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Subject: TURPENTINE VS HOLY WATER– A little boy was sitting on the curb with a Mason jar full of turpentine, shaking it up and watching all the bubbles. A while later a Priest came along and asked the little boy what he had.
The little boy replied, “This is the most powerful liquid in the world, it’s called ‘turpentine’.”
The Priest said, “No, sonny-boy. The most powerful liquid in the world is Holy Water. If you take some Holy Water and rub it on a pregnant woman’s belly, she’ll pass a healthy baby.”
The little boy replied, “You take some of this turpentine and rub it on a cat’s ass, he’ll pass a Harley-Davidson.”
IMAGES FROM THE SHERIFF IN SWEDEN– Norrtelje 2009 III
Amendments lessen impact of Cash for Clunkers bill SEMA persuade s Congress to place 25-year limit on cars traded in– The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) persuaded Congress to place a 25-year limit on trade-in cars and expand recycling opportunities under ‘Cash for Clunkers’ legislation.
Under the controversial bill, consumers will receive a voucher to help buy a new car in exchange for scrapping a less fuel-efficient vehicle. SEMA was able to mitigate the program’s effects by convincing lawmakers to include a requirement that the trade-in vehicle be a model year 1984 or newer vehicle. The provision helps safeguard older vehicles that may possess ‘historic or aesthetic value’ and are irreplaceable to hobbyists as a source of restoration parts.
The measure also allows all parts to be recycled except the engine. Lawmakers were convinced to permit the drive train to be recycled if the transmission, drive shaft or rear end are sold as separate parts.
The vehicle scrappage legislation was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives by a 298-119 vote. President Obama has backed the plan and passage in the Senate is expected in the near future. Proponents claim that the so-called “Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act (CARS)” may spur an estimated 625,000 vehicle sales. The program will last for one year.
“SEMA has consistently supported efforts to spur new car sales, but is disappointed that Congress ignored evidence that vehicle scrappage programs will not achieve claimed environmental benefits,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA’s President & CEO. “However, we are pleased that lawmakers agreed to spare from the crusher older cars and parts that help drive the restoration aftermarket and the passions of many in the automotive hobbyist community.”
Under the program, consumers who agree to scrap a trade-in car that gets 18 miles per gallon or less (15 mpg or less for heavy pick-ups and vans) will receive a voucher to buy a qualifying new car. The voucher will range from $3,500 to $4,500 based on the new car’s fuel efficiency. The program primarily targets SUVs and pickups since most passenger cars manufactured during the last 25 years get more than the 18 mpg combined city/highway requirement.
The $4 billion program will begin when it is signed into law by the president. The car buyer will receive a $3,500 voucher if they buy a new passenger car that was rated at 4 mpg higher than the older vehicle, or a new pickup truck/SUV that was at least 2 mpg higher than the old truck. They will receive a $4,500 if the passenger car was at least 10 mpg higher and the truck/SUV was at least 5 mpg higher.
“SEMA continues to support initiatives that encourage the installation of specialty equipment to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy,” said Kersting. “Looking to the future, SEMA will work with Congress to pursue more efficient and business-friendly environmental approaches.”
Hurdles ahead
The legislation, which still must be passed by the Senate, faces challenges such as where to find money to pay for the one-year, $4-billion program. Some lawmakers said the $787-billion economic stimulus package passed earlier this year could provide funds, but the Senate Appropriations Committee has balked at that proposal.
Two different versions have been introduced in the Senate.
California Democrat Dianne Feinstein is promoting one alternative proposal that requires tougher mileage limits on the trade-in program. Feinstein?s bill requires that the older vehicle must get 17 mpg or less, and that new passenger cars must achieve at least 24 mpg to be eligible for vouchers. To get the maximum $4,500 voucher, the new vehicle must achieve a minimum 13 mpg more than the old one.
BIKERNET MEDICAL CENTER FINDINGS FROM DR.WEIL– 5 Veggies You Should Be Eating– A healthy kitchen promotes variety, especially when it comes to vegetables. For optimum health, keep your pantry stocked with produce that covers the whole spectrum of colors, including the following:
Onions: This classic, pungent vegetable adds flavor to any meal. Allicin, a phytonutrient found in most varieties of onions, may be responsible for its health benefits, including lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.
Garlic: This fragrant bulb contains many of the same phytonutrients as onions, as well as antibiotic and antiviral compounds. It may help boost the immune system, prevent colds, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and fight fungal or yeast infections.
Spinach: This dark leafy green (and others like it, such as kale and collards) contains lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidant carotenoids that may help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration. Spinach is also a source of calcium and folate, a B vitamin that helps to prevent birth defects. Buy organic spinach, since pesticides are commonly used on conventionally grown varieties.
Cabbage: This low-cost yet highly nutritious cruciferous vegetable contains nutrients called indoles, which may protect against both breast and prostate cancer. It also provides significant amounts of fiber and vitamin C.
Sweet potatoes: Rich in beta carotene, these vegetables may help boost the immune system, deliver vitamin C and folate (which may reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent certain birth defects), and are low on the glycemic index and glycemic load charts.
–from DrWeil.com
POLICE EXPLOIT AMERICADE EVENT– Warren County saw a chance to increase their revenues as well as the state’s with Americade this past week and the three police agencies operating in the county teamed up to issue 135 traffic tickets at a recent motorcycle safety checkpoint.
According to Warren County’s “chief deputy” Shane Ross, the State Police, Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the Glens Falls Police Department worked together on joint motorcycle safety checkpoints on Friday, June 5 to coincide with Americade. The checkpoints utilized motorcycle units supported by patrol units from each of the three agencies.
The primary checkpoint was conducted on Interstate 87 at the northbound rest area at exit 18. A secondary checkpoint was conducted on Route 9 in the City of Glens Falls. The checkpoints were operated simultaneously.
The secondary checkpoint was planned this year after it was learned during the 2008 safety checkpoints that motorcyclists had become aware of the primary checkpoint and used Route 9 to avoid the checkpoint on Interstate 87.
According to Ross, 84 tickets were issued for unapproved helmets, 19 tickets for modified exhausts and 32 tickets for other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.
In addition to the vehicle and traffic charges the New York State Police made four criminal arrests at the checkpoint on I-87, Ross said.
–Rogue
IF KNIVES ARE OUTLAWED– Customs And Border Protection Proposal Could Ban Many Pocketknives. Click here to vote in this week’s poll.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a proposed rule change that directly targets the importation of “assisted opening” folding knives. The proposed regulations would designate all these knives as “switchblades” (despite the fact they do not fall under the federal definition of “switchblades”), and would make them illegal for import into the United States.
The proposed rule could affect all knives that can be opened with one hand, because it also includes changes in the interpretation of “gravity and inertia” opening knives in a way that could outlaw all knives that can be opened with a single hand. This means the new regulation could ban the importation of most of the pocketknives that are now in popular use.
Clear Polycarbonate Magneto Covers– New from Lowbrow Customs, these brand new magneto covers are clear polycarbonate, which has outstanding impact and heat resistance. These won’t melt, warp or crack and leave you stranded on the side of the road like their cheap counterparts that are made out of cracker-jack plastic. The perfect accessory to show off the guts on your magneto, you paid enough for it you may as well show it off all you can.
These covers fit any Fairbanks-Morse bodied magneto, such as Morris Magnetos and Joe Hunt Magnetos, fitted to your Big Twin, Sportster, Triumph, BSA or bike of any persuasion with a mag. Simply unscrew your stock cover and put this one in it’s place with your stock hardware and gasket. An added bonus to this already smooth deal is that they are Made in the USA!
Get yours today for a mere $35 at www.lowbrowcustoms.com.
BIKERNET WORKSHOP SUNDAY TECH TIP–Just what you need. How to adjust the primary chain on a Buell Blast:
1. Back-off locknut and chain limiting screw. Remove spacer.
Note!! Use Inch-Pound torgue wrench with 3/4 dog-bone @ 90 deg. to wrench.
2. Tighten chain limiting screw to 24 in-lbs.
3. Back-off chain limiting screw 3/4 turn (4 1/2 flats)
4. Hold chain limiting screw while tightening jam nut.
Note!! Also check sound of primary chain coming from primary hsg. after final adjustment.
–Pablo
To perform this maneuver you may need to loosen the muffler for clearance.
SENATORIAL INJURIES?– And you thought the U.S. Senate was only politics and parliamentary procedure? The MRF has learned that Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) injured a hand ligament riding a dirt bike last weekend. Martinez is up and around, and insists the injury was not because he dumped the bike but rather because of an inflamed ligament and a stiff clutch lever. Martinez, a one term Senator, is retiring in 2011. Perhaps to pursue more motorcycling?
Martinez isn’t the only senator to injure himself on a motorcycle. In June of 2004, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) sustained minor injuries when he laid down a road bike in Helena. Despite these incidents, both continue to be avid motorcyclists.
Honda’s Electric Cycle Slated for 2010– Honda says it is prepared to market its previously announced electric motorcycle by 2010.
Honda first revealed its plan to produce an electric cycle in December 2008, when it announced the planned creation of a joint venture company with battery specialist GS Yuasa Corporation. As previously reported by Dealernews, the new company, Blue Energy Co. Ltd., was established April 1 to manufacture, sell and conduct R&D for high-performance lithium-ion batteries for use in Honda hybrid vehicles. Blue Energy Co. Ltd. is 51 percent owned by GS Yuasa Power Supply Ltd. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of GS Yuasa Corporation) and 49 percent owned by Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
Honda is the second major motorcycle manufacturer to announce the planned creation of an electric cycle. KTM also is working to develop a model for production.
Honda sold 10.114 million motorcycles and ATVs during its business year ended March 31, up 8.5 percent compared to sales of 9,320 million units during the previous year. Growth occurred largely in burgeoning markets such as Brazil and India. The OEM sold 320,000 units to North America during the recently ended 12-month period, down from 453,000 units in the prior year.
?Submitted by Guido Ebert
–DealerNews
CALIFORNIA ANTI-GUN BILLS ADVANCING IN SACRAMENTO– On June 3, the Assembly passed Assembly Bill 962 by a 42-31 vote. AB962 now heads to the Senate where it has been assigned to the Senate Public Safety Committee. Also on June 3, Senate Bill 585 passed the Senate by a vote of 21-18. It now moves to the Assembly where it will be considered by the Assembly Public Safety Committee. No hearing dates have been scheduled for either bill.
Sponsored by Assembly Member Kevin De Leon (D-45), AB962 would make it a crime to privately transfer more than 50 rounds of ammunition per month, even between family and friends, unless you are registered as a ?handgun ammunition vendor? in the Department of Justice?s database. Ammunition retailers would have to be licensed and store ammunition in such a manner that it would be inaccessible to purchasers. The bill would also require purchasers submit to fingerprinting, which would be submitted to the Department of Justice. Lastly, mail order ammunition sales would be prohibited.
SB585, introduced by State Senator Mark Leno (D-3), would prohibit the sale of firearms and ammunition on the property or inside the buildings that comprise the Cow Palace. In short, SB585 is a stepping-stone to banning gun shows on all publicly-owned property in California.
It is imperative that you stand-up and respectfully make your voices heard! Please contact the members of the Senate Public Safety Committee and urge them to oppose AB962. Also, please contact the members of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety and insist that they defeat SB585. Contact information can be found below.
FROM AUSTRALIA, A REPORT ON BRITISH ACTION REGARDING RECENT TERRORIST THREATS– The British are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats in Islamabad and have raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross”. Brits have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to a “Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was during the great fire of 1666.
The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide”. The only two higher levels in France are “Collaborate” and “Surrender.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France ‘s white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country’s military capability.
It’s not only the French who are on a heightened level of alert. Italy has increased the alert level from “Shout loudly and excitedly” to “Elaborate Military Posturing”. Two more levels remain: “Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides.”
The Germans also increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.” They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbour” and “Lose.”
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.
The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.
Americans meanwhile are carrying out pre-emptive strikes on all of their allies, just in case.
And at a local level…
New Zealand has also raised its security levels – from “baaa” to “BAAAA!” Due to continuing defense cutbacks (the airforce being a squadron of spotty teenagers flying paper aeroplanes and the navy some toy boats in the Prime Minister’s bath), New Zealand only has one more level of escalation, which is “Shut, I hope Austrulia will come end rescue us.” In the event of invasion, New Zealanders will be asked to gather together in a strategic defensive position called “Bondi.”
Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from “No worries” to “She’ll be right, mate”. Three more escalation levels remain: “Crikey!”, “I think we’ll need to cancel the barbie this weekend” and “The barbie is cancelled”. There has not been a situation yet that has warranted the used of the final escalation level.
–Nasty Nicole
The Tattoo Artist from Australia
THERE IT IS–The Sunday Bikernet Newspaper delivered to your door. I want to wrap this up with a couple of thoughts. I’m pissed to read that the Catholic Church in Ireland ran a bunch of kid’s schools, and from 1930 into the 1990s, tens of thousands were tortured, raped and starved on a regular basis. I have a tough time with that.
On the other hand I want to repeat what the kids at the Thunderbird School of Global Management recited during their commencement proceedings: I will strive to act with honesty and integrity. I will respect the rights and dignity of all people. I will strive to create sustainable prosperity worldwide. I will oppose all forms of corruption and exploitation. And I will take responsibility for my actions. As I hold true to these principles, it is my hope that I may enjoy an honorable reputation and peace of conscience.
That’s the Glendale, Arizona school’s Oath of Honor. I say it’s the essence of the Code of the West. So the cops extort money from bike event promoters, the priests harm little kids, but bikers and graduates are trying to uphold the code. Strange times. Let’s party.
Ride Forever,
–Bandit
