Hey,
We are wrapping up the Nov/Dec issue. The seasons in Sturgis are changing and it adds a degree of stress. Prepare for the winter. Get ready for the Holiday season. Work on the Editorial Calendar for next year.
So, we have deadlines, yikes. If I rest for a minute or get another cup of coffee, my computer shuts down. If I blink, my phone quits. I’ve been to the Verizon store three times seeking help with my new Iphone and getting it connected with my car. Someone made a comment and I said I equate losing your phone to having the Pentagon burn down.
Get this, we were faced with numerous challenges with this issue. My bookkeeper pointed out the printer’s new heightened ink prices and of course the Post Office jacked up the rates.
So we didn’t raise any digital rates, but it had an impact on sub print prices, and our bulk program. That’s not all, these prices need to be reflected in the mag, on the site in numerous spots. It’s wild. They won’t go into action until around the 15th of October. So, if you’re thinking about subscribing, this might be the time.
And there’s one other item. Big Nick wanted to offer gift subs. Hang on for all those changes and they are only for the Nov/Dec issue. After some major negotiations and hand-wringing we are going to create a card with a present we’ll send to anyone who receives a gift sub, whether digital or print.
One more consideration, but wait I’ll hold off for a week or two as we consider and toss around a sweepstakes and a chopper build for next year. We want your input.
I would much rather work with Danial James on the next centerspread, than mess with the subscription ad. I would much rather roll into town to work with Vinnie on the special 2027 nude shot with Kidney belts cover in Pappy’s bar. I would much prefer to kick around building the coolest chopper on the planet to give to one of our readers than deal with the business side…
Let’s hit the news. Merry Whiskey Thursday.
The Bikernet Weekly News was created by our non-stop, never give up staff: The Redhead, Wayfarer, LA Laura, Viscous Vickie, Danial James, Freak Show Team, Sturgis Prospect Kendra, Paul Davis, Agent Zebra and Berry Wardlaw.
DIRECT FROM THE RUMOR MILL–The “Troy for mayor” rumor is off by one office. Troy Regas is on the November 3 ballot for Washoe County Commission District 3, not mayor of Reno.
He is a Republican, the June 9 GOP primary was canceled, and he advanced unopposed. He faces Democratic incumbent Mariluz Garcia. Local coverage has described him as a Hells Angels member and business owner tied to the Reno biker scene, including the toy run. Reno’s mayor race is already set: former lieutenant governor Kate Marshall (44.9% in the June primary) against vice mayor Kathleen Taylor (19%). Incumbent Hillary Schieve is term-limited. Eddie Lorton finished third and is out.
Harley-Davidson may be stepping back from King of the Baggers. Factory riders Kyle Wyman and Bradley Smith used end-of-season language after New Jersey that reads like a goodbye. Smith told Road Race Report an “unfortunate situation” is unfolding and he is already talking to other teams. Harley has not confirmed an exit. Indian took the 2026 title (Hayden Gillim). Speculation is that Harley shifts focus to its MotoGP tie-up and the single-make Bagger World Cup.
UNDERSTANDING AND OR FIGHTING FOR THE AMERICAN SPIRIT–They lost. Now they’re back demanding $219 billion and an army of fake accounts. The censors want your name. They want anonymity for themselves.
–Michael Shellenberger
Two years ago, the censorship industrial complex was on the run. The Twitter Files exposed it, Congress investigated it, and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg admitted that the Biden White House “repeatedly pressured our teams for months to censor certain COVID-19 content, including humor and satire,” and ended “fact-checking” for censorship.
But the censors did not go away. Instead, they went overseas and to the courts.
Yesterday we reported that a Santa Fe jury found Meta liable for a fine that could reach $219 billion, in part for not censoring Americans, including Joe Rogan, enough.
“These verdicts are a virtual dinner gong for plaintiffs’ attorneys and states,” Jonathan Turley told Public. The people who ran the censorship machine “didn’t go find new jobs at Starbucks as baristas.”
Today we exposed something worse. The same leaders who demand “real names on the internet” for you have written a bill in Australia that authorizes the government’s censor, “without limitation,” to run “sock puppet” accounts, generate material “by means of artificial intelligence,” and do it “despite anything to the contrary in” any platform’s rules.
No legacy outlet is reporting this. On the contrary. One reporter with the publicly funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation spread misinformation about the sock puppets on X. The answer is obvious: the media have an interest in censoring their competitors and getting paid to fact-check their enemies.
If you want to keep your right to speak your mind, now is the time to become a paid subscriber. Supporting Public isn’t just about funding groundbreaking journalism. It’s also about protecting one of our most sacred freedoms
–Michael
Read the whole story and more at the Public substack
Billy Joel is selling more than 70 motorcycles with no reserve at Gooding Christie’s inaugural Rétromobile New York auction, November 20–21 at the Javits Center. Preview at Christie’s Rockefeller Center October 8–12. Proceeds go to The Joel Foundation. Notable lots include the 1978 Triumph Bonneville Madison Square Garden gave him for his 150th sold-out show there, a 1975 Ducati 750 Sport, and a 1982 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica.
ER XMAS MERCH LIST–Big Nick has us busting ass to put together a serious holiday gift batch. Merch List
Classic Skull Sweatshirts
More Baseball shirts in different colors with wild Easyriders logos
Classic Easyriders Bandanas–real ones
Knitted scarves and Danial James is working on the art
Printed light scarves with a pattern of Orange and Black skull logo by Hal Robinson and colorized by David Mann
Belt buckles: Hal’s Skull logo becomes 3 D
We will have all of the Danial James centerspreads fired on embossed tins
Placemats: Hang on for these. The girls want Bandit black and white photos made into Placemats.
Maybe jewelry from Dakota Anne, pendants and ear-rings in gold.
Hang on. I’ll bring you project reports weekly.
–Bandit
DIRECT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SIDE–MV Agusta is in Italy’s Composizione Negoziata della Crisi restructuring process after splitting from KTM. Production at Schiranna has been stopped since April, about 184 workers are on a solidarity contract through year-end, and a Varese court hearing on creditor protections is set for November 25. Retail registrations were actually up 3.4% in the first half (2,166 bikes). Talks with a possible partner, including reported CFMOTO interest, have not produced a deal.
JUST IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS– Triumph recalled 2025–26 TF 450 models; Dylan Ferrandis said he will retire after 2026; Zero marked 20 years with a 20-bike SR/F anniversary edition; CFMOTO reported motorcycle sales up about 30% in the first half, to nearly 200,000 units.
SUBSCRIBE TO EASYRIDERS THE BIKER’S VOICE SINCE 1971–See Below. Even Peter Boyles in Denver is supporting the ER brand, wearing his Easyriders ball-cap at his charity event to support first responders in the region. He’s an active member of the Uglies and still working his ass off at 82. Rock on!
–Bandit
DENVER FIRST RESPONDER RUN—Peter Boyles a longtime member of the Uglies just put on his 13th tribute run for First Responders in Denver. We will feature the run in the Easyriders blog.
Peter has shifted to trikes because of the threat of strokes. He’s 82 and still going strong. Watch for the whole tamale on the Easyriders blog.
–Bandit
NEWS FLASH–Street Vibrations ran in Reno September 24–27. Organizers said they expected around 50,000 people; rider comments online were mixed on how lively downtown actually was.
Issue 603 Holiday Issue
A special issue with Vegas Showgirl Sabina on the cover. She’s amazing. We devoted the issue to Mentoring new youngsters into the industry.
But that’s not all, we covered all the Sturgis Rally action, our attempt to set records in Bonneville and JIMs New 6-speed transmission. What else could you want…
Sabina reached out the other day. She wants to come to the Sturgis Rally next year and sign covers.
Hang on!
–Bandit
CLASSIC EASYRIDERS TINS–
Danial James produces his fine art on classic tin signs. It gives even the guy on limited beer money budget the opportunity to collect his art in a tough resilient way. Hell, he can line his garage and wipe ‘em off and move them inside the house.
So, I dug into these tin bastards. The tin sign movement started out of necessity and innovation during the 1800s. Originally hand painted, they were a great way to advertise products such as Coca-Cola in a way that would last, retain its color and durability inside or outside in the elements.Machines for stamping, cutting and trimming tin sheets were developed around 1875 in Europe and America.
These tin-plated steel sheets are 24 gauge and because of the resilient tin coating are food friendly. You can eat off them. They are 100 percent UV printed in an eight-color process and cleared for a lasting finish. Everything in all USA produced.
Check it at www.easyriders.com
COMIN’ UP–If only I could figure out how to grab the images off my phone. It worked yesterday. WTF? I survived the tech obstacle and made the bastards work.
In the email blasts weekly we try to give something cool away. Dave hit me up recently and I came up with the Rider’s Hand Book from 1926. Watch for it next week and sign up for our email blasts (Easyriders) at Easyriders.com.
Here’s a teaser of the next centerspread. I sent Danial some close ups of the Bonne Belle engine, so he could check the details.
He always does a magnificent job and this one in particular captures a true event. Don’t miss the Nov/Dec issue. It kicks ass.
Here’s Amber the photographer. She’s also a knockout from the Phoenix region. She’s going over to the Lane Splitters shop to see if they might have a classic chopper for a 2027 issue cover.
Here’s Kata again. She’s the first shot in In the Wind for the Holiday issue. I thought this was Amber. I had to change the caption. You’ll see it. Amber’s tats are all black and gray.
Here’s another project I must tackle. This is a shot from the David Mann catalog of art. See at the bottom where it says Hi Res & Original Art. I know where the original is, and it’s not in the archives. Interesting story. Check the top of the image. It says No Hi Res or Original. So, WTF over? There are over 745 art pieces mentioned in the catalog and I guess I need to get to the bottom of the inventory. I have the facts about a few, but only a few, like this one.
So, hang on as everything unfolds. I signed the papers for this monster on Sept. 20 last year. It’s been just over a year and we have a few more mountains to climb. We’re getting there!
Ride Free, Forever!
–Bandit
