NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)



From soft sales and even negative growth at some companies, to the specter of businesses collapsing in the face of Coronavirus, to sudden sales spikes and even triple-digit growth, 2020 has been a whiplash year for the motorcycle industry.

Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, red flags were waving in many pockets of motorcycle commerce according to Forbes.com, and there was a growing dark cloud hovering over the industry, generated in large part by one particular problem: Not enough new riders are buying motorcycles and replacing those that are leaving the sport.

“There have been many reasons postulated for the shrinking ridership numbers and flagging sales, from Millennials being more risk (and motorcycle) averse, to smartphone addiction to enthusiasts aging out of the market,” wrote Forbes contributor Bill Roberson in his article; “The Motorcycle Industry Was At A Crossroads, Then COVID-19 Changed Up The Map”.

When the pandemic hit, something very interesting happened: Motorcycle and bicycle sales started climbing, often at double-digit rates. “It made sense on some levels, since anyone returning to work or life in general was avoiding ride share and mass transit like the plague (sorry) and many ex-riders suddenly rediscovered their mothballed two-wheeled conveyances – or decided to buy new ones,” surmised Roberson, adding that as people began to return to workplaces, suddenly motorcycles, scooters and bicycles became viable options.

Besides being a socially distanced activity anyway, added benefits like discounted tolls, free parking (in non-car spaces) and HOV lane access for motorcycles could help drive even more people to give motorcycles a go.

Also, motorcycle industry insider Robert Pandya told Roberson that many cities experienced an unusual phenomenon unseen in decades: literally no vehicle traffic.

“And the new crop of electric machines, along with the surge in adult-sized small-displacement motorcycle options give perspective riders more to consider than what has long been the primary market focus in the U.S.: selling large displacement, high-margin motorcycles,” explains Roberson.

Pandya noted that businesses and repair shops have experienced some “exceptional months.”

But while the latest boost is good news, the big question is; can it be sustained? Will the sudden high tide of bike and motorcycle sales result in a renaissance for that kind of personal transportation? “We find ourselves in this industry on our heels, and you can look in the rearview mirror all you want,” Pandya told Forbes.com, “but I think the access to technology and design, and our marketing abilities, speaks to this awesome opportunity to go from seven percent [of people riding motorcycles] to eight percent.” Just that small of a rise in ridership could be enough to swing the fortunes and future of the motorcycle industry.



Helmet use by U.S. motorcyclists has trended higher over the past decade, according to a new government survey.

According to the U. S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) is the only survey that provides nationwide probability-based observed data on motorcyclist helmet use in the United States.

The NOPUS is conducted by NHTSA on an annual basis and the findings of the survey over the past ten years show a gradually increasing trend in the use of helmets by motorcycle riders.

According to the NHTSA survey, helmet use nationwide increased among motorcyclists from 54.3% of all riders (including passengers) in 2010 to 70.8% in 2019. In states with a mandatory helmet law, helmet use among riders was 89.2% in 2019, while in all other states — those that only require helmet use for specific riders, helmet use was 56.5%.

On a regional basis in 2019, riders in the West helmeted up most often, with helmet use noted among 83.7% of those observed. The south was next at 74.6%, followed by the northeast region at 74.1%, and the Midwest at only 43.4%.

Having a passenger aboard is an apparent factor in increased helmet use by the driver, with 79.7% of riders wearing a helmet when they have a passenger compared to 74% when riding solo, based on the data for 2019.

To view the full NHTSA report on helmet use trends online, including how the various criteria mentioned above are defined, go to: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812936



In an international effort to improve road safety for motorcyclists, a number of motorcycle manufacturers are co-operating to connect motorcycles with other vehicles and infrastructure.

In the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC), motorcycle manufacturers BMW, Honda, KTM and Yamaha work together to develop new standards and techniques to connect motorcycles with other vehicles and infrastructure.

CMC started in 2016, because C-ITS (Cooperative Intelligent Transport System) specifications for passenger cars had not taken motorcycle specific safety factors and challenges into consideration sufficiently. The consortium aims at joining forces between motorcycle manufacturers, suppliers, research institutes and associations, to make motorcycles part of the future connected mobility.

The first goal was to define a first ‘basic specification’ for motorcycles to connect and ‘talk the same language’ to other vehicles or infrastructure by means of wireless communication. The next move will be CMC ‘NEXT’ with a wider scope, as motorcycle experts will be looking at further improvements of the specification while at the same time taking account of new functions supported by on-board sensors both in cars and in motorcycles.

“I am very glad that the motorcycle industry has joined forces to develop these specifications,” commented FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations) General Secretary Dolf Willigers, adding that “The new technologies that are involved here will assist the car drivers in their task and by doing so will make the road safer for motorcyclists.”

~ Smartphones – especially when connected via the upcoming, powerful 5G network – could be a major part of the solution, transmitting information between nearby vehicles.

~ Inspired by military headgear, U.S. manufacturers are designing smart helmets for PTWs, with cameras for traffic in front of and behind the driver and LEDs projecting warnings on the visor.

~ Researchers point to the value of intelligent speed controllers.

A number of manufacturers have already presented various innovations towards a fully operational C-ITS:

~ BMW’s ConnectedRide, introduced in 2016, warns bikers when a car comes into the blind spot of their rearview mirror.

~ KTM is working on a Blind Spot Detection system, using short-range radar.

~ Ducati has collaborated with Audi on C-V2X technology warning drivers of a collision when near a crossing or behind a driver who suddenly brakes.

What’s missing for now is the required infrastructure, and the regulatory obligation for all vehicles to be equipped with such systems. The European Commission has launched an EU-wide strategy for C-ITS, facilitating investments and exploring the rules required.



No, it’s not the plot-line from a sci-fi movie, Honda has filed one of the wildest patents of the year, with an idea for a motorcycle that is partly controlled directly by the power of thought!

Of course, all motorcycles are already controlled by the ‘power’ of the mind – the rider ‘thinks’ and the brain sends messages to our limbs that control the bike – but this latest patent for a “mind control motorcycle” shows that Honda thinks there is a more efficient way to do that, with signals from the brain directly affecting the bike’s behavior.

“Honda’s wacky idea is not that you think ‘left’ and the bike steers to the left; this system is more about changing the bike’s settings and assistance systems,” according to VisorDown.com, going on to explain; “Within the rider’s helmet, there are a set of neural sensors that can pick up the stream of thoughts from the rider’s brain. The messages are then sent to the bike’s onboard computer which deciphers the messages and adjusts the required setting in accordance with the demands of the rider.”



EURO 5 IS COMING

Despite pleas from the motorcycle industry and European manufacturers to delay implementation until 2022, particularly due to COVID-19 lockdowns, factory shutdowns and supply chain slowdowns, “Euro 5” is due to come into force January 1. 2021, forcing bike makers to meet ever-increasingly stringent emissions regulations worldwide.

As the name suggests, Euro 5 is the fifth set of European standards for motorcycles aimed at reducing air pollutants produced by two-wheelers incrementally over the years since Euro 1 in 1999, and every few years since the standards have tightened. As time goes by, the EU’s regulations have grown to include safety systems (ABS, traction control) and other technology as well.

Wonder why two-stroke engines have disappeared, why carburetors have been replaced by electronic fuel injection, or why ABS is becoming standard even on lowly beginner bikes? Thank Euro5 and its predecessors.

Today, either directly or indirectly, European regulations are responsible for many decisions in the development of new motorcycles. Because of how strict the standards are and how influential the European market is to the entire global motorcycle industry, Euro 5 will essentially be the de facto worldwide standard.

It’s easier for the OEMs to make one bike for the whole world, instead of a dozen variations for differing regional regulations.

Euro 5 means we can expect another imminent cull and extensive redesigns as current Euro 4-legal models are revamped or replaced to suit the stricter new tailpipe limits, and air-cooled engines are inevitably threatened each time there’s a new bout of emissions restrictions.

Of course, Euro5 isn’t the end, either. In coming years, we’ll see Euro5+ enacted; all new models sold after 2025 must meet that even stricter standard. Look for new exhaust regulations, as well as changes to the rules around OBD2 code sensors, and even weight restrictions — and expect technological advances, to meet all the new rules. The EU’s rule changes may be killing off some much-loved models, but they’re also forcibly moving the industry forward.



The city of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was motivated by race when it created a new traffic plan designed to “suck the fun” out of Black Bike Week, a federal jury has found.

Civil rights groups accused the city of racially discriminating against the Black tourists by treating them differently than white bikers who attend Harley Week earlier each May, citing in particular a 23-mile one-way no-exit traffic chute that funnels them out of town during the peak nights of Atlantic Beach Bikefest, otherwise known as Black Bike Week. The city also puts up barricades and increases its police presence in ways that don’t apply to the mostly white bikers during their event, NAACP attorneys said.

The jurors — five Black and four white — deliberated for more than three hours before delivering their verdict, on December 10, agreeing that “race was a motivating factor,” but they also sided against the black bikers, saying Myrtle Beach probably “would have made the same decision anyway, even if it had not considered race in its official actions regarding Black Bike Week.”



~ George Washington (1732-99), American military leader and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States

by J.J. Solari

1: The pandemic reached immediate-global-emergency-level one day after the impeachment effort was killed in the Senate. Suggesting Donald Trump’s Presidency is the actual cause of the virus. His orange skin dye may have been the incubating agent.

2: Covid-19 started in a bat and also in a clandestine biological warfare lab in China run by The Weekly World News and MI-6 and also in a “wet-market” which is journalese horror-vocabulary for butcher shop, and also in a Vietnamese dog-eating contest vomitorium and from a leaky freezer used by Dracula for unspecified purposes.

3: Covid-19 is so deadly that the only way to fight it successfully until the time comes that we can fight it more successfully is by lowering the body count of deceased victims, which now is everyone’s responsibility.

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

Much more so than when it comes to cars, wheels play a very important role in the motorcycle world. And we’re not saying that from a functional standpoint alone, but from an aesthetics one as well.

Whereas custom cars can be made to look good with a variety of such parts, custom motorcycle makers have to be a bit more careful in choosing their hardware, because a poor choice could easily ruin whatever message they are trying to send across. Of course, the selection process is much easier when shops have the means to build wheels in-house.

So is the case with German shop Thunderbike. In business for close to three decades now, these guys are advanced enough to have their own production lines for custom parts, including the hardware that allows the bikes to transfer the engine’s power to the ground.

Not once Thunderbike has created motorcycles with the sole purpose of advertising the wheels it makes in its own shop. We’ve seen recently that was the case with the Spoke Bob 21, or the Big Spoke. The one here, called Vegas Drilled, is part of the same category.

Unlike the two other bikes mentioned, which used a multi-spoked design for the rims, this one goes for a much simpler approach. CNC-machined from aluminum, just like most of the wheels Thunderbike makes, the piece comes with only 5-spokes, and with sizes ranging from 18 to 23 inches. Unlike them though, they have a bicolor cut and polished rim edge.

As usual, the wheels are not the only extra fitted on the Street Bob used as a base. A total of around 30 parts went into the project, ranging from the grips and ending with the air ride suspension, and increased the base bike’s value by at least 8,000 euros ($9,700 at today’s exchange rates, give or take).

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

Are 30 inches too much when it comes to a motorcycle wheel? It depends, I guess, on how one uses it to get the desired effect.

Visually, the choice of wheels for a custom bike is extremely important. More than when it comes to cars, the wheels are crucial components for sending the right message across.

What you’re looking at here is called the Daytona. Initially, it was a Harley-Davidson Street Glide, but after it landed in the shop of German specialist Thunderbike, it got severely mutated.

Like many of Thunderbike’s other builds, this one too revolves around the wheels. That’s because the garage makes and sells its own, and what better way to advertise the products than fitting them on incredible builds?

In the case of the Daytona (that’s also the name of the part), the front wheel is a massive 30-inch piece of hardware in a design the Germans call Spoke Light. It’s a forged aluminum piece designed to be a fit in the shop’s bolt-on bagger rake kit.

On its own, the wheel would have been enough to capture all our attention, but as usual, Thunderbike did not stop there. Most of the motorcycle’s body elements were changed, starting with the front fender, going to the fuel tank, and ending with the rear hardware, now pierced by the longer exhaust.

Needless to say, the modifications reshaped the entire Street Glide. From a rather upright, proud bagger, the bike went for a much more feline-like appearance, with a design that seems to flow smoothly from the front to the rear. A major part in this perception is played by the paint scheme used, one that sandwiches strips of yellow between the black of the frame/engine and the seat/top of the fuel tank.

We’ve covered Thunderbike’s builds quite extensively over the past year, and usually we are able to give you an estimate on how much a project is worth. Uncharacteristically, the shop did not list the parts used for this build, thus making it harder for us to venture a guess.

For reference, though, the Daytona rake kit is worth close to €2,000 ($2,400), and the wheel adds about the same amount.

by Satya Singh from https://www.rushlane.com

Ahead of its launch next year, 2021 Yamaha R3 has been unveiled for Japanese market

The company has put a price tag of JPY 687,500 on the updated motorcycle. Yamaha aims to sell at least 3700 units of updated R3 in Japan on an annual basis.

What’s new in updated Yamaha R3?

Changes are fairly limited on 2021 Yamaha R3. It appears that one of the company’s key objectives is to provide more personalization options to customers. Towards that end, updated Yamaha R3 gets a new Cyan colour option.

This looks quite exciting and goes well with other colour shades used on the motorcycle. This new colour option also seems a bit radical, as it’s not something that one would usually see on a motorcycle. For folks who want to flaunt their rides, this peppy new colour can be a lot of fun on the streets.

Shades of cyan can be seen on the headlight cowl, front fender, fairing and fuel tank. It creates an interesting contrast with the blacked-out parts of the motorcycle. The bike’s trendy profile is further enhanced with the multi-coloured graphics and red alloy wheels. Overall, the motorcycle looks striking in its new colour and is an absolute head turner.

The earlier Matte Black shade has also been updated slightly on 2021 Yamaha R3. The third colour option of Deep Purple Blue Metallic has been retained, just as it was earlier.

2021 Yamaha R3 engine

Updated Yamaha R3 will be using the same engine as earlier. It is powered by a 320 cc, liquid cooled, parallel-twin DOHC motor that is capable of delivering max power of 42 ps at 10,750 rpm and max torque of 29 Nm at 9,000 rpm. This is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Most other cycle parts will also be the same as the current model.

Earlier, Yamaha had unveiled 2021 R3 in US market. There too, the changes were minor and included a new Electric Teal colour option. In US, the updated bike will go on sale for USD 5,299 (Rs 3.89 lakhs). Yamaha R3 has top speed of around 110 mph (~ 180 km/h) and it can reach 0-62 mph (0-100 kmph) in 5.5 seconds. Fuel efficiency is estimated to be around 56 miles per gallon (~ 24 kmpl).

On December 12, 2020, David and Charlyn Veracka representing the entire Rockstar Harley-Davidson family, presented a check for $50,000 to local children’s charities that are beneficiaries of the annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational golf tournament, now in its 24th year.

Two years ago, the Veracka family added Rockstar Harley-Davidson, formerly Six Bends Harley-Davidson, a mega 54,000 sq. ft. motorcycle destination located off of I-75 and Daniels, to their growing list of motorcycle dealerships across the country. They have since purchased a home in Fort Myers and look forward to getting more involved in the Southwest Florida community.

“We love children and enjoy supporting the community where we live, work and play,” said David and Charlyn Veracka. “Our family and the Harley-Davidson family feel it’s our responsibility to give back to our community and those in most need.”

In 2020, many fundraising events were canceled due to the pandemic, which has placed a huge financial burden on local non-profits who rely on those funds to provide much needed services in our community.

“Organizers thought long and hard about canceling the Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational for the first time in two decades because of the pandemic but quickly realized that it was more important than ever to go forward with the event,” says Scott Fischer, owner of Scott Fischer Enterprises and co-host of the event. “Non-profits need our help more than ever and we can’t let them down.”

Thanks to the generosity of Rockstar Harley-Davidson, sponsors, and golfers, the 24th Annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational will go on as planned to provide essential funding to Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida to feed food insufficient children on the weekends throughout the school year; Paul Sands Memorial REIS Scholarship Fund at Florida Gulf Coast University to providing scholarships to those seeking a Real Estate degree; and Stockings 4 Kids who will provide stockings of toys for kids who would otherwise not receive them. In addition, a portion of Rockstar Harley-Davidson’s donation will support Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida to educate and mentor K-12 students on work readiness.

Here are how these charities will put these funds to work right here in our community.

“With COVID-19 leaving many families financially disrupted and facing food insecurity, this generous donation by the Veracka Family at Rockstar Harley-Davidson will help us provide over 25,080 meals and couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Executive Director Blessings in a Backpack SWFL Cecilia St. Arnold. “It’s heartbreaking to see so many children in Southwest Florida that normally would not be in our program, now on waiting list to receive food.”

“This generous donation will help our goal of reaching 20,000 students during the 2020-2021 school year and provide them with valuable career and work readiness programs that are needed more than ever before,” said Angela Fisher, president, and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. “We are so thankful to Rockstar Harley-Davidson for entrusting us with this investment that will further JA’s impact on our region’s next generation of business leaders.”

“Thanks to this donation we are able to provide 100 beautiful Christmas stockings stuffed with fun toys and a warm teddy bear for less fortunate children right here in our own backyard,” said Lee Knapp, founder of Stockings 4 Children.

“Thanks to this donation, three FGCU students pursuing an education and career in Real Estate will receive financial support they need from the Paul Sands Memorial Scholarship Fund,” said Lisa Sands, organizer of the Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational and Broker at VIP Realty.

The 24th Annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational is sold out again this year. For more information about the Annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational or how you may support one of these local children’s charities, contact Lisa Sands at lsands@VIPrealty.com.

Let’s See How it All Plays Out

I’m packing shit and checking my list for the run to Deadwood. Next year will wake up the world to many issues. I joke about following the right path. Hopefully, we can all find a comfortable, clear and honest one.

But I will always believe freedom works.

–Bandit

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. Most recently Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.

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from https://motorcycles.einnews.com

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA, USA, December 17, 2020 /EINPresswire.com/ — To thank healthcare workers and first responders for their heroic actions during the pandemic, Dunlop asked people to nominate their own Humble Hero for the chance to win a 2020 XL1200 Sportster Roadster. The uplifting stories reminded us of the power of the human spirit, of what selfless dedication and compassion really look like.

Choosing a winner among all the submissions was not easy, but the story of new Physician Assistant Darwin Longfellow stood out. She was nominated by several different people. She even worked with the city of Taos, New Mexico to make a cool video staring her and her horse encouraging folks in her community to mask-up when asked. She spends what little time off she has riding motorcycles.

“We started this campaign to honor all essential workers across America, including our many workers in Buffalo, NY who masked- up and came in to keep bikes rolling,” said Mike Buckley, Senior VP, Sales and Marketing, Dunlop Motorcycle Tires. “We quickly realized the impact the pandemic had on first responders, so we focused on giving something back to them to honor their efforts. We chose Darwin, but we wish we could choose all of them because they are all heroes. Her story just hit all of us the hardest.”

Here’s what a few of Longfellow’s admirers had to say about her.

“I couldn’t think of a better person to nominate for this than the one and only Darwin Longfellow,” said colleague Brooke Samples. “She is incredible for so many reasons but especially when she was truly put to the test of being a new graduate as a Physician Assistant in the time of Covid. She was the only clinician at her location working full time through the entire pandemic and continues to do so.

“When her colleagues were afraid of becoming sick and insisting on only doing phone visits, Darwin was standing in a hot blacktop parking lot in the middle of the summer, overheating in mask, gown, faceshield and gloves explaining CDC guidelines to her community members in easy to understand terms. She also did Covid testing clinics during summer monsoons and insane wind bursts in Taos.” —Brooke Samples

“When I first met Darwin Longfellow, it was all about motorcycles. We shared a love of the open road, and the wonders of the desert on two wheels. I learned that Darwin had recently graduated from a Physicians Assistant program and was working in a health clinic in rural Northern New Mexico. I was immediately impressed by her passionate dedication to her work, and we became fast friends.

“In addition to daily COVID-19 test screenings, Darwin provides safety net care for patients with needs regarding pregnancy, Diabetes, Hepatitis C, and drug addiction. The clinic operates in one of the most impoverished areas of the United States, and provides care regardless of ability of a patient to pay, which protects the uninsured, underinsured, and undocumented.

“Darwin loves the open road, and once told me that, “Being motorcycle people, we love to move on.” When the work is done and Darwin can resume her pre-pandemic routine, I can’t think of a better way for her to “move on” than to hit the roads of Northern New Mexico on a new Harley-Davidson.” — Scott Toepfer

“As a fellow healthcare provider, I have been humbled by Darwin’s selfless service to her patients. She has met her community where they are, and cared for them with limited resources and support, working diligently to practice preventive medicine and protect her community both within and outside of the clinic. In a group that prides itself on service to others, she, without a doubt, stands among the highest tier.” — Kelley Rutter

“During the start of Covid, she was the first-person doing testing in our community open to any and all who wanted to be tested. She put herself in danger to help people. Darwin has put her life aside in order to assure others are being taken care of during these hard times. I wish I could just insert her in this essay so y’all could meet her in person. Knowing her is loving her. She is such a bas ass young woman with so much to give in this world.”—Ashley Rolshoven

About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires
Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit: www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com

Hey,

I’ve been asking folks to question Climate Alarmism for awhile. It’s called critical thinking. Just because someone in the government wants to push it down your throat, doesn’t always mean it’s cool, right or correct. Sorta like the Mc Carthy era where they pushed the anti-communism business so hard folks lost their jobs because they mentioned Russia over lunch.

I’m not against the environment or the planet. I just don’t want the government to get too headstrong over anything without all the facts. So, hang on for the news, and let me know what you think.

The new government wants to take folks who question climate alarmism to trial. The city government in San Francisco has made smoking in your house illegal. State governments have banned Camaros in California and in Washington because brake pads might harm fish. California investigators have identified $400 million paid on some 21,000 unemployment benefit claims improperly filed in the names of California prison inmates, some on death row. Hang On!

And get, this a British study found that vegetarians have a nine percent increased risk over meat eaters for any bone fractures and vegans have a 43 percent higher risk. The biggest difference was found in hip fractures. Science is never settled. We’re always learning.
There’s more. 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. Most recently Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.

NMA FIGHTS WARS ON CARS CREATED BY CLIMATE ALARMISM–
I love it when we strike a chord that resonates throughout the NMA membership. Such is the case with the proposition of NMA-led research initiatives designed to further public knowledge and create a broader dialog about issues motorists face every day. Member reaction to our request for the funding of such data-driven studies has been tremendous.

Please help us continue the momentum. If you haven’t had an opportunity to donate yet this year, take advantage of the tax benefit of gifting the nonprofit, 501(c)(3) National Motorists Association by December 31st.

You can also help in another way: Let us know how you would prioritize the research projects noted below. Take the opportunity to suggest your own project ideas. Our email address is nma@motorists.org. We will feature many of the suggestions in the upcoming Winter 2021 issue of Driving Freedoms.

Here are the four research projects currently under consideration:

Effect on driver behavior & traffic safety of arbitrarily lowered posted speed limits
Some cities are rushing to lower speed limits while ignoring proven engineering safety standards. The “slower is safer” mantra is not accurate according to much data already gathered. An NMA study would expand the dataset and analyze the adverse effects of slowing traffic to a crawl, or as some are proposing, eliminating vehicular movement completely.

The Statistical Accuracy of Traffic Accident Reports
Investigate whether assigned causes for accidents reflect reality on the road. Data collected from accident reports directly affect government highway safety policies which in turn influence enforcement actions. Poorly resolved data results in, at the least, misinformed policy.

The true cost to taxpayers of Vision Zero programs and the effect on road user safety
The cost to taxpayers, locally and nationally, for Vision Zero and Complete Streets programs, already staggeringly in the billions of dollars, continues to escalate. A hard look at the actual cost of such programs and their real effect on safety is overdue.

The environmental impact of the use of stop signs rather than yield signs

Think of how many times each day you stop or slow down and speed back up at a lightly traveled intersection. Multiply that by millions of drivers and you get a sense of the wasteful expenditure of fuel, and the added wear-and-tear on vehicles. An added bonus: While environmentalists often see drivers as the enemy, this research project could convert them into becoming allies for freeing up traffic flow.

Please add the NMA to your charitable organizations that you are supporting this year. Your gift can provide you with a 2020 tax benefit and can pay handsome dividends by funding our important motorist-related research.

NEW CYCLE SOURCE ISSUE ON NEWSSTANDS NOW–Cycle Source 281 – October/November 2020
Now Available

The Oct/ Nov 2020 issue of Cycle Source is hot off the press and brimming with our coverage of the 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. There are 116 pages packed with 7 feature bikes. Brandon Keene’s Shovelhead graces the cover of this issue. The other features include a clean and classy Shovel from Providence Cycle Worx, a killer Knucklehead from Ron Simms, a Sporty from Karen Moore and a super clean Breakout from Exile Cycles.

Tay Herrera celebrates 40 years of engraving and we’ve got three great tech articles. Troy tells the tale of the Blue Collar Build off and we recap the One Show. You’ll also find the regular installments of InSlide Line and Chopper Charlie.

BIKERLID.COM TIPS— For Motorcycle Maintenance on The Road

Motorcycle maintenance is indispensable if you want to keep your motorbike in top shape at all times. When you maintain your bike, you will enjoy your ride for many years to come. Meanwhile, a bike in good shape also ensures your safety while on the road. This post’s essence is to provide you with motorbike gear tips for motorcycle maintenance on the road.

Good and regular motorbike maintenance saves you from a lot of problems and unnecessary expenses. Therefore, to be on the safer side, you need to ensure your bike is always in top shape. If you want to learn how to keep your motorbike safe and sound, keep reading. These excellent motorcycle maintenance tips will make all the difference when it comes to the longevity of your motorbike.

Essential Motorcycle Maintenance Tips
Here are the basic motorcycle maintenance tips to keep your bike in top condition:

•Ensure you change the oil at regular intervals
Your motorbike oil plays a major role in the longevity of your bike engine. Always check the bike manual to know the frequency of changing your motorbike oil. Some manuals demand that you change the oil every three months, especially when you put a lot of miles on your bike. Similarly, if you drive in dirty and dusty environments, your oil quality will break down faster than usual. Therefore, you will need to change it more often for optimal performance.

•Your Drive Chain
The drive chain of your bike transfers the power from your bike’s engine to the rear wheel. Without proper maintenance, it can be very dangerous for your safety and the good of your bike. Ensure always to lube your chain after each ride while it is still warm. Doing it while the bike is still warm allows the oil to penetrate every part of the chain. Also, endeavor always to check the chain’s tension because the right tension helps to prolong your motorbike chain’s lifespan.

•Check your tires
While on the road with your motorbike, always check the air pressure of your tires. Also, always look for any sign of wear or tear on the tires. The right amount of air pressure makes for good handling n the road and helps you avoid blowouts. With the right pressure, your tires will last longer and serve you better.

•Brakes
Brakes are an essential part of your motorcycle and need to be well-maintained. You need to always test your brakes before embarking on any road trip to ensure they are in good working conditions. Aside from checking the brakes, you also need to check the brake fluids. Your brake fluids should be replaced as specified on your bike manual. This will help to maintain your brakes at optimum performance. You must always check the thickness of your brake pads. It would help if you replaced them before they are worn down to the metal.

•Air filter
This is one of the essential ways to ensure your motorcycle maintenance. You need to clean the air filter of your motorbike regularly. A dirty makes your engine do more work than required, and cleaning it increases our motorbike’s power output. Meanwhile, if your air filter is too hard to lean, you may consider replacing it with a new one.

•Clean your fuel filter
If your bike has a fuel filter, always ensure that it is clean and unclogged whenever you embark on your trip. Always inspect the fuel lines for damage. If you discover any sign of cracking, you should replace the lines immediately. There are certain things you don’t play with when it comes to your motorcycle maintenance. A clean and in-shape fuel filter is one of them.

•Your Battery
You should always keep your battery charged at 100% when it is not in use. You can do this using a trickle charger. Ensure that the top of the battery is clean. Also, check the electrolyte level to make sure it doesn’t get too low. If the electrolyte is low, you will have to add distilled or deionized water.

•Fork oil
Your fork oil helps to smooth out the bumps and roughness of the road. Therefore, having enough fresh fork oil makes a big difference in how smooth your bike ride will be. The longer you ride, both in terms and distance and time, the more you will appreciate the importance of your fork oil. Your fork oil also does the important job of lubricating all the moving parts of your bike, except the engine. You need to check your fork oil regularly. With the right equipment, you can change the oil yourself. However, if it is not what you can handle, go to your mechanic and let him do the work for you.

•Care for the loose and rattling parts
Before you embark on your road ride, start the bike and walk around the bike to see if anything looks loose of is rattling always check for loose bolts and other jingling items in your saddlebag or its equivalent. You will be surprised how often bikes have slightly loose bolts. Loose steering head bearings can also cause steering problems in your bike. Check gear linkages on the gearbox shifter arm, The primary case bolts can also get loose and easily disguise themselves with dirt or grease. Check axel nuts wheel bearings , spokes hand controls grips, front forks, swing arm bolts fuel tank mounts Always ensure that you get all these fixed before embarking on your ride.

Conclusion
We hope that this article regarding motorcycle maintenance on the road helps you maintain your motorbike. Ensure to always follow your motorcycle manual for regular check-up information. For your protection on the road, Bikerlid offers a highly protective biker helmet to keep you safe while on the road.

California and Washington ban Chevrolet’s Camaro SS and ZL1–Their brake pads contain too much copper, which kills fish

Enthusiasts in California and in Washington should act fast if they want to put a new Chevrolet Camaro SS or ZL1 in their garage. Both models are now illegal in those states due to the percentage of copper in their brake pads.

California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) stepped up its efforts to regulate brake pads in 2010, when then-governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill called the California Motor Vehicle Brake Friction Material Law. It prohibits carmakers and suppliers from selling brake pads “containing more than trace amounts of copper, certain heavy metals, and asbestos.” Pads containing heavy metals and asbestos were banned in 2014, and a ban on brake pads containing more than 5% copper will come into effect in January 2021.

Lawmakers explained copper is toxic to many aquatic organisms. While trout don’t snack on high-performance brake pads, the dust generated while braking (the same stuff you often have to clean off of your wheels) sometimes finds its way into rivers and contaminates the water, which in turn harms the animals living in it.

Only the high-power SS and ZL1 variants of the Camaro are affected by the ban; the other versions remain available in California and in Washington. And, while dealers legally need to stop taking orders, the cars they still have in their inventory are fair game. Both models remain available elsewhere across America.

Looking ahead, Chevrolet plans to reintroduce the SS and the ZL1 in the states that banned them for the 2022 model year. It will work with its suppliers to design high-performance brake pads that comply with the regulations.

“We will resume allowing customers in California and Washington state to order the Camaro SS, ZL1 and 1LE models in 2022 when we introduce a new brake system that is compliant with the copper requirements,” company spokesperson Kevin Kelly said in a statement sent to enthusiast website GM Authority.

Brake pads aren’t the only source of pollutants that cause harm to marine organisms. According to scientists, a chemical called 6PPD that’s used in many tires and carried into rivers by the rain is responsible for killing coho salmons along the Pacific coast. In 2019, researchers measured microparticles and microplastics in stormwater from 12 small tributaries in the San Francisco area, and they noticed nearly half of them were black with a rubbery texture. “One potential source of these particles is vehicle tire wear,” the study concluded.

Unlike environmentalists (and not surprisingly), major players in the tire industry stress that these particles present no significant risk to humans and the environment. Still, lawmakers are considering handing tire manufacturers stricter regulations.

By Ronan Glon
NMA

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!--SHOPPING FROM HOME BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for December 10, 2020

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/SHOPPING_FROM_HOME_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_December_10_2020.aspx

— Ruben Serrano
Sinton, TX

I have been wearing a mask every time I leave home since March 2020. I’m not sure why being considerate to others for the common good is now being mocked by some who are calling it “living in fear,” but it needs to stop!!!… When I wear a mask over my nose and mouth in public and in the stores/Supermarkets/Pharmacies/Offices – I want you to know the following:

I’m educated enough to know that I could be asymptomatic and still give you the virus.

No, I don’t “live in fear” of the virus; I just want to be part of the solution, not the problem.

I don’t feel like the “government controls me”. I feel like I’m an adult contributing to the security in our society and I want to teach others the same.

If we could all live with the consideration of others in mind, the whole world would be a much better place.

Wearing a mask doesn’t make me weak, scared, stupid or even “controlled”. It makes me caring and responsible.

When you think about your appearance, discomfort, or other people’s opinion of you, imagine a loved one – a child, father, mother, grandparent, aunt, uncle or even a stranger – placed on a ventilator, alone without you or any family member allowed at their bedside…..Ask yourself if you could have helped them a little by wearing a mask.

I am inviting you all to copy this and post it on your wall as your post if you agree with me.

–Cris Sommer Simmons

‘Can’t make this up’: North Face refuses to supply jackets with company logo to oil & gas producer — even though the jackets are made from oil & gas

The North Face Fashion Brand Refuses To Serve Oil Firm: A Texas-based oil company that ordered jackets for its employees from The North Face was rejected because it was an oil firm, with its CEO pointing out the irony of such a decision. “They told us we did not meet their brand standards,” Adam Anderson, chief executive of Innovex Downhole Solutions, told CBS7. “We were separately informed that what that really meant is was that we were an oil and gas company.”
The outdoor wear company said it did not want to support the oil and gas industry in the same way as it did not support the porn industry or Big Tobacco.

FROM THE GEARHEAD DIARIES–I thought I would send you this. My lovely wife and that beautiful Belle. My brothers called the custom color almost blue. It was a combination of Cadillac ice blue and Ford blue for tint. We also used pearl marano in the clear coat. We molded the frame and painted the whole frame.

The only problem is that it showed every piece of dirt or imperfections. I loved that color and still love my wife. Thanks to all the brothers that helped in the build. Merry Christmas to all.

–Gearhead

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–2018 Harley-Davidson FXBRS – Softail Breakout 114 for $18,995.00

see it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=9785344

This bike is a 114 C.I. motor with a wide tire

ONLY 26997.00 Miles !!!!!

2018 Black Cherry Harley-Davidson BREAKOUT SOFTAIL 114-INCH WIDE TIRE

Some of the features/Add-on’s on this bike

* 114 C.I. motor
* 6 Speed trans
* 16 inch apes
* Wide back tire
* Black ball milled mirrors
* Chrome down swept exhaust

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 101 point safety and mechanical inspection. Whether your looking to commute to work, ride the coast or take that dream vacation, this bike is ready to go!!!

EZ FINANCING-SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!

Fill out an online application and ride today!!!

**Open 7 days a week**

Just $18,995.00
at Lifestyle Cycles (714) 490-0155

NEW PRODUCT OF THE WEEK–Kinetic Structures Corporation

This is an all stainless steel front engine mount for Harley FXR, FLH, and FLT models 1980 – 2008. It is a direct replacement for the rubber mount 16207-79 (any version incuding 16207-79A, 16207-79B, 16207-79C, and 16207-79D). The mount is made entirely of stainless steel, including the flexible wire mesh damper. It is resistant to extreme temperatures, fuel, oil, chemical, sunlight, and severe loads. The wire mesh elements are replaceable.

This front motor mount will provide superior vibration reduction throughout all RPM ranges and speeds. It will increase stability of the motorcycle at high speeds. It is especially beneficial at reducing engine shake at idle. This mount is capable of withstanding higher loads than rubber or polyurethane.

Harley Touring & FXR Front Motor Mount
$139.00Price

Free shipping within the continental US.

Kinetic Structures Corporation

1731 W. Rose Garden Lane, #1

Phoenix, AZ 85027

Tel: 623-587-7830

Email: info@kineticstructures.com

[page break]

SAN DIEGO HARLEY-DAVIDSON RACES AHEAD--After 27 years of ownership, Myke Shelby a.k.a “NY Myke” has sold San Diego Harley-Davidson to racecar driver Rodin Younessi and his Phoenix Group of dealerships. San Diego Harley-Davidson joins the Phoenix Investments Partners (the “Phoenix Group”) family this month, bringing Younessi’s family of Harley-Davidson dealerships to eight with 10 total retail locations across the country.

“We are very excited to now have a presence in San Diego,” said Younessi. “Through years of building some of the top performing dealerships in the world, we have found success through ethically-driven business principles that riders can trust and appreciate. We plan on following through with that philosophy here in San Diego, as well.”

Phoenix Group’s desire to further expand in Southern California actually began in 2018 with the purchase of Los Angeles Harley-Davidson in Fullerton, CA and later Top Rocker Harley-Davidson in Canoga Park. The people, the riding culture, and passion for the brand as a lifestyle made San Diego Harley-Davidson the perfect addition to the Phoenix Group, according to Younessi, a former professional racecar driver and motorsports aficionado. He sees opportunities to cultivate a premium customer experience at the dealerships and in the motorcycle community in the San Diego area.

“I’ve seen Rodin’s Harley-Davidson dealerships grow to some of the most impressive and successful dealerships in the country,” said Shelby. “There has never been a doubt in my mind that this would be the best way to ensure a great future for San Diego Harley-Davidson.”

San Diego Harley-Davidson is now in the company of top performing dealerships from coast to coast, including Los Angeles Harley-Davidson in Fullerton, California; Top Rocker Harley-Davidson in Canoga Park; Space Coast Harley-Davidson in Palm Bay, Florida; Miracle City in Titusville, Florida; Treasure Coast Harley-Davidson in Stuart, Florida; Raging Bull Harley-Davidson in Durham, North Carolina; and Falcons Fury Harley-Davidson in Conyers, Georgia.

–from DealerNews

NEWS FROM THE DIME BAG EMPIRE— Hey bro, Been working on developing more art for Dime Bag Leather. Come up with this earlier. Front art is “Support your Local Dime Bag Leather Factory” and on the back it says “We got kids to motherfuckers.”

All the best
–AC

BIKERNET SCAM ALERT FROM MICHAEL HUPY— Dear Michael,
All tax scams put taxpayers at risk. Recently, the IRS has issued a warning regarding a text message scam related to COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments.

How it works: People get a text message confirming a direct deposit of $1,200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Language about taking further action prompts the recipient to click a link that takes them to a phishing web address.

This fake link appears to come from a state agency or relief organization. It takes people to a fake website that looks like the IRS.gov Get My Payment website. If people visit the fake website and enter their personal and financial account information, the scammers collect it.

How to respond: Anyone who receives this scam text should take a screenshot and include the screenshot in an email to phishing@irs.gov with the following information:

Date/time/time zone that they received the text message

The phone number that received the text message
Keep in mind that the IRS does not send unsolicited texts or emails. The agency will never demand immediate payment using a gift card, prepaid debit card or wire transfer or threaten to have a taxpayer arrested.

You can also review the scams highlighted in the full 2020 Dirty Dozen IRS list.

Wishing you and your loved ones continued health. Please feel free to call or reply with any questions you might have. All The Best!

–Jeff Stupar
Stupar Financial

NEW FROM LOWBROW–WARNING: Once you get a Fast Eddy tool in your hands, you will want them all.

Fast Eddy Co. makes speciality tools for Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

These are the best designed and highest quality tools available.
Made for motorcyclists, by motorcyclists, in Milwaukee, USA.
Enough said.

LET’S CHECK ‘EM OUT!

PS – Like many high-quality items we carry at Lowbrow, Fast Eddy Co. tools are a speciality item. They can go in and out of stock regularly.
Do not fret! If the tool you want is sold out, click the ‘Notify When Available’ button and you will find out the minute we get them back in stock so you can grab one!

Fast Eddy Co. 1-7/8″ Transmission Socket getting put to use. The perfect tool for the job on 1936-2005 Harley-Davidsons.

WUWT – big changes, returning to a ‘war footing’ on climate--With the likely installation of a Biden administration comes a renewed and likely vicious climate war.

I have inside information that Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) will be pushing the Biden administration, calling for prominent climate skeptics, and climate skeptical organizations to be put on investigations and “show trials” for daring to question the consensus. There may be worse than that coming, as he seems to genuinely believe we’ve committed some sort of crime and should be punished for it. Make no mistake, it’s coming.

I suspect I’ll be personally targeted as well.

While it’s been an easy ride during the Trump administration with him pulling out of the Paris agreement, bringing the gestapo-like EPA back to sensibility, eliminating WOTUS rules, appointing prominent climate skeptics to NOAA, and many other things, we now face a renewed “in your face” series of actions by the Biden administration to make batting the invisible boogeyman of climate change not just a priority, but a declared war.

Hence, eliminating and/or neutralizing the climate skeptics. It’s war psyops 101 – eliminate/neutralize competing voices and media outlets.

To that end, I’m not going down without a fight. I hope you won’t either.

–Anthony Watts
Whatsupwiththat.com

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

–Edmund Burke, Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents 82-83 (1770) in: Select Works of Edmund Burke, vol. 1, p. 146 (Liberty Fund ed. 1999).

HOT SHOE HALL OF FAME HONORS FOR HARDEN–Although the Grand Opening of the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame is not until January of 2021, the inductees are being announced now, including industry icon Scot Harden. Located in Las Vegas on the world famous Fremont Street as part of Gene Woods Racing Experience Indoor Electric Race Car Track where more than 20 million people pass by every year!

The mission is to preserve the memories of the great racers and icons of the past and present.

The Hot Shoe Hall of Fame pays homage to daredevil racers and their colorful careers and accomplishments. “We are very excited about the level of acceptance and participation we are seeing so far with the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame,” says founder Gene Woods. “We are still getting the word out and can use your help. Please pass this onto anyone that you think deserves to be in here, we want people with a great racing history!”

“A big thank you to Gene Woods and Skip Johnson for the acknowledgment today about being inducted into the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame,” says Dealernews Advocacy+ columnist. “Very humbling to be so recognized and included especially for being just another young man growing up in Las Vegas with crazy dreams of racing motorcycles and traveling the world. Even bigger thanks to my family for all their love and support over the years especially Kristi Harden. Without you, none of this would have happened.”

Get the holeshot on the Hot Shoe Hall Of Fame grand opening and see all the inductees here:

https://hotshoehof.com/

–from DealerNews

REMEMBER TWIN POWER SHOCKER BATTERIES—Well, something even newer is coming from Twin Power regarding batteries.

Twin Power’s popular Shocker batteries are “endurance and laboratory tested for long and reliable performance with a heavy-duty OEM style case,” says Brand Manager James Simonelli. “They are made using Absorbed Glass Mat technology and come factory-activated and sealed with flush mount threaded posts with dual connection points.

“The beauty about our Shocker battery design is that there are no terminal adapters or spacers required and we used extra thick plates for extreme vibration resistance – these have been designed and tested by daily Harley riders for daily Harley riders who simply want to know that they have a durable and robust battery that they can rely on over and over.”

TUCKER V-TWIN
www.tucker.com/v-twin
www.twinpower-usa.com

QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
BEST Little Whorehouse in Deadwood, SD

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

Cool article!

–Bill May
Nashville , TN

There’s way more coming from Deadwood.–Bandit

W&W CYCLES CLASSIC Additions–VG Big Twin Swingarm Frames

These Dutch made reproduction frames can be used as stock replacements or as a basis to build a bobber or chopper from scratch. Dimensions and details closely follow the factory originals. Most castings feature raised numbers and markings just like the factory used them.

They are made in steel/nodular cast iron (ductile iron or spheroidal graphite iron) with 30-degree rake. Versions are available for 1958-’64 Panheads, ’65 Panheads and ’66-’84 Shovelheads.

VT-Cycle ULR Cylinder Heads

Made in Finland, these ULR cylinder heads are made in cast aluminium. While they look quite original (cast finish), on the outside they feature an advanced combustion chamber design for improved combustion and breathing.

The chamber volume is 100 cc, giving 6.1:1 compression on a 74″ and 6.5:1 on an 80″ motor. Substantially more material allows for custom milling and pop-up pistons. Another update are the 14 mm spark plug threads (3/4″ long) for modern and more common plugs.

Dyno tests have shown 18% power and 13% torque increases over a stock 1946 UL with medium compression heads – “true rear wheel numbers – the power was up big time and the torque curve is impressive! Remember, torque is the most important figure with flatheads.” For ’36-’48 Harley 74″ and 80″ Flathead Big Twins.

Posted by DealerNews

REPORT FROM DEADWOOD— Bandit, sounds like you are having fun in Deadwood. This is me and Dave Ruth senior. The father of the mayor. It was in 2010.

Sadly he passed away in 2012. I have been in touch with his son on FB. That ‘48 Chopper you featured is consigned to the Auction in Vegas in January. Since I am living in Nashville now I probably won’t make it. Hope I can come see your historic house next summer.

Happy holidays,

–Bill May

CLASSIC FROM BDL–BDL Part # 61-39 TK-1 provides riders of 1936 – 1954, Knuckle and Panheads with the classic old school look and sound of a BDL belt drive primary.

The 8mm drive fits perfectly to early tapered engine shafts, kick start only. More reliable and lighter in weight than stock it allows you to turn off the dreaded primary chain oiler which causes so much of the leaking on these awesome early drivelines. Now that’s COOL. Suggested retail for this conversion is $446.50. Check with your local BDL dealer or checkem’ out on line at www.beltdrives.com

ANOTHER New Bikernet Reader Comment!–SHOPPING FROM HOME BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for December 10, 2020

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/SHOPPING_FROM_HOME_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_December_10_2020.aspx

I’ve never cared too much for a grownup man to use some stupid name like bandit but whatever. He’s been around like forever, has never done a goddamn thing for bikers ever but sure had taken advantage of bikers.

Sounds always like a disgruntled old republican shit. The bikes he used to push were hella gay ruined a good mag called easy rider , guys a dweeb. He’s kinda like Biden, been in office forever never done shit for anyone but make his self rich always a piss can with no constructive solutions. Here is a clue bozo bandit southern states suck all that white upper crust privilege could go on but I think you get my gist

— Robert Marquez
Location: Prosser , WA

I told him, “Happy Holidays to you too!” Sounded like when I was at Hot Bike and guys bitched me out for putting girls in the mag. They’d say shit like, “I can’t put it on the coffee table, my grandma might see it.” WTF?

–Bandit and proud of it…

BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER RESEARCH REPORT–What we know for certain about c-19 so far:

1: The pandemic reached immediate-global-emergency-level one day after the impeachment effort was killed in the Senate. Suggesting Donald Trump’s Presidency is the actual cause of the virus. His orange skin dye may have been the incubating agent.

2: Covid-19 started in a bat and also in a clandestine biological warfare lab in China run by The Weekly World News and MI-6 and also in a “wet-market” which is journalese horror-vocabulary for butcher shop, and also in a Vietnamese dog-eating contest vomitorium and from a leaky freezer used by Dracula for unspecified purposes.

3: Covid-19 is so deadly that the only way to fight it successfully until the time comes that we can fight it more successfully is by lowering the body count of deceased victims, which now is everyone’s responsibility.

Hold on for Dr. J.J. Solari’s complete report on Bikernet.–Bandit

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY PHILOSOPHY CLASS, HISTORIC FLOOR–
Noah’s Ark : Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah’s Ark.

ONE : Don’t miss the boat.

TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat!

THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark .

FOUR: Stay fit. When you’re 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

FIVE: Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

SIX: Build your future on high ground.

SEVEN: For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.

EIGHT: Speed isn’t always an advantage. Snails were on board with the cheetahs.

NINE: When you’re stressed, float awhile.

TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

ELEVEN: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.

Remember optimists live on average 7 years longer than pessimists. Smile at every opportunity and extend your life.

Most people walk in and out of your life,
but FRIENDS leave footprints on your heart.

–El Waggs

Police Say Seizing Property Without Trial Helps Keep Crime Down— A New Study Shows They’re Wrong.

Civil asset forfeiture laws, which allow police to seize property without trial, are frequently justified as tools to seize millions from kingpins. A new study reveals the median amount taken is as low as $369 in some states.

ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published.

In 2015, New Mexico lawmakers unanimously passed a bill to all but end civil asset forfeiture, the process that lets police keep cash or property they seize, even if they never charge the owner with a crime, so long as they suspect that it’s linked to criminal activity. High-profile lawsuits and press attention had prompted some states to reexamine their forfeiture laws.

Law enforcement officials howled in outrage. In New Mexico, sheriffs and prosecutors implored the governor to veto the legislation. Eliminating civil forfeiture, they argued, would hand the bad guys a win and put public safety at risk. “You’ll get less law enforcement,” predicted the chair of the state sheriffs’ association, Ken Christesen, who noted that police departments use forfeitures to help fund their budgets. (The bill still allowed forfeiture, but only through criminal court, which imposes a much more stringent burden of proof on prosecutors than its civil counterpart.)

Criminal organizations would grow richer and more powerful, Christesen warned, if they got to hang on to the cash, cars and other property police could no longer seize from them. “The end result of this,” he said, “is the cartels are going to ramp up their money laundering and cash exchanges in the state of New Mexico tenfold.” The governor, Susana Martinez, wasn’t persuaded, and she signed the bill into law.

Now, five years after New Mexico effectively banned civil forfeiture, those fears remain unrealized, according to a new study set to be published on Tuesday by the Institute for Justice, a public interest law firm that has been advocating reforms to forfeiture laws. The predicted rise in crime and drop in arrests has not materialized, according to the study, which is based on analyses of FBI data.

Arrest and offense rates in New Mexico, the study found, remained essentially flat before and after the 2015 law went into effect. That’s based on an examination of crime overall, as well as a specific set of offenses: drug possession, drug sales, and driving under the influence. Arrest and offense rates were also consistent with trends in two neighboring states, Colorado and Texas.

See the whole story at ProPublica.com

–Ian MacDougall for ProPublica

CRAZY, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–
EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump’s Farewell Address

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

Mr. TRUMP, THE GREATEST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE USA!

–Stealth
Charlotte, Nc

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Get Yours Here before they all go…

https://bikerlid.com/collections/all-products/products/beanie-helmet-wsb-harley-motorcycle-helmet-dot-approved

TEXAS WEATHER REPORT–
I slimed the Dyna down some, was hoping to be able to use the Stage 1 air filter from the Road Glide. But the standoffs for the vent are different lengths.

The Dayroll unfortunately moves the air up right to my shoulders & helmet. I might try rolling up a towel on top of it? I’m old, I need to carry stuff. Did get a little 115 wind therapy in this morning, had enough real estate to peg her+, but was coming up on an overpass, and you never know who might be sitting on the shoulder on the other side waiting for an idiot like me to come blasting by.

–RFR

My jacket or gym shoes did the trick several times. No need for a fairing.—Bandit

NEWS FROM THE SWEDISH LIBRARY-– I met CHRIS first time 2014 while in Arizona.
Then he invited me to CORN FREE 3 2017
Great person and Builder
”He got T boned leaving Larry’s on Sunday and didn’t make it”

Life is Short live Full

–Christer
Sheriff Media Group
Sweden

SOUTHWEST QUEST 2–A Women’s Only Motorcycle Get Away!

Thu Jun 10, 2021 3:00 PM – Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:00 AM MDT Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort, 81328

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE—Only up! Never give up or give in! And there’s never, ever a dull moment around here.

We got another 5-Ball team bike up and running with a new battery.

We bought a tiny gel battery for the Pandemic from O’Reilly’s but the damn thing wasn’t that cheap, about $100. I will fire it again this weekend, tune the carburetor and install the Fantasy Iron air cleaner. The redhead helped me with just the right foam, which I safety-wired to the inside of the air cleaner. Perfect. It’s part of a shop-vac air filter.

I’m packing shit and checking my list for the run to Deadwood. Next year will wake up the world to many issues. I joke about following the right path. Hopefully, we can all find a comfortable, clear and honest one.

But I will always believe freedom works.

–Bandit

1: The pandemic reached immediate-global-emergency-level one day after the impeachment effort was killed in the Senate. Suggesting Donald Trump’s Presidency is the actual cause of the virus. His orange skin dye may have been the incubating agent.

2: Covid-19 started in a bat and also in a clandestine biological warfare lab in China run by The Weekly World News and MI-6 and also in a “wet-market” which is journalese horror-vocabulary for butcher shop, and also in a Vietnamese dog-eating contest vomitorium and from a leaky freezer used by Dracula for unspecified purposes.

3: Covid-19 is so deadly that the only way to fight it successfully until the time comes that we can fight it more successfully is by lowering the body count of deceased victims, which now is everyone’s responsibility.

 

4: The only way to lower the body count of the deceased via our own efforts applied by every living human on earth….. is to slow – not stop – the “spread.” Slowing the spread is universally agreed-to by national overseers and regional commandants such as Justin Trudeau, Gavin Newsom, Barbara Ferrar, Facelift Fauci, Perry Cuomo, Eric Garcetti, Greta Thunberg and everyone with a Screen Actors Guild card as being the only way to keep people safe via the never-before-applied method of white and blue Chinese facemasks universally acknowledged by microbiologists as having no barrier-effect upon the ten billion varieties of corona viruses in global existence for the past 3 billion years of life on earth. This uncertainty has been verified as a certain uncertainty by the CDC and the World Health Organization and by the 300 daily new health advisory boards and health advisory personnel being increasingly-recruited by government officials to enthusiastically take the hit for government officials’ arbitrary and usually-ruinous if not Actual Enemy Attacks….. edicts.

5: Staying 6 feet away from every other human being will maximize your chances of not getting covid-19 based on no evidence from any source known to the scientific community or to any other community up to and including the Wiccan community, the Masons, the Mau-Mau, the Illuminati and the Chemtrail and Lizard-People Underground and invisa-entities currently on the earth at this moment.

 

7: If you are a proven threat which is determined by you “getting tested” and declared to have covid-19 viruses and/or antibodies in you…… this renders you “quarantinable.” Even if you are not sick.

8: All people are a threat to all other people if you have covid-19 and if you don’t have covid-19.

 

10: We are all in this together because that is what “we are all in this together” means. We cannot all be in this together unless we are all in this together. This is simple science.

11: A 25-cent facemask proven to have no effect on the spread or halt of c-19 viruses is ordered to be mandatory, to be enforced by all retail and commercial entities upon their customers under threat of loss of business license in an effort to “slow the spread.” In the event the customer does not have the universal ubiquitous Wall Street Stock-exploding-upward useless facemask, anything that prevents a clear determination of the identifying elements of the individual’s countenance is valid and deemed effective in impeding the travel beyond the covering either into the mouth or out of it of the corona-19 viral entity.

 

13: Children being immune to covid-19 because it is Designed-By-Nature to kill the elderly and those very compromised-resistancewise individuals….. are declared responsible for the health of their grandparents and the grandparents of their friends and the health of all adults. Children are now responsible for grownups. Because of covid-19.

14: Grandparents must never be with their grandchildren until further notice inasmuch as children are a natural threat to the elderly. This is not arbitrary cruelty upon the unaborted as has been suggested by Christian groups. This is science.

 

16: Slowing the spread is vital for many other reasons beyond just slowing the spread, reasons that will never be stated or listed or iterated or made known ever: beyond repeating that slowing the spread is vital to a slowing of the spread for the purpose of slowing the spread to a slowed degree of impeded progress, or spread, by a length or time or factor or unit of measurement never actually determined, communicated, or even guessed-at in the interests of getting the word out there as soon as possible to achieve an even faster and more dynamic and frenetic slowing of the spread.

17: Getting a vaccine into your bloodstream that has no recorded evidence of being a c-19 preventative is vital to the necessity of getting vaccinated.

 

19: Completing the full vaccination “protocol” and showing no evidence of c-19 or antibodies to c-19 in your system does not mean the facemask and distancing edicts are dissolved or rendered inoperative in any way.

20: There is no set time established or condition arrived at which will result in the elimination of the facemask and distancing and travel and gatherings, etc. spread-slowing efforts.

 

22: Brave combat soldiers on the front lines of the war against the attack of c-19 who have shown astounding bravery in the face of the terrible onslaught of the c-19 strain of the annual cold and flu season and who have braved the flame and bullets and bombs of the war against the virus c-19 by charging into the fray of the front lines of the war taking place on the front lines of battle against c-19 and risking life and limb in the process on the front lines of the conflagration and desolation with no thought or concern for their own safety in magnanimous comradeship to their fellow comrades but who are balking at getting the untested and untried but Declared Safe mandatory flu vaccine series….will be disciplined with consequences currently under discussion by health experts, up to but not limited to, termination and/or penal slavery to various government entities in accordance with the stipulations and provisions laid out in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Re-education protocols are already being instituted to convince the brave front line veterans of the war against Covid that their unwavering willingness to daily go up against the most heinous and devastating disease plague virus contagion in the universe that has no cure……but are screaming bloody murder about getting the vaccine for it…is confusing to the people the authorities are trying to keep in facemasks and locked inside their houses. Thus necessitating the new getting-of-the-minds-right implementations for our brave and valiant front line fighters.

23: While common understanding acknowledges that c-19 can in fact and is in fact transmitted to the human race from animals, facemasking your cats and dogs and other pets and keeping 6 feet away from them is not under any circumstances being considered as necessary to help slow the spread. Even though your pets can contaminate you with c-19. Health experts have decided that trying to keep facemasks on animals would be impossible due to violent dissent, ferocity-fueled rebellion, and dangerous counter measures the animals would take against this kind of universal muzzling via claws and teeth etc. Unlike the responses given by human mask-wearers who so far have shown no resistance or countermeasures against the stay-safe protocols involving universal masking on a global basis.

 

25: While covid-19 is a flu virus it is also not a flu virus. It is something horrifically worse but with no actual slot in the medical or viralogical body of knowledge as yet. While its symptoms are utterly and totally identical to cold and flu it is not cold and flu. It is Covid-19: an uncategorized flu-imitating non flu that looks, walks, paddles and quacks like a duck….but is not a duck. It is Covid-19.

26: Health advisors – two words which appear in no Federal or State constitution or city charter or county administrational blueprint – will now be the willing, happy and pleasantly-bemused scapegoats for any surges of tyranny governors or mayors or county supervisors are inspired to proclaim under the guise of “keeping everyone safe” for the duration of the pandemic of the annual cold and flu season until such time as it is determined by no one in particular that the c-19 virus no longer exists in any form and under any circumstances on Planet Earth for a measured period of time which must persist for a to-be-determined extent.

 

28: Quarantining people who are not sick with the flu and who have not tested positive to c-19 and who are feeling “fine” or “ok”  is necessary in case they have antibodies to c-19 which can be a threat to others. While this is a complete reversal of the quarantine principle, taking it from practical and sensible and logical behavior to what is called insane behavior, it is believed necessary in order to keep everyone safe. While it is argued by the minority that insane safety-protocols will not result in “safety” the majority apparently doesn’t think so or else they would have said so which is clearly not the case. Just go outside and take a look.

 

30: The “virus” is causing all of the edicts being pronounced-under-threat by government. Not the government. The pandemic is making you wear a mask and becoming poverty stricken and isolated and devoid of grandchildren and grandparents and devoid of a life-force or spirit-to-live or sense of hope. Not humans in authority. The virus is doing it. The pandemic has ripped the Constitution and the United States into an overnight, never-ending clownhouse of lunatic officials, and despairing prisoners of lunatic-officials’ entrance into the Second Dark Age of Western Civilization. A virus is doing it. Not other people.

And this is what we know for certain about covid-19.

Thank you.

–Dr. J.J. Solari
Flu Man Chew Specialists
Bikernet Medical Center