Hey,
Merry Merry, It’s that time of year, when we need to put our wrenches away and focus on the family. Is that possible? Give it a shot. It’s sorta the Code of the West.
Let’s hit the news:
NEW JACKETS for Men and Women from Firstgear AND BIKER’S CHOICE–
Firstgear is proud to announce the long awaited return of the TPG Rainier and Monarch Jackets! These jackets incorporate the most advanced technological features in motorcycle protective outerwear. Utilizing Cocona technology, waterproof-breathable laminate for the most effective moisture transfer textile available anywhere. The new TPG features the latest generation of D3O® armor protection, T-5 Evo Pro, and the highest degree of impact protection exceeding all CE Level 2 standards.
• Cocona waterproof breathable shell
• D3O® T-5 Evo Pro armor at shoulders, elbows and back
• Waterproof zipper treatments throughout
• Inner cuff wrist gaiter
MSRP: $499.95
Available in Tall sizes and up to 4XL
TPG Monarch Jacket for Women
MSRP: $499.95
Sizes: XS- 2XL
2WHEELERS DENVER NEXT PROJECT—There’s another Arlin, who has been in the business as long as Arlen Ness, but in Denver. Arlin Fatland has been around since the beginning building cool shit and running his shops in Denver, Daytona and Sturgis. He’s also an original Hamster.
“Arlin found this old mag with your bike featured. He just got an ol’ Indian motor and is building a board tracker style,” said Donna Maupin, Arlin’s right hand partner.
We can’t wait to check it out. Check out our feature: http://www.bikernet.com/pages/The_Magnificent_5Ball_Factory_Racer_Featured.aspx –-Bandit
QUICK HOLIDAY WASHINGTON REPORT FROM THE MRF–Call it a Christmas miracle. Congress has reached a two-year budget deal. This is the first time the US Senate has passed a budget in over three years. The House was in recess all week and the Senate finished up today. This deal will allow the government to operate for two years without fear of shutdown.
This also marks the end of the first session of the 113th Congress. Congress will resume on January 6th. Next session I expect for the House to continue to push fiscal restraint at every possible opportunity with the Senate focusing on domestic legislation most importantly, immigration reform.
Speaking of the Senate, I have to give you a little teaser. It is likely that we will have a Senate companion bill to H.R. 1861, the bill to end federal funding of motorcycle checkpoints. It’s not a done deal that is why I can’t give specifics but it looks good for 2014.
The retirements just keep coming. We lost a good friend to retirement this week; Tom Latham (R-IA) is stepping down. Senator Max Baucus, a former motorcyclist, is going to be nominated as Ambassador to China.
I’m going to be at the ABATE of Pennsylvania Leadership and Legislative Seminar January 24th – 25th and with ABATE of Illinois January 17th – 19th. Hope to some of you this January.
Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year.
— Jeff
AUSTRALIA BUILDS HIGHER PRISON WALLS FOR BIKERS–Jailed bikers in the Aussie state of Queensland bikers will now kept behind wire mesh walls up to five metres high.
Local media are reporting that the metal walls have been erected at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre and will soon be built at Woodford Correctional Centre.
Attorney-General Jarrod ‘newsmans boy’ Bleijie says club members use their time behind bars to recruit new members and have to be separated from the general prison population.
“While the criminal gang prison is not the medieval dungeon some are painting it as, members will be doing hard time – we make no apologies for that,” Bleijie told media.
However, criminal lawyer Bill Potts says the conditions being imposed on bikers are of great concern.
“Not even murderers and sex offenders are subjected to this … they did this type of stuff at Guantanamo Bay,” he told media..
Corrective Services says the sight screening barriers have been standard practice for five years.
Australia’s top civil libertarian, Terry O’Gorman, says forcing bikers to stare at the metal walls for at least 22 hours a day ignores a Queensland Supreme Court judge’s warning that such harsh conditions lead to serious mental health problems.
The Australian Council for Civil Liberties president also said the justification for building metal walls outside bikers’ cells was simply “law and order propaganda”.
There was no evidence to back up claims bikers used their jail time to recruit new members and continue criminal activities, he said.
“In the Queensland Corrective Services Annual Report released a couple of months ago (before the new Law & Order campaign started), there was not a single sentence indicating that bikers in prison presented any sort of a problem”, Mr O’Gorman said.
–Anonymous Bikernet Down Under Investigator
CAN WE FIGHT RED-LIGHT CAMERAS–Do you hate red-light cameras? Would you like to play a primary role in their demise? Do you like tax deductions? Keep reading.
Through our recently launched grant program for members — the Community Support Program (CSP) — the NMA funded a 30-second YouTube video that is gaining wide attention. Just click on “The Red-Light Camera Ripoff” to the right to view it yourself. Triggered by a grant request by a New Jersey member who is fed up with the red-light camera program — a pilot program at that — in his home state, the NMA worked with a media consultant to produce the video for wide distribution on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Within a day of the video’s release, one of the most listened to radio personalities in New Jersey, Jim Gearhart, plugged “The Red-Light Camera Ripoff” spot on his morning program and also posted it to his website. So far the reaction to the video has been fantastic.
So fantastic, in fact, that we are already making plans to produce another 30-second spot about red-light cameras. It will likely focus on how the game is rigged for revenue by setting the yellow light intervals too short.
Too many people have a blind trust in authority, so much so that they feel that if you received a ticket, you deserved it no matter what. What they don’t yet realize is that our opposition to red-light cameras is not a law-and-order issue, it is a fairness/safety/government-abuse issue all rolled up into one.
We need to increase our funding resources in the Community Support Program in order to have the money to produce the second red-light camera video and to award other grants to NMA members. That is where you can help out.
The current NMA Foundation fundraising campaign is designed to help fund the CSP. If you send in a donation to the non-profit NMA Foundation on or before December 31, 2013, you not only will help us create that next 30-second YouTube video, you will also be able to claim that donation as a charitable deduction.
Help us strike another blow against red-light cameras and photo enforcement. Click here to find out more about the Community Support Program and how to donate to the cause. Thank you!
–from Rogue
BIKERNET CHRISTMAS CARD OF THE WEEK–My new neighbor sent me this personalized Christmas card. How did she know I LOVE peppermint?
–Buckshot
BANDIT’S CANTINA ANTIQUE OF THE WEEKEND–1906 Griffon Tricar – 4HP, 475cc Zedel Side Valve with Bozier 2-Speed Gear
Griffon is one of the oldest French makes. The firm was founded as a bicycle manufacturer, and began producing motorcycles in 1902. The factory was situated in Paris, and in the 1920s, Griffon was taken over by the giant firm of Peugot.
Tricycles were included at the beginning of the 20th century to transport passengers with comfort. This wonderful machine may be one of the best preserved Tricars in existence. It is more than 100 years old, but has seen very little use; there is hardly any mechanical wear.
It drives the rear wheel with a 2-speed Bozier gear on the crankshaft and chain. There are 2 brakes on the rear wheel. The passenger sits in a comfortable forward chair. On a standard model, it would have been varnished linen, but this has the more expensive leather option. Standard ignition was by battery and coil, but this deluxe machine has the maintenance-free Bosch magneto, which was optional at an additional 115 Francs over the standard cost of 1600 Francs ($24 USD, over the standard $333 USD base price for the tricycle). Maximum speed in high gear is a swift 18mph.
Every Saturday and Sunday!
Wall of Death Performances continue through the Holiday Season until January 11th!
Guinness Record holder “Kamikaze” Pit Lengner and Esther Lengner put on their crowd-pleasing show every weekend day at 1PM, including the showing of Pit’s very own record-winning Mikro bikes, crowd participation, and of course, the Wall of Death!
Watch from atop the Wall itself as Pit rides inside on a motorcycle, and a quad! There are only 4 weekends left to catch a glimpse at this Must-see show!
Pre-reserve your spot through our website at : http://motorcyclepediamuseum.org/index.php/component/content/article/2-uncategorised/174
BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!
Pre-XMAS THURSDAY NEWS FOR Thursday, December 19, 2013
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=11460
Merry Christmas to you too, Bandit. Thanks for another great year of entertainment, info and girls. Keep up the great work you and the staff do.
–Mike
slamon@sbcglobal.net
Windsor, CT
Looks like 2014 will be an amazing year. Thanks much for your thoughts. –Bandit
BIKERNET UNIVERSITY WOULD LIKE TO BE CLOSED OVER THE HOLIDAYS, BUT NOOO–solstice SOL-stis, SOHL-, noun:
…the Sun appears a second time to be in the Plane of the Equinoctial Circle, in its Passage from the Winter Solstice to the Summer Solstice…
The era, a purely astronomical division of time, began with the coincidence of the December solstice with perihelion, and was renewed every 25,765 years.
Solstice comes from the Latin solstitium referring to when the sun stands still. It entered English in the 1200s.
CANTINA Night before Christmas
The night before Christmas
Done with working and riding for the day
Just pondering things a little risque
The Springer is locked up tight in the shop
Back from a romp down the sweet blacktop
Three fingers of whiskey take the edge off the extremes
Hoping for visions of chrome and Biker Babes in my dreams
Out of the silence came a crash
“What the hell!”
Grabbed my 44 and took off in a dash
I looked out the window to see what had happened
The shop was lit up, like Time Square a blazoned
Peeking in the window I couldn’t believe my eyes
One of Santa’s little helpers was playing with my ride
I slipped in the shop and enjoyed the view
She said “Come on in, our fun is overdue”
Leather black hair and ruby red lips
A candy striped bikini setting on her hips
Making love to my springer, stroking the chrome
She smelled as sweet as raw honeycomb
As her top fell away perky breast she was showing
this all led to my excitement growing
A scantly clad Santa helper for my bidding
What a Christmas Present I was getting
As we mounted the springer and headed out in to the night
She whispered “Merry Christmas to all, and a fun ride is just right”
–David Campbell Earls Garage – Motorcycle, Hotrod, and Event Photography
www.earlsgarage.co www.facebook.com/garage_photos
See the entire Girl of Bikernet Christmas 2013 feature: http://www.bikernet.com/pages/VeronicaGirl_of_BikernetCantina_XMAS_2013.aspx
WEEKEND GUN NUT REPORT–Stopped in 80 Seconds: Armed Response, Not Gun Control, Halted School Rampage–Back in March, we reported on Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper (D) signing into law the most sweeping anti-gun legislation in the history of the Centennial State, despite overwhelming opposition to the legislation. The new law bans magazines with a capacity of greater than 15 rounds, imposes a “gun tax” for a background check when purchasing a firearm, and criminalizes the private transfer of a firearm, among other things. The anti-gunners claimed these measures would keep guns out of the hands of bad guys.
Last week’s tragic shooting at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado, left one student in critical condition. The perpetrator, a senior at the school, was reported to have randomly shot 17-year-old Claire Davis as she sat innocently in the hallway. As bad as that was, things could have been much worse.
Information released this week indicates that the perpetrator was planning a much larger attack and was armed with a shotgun, about 125 rounds of ammunition, three Molotov cocktails and a machete.
According to a CNN story, Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson said of the shooter, “His intent was evil, and his evil intent was to harm multiple individuals.”
On his arm, the perpetrator had written in indelible ink five classroom numbers and a phrase in Latin that translates to “the die has been cast,” according to the sheriff’s office.
But as reported in the Washington Times, the attacker’s mission was stopped short by the quick response of an armed deputy sheriff who was working as a resource officer at the school. Upon learning of the threat, the deputy ran from the cafeteria to the library, yelling for people to get down and identifying himself as a deputy sheriff. The horrific incident lasted only a total of 80 seconds and ended with the shooter turning his gun on himself in the library as the deputy was closing in on him.
“We know for a fact that the shooter knew that the deputy was in the immediate area and, while the deputy was containing the shooter, the shooter took his own life,” Sheriff Robinson said. Robinson said the deputy’s response was “a critical element to the shooter’s decision” to kill himself.
During a December 15 appearance on Face the Nation, Gov. Hickenlooper, was forced to admit that the very gun control bills he signed into law–and which resulted in the historic recalls of two state senators and the resignation of a third to avoid the same fate–did not make “a difference at all” in the school shooting.
“So things like universal background checks, I think they are going to make us safer, but in this specific case aren’t going to make a difference at all. And that’s the challenge,” Hickenlooper said.
What does make a difference is an armed response; but it only works in a situation where properly secured firearms are available onsite to be used by responsible, proficient, courageous people–in other words, the good guys.
A Cleveland.com story concludes that school shooters aren’t interested in a fight; they’re interested in soft targets that will leave them in control of the situation long enough to accomplish their evil deed.
In this case, the perpetrators was met instead with a hard target–an armed, qualified security presence that was ready and willing to stop him–and did so in just 80 seconds.
Gun-control laws didn’t stop a possible massacre at Arapahoe High School. A good guy with a gun stopped the rampage and in doing so almost certainly prevented much greater harm. For that, we can all be thankful.
CHOP SHOP BUSTED- California Highway Patrol officers have arrested 51 people across Los Angeles County following a two-year investigation that uncovered a chop shop operation and led to seizure of nearly $1 million in stolen motorcycles and parts, authorities said Wednesday.
“We’ve taken down the majority of the main players” within L.A. County’s three main motorcycle theft rings, CHP Southern Division Chief Dan Bower told the Los Angeles Times.
Until now, the CHP had investigated motorcycle thefts through a more narrow scope, said the operation’s lead investigator, Lt. Charlie Sampson.
Once they decided to take a larger view of the thefts, investigators involved in “Operation Wheel Spin” were surprised by “how much was out there on social media,” he said. Investigators said the deeper they dug, the more extensive the network turned out to be.
The probe has led to ancillary investigations by authorities in San Diego County and Las Vegas, where bikes were shipped and sold, Bower said.
Authorities have filed more than 100 criminal complaints in California and recovered nearly 140 stolen motorcycles and bike parts worth $848,140, authorities said.
The metal components of a bike are usually sold as scrap, while the plastic bodies are sold on social media sites like Facebook, Craigslist and eBay.
Posted by Holly Wagner
—from Kirk Williard
BUENA STUDENTS GO HOG WILD FOR TRIBUTE BIKES–
When more than 500,000 motorcycles roared out of the Pentagon’s parking lot for Rolling Thunder’s 25th anniversary ride in 2012, five bikes honoring the five branches of the military led the way.
On Friday, those same five bikes were lined up insides the Buena High School automotive shop, while the man who organized the construction of the event Invited by new auto tech teacher Alex Wolf took over class for the day.
Jay Allen shared the story of the five tribute bikes with high-schoolers for the first time. After touring through veteran’s hospitals and military bases around the country, the stop at Buena was a landmark for Allen. “This is a little blessing for me, this is cool,” he said. A racer, builder, and former owner of the renowned Broken Spoke Saloon, the Bisbee resident rallied some of the best motorcycle builders alive to construct the tribute bikes after his own U.S. Army bike inspired the project. “I don’t have a lot of love for politicians these days … but I have undying love for the people who are willing to protect our country,” Allen told the students.
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After sharing the story behind each bike, Allen fielded questions and let them check out the bikes. Buena sophomore Brandon Talbot wasted little time, climbing on the U.S. Navy bike, his clear favorite. “It’s just the style of it, the wide tire in the back, the silver, the shocks,” Talbot said. Constructed by Dar Holdsworth, the bike’s foot pegs are made out of actual arresting cables from the U.S.S. Enterprise provided by the Navy.
Talbot’s uncle has built a bike before and Talbot would definitely be into constructing one himself someday, he said. A first year auto student, Talbot’s always liked working on cars and looking at engines. “It’s just cool,” he said.
Another Buena sophomore and first year auto student, Pete Weisner, said he’s probably going to start getting into working on bikes more after seeing the tribute bikes. His favorite was the Coast Guard bike, made by Mike Thomas from the Kiwi Indian Motorcycle Company. “That Indian was pretty amazing,” Weisner said. He appreciates having guests like this come in the classroom and share what they do. “It’s nice that people come out here and show the up-and-coming generations, give them an idea of the things they can accomplish,”
“I’m trying to go a new direction … trying to get the kids attention,” said Wolf, the new auto tech teacher. He wants to introduce motorcycles into the program to get the students excited and have them work on something new. “Even though it’s two wheels, it’s still automotive,” Wolf said. It’s the kind of thing that gets kids excited about math and engineering, by showing them the application of those classes.
“This is where it’s going to start … where everything makes sense,” said Jeremy Clemons, the collision repair teacher. The kids get to see what they can do by applying academic principles. Clemons has experience riding bikes but has never worked on anything like what he saw on Friday. In fact, he may be Wolf’s first convert.
“I want to do a bike now,” he said.
Sierra Vista Herald, Sierra Vista, AZ — Article written by Adam Curtis. Photos by Mark Levy of Sierra Vista Herald. Monday, December 16, 2013
BUY YOUR GIRL A SLINKY GIFT AT A DEALERSHIP NEAR YOU–Shop New Red Rock H-D Dealer Merchandise Today! Avoid the holiday mess this year and shop at Red Rock Harley-Davidson for that special lady in your life. Several new ladies’ Genuine Red Rock Harley-Davidson Dealer t-shirts, hoodies and long sleeves are now in stock.
Stay warm and look sharp in several Red Rock Harley-Davidson zip up jackets. Shop online now for the best selection or visit our dealership today!
QUICK, A New Bikernet Reader Comment!
Thanksgiving Day: The Best Day To Lay Down Your Bike
http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=11418
Well, that is one turkey day story i am sure you’ll never forget. Hopefully your future experiences will be equally as eye opening yet a tad less dangerous. Glad you are ok, thank you for wearing a helmet! And you now have an excuse to do some work on that bike of yours. Miss you lots. Stay safe 🙂
— Kate
kmspora@gmail.com
Normal, IL
A DREW CHRISTMAS–Just a note to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS, and give you a quick view of why I try to keep some old parts around.
Not much free time today, but thought I’d mock up a couple pieces just for fun.
Future 1960s style skinny slick drag bike.
Let youngest son try his hand at bracket drag racing.
Cheap Fun…can’t be beat!!
HO HO HOLY COW I SURE LIKE MOTORCYCLES!!!
DREW GATEWOOD
AMA/F.I.M. Technical Steward
(Motorcycle Landspeed Racing)
GEARS – Gatewood Engineering And Race Support
P.O. Box 2568
Chesterton, IN. 46304
tele/fax: 219-926-5647
email: gears55@frontier.com
www.gearswebsite.com
BIKERNET’S MAD JACK GOES ARTSY–Hello Builders & Happy Holidays!
I have created a print program from the 2012 / 2013 IMS Shows of which your bike may have been in our photo studio.
If you follow this link, it describes the prints that are available. Our lab uses a very high quality metallic paper of which can be framed or adhered to an art board which creates a 3D effect hovering the image one inch from your wall, ready to hang.
IF INTERESTED, visit the link & then email me back & I will post your personal gallery of which you can review. I can add logos or information to any image at no charge.
http://bikerpics.org/limited-edition-prints/limited-edition-prints/
–JACK MCINTYRE
PHOTOGRAPHER
Photo editor Bikernet Baggers
Director of Photography / Owner: ELITE STUDIOS PA
General Manager / Owner: JOHNNY MAC’S CHOPPER HOUSE
www.bikerpics.org
NOEL NOEL—I couldn’t make the ride to the boat parade last night. Sin Wu gave us a hand with last minute preparations for presents to our Bikernet Sponsors. Of course she said she would help us on Monday, then Tuesday, then. Well, whatever, we got it done.
Then Ray Wheeler and I spent the evening packing boxes and getting them ready for shipment on Monday. Then we will take care of contributors.
It’s never a dull moment. Our Assalt Weapon II shipment will land in Kent Week’s shop yard in Houston on Monday. I’m excited already.
We were going to put a Neon on the front of the building, then decided on Art instead. We are going to build a massive winged wheel. This is going to be amazing. Let me know if anyone knows where I can purchase copper sheet metal feathers to braze together to form the wings.
Howard Knight received his belt buckle and was blown away. Christmas is coming together. A tenant said she can’t pay the rent, ‘cause she’s got to buy her kid a present. I said, so what is more important at Xmas, to have a warm home, or another toy? Incredible.
I’m going to a Buddhist temple this afternoon to reflect. I’m studying, since I’m sorta disappointed in organized religions, but I was also raised a Lutheran, so I have a tough time not praying to anything. I’ll get to the bottom of this or die trying. I read somewhere about Jesus studying with some Buddhist. Maybe he knows.
Merry Merry,
–Bandit
