by DMAC Single Speed, No Clutch, No Brakes Vintage Motorcycle Racing – Daytona Beach was and is where it’s at! Along with the evolution of Bike Week, The Daytona 200 has since been moved to blacktop of the Daytona International Speedway. And decades later, Billy Lane resurrected the board track racing tradition and brings alive Sons of Speed racing at New Smyrna Speedway, which is one half mile asphalt track with a 20degree bank. Perfect October weather – great track conditions – and the home town crowd made for an exciting afternoon of old iron, some newer faces, and an overall great event! This is the 6th year since Sons of Speed was launched during Bike Week in 2017, rescheduled due to the hurricane that damaged the track in October, 2016.

Click here to read this photo feature article only on Bikernet.com

* * * * * * * * * * * *

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Hey,

We are living in strange times. Zero policies means endless regulation and absolutely no freedom. Think about it. Zero emissions would mean we quit breathing. It also means death to plant life. They need, we need CO2.

Zero traffic deaths is virtually impossible. In one country, they immediately chose to ban motorcycles. Oops.

The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.

California Suspends Self-Driving Car Company, Cruise–

Tuesday, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) notified Cruise, a self-driving car subsidiary of General Motors, that the DMV is suspending Cruise’s autonomous vehicle deployment and driverless testing permits, effective immediately.

Since June 2022, Cruise has been offering commercial driverless car service, which means no driver behind the wheel. There have been reports of Cruise vehicles clustering at intersections, blocking traffic, and engaging in worrisome interactions with emergency vehicles.

In the release, the California DMV said, “The department’s autonomous vehicle regulations provide a framework to facilitate the safe testing and deployment of this technology on California public roads. When there is an unreasonable risk to public safety, the DMV can immediately suspend or revoke permits.”

The agency cited four reasons for the suspension.

• Based upon the performance of the vehicles, the Department determines the manufacturer’s vehicles are not safe for the public’s operation.

• The manufacturer misrepresented information related to safety of the autonomous technology of its vehicles.

• Any act or omission of the manufacturer, or one of its agents, employees, contractors, or designees which the department finds makes the conduct of autonomous vehicle testing on public roads by the manufacturer an unreasonable risk to the public.

• The department shall immediately suspend or revoke the Manufacturer’s Testing Permit or a Manufacturer’s Testing Permit – Driverless Vehicles if a manufacturer is engaging in a practice in such a manner that immediate suspension is required for the safety of persons on a public road.

This step by the State of California is dramatic for a state positioned at the forefront of deploying this recent technology. In the past week, federal regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into recent incidents involving Cruise vehicles. However, the action by regulators in California is a powerful move to push back against the deployment of these vehicles, which many believe are not yet ready for our nation’s roads.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is committed to collaborating with federal policymakers to ensure the detection of bikers by self-driving technology. The lack of action by officials in Washington, D.C. remains frustrating. However, we are pleased to see regulators in California taking a stand in the face of growing incidents with Cruise vehicles. We will continue to watch other states and hope they will also fill the void left by federal inaction.

DEAD GUY QUOTE OF THE DAY–

“If it’s sent by ship then it’s cargo, if it’s sent by road then it’s a shipment” –Ray Russell

JACOBS ART GALLERY–

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming, I just wanted to remind you of the little guys.

Before falling for the savings at Big Box Stores; think of three of your favorite Mom and Pop’s.

We believe that Small Businesses are the backbone of our Nation and we’ve seen more and more of them close since 2020.

My family and our wonderful staff appreciate all of our loving customers that continue to Shop Small.

Without you, we wouldn’t still be open.

Have a Happy and Loving Holiday and Thank You,
–Scott, Sharon, Olivia and Alexa (and grandkids Daisy, Hendrix, and Levi)

WHO’S GOING TO PAY FOR THIS?–

The old saying in Washington, D.C. is “A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking real money.” It is no secret that the Federal Government continues to spend more money than it takes in.

This week the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing on just this topic. The hearing entitled “Running on Empty: The Highway Trust Fund” focused on the growing shortfall between money taken in to pay for roads and infrastructure and the money being spent by Congress on those projects.

The Highway Trust Fund is intended to function as a piggy bank. Revenues from gasoline and diesel fuel taxes are collected and the money is dedicated to the construction of federal highways. However, over the last thirty (30) plus years the model has started to fall apart. The federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon has not been increased since 1993.

Surging inflation means that 18.4 cents per gallon does not go as far in 2023 as it did in 1993. Add to that the push for more fuel-efficient or electric cars and the result is less fuel sold and thus less money in the Highway Trust Fund.

In the last 15 years, the gap between money collected and money spent has reached $275 billion! This shortfall results in government borrowing and further government debt. The current system is not working, and policymakers are searching for solutions.

The most discussed solution is transitioning away from motor fuel taxes to a fee, charging individual vehicles for their miles traveled, called a VMT fee. The most recent 2021 Highway Bill included a directive that the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Treasury conduct pilot programs in all fifty (50) states.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) understands the need to properly fund the construction, maintenance and repair of our roadways. However, we remain committed to protecting the interests of bikers. Any tax system must be fair and equitable for motorcyclists. It goes without saying that the weight of a motorcycle does far less damage to a roadway than much heavier vehicles. As such, any tax should consider the wear and tear caused by the vehicles being taxed.

Additionally, privacy concerns with any tracked miles are immense! Tracking by outside parties using GPS or other technologies that collect and record where we ride, who we ride with, and how we ride is something the MRF takes extremely seriously. Both data recording and transportation taxes are two priorities that have been and will remain a part of the MRF legislative agenda.

The highway funding tab will eventually come due. The funding system for our roads is broken, but the MRF is committed to protecting and defending the interests of bikers no matter what solution is eventually agreed upon.

–MRF

KING OF COOL: Metisse Steve McQueen Desert Racer.

At the height of the ’60s counterculture you were either hip or a square and never the twain shall meet. But one man crossed the divide. he was everybody’s “King of Cool” and it made him the highest-earning movie star in the world.

But Steve McQueen wasn’t just a Hollywood actor, he was a child of the Depression, a Marine, a pilot, an avid car collector and a racer on two-wheels and four. So, when he proclaimed “This rig is the best handling bike I’ve ever owned”, the makers of that motorcycle got an endorsement money just can’t buy.

But the story of that bike is as complex and cool as the man himself, and this stunning motorcycle, The McQueen™ Desert Racer by Metisse Motorcycles is one of just 300 built to honour that incredible tale.

The journey to the creation of one of the most iconic race bikes ever built starts a long long way from Hollywood, California. Across the pond in the UK during the ’50s, Derek and Don Rickman were brothers successfully racing in the local motocross and scrambles scene.

But unlike today where you can walk into any dealer and buy a bike with all the bells and whistles, ready for some serious dirt track madness, there just really wasn’t much on offer, especially in the large capacity category. So, the brothers simply built their own bikes, and with the success of their racing program, Rickman Motorcycles was a booming success, evening earning the pair a Queen’s Award.

–from El Waggs
Pipeburn.com

Do We Really Know That Human Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cause Significant Climate Change?

It’s by far the most important scientific question of our age: Do human emissions of CO2 and other such “greenhouse gases” cause significant global warming, aka “climate change”? Based on the belief that an affirmative answer to that question is a universally accepted truth, our government has embarked on a multi-trillion dollar campaign to transform our economy by, among other things, eliminating hydrocarbon fuels from electricity generation (without any demonstrated workable plan for the replacement), outlawing the kinds of vehicles we currently drive, suppressing fossil fuel extraction, banning pipeline construction, making all your appliances work less well, and much more.

Express any doubt about the causal connection between human activities and climate change, and you could very well get labeled as a “climate denier,” fired from your academic job, demonetized by Google or Facebook, or even completely ostracized from polite society.

But is there actually any real proof of the proposition at issue? In fact, there is not.

The reason for today’s post is that a couple of important new articles have come to my attention that further make clear that the proposition that human activities, particularly “greenhouse gas” emissions, are causing significant climate change has not been proved and, based on existing data, cannot be proved.

–From the MANHATTAN CONTRARIAN
By Francis Menton
From WUWT

If you really want to know the whole story:

Ducati to begin Motocross Racing

Ducati’s race bike will be joined by a range of off-road models

Ducati has made it official, confirming months of speculation. Ducati will begin motocross racing. They will also introduce a range of off-road motorcycles. The much-admired Italian manufacturer follows Triumph as another major motorcycle manufacturer entering motocross this year. They willl compete against the likes of the Big Four Japanese brands and Pierer Mobility’s three-headed monster.

Read at: https://blog.bikernet.com/ducati-to-begin-motocross-racing/

–Wayfarer
Editor

What they will tell you is that you need to go out of business because you are destroying the earth. Wikipedia has a much longer, less accurate explanation of the outfit. If the companies won’t comply B Lab Global will try and talk their ad agencies into dropping them. Good luck with that. like ad agencies care about the truth, lies, saving the planet or whether cats live or die. hahahahahahaha

B Lab Global is partnered with the UN. Which is the building EYE would fly into if I was going to fly into a building in a 737.

–J.J. Solari

For years I received weekly legislative reports and sometimes editorials from the NMA and then nothing via email. I was surprised to receive a 16-page glossy magazine this week.

Of course, these are car guys, but many of the topics like red-light cameras impact bikers, so I stay in touch with them. Unfortunately, this issue covered the move to electric extensively and I’ll get to that, but I wanted to touch on their legislative report.

There’s a push by the Zero nuts to reverse RTOR or right turn on red laws. The NMA secured the inclusion of a provision in a measure to save RTOR, which is working through the House right now.

They are supporting the Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration ACT (FAIR act) to protect innocent Americans from “Lawless” police seizures.

Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by the administration is ongoing. The NMA opposes several of the provision in that law. Again, the Zero road deaths and climate emergency notions or the war on Fossil Fuels is forcing strange changes to our roads to eliminate cars and force electric public transportation.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is now in the business of funding photo enforcement cameras in school zones and highway work zones. The NMA opposes them.

One of the ways to destroy the ICE automotive industry is to regulate cars so severely they become ridiculously expensive. Hang on, through the infrastructure bill they would require all new vehicles to be equipped with new technology, which will monitor the driver’s behavior, serious invasion of privacy and another Zero deaths notion.

These rules could lead to unjustified stops, unwarranted surveillance or even abuse of power like the government shutting off cars like Covid curfews.

After skimming through their cover story on Electric transition, I’m beginning to think they were paid off. The article leans heavily at the notion that whether we like it or not Electric is coming and it’s good.

I’m afraid I will never support or join the NMA again. Here’s the simple solution to 90 percent of these issues. If tomorrow there were no Zero mandates, no Stop Oil protestors, no Climate emergency, we would have a level playing field to test anything without fear of being doomed or persecuted. The United States could go back to being a free country and we could take a city or a state and test all these electric schemes. Let’s see if they work before we force anything on anyone. Seems simple to me.

–Bandit

Harley-Davidson, the iconic motorcycle manufacturer, is set to make festive season a whole lot better with jaw-dropping discounts of up to Rs 530,000 on their stellar lineup.

But there’s a twist – these deals are as fleeting as a summer breeze, and they’ll only be around while there are bikes left to go around.

Models included are:

• Pan America 1250 Special
• Sportster S
• Nightster and Nightster Special

Pan America Special is only Rs 1,609,000, down from its initial price of Rs 2,099,000, thanks to an impressive discount of Rs 490,000.

News Source: https://www.msn.com/en-in/autos/news/harley-davidson-offers-mega-festive-discounts-of-up-to-rs-5-30-lakh-on-its-select-models/ar-AA1iP5DV

–Wayfarer
Editor
BikernetBlog.com™

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES OF THE WEEK–

“We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn.” ~ Mary Catherine Bateson

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.” ~ Margaret Fuller

“Good people are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure.” ~ William Saroyan

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” ~ Maya Angelou

“We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” ~ Marie Curie

“Poor eyes limit your sight; poor vision limits your deeds.” ~ Franklin Field

“Wisdom is knowing what to do next. Skill is knowing how to do it. Virtue is doing it.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

“The wise person doesn’t give the right answers, but poses the right questions.” ~ Claude Levi-Strauss

From: https://www.TaiJutsu.art/

–Wayfarer
Monk in Training
Bikernet Temple
Pillar Peak, SD

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Soon, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will close its public comment period on proposed rule changes to the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) for cars and trucks. Under the proposal, the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard would rise from 49 mpg in 2026 to 58 mpg in 2032.

The key part of this is that under the CAFE standards, manufacturers get credit for each electric vehicle they sell in a model year, improving the average fuel economy of all the vehicles sold that year. By setting standards so high, NHTSA is knowingly pushing manufacturers to electric vehicles.

This action by NHTSA is the third in a string of maneuvers by the Biden Administration and its allies to eliminate the internal combustion engine. In April the MRF reported on Environmental Protection Agency plans to limit tailpipe emissions, designed to ensure that all-electric cars make up as much as 67 percent of new passenger vehicles sold in the country by 2032. This is in addition to the plans in California, which will require all new cars sold in that state to be zero-emissions.

While motorcycles are not included in these proposed standards, the writing is on the wall. The attack on the internal combustion engine is underway. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation submitted comments to NHTSA this week on the proposed rules.

To read the comments submitted by the MRF to NHTSA visit MRF website.

The Wait Is Over: Brough Superior Has Officially Launched in USA!”

Experience the timeless elegance of the Brough Superior SS 100 at its exclusive launch in California. Be among the first to own this motorcycle icon.

Reserve yours today and become a part of history.

Be unique, reserve now!

This legendary motorcycle, celebrated alongside Lawrence of Arabia, embodies luxury, beauty, and speed. It’s a masterpiece handcrafted in Brough Superior’s French workshop, blending classic design with modern engineering.

Experience the thrill of riding a Super Sports 100. Its updated look and cutting-edge materials like a titanium chassis and quad-disc brakes ensure both style and performance.

Don’t miss the chance to own a piece of motorcycle history. Get behind the handlebars of the Brough Superior Super Sports 100 today!

Known as the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles.

The 1935 Brough Superior SS100 was one of the most powerful and luxurious motorcycles of its time, renowned for its exceptional performance.

RESERVE NOW

TROPICAL TATTOO INC. WINNERS LIST– ChopperTime Biketoberfest ’23

Chopper Show Winner’s List

BEST PAINT: Ray Llanes
WILLIE’S HARDCORE: Bill Dodge
BEST METRIC: Tom “Eggnog” Clayton
BLING CYCLE: Shannon Rae
BEST PAN: J. Crawford
BEST TWIN CAM: Micheal Valdes
TROPICAL TATTOO PICK: Steve Reed
SHOVEL HEAD COALITION PICK: John Hyatt
BEST CHOPPER: Harley
CROWD FAVORITE: Steve Alan Coe
BEST SPORTSTER: Dale Larrimore
ROADSIDE’S PICK: Bell
BEST SHOVEL: Little Bill
BEST FLATTY: George Casale
BEST KNUCKLE: Bill Franklin
BEST ANTIQUE: John Bartman
BEST CUSTOM: Matt Foster
BEST BRITISH: Tim Emala
BEST BOBBER: Madstork
WILLIE’S PICK: Guy Glover
TAR BALL RUN: Cochise
BEST EVO: California
TRAILER TRASH CHOPPERS: Drew Begersdorf
RAT BIKE: Jerry Diers

REVEREND AL’S PICK: Doug Cooper

Encourage your lawmakers to support the CARS Act, which protects consumer choice:

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced a SAN-supported bill, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act, S. 3094, to prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing emissions standards that would limit consumer choice and require that 67% of vehicles that automakers produce be electric vehicles. S. 3094 is the companion to H.R. 4468, which was introduced by U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee in July.

The CARS Act prevents future EPA vehicle emissions regulations that would mandate certain technologies or limit the availability of vehicles based on its power source. If passed into law, the bill would ensure that consumers have the freedom to decide what vehicle works best for their families and prevent automakers from being forced to meet unrealistic mandates driven by the most aggressive light-duty emissions regulations in U.S. history.

Lawmakers Must Hear from You Right Away!

Use the following website link for an overview and lawmaker contact.

–SEMA

DID YOU KNOW?—Harley-Davidson once built a model with a quirky electrical issue. If the taillight went out, the bike wouldn’t run.

So, what model was it?

–Freddie Cuba

I WROTE TO SEMA—Maybe you can help:

“I am working with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation to help keep ICE engines free. We are also working with a couple of Senators. I follow your legislative reports. We have the potential to break the ICE mandates and restrictions. Would SEMA sign on for such an endeavor?

Thanks for all you do?”

–Bandit

A member of our Councils & Networks staff will be contacting you within 48 hours of your submission. If you have questions regarding the Councils & Networks Department, or need general assistance, please contact SEMA customer service at members@sema.org or 909-610-2030.

* * *

“I heard from Denise Waddingham from SEMA. We will kick off a discussion.”

1. All the goodies arrived safely — without any pilferage during delivery.

2. I never had the Bandit’s Cantina Sticker. I am going to use the auspicious orange color bandana when I use my Tarot cards. Spread the cards on the bandana. It is actually a good way to meditate on our problems and contemplate on our present situations, doubts, ambitions, desires, failures, etc. I used to do that as a side-gig back in 2014 but now I only read cards for myself.

Here is an article for non-professionals and how they may use tarot
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/01/style/self-care/tarot-guide-for-beginners.html

3. The Outlaw Justice paperback is exceptional quality– very well done.

The Chariot card suggests Bikernet is making progress yet, the environment (external factors) decides how turbulent or smooth the road ahead will be.

100-WORD FICTION CONTEST SUBMISSION—The Dealership

Not far from Hasting, Nebraska stood a crumbling brick Harley-Davidson dealership in a town of 18. The owner, a stub of a man, with a shiny bald head ran it without spare parts. Not a motorcyclist but a franchise collector, he scored a Saab dealership and a Fender guitar franchise. Happy to roll in the new models without spares, he made his living.

One day three riders approached, one with a broken clutch lever. “Sorry fellas, no spare parts.”

“How about the lever on that new ‘78 FL?” A tough demanded.

They surrounded him, but the .38 snub-nose behind his belt, in the small of his back made a lasting point. They headed back to the Highway…

By Bandit, inspired by Freddie Cuba

We’re Back! The all-new Hot Bike: Vol. 2 2023 Digital Edition is out now!

Get the latest American V-Twin Performance and Custom magazine chock-full of goods like the custom Pan America from FXR Division and much more from anywhere around the world!

In this issue… we dive deeper into FXR Division’s all-new sport touring concept of the Harley-Davidson Pan America. We caught up with co-owners Chris Staab and Justin Coleman to pick their collective brain on what exactly they were aiming to achieve with this unique spin on the already polarizing model.

It turns out Trask Performance’s latest Tornado Turbo System for the Low Rider ST is a straight-up fun-having machine. We’re still grinning ear to ear after our trip to Phoenix to test the Tornado on our ’22 ST. In just a few hours we added substantial performance gains.

FEATURE BIKE OF THE WEEK—from the Motorcycle Den.

–Sam Burns
Feature Biker Editor
Bikernet.com™

Will you help us fill our tank and give a gallon to help us over the finish line in Virginia? Our fight today is in Virginia, but this is a nationwide fight. Your contributions become the fuel that powers our nationwide journey to a more car-friendly future.

Virginia’s November election is just the beginning of the war for our right to choose the vehicles we love. DFA’s latest ad, “Common Sense,” calls for the empowerment of every Virginian and the roar of engines unburdened by radical agendas from afar. DFA has supported candidates for the Virginia Senate who share our vision and are ready to fight for your freedom, just like Governor Glenn Youngkin, who boldly champions repealing the state’s gas-powered car ban.

Our engines are revved, and our resolve is unwavering. The time has come to seize the wheel and steer our destiny. We shall not cede our laws to distant bureaucrats who fail to understand our passion for the open road.

—DrivingForceAction.org

Chance of a lifetime…

BIKERNET READER COMMENT—What We’re Up Against Bikernet Weekly News

J.J.’s opinion is spot on, Every day I ride is like a suicide ride watching out for careless drivers who won’t or don’t want to see you.

–Ruben

If you’re with the largest gathering of moto enthusiasts and music festival fans in the world and you can’t make your own scene, whose fault is that, really?

Find out exactly what it is and who it is for, click below.

https://sturgis.com/blogs/the-little-known-rowdy-sturgis-secret-camp-zero/

The decision had been taken because of “intolerable abuse,” Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia said. A surprise announcement on Friday mentioned the cause as inconvenience to pedestrians. The violations are so many, doubling the number of enforcement officers overnight would not have solved the issue as per the minister.

It is understood, private e-scooters will still be allowed, with incentives introduced to encourage people to buy their own.

Refer: https://blog.bikernet.com/paris-climate-accord-vs-paris-e-scooters/

Government earlier this year stated it will consider designated parking zones for the 5,000 scooters on the island, before banning them outright.

The term e-scooter may be confusing– it is not the typical scooter such as a Vespa. Refer above images of an e-scooter.

Red more at: https://blog.bikernet.com/malta-to-ban-rented-e-scooters-from-march/

–Wayfarer
Exploring the wheeled world on the web
Editor: Bikernet Blog & Facebook Page

2023 Sturgis Rally Summit numbers are in

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction: The story was updated to use ‘visits’ rather than attendees to refer to the numbers in the official traffic count.

Attendance, demographics and sales tax revenue for the 83rd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally were announced today during the Post-Sturgis Rally Summit.

“The rally has swelled up larger than Sturgis can hold and impacts everybody throughout the whole Black Hills,” Sturgis Mayor Mark Castensen said at the Summit in Sturgis. “It’s also apparent that the Sturgis Rally has an impact on the whole state.”

During the 10-day rally, there were 617,000 visits, which is second only to the 75th Rally in 2015, Beka Zerbst, the president of the Sturgis City Council, said. The previous year saw 611,447 visits, 2021 had 700,295 visits and in 2020, only 549,747 arrived for the Sturgis Rally.

This year, the city used a new way of calculating Rally guests through people’s mobile devices. In previous years, Sturgis relied on Department of Transportation vehicle counters positioned on the interstate and highways for an attendance count.

“The numbers reflected one vehicle crossing the counter as traffic into Sturgis,” Zerbst said of the old tracking method. “One motorcycle could have two or more passengers or one car could have multiple passengers. Our new system collects data from an individual user’s cell phone.”

Deb Holland, director of Communications for the City of Sturgis, gave demographic information for the 2023 Rally. Attendees aged 25-44 rose to 29%, people 45-64 increased from 25% in 2022 to 29% this year and those over age 65 decreased to 18%.

“I know we talk about, ‘Is the Rally dying?’ We’ll look at that, 65 and older has actually dropped,” Holland said. “That’s encouraging to see some of the younger demographics showing those increases.”

Holland also said that the average income for Sturgis Rally goers was $84,000, with 25% of people’s income between $100,000-$150,000. The states with the highest in attendance were South Dakota with 21%, Minnesota with 7.5%, Colorado with 7%, Wyoming with 4.2% and Iowa with 4%.

The average time people spent in South Dakota for the rally was three days and one hour, which is down from last year’s four days and 14 hours, Mike Gussiaas, chief marketing officer for the Department of Tourism, said.

Zerbst said that this year’s attendees brought in $658,581 in sales tax revenue. According to a survey by the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce, 86% of the 300 chamber businesses in Sturgis said the Rally had an overall positive effect. Of that, 67% report an extremely positive outcome.

Veronica Grosek, the executive director of the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce, said local businesses cited the biggest positives as an increase in revenue, business-to-consumer networking and advertising opportunities.

At Tuesday’s Summit, Grosek quoted a local, year-round retailer and their thoughts on the business the Rally brings in.

“Staff workload and availability is a challenge, they wish for better variety and quality of retail offerings throughout the event,” Grosek read. “But, our biggest benefit is the year-round tourism that the rally draws through Sturgis.”

–by Gracie Terrall
KELOLAND.COM

Read the whole story at:
https://www.keloland.com/keloland-com-original/2023-sturgis-rally-summit-numbers-are-in/

NEWS FROM THE KLOCKWERKS EMPIRE–

Experience the perfect blend of simplicity and security with our universal magnetic phone mounting system.

Whether you’re answering an important call hands-free, embarking on an adventurous trail ride, or simply keeping your phone within reach wherever you go, iOmounts® has you covered.

[page break]

Went to Biketoberfest had a blast. Billy’s race is off the hook.

But what I really noticed this year is many older and woman riders struggling to park and steer dressers. And the big wheel thing is everywhere which makes handling worse. And on the way home, I saw many trailered dressers? Isn’t that the reason for spending $35,000 on a 1000 lb heavily bagged motorcycle so you can ride it long distance? Just don’t get it.

Plus, Loud music from 10 speakers is Ugly! Just ugly -no class, no understanding of the beauty and flow of a streamlined, no frills Harley. Yea I know I sound like a bitter old man but I’m just saying the truth.

Bring Sportsters back!!

Harley-Davidson profit slumps on weakening demand, shares tumble 11%

Read in Reuters: https://stocks.apple.com/AU8TuTSPqRuq47lQ3-I9wgQ

–Geno

I can understand why girls would do this because we don’t really expect intelligence from women, we expect feelings and chitchat and ya know sandwiches but now men who claim to be all buff and making Arnold poses for the camera and getting on their RV-sized Harleys and “supporting” things and being all properly tattooed and yet wearing Converse shoes or maybe Vans…..

These fellows are actually all strident and uppity about letting me know that they are at the forefront and vanguard of sanctity and caring and love by making sure I do not disobey them and not get my dog from a sane competent gives-a-shit breeder, no, a far better and more sanctified and obedient thing would be for me to rather than get a dog that actually functions, to instead go to some dog-dump run by jihadists with children on pikes in their “yard” and select for myself a crippled, maimed, one-eye-missing furless infected skin-cancered drooling-blood four-legged catastrophe that could be carrying a new viral version of incurable human leprosy…..instead.

“No, excuse me, sir, I’m speaking now for all to hear and thus declare me kindly and loving but in a masculine way and this I am telling you now, do not get a contrived-for-perfection canine that will live a normal dog life, no, get instead this half-dead load that is legless and has pus in both eyes. Do this and I shall declare you as holy as myself.

And also, a douche bag of eternal douchery for even paying attention to me.” THIS is what is important to these miserable excuses for whatever they are convinced “caring” is. Dude, if you want women to think you’re sensitive, wear a fucking dress. Use exaggerated arm movements and say omigawd with tremendous energy whenever a woman says anything gossipy. But don’t be telling me what fucking dog to get just so you can attract effeminate men and airheaded broads into your idiotically autocratic universe.

Screw your maimed and diseased flea-encrusted ten-nippled abomination. I’m just gonna get me a normal, basically alive, excited to go for a walk, enthusiastic normal canine that doesn’t look like it came through the Transporter wrong and now has steam rising from its scabbed and legless carcass.

–J.J. Solari

It is with profound sadness that the family of Nace Panzica, announces his passing on Monday the 16th of October, 2023 while surrounded by family and friends. He leaves behind his wife Kathy, sons Mark Panzica and John Paredes, sisters Margaret and Mary,brothers Pat, Anthony, Joseph, Michael and Dominic, along with six grandchildren, thirteen nieces and nephews, and eighteen great-nieces and nephews. Nace was pre-deceased by his son, John Panzica.

Nace was one of the founding partners of Custom Chrome, Inc., also known by its initials CCI, in 1970. Under Nace’s leadership, Custom Chrome grew to be the world’s leading manufacturer/wholesaler of aftermarket parts and accessories for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, with annual sales totaling $250 million dollars before his departure in 1997.

Starting out as Coast Cycle, a small motorcycle shop in San Jose, California, before incorporating under the name Custom Chrome, the company grew to include its world headquarters in Morgan Hill, California, along with five US warehouses, Germany-based Custom Chrome Europe, and Custom Chrome Taiwan.

At its peak under Nace’s guidance, CCI employed more than 700 personnel worldwide.

As President and CEO of the company, Nace also led the product development team at CCI that specialized in bringing new and proprietary products to the Harley-Davidson aftermarket.

It was not unusual during the late ‘80s and ‘90s for CCI to introduce more than 500 new products annually, with some of the most successful programs being the RevTech oil, wheels, engines, gear sets and complete transmission assemblies, in addition to the Dyno Power, Premium and C.C. Rider product lines, to name just a few.

Nace took great pride in his team of designers, engineers and product specialists that closely followed developing trends in the Harley-Davidson world, and were able to quickly respond with exciting, new proprietary products, and comprehensive marketing campaigns that introduced them to dealers and consumers alike.

Without Nace’s drive and ambition, none of this would ever have been possible. He was always the first one at the office in the morning, and the last to leave at night.

Nace’s impact on the greater aftermarket industry is still felt today with many of the
products still being sold in the marketplace… decades after Nace shepherded them from concept to shelf. And his impact has also been felt because many of his former employees have continued working in the industry for a myriad of companies, bringing the knowledge they gained at CCI with them.

In the years since his departure from Custom Chrome, Nace stayed busy in the
motorcycle business with internet start-ups, and an engine and transmission driveline (TDC) business that he would later sell off.

Memorial services for Nace will be 12:00pm Saturday, November 18th at the Advent
Lutheran Church in Morgan Hill, California.

Godspeed Nace…

–Steve Massicote
Paughco

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“I have been doing these three basic exercises whenever I can’t lift weights for lack of time and also when it is too hot to work with weights.”— Wayfarer

Only Three Exercises for Full-Body Strength at Home

You can build muscle throughout the body and increase your strength level as well in just 30 minutes, all without leaving your home.

Strength training is very important:

• builds muscle mass
• improves bone density
• boosts metabolism naturally

Now, experts suggest you may not need to visit the local gym nor need any equipment for developing muscle and strength.

It’s the three-move routine!

1. Push-ups
2. Pull-ups
3. weighted squats

If you combine this into a circuit training regular routine with planned sets and reps, they will deliver a workout for your entire body. Every major muscle and the core body will improve drastically, saving you time, energy and money.

Make sure you don’t rush through the sets and sequences– to avoid injury. Also, don’t put too much gap between it so that your body remains warm and the rush of energy continues to flow.

Options?

If you can’t think of any safe weights at home or elsewhere such as during traveling– just do regular squats. Make sure your posture and form are correct. Use a mirror during the first attempts and then develop the habit of proper form.

If you don’t know any safe place to perform a pull-up– lie down on your belly on the floor on a yoga-mat. Then raise your shoulders and keep your toes off the floor. Now raise your arms up parallel to the floor and then pull-them-down without moving the torso. Just imagine you’re grabbing a virtual pulley and pulling it from arms raised position toward your shoulders. It is often referred as ‘Superman pull-ups’ due to the position on the floor.

One cannot emphasize the need for push-ups often and we highly recommend them. They are an essential part of almost all forms of martial-arts.

If you find a push-up difficult, do it with your knees resting on the yoga mat. Alternatively, you can lean against a wall standing up with your core body straight and palms on the wall— then push away from the wall. This is good way to learn to do push-ups.

Try doing only these three if you don’t have time or don’t wish to put in the effort of your contemporaries. You will see an amazing difference in physical strength and agility.

As for number of reps– just do what’s comfortable and safe at first, then add to those numbers every other week as you gain strength (and muscle).

From https://www.TaiJutsu.art/

–Wayfarer
Official Martial Arts Guru
Bikernet.com™

California has mounting problems with a skyrocketing cost-of-living, spiking crime, failing schools, faltering state finances, flight of businesses and jobs, etc. But judging by the new laws approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Democrats the situation is about to get a lot worse.

“Governor Gavin Newsom and California Democrat legislators are completely unhinged from reality as they double down on fatally-flawed policies that are hurting Californians,” warns Carl DeMaio, Chairman of Reform California.

As he does each year, DeMaio is publishing a list of the top ten worst new laws approved by state politicians.

“Every year I pick out ten really bad new laws, but this year that was exponentially harder to do because there are so many terrible new laws that they passed in California,” explains DeMaio.

Here is DeMaio’s list of the 10 worst new laws approved in California in 2023:

Giving Free Lawyers for Illegal Immigrants (State Budget): Gavin Newsom and California Democrats are continuing to divert billions of dollars in state taxpayer funds to provide a wide range of free services and benefits to illegal immigrants – including completely free healthcare. To add insult to injury, California Democrats are using $60 million in state taxpayer funds to hire free lawyers that illegal immigrants can use to sue our own government as well as fight deportation.

Taking Children Away from Parents (AB 665): Newsom and state Democrats passed AB 665 which makes it easier for children as young as 12 to be taken away from their parents. Existing state law required that a child could only be removed and “emancipated” if a licensed therapist or health professional determined that abuse or neglect was occurring that posed a threat to the child in the parents’ home and the child was mature enough to govern their own affairs. AB 665 removes any need to show abuse, neglect or a threat – and allows even an “intern” or “trainee” to make the decision! Perhaps one of the most reckless and anti-parent bills ever conceived is now law.

Advancing Government-Run HealthCare (SB-770): California state government intrusion into its healthcare system has already resulted in a massive price spike for care, but that’s about to get much worse as the state initiates a complete government takeover of all healthcare with SB 770 approved by Newsom and California Democrats. SB 770 instructs state officials to begin negotiations on obtaining a federal waiver to redirect all federal health care funds (including from Medicare and other federal health programs) to support an untested government-run healthcare system costing $500 billion annually! Next step: a ban on private health insurance and a massive tax hike!

Creating a More Toxic Workplace (SB 497): California labor regulations already have made our state the worst place to create jobs in by imposing high costs and high risks, but Newsom and California Democrats approved SB 497 to exponentially increase the risk to all businesses by changing the burden of proof on worker retaliation cases. Under SB 497 any disgruntled employee will be assumed to be a victim of retaliation and the employer has very little chance of protecting itself from false retaliation claims.

In addition, Newsom and California Democrats made it harder for businesses to justify creating jobs in our state by passing SB 363 to limit the use of arbitration to resolve disputes and AB 594 which weaponizes local city attorneys to use their taxpayer-funded lawyers as free legal attack funds for local labor unions targeting small businesses.

Stripping School Boards of Curriculum Powers (AB-1078): Newsom and California Democrats approved AB-1078 they say is designed to stop book banning in California schools. Yet this bill will only serve as an infringement of local control over curriculum decisions and limit the ability of parents and communities to have a say in what is taught in schools.

Eliminating Discipline in Schools (SB 274): Newsom and California Democrats are fostering a culture of lawlessness by banning any suspensions of students who engage in “willful defiance.” California Democrats say it is “racist” to punish unruly students who disrupt the classroom with a simple suspension, but are always looking for ways to charge parents with crimes if they speak out too forcefully at school board meetings.

Expect the teacher shortage in California to get much, much worse as good teachers leave the profession because they cannot control unruly disruptors in the classroom.

Making it Easier to Release Criminals (SB-81): With property and violent crimes continuing to spike across the state, Newsom and California Democrats approved SB-81 to allow early parole for prison inmates regardless of their behavior in prison, chances of reoffending, or its impact on victims.

Infringing on Your Right to Self-Defense (SB 2 and AB-28): Newsom and California Democrats have created a crime wave with their other negligent policies, but now they want to make it harder for you to defend yourself by imposing a massive excise tax on guns and ammunition – as well as severely restricting your right to concealed carry. Both of these laws are unconstitutional on their face, but state politicians have shown zero regard for following well-established civil rights rulings.

Setting the Stage for a Carbon Tax and an SUV Tax (SB253 and AB251): Expect two new big taxes to come to California real soon under two new laws approved by Gavin Newsom and state Democrats. SB 253 establishes a carbon emission reporting requirement on all businesses and sets the stage to then tax companies based on their carbon footprint – a key element of the Green New Deal. AB 251 initiates a state examination on SUV impacts to justify the imposition of a new SUV tax – but it will be called a “fee” for the so-called “impacts” that AB 251 will document.

Repealing Prop 13 and Raising Taxes (ACA-1 and ACA-13): Newsom and California Democrats are supporting two laws (now being presented to voters) to gut Prop 13 and make it easier to raise your taxes. ACA-1 reduces the voter approval threshold from a two-thirds supermajority to just 55% for local general obligation bonds and special taxes. ACA-13 is designed to block the California Taxpayer Protection Initiative which itself would protect and strengthen Prop 13.

What can be done to restore sanity to California’s political system?

“We need to stop bad bills like this by changing who we elect to the state legislature in 2024,” DeMaio notes.

That’s why DeMaio and Reform California are leading a campaign to recruit, train, endorse, support candidates for the state legislature in seats across California.

DeMaio urges common-sense California voters to join the fight by contributing to Reform California’s campaign or signing up to volunteer to share the Plain English Voter Guide his group publishes each election.

If so, how much?

Sam Withrow
Muskegon, MI

President

HANG ON—Exciting stuff is going to happen, but it’s going to take hard work. Here’s a terrific example.

My grandson is a master tattoo artist. He took over 5-Ball Leathers, which is now five-ball. He just opened a new tattoo parlor in Venice, California, surrounded by homeless folks. He paints, has about four Harleys, works his ass off, hits the gym, attends AA meetings weekly and is a sponsor of guys who want help.

Moving around my shipping department I discovered something I meant to ship back to an Orange County engine builder, Phil. He rebuilt two Shovelheads, for my Sturgis Shovel about 10 years ago. What a great bike. I dug around and sent all the little pieces used to mock-up his ignition system, which I used on my 5-Ball Racer. I shipped ‘em back at last with some extra bling.

Here’s an odd one, which I need someone to figure out. A friend, Ray Russel passed recently. He was always working on a system to turn plastic and even old tires into pure, Sulphur-free diesel fuel. That could be amazing, and I was actually a share holder at one time. Let’s see if something can be done.

The master artist with AI software, Wayfarer, designed these desk calendars. I’m trying to order a handful for Xmas gifts.

Brittney Olsen, wife of Matt, above, is working on a report about the AMCA National event held in Deadwood. Hang on…

It snowed slightly this morning. Wacky how the weather changes.

Might go to paint tomorrow. Had to build the fifth tranny mount and weld it to the frame. Interesting project. Since this was originally a VL frame many of the castings were sweat-brazed in place and TIG welding isn’t happy when it runs into brass. Silicon bronze is the key, works like a champ.

Irish Rich highly recommends wiping down components with denatured alcohol prior to welding. I gave it a shot and didn’t burn the shop down. Prep is everything, when it comes to welding.

The MRF was kind enough to award Bikernet and 5-Ball for our contributions to the war against Fossil Fuels. I sent this certificate to my grandson to frame and put in his shop, since he is very involved in the growth of Five-Ball Leathers. I asked the MRF to send him membership pamphlets. Riders in California need to get involved.

Once a week, I hike to the top of the Deadwood’s Mt. Moriah and hang with the bros, watch the sunset and ponder my next whiskey. It’s good for the soul.

I can’t say this loud enough. Amazing stuff happens every day if you don’t ever give up. I tried to do my part to bring a waterfront to the people of Wilmington, CA. The story is unbelievable, and I was invited to the ground breaking ceremony shortly before I left the coast. Construction stalled out, as it did so many times.

Remember Hugh “the Chopper” King, the director of the Biker Build-Offs? I featured him in the news last week. I am the custodian of his magnificent chopper, built by all the great builders of our time. It’s now housed in the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum for the world to see.

Goddammit, it’s time for whiskey and it’s snowing again. Stay alert, stay informed and stay free.

–Bandit

Ducati’s race bike will be joined by a range of off-road models

Ducati has made it official, confirming months of speculation. Ducati will begin motocross racing. They will also introduce a range of off-road motorcycles. The much-admired Italian manufacturer follows Triumph as another major motorcycle manufacturer entering motocross this year. They willl compete against the likes of the Big Four Japanese brands and Pierer Mobility’s three-headed monster.

Vintage Motorcycle Racing – Daytona Beach was and is where it’s at!

 

 1937 was the first year the Daytona 200 Motorcycle Race was run on the packed sand track on Daytona Beach. This race is where it all started…the origin of Bike Week. Racing was the main focus of the event, with the  beach course approximately 4.2 miles of  sand and was located south of Daytona Beach. The race was postponed for 5 years during World War II, but Bike Week still carried on.  

 Over the years, there were amateur and pro races, at times having more than 375 racers kicking up the sand. In 1948, the average speed was 84mph. That same year, an Indian motorcycle was the race champion.   Today, a monument located at 100 N. Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach stands in memory of the beach races of yesteryear. Beach Racers still meet during Bike Week for their “Over the Hill Gang” annual breakfast, and there is also an annual service at the Monument honoring the history of the Daytona 200 Motorcycle Beach Race.

 Along with the evolution of Bike Week, The Daytona 200  has since been moved to blacktop  of the Daytona International Speedway. And decades later, Billy Lane resurrected the board track racing tradition and brings alive Sons of Speed racing at New Smyrna Speedway, which is one half mile asphalt track with a 20degree bank.

 Perfect October weather – great track conditions – and the home town crowd made for

An exciting afternoon of old iron, some newer faces, and an overall great event!   This is the 6^th year since Sons of Speed was launched during Bike Week in 2017, rescheduled due to the hurricane that damaged the track in October, 2016. 

Trey Clark, Master of Ceremonies did well perched high up in the crows nest (he doesn’t like heights!!!) – with Chris Callen/Cycle Source Magazine as Flagman.

The Welcome Crew: Erin Lane and assistant at the front Gate.

Sponsor: Journey Biker Church –

Tom Banks/Banks Brothers Motorcycles – waving ‘em on Trackside. 

How many heads?????

EAT FLORIDA SEAFOOD!!!

Tools of the trade in the pits!

Old Time Trackside!!!

He found the Guiseppe”s Pizza!!!! Mangiare – Mangiare!!!

Thumbs Up!!!!! Track is Clear!!!

Warm up lap!!!! Stock 45 Class.

Hot 45 Warms up!!!

#313 – Randy Haward – Legends Class – 30 Single

#97 – In Deep Thought. 

Getting closer!!!! I got this!!!!

Neck in Neck….sooooo close!!!!

Flagged at the Finish Line!

Made It!!!!!!!!!!!

Nick Hunter Crosses the Line!!!!!!!

Nick Hunter JR

Jay Wright – Stock 45

Luke Atkinson edges out Chuck Kitchen – Stock 45

Trophies of the day!!! –

And they’re off!!!! HOT 45 Class

And the winner was…………..Michael Lange #50!!!!!!!

Stock 45 Class – Winner was Byron Bartley #74!!!!!

Michael Lange #21X raced to take home Hot 61 First!!!!!

Legends Class – 30 Single – #97 – Rich Packer – brought it home!!!!

 …Ya just had to be there….get your seats early and catch the 2024 Bike Week Sons of Speed Race at the New Smyrna Speedway.

 Cya there!

 Links:

 https://billylane.net

 https://officialbikeweek.com

 https://daytona200monument.com

 

by Keith ‘Bandit’ Ball
with illustrations by Wayfarer

Romance Ricky, spent ten years in Iraq. About to go home, he grappled with his mission. Before his time in the service, he enjoyed the fruits of his lovers. A stout, good-looking sort he rode a Panhead chopper and chased women, but like so many young men he didn’t understand the code. Most of the broads he chased didn’t get it either.

He pursued them on the west coast, in Wyoming, Denver, Minneapolis, wherever there was a bar with a girl in tight denims and a bright smile. He caught the clap in Orange County, her boobs like mountains. He got ripped off from an alcoholic in Montana who fucked for fuel. He faced religion with a soft like satin girl from a temperance league, who climaxed at the slightest touch.

After five years on the road and too many fifths of Jack Daniels he began to get it, but too late. He got a call from a past love from Bakersfield, California. They met in a farmer’s barn.

Click here to read this biker fiction from Bandit, only on Bikernet.com

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KOZ MRAZ PRESENTS

A Halloween Travel Adventure!

October 26th @ 4:00pm at the Mary Fisher Theater in Sedona

These twisted tales on two wheels follow the Easy Rider movie route, and the “Midnight Rider”on his graveyard run. Travel to Utah on a hunt for the Skinwalker and El Chupacabra. Visit ghost sculptures in Nevada, then head to Death Valley and be awed by the story of the haunted Amargosa Opera House. Arrive in Joshua Tree with a surprise visit to the haunted room which Graham Parsons (The Byrds) died. End the journey with a visit to a mysterious UFO Energy Dome, the infamous Slab City, and the collapsing Salvation Mountain.

Motorcycle Mysteries: A Halloween Travel Adventure

Motorcycle Mysteries Halloween Travel Adventure! Thursday October 26th 4:00 p.m. @ Mary Fisher Theater. Tickets $15.00.

This Halloween Travel Adventure will be full of ‘chills and thrills’ with a FREE book for all attendees, giveaways from Bikernet, Fast Lane Motorcycle Speed Shop, and more. Plus, Sedona Eagle Rider Motorcycle Rentals is giving away a fun motorcycle sidecar adventure for two!

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Tell ’em Bikernet.com sent ya !

The decision had been taken because of “intolerable abuse,” Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia said. A surprise announcement on Friday mentioned the cause as inconvenience to pedestrians. The violations are so many, doubling the number of enforcement officers overnight would not have solved the issue as per the minister.

It is understood, private e-scooters will still be allowed, with incentives introduced to encourage people to buy their own.

This decision makes Malta the first European country to ban rental scooters, although the French capital Paris took a similar decision after holding a referendum.

Refer: https://blog.bikernet.com/paris-climate-accord-vs-paris-e-scooters/

Government earlier this year stated it will consider designated parking zones for the 5,000 scooters on the island, before banning them outright.

The term e-scooter may be confusing– it is not the typical scooter such as a Vespa. Refer above images of an e-scooter.

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by Bandit with photos by Clint Schlegel

Outlaw Mini-Nationals, Nipple Blossom Festival

Freddie Cuba, a longtime custom bike builder of dubious renown grew up in Hastings, Nebraska, but bought a cabin 28 miles outside of town in Deweese in 1999. So get this, he flat-track raced for several years, but got disillusioned. His brother said something about driving hundreds of miles to race for a costly experience and said, “Fuck it, let’s build a track out by your cabin.”

There you have it, buck the system, build your own track and so, Freddie Cuba produced his own races in Deweese for 20 years and then moved.

Experience the motorcycling underbelly (and nipple) in this photo-feature article, click here.

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Freddie Cuba, a longtime custom bike builder of dubious renown grew up in Hastings, Nebraska, but bought a cabin 28 miles outside of town in Deweese in 1999. So get this, he flat-track raced for several years, but got disillusioned. His brother said something about driving hundreds of miles to race for a costly experience and said, “Fuck it, let’s build a track out by your cabin.”

His brother Junior cleared the land. “At times he had more imagination than I did,” Fred said. Junior built the beautiful track with his construction equipment.

There you have it, buck the system, build your own track and so, Freddie Cuba produced his own races in Deweese for 20 years and then moved.

Fred woke up one morning and said, “Why are we driving back and forth from Hastings to Deweese. Let’s move,” and they did. Since 2021 this has been Bev and Fred’s new home.

Here’s the critical component to Fred’s endeavor and I quote, “Boobs would be pointless without nipples,” Mr. Cuba said. “We started this in 1999 for me and my buddies to play and watch their kids grow. We saw dirty youngsters runnin’ around in diapers years ago and now watch them win races and carry the checkered flag around the track.”

He doesn’t charge a dime for racers or spectators.
They set up on Friday, race all day Saturday, and Sunday some guys flog the track practicing for the following year. “Monday, I lick my wounds,” Fred said.

Fred had a close fried Jerry Homes who was more than a friend. “He was a brother,” Fred added. “He was here from day one, telling me I had a good ideas or once in a while he would shout, ‘What the fuck are you thinking.’” Jerry passed away recently. The brothers rode backwards to dust the dirt with Jerry’s ashes.

Let’s see if I can get this straight. First, they let the go-carts race because they pack the track down for motorcycles. Then Big tire mini-bikes race followed by little tire Mini-bikes. There’s a 150cc class affording all small motorcycles to compete. There are age group competitions, team races and a flathead class or doodle-bugs.

The number 13 on the logo represents Gavin Garth’s racing number as a tribute. “He raced here last year and was looking forward to coming back,” Fred said, “but tragically lost his life in an automobile accident.”

Each year they look for whacky trophies and this year a local oil company threw away several hundred warning signs and they went to the dump, but Fred rescued ‘em. On the back it warns the winner that removal of this sign could cost ‘em a hefty $500 fine…

“The American flag on the t-shirt sleeve represents Kim Niederhouse,” Fred said. “We called him Pete. We went to school together from the 2nd grade. The flag we flew at the event was given to him on July 4th 1998.” As it turned out the Navy awarded it to him at his retirement gift from the USS Arizona. “He gave it to us to fly during the event,” Fred said. Pete passed away last spring.

The wonder woman was a TRUE wonder woman. Kathy Strong Morehead lost her fight with cancer this year. “She was my sweatheart in 2nd and 5th grade,” Fred quipped. “When I was in 7th grade, I fell off the back of a car and cracked by skull. Kathy (I called her Kate) came to see me in the hospital daily for a week. She was more like a sister to me than a friend.” She’ll be missed by everyone.

Wait, there’s something or someone very uplifting who added a race of gentlemen touch to this event, the flag girl Diva Weber. Her father builds rat rods and she knows exactly what to do with her body when it comes to events. More brothers will be back next year because Freddie kept asking Diva to jump higher.

Hang on for the free Twisted Nipple flat track racing event for 2024, which will be the 25th Anniversary. Be there, Be there, Be there.

–Bandit

TVS overtakes Yamaha’s Market capitalisation to become third-largest two-wheeler maker in the world.

The market capitalisation (Mcap) of Chennai-based (India) TVS Motor has surged 37% to $9.2 billion over the past six months, as per Bloomberg’s data. In contrast, Yamaha Motor saw an Mcap erosion of $1.6 billion from its August highs.

Only seventeen months ago, TVS Motor Company was less than half the size of Yamaha Motor Co. Now, it has overtaken the Japanese two-wheeler giant in terms of market valuation. Investors continue to bet on a revival in both domestic and export markets, and TVS seemed the horse of choice, symbolic of its logo.

BTW, Indian two-wheeler manufacturers make up four of the top five companies in the world.

Bajaj Auto tops the list with a Mcap of $19 billion, followed by Eicher Motors with an $11.5 billion Mcap. Hero MotoCorp ranks fifth with a market valuation close to $8 billion.

Additionally, TVS Motors has gained dominant position in EV scooters, and has managed to gain market share in every segment over the last few years. TVS makes the 310cc BMW engines and motorcycles sold in India. TVS also owns the Norton brand.

US-based Harley-Davidson ranked seventh with an Mcap of $4.3 billion, three Chinese manufacturers are featured among the top ten two-wheeler makers in the world.

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