Action on All Fronts! I started out in this industry working on bikes and then as the manager of ABATE National fighting for freedom. I was maybe 23. I’m still fighting for the freedom to ride fossil fuel machines. Fighting for Freedom has always felt like fighting for the truth. I haven’t run into a situation yet when the truth didn’t coincide with freedom. News from Norton motorcycles revival, Motorcycle Riders Foundation, 5-Ball Leathers, Yamaha & Ducati supply stuck, Paughco, Arch Motorcycles, Fandango, Harley-Davidson Hometown Rally, AMVETS Rolling to Remember Rally gets parking, ABATE Idaho and Illinois, NMA, Laconia Motorcycle Week, Twisted Road, more. Let’s party and ride Free forever. –Bandit

Click Here to read the Weekly News on Bikernet.

Join the Cantina for more – Subscribe Today.

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Almost five years ago, Dale fired the 1915 Indian “Fire Breather” board tracker up for an episode of “These Old Bike Live.” The bike experienced some fuel delivery issues that day, so Dale pulled a man from the crowd to assist him in firing it up. Just a few weeks ago, Brandon Frazier, the man who assisted Dale on that day, revisited the museum, this time bringing his grandfather. He told Matt the story of that day, and in typical Wheels Through Time fashion Matt decided there was no better time to crank up the “Fire Breather” again!

Stories and connections like this are what make Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum an experience like no other museum. To play your part in fueling “The Museum That Runs” and ensuring stories like this continue for years to come, head over to wheelsthroughtime.com/win-this-bike/ and get your tickets for this year’s raffle bike, the milestone 1948 Harley-Davidson Panhead

Follow Along
The machine features a 61 cubic inch racing engine and, unlike many other racers of the day, is equipped with a brake and clutch. The odd exhaust pipes make for an interesting look and quite a sound. Follow along as we bring the “Fire Breather” back to life!

Hey,

I started out in this industry working on bikes and then as the manager of ABATE National fighting for freedom. I was maybe 23. I’m still fighting for the freedom to ride fossil fuel machines. Fighting for Freedom has always felt like fighting for the truth.

I haven’t run into a situation yet when the truth didn’t coincide with freedom. Just like this case. We are now discovering, and science will prove that the use of fossil fuels is beneficial to the planet and to humans across the globe. I can’t be more excited. So, I will continue to share the truth in the hopes it leads to more Freedom, compassion and benevolence worldwide.

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.

Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program urges motorists to ‘Share The Road’ for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month— As May welcomes in warmer weather and the motorcycle riding season begins to peak, the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP) wants to remind all motorists that May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and the message is to “Share The Road.”

DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore encourages motorcyclists to be aware of their surroundings and use caution at all times.

“The best way to celebrate Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is to always wear a helmet and to support all-rider laws to ensure fellow riders do the same,” Moore said.

He also reminds all motorists to be on the lookout for motorcyclist who may be difficult to see.

“Safety on our roadways is a shared responsibility,” he added.

GMSP promotes motorcycle safety awareness as a year-round effort. May brings special attention to the Share the Road campaign as a call-to-action to motorcyclists and drivers of safety issues that directly impact the motorcycle community.

In addition to promoting motorcycle safety awareness, GMSP encourages motorcyclists to take rider education courses, whether you are a first-time rider or an experienced rider.

“The DDS GMSP rider education courses are a good way to hone your skills whether you are a beginner or have many miles experience,” said Moore.

To learn more about motorcycle safety, visit www.dds.georgia.gov/gmsp-riders; www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles and www.iihs.org/topics/motorcycles#helmet-laws.

Georgia Department of Driver Services

–Walker County Messenger

THIS JUST IN FROM THE BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER–We are now quarantining vaccinated people HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. At some point everyone will gladly board the trains to the gas chambers, just to get out of the house HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

–J.J. Solari

TVS MOTOR COMPANY SIGNALS NEXT PHASE OF NORTON REVITALIZATION WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM TO TAKE THE FAMOUS MARQUE INTO NEW ERA–

Norton Motorcycles will be led by Robert Hentschel as Chief Executive Officer and Vittorio Urciuoli as Chief Technology Officer as the historic British company enters the next phase of its transformation with ongoing investment from TVS

Norton is undergoing a comprehensive transformation since being bought out of administration by TVS and is now being positioned for future growth and to take the brand into the future.

Dr Robert Hentschel is appointed CEO and Vittorio Urciuoli will take up the newly created position of CTO. Both roles will be pivotal in delivering the TVS vision for Norton.

The new leadership team brings exceptional global automotive leadership and engineering experience, including senior roles at Ricardo, Ferrari and Lotus
The announcement represents another strategic milestone for Norton under TVS ownership, building on the move to a new Solihull-based factory HQ announced earlier this year.

After playing a key role in stabilizing the company, John Russell will end his tenure as Interim CEO as the business transfers smoothly to the new leadership team.

A QUICK POSITIVE NOTE FROM THE BIKERNET CULTURAL CENTER– “Kindness, Honesty and Humility may be the pillars of a good relationship – but the foundation is always Love. If you love someone, the rest follows naturally.”

“Just as love blindfolds you and you see no faults, so hate blindfolds you and you see no virtues. ” – Moshe Ben Ezra

–Wayfarer
Doctor of Philosophy
Bikernet University
International Campus
India

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION UPDATE–Bikers Inside The Beltway
Moving Forward & Making It Happen

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation maintains that federal authorities must require robust testing of manufacturers of automated driving systems, guaranteeing they have accounted for motorcycle recognition and responsiveness. That’s the MRF position because driverless vehicles are currently being “beta tested” on public roadways without motorcycle recognizing algorithms. When identifying bill numbers are attached to this position, you will be notified. See the attachment for more details. In the meantime…

Have you registered for Bikers Inside the Beltway? It’s free but time is running out!

Have you made your appointments to visit your members of Congress? Make your appointments now in your district or in Washington, D.C.
Have you made your hotel reservations?

Thank you for your commitment to the MRF’s mission. Thank you for making appointments with your members of Congress. Click here to see the position paper for Automated Driving Systems.

Thank you for your membership and support of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.
.
–Fredric Harrell
Director, Conferences & Events
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
P.O. Box 250
Highland, Illinois 62249

5-BALL LEATHERS LIGHT PIT CREW VEST—With the summer coming this pit crew vest is the shit. It breathes and it protects, while made of ballistic Nylon. When it’s hot out and you want to ride, but you need to carry your stuff, this puppy works.

With two deep gun pockets, you can carry a handgun, cell phone, night glasses, a flask, note book, spare parts you name it. It also contains our exclusive media pocket in the back, so you can carry a manual to a brother’s house, your latest Cycle Source Magazine, divorce papers, you name it.

Check it out.

–Bandit

GLOBAL WARMING HEADLINE OF THE WEEK–
This will actually be blamed on global warming. mark my words. Ya know…..when you are being told it’s snowing because the earth is heating up………at some point you have to wonder…..”what ELSE am I being lied-to about that I’m actually believing?….”

–J.J. Solari
Media Investigator
Bikernet.com

ON TOP OF COMPONENT SHORTAGES, YAMAHAS AND DUCATIS TRAPPED ON EVER GIVEN–It’s been a frustrating year for motorcycle manufacturers. On top of component shortages and… supply chain disruptions that have hit the motorcycle industry (and many others), we now know that two companies, Yamaha and Ducati, have products delayed because they are stuck on the MV Ever Given, which you may know as the ship that made headlines last month by blocking the Suez Canal.

The situation got so bad for Yamaha Motor Europe that the company recently released an apology video to its customers and dealers. Yamaha Motor Europe N.V. President and CEO Eric de Seynes said things were looking up as demand for Yamaha’s motor vehicles returned to pre-pandemic levels for the 2021 season. Unfortunately for Yamaha, and every other motorcycle manufacturer, global shipping and supply issues were much worse than anticipated.

“The long-term effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the supply chain are becoming clear,” said de Seynes. “These effects are making it difficult to fulfill our key duty of making enough product available.”

To make matters worse, the Ever Given was transporting thousands of Yamaha products and components when things went sideways. Those products are in limbo for the foreseeable future because once the ship was re-floated, authorities seized it and its cargo of 18,000 shipping containers, then impounded it in Egypt’s Great Bitter Lake. Authorities are holding the ship and cargo until their demands are met that Evergreen Marine, the shipping company chartering and operating the Ever Given, pay nearly a billion dollars for the disruption. $300 million is for “loss of reputation” alone. Even if a resolution is reached, there aren’t even any cranes large enough to unload the ship in that region of the world.

Yamaha isn’t the only manufacturer affected by the Ever Given’s predicament. Ducati also has containers stranded on that ship. The products inside “probably will not respect the estimated delivery time,” Ducati says.

While the Ever Given connection makes for a catchy headline, it’s only a single example of the global supply chain disruptions that are affecting the entire motorcycle industry, as well as others. Ford recently reduced its projected production for the year because of a shortage of semiconductors. The global semiconductor shortage has also impacted Yamaha’s factories, de Seynes said. A single missing component can delay production, or even close production lines, while shipments lag.

Our recent article on the strong used motorcycle market noted that high prices for used bikes are partly fueled by a low supply of new motorcycles. Beyond the blockage of the Suez Canal, backups at other major ports, such as Long Beach in California, have led to shortages of many goods and components and all that is affecting how many motorcycles are available at your local dealership.

–ANDY GREASER, Revzilla

New Image of Tom Cruise in ‘Mission: Impossible 7’

NEW FROM PAUGHCO–ROCKER PEDALS

Bicycle pedals are for hipsters, get rid of that cheap pedal and level up your chopper game with a “Rocker Pedal”. They are 100% designed, cast in aluminum and manufactured in America. Hand polished for that true authentic rocker box feel.

$139.99

Beefy kicker shafts that will hold up to all 100 kicks before your bike actually starts. We are proud to be the very first to ever offer kicker pedals that match your engine. Sold exclusively through PaughcoParts.com.

HEADLINE OF THE WEEK—CHINESE VARIANTS
First it was the Chinese variants. Then it was the Brazilian variants. Then it was the African variants. Then it was the English variants. Then it was the Thai variants. Then it was the New Zealand variants. Now it’s the Indian variants. The crashed space debris will contain Venusian variants. I put the odds at 60-40 FOR that news item to make its appearance PROBABLY within the next month. Guaranteed.

–J.J. Solari

NEW FROM THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM–George’s 1967 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster

Most of us have a favorite old motorcycle, the one we enjoy riding the most, the one we know model history on. For long time J&P Cycles employee, then National Motorcycle Museum part time guy, George Barnard, it was the Harley Sportster, the performance Harley-Davidson that hit the streets and drag strips in 1957.

In fact, George’s email handle began; 58sport. Many moons ago George acquired a second year XL and it was a constant project to accumulate needed parts to complete this early Sportster. But the subject of this week’s story is George’s modified 1967 XLH, his regular rider until he passed away October 26 during the never-ending pandemic.

Even most people who grew up with the Harley Sportster don’t know everything about them. Back then nobody paid much attention to crankcase “belly numbers” or “date codes” on the frames, but as the earlier XLs have become collectible, the collectors have begun to document how the various models changed over the years.

George listened and learned at swap meets and at bike shops for a couple of decades and was quite learned on the street models, knew parts fitments and interchangeability, even race parts. Learning on the internet began, a new place for us all to hang out, and George was there, sometimes with the handle “Curious George.”

While George respected the Harley-Davidson Sportster as it came from the Motor Company, he sought to improve the ride, sound and performance of his 1967 machine. Highway pegs are cleanly attached to the front motor mount plates. Passenger pegs are in place no doubt to take one of George’s cherished granddaughters for a short ride. We see dual disk brakes taking over for the stock “hamburger” full width drum at the front, but the entire front end is from a later bike.

No doubt, George talked with a tech at Progressive at one of the dozens of J&P Cycles Open Houses he worked, and got the best damping and spring combination. The better shocks may have compensated for the stiffer banana seat. Mixing fuel and air for the 900, aka 883, is an S&S carburetor and filtration system. A Sportster always seems to look just right with “staggered duals” a more open and throaty exhaust system, but George’s are aftermarket.

When Harley-Davidson bought into Aermacchi, along came a wide array of relationships for components made in Italy. Boranni rims began to appear as catalogued race bike components for XLRs and the like. A fan of metal finishes, George bead blasted the centers on his flanged rims but used standard plated spokes for the 19-inch front, 18-inch rear wheels. Just in case, the sheet metal screws are there to secure the tire, the eight holes actually drilled and counter bored at the factory.

I’ll let you pick out all the pieces George had chrome plated as there are many. Ditto the dozens of polished stainless steel cap head Allen bolts. Just about every modification George made is reversible; nothing was chopped off the frame to build up this immaculate expression of the Harley Sportster.

Alas the bike sits silent now as we lost George in October, and soon at the Museum we will celebrate George’s life. Whether handing out massive J&P Cycles catalogs at gatherings like Bike Week or Sturgis, or hustling raffle tickets for the Museum at an AMCA meet, George’s deep voice was at once familiar and inviting.

“Win the Knucklehead! A $5 donation gets you a chance to win! Support the Museum! You might be the winner!”

Specifications:

Engine: 45 Degree Overhead Valve V-Twin
Displacement: 54 Cubic Inches / 883 cc’s
Bore & Stroke: 3.00? x 3.81?
Carburetor: S&S
Primary: Triplex Chain
Clutch: Dry, Multi-disk
Transmission: 4-Speed, Foot Shift
Ignition: 12V Battery, Points & Coils
Horsepower: 61HP
Frame: Steel, Double Down Tube
Suspension: Telescopic Fork / Dual Shocks, Swingarm
Brakes: Dual Disks / Drum, Internal Expanding
Wheelbase: 58.5?
Weight: 530 Pounds
Wheels/Tires: 3.50 x 19 / 4.00 x 18

ARCH Motorcycle Official Apparel Store Now Open

Hello Keith,

The past year has definitely been tough on everyone, but we’ve been hard at work developing our first-ever apparel line and wanted to share some exciting news. The Official ARCH Motorcycle Apparel Store is now open!

We thank you for your continued patience as we navigate this new endeavor. We’ve created a small line of hats, shirts, sweatshirts, and more to kick things off, but we look forward to expanding the line with even more products in the future. For now, please enjoy the latest goods from our initial offering.

GUN NUT REPORT–3 Things to Know About Second Amendment’s Return to Supreme Court

But last week, the Supreme Court agreed to hear New York State Rifle & Pistol v. Corlett, a case that could have much broader implications for the future of strict gun control than its mooted predecessor.

Here are three important things to know about the high court’s latest Second Amendment case.

1.This case is about the right to carry firearms in public.

New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Corlett provides the Supreme Court with the opportunity to address a very important question it so far has declined to answer: When the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, does it mean a right to bear a handgun in public for purposes of self-defense?

According to New York and a handful of other gun control-friendly states, the answer has been a resounding no. In these states, the right to “bear” arms has been effectively restricted to a right to possess and handle a gun in your home, and nothing more.

If you want to protect yourself with a firearm in public, the state considers it a privilege you can exercise only after showing “good cause” above and beyond a desire to protect yourself from crime in general.

In essence, law-abiding citizens in these states have no right to “bear” arms outside their homes.

The petitioners in the new case include two New York residents who have extensive experience and training with firearms. Both applied for and were denied carry permits for their firearms because they did not “face any special or unique danger to [their] life.”

It appears the Supreme Court finally has five justices willing to vindicate the rights of these petitioners. We know that Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh have publicly decried the court’s reluctance to take up cases involving similar “good cause” laws and affirmed that there is, indeed, a right to bear arms.

Meanwhile, Justices Samuel Alito and Amy Coney Barrett have evidenced a faithful adherence to the text, history, and tradition of the Second Amendment in different types of gun control cases. They would seem unlikely candidates to side with New York’s interpretation that the right to bear arms is only a privilege for the select few determined to meet arbitrary “good cause” requirements.

2.‘Good cause’ and ‘may issue’ requirements have racist roots.

For the first 70 or so years after the Constitution was ratified, Americans undeniably maintained a general right to bear arms in public, with perhaps some state authority to regulate the mode of carry.

A minority of states eventually prohibited or heavily regulated the act of carrying a concealed firearm in public. But no state completely eradicated an ordinary citizen’s ability to carry some type of firearm in public in some manner without first having to seek permission from the government.

Well, all white Americans enjoyed a right to bear arms in public.

Laws heavily regulating the public carry of firearms were, like all early forms of restrictive gun control, reserved for the subjugation of slaves and other individuals who were, at the time, legally considered as falling outside of “the People” of the United States.

Even after slavery was abolished and the 14th Amendment forbade race-based gun restrictions, many southern states looked to racially neutral but highly discretionary gun control laws to effectively disarm black citizens.

A Florida Supreme Court case in 1941 provides some insight into just how blatantly and openly states used discretionary permit systems to deprive black Americans of their rights. The court overturned a white man’s conviction for carrying a handgun in public without a permit, in apparent violation of state law.

Justice Rivers Buford nonchalantly explained the racist origins and enforcement of the law in his concurring opinion:

The original Act of 1893 was passed when there was a great influx of negro laborers in this State. … The Act was passed for the purpose of disarming the negro laborers … and to give the white citizens in sparsely populated areas a better feeling of security. The statute was never intended to be applied to the white population and in practice has never been so applied.

The reality is that today’s “good cause” requirements may not be overtly racist, but in practice they serve to disproportionately exclude people of color from the ability to protect themselves in public with firearms. Constitutional implications aside, this makes discretionary licensing poor public policy.

Who ends up getting concealed carry permits in the most restrictive “good cause” jurisdictions? Overwhelmingly, the permits go to wealthy white men—especially those who are well connected to whatever public official happens to have sole discretion over granting permit applications.

It’s also little wonder that such incredibly discretionary schemes lend themselves to rampant corruption.

3. Public carry will not turn us into the ‘Wild West.’
Many gun control advocates insist that if the Supreme Court strikes down “good cause” requirements then the nation will be turned into a “Wild West” of gun violence.

In other words, the Second Amendment shouldn’t protect a right of ordinary citizens to bear arms in their own defense, because ordinary citizens largely are incapable of acting in a reasonable manner when armed in public.

Decades of plain data show just the opposite.

Between 1990 and 2000, 16 states changed their concealed carry laws from either “no issue” or “may issue” to “shall issue” permitting. During that time, national rates for violent crime, homicide by gun, and other gun crime plummeted.

Since 2000, the trend toward more permissible public carry laws not only continued (42 states and the District of Columbia are either “shall issue” or “permitless carry”), but public interest in obtaining permits skyrocketed. Over 19 million American adults now possess a concealed carry permit, up from roughly 3 million adults in 2000.

If gun control advocates were correct about their Wild West hypothesis, surely the last two decades would have been an increasingly violent mess.

But the data clearly do not bear that out. Violent crime rates continued a general downward trend while gun homicide and other gun crime rates remained consistently low after plateauing around 2011.

It turns out that ordinary, law-abiding citizens absolutely can be trusted to “bear” arms in public, just like the plain text of the Constitution envisions.

Hopefully, the Supreme Court soon will vindicate the tens of millions of American citizens currently deemed to have “insufficient cause” to exercise their constitutional rights.

This commentary was corrected May 6 to accurately report the status in 42 states and the District.

–Amy Swearer, Daily Signal

Have an opinion about this article? To sound off, please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state.

PRIZE POSSESSION REMEMBERED–Ya know what? I’m gonna start bein’ nice to you. I was scrounging-around Bikernet and came across something called “Prize Possession,” and I’m going why does that sound familiar?

Then I checked it out, and I go oh yeah, it’s that ancient paperback. Then I’m readin’ where you said, what did you say, you said I am one of the “great writers who gave you some sort of impetus or roadmap or something to emulate?”

I’m goin’ to myself …..so THIS is what “feeling honored” feels like…..” so…..I ain’t gonna forget this. Anything you want from me just ask. Worst can happen is I’ll say no. So ask for something else! No, really: I’m ALMOST at a loss for words. and that just ain’t natural.

–J.J. Solari

[page break]

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY—1. A Jewish grandmother is giving directions to her grown grandson who is coming to visit with his wife.

“You come to the front door of the apartment. I am in apartment 301. There is a big panel at the front door. With your elbow, push button 301. I will buzz you in.

Come inside, the elevator is on the right. Get in, and with your elbow, push #3. When you get out, I’m on the left.. With your elbow, hit my doorbell.”

Grandson asks, “Grandma, that sounds easy enough, but why am I hitting all these buttons with my elbow? ………

“What . . . .. . You’re coming empty handed?!!”

2.Wise Italian Grandfather

Why Italian Fathers and Grandfathers pass their handguns down through the family.

An old Italian man is dying. He calls his grandson to his bedside, Guido, I wan’ you lissina me. I wan’ you to take-a my chrome plated .. 38 revolver so you will always remember me.”

“But grandpa, I really don’t like guns.. How about you leave me your Rolex watch instead?”

“You lissina me, boy. Somma day you gonna be runna da business, you gonna have a beautiful wife, lotsa money, a big-a home and maybe a couple of bambinos.”

“Somma day you gonna come-a home and maybe finda you wife inna bed with another man.
“Whatta you gonna do then? Pointa to you watch and say, ‘times up’ “?

3.Irish Blonde…

An attractive blonde from Cork, Ireland arrived at the casino. She seemed a little intoxicated and bet twenty thousand dollars in a single roll of the dice.
She said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I feel much luckier when I’m completely nude.”

With that, she stripped from the neck down, rolled the dice and with an Irish brogue yelled, “Come on, baby, Mama needs new clothes!”

As the dice came to a stop, she jumped up and down and squealed. “Yes! Yes! I won, I won!” She hugged each of the dealers, picked up her winnings and her clothes and quickly departed.

The dealers stared at each other dumbfounded. Finally, one of them asked, “What did she roll?” The other answered, “I don’t know – I thought you were watching.”

MORAL OF THE STORY

Not all Irish are drunks, not all blondes are dumb, ….. BUT, all men… are men!

Global Facts About Sex

At any given moment:
FACT: 79,000,000 people are having sex – right now.
FACT: 58,000,000 are kissing.
FACT: 37,000,000 are relaxing after having sex.
FACT: 1 old person is reading emails.
You hang in there, sunshine!

–El Waggs

DON’T MISS THE FANDANGO COVERAGE–Why Cherokee Is Successful when the AMCA has seemingly been out of touch with members for so many years?

Greg and I joined the Cherokee Board around December of 2013 (if I remember correctly) Greg, myself and one other new board member at that time simply felt our little club of 26 members (two had died and no one knew?) could perhaps do a better job of doing rides and fun events for our members, plus focus on getting new blood into the club.

What transpired the next 6 years was simply epic. We not only found new ways to become visible, we grew the club to almost 300 members, added a newsletter, Greg pioneered our Website /Social Media presence, and we became the Club to copy in the AMCA.

We did it the hard way by recruiting members all across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas as well as members from all over America and several foreign countries. From the Southern tip of Texas to the top of Oklahoma is 800 miles. We found out however that people like to belong to something worthwhile!

We have a very inclusive, energetic and family based club today as a result. Steve got a bit burned out after 6 straight years, 2 as Membership Director, followed by 4 years as Prez. Greg took this membership mass energy and planned and launched Fandango.

Victor will bring organizational knowledge, technology and communication strengths to our years ahead. In the end, Cherokee is strong because of Team Focus and Team Effort.

Lastly we have two terrific members you must meet. Rebecca Cunningham, Red Flier Media does all our video production work. Wes Brown (less cute than Rebecca), ShutterHog has done photography of our events for years. Also, Wes attends all Texas Legislative Sessions to ensure no stupid language gets inserted into laws that would be uncool for motorcyclists.

Again, we think it is a huge step to be recognized by you with your followers. I have told Greg and Vic that I invited Bikernet to Fandango 3 on April 1-3, 2022. I will take care of your accommodations and provide you with a golf cart and a motorcycle to allow you to “Getting Your Fandango On!”

–Steve Klein
Past President Cherokee Chapter

See the recent Fandango Report on Bikernet: https://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=14836

NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON HOMETOWN RALLY SET FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND–
Milwaukee Will Host a Bigger, Better Biker Bash with Music and Special Events

The biker bash of the season is back and bigger than ever. Harley-Davidson has announced plans for the all-new Hometown Rally, a Labor Day weekend celebration of moto-culture centered in Milwaukee, the city where it all began for the Motor Company. The Harley-Davidson Museum will serve as a central rally point Sept. 2-6, 2021, for events taking place at that downtown site and at six surrounding Harley-Davidson® dealerships.

“The Hometown Rally is an event no Harley-Davidson fan will want to miss,” said Jochen Zeitz, chairman, president and CEO, Harley-Davidson. “It will be a celebration of all things Harley, a chance to re-connect with other riders who share the desire for adventure, freedom and community that is the real heart of the Harley-Davidson experience.”

Throughout the Hometown Rally weekend, the 20-acre campus of the Harley-Davidson Museum will host the party of the summer, with free live concerts on three consecutive nights, food-and-beverage sites, stunt exhibitions and skills demonstrations, 2021 Harley-Davidson motorcycle demos, and motorcycle showcases hosted by Born Free and V-Twin Visionary. The Museum will be open for general admission during the event.

The Museum will also host a H.O.G. member Check-In, and there will be a H.O.G. member Check-In at each of the six participating Harley-Davidson dealerships in the area. Event H.O.G.® merchandise will also be available.

Milwaukee-area Harley-Davidson dealerships will also be hosting Hometown Rally events and entertainment. Those dealerships include House of Harley-Davidson (Greenfield), Milwaukee Harley-Davidson (Milwaukee), Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson (Thiensville), Uke’s Harley-Davidson (Kenosha), West Bend Harley-Davidson (West Bend) and Wisconsin Harley-Davidson (Oconomowoc).

Hometown Rally details and schedules will be finalized and revealed throughout the summer. Check for updates at www.H-D.com/hometownrally, where links to dealer sites for specific info on those schedules and events will also be posted.

Harley-Davidson relies on local health guidelines to inform our participation and protect our staff, our riders and our communities.

PAN AMERICAN COMMENT–Not sure this will fly? too pricey compared to the competition I feel.

I see more and more trikes out there, but they are big and fugly and lack that raw mechanical H-D’s 1970s mystique that we all love.

Maybe a stripped to basics bare bones dangerous looking Trike?

–Geno

Sam Burns sent us a batch of Trike images from mild to super-wild. We need a trike story to show respect to the 3-wheel alternative. Drop me a line if you have one to share.

–Bandit
Kball945@Gmail.com

Rolling To Remember secures RFK Stadium as staging area after I-Team gets involved

Some good news developing for AMVETS after a huge struggle by the group to secure a staging area for its annual Rolling To Remember event in the District on Memorial Day weekend.

AMVETS just told 7News investigative reporter Scott Taylor it has secured RFK stadium as a rallying location after the Pentagon turned them down.

The I-Team has been covering this for weeks. Investigative Reporter Scott Taylor revealed AMVETS got their parking permit application into the Pentagon last July and the Defense Department approved it in March. Days later, the permit was revoked and later denied due to the ongoing pandemic.

AMVETS Executive Director Joe Chenelly told the 7 News I-Team he received a call from the Pentagon with the bad news.

“A gentleman at the Pentagon told me that after careful consideration, our permit application was denied. He said considerations involved the continued spread of COVID-19 in the region and the nature of our event being that we are proposing a large gathering for an extended period of time.”

But D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser gave the OK this week to rent out the parking lot of RFK to AMVETS as she is lifting outdoors restrictions.

AMVETS tell the I-Team the Metropolitan Police Department and the D.C. Mayor’s Office worked with it to help make Rolling To Remember a success.

You can expect 50,000 veterans on their motorcycles in the District over Memorial Day weekend.

–Scott Taylor
ABC news

ABATE OF IDAHO CHECKS IN–2021 has been a difficult year as all of us have been aware of and it still is going into springtime. Its effects all of us making it a very strained year to get things accomplished in Boise. We fortunately had our
Distracted Driving law updated to include the use of hands free GPS, while we are in our cars with no changes to the existing law as it was written.

ICMS has been working very hard on getting the Covered Load Bill (HB 159) updated
so that it would read for all loads to be covered while on the open road. We all have experienced gravel and chip trucks to know the importance of this getting done as it not only concerns all riders but motorists as well. It has a House sponsor but ICMS is still working on the Senate.

We’re working on Lane Filtering… this has passed in our adjoining states of Montana and Utah this past year and ABATE of N Idaho has reached out to the AMA and others to gather as much information as possible to further this cause. This will take a lot of education to help all riders and the driving public to understand how this potential bill will pertain to them and how it works for all of us.

Both ICMS and ABATE of N Idaho had May 1st Motorcycle Awareness Rallies. ICMS
had their rally in the Boise Capital and ABATE of N Idaho holds their rally in Coeur d Alene. Both of these events have been going on for a very long time and are always well attended and garner a lot of respect from our Brothers and Sisters. ICMS has a very well know escorted ride to the Capital steps and ANI has local speakers with a ride following to our long time Cataldo Swap Meet.

–Duane Justus
ABATE of North Idaho

QUICK, Purchase Advance Discount Tickets for Sand Sports Super Swap on Saturday, May 22–
Discount tickets can be purchased in advance online for the Sand Sports Super SWAP at the OC Fair & Events Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Saturday, May 22.

Please Note: We are not able to sell tickets on-site in person the day of the event due to California COVID precautions. ALL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED ONLINE. Ticket prices will go up online the day of the event.

Pre-sale tickets (ages 13+) are just $6.50 until May 21, online. Day of Show Tickets are $11.50 on May 22, online only. Children ages 12 & under are free.

The Sand Sports Super Show is a one-day opportunity for off-road enthusiasts to “swap” their sand toys and equipment. Sellers of new and used quads, dune buggies, motorcycles, tires, engine parts, helmets and anything for the off-road enthusiast are welcome.

The Sand Sports Super SWAP is open for business from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 22.

To purchase discount tickets in advance online as well as for information on being a Vendor at the Sand Sports Super Swap, visit www.SandSportsSuperShow.com.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is focusing on proper riding gear during this week of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. In addition to widespread posting of this short video on safety apparel, the MSF is reminding everyone about its downloadable materials that can be used by anyone or any group to raise awareness with public service announcements, social media posts, and the hashtag #SeeMotorcycles.

–MIC

Structural Crack Closes Mississippi River Interstate Bridge (I-40 between Arkansas and Tennessee) Indefinitely–The Hernando de Soto Bridge arches 9,432 feet from West Memphis, AR to Memphis, Tennessee over the mighty Mississippi River. The busy 47-year-old bridge has 37,000 vehicles crossing daily. All those vehicles will now have to divert to the I-55 Bridge that was built in 1916. This is just one of the many bridges that have issues in America today.

–NMA

LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK–2017 Harley-Davidson FXDB – Street Bob for $14,995.00

SEE IT HERE: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=10461517

The mile-eating performance of our Dyna chassis wrapped in no-nonsense, stripped-down, hardcore bobber style.The time-honored art of getting rid of everything that doesn’t matter.

The original bobber fanatics invented the style, and they had one rule: if it’s not essential, get rid of it. That’s the Street Bob. 103 cubic inches of Harley-Davidson V-Twin power. Solo seat. Chopped rear fender.

Mini-apes. Blacked out fork lowers and triple clamps, blacked out engine finish with highlighted fins. Time to cut and run. Only $14,995.00! Come see it at Lifestyle Cycles TODAY! We’re open 7 days a week and offer EZ financing! Call us today at (714) 490-0155.

Get In On the Action at Laconia Motorcycle Week!–
Tuesday, June 15th, the popular Tower Street Hill Climb Expo returns to Lakeside Avenue for a throwback event to the original 1916 hillclimb. It’s back by popular demand and has been extended an hour so you have more time to watch vintage bikes scream up Tower Street, in the center of Weirs Beach, just like they did nearly 100 years ago. Hosted by the United States Classic Racing Association.

Wednesday, June 16th, don’t miss the Gunstock Hill Climb at Gunstock Mountain Resort. Back will be hundreds of riders tearing up the mountain on a 70-meter dirt slope, known in winter as the Torger Tokle Memorial Ski Jump. This year’s adrenaline-packed hillclimb, hosted by Ridge Runner Promotions and presented by Eastcoast’n Enterprises will be an AMATEUR event. Anyone can register, provided they are a NEHA member and sign up by May 15th. A rider limit has been set at 180 and the event is first come, first serve. Free camping is available for competitors and their families Tuesday and Wednesday.

And of course, races and exhibitions all week long at NH Motor Speedway, including the FIM North American Vintage Championships starting on Saturday, June 12 and ending with the 98th Loudon Classic on Sunday, June 18th.

Stay tuned for more information on this and other exciting Motorcycle Week events as we get closer to #98!

Call to book your room now. Motorcycle Week books up quickly so they only take reservations by phone.
603-366-4341

“Laconia – Where Rallies Were Invented”

Samson and Spevco Sponsoring Top Fuel Harley at NHRA zMAX–

Samson Exhaust and hardcore specialty vehicle builder Spevco have already partnered together for three years sponsoring two-time National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Top Fuel Harley (TFH) champion Tii Thape. Now they’re jumping in to help the class, sponsoring the ground-pounding, flame-throwing nitro Harleys at NHRA’s Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina.

Tharpe isn’t just a rider, he’s also the Spevco president. He and Samson president Mike Baverstock both agree that putting their companies’ money into NHRA TFH isn’t some charity deal just to support the class—it’s good business.

“Mike is really, really good about keeping metrics,” said Tharpe. “And he knows that when we race on Sunday, he sells on Monday. If we win on Sunday, he sells more on Monday.”

“Win on Sunday, sell all month,” corrected rabid analytics hound Baverstock. “NHRA is a great piece of advertising for Samson. We see it in our sales all during the racing season.”

“We’re focused on NHRA,” agreed Tharpe. “They have a good platform, with TV and thousands of fans, that really helps us.”

Tharpe’s Jay Turner Racing teammate Randal Andras and his AB Steel company will sponsor the Houston race, Tim Kerrigan’s TKR and Associates will sponsor Indy, and AMRA racer John Toth and his company JT’s Auto & Cycle will sponsor Maple Grove.

“It’s nice to see everybody pull together. Hopefully we can attract a class sponsor for next season in these next four races.”

Tharpe’s Spevco will be going all out, representing themselves and Samson Exhaust on the zMAX midway with a private 3000 square foot hospitality center, providing a luxurious space and advertising both companies’ products.

“It’s a VIP center for our guests, our employees and our friends,” said Tharpe. “Obviously, Charlotte’s the home track for me and Spevco (based in Pfafftown near Winston-Salem). We’ll have about a hundred employees and guests there and we’re looking forward to educating people about Spevco—who we are, really gain awareness for both our companies, and put Samson at the forefront of Harley-Davidson exhausts. And I think we’ll do that.

“Mike is going to be giving away a Samson Exhaust system that weekend and is offering a discount code (TII4WIDE) for that event. That’s exciting, and he always sees it as a real positive. We’re looking forward to seeing that motorcyclists get their ear-tunes from Samson.

“We’re also looking forward to firing up my bike a couple times in a big way at our exhibit.”

Tharpe admits to being a little overwhelmed by the tasks at hand. “I feel now what Jay Turner has to deal with working on five bikes,” said Tii. “Getting the bike decaled, getting the exhibits decaled, getting content built, getting volunteers and staffing, and it’s coming down to the wire. It’s not been boring.”

Also, on Tharpe’s to-do list is to make sure that the Charlotte business community, who may not have NHRA on the their radar, learn what NHRA—and Spevco and Samson—have to offer them. Tharpe knows that this is one big chance to get more than the usual suspects out to the dragstrip. “Oh yeah, our sales staff is definitely working this event,” said Tii. “And we hope to get some big time Charlotte area business leaders right out there on the starting line and show them what fuel is about.

“Usually, I just get to focus on the racing. But this is a good experience for me personally to merge what our companies do with what I love to do and see if we can generate return on investment. So, this is a good case study to go to potential sponsors of our class and say, ‘Hey, this is what I experienced.’

“I’m really excited because NHRA has been good to me, allowing us very good deliverables. I see their deliverables have great value. I would recommend to any potential sponsor that what they have to offer is of value—you definitely get your money’s worth.”

“Mike can show those results time and time again, so that that is good for attracting a class sponsor. And I’m hoping that if Spevco can lease, rent, or sell a unit, like the hospitality unit, or any of our services, just one time it will justify this one event.

“Maybe we can inject some kind of new life into our motorcycle community, and help find a way to attract more sponsors to the individual teams as well.”

Baverstock has seen Tharpe’s commitment to the class first hand. “Before I committed Samson to joining Spevco in sponsoring Charlotte, Tii was actually willing to put the sponsorship money he receives from Samson into the Charlotte purse for the class. That’s how important this class is to him.”

And Mike expects to see that commitment achieve results on track this weekend—from Tharpe and the whole class. “I think we’re gonna see a helluva show in Charlotte,” said Baverstock. “From the second round of qualifying on, it’s gonna be something to see. Our team is hungry right now, it’s time for us to get a win.”

“We always show up to win, and that is the plan,” agreed Tharpe. “And if Samson and Spevco could be the sponsor of the class at the event and we win, that would just be freakin’ amazing.

“We’ve not had the opportunity to race at zMAX until now, so we’re definitely looking forward to that and showcasing to the Charlotte community what these Top Fuel Harleys can do, and how the NHRA interacts with fans and sponsors. We’re happy to be at Bruton’s facility here.

“We’re stoked. I think Samson, Spevco, and Jay Turner Racing are gonna make a good appearance, especially from the marketing and track presence side.

“We’ll also continue to race with AHDRA and AMRA. I have the utmost respect for what Bill Rowe’s doing over there at AHDRA, and AMRA’s always been there for us.”

Samson has seen a tremendous boost in sales since Baverstock and his business partner bought the company. His “Loud Pipes Win Races” attitude is translating from strip to street with top quality, American-made, aftermarket exhaust for Harleys and select Indian motorcycles at an affordable price.

Samson’s biggest challenge now is getting enough raw materials to keep up with demand. They’ve recently acquired a CNC milling company and automated powdercoating lines, and have been getting heavily into the class 8 truck industry, manufacturing shackles, manifolds, etc.

So the zMAX race will be a celebration of sorts for Samson that Baverstock hopes ends up with a Wally posed on the seat of Tharpe’s Top Fuel Harley. “I hope we get a strong field, Tii’s number one qualfier, and wins the race—that’s what I want to see.”

“Hell yeah,” added Tharpe. “I can agree with that.”

for more information about Samson Exhaust products: https://samsonusa.com/

email Samson at: info@samsonusa.com

MRF ACCOMPLISHMENTS–MRF Accomplishments

• MRF has provided a strong, unyielding lobbying effort on behalf of motorcyclists in Washington D.C. since 1987

• Ensuring the responsible use of renewable fuels, especially regarding the labeling, dispensing and availability of higher blend ethanol fuels such as E15.

• Led the effort to repeal federal blackmail laws trying to force states to pass mandatory helmet laws for all riders

• Stopped federal legislation that would have classified any group of three or more riders wearing similar clothing as a ‘gang’

• Stopped unfair insurance provisions targeting motorcyclists

• Helped to overturn road bans attempting to stop motorcyclists from using roads we pay taxes to maintain

• Overturned the ‘superbike’ ban attempting to stop the sale of high-performing motorcycles

• Stopped governmental agencies from using taxpayer dollars to lobby against motorcycling

• Continuing to ensure that motorcycles are accounted for in autonomous (self-driving) vehicle designs

• Working to stop motorcycle profiling and bogus check points by law enforcement agencies

• Supporting voluntary rider education efforts to decrease motorcycle accidents, and helping rider education programs to obtain government grants

• Protected the motorcycle industry from onerous and restrictive federal regulations that would have severely damaged the motorcycle aftermarket, and along with it, all riders’ ability to modify their bikes the way they want to.

• Continuing to work to stop distracted driving

• Stopped unfair EPA regulations that, if endorsed, would have forced riders to use only ‘Approved OEM’ parts on their bikes

• For more than 30 years, the MRF has spearheaded a network of strong motorcyclists’ rights organizations protecting rider’s rights. The MRF has made sure that we can ride the kind of bikes we want to ride, with the people we want to ride with, wearing what we want to wear, on the roads we want to ride, and make the
changes to our bikes that we want to make.

If you’re not already a member of the MRF, why not?

[page break]

NEW FROM BDL–BDL’s ERCPS-100 clutch plate kit is a direct replacement for stock plates used in any BDL round dog basket. Featuring Aramid disc material the high performance plates are designed for smoother, more positive lock up and quieter running. The kit is made up of 15 application specific BDL plates and retails for $157.50.

For additional details and ordering information go to www.beltdrives.com

ENGINE OF THE WEEK–Sometimes being a hoarder pays off. Johnny Gardner and his son were doing some spring cleaning in the shop and found a box of blown-up small block Chevy parts. Not wanting to see the parts go to waste, it turned into a challenge to build something with them. The result was a one-of-a-kind two-cylinder V-Twin Chevy engine!

Two-Cylinder V-Twin Chevy Engine

Johnny Gardner

31G Shop

Little Rock, AR
https://www.enginebuildermag.com/

LATEST FROM THE TWISTED ROAD–ROTMR 2021 is Roaring Into Austin June 10-13

The Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally (more commonly known as the ROTMR) brings bike riders and enthusiasts from all 50 states and international locations to Austin, Texas for the largest “turnstile” (paid ticketed attendees) motorcycle bike rally in the United States. ROTMR Rally is widely known for its eclectic blend of motorcycles, attractions, and vendors paired with the rich culture of Austin, Texas.

Every June, Austin plays host to the three-day event where attendees can find everything from a tattoo convention to vendors selling high-performance motorcycle parts. If you’re into motorcycle culture, ROTMR has tons to offer. In the past, the rally has featured stunt shows, custom bike builders, flat track and Supermoto racing, hundreds of vendors, food trucks and more.

Because Austin is considered the “Live Music Capital of The World”, the Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally prides itself in the presentation of some of the best musical acts in the business. From legends like ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd to up and coming local acts, the music scene at the rally has something to offer everyone. Performances are featured on the Main Stage in the rally midway where larger headliners perform nightly.

Austin’s natural beauty and proximity to the Texas Hill Country makes for some of the most enjoyable, scenic riding in the south. Plus, ROTMR’s nearness to downtown Austin offers riders and attendees access to Austin’s vibrant culture. Don’t miss this year as the rally celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a bash as big as Texas.

Find motorcycles to rent in Austin for your ROTMR experience.

–Yvette Streicher
Twisted Road Motorcycle Rentals

NMA ALERT–Richardson, TX Police Department Traffic Division Under Review after Some Officers Say They were forced into an ongoing Ticket-Writing Competition

If officers did not participate, they would face disciplinary action or low evaluations. The officers decided to speak out since ticket quotas violate state law.

A retired officer stated, “It’s almost a little bit more dangerous than having a quota because you are constantly competing to be better than everyone else.”

Another veteran officer added that citizens are paying the price, “…Not everyone needs to go to jail, not everyone needs a ticket, you should be able to function as a police officer and treat every situation and person different.”

Apparently, this has been going on for years. Officers are ranked for tickets and arrest on a board each week. The city council is looking into the situation, and the officers have also contacted the Texas Rangers and the Dallas District Attorney’s office to investigate.

–NMA

CORRECTION FROM H-2–Dildo of The Road; Easyriders – May, 1976, vol.36

We ran this classic Hal Robinson illustration in the News last week without the title. Now we know when it ran in Easyriders in 1976. I may have been the editor at the time. If not, I was still an associate editor.

–Bandit

FREEWHEELING— The Allure of the Automobile in Contemporary Art

Woody in a Woody 2016 Oil on Linen 30 x 30 inches

Produced in collaboration with the Highlands Motoring Foundation, I’m flattered to have four works included in this special exhibition.

May 11 – August 21, 2021

The Bascom Center for Visual Arts
323 Franklin Road
Highlands, NC
Please visit www.allangormanart.com

Order fine art prints and originals in a wide range of sizes and styles.
There’s lots of images of paintings and original photos to choose from
and a special 15% savings for first time buyers.

ABOUT THE NEW HARLEY ELECTRIC BRAND–Just read where Harley-Davidson is launching A new brand, The Live Wire? I had to read it twice!

My first, is how many of you have seen a Live Wire on the road? Not everyone at once now? I am still waiting for the answer? Yes sir, that’s what I thought none or very few!

The powers that be at Harley-Davidson must have seen thousands on the road? To invest in this dead horse they must see something we do not see! They say there is great interest in these electric bikes?

In my work I never hear any interest in these bikes and I work in this industry every day. Let me tell you in the real everyday world of bikers and Harley riders there is NO interest!

Harley says or the powers-that-be say they are trying to attract younger riders with these creations. Really, have you seen the price tags on these bikes? Not many young guys have that much coin!

These electric bikes are not practical, ride for an hour and try to find a charging station? Good luck with that! With the new leadership at Harley-Davidson it is clear they have lost sight of tradition and heritage with electric bikes and this Pan American dirt bike.

Harley-Davidson did not make their mark with electric bikes and dirt bikes. They made their mark on the highway and the streets with thumping v-twin power, not something that sounds like a household appliance!

The problem at Harley-Davidson lies at the top. They need a boss who lives, eats and breaths Harley-Davidson motorcycles! Anyone come to mind? How about Willie G. Davidson? Remember when he was there? Remember the models he had his fingerprints on? That is what is needed, someone with heart and soul not a fast talking CEO who has no roots in Harley-Davidson!

In closing take a minute and think of what Harley -Davidson could do with the money they are investing in these electric bikes and this dirt bike, think of the new models they could develop? And don’t delete tried and true models like the Sportster.

I guess only time will tell how this turns out?

Until next time, RIDE!
–STEALTH
Official Factory Spy
Bikernet.com

EDITORIAL FROM AUTOWEEK–Will the Pan America Adventure Motorcycle Save Harley-Davidson? Does the storied 118-year-old company even need saving?

Harley-Davidson enters the adventure bike segment for the first time with the all-new Pan America.
The 150-hp, 1250cc V-twin is also all-new, with dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing.
The bike comes with a sophisticated suspension, too.

There’s no question the all-new Harley-Davidson Pan America adventure bike is well-designed, well-engineered, innovative, and maybe even cool. It has an innovative semi-active suspension, it lowers the seat for you at stop lights so both feet of shorter riders can reach the ground, thus opening up the potential market considerably.

It can hold the bike in place when stopped on hills so you can more easily accelerate away after an uphill stop. It has unique-for-the-class “beakless” styling on the nose. It’s powered by a new 150-hp V-twin that would go well in almost anything Harley chooses to put it in. It has hydraulic lifters so you never need to adjust the valves. And it starts at $17,319, or $19,999 for the Special with all the above-mentioned features.

After a long day’s ride in desert dirt and over asphalt highway it felt (mostly) as good as the leaders in the class and better and more innovative in some ways. But don’t take my word for it, you can go to your Harley dealer right now and ride one yourself, since the official market launch is listed simply as “May.”

First, the larger question: Is the all-new Pan America (and all-new Livewire electric bike) enough to save the nation’s second-oldest motorcycle maker? Answer: Who the hell knows, but it’ll certainly help.

Harley-Davidson has had so many ups and downs over the last 118 years, you gotta think it’ll pull through this, too. The Motor Company has made motorcycles continuously (though not always profitably) through two World Wars, one Great Depression, and countless recessions and labor problems.

In recent years things have been particularly tough, with sales steadily declining each year, tumbling 46 percent from what they were at their most-recent peak. Worldwide sales were 270,000 in 2014 but slid to just 180,000 last year. In the pandemic year of 2020 Harley was slapped with ginourmous tariffs for its European sales (just like the protective tariffs Harley asked for and got from the US government in 1983), laid off 700 employees worldwide, let go of its CEO, brought in a new guy from tennis shoe maker Puma, and announced yet another five-year plan to profitability.

Also—and this could be costly—a year ago in a big, big gamble, Harley introduced an all-new electric motorcycle called the Livewire. It was generally well-received by those who have ridden it, including our own John Stein who wrote about it in 2019, but it costs around $30,000. That’s almost 50 percent more than its closest electric competitor, the Zero SR/F.

The Livewire is an impressive bike. It accelerates like the well-known bat out of Hades, hitting 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds. It has an EPA-listed range of 146 miles city but will travel less than half that far when ridden on the open highway. Our man Stein said he got 92 miles range on one ride, for instance.

The Livewire also gets its own division within Harley-Davidson solely dedicated to developing them, which can’t be cheap. Harley doesn’t release Livewire sales figures but published figures based on a recent recall and extrapolated from there suggest around 3,000 Livewires were sold in 2020, which would have been more than the estimated sales of the Zero. That would suggest Harley has met its stated goal to lead the electric motorcycle market, at least so far.

“There is a lot of interest in the Pan America, for sure,” said Bill Bartels, owner of Bartels’ Harley-Davidson in Marina del Rey, Calif. “If we could get them, we could probably sell 10 immediately.”

–BY MARK VAUGHN
AutoWeek.com

NEW W&W Cycles Additions—The Cyclery IOE Cylinders

Protect valuable and irreplaceable original crankcases from worn-beyond-repair original cylinders (a.k.a. time bombs) with these accurate reproduction IOE (Inlet Over Exhaust) cylinders. Cast from state-of-the-art alloys to modern specs, W&W says they “stand up to all horsepower you can pack on an IOE lower end.

Now, you can finally have both, that stock factory look and a safe engine. Racers around the globe have been using them with great success for years.” Sold as pairs only, they are made in Australia and come with a cast iron, cast finish. There are versions available for most applications.

CHP Scavenger Pumps for Flatheads

W&W says these are “the perfect complement for CHP feed pumps to compensate for the increased supply volume.” The wider gears of the CHP scavenger pump effectively raise the return oil volume by about 40%. They will also work with stock feed pumps. The pumps are Swedish made in cast iron/steel with four studs for Big Twin Flathead 1937-1948 and 45″/750 cc Flathead 1937-1973 (except K-models).

Fork Enduro Fairings

This one-of-a-kind Enduro style fairing is made in Japan from cast aluminum with a cast finish. It takes a 4-1/2″ headlamp and its dimensions are 152 mm wide by 320 mm high. A bolt-on mounting kit for H-D 39 mm forks is available as an additional option.

W&W CYCLES AG
www.wwag.com

GUN NUT ACTION–
On Tuesday, May 25th, your NRA Institute for Legislative Action will be hosting an online workshop starting at 7:00pm Eastern, and you are invited! During this online workshop, you will hear from some of our most active Frontlines Activist Leaders from across the country as they share best practices and ways that you can get actively involved with your NRA-ILA. To RSVP, click on the button below.

Sign Up Today!

We hope you will join us for this dynamic virtual event on Tuesday May 25th, in support of the Second Amendment and to learn more about how you can get involved in this fight.

Yours in Freedom,

Ken Lan
NRA-ILA Grassroots Programs & Campaign Field Operations
http://www.nrailafrontlines.com/

Veterans group to stage Memorial Day weekend motorcycle ride around National Mall

WASHINGTON — Tens of thousands of motorcyclists will gather in downtown Washington on May 30, shutting down the streets around the National Mall for about 15 hours to conduct a traditional Memorial Day ride.

In a change from previous years, the riders will be staged on the roads around the National Mall, rather than at the Pentagon parking lot. The Defense Department barred the motorcyclists from gathering at the Pentagon this year, citing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the size of the expected crowd. Organizers are preparing for up to 100,000 motorcycles and nearly twice as many people.

AMVETS, the national veterans’ group organizing the ride, is working with the Metropolitan Police Department to stage riders in downtown Washington. Roads will be closed starting at 1 a.m. May 30 until the ride is over about 4 p.m.

Using the roads around the National Mall was the group’s second backup option. After the Pentagon fell through, AMVETS attempted to host the riders at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in northeast Washington. However, the D.C. government never responded to the permit request.

“We’re not worrying about where we’ve been, we’re focused on the plan now,” said Joe Chenelly, national executive director for AMVETS. “We decided this is too important to not do it.”

The ride, called Rolling to Remember, aims to raise awareness for prisoners of war and troops still missing in action, as well as the issue of veteran suicide. It was planned as a replacement for the annual Rolling Thunder event, which was held every Memorial Day weekend for 32 consecutive years before ending in 2019.

Last year’s event was canceled because of the pandemic. Chenelly said that AMVETS is working to make this year’s event safe, despite ongoing risks.

Motorcyclists will be staged six feet apart, and riders will be asked to wear masks in situations where socially distancing isn’t possible, he said. The group is also training “Covid marshals” who will encourage social distancing and mask wearing. AMVETS has about 200,000 masks to give away the day of the event.

The staging area will be smaller than it would’ve been at the Pentagon or RFK Stadium, Chenelly said.

“The Pentagon’s decision and the indecision from the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office of D.C. has made it more difficult to keep it safe by continuing to drive it into a smaller space,” Chenelly said.

The relocation is also costing the group more money. AMVETS will pay about $200,000 to host the ride this year, including the cost of portable restrooms, water stations and barricades around the National Mall. The Pentagon would’ve charged about $100,000, which accounts for overtime for the Pentagon police, as well as the presence of emergency medical, fire and rescue personnel.

The biggest drawback of the plan will be the inconvenience for people who live around the National Mall and those who want to visit over Memorial Day weekend, Chenelly said.

“We don’t want to block people from the mall,” he said.

AMVETS plans to release more information this week about the route of the motorcycle ride and the exact location of the staging area.

–By NIKKI WENTLING
STARS AND STRIPES

HILLBILLY MOMS LETTER
Dear Son, I’m writing this slow ’cause I know you can’t read fast.

We don’t live where we did when you left.
Your dad read in the paper that most accidents happen within twenty miles of home, so we moved.

Won’t be able to send you the address as the last Arkansas family that lived here took the numbers with them for their house, so they wouldn’t have to change their address.

This place has a washing machine. The first day I put four shirts in it, pulled the chain and haven’t seen ’em since.

It only rained twice this week, three days the first time and four days the second time.

The coat you wanted me to send to you, Aunt Sue said it would be a little too heavy to send in the mail with them heavy buttons, so we cut them off and put them in the pockets.

We got a bill from the funeral home, and it said if we didn’t make the final payment on Grandma’s funeral bill, up she comes.

About your sister, she had a baby this morning. I haven’t found out whether if it is a boy or girl so don’t know if you are an Aunt or Uncle???

Your Uncle John fell in the whiskey vat. Some men tried to get him out, but he fought them off playfully, so he drowned. We cremated him and he burned for three days.

Three of your friends went off the bridge in a pickup. One was driving and the other two were in the back. The driver got out. He rolled down the window and swam to safety. The other 2 drowned. They couldn’t get the tailgate down.

Not much more news this time. Nothing much happened. If you don’t get this letter, please let me know and I will send another one.

Love, Mom

“Walter: The Missing Link” Documentary Premiere
September 2nd, 2021 at Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, Wisconsin–Celebrate the history of Milwaukee with the “Walter” documentary premiere in Old World Milwaukee at the Turner Hall Ballroom.

Walter, a famous Milwaukee-made product, and one of the last survivors of the pandemic of 1918 leads us out of the COVID pandemic with an inspiring story of rebirth. Walter, a 1913 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Truck and the subject of the film quite possibly rode past the historic Turner Hall during its deliveries in the early twentieth century and is now headlining at the Turner over a century later.

“Walter: The Missing Link – Discovery of a Centennial Motorcycle” is the story of the last-known Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Truck in existence, affectionately known as Walter. This documentary chronicles the life and times of Walter the forecar from its early days of service on the streets of Old Milwaukee, through many decades of desolation stored in a horse barn, and then decades of restoration to eventually become the most valuable service motorcycle in the world.

Along the way, the producer explores the history of three-wheeled motorcycles; the Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s development of commercial service and delivery motorcycles, and most importantly documents one man’s adventure in restoring a motorcycle that had been in his family for nearly a century. Independent producer James Cutting considers the discovery of Walter to be the most extraordinary barn-find of our times.

Join us for “Walter: The Missing Link – Discovery of a Centennial Motorcycle” documentary premiere on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 2021 at the historic Turner Hall Ballroom (1040 Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203). More information on the event will be available soon.

“Walter” documentary trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHHvOfoRrZc
For more “Walter” documentary content visit www.walterdoc.com

Please visit The Vintagent – Motorcycle Arts Foundation direct link to the “Walter” trailer
https://thevintagent.com/2021/04/05/the-vintagent-trailers-walter-the-missing-link/

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

–Biltwell

ACTION FROM ABATE OF ILLINOIS–
A big thank you goes out to Elizabeth Winters, and Paulette Korte for sitting in for me at our State Steel meeting. Somewhere around 15 signed up to the
MRF, between Lapsed, Renewal, New, Clubs, & Organization too. Thanks again Ladies for the help! Also, a thank you goes out to Elizabeth Winters for stepping up to become an Assistant State Rep. for the MRF.

Bills on the watchful eye in the Illinois state house, at the time of this writing.
• IL-HB36 VEH CD-TRAILER WEIGHT TAX. “SUPPORT”
• IL-HB90 VEH CD-FINE WAIVER “WATCH”
• IL-HB96 VEH CD-TINTED WINDOWS “SUPPORT”
• IL-HB280 ELECTRIC VEHICLE REGISTRATION “WATCH”
• IL-HB656 VEH CD-MOTORCYCLE PASSENGERS “SUPPORT”
• IL-HB682 VEH CD-PERMANENT TRAILER PLATE “SUPPORT”
• IL-HB720 NON-HIGHWAY VEH-55 MPH “WATCH”
• IL-HB1718 VEH CD-REPEAL REDLIGHT CAMERAS “WATCH”
• IL-HJR11 PFC MEARI MEMORIAL HIGHWAY “SUPPORT”
• IL-SB58 REVENUE-VEHICLES “SUPPORT”
• IL-SB70 LICENSE PLATES NON-HWY VEH “WATCH”
• IL-SB150 ALL-TERRAIN VEH & OF-HWY VEH “OPPOSED”

From Josh Witkowski ABATE of Illinois State Legislative Coordinator.

ABATE of Illinois was able to find out the following on TA plates:
In 2019 there were approximately 450,000 of these plates. After the renewals in 2020 the number shrunk to 300,000. Of those 150,000 missing plates 40,000 of them appear to have been converted into semi-trailer plates.

Regardless of the missing 150,000 plates, the state of Illinois took in nearly 28 million in additional revenue thanks to this 500% fee increase.

–Dennis Yeager
ABATE of Illinois
From American Bikers Journal

THE ACTION IS HOT AND HEAVY HERE—The movers arrive tomorrow, and we will scramble. A Skidster is being delivered today to help with the crates.

I arranged insurance on the new home today and the list of improvements is expanding. Everything is costing way too much, but we’re hanging in there.

Bikes will arrive next week, maybe. Jason Mook, the owner of Deadwood Custom Cycles just announced all of his Memorial Day happenings. And the Redhead said our new home is being infiltrated by a very active woodpecker. WTF over?

Let’s party and ride Free forever.

–Bandit

New vehicles entering the roadways with little resemblance or operational characteristics to that of a motorcycle, have been arbitrarily classified as motorcycles. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation has drafted language to put an end to the confusion. When identifying bill numbers are attached to this position, you will be notified. See the attachment for more details. In the meantime…

• Have you registered for Bikers Inside the Beltway? It’s free but time is running out! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
• Have you made your appointments to visit your members of Congress? Make your appointments now in your district or in Washington, D.C.
• Have you made your hotel reservations? Final date for hotel registration, May 13, 2021: 703-684-5900 Embassy Suites by Hilton Alexandria, 1900 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is moving forward to make the 2021 Bikers Inside the Beltway our most effective event ever. Thank you for your commitment to the MRF’s mission. Thank you for making appointments with your members of Congress. Click here to see the position paper for Definition of a Motorcycle.

Thank you for your membership and support of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

from https://www.financialexpress.com

Smallest neo-retro XSR to launch in Europe in June.

A new-retro-styled Yamaha has just been revealed which would make fun daily commuter, enter XSR125 – the smallest XSR to date. The Japanese manufacturer is expanding its 125cc portfolio with the XSR125 which is based on the same platform as the MT-125 and R125 but with classic clothing. Although it packs a range of modern features which are quite a necessity now.

Yamaha XSR125 is powered by a 124cc liquid-cooled SOHC engine that puts out 14.7 bhp at 10,000 rpm and 11.5 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm and is paired with a six-speed transmission. The engine boasts advanced Variable Valve Actuation and is Euro V compliant.

Being a neo-retro, the XSR125 gets a round headlamp casing but with an LED lamp and an LED tail lamp as well, a rounded fuel tank design, and a long flat seat. Bodywork has been kept at its minimal with the underbelly revealing the engine and radiator, but it does get an engine guard.

The instrument cluster is a retro-themed LCD display with a chrome outer finish. Colour options include Redline, Impact Yellow and Tech Black, along with contrasting decals for each.

Suspension setup includes 37 mm upside-down forks and swingarm for the rear and brakes are covered by a 267 mm disc up front and a 220 mm at the rear. Tyre sizes are 110 and 140, front and rear. It weighs in at 140 kg with a seat height of 815 mm, 160 mm ground clearance and a fuel tank capacity of 11 litres.

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

If you are familiar with the Harley-Davidson Museum, then you must be aware of a tent structure there in Milwaukee called Chrome. The structure, designed with special events in mind, is enjoying its final days under the sun, as it will be replaced with a new one later this year.

On the same day Harley-Davidson announced it is spinning off the LiveWire nameplate into a brand of its own, the bike maker also revealed the birth of a new event space called Garage at the museum location. Slotted to begin construction later this summer, the venue is expected to be completed with the help of 1903 Events in the spring of next year.

The site will be an 8,200-square-foot (761-square-meter) construction located south of The Shop, and will feature floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the Menomonee River, five garage doors, and green spaces. Just like Chrome, it will be open to all wanting to celebrate an event on the Harley-Davidson grounds, from weddings to get-togethers of some other nature.

by Angie Angers from https://www.baynews9.com

It’s a Memorial Day tradition for tens of thousands of veterans to ride their motorcycles to the nation’s capital.

Pentagon had blocked their permit request, but vets say they are going regardless

This time, the event was nearly in jeopardy.

Every May for more than 30 years, veterans from all over the country have made the trip to honor those gone and those still missing in action.

“Not only continue the tradition of holding Congress and the government accountable for trying to find these over 82,000 missing veterans, but also for veteran suicide,” said organizer Tom McNamara with AMVETS.

McNamara says they’re expecting roughly 100,000 veterans and they’d received nine out of the 10 permits needed to make the trip happen.

But just recently, defense officials denied their application to use the Pentagon’s parking lot like they have for the last three decades.

“Using our satellite views on how we’re going to stage motorcycles, and a month ago they came back and said, ‘No, we’re not gonna do it, and didn’t give us an answer as to why,’” McNamara said.

Officials of the Pentagon later cited COVID safety concerns and left AMVETS scrambling for another plan.

Now Rep. Brian Mast is involved and is accusing leaders of blocking the tradition.

He sent a strongly-worded letter to Congress pushing them to reconsider.

McNamara says — either way — the veterans are using their constitutional right to protest and will be coming to D.C. no matter what.

“As our First Amendment right, these people are coming anyway, we’re going to be there anyway. So now, we’re just lining up on the streets,” he said.

They just want to keep the tradition alive.

“Let’s just say Congress will know about it,” McNamara said with a laugh.

The ride is set to take place on May 30. Organizers say they will release a final schedule and route for the event within the week.

View AMVETS website for the event at https://amvets.org/rolling-to-remember-demonstration-ride/

Official Website for the event is https://www.rollingtoremember.com/

A couple of years ago the growing membership of the Cherokee Chapter of the AMCA (Antique Motorcycle Club of America) in central Texas made a monumental decision. The antique motorcycle group wanted to establish a major antique motorcycle event closer to the center of the country.

Greg McFarland, the current president of the chapter came up with the name Fandango and it stuck. Fandango (noun) means, “a foolish or useless act or thing” Tomfoolery. Greg and Steve developed a successful formula for the event, much like the infamous Smoke-Out: Action all the time and something for everyone.

Click Here to see the Photo Feature Article on Bikernet.

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New Sales strategy document of Indian Motorcycles from 1952 which was sent to their dealers.

Indian made a deal with Vincent and were selling Royal Enfields.

Also, have a look at a feature on Vincent.

Click Here to see the old document on Bikernet.

Join the Cantina for more exclusive content – Subscribe Today.

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by Zack Sharf from https://www.indiewire.com

Tom Cruise Rode a Motorcycle Off a Cliff for ‘Mission: Impossible 7,’ His Most Dangerous Stunt Ever
A motorcycle. A cliff. A daredevil actor. What’s the worst that could happen?

Tom Cruise found himself jumping out of airplanes and hanging off the side of cliffs during the making of “Mission: Impossible — Fallout,” but apparently all of that is child’s play compared to what’s in store for “Mission: Impossible 7.” During an interview with Empire magazine, Cruise confirmed that one sequence in the next “M:I” installment features him riding a motorcycle off a cliff and is the most dangerous stunt of his career so far.

“If the wind was too strong, it would blow me off the ramp,” Cruise said about the stunt. “The helicopter [filming the stunt] was a problem, because I didn’t want to be hammering down that ramp at top speed and get hit by a stone. Or if I departed in a weird way, we didn’t know what was going to happen with the bike. I had about six seconds once I departed the ramp to pull the chute and I don’t want to get tangled in the bike. If I do, that’s not going to end well.”

While free-falling off a cliff on a motorcycle sounds insane, Cruise maintained that relief was one of the biggest sensations he was feeling during the stunt because there was a time during the pandemic where the production’s future was in question. “All those emotions were going through my mind,” the actor said. “I was thinking about the people I work with, and my industry. And for the whole crew to know that we’d started rolling on a movie was just a huge relief. It was very emotional, I gotta tell you.”

“Mission: Impossible 7” reunites Cruise with his “Rogue Nation” and “Fallout” director Christopher McQuarrie. Franchise veterans Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, and Vanessa Kirby are back for another go-around opposite Cruise, while new cast members include Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff. Cruise told Empire it became his mission last summer to get the “Mission: Impossible 7” production up and running in the safest way possible.

“I’ve produced 30 to 40 movies. I am responsible for thousands, if not tens of thousands, of jobs,” Cruise said. “All my friends in the industry, people that are in distribution, and my crew were like, ‘What are we going to do? I could lose my house!’ So I told the studio and I told the industry, ‘We’re going back. We’re going to get everyone back to work. We’re going to start shooting in the summer. And we’re going to figure out how to do it safely.’”

“Mission: Impossible 7” will open in theaters May 27, 2022 from Paramount Pictures.

Tom Cruise pulls off epic mountain motorbike stunt for ‘Mission: Impossible 7’
by Ben Arnold from https://uk.movies.yahoo.com

Cameras are now rolling again on Mission: Impossible 7, and to celebrate, Tom Cruise has driven a motorbike off the edge of a cliff.

We all recall Cruise hanging from a mountain by his fingernails and clinging on to the side of a plane in past movies.

Norwegian news site NRK has nabbed actual video footage of Cruise performing the stunt, speeding off the ramp, while a plane and helicopter fly overhead.

As the motorbike hurtles towards the ground, Cruise deploys a parachute to bring him safely to the ground.

Locals watched the stunt take place from the valley floor, with Cruise waving to the spectators as he landed safely.

According to reports, the production had to wait for several days for the weather conditions to be just right for the stunt.

Earlier this year, McQuarrie revealed that there are three ‘obscene’ stunts being planned for the movie, with this surely being one of them.

He told the Empire podcast: “We’ve figured out three obscene things that he’s doing that I’m terrified of, that make the (Mission: Impossible – Fallout) helicopter chase look like tinker toys.”

The movie had to close down production in Venice in late February, one of the first major movies to do so, following the outbreak of coronavirus.

The movie was slated for release on 19 November, 2021, having been shunted back from 23 July. Further delay is expected.