At A2 Testing in Mooresville, North Carolina

In 2007 the motorcycle named ASSALT WEAPAN Owned and built by Keith “Bandit” Ball of 5-Ball racing went 161 miles per hour at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, with an Accurate Engineering 120-inch Panhead engine.

On October 14, 2024, the builder of the engine in that motorcycle Berry Wardlaw of ACCURATE ENGINEERING in Dothan Alabama took the motorcycle to A2 WIND TUNNEL in Mooresville North Carolina -https://a2wt.com/

Berry and I met in Mooresville Sunday evening so we would be ready for testing early Monday morning.

When we got to the wind tunnel Michael Beland of A1 Racing and two of his people were there to meet us. Mike was going to be the rider for most of the testing

https://www.a1cycles.net/racing

The first thing that Geoffrey Eaker the Manager/ Operator told us was that what we were about to do that day was going to change our minds about what we thought we knew about air flow. Boy Was He Right.

The motorcycle was secured to the floor of the wind tunnel

Yellow Yarn Tattle-Tails were attached to the motorcycle, these were going to give us a visual of how the air was flowing.

Mike made this statement about being on the motorcycle in the wind tunnel (It’s Easy– Don’t Move A Muscle For Three Minutes, LOL. What A Core Workout)

While Mike was on the motorcycle multiple things were being recorded in the control room.

After each run some minor temporary changes were made to see what affect they had. The information gained by each change was all recorded and will be reviewed in the future to see what changes can be made to the motorcycle without changing the class it runs in.

I can tell you we did learn how to make the motorcycle faster, the rest is up to what Berry and Keith want to share prior to making changes and setting a new record.

The plan is to return to Bonneville and set a new record with Berry riding the motorcycle and the wind tunnel testing was going to help make it happen. Berry is going to rebuild the engine to be purpose-built for the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials in 2025. He is going to add ceramic bearings in the wheels and other secret tricks. Bonneville is all about power, traction, aerodynamics and the balls to go very fast.

Berry did not have his racing leathers with him, but he did get an opportunity to do a wind tunnel test. He was Very Pleased.

There is still a lot to do, and it is going to be very interesting.

There will be a lot more to this and I am sure Keith and Berry will keep you updated, well on most of it anyway, still got to keep the racers edge, can’t give all the secrets away.

–Rogue

I thought I had narrowed down to Enfield Shotgun 650 as a nice next bike to have …from the dozens of bikes they have… and then these devils make another drool worthy ride… the all new Enfield Bear 650.

Mowing down roads, mud, forests and hills.

The model is named after AMA Hall of Famer Eddie Mulder for a bike similar to the one he used for the Big Bear Run.

Highlights of this beauty…

Bear 650 is lighter than Interceptor but based on same platform. It has the same dashboard as Himalyan 450. This one gets a 19 inch front tyre. It has no gas shock absorbers but dual shocks are of much better quality as per Enfield. Showa included. You can now disengage rear ABS option for off-road. The Bear 650 is lengthier due to long upside down forks. It gets an incredible Torque at 56.5. The BHP remains same as Interceptor 650. The Bear rolls on specially made MRF tyres. The first Royal Enfield model with the proven 650 cc twin cylinder engine to get a two-into-one exhaust. Range of accessories announced.

Check out the video at the end of the article for a five minute walkthrough.

I like everything I see on this bike. My view is the two into one exhaust is sort of a deal breaker for many folks in India because of the appeal of the classic design element of twin pipes.

Bajaj Dominar had no success as they tried to stand out with a two into one exhaust in comparision with Jawa and Enfield’s twin pipes.

Luggage solutions also will be expected.

So this Bear 650 is eye candy. It may go down the road of the Shotgun 650 which has poor sales since after launch hype.

Riders may choose the Guerrilla 450 as a lighter alternative to Himalayan 450 and more approachable motorcycle than Bear 650 in terms of pricing. All three have the same awesome 4 inch dashboard (display).

Below is best video walkthrough of the new Enfield Bear 650 cc

Hey,

This has been a very strange week and I know a lot of folks are very concerned about the election. I heard that Kamala promised to shut the border down if she’s elected. So, if she let in enough Illegals to get her elected she’ll shut it down. Isn’t that special.

Joe Rogan had a four-hour conversation with JD Vance. I’ve been after Vance to discuss the policies. I sure hope he covered them. I can’t imagine who has time to watch the entire interview, but I’ll give it a shot.

In this report we will have news from the Sturgis Museum, the city of Sturgis, the leaking 5-Ball Emporium and way more. Let’s hit it:

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.

The News was provided by the Bikernet Team including: Wayfarer, the Redhead, Bob T. Sam Burns, Laura, Barry Green, El Waggs, J.J. Solari, Amy White, Jenn and the rest of the crew.

THE CITY OF STURGIS UNDER FIRE

A group of council folk took it upon themselves to attach as member of the council and the mayor.

I was curious for several reasons, so the Redhead and I attended the last meeting. During the meeting another, long-time, city council member resigned. That left five.

If these guys are right about everything, they are now in charge, but there’s more. The city manager was ousted which forced the Mayor to act as the city CEO. This group would not pay the mayor to do the job, so she was forced to be the Mayor and do the job as City Manager for free. She volunteered to take on the position until the general election in April. Evidently, that wasn’t good enough for this group. So, now the city faces a special election in January.

Another city council meeting is coming up this Monday and I have some question.

• Is there a strategic plan, a mission statement for the city, the staff, the council?
• How many staff members need to be replaced?
• How will the council hire a new city manager?
• Is there a hiring procedure?
• Will Kevin work full time for the city for no pay for the next two months?
• Is there an accounting firm analyzing the finances right now?

There also seems to be an issue with finances, but no one knows. The financial officer resigned and an accounting firm isn’t starting until Monday.

I’m hoping for some inspiring answers on Monday. I find myself is a strange situation recently with the Sturgis Museum and the City. I’m devoted to making this a better place for Bikers all over the world.

So, let’s see what happens next and what I can do to improve all the situations for the industry.

–Bandit

KEVIN “TEACH” BASS CLASS PROJECT

My group is building this S&S Cycle, Inc. Knucklehead for the 2025 Dennis Kirk give away bike. I love teaching these kids about the vintage style!
–Kevin Bass

“It’s Vintage Bike Addiction.”
–Rogue
Senior Editor
Bikernet.com™

NEWS FROM THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION

It’s Not Just Bikers…

Two recent news stories demonstrate that the issues motorcyclists care about also impact all Americans. Concerns about a pair of items, both parts of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) legislative agenda, are making news… and not in a good way.

First, fears are increasing that guardrails and other safety features will not be able to withstand the increased weight of electric vehicles. Roadways have been designed to account for vehicles weighing 5,000 lbs. However, new electric vehicles can far exceed that weight.

Cody Stolle, a University of Nebraska associate professor studying guardrail performance, said, “Unfortunately, these guardrail systems, which have performed very well with gasoline vehicles historically, do not appear to be containing electric vehicles when impacting [in] similar types of conditions.”

Secondly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it would investigate Tesla’s Autopilot system. The research will examine whether the technology can detect and respond effectively to reduced visibility on roadways. NHTSA is concerned the technology is hampered by sun glare, fog and airborne dust. Four recent crashes have shined a light on this problem.

These topics are nothing new to bikers. For the better part of a decade the MRF, along with our partners and champions, have tried to sound the alarm on these issues to government officials. While the mainstream media and the average American might be just waking up to the downside of electric vehicles or self-driving cars, the MRF is not new to the game. We have been and will remain engaged. We are and continue to be the voice of the street rider in Washington, D.C.

Ride Safe and Ride Free!

–MRF
www.MRF.org

HOT DEALS FROM WINDVEST– SALE

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Purchase now!! Visit website by clicking the banner below.

BRAND NEW FROM MORRIS MAGNETO

The MRA is a revolutionary device which aids starting by retarding the timing on fixed-position magnetos, helping to turn the infamous kick-backs and spit-backs into starts.

EZ Install.

When the cap-mounted lever is flipped, the points ‘shift’ 10 degrees, retarding your timing 20 degrees for starting. The lever is then locked in the advanced position by a rare-earth magnet. You’ll love it!

The MRA-G and MRA-R complete kit consists of a new cap and neoprene gasket, a set of points, condenser, and the actuating pieces themselves.

THE BIKERNET CANNIBIS CHRONICLES

Wisconsin pizzeria apologizes after customers get high from pizzas accidentally contaminated with THC.

Chronicles

–from Rogue
Senior Editor
Bikernet.com

TEXAS WEATHER REPORT

We don’t even have a track anymore, glad I got to cover the Division 4 and Spring Nationals for 4 years. And a random inspirational relationship sentiment

–RFR

A2 WIND TUNNEL– ASSAULT WEAPAN THE RETURN

In 2007 the motorcycle named ASSALT WEAPAN Owned by Keith Ball of 5 Ball racing went 161 miles per hour at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah

Photo in Van

On October 14, 2024, the builder of the engine in that motorcycle Berry Wardlaw of ACCURATE ENGINEERING in Dothan Alabama took the motorcycle to A2 WIND TUNNEL in Mooresville North Carolina -https://a2wt.com/

Berry and I met in Mooresville Sunday evening so we would be ready for testing early Monday morning.

When we got to the wind tunnel Michael Beland of A1 Racing and two of his people were there to meet us. Mike was going to be the rider for most of the testing.

Visit https://www.a1cycles.net/racing

The first thing that Geoffrey Eaker the Manager/ Operator told us was that what we were about to do that day was going to change our minds about what we thought we knew about air flow Boy Was He Right.

Photo of wind tunnel

The motorcycle was secured to the floor of the wind tunnel.

Yellow Yarn Tattle-Tails were attached to the motorcycle, these were going to give us a visual of how the air was flowing.

Photo Yellow Yarn

Mike made this statement about being on the motorcycle in the wind tunnel (It’s Easy Don’t Move A Muscle For Three Minutes, LOL What A Core Workout)

While Mike was on the motorcycle multiple things were being recorded in the control room.

After each run some minor temporary changes were made to see what affect they had. The information gained by each change was all recorded and will be reviewed in the future to see what changes can be made to the motorcycle without changing the class it runs in.

I can tell you that we did learn how to make the motorcycle faster, the rest is up to what Berry and Keith want to share prior to making changes and setting a new record.

The plan is to return to Bonneville and set a new record with Berry riding the motorcycle and the wind tunnel testing was going to help that happen.

Berry did not have his racing leathers with him, but he did get a opportunity to do a wind tunnel test. He was Very Pleased.

After the salt flats the motorcycle will be put back to how it was prior to changes.

There is still a lot to do, and it is going to be very interesting.

There will be a lot more to this and I am sure Keith and Berry will keep you updated, well on most of it anyway, still got to keep the racers edge, can’t give all the secrets away.

Let me know what you think…

HOG’S AND HEIFERS SALOON SEMA ACTION

It’s the 16th year of Hogs & Heifers Saloon’s Annual SEMA Kick-Off Party with the Freaks of Nature Car Show, the Mini Truck Hall of Fame and Panel Jam. Monday, November 4th you are ALL INVITED to join us as we shut down 3rd street and party with gear heads from all over.

Walk the street to check out all the different vehicles that will be on display, join us as the next class is inducted into the Mini Truck Hall of Fame and check out some of the best Airbrush and Pinstriping Artists in the industry, paint right out in front of the bar.

We’ll also have lots of pieces created by the artists that will be up for auction, all to benefit the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. This event is FREE to attend and you don’t want to miss it.

VETERANS DAY

The horses are coming back to Hogs. Join us on Veteran’s Day, Monday, November 11th when some of the horses that will be taking part of the Veteran’s Day Parade in Downtown Las Vegas will then make their way to Hogs & Heifers Saloon. Bring the kids by for photos and help feed the horses some yummy treats. Horses will arrive around 11am and stay outside for a few hours.

201 N. 3rd Street – Downtown Las Vegas

The STREET that HOGS BUILT

No Cover – 21+ w/ID

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK

2024 Harley-Davidson FLI – Hydra-Glide Revival

Stock# 14369

2024 HARLEY DAVIDSON HYDRA GLIDE

This 2024 Harley Hydra Glide sells at the dealership MSRP 24,999.00, and we all know Harley is Infamous on dealer mark-up. Which should be all the reason to run into Lifestyle Cycle’s and ride this beauty home before it’s gone!

With wartime utilitarianism in the rearview mirror, Harley-Davidson entered the 1950s with the 74-cubic-inch Panhead powertrain, the Hydra-Glide telescopic front end, and refreshing color schemes that brought new energy to the only surviving American motorcycle manufacturer. One of the most beloved models was the 1956 FLH, which featured a red base color with a white stripe, known as the “slash? two-tone color scheme.

Now, 75 years after the 1949 introduction of the Hydra-Glide front end, Harley-Davidson is reviving this icon of the Panhead era in serialized limited production.

Only $21,995.00

Plus license, $85.00 documentation fee, and local sales tax. NO HIDDEN FEES like some dealers. And we have no reconditioning or prep fees.

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 92-point safety/mechanical/structural inspection.

This motorcycle has not been refurbished and does not come with any warranty expressed or implied! EXTENDED WARRANTIES are available!

Fill out an online application today. We have EZ FINANCING

Lifestyle Cycles is located at 1510 State College Blvd,Anaheim,CA,92806. Open 7 days a week.

NOT LOCAL? WE HAVE SHIPPING AVAILABLE! Call today (714) 490-0155.

Please visit www.LifestyleCycles.com
or www.facebook.com/LifestyleCyclesUsedHarleys/

45 LAWMAKERS DEMAND ANSWERS

Forty-five GOP lawmakers are demanding answers from the Department of Energy (DOE) after a government watchdog group accused the agency of covering up a key study that would have interfered with one of the Biden-Harris administration’s most aggressive crackdowns on fossil fuels.

The lawmakers wrote to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Thursday to address a watchdog’s allegations that her agency conducted or drafted — and then quietly buried — a study on the emissions impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports in 2023 before pausing approvals for certain LNG export terminals in January on the grounds that the agency needed to conduct such a review.

Government Accountability and Oversight (GAO), the watchdog making the allegations, is suing the agency under public records law to obtain the thousands of pages DOE concedes may fit GAO’s specific request searching for the 2023 study that the agency allegedly buried because it was producing politically inconvenient conclusions, as first reported by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s attempt to conceal its findings on liquefied natural gas impacts is troubling.

Despite evidence that U.S. LNG benefits both the economy and global energy security, the Department of Energy has imposed an indefinite ban on LNG exports to non-free trade agreement countries without legal justification,” Republican Texas Rep. August Pfluger, who led the letter, said in a statement shared with the DCNF. “The lack of transparency from DOE on existing studies, as well as the motivation behind the ongoing study, is unacceptable. The American people deserve accountability on the decision-making process surrounding our energy future.”

(RELATED: Qatar Expanding Natural Gas Export Capacity After Biden Admin Paused New Hub Approvals)

–Nick Pope
Contributor
WUWT

FLATHEAD HARLEYS OF THE WEEK

–RFR and Sam Burns

BANDIT’S 5-BALL EMPORIUM NEWS

It snowed for the first time this week and our old 1880s roof leaked. I need to crawl the monster ladder to the top and check it out.

Here’s something new I created out of parts and piece for the Emporium. It’s an old rusting cheapo iron bed frame and I score the legs from Mike the Picker in Whitewood. I made the bed frame and created the brass legs with solid brass tubes from an old door bell.

Nikki, the Sturgis wood cabinet restore and wood craftsman, made, stained and finished the wooden bench seat. I brazed the pieces then rubbed everything down with boiled linseed oil. It’s now available in the Emporium.

Inspiration hit the other day as we grappled to handle snow prep for the winter. I’ve moved fences, shut off outside water sources and exercised the ’58 Bel Air according to Chubb’s recommendations. “Gotta exercise old rollers.”

I finally got it running sweet and have made trips from Sturgis to Spearfish and into Deadwood several times. Then we faced storage. With the help of Panhead John in Deadwood we cleared a wall out of the small garage behind the Emporium. At first it was a hideaway from extreme weather, but then the thought sparkled. We could stash the Chevy for the winter. New measurement and the deed was accomplished with more reorganization. Done deal.

We have a couple of classic steel Harley tool boxes. Brown one has no hinge pin or lock price $195.

Metal one has the lock and key and u wired the hinge, $225.

These could ship in med. Priority mail according to the Redhead

–Bandit

NEW BIKERNET DEPARTMENT INITIATED IN THE CANTINA

Hang on for this. We were one of the only motorcycle websites to question Climate Doom. We still do until the truth is important again and we can ride free forever.

Bill May has been a longtime contributor to Bikernet and he made a confession the other day. For 30 years he’s followed reports and studies regarding UFOs. Just this last year the government admitted to real findings of life from other planets stepping on earth. With billions of galaxies and planet spinning around millions of suns, there’s bound to be another biker out there somewhere.

Bill is connected and informed about the subject and will reveal the latest news right here in Bandit’s Cantina, with teasers in the news.

Hang on!

–Bandit

FROM ENGINEERING NEWS

The energy transition in its current form, as a grid-scale build out of wind and solar with the goal to replace oil, coal and gas, is probably one of the greatest mistakes that humanity has ever made,” said German-listed commodity company HMS Bergbau Group shareholder Dr. Lars Schernikau, at nonprofit organization FFF Carbon’s 2024 Middelburg Coal Conference in Mpumalanga, on October 17.

“It’s a very uncomfortable and unpopular thing to say,” he admitted, highlighting numerous often ignored challenges posed by the ongoing energy transition.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST SUPREME COURT RULINGS OF THE YEAR

Chevron Deference

Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that by a 6-3 vote it had overturned a 40-year-old legal standard known as Chevron deference. The verdict involves a 1984 court case between the Chevron Corporation and the National Resources Defense Council which created this legal precedent.

Chevron deference compels federal courts to defer to a federal agency’s interpretation of an ambiguous or unclear statute that Congress delegated to the agency to administer. In other words, executive agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are given wide latitude to shape policy on issues that Congress has not specifically mandated, and the court system is limited in stopping them.

The outcome this ruling is vast. However, three obvious results will likely happen:

• Changes to Lawmaking

• The court decision will also force lawmakers to be more detailed in the directives that they put into law. If Congress wants a specific outcome or policy, they will now need to put that in the language of bills, as opposed to deferring to agencies to “fill in the blanks.” We will likely see more detailed and nuanced language in legislation, so the intent of Congress withstands legals challenges.

• Greater Scrutiny of Agency Actions

• In the past the rulemaking and regulatory process, was at times, viewed as an afterthought. Congressional bills and presidential proclamations gained the headlines, while the nuts and bolts of policy were left to the workings of career government officials. These decisions often could not be challenged in the courts. Now that legal action is possible, the inner workings of government agencies will be under an intense microscope as they roll out new regulations.

• Increased Litigation

• With the ability to interpret ambiguous laws, courts are likely to accept challenges to agency regulations more often. Long standing policies that were decided years ago can now be reexamined through lawsuits that question the fundamental nature of how the policy was created.

Unsurprisingly, these results impact all three branches of the federal government. The legislative branch will now have to alter how it writes and constructs laws. The executive branch will need to rethink how it executes the laws given to it by Congress. And the judicial branch will be allowed to review the actions of Congress and agencies to ensure those actions are legal and in line with the powers each branch is assigned.

Why does this matter to bikers? In recent years we have observed officials at the EPA and NHTSA use the regulatory process to achieve policy goals that impact us. One obvious case is the use of rulemaking that would make the internal combustion engine extinct.

The EPA, through emission standards, and NHTSA, through fuel efficiency benchmarks, have tried to shape transportation policy that favors electric vehicles over those powered by fossil fuels. In this case, the House of Representatives has attempted to push back on this overreach by passing legislation specifically blocking the proposed rules. This is an example of Congress trying to recapture its lawmaking authority. With Chevron deference now in place we will likely see lawsuits that engage the judiciary and reexamine these EPA and NHTSA policies, something that was not possible before the Supreme Court ruling.

The system of checks and balances the Founding Fathers envisioned is foundational to how our government operates. Time will tell, but Chevron deference may be a step back towards strengthening that system and taking us back to a time with more defined roles for each branch of government.

STURGIS TT

Progressive AMA AFT Race group had an internal re-cap with Sturgis City officials yesterday. “A public forum is coming up,” said Cameron Gray from the AMA.

I will report on the dates and times for the forum. The team is excited about the future with Sturgis. We will keep you posted.

–Bandit

Autonomous Autonomy

The expansion of autonomous vehicles is a growing topic in the United States today. Whether you’re a biker out on a Sunday ride, a truck driver pulling a cross-country load, or just headed to pick up groceries at the store, this new technology will impact your life.

Any effective advocate for motorcyclists’ rights should have a basic understanding of this new technology and the capabilities involved. As such, below is a basic outline of the six levels of driving automation. All have key distinct features which also shape how they are governed by laws and regulations for their deployment.

Level 0: No Driving Automation
The vehicle possesses no automated driving features. However, it may have technologies that provide momentary assistance to the driver like:
• Antilock Braking
• Automated Emergency Braking
• Blind Spot Warning
• Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Warning

Despite these features, the driver must drive the vehicle and monitor any possible warnings or safety activities, and thus the driver is responsible for braking, steering, accelerating etc.

Level 1: Driver Assistance
Vehicles at this level are equipped with systems that supply constant assistance during acceleration and braking or during steering. Examples of this include:

• Adaptive cruise control
or
• Lane Centering

While this technology aids the driver, the driver must always play an active role in operating the vehicle.

Level 2: Partial Driving Automation

This level applies to a large share of vehicles with driving automation that are on the market today. Examples include Tesla Autopilot, Ford BlueCruise and General Motors Super Cruise.

This technology provides continual assistance both regarding acceleration/braking and in steering. Importantly the driver still must remain attentive and involved.

Level 3: Conditional Driving Automation

The jump to Level 3 is dramatic. At this level the automated system handles all aspects of driving under certain conditions while the driver remains available to take over the driving if the system can no longer operate and requests the driver take over.
Currently only Mercedes-Benz is certified to sell Level 3 vehicles in the U.S. The Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT system is certified to perform on major freeways in California and parts of Nevada and drivers can only engage the Level 3 automation at slower speeds and only while following another vehicle.

Aurora Innovation is currently using level 3 autonomy on Semi Trucks in Texas with the intent to be level 4 in 2027.

Level 4: High Driving Automation

When engaged, the system is fully responsible for driving tasks and a human driver is not needed to operate the vehicle within specific areas/conditions. Waymo (Google) and Cruise (General Motors) currently operate this technology in limited jurisdictions. Robotaxis operating with no driver in cities like San Francisco are examples of Level 4 automation.

Most Level 4 systems are subject to geofencing, where the autonomy is restricted to a specific geographic area. This is due to level 4 driving automation not being capable of operating on all roads and conditions that human drivers can.

Communications with these vehicles are highly dependent on cell networks, radio frequency, and satellite to communicate with other Level 4 vehicles, and remote operators who intervene when these vehicles experience an error or experience a failure in their Level 4 system.

Level 5: Full Driving Automation

This final level requires no driver interaction whatsoever and the range and conditions of its use are unrestricted. At this level, steering wheels and pedals may be absent from the cabin of the vehicle. Currently there are no Level 5 vehicles available to the public.

What Does This All Mean?

While nearly every vehicle on the road today falls into one of the first three categories, the push to make the jump to automated systems where the driver is not fully in control is strong. For nearly a decade the U.S. Congress has tried and failed to provide a framework for how to regulate these differing levels of automation. This has left regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and state motor vehicle departments playing catch up.

Another concerning trend is the lack of knowledge from consumers about these levels of automation. Advertising campaigns and a casual approach leads drivers to assume their vehicles can do things they are not intended to do.

It is thus vital that we, as bikers and activists, understand the technology, educate others and be prepared to champion regulations that will protect us on the roadways. The future is here, let’s get smart so we can help shape that future.

Learn to Rock

The Strider 2-in-1 Rocking Bike introduces babies to their bike while developing core strength and stability. The main goal of practicing together is to associate their Strider Bike with fun!

STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM ACTION–It’s non-stop.

If you’re a local AMCA member, Hamster or enthusiasts, you need to stop by for one or all of these events.

I will try to make them all. We can always walk across the street and I’ll sign a book and show you around the Emporium.

Don’t miss an opportunity to hang out and study Sturgis History.

–Bandit

MRF DEMANDS TRANSPARENCY

A resolution by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (3 million strong), motorcycle and automotive groups to Congress to demand scientific transparency and truth for every motoring individual in the world.

Whereas Truth and Free Speech are the cornerstones of our society, motorcyclists all over the country want our rights and the truth to be respected

Whereas Critical Thinking is the backbone of science it needs to be held high for kids all over the world. America always endeavored to be the bastion of truth and free speech.

Whereas science is never settled and the public requires nothing but the truth as it affects their very existence.

Whereas children deserve to know the truth and scientific transparency. No matter who tries to hide the truth, it will surface and the real deniers will be exposed.

Whereas every law in this country that effects the lives, livelihoods, homes, businesses and transportation must be based on truth or they are meaningless.

Whereas criminal governments throughout history restricted free speech. We cannot allow any attack on free speech to infiltrate our government

–MRF

www.mrf.org

WAIT THERE’S MORE

Man, today was a test. I’m learning this new program and getting my ass kicked along the way. So, worked all day, but the program didn’t like what I posted and wouldn’t save. So, at the end of the day I lost most of it.

Mr. Wayfarer saved some of the text, while I hit the road down the canyon to Vinnie’s for a Halloween party. Vinnie owns the original Pappy Hoels pad on Junction in Sturgis. He’s done a tremendous rehab of the place, but his new wife, Lori has major plans. Hang on.

I should be depressed, but what the hell. I hung with good friends for a couple of hours, then returned to the battle lines for whiskey and rebuilding the news. We’re almost there.

I decided to give myself a treat in the form of a new knife. Brother Stoney suggest several manufacturers including Elishiwitz Knives. I need something tough and shapely. It needs to fit in my back pocket and not be a monster. These have titanium handles and brass fasteners. They run about $400.

Gearhead sent me this piece of history, a V-8 Curtis. It’s a reprint from a magazine story. I may share it with you, if I can sort out these program issues.

We might attend a fund raiser for Deadwood tomorrow night. This original David Mann will be auctioned off.

Bill May, our extra terrestrial editor is about to build a classic chopper for himself. He’s built bikes, cars and trucks for customers for 50 years.

It’s about time. He has most of the major pieces.

We may see it come together on Bikernet. Hang on.

In the meantime ride fast and free forever!

–Bandit

That Can Be Fixed

Sitting at the kitchen table with Rogue, enjoying reading Facebook posts I blurted out “It’s Hot Between my Legs”. Rogue was sipping on his coffee and almost chocked. He asked what are you talking about. 

The post that I was reading on Facebook was referring to the same problem that I had the day before. She was asking riders if they were experiencing the extreme heat that was radiating off the engine. Rogues responded by telling me it was one hundred degrees outside and you are sitting over an air-cooled motorcycle engine, what do I expect?

I reminded him of our ride the day before when I told him that “It is too hot in between my legs” the heat coming off the engine is too hot. Rogue said, “we live in Florida”. That was not the response I was looking for. But he did tell me there is a part to help that.

I decided to research to see if there was a part which deflected the heat off the engine away from in between my legs. I found a Mid-Frame Air Deflectors which could help solve my dilemma.

Mid-Frame Air Deflector 29200105 | Harley-Davidson USA

Description

Improve rider comfort during the summer riding season.

• Designed for severe duty and extreme temperature applications

• Inconspicuous black deflectors attach to the frame and surround the top of the rear cylinder head

• Scoop shape captures the moving air and uses the flow to direct the heat down and away from the rider to improve comfort

• Compatible with Original Equipment and Harley-Davidson accessory seats and rocker covers

• Includes all required mounting hardware

It just so happened my birthday was approaching, and Rogue said, “Happy Birthday” and ordered this part for my Softail FXST.

 The installation was very simple. First you need to remove the seat and install deflectors over mid-frame.

 Slide the right deflector into the left deflector engaging a snap. Install the screw from the right side and nut into indent on the left side.

The torque for this install is 10-15 Inch Pounds

 Replace the seat pulling on the front of the seat to verify its secure and in place.

 Later in the day I was able to test out the new install. Beautiful day in Florida. Rode for a period of time and when I stopped at a light and could notice that the heat off the motor wasn’t as hot as it had been on prior rides.

 So, I made a good decision and would recommend the deflectors to those that think.

“It’s Hot Between Their Legs”,

McClure Nitro Harley Nationals Ready to Rattle The Rock

PennGrade1 AMRA All-American motorcycle drag racing series pre-race advance

event: PennGrade1 AMRA Jim McClure All-Harley World Finals

when: October 25-27, 2024

where: Rockingham Dragway in Marston, North Carolina, USA

When Rockingham Dragway posted their recent Street Outlaws event as the biggest Rockingham crowd of the year, PennGrade1 American Motorcycle Racing Association (AMRA) series boss Greg Baugh said “Hold my beer!” Because those TV car boys ain’t got nothing on the show that the flame-throwing Nitro Harley-Davidson two wheelers and the rough folks that ride them put on.

The PennGrade1 AMRA Jim McClure All-Harley World Finals will shake even Rockingham’s concrete grandstands as the world’s largest all-American motorcycle drag racing series comes back for its annual celebration of nitro, V-Twin speed, and the late, great Jim McClure.

Headlining this hallowed Harley Drags competition are the most thundering motorcycles on the planet— Circle M Ranch/Dove Fuels Top Fuel.

Defending Rockingham winner Jordan Peterson is fresh off a win at Bowling Green. His Mike Henry-owned, Mike and Jack Romine-tuned mount is on point and looking to hunt in the Sand Hills.

But this is Jay “Bulldog” Turner country, and the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Famer doesn’t take kindly to out-of-towners poaching on his land. Along with his teammates—two time NHRA champ Tii Tharpe on his Pfafftown-based Spevco mount and AMRA’s own John “JT” Toth—Turner intends to stand his ground.

He’ll have to deal with invaders from as far away as Finland at this truly international event. Juha “Sushi”Hintukainen and his wild ProCharged bike and Samu Kemppainen intend to pillage in the name of the Vikings. Even Elmeri Salakari and his dad Jaska’s blown 4 valve, 5.8 second V-Twin will be making exhibition passes.

Bad Apple Racing’s Tracy Kile has sat out the season so far, but the allure of the McClure Nationals has him back in the seat for this great event. AMRA champ Ryan Peery, California’s Tim Kerrigan, Virginia’s Ziggy Stewart, and more are expected to throw down at The Rock.

Bad Apple’s Jimmy “Mac” McMillen is also coming back to competition for the first time since the season opener in Louisiana. He’ll be riding Armon Furr’s Nitro Funnybike at The Rock against his teammate Cameron Gunter, champion Jim Doyle, Michael Balch, Racin’ Ray Robinson, Jason Leeper, and more.

The carbureted Hawaya Racing Pro Fuel class is one of the fastest growing in the country, with every event bringing out new riders and the return of old ones. Champion Sam White will face Cecil County winner “Bad Apple Mary” Dangrow, Norwalk and Bowling Green winner Curt Sexton, Funnybike racer Leeper, Hot Rod Carlisle, Rocky Jackson, Jim “Bad Influence” Martin and more

Not every bike at AMRA races is a nitro noisemaker, the majority are gasoline hot rods.

Outlaw Street bikes take gas to its most mind-blowing limits, mixing it with nitrous or compressing it with massive turbos. Charley Douglass will have to sit this one out after flipping over backwards last time out, but Tim Grindle, Ken Miller, and more are expected to turn out and put out.

Put bags on your Outlaw and you’ve got Zipper’s Performance Pro Bagger—turbo and nitrous behemoths throwing everything available in the mechanical and technological world to make all-out quarter mile assaults. Michigan winner Chaz Kennedy, Jeremy Williamson, Bowling Green winner Rick Hunnicutt, Jeremy Justice, Bert Baker, Andy Simon Sr. and more will be unleashing their Bagger beasts.

Thundermax Street Baggers will see Bowling Green winner Jimmy Maikranz, Michigan winner Keith Evans, No Problem winner Dave “Paco” Cartwright, Jeff Boudreaux, Thomas Boone and more fighting to keep their front wheels down the whole quarter mile.

Axtell Cylinders Hot Street bike will see Martin and Bowling Green winner Clayton Danford, Joe Petersen, Jason Crisp and more working no-bar, streetbike magic

Pro Modified and Zippers Performance Modified are wheelie-barred, gas-powered, tube chassis pure breds. Legendary racers Gary Douglass, Billy Doherty, Dave Doremus, John Price, Jason Adams, Chris Hoppe and more battle it out on these bikes.

Index classes are Top Eliminator 9.30 index, Super Gas 9.90, Thundermax Street Eliminator 11.50, BK Electric Super Pro 10.30, and Pro Eliminator 10.90. Sportsman legends such as Donnie Huffman, Cody Hayworth, Matt Hawkins, Bryce Creek, Chris “Crank” Lanktree, Monty Garrelts, John Shotts, Josh Maikranz, Heather Jendruch, Terry Mason, Chris Phipps, Chad Traynor, Crosby Blair, Bob Willis, Sean Clarke, and more apply their finishline skills in these classes.

Many of these same riders will also enter Eliminator Dial-in bracket racing, and so can you. Want to try your own American-made V-Twin out on the quarter mile? Bring it along with your safety gear and send it!

PennGrade1 AMRA’s Greg and Julia Baugh, and John “JT” Toth and Marianne Miller look forward to welcoming the whole Harley-Davidson family to Rockingham Dragway for the most special race on the motorcycle drag racing calendar.

Sunday, Oct 27, gates open at 8 am. Opening ceremonies and round 1 of eliminations start at noon.

Online Admission prices are $20 per day, $35 for two days, and $45 for the weekend available at https://tickets.thefoat.com/Ro…

PRICES GO UP AT THE GATE.

You can tent for free. RV hookup is $300 for the weekend, $250 power only. Dry camping is $40 for weekend. Please reserve at THEROCKRV.COM or call Rockingham Dragway at 910-582-3400

The track website is https://www.rockinghamdragway….

The track Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Rocki…

AMRA website

–Tim Hailey

EatMyInk.com

EXCLUSIVE: GOP Lawmakers Press Biden-Harris Admin Over Alleged Cover-Up Behind Major Fossil Fuel Crackdown

By Nick Pope

Contributor WUWT

Forty-five GOP lawmakers are demanding answers from the Department of Energy (DOE) after a government watchdog group accused the agency of covering up a key study that would have interfered with one of the Biden-Harris administration’s most aggressive crackdowns on fossil fuels.

The lawmakers wrote to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Thursday to address a watchdog’s allegations that her agency conducted or drafted — and then quietly buried — a study on the emissions impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports in 2023 before pausing approvals for certain LNG export terminals in January on the grounds that the agency needed to conduct such a review. Government Accountability and Oversight (GAO), the watchdog making the allegations, is suing the agency under public records law to obtain the thousands of pages DOE concedes may fit GAO’s specific request searching for the 2023 study that the agency allegedly buried because it was producing politically inconvenient conclusions, as first reported by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s attempt to conceal its findings on liquefied natural gas impacts is troubling. Despite evidence that U.S. LNG benefits both the economy and global energy security, the Department of Energy has imposed an indefinite ban on LNG exports to non-free trade agreement countries without legal justification,” Republican Texas Rep. August Pfluger, who led the letter, said in a statement shared with the DCNF. “The lack of transparency from DOE on existing studies, as well as the motivation behind the ongoing study, is unacceptable. The American people deserve accountability on the decision-making process surrounding our energy future.” (RELATED: Qatar Expanding Natural Gas Export Capacity After Biden Admin Paused New Hub Approvals)

–from WUWT

We’re just Bikers for Truth, seeking government honest and integrity.

–Banidt

Biketoberfest 2024

Story and photos by Katmandu

This October, your motorcycle mecca, also known as Daytona Beach and her surrounding state counties were heavily impacted by a strong, often Cat 5, hurricane named Milton. Yet despite heavy flooding in many neighborhoods and hundred mile an hour wind gusts the week before, the 32nd annual Biketoberfest kicked off in full hard-core fashion with Tropical Tattoo’s Chopper Time. This six-hour motorcycle show continues to bring the southern tribes back together if only for a couple of hours on a Thursday afternoon.  As Floridians, we spend days in preparation for a stinkin’ storm and three days after with no power, or coffee.  We can get rather testy. We secured the garage and protected the motorcycles at all costs.

Then, without too much warning, we feel the outside temperatures drop a solid fifteen degrees and it becomes perfect riding weather. This year, all the surrounding streets are lined with the massive piles of storm debris on every curb, but the sunshine was spectacular. Skies were bright blue and crystal clear. The air was actually crispy most of the day when this tattoo shop transforms into a big kid’s playground for all things metal, rubber and color.

The man behind the magic is Willie Perry. After sixty-nine years of Florida, most of it in Volusia County, he knows what makes for a good show. This one he hailed as almost flawless. There is teamwork in all areas of putting on this event. Willie often cites his people as the reason for this, from security to judging to helping set the band up. Tropical Tattoo shows have always been retro, gleaning back to the days of old and how it should or could still be.

Biketoberfest, often referred to as Bike Week’s little brother, with warmer weather, and lesser crowds may be thirty something in years, but Willie was having family chopper time in the summer months before lining up his shop and this show with the October timiKng of what started as The Daytona Fall Tour. Leave it to us to change the name to Biketoberfest a year later. He says it was around 2001 that the chopper became cool once more and with came the magazines, both local and national, were in attendance for Choppertime. The word spread.

And whether its March or October, the sheer intensity of the show, its craftsmanship and camaraderie, and especially its itty bitty sparklers often shining off by our healthy young women friends who don’t give a damn about the drop in degrees.

Bike builders both home spun or money backed would vie for a ChopperTime trophy. This writer believes this is where the industry trophies turned from golden Olympia plated bases into metal artworks relative to the lifestyle chopper heads live in. This has now come full circle as the metal works of designer “Little Chopper” of Gorilla Fabrications smoothed the lines and grafted a more contemporary look and feel.

Bikes are judges by people for the people. Unlike its rowdy big brother Bike Week, (there were 194 motorcycles to judge in March) here there were only 32 bikes registered for the fall show.  Consider winning a trophy from these various classes:  the Shovelhead Coalition,  Willies pick, Best Rat, or Reverand Al’s pick. The pastor outdid it with the custom trophy. The ladies best build was the newest category. Alas, my shovel was sold 4 years ago. Of course there are the Antique, Panhead and best Knucklehead class too! Just too many to share at this time.

My report is a bit late. I had a hurricane to deal with. Watch for another outstanding and packed Bike Week show. I hope this finds you all dreaming of more customized motorcycles, those young healthy women in fishnet and rhinestones!

Love and respect always, Katmandu

Now living in Motorcycle Mecca, Daytona Beach

It was 1982. I had just gone through my second divorce. I landed a new job at United Home Foods. They were a company that delivered a month’s supply of food to people who lived in the country. They had a sales staff who phoned people all over the state and sold them these monthly packages. They offered terrific beef from Nebraska sealed in plastic.

They ran all over the country with a fleet of brand new box trucks. I remember five Mercedes and five Volvos. My job was to maintain them. Any serious work went to the dealer. They were all under warranty. I did oil changes and lights and kept the diesel and electric refrigeration units working. I was on call 24/7 and lived next to the shop in a travel trailer. They paid me $500 a week, and I had a van and a credit card for anything I needed. It was the best job ever.

My supervisor was Glen Jackson. Glen was a ladies man. He was very charming and all the girls loved him. He had a crew of several girls working in the warehouse putting together orders and loading the trucks. They covered the whole state of Oklahoma. These girls all fooled around with Glen. Most of them were married and so was Glen.

We became great friends. I got in on that fooling around stuff a little. There was a gorgeous blond named Kelly who worked in the office. She fell for me and would come visit me in my trailer often. She was 19 and had a little baby. These were the most unfaithful married people I had ever seen.

We had a Christmas dinner 1982. The whole company was there. I noticed a little short blond named Donna. She worked in the finance division of the company. Her job was to get people to pay their food bills. She had this cute manner and voice no one could say no to. I asked if she wanted to go for a motorcycle ride. She said she would love to. She was separated but still married. She had a six year old daughter but she was with her dad in California. After a couple of rides on my 76 FLH I was in love. She seemed to like me too. We fit like a glove. We took a long weekend and rode to Santa Fe.

It was a great trip, the summer of ‘82. We did many more short rides that year. She loved riding. She was always good to go and never bitched about anything.

This company was very liberal about taking off. As long as I kept those trucks running, I could do anything I wanted. I was constantly buying and selling bikes and cars. I sold the Electra-Glide to my friend Ross. He owned it previously and I owned it before that. We just passed the thing around. I scored a real complete ‘47 Indian Chief from a friend of one of Donna’s relatives.

I gave 800 dollars for a complete Chief and most of another one in pieces. I brought the thing home and got it running for the first time in 20 years or so. I sold the basket job for $400. The reason I sold the Electra-Glide was for running money. Donna wanted her kid back and I drove her all the way to San Jose, but when we got there the father wouldn’t let her go.

We had to get the law involved and the girl ended up with child services while we drove all the way back to Oklahoma to engage a lawyer. Fortunately she knew a good one. He got her divorce filed and  temporary custody. She traveled all the way back to California on a bus. I had a friend out there who gave her a place to stay and helped her get her daughter back. They showed up at the house where she was living just as her dad was loading up a U-haul to move to Ohio with the kid.

 Donna called the police. They arrived, she showed  them the custody papers and dad was forced to relinquish the kid. When they got back to Oklahoma, I got to know her daughter. Not a very nice child. The trauma of all the shit she’d been through messed her up. I had a daughter the same age. They got along good. I kept busy keeping the trucks running.

We rolled into 1983 and I tinkered with the Indian. I didn’t have a bike, but I did drive a ‘76 Eldorado. That’s what we drove to California. Gas was cheap back then. The national speed limit was 55.

Sometime around then I sold the ’76 Caddy and bought a ‘79 Eldorado. I was a Cadillac man in those days.

 Donna and I split up for a little while around Christmas of ‘83. I realized I really loved her and didn’t want to lose her. We rode the old Indian for a while. I rebuilt the engine and it ran great. I had about 1200 dollars in it and I wanted another Electra-Glide. I traded it for a ’79 Glide.

Donna on the Indian her daughter standing behind her.

Donna in 1986 on a Honda I cut down for her.

 The bike I traded the Indian for. The burgundy one is the orange ‘76 with a new paint job by me. I also painted the ‘79. It was originally gold.

The spring of ‘84 Donna and I took a week off and headed south on the ‘79 Electra-Glide. We planned to go all the way to Tucson. We took back roads to San Angelo. Roughly the route I had ridden a year before on my trip to the Big Bend. From San Angelo we rode to Van Horn and hit interstate 20 and 10. They run together there. The engine was making a whining noise and running rough. I had to keep adjusting the points. If I had electronic ignition it would have quit right there.

We made it to El Paso. I pulled it apart in a Kragen auto parts parking lot right across the street from Barnett’s Harley-Davidson. I strolled in and met Sherm Barnett. He was friendly but wouldn’t let me borrow a cam bearing puller.

I bought a Sifton 440 cam and a new inner bearing from him. I bought a puller in the local auto parts house that I was able to pull the bearing with. The  early 80-inch Shovelheads were loaded with a cheap version of inner cam bearings. The Torrington bearing they used before was quality.

After about 30k miles it came apart. I recently found the same type bearing in my ‘98 Evolution engine. I replaced that one too. Anyway I was able to clean most of the pieces of the roller out of the cases with a flexible magnet. Some of it slipped through the crankcase breather gear and chipped of a piece off the case, but it didn’t hurt anything.

I wrenched it back together with limited tools, but then we didn’t have enough money to go on to Tucson. We headed up to Las Cruces and through Alamogordo and cloud Croft and then cruised through Ruidoso. Winding roads slid along verdant rolling hills scattered with pine trees and vistas overlooking Ruidoso lakes.

All the way Donna hung on like a trooper and never bitched about anything. It was early spring, March I think. We rode through Lincoln and saw all the Billy the Kid stuff, then over to Roswell and up to Clovis, where we got a room. The next day we peeled across the Texas panhandle against a terrible crosswind. We made it home on the rumbling too- old Shovelhead still running great. Soon after that it started blowing oil out of the breather hose. I pulled the oil pump apart and found a piece of cam bearing in the return pump. I found more pieces in the breather gear screen. If you have a virgin Shovel from ‘78-‘84 replace the inner cam bearing quick. Also if you have a ‘90-‘99 replace it.

During the summer of ‘84 the food company slipped downhill fast. I turned my job over to my buddy Ross Collins and sold the ‘79. I borrowed my friend Don Ward’s ‘71 Electra-Glide, put a full coverage insurance policy on it and Donna and I hit the road again. This time we headed west with the idea in mind to leave a bunch of drama in Oklahoma behind and find a new place to live.

We rode out of OKC in early July 1984. We headed back to New Mexico. That old bike was loaded down. We rode to Santa Fe again and met another couple on the road. They were from the Santa Fe area and Rode with us up through Chama where they still have a running steam train.

We crossed into Colorado and rode over the Wolf Creek Pass to Creede, where Bat Masterson once ran a saloon. We stopped for a while and had beers and listened to a band then headed back down to Pagossa springs. We stopped at this beautiful waterfall called Bridal Veil falls. We said goodbye to our new friends and rolled west to Durango where we got a room. Durango is a great town. We considered moving there but we kept going to Cortez the next morning.

On the way we rode up to the top of Mesa Verde and saw the Clift dwellings. It is crazy the things primitive people were able to accomplish. We rode up 666 to Monticello, Utah. Now it’s on highway 491. The first motel we pulled into didn’t have any business but they saw a couple on Harley as someone they didn’t want, so they told me flat out “we don’t have a room for you!” We straddled our ride and rumbled down the main street and found a much friendlier motel.

Next day we headed west on scenic 95 through Natural Bridges park and onto Hanksville. From there we took Highway 24 to 89 then hit 50 at Salina. We took 50 to the Nevada line where we camped by to road. We had a sleeping bag and we used it there.

I wanted a fire but didn’t have any matches or a lighter, so I pulled up some sticks and unhooked my battery negative cable and turned on the lights, and then I dipped a stick in the gas tank and held it by the battery terminal and touched the cable to the terminal. When the sparks hit the stick, we had a fire. We also had a pint of whiskey. We had a few shots and crawled into that bag and had a real good time. We slept like tired babies that night. No cell phone and no gun.

The next day we headed west on the loneliest highway in the US. Just west of Austin the rear tire blew. There we sat until an old yellow Chevy pickup with 4 big Indians in it stopped. We loaded that old dresser in the back and sat there with it all the way to the Honda dealer in Fallon. It was right next to Crown auto body which had painted my ‘55 Chevy in 1968. The same guy now owned the Honda dealer. I bought a tire and tube from him and put it on in the parking lot. I was stationed at NAAS (navy auxiliary air station) Fallon from ‘66 to ‘69.

We rode onto Reno where I found a friend I knew from the Navy. We decided that was the place for us. But we kept riding into San Francisco and found my old buddy Roark in Foster City. He helped Donna the year before, when she fought to get her kid back. I love that guy. He is still around and I hope he is well.

We hung around a couple of days and headed back to Reno to check on some jobs. Everyone wanted a local address so we headed south on 395 all the way to Barstow where we hit I-40 and headed home. It rained cats and dogs around Williams, Arizona. We stopped at Walmart and bought some of those yellow rain suits. We kept riding east. I can’t remember for sure where we spent the nights. I think Needles and Gallup.

We tired by the time we reached OKC two weeks from the day we left. That was the best two weeks of my life. Donna was awesome. We traded a ‘69 Coupe Deville to my cousin Jimmy for his ‘81 C20 Chevrolet truck. I hooked it to my 24-foot park model Travel-ease trailer and headed back to Reno. Ross held my old job. I loaded all my tools and all our clothes and Donna’s and her daughter into the truck and trailer and rolled to Reno.

We made that trip with no trouble and moved into an RV park in Reno. I got a job wrenching at Halman Chevrolet and Donna got on at Miller’s Outpost. We were flat broke by then and my old mom sent us 500 dollars. We did well in Reno and got married in September ‘84. Donna had problems and birth defects from a drug her mom took to prevent miscarriage in older moms. Turned out there was a class action lawsuit that Donna never took advantage of. She didn’t think she could get pregnant again but after 2 years of sex with her every night, she got pregnant about 5 minutes after I married her, go figure.

I got a better job working at Sierra Sid’s truck stop as a mechanic. I got a license to do smog tests. I bought an ‘81 moto guzzi 850T that had been on fire for 300 bucks. A little rewiring and spray paint and a Yamaha seat and I had a cool bobber.

Here is a shot of my old pal Ross Collins and the evil Midget Mike Cook. He has been on monster garage and he was the paper boy in Killers of the Flower Moon.

Ross has been my best friend since 1969 I have mentioned him before and Little Mike has been my friend since I first met him in Ross’s shop in the late ‘90s. Mike’s dad owned Steve Cook Creations, the finest custom cars ever built, like Dave Kindig in Utah only no tv show.

I traded the Guzzi for a ‘51 Ford Pickup with a Buick motor. I got it running good and Donna and I stopped by the Harley shop just browsing. At that time it was a small friendly dealer. McDonald’s H-D. McDonald himself told me I could have this limited edition ‘85 FXR if I could come up with 1000 dollars. They were using Ford credit at that time. I sold the pickup for 1000 dollars and bought a new Harley. Donna was several months pregnant. It was around March of ’85 and still chilly in Reno, but I owned a brand new Harley. In early June we went for warm winding mountain ride down to Placerville and part of scenic highway 49 in the gold rush country. We never had a problem of any kind.

My Boy was born on July 11, 1985. Our 7/11 boy, we named him William Andrew after me and my father. We called him Andy. In 1988 we moved to Vegas. The rest of the story is 12 years of hard work and wheeling and dealing to survive. Our relationship suffered because of drama stuff not related to bikes. so I will end this tale here. More later.

–Bill May

Hey,

What a wild week. I am going to step back onto the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Board of directors, if they’ll have me. I spoke to the Mayor of Sturgis, then she resigned and the city collapsed. I watched the next 100-year-old motorcycle rally for 2025 take shape, the American Trans Am from North Carolina to Oregon in September. I spoke to a JD Vance lead staffer about unveiling the policies impacting all Americans and I finally found time in my shop to begin the completion of my Knucklehead wiring.

One more thing, my computer and email system went haywire and I struggled with repairing, updating and dialing in my system with the help of my old friend Chuck, Robintek staff and MAC wizards from 3-Lanterns in Columbus, Ohio.

I guess it’s okay to 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.

The News was provided by the Bikernet Team including: Wayfarer, the Redhead, Bob T. Sam Burns, Laura, Barry Green, El Waggs, J.J. Solari, Amy White, Jenn and the rest of the crew.

RIDER OF THE WEEK–Harrie van EwijkIs is from Nijmegen, Netherlands, and now lives in Groesbeek. Unfortunately, I found myself distracted.

Nils Bialuch lives in Welver, Germany.

–Sam Burns

International Motorcycle Research Specialist

Bikernet.com ™

STRIDER ADDS NEW COLORS– All-New Bike Builder

Choose from exclusive new bike colors, fun favorites, and performance parts to personalize a Strider 12 Balance Bike.

Because one of the best parts of owning a Strider Bike is customizing it for your kiddo!

Build Your 12 Sport

Build Your 12 Pro

Child paints colors on a black and white illustration of a Strider Bike. On mouse hover, image changes to a custom matte black Strider 12 Pro with blue High-Traction Wheels, red Aluminum Riser handlebar, and yellow grips.

 Pick Your Perfect Ride

Print our coloring sheet and let your little rider design their very own dream bike! Mix, match, and make it fit their unique style.Go to the Strider website.

THE BUFFALO CHIP IS NEVER OUT OF GEAR–To those of you begging for a band announcement, we hear you loud and clear.

Bands Are Coming Soon!

If you want to see the bands

FOR LESS THAN $27 PER DAY

Get your Early Bird Passes now!

Prices will Never be this Low Again AND Special Prices Won’t Last Forever

Admission Includes Concerts, Entertainment and Camping

You can’t get more for less anywhere

Reserve Now

We list some of the bands fans like you have asked for… It’s fun to dream while you wait for the first announcement to drop! Get the lowest price of the year Join the Best Party Anywhere in 2025 for LESS THAN $27 PER DAY!

Reserve Now

See the Bands at the Buffalo Chip Website

A SERMON FROM THE BIKERNET THOUGHT TEMPLE–I Fear Not

Move, but don’t move the way fear makes you move.  

–Rumi

What is in the past remains there, and I move forward with confidence. I know that I have nothing to fear, for within me lies the strength to overcome every obstacle and limitation. Each lesson is an opportunity for growth, and I choose not to repeat the patterns of the past.

When old feelings of fear or doubt arise, I turn inward, release them, and find peace. I remind myself that I am never alone on this journey of life. Faith and trust in the Power of Spirit are always with me, no matter the circumstances.

It’s easy to be swayed by negativity and the prophets of doom, but I choose a different path. I choose to live a life filled with love, joy, peace, health, prosperity, and so much more. As I go through today, I raise my invisible shield against negativity and focus on the good.

Affirmation for Today:

Today is a truly great day. I release all fear, doubt, and negativity. I move through this day with complete confidence, knowing that everything is unfolding in perfect order. Nothing can shake my faith. I am grateful for the abundant gifts in my life, and as I live in this truth, I inspire others to do the same. Today is beyond fantastic—it is Super Fantastic!

And so it is.

Namaste

He who is not every day conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life. 

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

 THE BATTLE FOR THE–Right to Repair

The right to repair is the concept that consumers should have the ability to repair and modify their own devices, vehicles, and equipment. This includes access to the necessary tools, parts, and information needed to perform repairs.

Generally speaking, there are four key concepts around right to repair.

1. Original Design

–   Products should be built or designed so that repairs or modifications are possible. This includes providing the manuals or schematics so end users have the knowledge to work on their products.

2. Parts and Tools

–   Items you need to work on the product you own should be available at a fair price. The availability of parts, tools or diagnostic devices should not be restricted.

3. Technology

–   “Unlocking” products or the software used should not be prohibited.

4. Repairability

–   End users should know whether their products or the parts in those products can be replaced, repaired or modified.

As products become more complex the barriers to working on them also become more complex. In the last 15 years the debate on this topic has heated up.

In 2012 voters in Massachusetts passed a referendum that required car manufacturers provide the needed diagnostic equipment to consumers that at the time was restricted to car dealers. This was one of the first shots in the ongoing battle on the issue.

The debate around the Massachusetts law helped facilitate a “memorandum of understanding” (MOU) between two associations representing the independent aftermarket, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association and the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality; and the vehicle manufacturers represented by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Global Automakers.

The agreement meant that manufacturers would abide by the new Massachusetts state law. Importantly motorcycles were NOT included in the MOU. That’s because the association for the manufactures side only included car makers, not motorcycle manufacturers.

However, motorcycle manufacturers did not escape the eye of federal regulators. In 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found that Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HD) was imposing illegal warranty terms that voided customers’ warranties if they used anyone other than the companies and their authorized dealers to get parts or repairs for their products. The FTC also alleged that H-D failed to fully disclose all the terms of its warranty in a single document, requiring consumers to contact an authorized dealership for full details.

It should be noted that a class action lawsuit was filed against H-D on this topic. In the summer of 2024, a federal court ruled that the company did not impose unlawful restrictions on customers that boosted the cost of repairs.

Many believe that the MOU, court cases and actions by the FTC are not enough to protect consumers right to repair or modify their products. As such several states are attempting to codify right to repair principles into law. At the federal level the REPAIR ACT (H.R. 906) seeks to address this issue. The tug of war between consumers and manufacturers is ending soon. Knowing the basics of the issue is important first step to understanding the stakes of this heated debate. 

Follow this and other strident motorcycle issues on the Motorcycle Riders Foundation web site.  

–MRF
www.mrf.org

THE TRAVELING SHERIFF–Made it down to Greece a third time this autumn

Everything is great except the country of Turkey are shipping Syrian refugees to Europe constantly.

Fun that your grandson is on the cover of Choppers Magazine and I have five pages some mag. Our World is small as I use to say

Will arrive Miami 26 th Feb meet up with Warren Lane. Then continue to New Smyrna Beach gearing up for my 70th the 4th of March in Daytona from 1985 I was there 26 years in a row saw all the changes….

Three weeks with the lady could be the last US visit, however I will try to visit you in SD somehow sometime.

Ride fast

—Chris
SHERIFFMEDIAGROUP SWEDEN

You better make it one more time!

–Bandit

Montana’s top POLITICIANS censor climate truth—

Our greatest enemy is not each other. The battle between Rs and Ds is a distraction.

Our greatest enemy is the World Economic Forum and its associated deep state, and rich dudes like Bill Gates who is buying up US farmland to reduce our future food supply.

WEF wants to own the world. They are rich. They are smart. They are organized.

If we were smart, we would fight this common enemy.

WEF must keep voters delusional about climate. People who believe their carbon emissions threaten the planet will approve government laws and taxes that will enslave them. Covid fraud is connected to climate fraud but that is another story.

WEF says they will control America by 2030, making us just one Senate term from being WEF slaves who will “own nothing, go nowhere, eat insects, and be happy.”

WEF needs to elect its people to Congress, so they can help WEF achieve its 2030 goals.

How to identify WEF candidates.

WEF are those who Support AG Knudsen’s purposeful loss of Held v Montana.

Censor climate truth.

Refused to be a party to my Amicis Brief on HvM.

These Montana WEFs are Senator Daines, Senate candidate Sheehy, Rep Zinke, Rep candidate Downing, Gov Gianforte, and AG Knudsen.

Good people are open to hearing climate truth even if they don’t believe it. Good people don’t censor climate truth.

If Montana had defeated HvM, it would have stopped WEF’s plan for America.

So, WEF made sure Knudsen purposely lost Held v Montana.

The media will not report what happened inside Knudsen’s office but his blatant non-defense of HvM cannot be hidden.

Montana is an easy WEF target. With a few WEF influencers, WEF can use money or threats to control elected officials.

WEF is after you, but I am in its way.

Since I am the only person in Montana who teaches and defends climate truth, what Trump says about himself also applies to me.

That’s why Montana censored me, blacklisted me, and tried (but failed) to destroy my climate business. By contrast, California contracted with me to do its largest wind energy survey and its key long-range drought prediction, and never harassed me.

There are many ways I could have helped Montana save a lot of money, but Rep Zinke, Gov Gianforte, and AG Knudsen chose to follow the eco-freaks on climate and censor me. They don’t understand professions. Would they choose an eco-freak to cure a heart attack?

–Dr. Ed Berry
Montana

WHERE FREEDOM STILL LIVES– Born Free 3 Texas

So my friend Henry & I made our way to BF3, considering trying it last year but had only had the RP a week so we were still getting to know each other.  She did excellent on her first intentional extended run, with the only issue being a slight fuel hiccup. 

As I passed the first station I heard my girls tell me I should go back, heading a bit farther and rounding a curve to find a good spot to go back, I hit reserve.  Signaling to Henry & his 6-gallon tank to turn around, I began making my way back and the RP starts cutting out and then dies!  And not in the best place along the this stretch of highway 59!

Wondering what the heck, as there should be a gallon of fuel, popping the cap to see what I could see?  We had discussed the fuel range differences in my S&S carburetor powered Evo to his injected M8.  The Bassani Road Rage 2 & S&S E do not like each other, but that’s a different story.

  Anyway, hitting the starter she fired up & I took off back to the gas station. Thank You Girls!  The rest of the 356 mile round trip journey was issue free.  Except for that one stretch there are plenty of gas stops.

Arriving at Yellow Rose Canyon and having not remembered to register online we were directed to the check-in area, online also save you $5.

  Walking back to the bikes the RP was already attracting attention!  Then making our way to the back parking, she was getting complements. I no sooner put the kickstand down when a guy in a cart with a camera suggested I move down to event and park with the FXRs from the tour and those who rode with them.  Assuming he meant the ride in show and finally figuring out just where that was, I parked. 

However when I started looking at all the bikes there in front of the stage, there was only one other FXR & it was a chopper. you can see my RP behind a nice Shovelhead in the Chopper area!

 Realizing my mistake, I pulled to the location where the FXR Tour bikes were, it was as if they were waiting for me as there was one spot left on the end, so she got a lot of attention!

A turbo powered M8 took the top FXR Tour honors and I’m sure it’s fast!  But Henry who’s building an RP, as well and myself are purist snobs.  If you want your Evo powered FXR to go faster put a bigger engine in it.  However our opinions also falls under the, “I didn’t build it to meet your expectations, I built it to meet mine!” category. 

Tried to get attendance figures, but haven’t heard back.  While we really didn’t see anyone coming out of Houston headed that direction Saturday morning.  Possibly due to the fact the majority of attendees got there on Thursday when the party began!  We had to cut out after the awards, I really thought I was going to take The Best Rattle-Can Painted RP fairing class.

–RFR

Passion has one face: INTERMOT 2024

INTERMOT 2024 is preparing for its appearance under the motto #Together We Ride. From 5 to 8 December 2024, the trade fair will once again be the central meeting point for the entire bike scene – from established motorcyclists to up-and-coming riders and urban bikers. The diversity of the scene and the special atmosphere of INTERMOT will take center stage.

The emotional trailer, which will be launched at the end of October, is intended in particular to emphasize the community aspect of INTERMOT. The film focuses on very different people in very different life situations, but who have one thing in common: a passion for motorcycling!

Prominent faces as protagonists

In order to emphasise the diversity that INTERMOT offers, the Koelnmesse team has found two suitable characters for the film in @sophiacalate, one of the largest German influencers on TikTok with over 1.5 million followers, and Claudio Heinzmann, musician and manager of his sister Stefanie Heinzmann, as representatives of the young, urban community. And Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse, was also keen to join the two other protagonists on his BMW to represent the diversity and attitude to life that makes the biker world so special – freedom, community and a passion for riding.

In addition to the protagonists of the film, many other influencers will of course be on site in Cologne, from Instagram and YouTube star @seaky to the singing biker from Bavaria, @paulmustano.

A complete list of creators can be found at

https://www.intermot-cologne.com/events/eventcluster-erleben/creator

Link to the INTERMOT trailer:

The German bike scene will kick off the 2025 season at INTERMOT from 5 to 8 December 2024. INTERMOT is the only complete showcase for the start of the season in Germany; almost all of the new bikes from the exhibiting companies can be experienced live in Cologne and some can be test ridden. INTERMOT is organised by Koelnmesse and the Industrie-Verband Motorrad Deutschland e.V. (IVM) as the conceptual sponsor.

Further information: https://www.intermot-cologne.com/trade-fair/intermot-2024/industry-trade-fairs/

The next events:

INTERMOT Cologne – International Motorcycle and Scooter Fair, Cologne 05.12. – 08.12.2024

polisMOBILITY – Moving Cities, Cologne 11.06. – 12.06.2025

INTERMOT Cologne – International Motorcycle and Scooter Fair, Cologne 04.12. – 07.12.2025

New Bikernet Reader Comment!

THE PREPARATIONS BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for July 11, 2024

Sorry to hear that about Gene Winfield. I shook his hand at the Starbird show in Tulsa in 23. Didn?t see him there in 24. He was riding around the huge show in a golf cart. Very nice humble man. I happen they keep that gal in jail for a while, a caregiver abusing their patients is horrible.

–Bill May

Nashville , TN

We are working with Bill on a Life and Times story. It should be published tomorrow.

–Bandit

CO2 CAPTURE SCHEMES–In an attempt to achieve economically crippling “Net Zero” emissions for America, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new regulations that would necessarily require all coal-fired power plants to employ technology that would capture 90% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from the power plant.

Unfortunately, GOP governors in several western coal producing states have embraced this harmful and misguided attempt to solve a non-existent climate crisis.

Wyoming GOP Governor Mark Gordon is the Chair of the Western Governors’ Association and is promoting a plan to “Decarbonize the West” by using carbon capture. Joining him in promoting this scheme are GOP governors from North Dakota and South Dakota, Doug Burgum and Kristi Noem, respectively.

In recent publications, our Science and Research Associate, Dr. Byron Soepyan, provides the facts on the cost, negative consequences and the utter futility of attempting to modify global temperatures using this strategy. Below, we summarize facts that were gleaned from studies by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL):

Reduction in Power Output – Carbon capture is energy intensive and will reduce the amount of electricity available from the plants by 24%.

Cost of Capture – Retrofitting an existing coal plant would cost $988 million. Adapting all 148 existing coal-fired power plants would require an outlay of $146 billion (give or take a few million).

Minuscule Warming Averted – Based on the Model for the Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Induced Climate Change, if the United States ceased all CO2 emissions in 2010, the amount of warming averted would be only about 0.07 °F by 2050 and 0.19 °F by 2100.

Finally, besides being expensive and futile, keep in mind that all trees and plants need CO2, along with sunlight, water, and nutrients from the soil to produce oxygen and food, both of which are essential for all living beings.

Given the critical role CO2 plays in driving plant and crop growth, is spending over $100 billion to remove it from the air sensible? We think not. In fact, it is dangerous.

Read more from the CO2 Coalition on this matter:
The Cost of EPA’s Senseless CO2 Capture
The Cost of Wyoming’s Senseless CO2 Capture
Wyoming and Climate Change: CO2 Should Be Celebrated, Not Captured

M-8 OILING SYSTEMS– M-Eight HP+ & RACE SERIES Oiling Systems

FEULING oiling system kits combine all the needed components to finish your Milwaukee Eight engines oiling system under 1 Part #, available in HP+ or RACE SERIES kits. Our oiling system kits increase oil pressure, oil volume, engine oil flow and return oil scavenging.

Quieter and smoother engine operation

27% more pressure & scavenge gear volume

42% more scavenge volume via port sizing,

Matched engine case passages & holes

46% more oil volume to the crankshaft & rod bearing

15-25 degree cooler engine temperatures

15-30 degree cooler oil temperatures

10-30 more PSI of oil pressure

Reduces wet sumping and blow by

Helps Prevent oily air cleaners

Test results show 2 HP gain & 2 ft/lbs of TQ gain to the rear wheel

www.feulingparts.com

\NHTSA PIRELLI TIRE– Recall ID Number: 24T011

Synopsis :    Pirelli Tire, LLC. (Pirelli) is recalling certain Scorpion Trail II, Metzeler Tourance Next, and Next II tires sold as replacements and for the Metzeler Tourance Next 150/70R18 M/C 70V tire, also installed as original equipment on certain Triumph motorcycles.

Please refer to the recall report for specific sizes. Irregular tire wear may break the belt reinforcement, causing pieces of the tread to separate. Tread separation can cause vehicle instability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will replace the tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 6, 2024. Owners may contact Pirelli Customer Service at 1-800-747-3554.

–cdcs

THE BABE OF THE WEEK—Mary Cato

–Sam Burns
Talent Scout
Bikernet.com

WILD WOODEN VOODOO HALLOWEEN GRIPS–So I bought these, just installed them. They are real wood. Love the look and very comfortable.

Woodysmotorcyclegrips.com

Later

–Barry  G

BANDIT’S 5-BALL EMPORIUM REPORT—Each and every day something happens in Sturgis. It’s a quirky place with motorcycles and motorcycle people slipping in and out of town constantly.

Danial James is thinking about a line of Bandit’s Post art pieces. We’re still kicking it around. We will also create a special line of 85^th annual art images.

The Redhead compiles a daunting list of projects for the Bandit, whenever he shows up, hence the drill press. I drove the ’58 down to with a container load of Bandit Bike posters, poster tubes, all with historic shots of Bandit’s bikes. Hell, there’s one with Cat Von Dee.

Edge from the SmokeOut developed this Bedroll, but only sold them to bros who faced similar road consequences. Seems every time he went on a run it was with three or for slippery bastards and in each case he had to sleep on the deck. Then upon arriving home late, Renee his lovely wife made him sleep in the garage.

It’s not that bad in Sturgis. Most of the bros and babes sleep out under the stars, so I played a slick hand of five-card draw with the SmokeOut founder and won the rights to make real bedrolls for bikernet readers and anyone who might stumble into Bandit’s (that’s me) 5-Ball Emporium in Sturgis or online here.

These puppies are real Bedrolls and my guy made them even bigger at 76 by 44 inches. He also gave them thicker padding and Edge approved the canvas backing. They go for about $150 plus postage. Check the shop for deals.

The Redhead smiled and taped me on the shoulder, when she discovered the value of the old Easyriders Tech Tips and Tricks bookS. She thought I might take her to dinner if she sold one. Fat chance. They are signed and ready to go for about $45.

–Bandit

Harley-Davidson slashes forecast as sales slammed by DEI boycott, inflation

Shares of Harley-Davidson dropped after the iconic motorcycle maker slashed its full-year revenue forecast as its customers chafed at price inflation and high borrowing costs — as well as a social-media angst against it.

Spending on big-ticket purchases has slipped, with consumers wary of depleting savings and rising credit card debt, dashing hopes of a recovery in demand for manufacturers of leisure products.

Harley’s retail sales in North America, its biggest market, fell 10%.

Refer full story at Reuters News by clicking here

–Wayfarer

Associate Editor

Bikernet.com

BANDIT’S CANTINA LIBRARY BOOK OF THE WEEK–

Elspeth Beard – One of the Early Globetrotters wrote Lone Rider

​​I have been described as one of a select band of bold women to ride a motorcycle around the world. I left in October 1982, in the days before sat-nav, internet, email and mobile phones. The bike I chose for the trip was a second-hand 1974 BMW R 60/6 flat twin, for which I paid £900 in 1979 (the equivalent then of about $1800). This was a substantial sum at the time, especially for a machine that already had 30,000 miles on the clock.

UK Publication – 2017

Paperback or eBook available on Amazon or go to ‘Shop’ at the top of this page to order your signed copy.

North America & Canada publication – 2018

Paperback and eBook available at Amazon.com or direct from www.octanepress.com

​

Audio book available from Audible.com

https://www.elspethbeard.com

I don’t know how I came across this book, but I was inspired to buy and start reading it. Not only is it well written, but it captures the era of the ‘80s and world travels.

Another thing happened. Other than football games and old movies, a bunch of television programing went WOKE and is disgusting to watch. I started to read and I’m enjoying it. It’s way more educational and inspiring, unless you just read porn.

–Bandit

HERE’S THE RUB—Life is wild and we need to vote. We need to step up for freedom, honesty and integrity and show the rest of the world how it’s done.

I would like to write another book, finish my Knucklehead, start on the 1913 board track racer and dream about the next project. I’m tired straining my feeble brain on ways to save the country. It’s hard on an old biker, but what the fuck. We can’t sit idly by and let our country go to shit.

I like what the NFL is doing. They are reaching out against hate and asking folks to vote. I’m struggling to be inspired to finish the 105^th episode of Bandit’s Cantina, but I’ll get there and get everything prepped for the winter.

The museum is working on a Xmas party fund raiser. It’s non-stop around here, even if it’s snowing.

Ride fast and free forever,
–Bandit

Shit went nuts. Monday morning I pondered heading to the gym and kicking back, then the phone rang. Steve Klein called about the next Vintage cross country rally on 100-year-old bikes, called the American TransAm. It’s scheduled for next September and Bikernet will be a Sponsor. It’s carefully produced and orchestrated by the crew at Competition Distributing. Hang on for reports.

Then the phone rang and the Sturgis Mayor told me she resigned. This city is in disarray as staff quit, the budget is due and council members resigned. Then the hardworking mayor stepped away. The Redhead and I motored out of the winding canyon in the evening for the City meeting, when a senior member of the council resigned right in front of us. Plus, there are rumors of financial issues.

That’s not all. Some of you know I attempted to interview JD Vance regarding policies currently on the voting table. Chris Callen volunteered to produce the interview for Grease and Gears TV. I picked up the phone and dialed a number in Ohio. I didn’t expect a senior member of the Vance staff to answer, but Luke did and indicated some interest. I was blown away.

Shit, got crazy and Halloween was just around the corner. That’s not all…

REPORTS FROM THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION JUST FLEW INTO THE OFFICE

The Evolving MAC

In 2015 Congress passed and President Obama signed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.  The FAST Act was the “highway bill” that covered infrastructure spending and surface transportation related policies for a five-year period. Included in the legislation was the establishment of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC).

The language used to create the MAC was brief. It simply said, “The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, shall appoint a Motorcyclist Advisory Council to coordinate with and advise the Administrator on infrastructure issues of concern to motorcyclists, including— (1) barrier design; (2) road design, construction, and maintenance practices; and (3) the architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies.”

During its lifespan the first version of the MAC held five committee meetings and submitted a recommendation report on March 11, 2020. To read the 2020 report click here. Because the MAC was created as part of the FAST ACT its duration was limited to the five year period the bill covered. The MAC was officially terminated in October of 2020.

While the creation of the MAC was a good step forward, there were concerns regarding membership. As time passed it became apparent that the nine members of the original MAC could not completely capture the diverse set of voices in the motorcycling community. As such, efforts began to expand the MAC and include more voices creating a new and improved MAC.

In both 2019 and 2021 the MRF helped advance stand-alone bills that recreated the MAC with an expanded membership. Representative Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Senator Gary Peters of Michigan all led the charge on creating the MAC 2.0 version. They were joined by over two dozen bipartisan cosponsors in this effort.  While keeping the original directive, the MAC 2.0 added motorcycle and motorcyclist safety to its jurisdiction.

Perhaps most importantly, the MAC 2.0 version, advocated by the MRF and lawmakers, included an expanded 13-member council with mandated qualifications and backgrounds. The new proposal directed the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) to seat the MAC with the following candidates:

•   Five representatives of State or local government with expertise relating to highway engineering and safety issues

•   One motorcyclist who serves as a State or local and safety or transportation design engineer;

•   One representative of a national association of State transportation officials;

•   One representative of a national motorcyclist association;

•   One representative of a national motorcyclist foundation;

•   One representative of a national motorcycle manufacturing association;

•   One representative of a motorcycle manufacturing company headquartered in the United States;

•   One roadway safety data expert with expertise relating to crash testing and analysis;

•   One member of a national safety organization that represents the traffic safety systems industry.

While the stand-alone bills stalled in Congress the message they sent did not go unnoticed. When it came time to pass a new highway bill and replace the FAST Act, the language set forth in the new MAC bills was dropped into the massive federal infrastructure bill. After a year delay, in November of 2021 the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act became law.  Included in that bill was the creation of a new and improved Motorcyclist Advisory Council.

However, while Congress created a new MAC, it still required the U.S. DOT to find, vet and seat the 13 members. After over 2 years of delays, in June of 2024 the new members of the MAC were announced. Included in that group was MRF Vice President Jay Jackson.

Soon the MAC 2.0 will hold its first meeting and begin its assigned task of making recommendations to develop federal policies that consider motorcyclists. It’s been a long journey to this point. The evolution of the MAC is a great case study in how sustained, targeted advocacy is needed to see results in Washington, D.C. For nearly a decade the MRF and its members fought for a seat at the table. One of our own will now be on the inside working hand and hand with federal policy makers ensuring the street rider has a voice in our nation’s capital.

–MRF

Join the MRF and find out more at www.mrf.org

BREAKING NEWS

SEMA, NTEA File Federal Lawsuit to Stop Advanced Clean Fleets EV Truck Mandates

SEMA and The Work Truck Association (NTEA) filed suit in the U.S. District Court’s Eastern District of California against the California Air Resources Board (CARB), to stop electric vehicle mandates CARB intends to implement through its Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations.

The organizations contend that CARB’s actions far exceed California’s constitutional and state statutory authority and will have a dire effect on an industry that historically has led the way toward cleaner, safer vehicles through innovation and American ingenuity–particularly through alternative-fuel innovations, replacing older engine technologies with newer, cleaner versions and converting older internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to new electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles.

NEW FROM COMPETITION DISTRIBUTING–We’re excited to share that we’re working on producing OH dual port heads and cylinders designed specifically for the 2-cam bottom ends. These will be available in multiple configurations to suit your needs—whether you’re looking for top ends, complete motors, or even a full fire-breathing hillclimbing machine.

And this is just the beginning—there’s much more to come!

–Competition Distributing

Have a terrific weekend and don’t forget to vote!

–Bandit