Graham Sykes had a passion for speed for most of his life. He has been associated with motorsports since 1979 and turns 60 years old in 2023. Even his wife is involved in the engineering efforts of this engineer. Sykes has created a steam-powered monster named ‘Force of Nature’ which clocked a 3.878-second, 163.8 mph standing start run on a 1/8 mile. This was at Elvington Speed Week in May 2023. This is officially a new world record for a steam-powered motorcycle. It reached an exit speed of 163.8 miles per hour. For racing this unique creation, water is heated using hydrogenated vegetable oil, keeping the pursuit of speed as environmentally friendly as possible. The granddad rider was zooming at 180mph while doing this, but that wasn’t part of this record-breaking achievement. It may not be surprising that he was riding his own ‘force’. Certified by the UK and ITA governing body for UK and European Land Speed Records this machine was a journey that was 10 years in the making. Sykes had already set a British national speed record in 2015 for a three-wheeled vehicle. That V8-powered three-wheeler had a top speed of 180.3 mph with an average speed of 171.4 mph on quarter mile. With 9 grand-kids, Sykes wanted to aim for a ‘Force of Nature’ that was environmentally friendly. He has no intention to stop the pursuit of speed and action. His next goal is to surpass the milestone of 200 mph on a standing 1/8-mile run.

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Gear up to ride to your favorite Motorcycling Events – Click Here to view the all-new 5-Ball Racing Shop

by Bandit and Canvas Rebel Magazine

Learn about Her Journey through Recovery

Hey, Erika Ball is my daughter in law and I’m proud of her on several levels. Plus, I know that pride will continue into the future with her efforts with my son, Frank to help addicts recover and find strength and their futures.

Check out this article from Canvas Rebel Magazine in Austin Texas.

Click here to read this inspiring interview.

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I’ve seen the term “suicide shifter” used in describing a plain old ordinary tank shift. I’ve also heard people referring to a stock rocker clutch as a suicide clutch. Simple ignorance allows that term to be used incorrectly. There is no such thing as a “suicide shifter.” Nobody has ever died because of using “hand shift.” There is however such a thing as a “Suicide Clutch.”

The term suicide clutch came into being when choppers were born. I’ll tell ya why. Back in the good old days, a long time before foot shift was standard equipment, tank shift with foot operated -clutch was original equipment on Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Let’s use the Harley-Davidson motorcycle of the 1950s as an example. The foot clutch was of the rocker type, meaning it could be “rocked” to the disengaged position, and it would stay in that position until the rider nudged it with his or her foot in the opposite direction.

Harley-Davidson motorcycles were “heel down” disengaged, Indian motocycles (no R is the way Indian Motocycle Company spelled it) operated with toe down disengaged motion. The rider could and would control the RATE of engagement with his or her foot.

In other words, the clutch was not totally spring loaded like the clutch in a car. Clutch pedal engagement is/was determined by foot position. If the rider slid his foot off the clutch pedal while it was in the disengaged position it would stay disengaged.

The stock/standard rocker clutch did have a spring that would pull the pedal towards the engaged position only after the clutch was “rocked” out of the disengaged position. Safety first for this style clutch. Early Chopper builders modified the rocker clutch so it would not, and could not stay “rocked out” in the disengaged position. This allowed for much faster clutch action. It also meant that the rider had to maintain constant foot pressure on the clutch to keep it disengaged unless he was in neutral.

NO big deal! BUT!….. Many early chopper builders/riders/outlaw bikers also decided to remove the front brake. This was done not only for cosmetic reasons, but also because removing the front brake also lightened the motorcycle quite a bit.

If you look at most old chopper photos from the 1950s and 1960s, even through the 1970s, many times you’ll see custom bikes or choppers with a clean, lean looking front-fork that has no front brake. This is when the suicide name caught on. That shift lever looks like it is connected to a ratchet-top doesn’t it? It is not. It is being used as a clutch pedal, a slippery one.

A motorcycle rider while riding steep hills such as found in the city of San Francisco was subject to traffic lights like all the other traffic. If that rider was riding a chopper equipped with no front brake, hand shift (jockey shift or tank-shift) and a clutch that was modified to act as a spring loaded clutch, that rider could not easily stop and start at traffic lights located at streets located at the top of a hill.

If the rider stopped at light on a steep hill using the right foot on the brake, the transmission would need to be neutral (remember the clutch could NOT be rocked into a disengaged position and stay there). The right foot would be holding the brake engaged the left foot would be on the ground with the left leg holding the bike upright.

It took speed and coordination to quickly put the right foot down to hold the bike up, then the left foot to push the clutch pedal down, the left hand would slam the tranny into first gear, and the rider could then let the clutch out and go. This sequence of events was virtually impossible to do on a steep hill, so riders took to running the yellow or early red traffic lights rather than attempting a stop on the hill. More than a few were killed running the light. And that, my friends is how the suicide clutch got his name. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!

Enough riders were killed for other riders (and the cops) to consider it suicide to ride a motorcycle equipped as described. But then again, all the macho guys went straight to the suicide set-up, for macho reasons alone. Back in the good old days real bikers shunned the wearing of leather. Back then, only sissies wore leather. Also, if a jockey-top is mounted rather than a ratchet-top (four speed transmission only) when hand shifting, blazingly fast power shifts can be made, and wheelies will happen. It’s more fun than a high speed chase!

I rode a rigid frame Panhead for years with a foot-operated clutch, jockey shift (jockey top transmission), and no front brake. I purchased the motorcycle so equipped and once I got familiar with it, I saw no reason to change. I also always wore a heavy leather jacket; I like my skin too much, I guess.

When myself and friends rode up to San Francisco to cruise the Haight Ashbury and North Beach districts, the guys that had motorcycles equipped with front brakes rode behind the guys without front brakes, and held them in place on the steep hills at traffic lights by putting their front wheel against mine and others’ rear wheels.

–Buck Lovell
Chief of the Lost Dog Riders MC
Lovell Photography & Design
B.L.A.B.B. (Buck Lovell’s American Biker Blog)
bucklovell@gmail.com / bucklovellsblog@gmail.com
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 490 2991

by Buck Lovell

Suicide Clutch….the Real Story

And he is sticking with it

I’ve seen the term “suicide shifter” used in describing a plain old ordinary tank shift. I’ve also heard people referring to a stock rocker clutch as a suicide clutch. Simple ignorance allows that term to be used incorrectly. There is no such thing as a “suicide shifter.” Nobody has ever died because of using “hand shift.” There is however such a thing as a “Suicide Clutch.”

Want to know exactly what’s what? Click here to read the full article.

* * * * * * * *

Click & know more about Bikernet’s Free Weekly Newsletter.

Hey,

This is an interesting one as you will see. The motorcycle rights world is waking up and getting together to fight for our rights to ride against the Alarmists untruths.

Life is a game of words. From the time when we were kids and bullies called other kids names from fat to whatever. We remember as young bikers being called biker trash and worse. Now, it has to do with environment. Either you’re a die-hard environmentalist or you’re destroying the planet, a denier. Bullshit.

Unfortunately, the Doomsday proponents are wrong on every account and that forces them to be even more ardent and terrified. The rest of the public sat around drinking beer, while suspecting the radicals were wrong but not knowing for sure. Well, now it’s time to get educated and involved. 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..

INTERVIEW WITH KEN DEGRAAF BY CLINTEL—

What would climate policy ideally look like in your view?

It would be decoupled from CO2. Climate is an existential threat—it threatens our very existence. We live our lives protecting ourselves from the elements. It takes energy to do anything, especially to stay alive.

–Clintel

Ken is a representative in the Colorado General Assembly. “In the 2023 General Assembly, I presented a bill to revoke CO2 as a pollutant.”

I wrote to Ken regarding our resolution. — Bandit

Hey Ken,

I just read your interview with Clintel, amazing. What happened to your revoke CO2 as a pollutant bill?

I’ve been trying to put a resolution before congress to force the truth. I’m just an old biker who escaped California to Sturgis, SD three years ago. I’ve always been a freedom fighter for motorcyclists.

Here’s my resolution. I felt if Climate doom could be smashed, perhaps freedom and truth would shine again.

Here’s his response:

Thanks Keith! I’ve spent some time up in Sturgis. My wife did an internship there and my FIL helped with starting a new church.

The bill was expectedly, unfortunately quashed in the ideological filter they call “committee,” but I was able to put the verbiage into some proposed amendments for other bills that at least made the Dems squirm a bit.

I agree with your resolution, but I was generous in my assessment of science literacy in the political arena. The main issue is that they don’t want to know the truth because the truth doesn’t give them the moral authority to confront an existential threat. An “existential threat” is one that threatens your very existence, so their “solutions” can encompass the totality of your existence.

I stand by my assertion that “there is no problem the government cannot make worse with a “solution.”” Because if the “problem” they’re solving isn’t real, the “solution”’for it will be a real problem.

One issue with your resolution, although I agree with the sentiment, is that laws based on untruths are inherently unjust, but not meaningless. Laws based on untruths are the foundation of tyrannies and invariably create great misery whether they’re meant to or not.

Per our Declaration of Independence, “governments are instituted among men (to secure these Rights) deriving their just power from the consent of the governed.” It’s a very tightly prescribed box within which government can govern without lapsing into tyranny.

Getting people to get on board is the crucial part of your resolution. Maybe you need a booth at the bike rally for “Bikers against climate B$.” You know the greeniacs & carbonistas hate Hogs (I’ve not driven one, but in a prior life I flew them). We need the populous to understand that they are coming after every aspect of our lives to be put under their control, and the virtue-preening Care’ns (“I care more than you do”) will justify their tyranny by baseless compassion.

–Ken

BRAND NEW BIKERNET READER COMMENT—

Redhead Action in Deadwood

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

You always continue to amaze me, when I read one of your stories. You hit the nail on the head in the storylines. I guess it always help when you live the true biker lifestyle. Great read. I hope I can write like you guys and gals eventually. Take care brother.

–Gearhead
Los Angeles

Thanks brother. –Bandit

EPA Proposal a De Facto Ban on Gasoline–Powered Cars and Trucks

WASHINGTON, July 5, 2023 — The American Petroleum Institute (API) today urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reverse course on its proposal for new tailpipe emissions standards for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles, which amount to a de facto ban on vehicles using gasoline and other liquid fuels that would drastically reduce American families’ freedom to choose a car or truck that best fits their needs and budget.

“We share the goal of reducing emissions across the transportation sector while ensuring continued reliability and affordability options for millions of Americans,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said. “We support technology-neutral federal policies that drive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions in the transportation sector, but this proposal seriously misses the mark. While not an explicit ban on internal combustion engines, this proposal is a de facto ban that will eliminate competition, distort the market, and restrict consumer choice, while being potentially more costly to taxpayers. API will keep all options on the table to protect American families and businesses if the agency moves forward with this ban.”

In comments submitted to the EPA, API outlined major concerns with several aspects of the proposed rule, including its heavy reliance on electric vehicles to achieve compliance.

While battery technology has improved in recent years, the proposed rule ignores the significant infrastructure, consumer acceptance, and supply chain challenges that remain. In addition, EPA’s narrow focus on a singular technology risks undermining U.S. energy security by forcing a greater reliance on foreign sources for raw materials and critical minerals.

API highlighted better ways to accomplish the agency’s goal of reducing emissions while preserving consumer choice in accessing affordable and reliable transportation options.

“EPA has largely ignored fuel and vehicle-based options that could better accomplish the agency’s objectives to expeditiously achieve greater transportation sector-related emission reductions from the entire vehicle fleet (both new and in-use) at lower cost,” Sommers said. “Meaningful carbon emission reductions are achievable sooner, and potentially at lower cost, via the use of proven and available technology in liquid fuels.”

–American Petroleum Institute

HERO-HARLEY LAUNCH–
Incredible Pricing. HeroMotoCorp announces launch of the first bike X440 under the Hero-Harley tie-up.

India and Hero MotoCorp celebrated 4th of July with the launch of Harley-Davidson X440. Freedom on the road becomes reachable to the masses with an incredible ex-showroom price.

This incredibly competitive price was a big surprise for many. The H-D X440 co-developed & co-designed by Hero MotoCorp through technical support by Harley-Davidson is priced at INR 229,000 ex-showroom (approximately USD 2,790 only, before taxes, insurance, etc)

The top variant is priced at INR 269,000 (approx. USD 3,280). Yup, those are the numbers.

The bike will be sold across 25 Harley-India showrooms and 300 select Hero showrooms in India.

This is gonna tempt many people because of the brand name and pricing. There are Royal Enfields everywhere you look and one might want this ride to look distinct on the road and make a statement.

Visit Harley-DavidsonX440.com the official website of the motorcycle, where you can see all the bike details.

‘Book Now’ page will allow you to get into the detailed booking process. Here, you must select your state and city, followed by the variant and colour you would like to buy. Choose the nearest dealer and pay INR 5000 to book the bike. This amount is fully refundable in case there’s any cancellation. Once this process is finished, you will get a booking number. The deliveries are going to commence in October.

Triumph’s joint development with Bajaj would have to price competitively with this if it wants to challenge Harley-Davidson which remains the top overseas manufacturer in two-wheeler segment in terms of number of units sold annually. This is the first time a Harley-Davidson branded two-wheeler has been manufactured in India.

Meanwhile, I don’t believe it would affect the sales of the various, globally released models of Harley-Davidson which are also sold in India through Hero MotoCorp partnership. A person who desires a Fat Boy or Nightster, won’t suddenly settle for an X440. Big V-Twin remains a separate identity on and off the road.

PINSTRIPER OF THE WEEK–Chiko’s Pinstriping.

–Sam Burns
Senior Art Curator
Bikernet.com™

QUOTE OF THE WEEK–
“Remember, life is always uncertain. Everything dead is certain, life is always uncertain. Everything dead is solid, fixed – its nature cannot be changed; everything alive is moving, changing – a flow, a liquid thing, flexible, able to move in any direction. The more you become certain, the more you will miss life. And those who know, know life is God. If you miss life, you miss God “
– Osho

Wait, hold it right there, Mr. Osho. If you believe in God, dead is not fixed, right?

Even in death we never stop. Even after our carbon molecules form another planet billions of years from now, we’re still on the move.

–Ming Ball
Director of Philosophy
Pillar Peak, SD

Bajaj Auto-Triumph launch Speed 400 bike at ex-showroom price of INR 233,000

Bajaj Auto on July 5 launched the Speed 400 in collaboration with British motorcycle giant Triumph for the Indian market at an ex-showroom price of INR 233K. The introductory price will be applicable for the first 10,000 customers, Bajaj Auto-Triumph announced at the launch event.

Bajaj-Triumph Targets Sales of Nearly 50K Mid-Sized Bikes in Global Markets This Year

The online pre-booking for the Speed 400 started last month after its premiere in London. The online pre-booking had a fully refundable payment window of INR 2,000.

The bike was unveiled after Hero Motocorp launched X 440 in partnership with Harley Davidson and the deliveries are likely to begin this month.

The motorcycle designed and manufactured in United Kingdom’s Hinckley comes with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty and a 16,000 km service interval.

It features a new TR-series engine that has a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled single-cylinder unit with a cubic capacity of 398.15.

The engine has the capacity to churn out 39.5 bhp of power at 8,000 rpm, along with a peak torque output of 37.5 Npm at 6,500 rpm. It will have a 6-speed gearbox with a slip-and-assist clutch.

It will come in three distinct colours – Carnival Red with Phantom Black, Capsian Blue with Storm Grey, and Phantom Black with Storm Grey.

Source:
https://www.msn.com/en-in/autos/news/in-pics-bajaj-auto-triumph-launches-speed-400-bike-at-ex-showroom-price-of-rs-2-33-lakh/ss-AA1dvOA8

CALIFA ALERT–Help Stop Speed Ticketing Cameras in California

Sign the petition to stop speed cameras in California. Assembly Bill 645 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (Glendale/Los Angeles) would allow the use of speed ticketing cameras in LA and five other cities.

If this bill becomes law, eventually the entire state will be overrun with ticketing cameras issuing hundreds of millions of dollars in tickets to unsuspecting motorists. This is the fifth or sixth iteration of this bill which we have previously scrapped.

Unfortunately, this year it has a much better chance of passing. It already passed the Assembly and is currently being heard in the Senate. Just a few more votes will be taken before it goes to the Governor.

We need your voice to tell California legislators – NO speed cameras in California!

SIGN THE PETITION

AB-645 would authorize up to 125 ticketing cameras in LA for a “pilot program.” Under LA’s reviled red light camera program, the city deployed cameras at 60 locations and issued over 60,000 tickets per year. With 125 speed cameras, the number of tickets that will be issued in LA alone would number in the hundreds of thousands, and fines would total in the millions.

How bad could it be? In the city of Baltimore, residents were issued 432,836 speed camera tickets from 144 cameras in 2021. In the city of Chicago, which deploys about 160-speed cameras, residents were issued 2.81 million citations in 2021. That’s one ticket every 12 seconds and more automated tickets in one year than there are residents in the entire city, costing residents $89 million.

In addition to the fines and add-on penalties, drivers are often subjected to an average 21% increase in insurance rates when these tickets are issued.

The bill allows the cities to keep 100% of the revenue as long as they use the money to install the government’s desired roadway obstacles to driving, like road diets and bike lanes.

AB-645 makes the vehicle owner responsible for the ticket and only provides a photo of the vehicle license plate. The ticket will be heard in an “administrative hearing,” much like parking tickets, with no due process and little to no ability to fight the ticket.

The ticket would be prima facie evidence of the violation, meaning you are assumed to be guilty and must prove your innocence. The burden of proof would fall on the defendant, not the city, to prove their case.

Most all legal rights afforded to defendants in traffic court would be eliminated including your right to face your accuser, right to discovery, right to subpoena witnesses, etc. The standard of proof would be “preponderance of the evidence” (more likely than not) rather than the higher standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt” which is currently used in traffic court.

California’s speed trap law protections are eliminated with camera-issued tickets.
AB-645 specifically authorizes the cameras to be used on roadways designated as a “safety corridor” where previous legislation now allows cities to reduce the speed limit by up to 12 mph below the operating speed of the roadway as measured by the 85th percentile of vehicle speeds.

AB-645 allows ticketing starting at 11 mph over the speed limit, so drivers traveling below the operational speed of the road based on how it was designed will be subject to ticketing. This alone will result in up to 90% of drivers passing the cameras being cited, resulting in hundreds of thousands of tickets and millions of dollars in fines issued.

AB-645 allows the use of speed cameras for millions of dollars in fines to times when children are going to and leaving school. The cameras would be allowed to run 24/7 including weekends and late nights, ticketing drivers when no one is around.

The bill is opposed by law enforcement groups (PORAC), union groups (Teamsters), motorist groups, motorcycle groups, independent truckers, and many social justice groups (ACLU, etc.). The fact that so many different groups that are barely on speaking terms with each other oppose this bill should tell you how toxic it is.

–NMA

QUICK, NEW BIKERNET READER COMMENT–THE TRUTH BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for June 29, 2023

The Born Free photos/news flash was MAGNIFICENT !!!! what a photographic genius! What great use of written language! ha! ha!

I AM A ROBOT!!!

–Zack
Long Beach, Califa

Masterful work…–Bandit

[page break]

LE PERA SEAT OF THE WEEK—Bare Bones, Diamond White

Overview

Low and aggressive solo.

Simplistic design will change the entire look of your ride.

It is the perfect seat to take advantage of Biker Gel.

Shown with Diamond Stitch in white stitching.

Specs
Driver Seating: 10.5″ Wide
Passenger Seating: N/A

MSRP: $387.00

Options:
Biker Gel: MSRP + $ 87.00
Leather Seating: MSRP + $ 88.00
Full Leather: MSRP + $149.00

Part Number:
LYR-007DMWTP [’18-UP]

A-TYPICAL NCOM CONVENTION–

It wasn’t a typical NCOM Convention.

Held over Father’s Day weekend June 16-18, 2023 in Phoenix-Tempe, the 38th annual started off as per normal, with an NCOM Board of Directors Meeting that instilled new board member Dale Peterson of ABATE of Minnesota for Region IV (IL IN MI MN OH WI), as well as confirming Jad SOS MC as Confederation of Clubs Liaison.

Like in the past, following the Opening Ceremonies and an orientation was the AIM Attorney Conference spotlighting legal issues faced by riders, and then the NCOM Legislative Task Force Meeting focused on political efforts relevant to legislation nationwide.

As done for decades, attendees then broke into several Special Meetings according to an array of outreach sectors, such as Women in Motorcycling, Clean and Sober Roundtable, Veterans Affairs and Christian Unity, but importantly included another unlisted pow-wow session amongst leadership of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) among others determined to put past differences aside and embark on a new beginning of cooperation and mutual support for the Betterment of Biking.

“Seeing all the motorcycle rights groups, clubs and individual bikers coming together to learn and fight for their lifestyles is inspirational. But the understanding and commitment by leaders of NCOM and MRF and some members of the NCOC to communicate and work together is monumental,” observed NCOM Executive Director Joseph “Joey” Lester, son of AIM/NCOM Founder attorney Richard M. Lester.

Later that Friday, when the agreement was announced during the Confederation of Clubs patch holders meeting, the news was welcomed by a rousing round of applause.

Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, longtime President and Chairman of the Board of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) had this to say. “During the inception of the national motorcyclists rights movement, the MRF and NCOM frequently worked together, and while various board members and liaisons from the two organizations have maintained solid working relationships the organizations had not.

Fast forward, the MRF accepted the invitation from Joey Lester and Charlie Boone to attend this year’s NCOM Convention in Tempe, AZ.

With the profiling of motorcyclists continuing to be an issue, our lifestyle under threat from multiple entities, and frankly motorcycling as we know it today under the real possibility of extinction, there is not a more important time for our organizations to forge a working relationship once again.

I am encouraged by this initial meeting and NCOM Leadership has our commitment we will look forward and find ways to work more closely together into the future.”

Although the remainder of the NCOM Convention’s agenda was informative but predictable, with regional meetings, educational seminars and presentations catering to bikers rights activists engaged in legal and/or legislative battles back home, spirits were high throughout the rest of the weekend as plans were laid for mutual support of our common goals and interests.

“We wanted to make it perfectly clear to all of the attendees this weekend that NCOM and MRF will be working hand in hand to show strength and unity in the ongoing fight for motorcyclists rights,” pledged NCOM Chairman Charlie Boone, adding that several NCOM board members will reciprocate by attending the MRF’s upcoming Meeting of the Minds, September 20-24 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (more info at www.MRF.org) to further the alliance.

Wrapping up the predictably productive conference, ending things on an even higher note, NCOM presented ABATE of Ohio with the Silver Spoke Award for Government, recognizing their successful legislative agenda to protect rider training, and awarded the Silver Spoke Award for Media to Bill Bish, NCOM Public Relations Liaison, for producing the NCOM Biker Newsbytes monthly news column. NCOM’s highest honor, the Ron Roloff Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Bob Tibor of ABATE and COC of North Dakota / Glen Ullin MC.

Next year, the NCOM Convention returns to Mother’s Day Weekend, May 10-11, 2024 at a location TBD (info coming to www.ON-A-BIKE.com), with a whole new perspective!

BABES IN THE DIRT 8–
Our annual Babes in the Dirt 8 is back and better than ever. If you have always wanted to learn how to ride a dirt bike or if you’ve been sending it for years, this event is for you!

It’s the best place to meet like-minded riders, try out brand new gear, and the entire 2024 Husqvarna line up of off-road machines with their dedicated lead & follow trail rides! For those new, there are free “new to moto” classes by Husqvarna as well with bike included!

So much more for this now 18+ ladies private event in our favorite OHV, Hungry Valley that hosts thousands of miles of trails all clearly marked.

“Z900RS – The legend is back!”
The T-shirt for the riders and fans of the Kawasaki retro bike

The Kawasaki Z1 is undoubtedly one of the motorcycles that made history. Today, more than 50 years after its debut, the Japanese big bike from 1972 is one of the most sought-after classics and fetches many times its new price in top condition. On the Z900RS, Kawasaki employed numerous styling elements of the epochal motorbike and created a new global bestseller.

The Z900.us online shop usually specializes in exclusive accessories for the riders of the classic Z models. In response to frequent customer requests, there is also an extravagant T-shirt for the current generation: “Z900RS – THE LEGEND IS BACK!“ is the motto of the extra-large white print on the front, complemented by a stylized illustration of the current model. By the way, the illustration is not based on an everyday bike, but on a customized Z900RS version with a four-in-four exhaust and spoke wheels which comes even closer to the original from the Seventies.

The high-quality shirt is available from 27.50 euros in various colors and in sizes S to 3XL. They are available exclusively online at www.Z900.us.

BILTWELL RIDES COLORADO—

On Friday, September 1, we’ll be hosting the official kick-off party at the La Plata County Fairgrounds: bike show, tire toss, tug-o-war, arm wrestling, and live music by Paige Overton and The Rhyolite Sound!

The Flat Track Races are always a good time and SOLD OUT last year, so be sure to get your tickets soon! Interested in racing? Register.

Just down the road, Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio is bringing the action! The Casino will host The Brawl stunt competition, Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg Freestyle MX Jump Shows, live music, vendors, demo trucks, AND they’ll be giving away TWO Harley-Davidson motorcycles!

DA JUDGE’S RULING–Judge Delivers Major Blow to Biden Admin in Social Media Censorship Case

A federal judge has made a historic ruling by partially granting an injunction that blocks various Biden administration officials and government agencies like the Justice Department and the FBI from working with big tech firms to censor posts on social media.

The injunction came in response to a censorship-by-proxy lawsuit brought by attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri, who have accused Biden administration officials and various government agencies of pressuring social media companies to suspend accounts or take down posts.

The judge, Terry A. Doughty, wrote in the July 4 judgment (pdf) that various government agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. Department of State, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are prohibited from taking a range of actions with regards to social media companies.

Specifically, the agencies and their staff members are prohibited from meeting or contacting by phone, email, text message or “engaging in any communication of any kind with social-media companies urging, encouraging, pressuring, or inducing in any manner for removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content containing protected free speech,” per the injunction.

–See the whole tamale on Epoch Times

IMPORTANT, NEW BIKERNET READER COMMENT–AN UNINTENTIONAL PILGRIMAGE

What an amazing Journey!!! Yes I would love to do it again every Year!! I was around some of the most beautiful people I have ever met. It was my first time in that part of the south, I fell in love!!???? Thank You Rogue hope to see You on our next journey!!!

–Tena Cunningham
Fulton, NY

CELEBRATE DICE MAGAZINE’S 100TH—

Dark Arts Coffee x DicE. We had a blast yesterday in London celebrating Issue 100 of the magazine.

Ford recalling certain 2019-20 Fusion PHEVs, warns drivers not to charge vehicles

The cars are being recalled for loss of power and fire risks.

Source:
https://www.autonews.com/regulation-safety/ford-motor-recalling-certain-2019-20-fusion-phevs

Porsche said to rethink plan to ditch Macan ICE sales in U.S. by mid-decade

Porsche told dealers it expects U.S. sales to hit 80,000 next year. Porsche is rethinking a plan to ditch combustion engine Macan sales in its second-largest market.

Source:
https://www.autonews.com/future-product/porsche-macan-may-not-go-all-ev-us-mid-decade-after-all

Wayfarer’s Note:
The EV believer generation is going to be divided into two categories: a generation of scoundrels (who lied to their fellow citizens) and a generation of fools (who believe whatever anyone in a position of authority dictates to them). Electric Vehicles and the infrastructure, energy source, parts and recycling they need are all clearly in their nascent stage.

Maybe they should all just ride bicycles — they would be better off physically, mentally and financially.

The whole EV mania is just another Wall Street scam, based on all we understand of economics, politics and modern research institutes.

I think Bill Gates made the right bet with his TerraPower company implementing the latest nuclear tech based on the research he sponsored.

https://www.terrapower.com/our-work/natriumpower/

–Wayfarer
Editor
Bikernet Blog & Facebook Page

WISDOM QUOTES–

“I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self.” ~ Aristotle

“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” ~ George Addair

“Be faithful to that which exists within yourself.” ~ Andre Gide

“I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones.” — John Cage

“If a man knows more than others he becomes lonely.” ~ Carl Jung

“Everyone wants the key to happiness, but no one questions who locked up happiness.”

“To fly to new heights, you need to give up the ground you stand on.” ~ Ujjwal Dey

“Words can inspire, thoughts can provoke, but only action truly brings you closer to your dreams.”

— Wayfarer

BIKERNET BUILDER OF THE WEEK—

Max Lam is the sales manager and product development consultant at Pro-stretch Trims International. He lives in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong and is from Beijing, China.

Pierre Guy is From Himeji, Hyogo

–Sam Burns
Feature Bike Editor
Bikernet.com™

IS IT HOT TODAY?– Hotter Than the Fourth of July!

It was widely reported recently that July 4th, 2023 was the hottest day in Earth’s recorded history.

Paulo Ceppi, a climate scientist at London’s Grantham Institute stated: “It hasn’t been this warm since at least 125,000 years ago, which was the previous interglacial.” And, of course, it was reported that it was our fault due to our “sins of emission.”

This didn’t meet the smell test for the scientists at the CO2 Coalition. We know that previous warm periods were warmer than our modern temperatures. For example, during the Roman Warm Period there was citrus being grown in the north of England and barley was grown by Vikings on Greenland 1,000 years ago. Why aren’t they grown there now? It’s quite simple: Lower modern temperatures.

So, here at the CO2 Coalition, we did what scientists are trained to do:
We looked at the available data. Our Science and Research Associate Byron Soepyan reviewed temperature data from the US Historical Climatology Network and found that both the number of weather stations reporting temperature over 100 degrees F and the Maximum Average Temperature for July 4th were slightly declining since the record began in 1895 – not increasing – as Ceppi claimed.

A QUICK NOTE—We are all in this together, whether we like it or not. Hundreds of companies make money off us grubby bikers, but are they giving back or supporting the industry?

Ask the guys at S&S, Lowbrow, Biltwell, you name it, if they are doing anything to keep us riding free.

The movement to stop the ban on internal combustion engines is growing but needs industry support.

Join the MRF

BIKERNET MOVIE OF THE WEEK–RUSSIAN MAFIA Vs ONE NOBODY

I got to watch “Nobody” (2021) about an ex-military special forces guy trying to live a regular life as a family man, working as an accountant of all things.

The movie is made by the guys who made John Wick but is really a lot better than John Wick because of the actors and storyline. There is a basic entertaining pulp fiction plot here unlike the Wick sequels.

It stars the actor from Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad — Bob Odenkirk and the really old & wild Cristopher Lloyd (the Doc who invents time-travelling DeLorean in Back To The Future).

Bob plays the role of a pacifist suburban office-nerd like a pro…. until rich Russian baddies come across him at a bad time when he is in a bad place. It’s a lot more than an action movie.

Have a peek on YouTube : https://youtu.be/wZti8QKBWPo

Meanwhile, the “future” wasn’t too bright for DeLorean. At present, apparently, it’s an Electric Vehicle car company based out of Texas. Visit: https://delorean.com/

Wayfarer
Editor:Bikernet Blog & Facebook Page

Freddie Cuba is building a magnificent shop and was able to bring his classic truck over. He’s headed to Sturgis Rally shortly. It will be his 51st year.

I tested my copper oil bag the other day with gasoline and it held tight. I need to clean it thoroughly. Howard Knight has my seat pan, and I’ll bet I will be at powder coating when the rally rolls around.

I received notice of the rally Saddlemen party. Need to make a list. The food is fine in the Black Hills. Above is dinner from the Redhead the other night. Magnificent.

I just received Willie’s new book about his history with the family, factory, industry and bikerdom. Can’t wait, and I will write a review shortly.

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..

Check out the latest industry news on motorcycles only on Bikernet.com – Click Here

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by James the Tile Man

A picture perfect gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts

With all the buzz going around about Born Free 23, I couldn’t wait to jump on my bike and ride through the sunny Southern California canyons to get to the show.

As I got closer to the venue, the bikes started stacking up in front and behind me. It was getting totally insane with all the traffic.

Click Here to Read this Photo Feature only on Bikernet.com

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Hey, Erika Ball is my daughter in law and I’m proud of her on several levels. Plus, I know that pride will continue into the future with her efforts with my son, Frank to help addicts recover and find strength and their futures.

Check out this article from Canvas Rebel Magazine in Austin Texas.

We recently connected with Erika Ball and have shared our conversation below.

Erika, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

EB–For my undergrad internship at UNT – Dallas I worked at a women’s shelter for refugees of foreign countries and their children. These were women who were survivors of human rights abuses, including human trafficking and domestic violence. Since I am fluent in Spanish, and both my parents are immigrants from Paraguay, I was able to help Spanish-speaking women with translation, courtroom appearances and legal consultations.

I provided crisis hotline support, conducted intake interviews, distributed food, clothing, and bus passes and ensured residents’ living quarters were kept clean and orderly. The time I spent with these women was invaluable; I picked up so much wisdom and inspiration just by listening to their stories of perseverance and hardship.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

EB–My name is Erika Ball, I am the Cofounder of We Are Those People a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to individuals and families affected by Addiction also known as Substance use disorder. My husband Frank Ball is the Cofounder. We are both people in long term recovery. We create awareness and advocate for mental healthcare reform by sharing people’s personal stories of long-term recovery through films, photos, and community outreach and sharing those stories to help others.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

EB–I had to make some serious pivots and adjustments recently. Like the rest of the world, during the pandemic lockdowns, I was furloughed from my job as a Mental Healthcare professional and the powers that be restricted us from any in-person meetings in the recovery community.

I found myself with a lot of time on my hands and the internet was my only tool to connect with the rest of the world and the recovery community. That’s when I started to focus all of my energy on our nonprofit and began working on it full-time.

We received an overwhelming response from the community worldwide. People needed support and this gave me a purpose and allowed me to continue creatively working in the recovery community. We received support from people in Canada, Australia, Argentina, Germany, and throughout the US.

People share their lives and success stories of hope in recovery. There was a need, and we had the opportunity to fill it. People were isolated in their homes, feeling hopeless and disconnected. Even though I was also disappointed and feeling a bit uncertain of my future, WATP gave me a purpose to help support those who were struggling.

These unavoidable setbacks provided me with the perfect opportunity to turn a side project into a full-time profession.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

EB–The lesson I had to unlearn was that no matter what my past was like, no matter what my age, and no matter what my present circumstances are there’s never an excuse to give up on my dreams.

I lived a lot of my life making compromises because I gave into negative thinking and limiting beliefs.

The back story was at age 40, after achieving some sobriety, I once again burned my life to the ground. I was forced to restart my life from the ground up due to a relapse.

I faced a crossroads I was either going to continue giving in to a destructive life or I was going to choose LIFE and believe that recovery was possible and that even at my age I could achieve my dream.

Unfortunately, I had to learn this lesson the hard way, like many others. This lesson was one of the greatest lessons of all my life. Step by step I walked away from my negative thinking, and I have built a life beyond my wildest dreams.

Putting sobriety first and believing in myself I have achieved what seemed to be impossible for most of my life. I took responsibility for my thoughts and emotions blaming no one else, not my childhood, not past traumas, not blaming the government, not blaming the church, not blaming my age but just believing.

Since making this choice and choosing recovery, I have been able to build a beautiful, healthy relationship with a man who is now my husband. We recently bought our first home in Austin, Texas. I was finally able to receive my bachelor’s degree, and I became a mental health professional helping those with addiction issues. We created a nonprofit, created a documentary about addiction recovery, and I did a Ted talk on this very subject. I mended my family relationships, and most recently at age 48 was accepted into graduate school where I am currently working on a Master’s of Science for Nonprofit administration.

I will graduate on my 50th birthday. All of this to say that, if someone who perceived themselves as broken as I did can make this change, I truly believe anyone can. I’m excited about the future and I embrace all of the possibilities.

Support independents. Support independence.

Freedom is worth celebrating, supporting – and enjoying. So we have 15% off everything in-store (except subscriptions) for the next 24 hours. Back issues, rarities, books.

Just use the code INDIEORDIE when you check out.

Visit https://greasykulture.com/

The cool stuff’s here!
When we find rarities we think you’ll love – from ’60s biker pulp fiction to pleated Bates seats – they end up here. These are the one-offs, so be quick if something catches your eye!

£10 for three premium back issues!
Big Back Issue Bundle: you give us £10 (plus postage) and we send you THREE randomly picked, brand new, perfect bound, premium-sized back issues (9.5 x 6.75 inch, 14 x 24 cm). While stock lasts!

£5 for three digest-sized back issues!
Back Issue Bundle: you give us £5 (plus postage) and we send you THREE randomly picked, brand new, digest-sized back issues. Killer choppers and hot rods – sometimes built by very (now) familiar names! While stock lasts!

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Tell ’em Bikernet.com Sent Ya !