips glistened. “What is yours big man?”

“They call me Texas Red.”

“Your mother not like you or something?” She asked.

“I was named after a famous outlaw by my Dad.” I then bought us both whiskeys. We toasted to our friendship. I put my hand on her thigh and the rest is history.

(publication dated 26-Apr-2024)

* * *
If you are wondering why this story is so short–well we are running a contest since last year– a fiction contest with 100 word limit. Have a look at https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Bikernet_100_Word_Fiction_Contest_2024.aspx

Today the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced updated ratings for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests to address crashes that occur at higher speeds and those in which the struck vehicle is a motorcycle or large truck. This is the first time the IIHS has done this type of test involving motorcycles. The IIHS is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes through research and evaluation and by educating consumers, policymakers, and safety professionals.

The trials involving motorcycles positioned the bike in the center of the lane and offset to the left and the right. Tested vehicles were evaluated on forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems. In each test run, an engineer drives the test vehicle toward the target at the selected speed and records when the forward collision warning occurs and how much the AEB system slows the vehicle to prevent or mitigate the impending impact. Tests are conducted at three different speeds, 31mph, 37mph and 43mph.

Of the ten (10) vehicles tested in the “Small SUV” category just one, the Subaru Forester, received a “good rating.” It achieved this rating by avoiding a crash with the motorcycle at the two lower speeds and slowing from 43 mph to 13 mph before making contact with the bike.

Unfortunately, four of the vehicles tested into the bottom “poor rating.” The Chevy Equinox for example, which was rated poor, “Failed to give a warning, or gave it too late in most tests with the motorcycle target.” To make matters worse its AEB was ineffective, causing the IIHS to state “With the motorcycle target it barely reduced speed at all.”

IIHS Senior Research Scientist David Kidd, who led the development of the new evaluation, pointed out why these new tests are so important, “Motorcyclists are frequently killed when they’re rear-ended by a passenger car since their bike offers no protection from the impact.”

Last December, the IIHS estimated that if the front crash prevention technology worked as well detecting motorcycles as it does for cars and light-duty trucks, 500 fewer rear-end crashes involving motorcyclists would occur annually.

However, challenges remain, as Dr. Kidd stated, “Motorcycles are smaller and narrower than cars, making them more difficult for camera and radar-based systems to identify, especially at higher speeds.” The Motorcycle Riders Foundation thanks the IIHS for beginning to include motorcycles in this testing regimen. We hope these ratings and further tests help educate consumers about what their vehicles can and cannot do, as well as motivate manufacturers to build technology that protects everyone on the road equally.

To see the IIHS Report, click the button below.

As always Ride Safe and Ride Free.

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. Join the MRF at http://mrf.org/

Hey,

We are living in strange times. I got into the middle of a conversation the other day. Someone complained that motorcycle rights can’t be partisanship or political. How is that possible?

If you are involved in legislative matters, you are involved in the political community whether you like it or not. As soon as I found myself involved in Helmet Laws it became apparent. One side wanted control and way less freedom. The other wanted Freedom or personal choice.

I try to apply Truth and Integrity to everything we do at Bikernet.

–Bandit

Click here to read the Weekly News only on Bikernet.com

Hey,

We are living in strange times. I got into the middle of a conversation the other day. Someone from the Blue side complained that motorcycle rights can’t be partisanship or political. How is that possible?

If you are involved in legislative matters, you are involved in the political community whether you like it or not. I grew up a Democrat but discovered a problem. My dad believed Democrats were for the working man and Republicans were for the rich. Way too simplistic a definition.

As soon as I found myself involved in Helmet Laws it became apparent. The Democrats wanted control and way less freedom. The Republicans wanted Freedom or personal choice. Don’t get me wrong, the red side is not always perfect and sometime stumble over their own mantra.

That’s why I try to apply Truth and Integrity to everything we do at Bikernet.

Here’s what I wrote to this member of the Bikers Rights Movement:

Hey,

It’s interesting. One party is trying to destroy America and everything we stand for, but we can’t talk about it.

Being pro motorcycling is being pro freedom, pro truth, pro internal combustion and pro humanity.

We can hope our Blue brothers and sisters will learn and someday come back to the Freedom and Truth table to celebrate America, not attack it. But what the hell do I know, I’m just a grubby biker.

Check this: https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Reflections_on_Earth_Day.aspx

All the best,

–Bandit
The Bastard hiding in the Black Hills

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, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.

QUICK, SOME INSPIRATION—

“Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable than fidelity. Faithfulness and truth are the most sacred excellences and endowments of the human mind.”

from Epoch Times

FACEBOOK CENSORSHIP AGAIN—

“Climate: The Movie” due to a Science Feedback “Fact Check”
By Andy May

Facebook’s censorship is totally out of hand, and their “independent and nonpartisan fact checks” are anything but. Now they are censoring “Climate: The Movie.” The supposed “fact checks” provided by Science Feedback and Climate Feedback (they are two branches of the same organization) have been shown many times to be both partisan and ideologically driven. The “fact check” of Steve Koonin’s bestselling book Unsettled done by Climate Feedback was blisteringly criticized by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) in a lead editorial by the WSJ editorial staff.

The editorial includes the following:

“Mr. Koonin, whose careful book draws extensively on existing scholarship, may respond on the merits in a different forum. Suffice it to say here that many of the ‘fact check’ claims relied on by Facebook don’t contradict the underlying material, but instead argue with its perceived implications.

The fact-check attacks Mr. Koonin’s book for saying the “net economic impact of human-induced climate change will be minimal through at least the end of this century.” Minimal is in the eyes of the beholder, but the U.S. National Climate Assessment predicted America’s climate costs in 2090 at about $500 billion per year—a fraction of the recent Covid stimulus in an economy that could be four times as large.

The fact-check on the statement that ‘global crop yields are rising, not falling’ retorts that ‘while global crop yields are rising, this does not constitute evidence that climate change is not adversely affecting agriculture.’ OK, but that’s an argument, not a fact-check. …

Climate Feedback’s comment on a line from the review about ‘the number and severity of droughts’ does not identify any falsehood, but instead claims, “it doesn’t really make sense to make blanket statements regarding overall global drought trends.’ Maybe it doesn’t make sense for Facebook to restrict the reach of legitimate scientific argument and competing interpretations of data.”

—WSJ, May 7, 2021.

In other words, fact checks should check facts, not a difference of opinion between two scientists. “Fact checks” today are too often thinly disguised and very biased editorials, often confusing very left-wing interpretations of ambiguous data with facts. Then these supposedly “independent and nonpartisan fact checks” are used by Facebook, and sometimes by Linkedin, as excuses to censor legitimate and well-documented posts and movies. Documentation and references of the facts and interpretations presented in Climate: The Movie can be found here.

Further reading on the blatant bias and misinformation found the Science Feedback and Climate Feedback websites:

Climate Feedback’s fraudulent and misleading fact check of a famous and well-respected peer-reviewed article by Ronan Connolly, Willie Soon, and 21 well qualified co-authors is refuted.

Climate feedback also gets a fact check of the CO2 Coalition completely wrong, as described here.

Finally in their fact check of Gregory Wrightstone of the CO2 Coalition they make 13 wildly incorrect (lies?) about Wrightstone.

In summary, the Science Feedback and Climate Feedback website are both unreliable and misleading. Why Facebook and Linkedin put their trust in such a biased organization is unknown, unless they are also pushing an ideologically biased narrative.

–from Clintel.org

QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–Halting The Oil Flow

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

Merci ! Pour toutes ces information.
Je suis Alsacien France (Pr?s Allemagne et Suisse)

Translated to: Thank you! For roads this information. I am Alsatian France German and Swiss

–Waldmann Thierry
thierrywaldmann@sfr.fr
Haut-rhin, France

“Frank Kaisler, the author of this tech, would have got a kick out of this comment.”
–Bandit

FEULING BLACK OPS PROGRAM:

 – 250 lucky winners will receive a limited edition black camplate with custom “Black ops” and “We support our troops” engravings.

Black Ops camplates are available for both Milwaukee Eight and Twin Cam engines.
WINNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE:
– Choice of a free hat or T-shirt
– Donation to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation in their name

THE FOURTH TESLA MURDER—

Tesla Driver Using Autopilot Killed a Motorcyclist.
Autopilot still needs you to have your eyes on the road.

According to Herald Net, “A Tesla driver who had set his car on Autopilot was ‘distracted’ by his phone before reportedly hitting and killing a motorcyclist Friday on Highway 522,” adding, “The man, 56, had activated Tesla’s Autopilot feature. He was using his phone when he heard a bang as his car lurched forward and crashed into the motorcycle in front of him.”

Police report states that the rider was ejected from his motorcycle, but the Tesla car became “lodged on top of him.” The Tesla driver called police and EMTs, but the motorcyclist died at the scene.

To the cop’s credit, after performing a field sobriety test, they arrested the driver as by “putting the trust in the machine to drive for him” he failed to be attentive enough to halt the car before killing the motorcyclist.

One of the biggest issues with Elon Musk and his company Tesla is how they’ve pushed for marketing the brand’s adaptive cruise control system under the label “Autopilot.” Brandished as autonomous numerous times, the feature is slightly more advanced than what you get in a Toyota Camry, but it absolutely isn’t autonomous.

Musk and Tesla are facing further probes, both federal and personal lawsuits, due to Autopilot’s marketing and promotion and let us hope more is done to curb its use. The system isn’t safe, nor does its wealthy users care about the lives around them.

More than that, it’s something being tested on public roads with the adopters forcing other tax paying citizens to be unwilling test subjects. The many road users are just test rats for the ego-driven billionaire?

Tesla’s marketing, caused the murder of yet another motorcyclist.

Sources:
https://www.rideapart.com/news/717171/tesla-autopilot-kill-motorcyclist/

–Wayfarer
Lead Reporter
Bikernet International News Bureau

STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM NEWS—

Hall of Fame Breakfast sold out! All the tables and seats are currently sold, but don’t give up if you want to attend this iconic event. Reach out to the Museum and put your name on the list.

Expansion meeting to take place in May. Our dream to expand the museum from 10,000 square feet to 70,000 square feet is about to take the next step with a new expansion committee and Heavy Constructors out of Rapid City.

Tomorrow I will arrive at the Museum at 8:30 to help the curation committee relocate materials, photographs and art, while cataloging every item.

Our new executive director is investigating new museum inventory software.

The Sturgis 2024 magazine is sold out advertising wise at a larger format and enhanced distribution. Every business in our Key City region will receive a copy and have the opportunity to buy single copies or boxes of issues.

More to come!

–Bandit

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RACE NEWS–

Indian Motorcycle Factory Rider Troy Herfoss Overtakes Championship Leaderboard Following Perfect Performance at Road Atlanta

Three-Time Australian Superbike Champion & King of the Baggers Rookie Troy Herfoss Secures Back-to-Back Wins in Atlanta

Indian Challenger Sweeps Race 2 Podium, as Indian Motorcycle Factory Rider Tyler O’Hara Takes Second & Mad Monkey Privateer Max Flinders Rounds Out Podium

In its third race stop at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, it was again three-time Australian Superbike Champion and King of the Baggers (KOTB) rookie Troy Herfoss turning heads. The Indian Motorcycle factory rider saw continued success, gaining momentum and even more familiarity with his S&S Indian Challenger, as he piloted his championship-winning race bike to a perfect performance – winning back-to-back races and overtaking the championship leaderboard.

Starting the weekend off strong, Herfoss captured the Mission Foods Challenge and its $5,000 prize for the second consecutive week. While only time would tell, the Challenge would just be the beginning of a truly dominate performance. Starting on the pole for Race 1, Herfoss battled with Harley-Davidson’s Kyle Wyman, as the two exchanged passes throughout a tight race. Despite never racing Road Atlanta, Herfoss proved victorious and secured his second career KOTB win.

With a wet track, Race 2 relied on a calculated risk. Rather than run rain tires like most of the field, the S&S-Indian Motorcycle factory team chose to run Dunlop Sportmax slicks instead. While this proved to be the winning choice, as Herfoss and O’Hara finished 1-2, Herfoss’ enormous 13-second win likely means he would have been in contention regardless of tire selection.

Completing the Indian Challenger podium sweep was Mad Monkey Privateer Max Flinders. Despite sustaining an injury in the Superbike race, Flinders was able to hold off reigning KOTB Champion Hayden Gillim and earn his first podium of the 2024 KOTB season.

Securing three wins and three second-place finishes through six races, Herfoss has taken command of the KOTB Championship Leaderboard, as he owns track records for bagger racing at Daytona International Speedway and now Road Atlanta. His 135 points leads Wyman by nine. For O’Hara, a fourth-place finish in Race 1 and a second-place finish in Race 2 moves him up to third overall with 79 points.

MotoAmerica’s Mission King of the Baggers season continues at Road America May 31-June 2.

THE MONTANA CASE AGAINST CLIMATE FRAUD—

Montana’s Public Service Commission can stop the climate fraud cold.

The Montana Public Service Commission has a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity to defeat the Democrat climate alarmists and overturn Held v Montana.

The Held v Montana plaintiffs filed a petition requesting the Public Service Commission to “consider” the “adverse climate impacts of greenhouse gas emissions” in its decisions.

The Public Service Commission must accept this Petition.

If the Public Service Commission accepts this petition, then the Public Service Commission can hold its own hearings on climate outside of a courtroom. They can invite scientists on both sides of the climate issue to present their arguments and debate their opponents.

I confidently predict these hosted presentations and debates will overwhelmingly prove the climate fraud is false.

This Public Service Commission action would settle the climate issue in Montana and serve as a precedent to America and the world.

If the Public Service Commission rejects this Petition, the petitioners will sue the commission and force a long, expensive, unnecessary court trial.

The fraud of climate alarmism

Climate alarmism says human CO2 stays in the air longer than natural CO2, which is impossible because human and natural CO2 molecules are identical, so they flow out of the air at the same rate.

This fact and simple physics show human CO2 is only 2 percent of today’s atmospheric CO2. Therefore, human CO2 cannot change the climate, carbon capture projects are irrational, and all laws based on the climate fraud should be abolished.

–Dr. Ed Berry

HARLEY-DAVIDSON HIRING–

Harley-Davidson Motor Company is #hiring a Director, North America Marketing. This dynamic leader will be part of the Commercial team and collaborate with Marketing COEs and Sales to improve our reach, relevance, and demand across markets. This role is hashtag#remote anywhere in North America.

Check out the job listing in the link below and like, share, or comment to help me spread the word!

https://lnkd.in/g2yyz-UJ

–Rogue
Senior Editor
Bikernet.com

DAVID UHL TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE STURGIS MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME–

David Uhl will be inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame this year during the rally!

This is a fitting induction, given that David has graced the rally with his beautiful works for the past 25-plus years. His Sturgis commemorative pieces (since 2005) are highly anticipated at the rally each year.

The induction breakfast will take place on Wednesday, August 7th. We will most likely have a table or two there, so I’m throwing it out to see who wants to join us!

I’m waiting to hear back from the museum on seat prices and will let everyone know. For now, if you’d like to attend simply respond to this email. I can provide additional details later – – we’re just trying to get a head count at this point.

Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame Breakfast
Wed Aug 7, 8am to 11am
The Lodge in Deadwood

Thanks for your time!

–Greg Rhodes
International Sales Director
David Uhl Fine Art
Uhl Studios
303-913-4840

SENATE TRIES, FAILS TO STOP THE EPA–

On April 18th, the U.S. Senate attempted to prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using funds to implement the Biden Administration’s new rule on tailpipe emissions. The EPA regulation would require automakers to sell more electric vehicles and hybrids by gradually tightening limits on tailpipe pollution levels starting in 2026.

The bill, S. 4072, is essentially the same as S. 3094, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act of 2023, and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced both bills. The difference is that S.4072 strips funding, while the CARS Act completely prevents the EPA from enacting the rules.

S. 4072 was a unique and fast-tracked bill in the U.S. Senate. This bill resulted from an agreement during the March effort to avert a government shutdown. Senate leaders promised a vote on the EPA rules, so this bill is that vote. The frustrating part of the vote taken on S. 4072 is that this bill received more votes for it than against it! The final vote was fifty-two (52) in favor, forty-six (46) against, with two (2) not voting. However, because of the rules in the Senate, this bill required sixty (60) votes for passage.

While frustrating, there is some good news for those who want to protect the internal combustion engine. Three (3) Democrats and one Independent, Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) joined forty-eight (48) Republicans in voting for the legislation.

This vote hopefully shows that more and more lawmakers and Americans are taking notice of the attack on the internal combustion engine. Next month, during the MRF’s Bikers Inside the Beltway, motorcyclists will take to Capitol Hill to push the preservation of vehicle choice and all our agenda!

As Always, Ride Safe and Ride Free

–MRF

NEW FROM SHOP TALK AT GREASE AND GEARS TV—

The moment has arrived! Your favorite motorcycle talk show, ShopTalk is starting right now, and we wanted to make sure you don’t miss it. We have a front-row seat waiting for you!

[page break]

TEXAS WEATHER REPORT–

Nothing exciting, had an eye doctor appointment this morning, I see what my mother meant about them taking longer to go back to normal after dilation, as you get older. Since 8:30 and everything is still mega bright at noon! Got shoulder injections on last year’s birthday, difference with age I guess.

On a normal day I wear my sunglasses inside the grocery store.- My Future So Bright I Got to Wear Shades!

Decided to leave the fairing blue for now. Trying to figure a way to get out of Houston! I did clean the black marks off, it’s a distance paint job. Looks good from a distance! On the plus side, traffic seems confused as to what I am, as HPD cars use to be that color, but never the bikes that I recall?

I notice they line up in the lanes behind me or hit the brakes as I come up on them. And I don’t even have the pods with the red & blue lights yet! Gives me a laugh.

RFR-FXR Life

NEW FOR OLD FROM COMPETITION DISTRIBUTING—

BC21 Triple Clamp 1913-1915 Harley all models

Brand New front fork triple clamps

These fit all Harley 1913-1915 front forks
These will also work on Rigid & Race style Forks
Made By Competition Distributing

[photo 1232431]

ANOTHER TOUCH OF INSPIRATION—

“Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil. Our great hope lies in developing what is good.”
– Calvin Coolidge

from EPOCH TIMES

SHORAI’S CHARGING CODE–Maximizing Your Battery’s Performance:

Essential Charging Tips from Shorai Power!
Are you making the most out of your Shorai battery? Proper charging is key to unlocking its full potential and extending its lifespan. Here are some essential tips to ensure your battery performs at its best:

Fully Charge Before Use:
Before installing your new LFX battery, make sure to fully charge it. This conditions and breaks in the cells, maximizing performance and longevity.
Choose the Right Charger:

While standard lead-acid chargers can be used, the Shorai BMS01 charger is specifically designed for LFX batteries. Avoid chargers with automatic “desulfation” modes, as they may damage your battery.

Monitor Charging Voltage:
A fully charged Shorai battery will measure around 14.4V. Consider floating the voltage at 14.6-14.8V for 24 hours to improve capacity and reduce self-discharge.

Be Mindful of Discharge:
If your battery sits unused for several weeks, it may discharge due to the vehicle’s electrical draw. Charge the battery if the voltage drops below 13.3V, especially before storing it for an extended period.

Check Charging Times:
Refer to our charging time reference sheet for estimated charge times based on your battery model and charger’s current rate.

Remember, proper charging is essential for maximizing your battery’s performance and lifespan. For more detailed information, refer to our FAQ and specifications guides on our website.

Power up your ride with Shorai Power today!

NEW/OLD A&E PROGRAM–Secrets of the Hells Angels

ATF agent Jay Dobyns goes undercover to infiltrate the Hells Angels. He’s backed up by a female agent, Jenna Maguire, who plays the role of his ‘old lady’, but the dream of becoming a fully patched Hells Angel pushes Jay to the point of destruction. This is the first time Jenna Maguire has told her side of the story.

George Christie, the long-time Ventura HA chapter president, will be featured.

You might read J.J. Solari’s review of this new show.

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

–Bandit

WHAT ABOUT FOSSIL FUELS—

Since oil is comprised of 85% carbon, 13% hydrogen and 0.5% oxygen with traces of sulphur and nitrogen, most chemists believed it originated from the decomposition of organic matter. Layers which were formed from the remains of dead animals and plants. Thus the term “fossil fuel”.

By definition its source was limited. That theory was plausible when oil wells were drilled only deep enough to reach into the “fossil” layers of the Earth’s crust, but if oil came from the rock that is over a mile underground, that puts it way below the fossil layer.

Despite common belief around fossil fuels, the argument for non-biologically produced oil is not a new one. Back in 1951, a Russian scientist by the name of N.A Kudryavtsev, announced his theory that oil found down deep was produced abiotically. Abiotically meaning occurring in the absence of life. His theories were consolidated with the exploration of oil fields in the Dneiper-Donets region in the early 1990s. They were finding that the older “dry” wells were filling up again. Some times to the previous levels.

World-renowned geologist, C Warren Hunt’s brought forth his “Anhydride” theory in 1996, asserting the idea that biogenesis from living microbial forms was what creates oil as opposed to the idea that it comes from fossilized forms.

All the way back in 2003 cracks began to appear in the fossil fuel belief. People wondered if the Earth’s quantities of oil and gas were much larger than they had previously estimated – and whether supplies where being constantly replenished.

There were scientists beginning to speculate that petroleum could originate “abiotically” from minerals at extreme temperature and pressure. This understanding is based on the fact that high temperature and pressure closer to the Earth’s mantle allows oil deposits to form inorganically, rather than through biological decay. Water then forces it to the surface, as it has a greater density; (which is why it is used in fracking) and then the oil rises and gets trapped in layers of denser, sedimentary rocks.

Fossil Fuel? Or not?

–By Mark Reynolds, NMA Member & Syndicated Columnist

COSTA RICA RIDE OF THE WEEK–

Come ride the Jungles, Mountains, and Beaches of Costa Rica on new KTM/Huskys/GASGAS. Stay in 5-star accommodations, above the beach and ride/test up to six (6) different bike if you choose (2-stroke & 4-stroke 300/350s).

We don’t ‘combine’ tours so each group gets their own private house(s) and Lead/Chase Guides to ride whatever type of terrain/trails you prefer- We have it all!

CRU Tour Pricing/Options is based off your ideal Number of Nights, # of Riding Days, and # of Riders. You choose.

Example of Typical 1st-time Tour:
6 Days / 5 Nights / 3 Riding Days / 4+ Riders

Stock Tour: $2,700 USD p/p
Accommodations, Guides, ’24 KTM300/350, ’23 Husqvarna 350F TE, ’23 GASGAS 300/EC350.

Modified Tour: $2,900 p/p
Includes Everything in Stock Tour plus: All Fuel, Lunch on Ride Days, Nightly Bike Prep & Gear Cleaning, One (1) Activity (Zipline, 1-Hour Massage, Croc Tour, etc), and CRU T-Shirt

Factory Tour: $3,100 p/p
Includes Everything in Stock and Modified Tour plus: One additional Activity (2 Total) and Airport Transfers.

CRU: Our Bikes, Our Homes, Our Guides, Your Adventure.

THE LASTEST FROM THE LOWBROW EMPIRE—

Wow, what a ride it has been!

Well… that’s a wrap!

A year-and-a-half in the making, from start to finish, to film and edit the build of the 1969 Harley-Davidson XLCH chopper in Season 2 of The Saturday Sportster.

It was a similar amount of work and time for Season 1 featuring Todd Muller, as he built a 2003 Sportster into a hopped-up scrambler.

Our own Mikey Revolt did a full photo shoot with this season’s XLCH, and you can check out overall as well as detail shots of this fresh build here!

COMPLETE LONG ROAD WRITE-UP FOR 2024—The SmokeOut Run.

“I turn to simplicity, I turn again to purity.”
— Genghis Khan

For our 16th year we will return to the simple and pure one night format of eat-drink-sleep-ride. The “gypsy ride” tradition has been a mainstay of our culture, so don’t plan on having a “kickstands up time” or having to ride as a massive group. Just make sure you check in with Mike Allen or Brian “Uncle Ben” Sauer, especially you first timers.

As always, the first time riders will earn the highly coveted Long Road Medallion for making every stop and ending at Smokeout.

Each rider will need to make their own reservations for the nightly stays, the registration fee this year is $35. to cover t-shirts, decals, some artwork and printing of maps/local bike shops along the route.

You can send a check or money order with your shirt size as well as your e-mail address to:

Mike Allen
PO Box 11
Canon City, CO 81215
Or use PayPal.me/TerreHeroux and include your shirt size in the notes.

Once you register, I (Uncle Ben) will send you a copy of the optional route I put together. Remember, you can always choose your own route. This is just a nice, scenic route with few road number changes that some of us will be taking.

Sunday September 1st, we meet at
Cherry Hill Campground
1516 Summer Rd.
Darien Center, NY 14040
585-813-5099

Tent sites are $44., they were kind enough to waive the two nigh minimum holiday weekend stay for tents. They also have lean-tos for $60./night two night minimum and a cabin for $70./ night two night minimum. Call them for more details. This campground is about an hour ride from Niagara Falls and is close to a Six Flags Park, so if you can make it there early and want to stay two nights, there’s plenty of fun to be had.

Monday September 2nd, we ride to:
Godspeed Camping and Events
7897 S Eagle Valley Rd, Port Matilda, PA
814.554.002
info@godspeedevents.com

Camping: $20 a person
Cabana single occupancy: $80
Cabana double occupancy: $120
Shared bunkhouse is $50 a person. There are 3 rooms, one holds 4, and two sleep 6. If a group of 4 or 6 friends want to be together that is no problem, contact Bart at info@godspeed.com for Cabana/bunkhouse reservations or questions. Mention you are with The Long Road on our Tues Sept 2nd stop local motels/B&B many local B&B’s available, check: https://www.yellowpages.com/

Rodeway Inn State College
1040 N Atherton Street, State College, PA,
approx $87 per night but visit website for more details
https://www.choicehotels.com/pennsylvania/state-college/rodeway-inn-hotels

Tuesday September 3rd

Grand Vue Park
250 Trail Drive, Moundsville WV
(304) 845-9810
Restaurant onsite

Camping: $10 per person (group camping area)
(2) 1BR and (2) 2BR treetop villas with pullout couches available for 1 night ($208 and $256)
Other cabins available but 2 night minimum
See their website to book or for info: https://grandvuepark.com/

Local motel’B&B:
Bonnie Dwaine B&B (nice looking place)
$99-139 dbl occupancy with continental breakfast
505 Wheeling Avenue, Glen Dale WV, 304-845-7250

Sleep Inn and Suites
8 Walmart Dr
Moundsville, WV
(304) 810-4000
approx $111 per night but call for deals and better rates

Wednesday September 4th

Riftrafters Campground
448 Laurel Creek Rd
Fayetteville, West Virginia
304-574-1065

Camping: $15 per person
cabins : $48-$68 per night for two people. $24-$34 extra per person
call to book in advance

Local motels/B&B
Many B&B’s in the area to research:
check out https://www.yellowpages.com/

Quality Inn New River Gorge
103 Elliotts Way, Fayetteville, WV,
approx $73 per night but visit https://www.choicehotels.com/west-virginia/fayetteville/quality-inn-hotels
for booking info and prices

Thursday September 5th

The Roadhouse
1203 Woodlawn Rd.
Woodlawn, Virginia 24381
276-237-0557

The beds inside are going for $20. and tent spaces are $10. each.
This will be our fourth year staying at The Roadhouse and enjoying the hospitality of our fellow Long Road riders, the Devonshire family. While at The Roadhouse, we’ll get to enjoy a drink at that ultimate Long Road historical artifact, the red table we used at the Long Road Lounge for many years, and don’t forget to add your signature to the tabletop before we leave for Smokeout Friday morning.

Friday September 6th

• We ride to Smokeout where we’ll have notorious but tasteful, Long Road Lounge as our base of operation during Smokeout.
• Long Road Medallions will be awarded to our new family members on Saturday afternoon as we meet at the lounge for a group picture.
• Get your event and camping tickets at: www.smokeoutrallyshop.com
• Get ‘em early while they’re on sale.–Uncle Ben

IN HISTORY —The Chance for Peace speech, also known as the Cross of Iron speech, was an address given by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower on April 16, 1953, shortly after the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

* * * 

“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.”
~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

“If you want total security, go to prison. There you’re fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking… is freedom. “
~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

“Don’t join the book burners. Don’t think you’re going to conceal faults by concealing evidence that they ever existed. Don’t be afraid to go in your library and read every book…” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

“The search for a scapegoat is the easiest of all hunting expeditions.”
~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

“You do not lead by hitting people over the head — that’s assault, not leadership.”
~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

“Get it all on record now – get the films – get the witnesses -because somewhere down the road of history some bastard will get up and say that this never happened.”
~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

* * *

“I like Ike” ~ Indiana Jones in “The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”

–Wayfarer
International Editor
Bikernet.com™

MORE BENEFITS OF CO2–Nutritive Value of Plants Growing in Enhanced CO2 Concentrations (eCO2)

We are pleased to announce the publication of our latest research report Nutritive Value of Plants Growing in Enhanced CO2 Concentrations (eCO2).

Despite many years of claims that increasing concentrations of CO2 are an “existential threat” to life on Earth, one cannot identify any harm that has been done. In fact, the only clear result of increasing CO2 has been an overall greening of the Earth and increasing productivity of agricultural and forest crops.

The evidence for greening of the Earth from eCO2 is now too obvious to deny. In recent years, some researchers have claimed that that nutritional values are negatively affected by elevated CO2 concentrations. Media promoters of climate alarmism have seized on these results to further demonize CO2.

In this paper we explain why the nutritional value of our more abundant crops can and will remain high as atmospheric CO2 concentrations increase toward values more representative of those existing throughout most of Earth’s history.

While this is a somewhat technical report, it is a valuable tool for you to put in your quiver to use the next time you see increased CO2 being linked to declining nutrition.

From the CO2 COALITION

“We have ordered some copies and will make them available to motorcycle rights groups and any rider who is interested.”
–Bandit

SHORT AND SWEET TERRY THE TRAMP BOOK REVIEW—

I just finished Terry the Tramp. All I can say is what a story. Sad ending, all that bullshit from the Man. I remember your magazine doing articles on all that crap, like when the cops busted into the Milwaukee Outlaws and all that RICO act.

And I remember ER warning MCs about undercover cops posing as bikers, snitching on the clubs. I was living in Frisco at that time, and next thing we knew the cops busted Frisco Choppers and shut them down for speed.

You are a remarkable story teller. One question if I may ask, did Vagos and Hangmen get along OK back then or did they have issues?

–David Pittman

WE ARE KEEPING THE LIGHTS BURNING BRIGHT—

“What is a soul? It’s like electricity – we don’t really know what it is, but it’s a force that can light a room.”
–Ray Charles

from Epoch Times

[page break]

100-WORD FICTION ENTRY–The Tavern Stop

I walked into the dark tavern after midnight. The last call was in a couple of hours. There she sat waiting for her biker knight in the corner. I sauntered over and sat down next to her. “What is your name Doll.”

“My name is Mariah,” she muttered, her red lips glistened. “What is yours big man?”

“They call me Texas Red.”

“Your mother not like you or something?” She asked.

“I was named after a famous outlaw by my Dad.” I then bought us both whiskeys. We toasted to our friendship. I put my hand on her thigh and the rest is history.

–Gearhead

REGARDING ELECTRIC CARS AND YOUR REPLY TO PRINCE NAJAR

On wear and tear of tires in Electric Cars– tires are heavy pollutants themselves and not to mention poor for recycling as well. Refer below:

Road Hazard: Evidence Mounts on Toxic Pollution from Tires

Researchers are only beginning to uncover the toxic cocktail of chemicals, microplastics, and heavy metals hidden in car and truck tires. But experts say these tire emissions are a significant source of air and water pollution and may be affecting humans as well as wildlife.

2 billion tires globally are sold each year — enough to reach the moon if stacked on their sides — with the market expected to reach 3.4 billion a year by 2030.

Tires are made from about 20 percent natural rubber and 24 percent synthetic rubber, which requires five gallons of petroleum per tire. Hundreds of other ingredients, including steel, fillers, and heavy metals — including copper, cadmium, lead, and zinc — make up the rest, many of them added to enhance performance, improve durability, and reduce the possibility of fires.

Both natural and synthetic rubber break down in the environment, but synthetic fragments last a lot longer. Seventy-eight percent of ocean microplastics are synthetic tire rubber, according to a report by the Pew Charitable Trust. These fragments are ingested by marine animals — particles have been found in gills and stomachs — and can cause a range of effects, from neurotoxicity to growth retardation and behavioral abnormalities.

https://e360.yale.edu/features/tire-pollution-toxic-chemicals

So if your Electric Vehicle is burning tires instead of gasoline, then that is poisoning the planet in a wide variety of ways.

–Wayfarer

“As the world tries to turn against anything remotely connected to oil, now they attack dust.

Hang on,”

–Bandit

MORE ON THE LONG ROAD–

A couple of months ago, I mentioned the possibility of a second ride I’d like to organize this year, due to the timing of the SmokeOut being in September, after the school year has started.

There are a few of us who have jobs connected to the education system (bus drivers, maintenance staff etc.) or have other commitments that they have no choice but to miss The Long Road and The Smoke Out.

We’ve formed such a cool little family and community through everyone’s participation in the ride the last 15 years, that it would be a shame to not be able to get together for a summer ride. I’ve set aside the last week in June in my holidays (June 24-28th) and would like to run a second ride, at the beginning of the summer, so it is far enough away from the actual Long Road and Smoke Out that it doesn’t interfere with that event.

I’m proposing we start out in middle Missouri and travel diagonally from there up to the Sandusky area of Ohio so that those in the west can start close to home, and the riders from the east will end up close to home after travelling far to the starting point. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I will be doing both rides.

I’d like to know, within the next few days, who might be interested in this ride to make the effort worthwhile. I’ve already got around 8 past riders who have expressed interest. It’ll be kind of a stripped down version of the Long Road, without medallions, no big event to start or end at and possibly just maps.

There’s a chance I might do shirts to commemorate the ride, but it is more just making a chance available for those that can’t make the ride in September, to join their comrades for a week of fun and revelry on the open roads and around the firepit! And it doesn’t have to just be past riders! If a friend or group of friends of yours is interested, include their names and e-mail addresses with your reply to this e-mail.

As in the past, I will scope out an optional route, staying away from major towns and cities with as few road number changes as possible. I will try to find campgrounds with cabins and the closest motels. We will travel about 200 miles(300kms) per day and stick to secondary roads for as long as it is possible.

So shoot me an email to let me know if you are interested or not. And if you have any ideas that might make the ride better or more efficient, let me know in the email.

–Brian “Uncle Ben” Sauer

If I don’t hear from you, or you can’t make either of the rides, have a safe and wonderful summer and safe riding!

NEW FROM THE BDL CREW–Softail Chain Drive Primary Features ‘Competitor Clutch’

Designed specifically for use on 1990-2006 Softail models, BDL’s CDCS-1-90 chain drive primary kit features its renowned ‘Competitor Clutch’ for instantaneous and absolute transfer of power to the rear wheel.

A patented 7-plate Kevlar clutch “provides at least 60% more clutch surface than stock” and the 9-spring pressure plate provides the varying spring pressure needed for use with both stock and highly modified strokers.

“This unique plate allows you to simply add or subtract springs to achieve the tension that is appropriate for the bike and riding style. This chain drive clutch kit for Big Twin electric start includes front sprocket, rear basket with ‘Competitor Clutch’ and Diamond primary chain and adjuster assembly.”

The component list delivers the Diamond primary chain, compensator sprocket and nut, clutch springs, shoulder bolts (for chain drive only), chain drive hardware kit, pressure plate, adjusting screw, main shaft hub nut and 9-tooth starter pinion gear.

BELT DRIVES LTD
www.beltdrives.com

THE MORRIS MAGNETO REPORT–MM74E

For Big Twins ’36 to ’69 – The simple “SHOVEL-KNUCKLE-PAN” magneto is not so simple… built-in auto advance and manual retard to prevent kick-backs. Adjustable height. Use with or without a battery. Can mount in standard position or optional ‘out to side’ position for use on Knuckleheads. Easier installation (no chopping off fins or smashing in pushrod covers).

Relay boss back edge will need modifying if present.. also see model G5. No-leak drive housing. Only from Morris Magneto!

Note: Some S&S motors use a reverse gear. Please check before ordering or give us a call first.

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION REPORT–Who Do You Know Should Join Us?

Yes, that headline is probably not the best grammar, but the question is one of the best. We participate in the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) because we want to ride what we want, where we want, when we want and with whom we want.

The MRF has always been as much about personal freedom and the lifestyle as it is about motorcycles and biker’s rights. If you know someone who would be a good fit with the MRF but you’ve never found a good way to tell them, share this message with them. Maybe they’ll ask on their own.

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY RESEARCH DEPARTMENT–

If you are an EV owner, why not document your experience since you believe in it? If you are not an EV owner, why not document your experiences around EVs since you don’t believe in it? Doesn’t matter what you believe but be honest about your experience.

We will share your experiences with our readers.

–Wayfarer
Eclectic Electric Editor
Bikernet.com™

AMERICAN PRIME MANUFACTURING IS AT IT AGAIN–APM – ‘Back to The Future’

Described by American Prime Manufacturing’s President Ben Kudon as being “so close to the original it’s scary,” these high-quality black reproduction springer front ends feature chrome springs and fit OE 1936 – early 1946 EL and FL Harley-Davidsons and custom applications.

They do not include the top tree, bearing cups or bearings, but as precision dimensioned reproductions, they do work with the original drum break and star hub and are now back in stock at APM’s Santa Fe Springs, California factory.

Also seen here, and also back in stock with APM, this Mikuni HSR45 total carburetor kit fits Harley Big Twin Evo models from 1984-1999. Kudon points out that, of course, any parts or components that defeat the emissions control systems or cause emissions to exceed the standards on California pollution-controlled motor vehicles cannot be sold to customers in California or other states where similar laws may apply.

However, that does not change that fact that the HSR45 was a legendary bolt-on performance upgrade ‘back in its day’. A slide-type, smoothbore carburetor equipped with a roller bearing two-piece slide for smooth and easy throttle pull, it was a 45 mm venturi redesign of the equally legendary HSR42 performance carb.

With the same reliable features as the ’42,’ the greater airflow allowed customizers to keep step with the increasing capacity of the highly modified engines that the EVO era spawned.

AMERICAN PRIME MANUFACTURING
www.americanprimemfginc.com

BREAKING SEMA LEGISLATIVE NEWS–

Alaska Introduces Bill to Protect Vehicle Choice

Alaska has introduced a SAN-supported bill (H.B. 375) to ensure consumers’ choice of vehicle power plants and fuel by preventing a state agency, county, or city from limiting access to internal combustion engines.

The SAN believes that Alaska residents, not the government, should decide what vehicles are best for them and their families. The bill is scheduled for a hearing by the House Committee on Labor & Commerce on Monday, April 22, 2024.

–SEMA

CHINESE HONDA GOLD WING RIVAL– to Use Eight-Cylinder Engine

A motorcycle intended to rival the Honda Gold Wing is being built by a Chinese car maker and will use an eight-cylinder engine

The Honda Gold Wing is unique among production motorcycles in that it uses a massive six-cylinder engine with 1,833cc of displacement. In China, the car manufacturer Great Wall Motor has sensed an opportunity in Honda’s obvious mistake.

The mistake in question? Using only six cylinders, of course. GWM’s rival-in-development to the famous Gold Wing will use a proper number of cylinders: eight, according to patent documents published by Cycle World.

–Alex Whitworth
Visor Down

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR STEPS UP TO THE EPA–Allows Bill Blocking California Emissions Standards to Become Law

Congratulations, Kentucky! The Kentucky legislature’s Senate Bill (SB) 215, which restricts the state from adopting California’s stricter emissions standards for new vehicles, has become law without Governor Andy Beshear’s signature.

The SEMA-supported law prohibits the state from setting or enforcing regulations on emissions that align with California’s plan to phase out the sale of new gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035.

Congratulations and thank you for your continued support—please share this exciting triumph with others! Special thanks to those who voiced support for this effort.

–SEMA

QUOTE OF THE WEEK—

– Ralph Waldo Emerson
from Epoch times

A BRAND NEW 100-WORD FICTION ENTRY–

Pulled out of my garage and took off down the street. No particular destination just needed the wind in my face.

After an hour or so came across a little joint on a country road with outside seating at picnic tables. I dismounted my steel steed and sat down . A cute little thing came out and I asked for an ice cold draft.

Sipping the brew and listening to the exhaust tick I thought it was a good day to be alive.

–Rhys
Daytona Florida

THE MASTER MONK ENTERS THE BIKERNET THOUGHT TEMPLE–Cultivating Peace Through Faith

“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.”
— Helen Keller

Do you ever find it challenging to maintain faith amidst the chaos that surrounds us? In a world where negativity seems to dominate the headlines, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. From the constant barrage of distressing news to personal struggles, it can be difficult to believe in anything.

Consider the vast resources poured into conflict and war. What if we redirected these resources toward fostering peace? Imagine the transformative power of channeling our collective energy into positive conversations and actions. Despite the bleak narratives portrayed by the media, there is still hope for change. We must ask ourselves: are we contributing to the problem or actively seeking solutions?

Could we initiate a movement centered around reframing our discussions about life and advocating for a better world? Can we inspire others to believe in the potential for goodness and embrace the power of love and peace? Why not embrace the words of John Lennon’s song Imagine, “Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.”

Today’s Affirmation. Today, I choose to shift my perspective and focus on goodness wherever I go. I refuse to engage in negative conversations, no matter the temptation. I believe in the possibility of a Peace Revolution through the collective consciousness of humanity. As Lyndon B. Johnson wisely stated, “Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time, may the first step begin with me. Today, I take that first step with faith and conviction.”

The Dalai Lama reminds me that peace begins with friendship. Today, I commit to being a friend and spreading kindness wherever I go.

As I turn inward to find peace, I raise my level of Faith and dedicate myself to making this world a better place. I am grateful to be on this journey.

And so it is.

Namaste,

–Yale
Senior Monk
Bikernet Thought Temple

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
–Mother Teresa

WHERE SHOULD I START—I was told beets lower your cholesterol.

The Redhead includes them on a regular basis. But what’s the difference between pickled beets and beet juice?

Getting close to final assembly. So, I had to drill out the cable lever body for the Barnett Clutch housing.

This Cycle Tech application was the biggest challenge of this bike build, because of the configuration with a 4-speed trans and an alternator motor. I dug around for the throw-out bearing for this trans, then the pushrod pieces to make the length correct. I tightened it too much but caught myself and gave it the proper quarter to half-turn play for the throw-out bearing before adjusting the cable.

After I installed the new Paughco front Springer axle for a Timken Bearing Star hub I ran into a spacing, brake drum issue. The brake drum wouldn’t set in place properly. I tore it apart and started to study all the pieces.

I machined an old rear axle spacer to size. Ultimately, I was able to tighten the axle nut and install a cotter key, just right.

My Nash Blackball starter button arrived and was a breeze to install. I’m working on the 8th episode of the VLXAFL-5 project build. The tech should be launched on Bikernet next week

I met an old biker who is going blind. He was the Deadwood Jailer for lots of years and started to tell a friend a wild story about a murder in a streambed. I started to take notes. You might see it next week… I’m still digging.

I welded this guide before the bike went to paint. Luke at Taylord Cycles in Spearfish gave me a hand ordering a Drag Specialties black braided hose, but it was stiff and would not flex to slip through the guide. WTF?

I went to Randy Cramer’s, Dakota V-Twin shop and asked about extended fittings. No hope there. I pondered a bunch of mechanical maneuvers and then it came to me. I machined and drilled out a spacer. I made a rod to hold all the elements in line and brazed the piece in place. It worked and I bled the brakes. Bada Bing, I hope.

Keep the faith in freedom. Too many laws and restrictions are bullshit. We need to fight for the truth. Stay involved and free…

–Bandit

Editor’s Note: I’ve done this a couple of times with various air cleaner systems. Fortunately some of the covers are aluminum or stainless and can be cut, modified, or beat on, and then polished or rattle-canned for a terrific finish. But there are a myriad of aftermarket systems available from K&N, S&S, Performance Machine, you name it, if you don’t have the time or the tools. And perhaps J&P carries them all. So, you might look around, before you burn through a day trying to make your own.—Bandit

Ever wonder if you are getting ripped off or not? I can’t help thinking that $80 to $150 for an air cleaner cap is a little much, so I decided to correct the problem myself.
All I really needed was 5.5″ round cap for the top of my Arlen Ness Big Sucker, try to find that! Pretty much Ness is the main manufacturer of that item, and the price, well let’s just say it almost as expensive as the whole kit. If you purchase the big Sucker, they expect you use the OEM Ham Can, but man, it’s just ugly!

And I’m pretty sure your sucking the same old hot engine air that you were before. I did some quick measurements and found that the diameter of the outer ring on the Ham Can is exactly 5.5″,

now All I need is to cut it out. First I taped the top of the Ham Can with duct tape to avoid scratching it, then marked around the outer ring depression with a felt pen. I drilled a 3/8″ hole as a starter for my hand held jig saw. Using a metal blade I followed the line and cut out the center.

With a hand grinder and 80 grit flap wheel I smoothed out the edges. Presto! Not bad if I say so myself! If you’re wondering, I had a couple of extra Ham Cans lying around, so destroying one was no big deal.

Ride hard, have fun, and look out for each other.

— Tail Gunner out!

An Alternate Perspective by Alex Epstein

While there are no perfect metrics of the world’s livability from a human flourishing perspective, three excellent ones are average life expectancy, average income, and total population…

If today’s narrative about fossil fuels destroying our delicate, nurturing planet were true, then a chart of fossil fuel use, life expectancy, income, and population would be a sad story. As fossil fuel use went up, life expectancy would go down as fossil fuels depleted the Earth of nourishment and created myriad new dangers. Income would also go down as resources became scarce—and the scarcity would become worse and worse if population went up.

But when we look at an actual chart of these metrics of a livable world, we see that these metrics are going up in an unbelievable “hockey stick” that exactly correlates with fossil fuel use, including the CO2 emissions that are supposedly destroying our world…

Read this in detail at Bikernet.com website by clicking here