Hey,
This is a good one. I’m in the middle of so many things I don’t know which way to turn, but it’s all good. Or I hope they all turn out good.
We are working on a deck on the side of the building, trying to get the Redhead moved in, scrambling on several motorcycle fronts, and scrambling to survive.
Let’s hit the news:
NEW BMW BOOKS FROM MOTORBOOKS–
Motorbooks is excited to bring you 2 new BMW motorcycle books that I think your readers would love… for themselves and for the youngsters in their lives. If either / both appeal to you, simply reply to me with your current mailing address and the book(s) will arrive to you in early September.
For the lifelong BMW lover, The Complete Book of BMW Motorcycles: Every Model Since 1923 by Ian Falloon is arriving in stores in October. I will have review copies available in early September.
We all know how important it is to engage with the younger generation to keep the passion for our hobby alive and well. BMW Motorcycles by Doug Mitchel is the newest addition to our FIRST GEAR series. With a small package at 6″ x 8″, 224 pages and nearly 300 color photos – this book makes a great gift from Santa. This book covers 40 bikes with basic info, specs, “did you know” and more. Perfect for introducing the next generation to the hobby.
They are available now from any bookstore, anywhere, or online.
–Nichole
STROKERS DALLAS BADDEST BAGGER SHOW– Big News ya’ll, the World Famous BADDEST BAGGER show is coming to STROKERS DALLAS! BADDEST BAGGER DALLAS will be held here at Strokers Dallas on Saturday, September 19.
Many different classes: 21″, 23″, 26″ 30″ & up for all styles & variations of Baggers. Free to enter, $7500 in prizes.
Judged by the contestants. Signup starting Monday 8-24 www.Baddestbagger.com This will be a KICK ASS show that you do not want to miss. If you have a Bad Bagger then get yourself out here.
We are expecting Baggers from all over the South! If you have any questions you can email me rick@strokersdallas.com ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?
–RF
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN FREEDOM FRONT– Current anti-biker laws fail to see the reasons clubs form.
The various states draconian anti-biker laws are influencing the way motorcycle clubs operate and congregate, but criminologists don’t believe they take into account the reasons the groups form or the factors that shape their internal culture
Edith Cowan University lecturer and criminologist Kira Harris said motorcycle clubs were a modern-day adaptation of groups formed during wartime, with many bikers motivated by an attachment to their military background.
“Bike clubs were originally formed by Second World War veterans seeking camaraderie and adventure after the war,” Dr Harris said.
“These clubs provided many social benefits to the individual member, including protection, belonging, status and power, significance as well as excitement.
“As long as people are searching for these within their life, groups like the motorcycle clubs will continue to exist.”
Bond University lecturer and criminologist Wayne Petherick said club members often searched for a sense of meaning and unity outside the rules and norms of modern society.
“They are in a way a subculture, and in other ways a counter-culture,” Dr Petherick said.
“They exist for the same reason other subcultures exist – a desire to go against the grain of accepted culture, or what’s accepted in society.
“They also do tend to provide a banner under which people of a similar attitude can gather, and… also because those groups legitimize those kinds of attitudes and may draw those people to them.”
A particularly noticeable marker of motorcycle clubs is their predominantly male membership.
Dr. Harris said the absence of women from the frontlines of these groups was indicative of the counter-culture they sought to represent.
“The history of the biker clubs is masculine in nature,” she said.
“The members came from military backgrounds and needed the physical strength to control a bike for long rides. Additionally, the righteousness and outrageous behaviour by members tends to reflect a bit of a boys’ club.”
But Dr Harris said the gender bias may be slowly shifting.
“In the past, women were viewed negatively as they were seen as pulling men away from the club, but these days they can be involved with the clubs in various ways,” she said.
“While they are not patched, they are still active and relevant in the biker culture.”
Both criminologists said on face value the former Newman government’s Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment (VLAD) laws were necessary, due to the alleged criminal activity linked to motorcycle clubs.
However, enforcing a set of rules on groups that thrive on existing outside any kind of regulation may end up being ineffective.
Dr Harris said the laws did not take into account the many contributing factors that perpetuated the existence of motorcycle clubs and were limited in their focus on criminal activity.
“The laws negate the social environment and don’t necessarily address why these groups are attractive to the members. There is more to these clubs than just crime, but unfortunately, the costs of their criminal activity means they will continue to be targeted,” she said.
Dr Petherick said the laws could reinforce a sense of brotherhood and authenticity within the clubs.
“When you have a counter-culture, they exist simply because they don’t want to go with the grain of society,” he said.
“Any way you can identify those people who are separate from society may tend to legitimize or reinforce the attitudes they have.
“Labelling these groups actually gives them purpose.”
BEST KNUCKLEHEAD OF THE YEAR COMES TO CYCLE SOURCE AND BIKERNET– It’s Andrew Ursich with the Brass Monkey Sportster. I just finished my latest bike and was wondering if you would be interested in doing a magazine feature and a feature on your website with it.
Let me know if you would be interested.
–Andrew
We are all over it. Bennett’s Performance handled the S&S engine upgrades. Watch for it, maybe on the cover of Cycle Source. Markus Cuff will handle the photography and I will pen the story.—Bandit
noun
1. the quality that makes a thing what it is; the essential nature of a thing.
2. a trifling nicety of subtle distinction, as in argument.
Quotes
If, argues he, we could only find out exactly what humour is ‘in its quiddity,’ we could keep ourselves humorous, or at any rate bring up our children to be so.
— Henry Duff Traill, “The Future of Humour,” The New Fiction, 1897
Origin
Quiddity derives from the Latin root quid meaning “what; something; anything.” It entered English around 1400.
SERIOUSLY? IT’S COME TO THIS– We find ourselves saying that a lot these days as we run across more and more stories like these:
The first comes from Edmonton, Alberta, where officials are considering disguising speed cameras as utility boxes. When asked about the idea, traffic safety director Gerry Shimko had nothing to say about the covert operation’s safety benefits. He instead responded with nonsensical statements about the success of the city’s speed camera program even as he acknowledges that speeding continues unabated. Unfortunately, the reporter didn’t ask him to define “success.”
Shimko also said that speeding is the number one priority for police and is more problematic than homicide or gang activity. Given that Edmonton has the fifth highest Crime Severity Index of any city in Canada, we wonder how the victims would respond to that statement.
And speaking of covert operations, Paradise Valley, Arizona, is in the “process of upgrading some of its public-safety related technology” by hiding automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in fake cactuses. Town Manager Kevin Burke said the cameras were placed out of sight for aesthetic reasons, not out of secrecy.
He added that technologies like plate readers and red-light cameras are most effective when people know where they are. A logical reportorial retort would have been, “Then why are you concealing surveillance devices in expensive, fake, arborescent cacti?”
In Jacksonville, Florida, city council members are considering an ordinance making it illegal to back a vehicle into a driveway unless the license plate is showing. The proposal would ostensibly help city inspectors crack down on the insidious practice of storing non-working vehicles on residential property. We also imagine it would make it easier for vehicle-mounted ALPRs to suck up as much plate data as possible.
Meanwhile the suburban Chicago village of Bull Valley is keeping people safe from commercial vehicles that don’t display the required signage. Seems an obscure statute requires commercial vehicles that haul ladders, construction materials, tools, etc., to bear the contractor’s company name.
And while the measure is supposed to cut down on fraud, no other communities in the area feel compelled to enforce it like Bull Valley, which has issued 71 “failure to display company name” citations in the last year. Joliet and Aurora each issued seven and the entire City of Chicago issued one. It’s worth noting that Bull Valley (population 1,111) makes nearly half of its municipal revenue off of fines and fees.
Not to be outdone in the Petty, Yet Arbitrary Traffic Enforcement Category, Massachusetts became the latest state to require drivers to turn on their headlights whenever their windshield wipers are on. At best, the law is arbitrary and unnecessary—we can think of several scenarios in which drivers would need to use their wipers sans headlights. At worst, it could create potentially dangerous road conditions and give police officers one more excuse to pull over and scrutinize responsible drivers.
As if police need any more help in that area. Consider the case of a Georgia cop who pulled over an elderly couple for a window tint violation. He then conducted a lengthy drug interrogation which ended with an unsuccessful drug dog sniff (a rare occurrence). He eventually let the couple go with a warning. Nonetheless, you cannot watch this video without thinking something has gone terribly wrong in certain quarters of law enforcement. What was it about this frail couple that aroused the officer’s suspicions? Their disability vehicle plates or maybe the menacing cocker spaniel in the backseat?
So, yes, it’s come to this: Cops who harass disabled people on the side of the road. Arbitrary traffic laws designed to enhance revenue collection and control. Public officials who babble nonsense and the complacent reporters who fail to challenge them.
These kinds of affronts occur daily all over the country, and it’s important to call them out. What stories make you say, “Seriously? It’s come to this?” Let us know and maybe we’ll include them in a future newsletter.
–from the National Motorists Association and Rogue, Bikernet Baggers Supreme Editor in Charge of Everything
BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY IS OPEN ON SUNDAYS– I was shocked , confused, bewildered As I entered Heaven’s door, Not by the beauty of it all, Nor the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven Who made me sputter and gasp– The thieves, the liars, the sinners, The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade Who swiped my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbor Who never said anything nice.
Bob, who I always thought Was rotting away in hell, Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, ‘What’s the deal? I would love to hear Your take. How’d all these sinners get up here?
God must’ve made a mistake.
‘And why is everyone so quiet, So somber – give me a clue.’ ‘Hush, child,’ He said, ‘they’re all in shock.
No one thought they’d be seeing you.’
I just got back from a pleasure trip. I took my mother-in-law to the airport.
Took down our Rebel flag and peeled the NRA sticker off the front door. We’ve disconnected our home alarm system and quit our candy-ass Neighborhood Watch. Bought two Pakistani flags on eBay and raised them in the front yard, one at each corner, plus a black flag of ISIS in the center. Now, the local police, sheriff, FBI, CIA, NSA, Homeland Security, Secret Service and other agencies are all watching the house 24/7. I’ve never felt safer and we’re saving $49.95 a month.
–from Rogue and Jerry
LONG BEACH, CA, TATTOO EXHIBIT– Robert Atkinson & Jojo Ackerman- two tattoo artist homies who share a studio in Sherman Oaks showing work at Somatic Gallery in Long Beach for the next two weeks.
The DJ was throwing down some funky grooves…
–Markus Cuff
Official Certified Bikernet Feature Photographer
Official Tattoo Magazine Photographer
I WANT THE HIGHWAY BARS THAT ARE ON THE AMBER WHISKEY TRIKE IN THE PICTURE..I HAVE A 2015 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FREWHEELER FLRT AND I WANT THE DROPDOWN HIGHWAY BARS …PLEASE TELL ME WHERE I CAN GET THEM FOR MY RIDE…
–Scott
scottrenefladung@gmail.com
Loveland , CO
We reached out to the Triking Viking. He knows everything.—Bandit
[page break]
PABLO BUILDS A TAR MACHINE–
Yuup. Solid as a rock! Trailer hitch mount works real well.
The hitch receiver on the tar machine is adjustable. You loosen the 5/8 nuts & receiver can be moved up & down 2 inches.
I slotted the black brackets on one side to be able to adjust for uneven ground.
I made this Tar machine to be portable, take it with wherever.
Did you notice the plastic Duckbill? It’s from a auto Tar changer. Demount arm pivots on the Buell axle. That is a Buell wheel by the way.
I are a Seabee from Hueneme!
The Fighting 40th was my battalion.
–Pablo
WHEELS THROUGH TIME BOSS WORKS ON CARS– Buddy of mine from work visited Wheel Through Time recently.
This is a picture of his kid & Dale.
–PSD
BIKERNET GUN NUT REPORT– Reduce Firearm Ownership, Say Anti-Gun Researchers–A new “study” by David Swedler, trained at the (gun control crusader Michael) Bloomberg School of Public Health, and co-authored by longtime anti-gun researcher David Hemenway, of the Harvard School of Public Health, uses rigged methodology to conclude that law enforcement officers are more likely to be murdered in states that have higher levels of gun ownership. As a result, Swedler and Hemenway say, “States could consider methods for reducing firearm ownership as a way to reduce occupational deaths of LEOs.”
In what may be the understatement of the century, Swedler and Hemenway concede that it’s “possible” that law enforcement officers are more likely to be murdered than other Americans because they have “more frequent encounters with motivated violent offenders.” To say the least.
According to the FBI, from 2004 to 2013, 46 percent of officer murderers had prior arrests for crimes of violence, 63 percent had been convicted on prior criminal charges, 50 percent had received probation or parole for prior criminal charges, and 26 percent were under judicial supervision, including probation, parole, and conditional release, at the time of the officers’ murders.
On the other hand, Swedler and Hemenway say, law enforcement officers are able to defend themselves because they carry handguns, an argument that on its face endorses the carrying of handguns by private citizens, which is certainly not what the anti-gunners intended.
In painstaking academic detail, economist John Lott shows that Swedler and Hemenway skewed their study by comparing the number of law enforcement officers murdered with firearms in each state, to the percentage of suicides committed with firearms in each state, pretending that the latter accurately measures each state’s level of gun ownership. Additionally, the anti-gun researchers didn’t extend their comparisons over time to determine whether law enforcement officer murders increased or decreased in each state or did so in comparison to other states.
The anti-gunners also try to measure gun ownership with survey data, which is problematic, because over-reporting takes place in states where people are more supportive of gun ownership, while under-reporting takes place in states where anti-gun viewpoints are more common.
For the obvious reason, Swedler and Hemenway didn’t point out that law enforcement officer murders have been decreasing while ownership of firearms has been increasing dramatically. From 1993 to 2013, the most recent year of data from the FBI and BATFE, the annual number of law enforcement officers feloniously killed with firearms dropped 61 percent, while the American people acquired 140 million new firearms. In 2013, the number of law enforcement officers feloniously killed with firearms was less than half the annual average of the last 20 years.
That, however, is not what you want to point out if you’re jockeying for a cut of the $10 million that President Obama has asked Congress (p. 8) to throw at so-called “gun violence research” or to continue to promote an anti-gun agenda.
–NRA
WILDEST BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for August 20, 2015
Just wanna wish Ricky House and Rocky Jackson good luck at the Rock. Ride safe guys.
–John
johndeaux58@gmail.com
Our Price
$7,995
Was
$9,995
Exterior: Red
VIN: 1HD4LE234DC406119
Mileage: 7,789 miles
– See more here.
LAS VEGAS BIKE FEST READY TO SIGN– The excitement is mounting for the 15th Annual Las Vegas BikeFest and everyone wants to know who the headliner entertainment is. Watch our website and Facebook page for an announcement very soon.
Chain of Movie Houses Branches Out to Security Theater–
Thanks to a new emphasis on searching the bags of moviegoers, the Regal Cinemas chain is treating its customers to its own brand of security theater. According to a story appearing on NPR, the theater chain has always reserved the right to inspect backpacks and the like to intercept bootleg food and drinks. Now, however, the company is claiming ticket takers will be routinely conducting searches of all bags “[t]o ensure the safety of our guests and employees.”
Regal’s revised notice of bag inspections appears on the company’s website. It states:
Security issues have become a daily part of our lives in America. Regal Entertainment Group wants our customers and staff to feel comfortable and safe when visiting or working in our theatres. To ensure the safety of our guests and employees, backpacks and bags of any kind are subject to inspection prior to admission. We acknowledge that this procedure can cause some inconvenience and that it is not without flaws, but hope these are minor in comparison to increased safety.
The changes, of course, follow a number of high-profile acts of violence in movie theatres. To be clear, NRA appreciates that businesses like Regal that host the public have legitimate security concerns. We do not believe, however, that “bag checks” by theatre personnel with no security expertise or training have any effective or plausible relationship to public safety.
First, anybody seriously intent on doing harm can easily barge past the unarmed ticket taker. Second, the policy only extends to bags. It does not include patdowns or magnetometers to determine if customers are carrying contraband or weapons on their persons. Third, ticket takers may not even recognize certain types of weapons or bags with hidden pockets or compartments. Certainly, with patrons eager to get be seated, movie personnel will not have much time to conduct their newly-added duty. Fifth, in one of the most notorious examples of violence in a movie theatre, in Aurora, Colo., the assailant did not bring his weapons in through the lobby. Rather, he waited until the movie started, left through an emergency exit that he propped open, and reentered the theater with armaments he had stashed in a nearby vehicle.
It’s clear that Regal’s policy is intended to create an impression that it is “doing something” to prevent violence on its premises. In fact, the policy does no such thing. Meanwhile, it will serve to reinforce the common practice amongst movie theaters of banning even the lawful carrying of concealed firearms or other personal protection equipment, items that really could provide a benefit were an attack to occur. It also conditions patrons to believe that their security needs are being provided for by the managers of the property, when in fact they are not.
To the degree Regal’s policy accomplishes anything, it will be to needlessly intrude upon customers’ privacy and provide an advantage to an armed assailant who methodically plots an attack on unsuspecting and disarmed moviegoers. In the realm of security theater, that is not comedy. It is horror.
ZIPPER’S CAM TENSIONERS FOR TWIN CAMS— “Hey Rogue, how are those Zipper’s cam tensioners working out for you?” Said Keith Smooth Lefebvre. “I Recently installed them in my twin cam build, so far so good.You have miles on yours, curious as to how they’re holding up.”
I have a lot of miles on them and they are working very well.
“Thanks, exactly what I wanted to hear,” said Keith.
–Rogue
Emperor Editor Bikernet Baggers
NEW SHOW PLANNING– Here`s our “advance notice” flyer, till we got the def. ones with all the sponsors on it.
Please spread the word and help us promote our show for 2016. Also we`re looking for sponsors to make this happen again.
–Mario
www.artandwheelsbasel.com
MBLeathers – Burkardt
PoBox / Postfach 52
5074 Eiken
Switzerland
Phone: +41 79 395 49 98
I got on the waiting list for one of these earlier this year. Finally, got it in about a month before Sturgis and promptly pulled the primary cover on my ‘08 and slapped the bad boy on. I can say I am very happy with it!
The primary is nice and quiet now, and after giving it a good 6,000-mile torture test (including just under 5,000 out to Sturgis and back) I can tell you it’s all you expect from Baker. Well made and definitely worth the money!!! (Now I just need to get one for the wife’s ‘07!)
–Lawrence Ward
gvw.ward@comcast.net
Graniteville, SC
I believe more people like Lawrence Ward will be making the same type of comment. This type of compensating sprocket served Harley riders very well for many years.
Being made by BAKER Drivetrain you can be sure that it is a quality product.
–Rogue
Extreme Bikernet Baggers Editor
BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY STILL OPEN–
I’ve been in love with the same woman for 49 years. If my wife finds out, she’ll kill me!
Cletus is passing by Billy Bob’s hay barn one day when, through a gap in the door, he sees Billy Bob doing a slow and sensual striptease in front of an old John Deere tractor.
Buttocks clenched, he performs a slow pirouette, and gently slides off first the right strap of his overalls, followed by the left. He then hunches his shoulders forward and in a classic striptease move, lets his overalls fall down to his hips, revealing a torn and frayed plaid shirt. Then, grabbing both sides of his shirt, he rips it apart to reveal his stained T-shirt underneath.
With a final flourish, he tears the T-shirt from his body, and hurls his baseball cap onto a pile of hay.
Having seen enough, Cletus rushes in and says, “What the world’re ya’ doing, Billy Bob?”
“Good grief, Cletus, ya’ scared the bejeebers out of me,” says an obviously embarrassed Billy Bob ..
“But me ‘n the wife been havin’ trouble lately in the bedroom d’partment, and the therapist suggested I do something sexy to a tractor.”
–from Rogue and Jerry
ANOTHER WEEK UNFOLDS— What the hell is going on. Every week seems a scramble of activity. I’m going to take my 93-year-old mom to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit this week. Maybe, we will finally find the answers.
I’m working on a tech install with Terry the Tramp and BDL of their latest, GMA Softail Forward Controls.
I’ll bring you a special report on court decisions from WACO. I don’t get any attack on clubs. Hell, the most notorious club in the country is Congress.
We should bring you a very special report on the bikes Chuck Palumbo built over the last decade.
I’m also working on a couple of other benefits for only Cantina Members. Jack is working on the deals of the week from all over the country, and I hope to bring you a rare, world class, vintage motorcycle from the Don Whalen and Markus Cuff Collection each month.
In September I hope to hide out for a few days and finish the second Chance book. I want it to be the best of the best. At least I’ll give it hell.
In the meantime, have a blast, and let us know if we can do anything…
–Bandit
