In September of 2023, Kawasaki Motors celebrates its 70th anniversary of making motorcycles, first making its forays into the motorcycle business in 1953. After the end of World War II, Kawasaki produced motorcycle engines under the name of “Kawasaki Machine Works.” Since then, Kawasaki has continued to Let the Good Times Roll and has strived to share “Fun to Ride” motorcycles with our customers around the world. Today, Kawasaki motorcycles are sold in more than 90 countries and regions. To commemorate Kawasaki Motorcycles’ 70-year anniversary, a special exhibition will be held at Kawasaki USA Heritage Hall in Foothill Ranch, California as well as Kawasaki Good Times World in Kobe, Japan starting in September 2023. The display will focus on the history of the motorcycle business in the U.S. market, which marked a major turning point in Kawasaki’s overseas strategy. It will be the first in a series of events to commemorate this special anniversary. Working toward upholding our mission statement of “Working for the happiness and joy of all those whose lives Kawasaki touches,” Kawasaki aims to keep moving forward and growing into the future. (Press Release)

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Tucker Dealer Update – August 14, 2023

Dear Tucker Powersports Dealer,

Today we are announcing that Tucker Powersports will be acquired by Turn 14 Distribution, one of the largest automotive aftermarket distributors in the United States. The purchase includes certain assets of Tucker and all of its private label brands, which include well known brands.

We know that this will have a positive impact on you and all of our customers.

Turn 14 Distribution is a sixteen-year-old national B2B-only distributor based outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They have operations in four states, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, and Nevada, and have over five hundred employees across three distribution centers and two office locations.

The purchase of Tucker Powersports is Turn 14 Distribution’s entry into the powersports market, and with that comes more stability and growth for the market. They will apply many of the principles their company is founded on, including strong relationships with partners and employees, and leveraging its strengths in efficiency, focus, and excellence in serving all types of dealers.

For you, the customer, this means:

• Better access to more inventory.
• Reduced operating costs through better efficiency.
• Increased transparency.
• More tools to help you plan and operate your business.
• More customer service representatives.
• Optimized logistics.

Turn 14 Distribution has a well-earned reputation for listening to its customers and partners. They are known as the distributor who has embraced technology to ensure efficiency while maintaining a human-facing, customer-first mentality that comes from the core value, “our customers are royalty.”

In the short-term, your Tucker.com orders will be fulfilled by both Tucker and Turn 14 Distribution and in time you will be transitioned to the Turn 14 Distribution B2B website and provided with new login information. Please remember that this acquisition is a work in progress involving several moving parts.

Please be patient as our respective teams sort through the details.

To learn more about Turn 14 Distribution, please visit http://turn14.com/about.

For those of you that have been with us on Tucker Powersport’s fifty-six-year journey, we want to thank you all for your continued support and business. While this is a significant change, I am confident that we are leaving you and the industry we love, in good hands.

Sincerely,
Marc McAllister

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Alex’s Bar — Long Beach, California

August 19th 2023

by Bandit with photos from Wrench and Dr. Hamster so far…

We’re Close to Heading Out

First, we discovered we needed a battery shut-off that could be accessed from the outside of the body. How the hell did we miss that? We also needed the same for the ignition. We decided to combine the two with a monster switch from a major auto-racing site.

–Bandit

Click here to see this adventure come to fruition at this year’s Bonneville Speed Trials.

A rally Torpedo meeting took place on Wednesday afternoon, after the HOF Breakfast, while Micah, our pilot was in town.

We attended the Ugly MC dinner for the best food during the rally on Tuesday, and then the brothers came to the Bikernet shop in Boulder Canyon for the meeting after the Sturgis Museum Hall of Fame breakfast Wednesday morning. Micah is a member of the Ugly’s

–Bandit

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE 5-BALL RACING SHOP

https://5-ballgarage.com/

A Salt torpedo progress report reached a high-point on my to-do list, but the 83rd Sturgis rally hit today, yikes. We have less than three weeks to prepare and roll to the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials is Wendover, Utah on the 25th.

Scrutineering has been the major obstacle to our progress. Or should that be reworded? We’ve missed a couple of items or misread the rules, or… Anyway, we are scrambling to fix the fixes.

First, we discovered we needed a battery shut-off that could be accessed from the outside of the body. How the hell did we miss that? We also needed the same for the ignition. We decided to combine the two with a monster switch from a major auto-racing site.

The rules from the FIM, the AMA and another book called for making a window so a finger could shut off our petcock from the outside and another one so someone can reach the fire extinguisher pull cable. We were beginning to get the picture.

Then someone said we needed to be able to launch the parachute from outside the body. Cabana Dan spoke up, “What the hell? Run alongside the torpedo and pull the parachute so it can stop. Bullshit.”

That caused our team to take another hard look in the rule book, or books… That requirement didn’t exist, but we discovered another one. We were supposed to have a tilt switch. If the Salt Torpedo leans over 40 degrees, the parachute is supposed to automatically deploy.

At our recent team meeting we started to assign tasks to various team members. Luke drew the short straw and became the officially, almost certified parachute technician. He looked at us cross-eyed.

Luke and I dug in and started to research the components and how this system would work. With the assistance of Drew Gatewood, he made some calls and I received a link to RiekerInc. They build sailboat leaning meters and a tilt switches with various options, like 15 degrees, 10 degrees, electronic variables, you name it. They said call if you have any questions, but no number was available. That’s another story, which I finally overcame and ordered a tilt switch.

But then, what was going to pull the cable? I spoke to Dennis Manning and his systems are all pneumatic, but in the old days they used solenoids. I recently dealt with a solenoid system for popping open the door on the shaved doors ’58 Chevy. I knew the drill and we ordered one with 1.25-inch throw.

While waiting for the components to arrive, Luke and I deployed the parachute. We needed to practice re-attaching or reloading the chute. The spring system surprised Luke, and then we discovered the damaged chute canvas sack. Tucked inside the chute case for almost two years, moisture and rust got to it. We tried to clean it, but it was shot. I called Shrouds. They immediately sent me a new bag and warned me about careful installation instructions for replacing it.

The connecting straps have two loops and 50 feet of strap. The Shroud rep, her voice cautious told me not to remove, or attempt to remove the old bag until the new one arrived. We did as instructed and all stumbled along as planned.

Of course, weather predictions and water on the salt reports are flying at us, and we won’t know until a week before the event. In addition, there’s the threat of the BLM changing their mantra from Land Management for human use to managing land against human use.

Of course, that’s causing lawsuits and other issues with folks who like to hike, ride bikes and motorcycles in the wilderness controlled by the BLM.

We are so fortunate to have Tim Peterson from Flat Earth Art nearby, actually behind Dakota V-Twin in Spearfish. He volunteered to make a house-call and pinstripe or letter the Torpedo and our recent SUV acquisition– had to give it some class.

Hopefully the tilt meter will arrive by Wednesday and as the rally dwindles, we can get back to work on final tilt wiring issues and preparations for Bonneville.

A rally Torpedo meeting took place on Wednesday afternoon, after the HOF Breakfast, while Micah, our pilot was in town. We attended the Ugly MC dinner for the best food during the rally Tuesday evening, and then the brothers came to the Bikernet shop in Boulder Canyon for the meeting Wednesday around noon. Micah is a member of the Ugly’s and so is Carlo Lujan, from Auburn, California near Micah’s new home. Carlo and Emma own an Indian Dealership and Carlo drag-raced forever. He made a couple of suggestions including additional head venting. I received them in the mail on Saturday as the rally slowed. I’m on it.

Micah’s son Eddie, a very sharp young man, pointed out cracks in our front tires. They’ve traveled less than ten miles, but waited almost 3 years including one year in the snow for a chance on the salt. I ordered a spare, but now I needed another one, and I reached out to Randy Cramer at Dakota V-Twin for installation. I’m on it. The other tire arrived Saturday.

This was the to-do list from the previous chapter on the Salt Torpedo:

Scrutineering
Shifting Adjustment
Battery
Bolt down seat
Trailer

Tools
Check Motel Accommodations
Team
Install speedo
Sprockets, check and bring extras
Jets

I bought a new trailer from Goldies Trailers in Whitewood and had it set up for hauling the Torpedo to Bonneville, including logos. I also ordered a tool chest for the van, which I will start to fill on the last week. I bolted down the seat and checked the motel accommodations.

We ordered and received a speedo for a bicycle. It straps to the frame and works picking up a GPS signal anywhere. I ordered and received another transmission sprocket.

Carlo also suggested that I go around the bike covering electrical connections with silicone or perhaps the special non-conducting dielectric grease. And we discovered an issue with salt blasting the driveline from the rear tire. It should have a fender, but they can often slow the beast down. I’m going to make a cover to protect the battery and maybe more.

While studying the rule books, I stumble across another dilemma. Under Cyclecar in the FIM book it calls for all cyclecars to have handlebars. I immediately reached out to Drew who said, “No streamliner has ever had handlebars. Let me check.”

We were okay…

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Lucky Devil Metal Works

Burnouts, bikes, builders, bands, brews, and buds. The SmokeOut Rally in Salisbury, NC has it all and more. For over two decades, the SmokeOut Rally has been bringing together likeminded riders in a celebration of custom motorcycle culture. Last year Dennis Kirk signed on as the Title Sponsor for the Rally and we enjoyed it so much that are back on for the ’23 Rally.

The ’23 SmokeOut Rally takes place from September 7th to September 10th for four days of events and shows. Each day of the rally features different events and shows to keep the party going. Custom bike shows include a feature bike gallery, Perewitz Custom Paint Show, Dream Rides FXR Show, Ride In Custom bike show, and Led Sled Sportster Showdown. Racing action includes Mini Bike races with and without costumes and Old Time Dirt Drags. Great music acts are featured every night of the rally. Other events include the popular Hammer’s Strongest Biker, Shadetree Biker Games, Wet T-Shirt contest, drive-in movies & bonfire, and bike blessings.

CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR THE SMOKEOUT RALLY

The SmokeOut Rally has also set out to give back to the community. Last year, Paughco donated unfinished gas tanks that were then sent out to custom painters. Those tanks were then auctioned off at the rally and all the proceeds went to Meals on Wheels benefitting seniors in the Salidbury, NC and Spearfish, SD areas. The auction was a success and will once again be happening at this year’s rally. Be sure to check out these true pieces of motorcycle art and bid for a chance to take one home.

There are plenty of accommodations available for all styles of rally goers. For the pure rally experience, camping is available on site at the fairgrounds. Both tent and RV/camper sites are available. There are also plenty of hotels and other campgrounds around the area as well.

To see what the SmokeOut Rally is all about, check out the recap video from last year’s rally. You won’t want to miss this year’s event, so be sure to head over to their page to get your tickets and camp sites reserved.

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Tell ’em Bikernet.com Sent Ya !!!

100 word fiction contest continues…. #100WFC

Running Late
by Rhys

Got a late start for a 2 plus hour ride to the rally. We hit it pushing the old FL and my ridding partner on a borrowed FX since his old Sportster was down. We were flying down the interstate and coming up on the off ramp. I leaned into the curve and stopped at the stop sign. Looked around no one behind. Pulled over for a few minutes before deciding to backtrack down the grade on the grass and discovered the FX on its side and several feet away my partner and his passenger brushing themselves off. Neither was hurt thanks to the grassy space between ramps but the bike was a little worse for wear. Must’ve hit the shifter thinking it was the brake, old Sporty’s on opposite side. Compression rubber made him lose it.

Since we were only an hour out I raced home and traded my FL for the El Camino and flew back to pick up the broken bike and riders.

Guess I know what we’ll be doing tomorrow.

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Yup, its a weekly contest open to all. Just sign up for the free weekly newsletter by clicking here.

Then email us your 100 word limit fiction to the editor wayfarer@bikernet.com

Hey,

I’ve spoken to any number of riders, industry members, locals, you name it about their take on the rally this year. All answers are different, but I believe this one was happening, jammed, exciting and alive.

I started out asking brothers if they attended the 120th anniversary of Harley-Davidson to see if the celebration was going to impact Sturgis, but I don’t think it did. My other major take-away from this rally was the custom and performance side. I studied packs of bikes, bikes in parking lots, rows of bikes waiting to roll into Deadwood and I didn’t see a lot of bone stock scooters. Even baggers were modified with performance upgrades, sound systems, travel accessories or custom components.

Choppers, bobbers, antiques, FXRs, baggers and custom bikes filled shows. And aftermarket vendors were here in Sturgis, at the Chip and packed around Black Hills Harley. The custom world was here to see, touch and feel. It was happening even in the rain.

The next question includes demographics. There are way more women riders with new, improved, more reliable, more creature comfort laden motorcycles. But what about age groups. My grandson rode out for the second or third time. His buddies are in their late 20s, but the demographic study research continues.

Ever since I turned 50, 25 years ago, journalists wrote about the aging biker population, as if the whole outlaw biker would dry up and disappear. But then my son started riding, and then my grandson and at least one of my granddaughters. The study continues.

Let’s hit the news

–Bandit

CLICK HERE To Read this week’s news only on Bikernet.com

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Hey,

I’ve spoken to any number of riders, industry members, locals, you name it about their take on the rally this year. All answers are different, but I believe this one was happening, jammed, exciting and alive.

I started out asking brothers if they attended the 120th anniversary of Harley-Davidson to see if the celebration was going to impact Sturgis, but I don’t think it did. My other major take-away from this rally was the custom and performance side. I studied packs of bikes, bikes in parking lots, rows of bikes waiting to roll into Deadwood and I didn’t see a lot of bone stock scooters. Even baggers were modified with performance upgrades, sound systems, travel accessories or custom components.

Choppers, bobbers, antiques, FXRs, baggers and custom bikes filled shows. And aftermarket vendors were here in Sturgis, at the Chip and packed around Black Hills Harley. The custom world was here to see, touch and feel. It was happening even in the rain.

The next question includes demographics. There are way more women riders with new, improved, more reliable, more creature comfort laden motorcycles. But what about age groups. My grandson rode out for the second or third time. His buddies are in their late 20s, but the demographic study research continues.

Ever since I turned 50, 25 years ago, journalists wrote about the aging biker population, as if the whole outlaw biker would dry up and disappear. But then my son started riding, and then my grandson and at least one of my granddaughters. The study continues.

Let’s hit the news:

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

HOT NEWS FROM AMERICAN PRIME–APM’s Repro Springer is a work of Art!
This baby is so close to the original it’s scary! Black w/Chrome Springs.

American Prime Mfg., Inc.
8205 Secura Way
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

ANOTHER NEW PRINT MAGAZINE HITS THE CHOPPER WORLD—

Ron Harris of Chop Docs recently launched Traditional Chopper Magazine, Nothing but Excellent Choppers!

It’s gritty, rough and fulla heart and Chopper soul. Check it out!

–Bandit

THE LATEST FROM LOWBROW—

Add some high-and-tight style to a stock or rigid Sportster.

Shotgun Exhaust Pipes from Lowbrow Customs make quick work of improving your motorcycle’s look and sound.

Our Shotgun Exhaust Pipes for 1990-2003 Sportsters are Made in the USA.
We are working on the 2004 & later versions (also made in Ohio) which will be available later this year.

TAKE ME TO ‘EM

PS – Check out heat shields and exhaust wrap, both are popular options paired with Shotgun Pipes!

PPS – Check out the Shotgun Pipe How-To Install Video to see how it’s done on 1990-2003 as well as 2004 & later models.The install is easy & can be done in a home garage with basic hand tools!

BABES RIDE OUT REPORT–On the Coast of California

Endless sweeping roads, great food, entertainment at night, and a community of riders celebrating 10 years of Babes Ride Out

Endless Coast Line

We pride this event on the epic riding you will experience where you can quite literally ride up to the Pacific Ocean.

BOULDER CANYON RANCH FOR SALE—

More and more riders are looking for a home in the Black hills close to the rally and what is rapidly becoming a motorcycle Nirvana. This historic Lawrence County property is situated on 8.55 acres of land, with the forest service as its backyard.

One of the unique features of this property is that it has no covenants, providing you with the freedom to customize and use the land as you please.

20777 76 Ranch Road, Sturgis 57785, Less than two miles from Deadwood, SD.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/20777-76-Ranch-Rd_Sturgis_SD_57785_M78620-88154

QUOTE OF THE WEEK–

“It’s not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters.” – Epictetus

from Epoch Times

OMG, I was at the DMV and it cost me almost $500 but I heard a huge crash and this car drove into the building in the office next-door. Look at the irony of the place it crashed into.

www.JeffreyPatrickFrye.com

WIN A LAW TIGERS TRIP–WIN A VIP BIKER CRUISE FOR TWO!

Hey,

The ultimate motorcycle adventure awaits on the High Seas Rally!

Prize Package Includes:
– All-expenses-paid Cruise for TWO
– Roundtrip airfare to Tampa, FL
– Deluxe drink package for two

DATES: OCTOBER 28 – NOVEMBER 4, 2023

PORTS OF CALL:
Tampa Bay, FL
Key West, FL
Cozumel, MEXICO
Costa Maya, MEXICO

ENTER TO WIN!

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEAR’S HIGH SEAS RALLY!

CO2 COALITION NEW UPDATE—

Virginia: Life Is Good and Getting Better Regional and State Report Series

The CO2 Coalition is embarking on a bold review of how climate change and increasing carbon dioxide are impacting states and regions across the United States. We have completed reports on Pennsylvania, Virginia, as well as the Midwest and are in the process of researching data for Arkansas and Montana. We will likely expand this to regions across the globe.

Temperature Source: U.S. Historical Climate Network
Atmospheric concentration of CO2 – European Environment Agency

The Virginia data is representative of what we are finding in each area:

• There is no unusual or unprecedented warming.
• Heat waves have been declining.
• Severe weather is not increasing.
• Crop and forest growth is increasing.
• Droughts are in decline.
• There is no increase in hurricanes.
• Remarkable trend in crop yield

Corn Yield Source: USDA Data and Statistics
Atmospheric concentration of CO2 – European Environment Agency

OUTLAW JUSTICE RETURNS—

My second book is coming alive again. I sold out shortly after Outlaw Justice was published about 1997, 10,000 books. As you know, the publishing industry changed and I ran the book on Bikernet, in Bandit’s Cantina but never printed anymore until now. This has been a long trek, but I felt it was necessary. This is an important book for any rider who is considering joining an outlaw club. It’s packed with lessons.

Brief description:
The Night Hawks MC were well-established in the Los Angeles outlaw biker scene, but the rugged one-percenters all dreamed of becoming members of the legendary national club known as The Devils Own. But how far would the club go to become heavy hitters? Danny Lonsdale and his bros discovered too late that flying a Devil’s patch meant selling your soul into a depraved world of drug-dealing, murder and betrayal. Framed for a murder he didn’t commit and double-crossed at every turn, Danny’s only hope for survival lied in the power of his fists, a hot rod Harley and a smoking gun.

Every page of OUTLAW JUSTICE brings you face-to-face with the raw and gritty double-barreled world of the outlaw biker, where treachery and deceit are the only markers on the road to hell.

BILL BISH PASSES—

And he just received a Silver Spoke Award. What a great guy, family man, biker, freedom fighter and publisher. He will be missed by thousands of riders and freedom fighters worldwide.

BIKERNET GUN NUT REPORT–IN-DEPTH:

States Stop Credit Card Companies From Tracking Gun Purchases, It May Not Last

Credit card companies were preparing to track the purchase of firearms and ammunition of every American citizen. While a flurry of bills lobbed by state legislators caused all of them to reconsider those plans, it may only be a temporary victory.

Almost one year ago, an effort was launched to create a new Merchant Category Code (MCC) to track the purchases of firearms and ammunition. However, inspired by the uproar of Second Amendment constituents, Republicans in the United States Senate, as well as lawmakers in several states, have launched legislative efforts that have successfully shut them down—for now.

On March 21, United States Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced SB 898. This bill prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from auditing a taxpayer based on the MCCs.

So far, seven states have joined the resistance.

On March 29, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice approved House Bill 2004. In summary, the measure will “prevent the use of payment card processing systems for surveillance of Second Amendment activity and discriminatory conduct.” The bill would also preclude financial institutions that violate this law from qualification in bidding on state contracts.

On April 6, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 295 into law, also prohibiting financial institutions from using MCCs to identify or track firearms purchases.

On April 16, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves approved HB1110. In addition to prohibiting the use of MCCs to identify or track firearms purchases in Mississippi, the measure prohibits state governmental agencies as well as public or private individuals from keeping any record or list of privately owned firearms or their owners. The legislation also warns that data collected from this MCC would almost inevitably end up in some federal government databases.

On April 29, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed HB1487 (pdf).
On May 12, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approved CS/SB 214.
On May 19, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed SB359 into law.

On June 10, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed HB2837, which will become effective on Sept. 1. The measure will prohibit financial institutions operating in Texas from requiring or assigning a firearms code, defined as “any merchant category code approved by the International Organization for Standardization for a firearms retailer, including Merchant Category Code 5723.”

On July 13, California’s legislators introduced a gutted and amended version of Assembly Bill 1587, originally introduced on Feb. 17 as a measure about the state’s Health and Safety Code regarding multifamily housing, which now requires credit card issuers to use the MCC unique to retailers of firearms and ammunition.

‘They’re Not Finished’

West Virginia Delegate Chris Phillips (R) called the legislative effort in his state “a caucus priority.”

–Epoch times

HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES SEMA-Supported Bills to Protect Vehicle Technology Choice

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has passed H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, and H.R. 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act. These SEMA-supported bills seek to preserve vehicle choice for consumers and prevent the federal government and the State of California from choosing only one form of technology (such as electric vehicles) (EVs) over the many others to achieve their emission reduction goals.

SEMA has strongly supported H.R. 1435, the “Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act,” a bill prohibiting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing a waiver to California for regulations that would ban the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) in the state by 2035.

SADDLEMEN BUILDING IN THE BLACK HILLS—Saddlemen seats are creeping into the Black Hills in a magnificent way. Dave, the boss built headquarters and refurbished a beautiful home between Rapid City and Sturge overlooking the Piedmont Valley.

We attended their industry party for fantastic food, industry insights and magnificent views. I can’t wait to see what happens at the Saddlemen headquarters next.

Many buyers of Lamborghini in Indian Diaspora: CEO Stephan Winkelmann

“There are more (Indian) owners than we sell cars in India. What is a bit of a challenge today for the Indian market, for sure, is the high taxation we have for our type of products, and then, the infrastructure,” Stephan Winkelmann told ET.

full story at:
https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/passenger-vehicle/many-buyers-of-lamborghini-in-indian-diaspora-ceo-stephan-winkelmann/102438667

Wayfarer
Editor: Bikernet Blog & Facebook Page

BOB T. AND TANYA O’CALLAGHAN MAKING A VETERAN BIKER’S MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO—

I rode with Bob T. in 1971, he’s been a friend ever since. He lives in 12 Palms California in the desert and over the last couple of years faced major life-changing upheaval.

His life smoothed out with a new love and a new vibrant young neighbor Tanya who is well connected and working with Bob to improve his diet, his meditation skills and his overall outlook on life. She is also working with doctors and experts and five other Vietnam veteran bikers to improve their lives and produce a documentary on the process.

Hang on for more reports.

–Bandit

[page break]

THE EV FILES ARE OPEN—

Unsold Electric Cars May Be Signaling A Death Spiral For The Auto Industry.

Published August 1, 2023, at Heartland Institute

https://heartland.org/opinion/unsold-electric-cars-may-be-signaling-a-death-spiral-for-the-auto-industry/

Ronald Stein is an engineer, senior policy advisor on energy literacy for the Heartland Institute and CFACT, and co-author of the Pulitzer Prize nominated book “Clean Energy Exploitations.”

With new EV inventories beginning to increase on dealer lots, the auto industry has many challenges such as locating the buyers that may have serious concerns about a wide range of issues related to EVs including:

• Driving range
• Vehicle reliability
• Price
• The availability of electricity for the buildout of the charging infrastructure,
• charging time
• The cost and lifespan of batteries and their environmental impact
• The actual impact EVs will have on reducing carbon emissions

The growing statistics about uncontrollable fires of lithium batteries in EV’s, problems with battery recycling and end-of-life management

Concerns that the EV free ride of usage of highways and not paying fuel taxes is about to end with the Vehicle Mileage Tax (VMT), i.e., more costs for the EV owners of the future

Concerns that home chargers are destined to follow the UK and be on separate meters so that EV charging will be at higher rates to help stabilize the electrical grid, again more costs for the EV owners of the future.

Another problem for the automobile industry is convincing the buyers that its ethical, moral, and socially responsible to buy an EV, especially since most of the exotic mineral and metal supplies to build the batteries are being mined in developing countries with limited environmental regulation nor labor regulations.

Interestingly, the 2021 Pulitzer Prize nominated book “Clean Energy Exploitations – Helping Citizens Understand the Environmental and Humanity Abuses That Support Clean Energy does an excellent job of discussing the lack of transparency to the world of the green movement’s impact upon humanity exploitations in the developing countries that are mining for the exotic minerals and metals required to create the batteries needed to store “green electricity”.

Complimentary to the book is a 2-minute clip from Michael Moore’s 2020 documentary film, Planet of the Humans, that’s been viewed by more than 14 million, that illustrates how so-called green electricity is made.

As the future is fast approaching, virtually all the automobile manufacturers, through government mandates to reduce the emissions of their fleet of vehicles, are going all-in to only manufacture EV’s in the coming years. To meet low emissions for their fleet of vehicles, we’re most likely going to see fewer and fewer hybrids as the auto industry manufacturers need to eliminate the gasoline engines in hybrids to meet those lower emission targets.

The problem is that manufacturers are loading up the “supply chain” with EV’s on dealer lots, but they’re not seeing the “demand” for EV’s coming from the public. The current EV ownership profiles of the elite owners are that they are:

• Highly educated.
• Highly compensated.
• Multi-car families.
• Low mileage requirements for the families’ second car, i.e., the EV.

Current EV owners are dramatically different from most of the vehicle owners. Unlike the profile of current EV owners, many are single-car owners, and most of the potential car buyers are not as highly educated, nor as highly compensated as the elite EV owners. Mandating a change to EV ownership and forced austerity may face a rebellion from those that need affordable vehicle transportation.

Historically, internal combustion engine (ICE) car sales in America are upwards of 55 million annually with about 15 million or 27 percent being new and 40 million or 73 percent being used car sales.

New vehicle sales: In 2022, the auto industry in the United States sold approximately 13.75 million light vehicle units. This figure includes retail sales of about 2.9 million passenger cars and just under 10.9 million light trucks.

Used sales: Sales of used light vehicles in the United States came to around 38.6 million units in 2022.

With a total of 50 to 55 million ICE vehicles being sold annually for new and used, it’s obvious that the auto industry and the economy has been benefiting and prospering in the used ICE car market.

To date, the EV industry has virtually no used car market! In addition to the constant EV charging challenges, who wants a used EV that may soon need an expensive battery replacement?

With about 73 percent of all car sales being that of used combustion engine cars, the lack of a resale market for EV’s may be a major problem for the auto industry.

Since most states lack the year-round temperate climate that Californians enjoy, the distribution of EV ownership throughout the nation should be a concern to the auto industry. With 40 percent of the EV’s in America being in California, that leaves the other 60 percent being among the other 49 States, or approximately 1+ percent per State.

To support the State’s EV growth, California imports more electricity than any other US state, more than twice the amount of Virginia, the second largest importer of electricity. California typically receives between one-fifth and one-third of its electricity supply from outside of the state.

The other 49 states have virtually non-existent EV charging infrastructures, and a few of them may be exporting their electricity to California!

With the supply of electricity not keeping abreast of the growing demand, the UK is ahead of most of the world, protecting its grid with Smart Chargers, and setting up Separate Meters for the EV charging users to pay for a new grid!

As of May 30, 2022, in the UK, new home and workplace chargers being installed must be “smart” chargers” connected to the internet and able to employ pre-sets limiting their ability to function from 8 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 10 pm.

In addition to the nine hours a day of downtime, authorities will be able to impose a “randomized delay” of 30 minutes on individual chargers in certain areas to prevent grid spikes at other times.

The UK Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 came into force on June 30, 2022. All home installed electric vehicle chargers are required to be separately metered and send information to the Smart meter data communications network. Potentially this legislation allows the electricity used for charging EVs to be charged and taxed at a higher rate than domestic electricity. The technology enacted also enables the rationing of electricity for EV charging because the government can decide when and if an EV can be charged, plus it also allows the EV battery to be drained into the grid if required.

As new EV inventories on dealer lots continue to rise, there are bumpy roads ahead for EV penetration into the lifestyles of the common folks.

Ronald Stein, P.E.
Ambassador for Energy & Infrastructure
Energy Literacy website

ANOTHER QUOTE OF THE WEEK–

 “You must train your intuition—you must trust the small voice inside you which tells you exactly what to say, what to decide.” — Ingrid Bergman

from Epoch times

Salt Torpedo Chapter 27

I should write about Salt torpedo progress, but the 83rd Sturgis rally hit today, yikes. We have less than three weeks to prepare and roll to the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials is Wendover, Utah on the 25th.

Scrutineering has been the obstacle to our progress. Or should that be reworded. We’ve missed a couple of items or misread the rules, or… Anyway, we are scrambling to fix the fixes.

Watch for the report, episode 27 next week. And if you have any desire to sponsor a hard-fought Bonneville effort, reach out to Bandit@Bikernet.com quick.

–Bandit

FEATURE BIKE OF THE WEEK–

Angry Monkey Motorcycles: ‘Old Man’, Custom 1958 Triumph T110

www.angrymonkeymotorcycles.com

–Sam Burns
Bike Feature Editor
Bikernet.com™

HANG ON—The rally isn’t over. The final Hamster Ride takes place this afternoon. I’m supposed to meet with SugarBear out past the Full throttle this afternoon on his Chopper Flats property for a dire meeting in the hills.

Michael Lichter is still on the case shooting everything from the Ugly MC party in Sturgis to the Buffalo Chip, I believe for Dennis Kirk web site. He’s still in a lawsuit with the Easyriders Magazine effort that I believe failed again.

The Ugly party had the best food of all the events so far, magnificent. Today, SugarBear’s wife Fuji make some magnificent pizzas.

We hit the Hall of Fame breakfast and it was impressive. Flash the MC did a helluva job and you would be impressed by each and every inductee’s accomplishments in the motorcycle world. Amazing group of guys and girls.

[photo 1212780]

Dr. Hamsters flew out, so while he rode my ’14 Indian, I checked the oil in my ’69 Panhead and rode it and my ’46 Knucklehead to various events.

My grandson made it out and we attended the Buffalo Chip’s Industry Party in the building designed for Michael Lichter’s Motorcycles as Art Exhibit. After 22 years Mike stepped aside and the Chip staff took over, but they kept the exhibit in Michael’s stellar style.

I was very fortunate to have Tim Peterson of Flat Earth Art pinstripe the Salt Torpedo and our new SUV. Progress.

Watching for a sidecar setup for George Christie in Ventura. Let me know if you have anything.

I gotta ride, so it’s short this week, but freedom is in the air. See you next week.

–Bandit

Hold Tight Nashville

Join us tomorrow night in Nashville to celebrate the release of DicE Issue 100 & Easy Eye Sounds “Tell Everybody!”

See you there…