Hey,
Another crazy day in Paradise. It’s 80 degrees here in SoCal and the Easyriders Show Tour kicked off in Pomona with 200 glistening bikes on the floor, a special section for Bagger customs and another one for bobbers and young-gun customs. The rest of our brothers and sisters are snowed in all over the country and the world. “We can’t ride,” said Michael Boen, on the edge of a great lake in Michigan. “So we read everything we can find about bikes. That’s why I like Bikernet.”
That’s a perspective we need to keep in mind and that’s just one reason we try to post something new and hot daily on Bikernet. We need to keep our brothers and broettes going through the winter. If you need a motorcyle fix hopefully there’s a Cycle World or Easyriders show coming to a town near you. Let’s hit the news:
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation attends Fifth Federal Highway Administration Motorcycle Advisory Council Meeting–
Last week the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) held the fifth meeting of the Motorcycle Advisory Council. The Council convenes twice a year to discuss infrastructure issues of concern to motorcyclists. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Vice President of Government Relations, Jeff Hennie, is one of the nine seated council members.
“This council meeting was significant because it was the first meeting since the charter was extended past its initial two year trial run” said Jeff Hennie. He added, “The likelihood of keeping this council intact well past the congressionally mandated 2 years is very good and gets better with each accomplishments of the council”.
This meeting began with a review of the results of the online motorcyclist road conditions survey that was opened for comment this summer. The survey was designed to get a national snap shot of what motorcyclists think about the state of the roads they ride. Some areas that the 10,000 respondents overwhelmingly agreed needs improvement are construction zones, slippery pavement markings, stuck at red lights and harsh road edge drop-offs. The areas that received positive marks were ample signage and plenty of lighting of the road. A follow-up survey is in the works for spring 2009. The MRF will let you know when that is available.
The next agenda item was a presentation by the leading expert of intersection design at Federal Highway Association (FHWA). Intersections are notoriously the most dangerous part of any traffic pattern. The standard four way cross intersection may very well be a thing of the past, not in any hurry though. Traffic control experts are working feverishly at making intersections safer. Some designs have been shown to significantly reduce crashes. For instance, adopting traffic circles or roundabouts has been shown to effectively reduce crash occurrences. It doesn’t stop there though; the experts are designing and implementing even more involved intersections that essentially eliminate a left hand turn through the intersection. It’s a complicated system of lanes and stoplights that in theory will be safer. Few exist today, but Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Louisiana, Michigan, Virginia, New York and Missouri are experimenting with some of the European concepts. Bigger, more complicated intersections may be safer but they will also need more and more slippery striping that remains a concern to motorcyclists.
The council then had a lengthy discussion on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). Essentially a PPP is any venture that involves the leasing of traditionally public services to a private entity to run, build or maintain. Historically PPPs have been found in services such as waste water treatment, garbage removal and disposal, even law enforcement. Now we are seeing an influx of PPP’s in the transportation world. Municipalities are leasing off sections of toll road to private, sometimes foreign, companies. This poses a lot of questions. Take the Chicago Skyway for example, this heavily traveled elevated toll road provides a way in and out of the windy city for millions each day. The 7.8 mile highway was recently leased to a Spanish company for 99 years to the tune of 1.8 billion. The Spaniards are responsible for maintenance of the road but get to keep any and all tolls. Can the new owners invoke a helmet law for their road despite the fact that Illinois doesn’t require a helmet? Can they raise tolls as high as they want? The answers to those questions vary agreement to agreement, but it’s also difficult to overlook the issues involved with putting a foreign company in charge of our infrastructureNot only does it send profits overseas – it reeks of an anti-American ethos.
The 1.8 billion that Mayor Daley got his hands on was spent on back debt the City of Chicago was carrying. It also constitutes another 1.8 billion removed from the transportation world. What happens to the next generation of Americans when they need to get out of debt and there is nothing left to lease? PPPs are here to stay but they need to be carefully regulated and observed.
The Council drifted off its charter of focusing on infrastructure for a bit when the topic of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) came up. For years the MRF has been asking for a better VMT and recently the feds started listening. They admit the motorcycle VMT numbers are highly suspect at best. They held a three day meeting in DC last year on the very issue of improving motorcycle VMT accuracy.
They had a test day for vendors of traffic counting devices at a Department of Transportation (DOT) research facility this past spring. They know the numbers are extremely inaccurate yet they continue to use them to exacerbate the number of fatal motorcycle crashes. After a slightly heated exchange the Federal government refused to give a timeline for a better VMT number, they did agree that at the very least, a strong footnote indicating the frailty and gross inaccuracies of the number should be present when using the motorcycle VMT number. While that’s not good enough, it’s a good start.
The meeting concluded with a brief presentation on what the State of Texas is doing to reduce pavement slab spreading which leaves a gap between lanes in the pavement large enough to capture a motorcycle’s front tire. The presenter informed the council on how the State of Texas can identify a potential road hazard like this and have it repaired that day or with in the next few days. A lesson that many municipalities should note.
This meeting was the last for the Council’s Designated Federal Official, Mike Halladay of FHWA. Halladay is fully retiring from Federal service. Mike has done a great job keeping the sometimes cantankerous group on time and topic over the past two and half years. We here at the MRF wish him the best and encourage Mr. Halladay to go buy a bike and ride out his retirement.
For those of you who aren’t aware this council was created by the motorcyclists of this country who lobbied Congress along with the MRF to include the authorizing language in the last highway bill, SAFETEA-LU which was passed in 2005. Congress is expected to begin the drafting process for the new highway bill in 2009 and the MRF will need the help of the motorcyclists of America once again to engage their federal elected officials on the importance of motorcycle safety. You’ve been warned.
For more info on the Council visit http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/mac/
CYCLE WORLD International Motorcycle Show Presented by Toyota Media Sneak Preview– Friday, January 16, 2009 ? Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
NEW YORK (January 7, 2009) ? Honda, Ducati, Victory, Kawasaki, Harley-Davisdon, Vectrix, Vespa and more are set to unveil new bikes at the upcoming Cycle World International Motorcycle Show? presented by Toyota in New York. All media is invited to attend this special day to get an up-close look at several bikes making world and North American debuts. From Seattle to New York, this nationwide tour provides attendees across the country with a look at hundreds of the latest model street bikes; dirt bikes; sportbikes; cruisers; scooters; ATVs; accessories; new rider seminars; stunt shows; and more.
VENTURI AIR CLEANER FROM RSD– This Venturi Air Cleaner features a five-spoke exposed filter design that enhances air flow for more power plus built-in internal crank case breathers. The backing plate also promotes smooth airflow into the carburetor/throttle body. Available in both chrome and Contrast Cut finishes. The Contrast Cut finish starts with a polished air cleaner that has been black anodized, then re-cut to open up the design. Includes high-volume K&N air filter and mounting hardware. Made in the U.S.A.
MORE TOOL TECHS FROM BIKERNET– BELT SANDER: An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.
HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.
VISE-GRIPS: Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.
GUN LAW UPDATE–Gun Law Update by Alan Korwin, Author Gun Laws of America 1. S&W sales Chicago, president-elect Obama?s home town, has virtual bans on handguns and strict repressive limits on long guns, but police are excluded and criminals blithely ignore the provisions. The M&P15 strongly resembles the AR-15, a high quality, semi automatic long gun used by the U.S. military and the public for decades. What the Chicago police expect to do with 275 of the guns, vilified as assault weapons by the lame-stream media, was undisclosed. Assault, it has been noted, is a type of behavior, not a type of hardware. In other news, the Minnesota State Patrol has purchased 90 of the high-quality M&P15 firearms, which retail for more than $1,000 each. In still other news, actor David Spade donated $100,000 to the Phoenix police department, to buy 50 new AR-15 rifles made by Colt, an S&W competitor. Spade was apparently moved by a ?news? broadcast that said Phoenix officers had to buy their own rifles due to lack of funding, and he wanted to help them out. 2. Gun-ban list proposed Slipping below the radar (or under the short-term memory cap), the Democrats have already leaked a gun-ban list, even under the Bush administration when they knew full well it had no chance of passage (HR 1022, 110th Congress). It serves as a framework for the new list the Bradys plan to introduce shortly. I have an outline of the Brady?s current plans and targets of opportunity, I?m working on getting that news out asap after these ban lists, probably be ready in the next few days. It?s horrific. They?re going after the courts, regulatory agencies, firearms dealers and statutes in an all out effort to restrict we the people. They?ve made little mention of criminals. Now more than ever, attention to the entire Bill of Rights is critical. Gun bans will impact our freedoms under search and seizure, due process, confiscated property, states rights, free speech, right to assemble and more, in addition to the Second Amendment. See what 250 of your peers thought during our recent Bill of Rights Day event at the Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix: http://www.gunlaws.com/BOR-Day-2008-Report.htm If these near-total bans aren?t enough, the most dangerous part may be the phrase ?pistol grip? because: ?The term ?pistol grip? means a grip, a thumbhole stock, or any other characteristic that can function as a grip.? In other words, any semi-auto long gun with a grip (that?s ALL semi-auto long guns) would be banned under the existing proposal. It?s not clear what they hope to achieve by deceptively banning guns with grips instead of just calling to ban the guns — even an idiot can tell it?s the same thing. Respectfully submitted, Alan Korwin, Author Gun Laws of America
With bans on AR-15 and AR-15-styled rifles to the public expected under the Obama administration, Smith and Wesson has just announced expansion of that market, with the sale of 275 of its M&P15 rifles to the Chicago police department. http://tinyurl.com/742qre
GAUGE TOOL OF THE WEEKEND– A guy just can’t own too many tools. I just bought this new gauge from Lowes Tool Dept.
It takes a while to learn all the settings but I’m pretty handy, and was patient, so I figured it out eventually..
You know for sure with this gauge, there is no more guessing! Men love a nine, a ten is better but a 11 is out of this world.
Lowes…….A man’s toy store………
–from Chris T.
SUNDAY QUOTES– If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you’re reading this in English, thank a veteran.
“No one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” –Edmund Burke
–from Buckshot
NEW MODEL FROM MAXIMUM MOTORCYCLES– Maximum Motorcycles is proud to announce their newest member of the family. Our Striker Series, Soft-Tail Sport-Bob features old school looks built with state of the art craftsmanship.
Built for the Sporty enthusiast in mind, these Soft-Tail frame kits come complete with axle, stainless steel pivot bolts, axis tube, swing arm, splash guard, fender struts, internal fork stop & hardware.
All included for $1695.00, (optional oil tank $399.00). Dealer inquiries welcomed. Also available in custom chopper form.
Come see us (and it) at the V-Twin Expo, booth number 2325. www.maximummotorcyclesinc.com –Charlie.
CL Chop Shop.
MICHAEL LICHTER IN THE NEWS– How many times do you get an opportunity to shoot a famous photographer while he?s shooting your bike? Well I got that photo op while Michael Lichter was doing the photo shoot of Mark Platt?s Pro-Tour ?X? on the Monday after the S&S Cycle 50th Anniversary celebration.
If you didn?t get the chance to come to La Crosse for the big party YOU MISSED OUT! However if you?d like to learn more about this exciting motorcycle and want to find out how it managed to win the coveted People?s Choice award at the 50th, don?t miss this?
The Pro-Tour ?X? is the cover bike on the March 2009 issue of IronWorks Magazine. It?s the first DOUGZ built bike to make a cover so I?m pretty jacked up about it!
Thanks much Michael for doing a great job on this, and all 49 other bikes. I was honored to be one of the builders for this historical, once in a lifetime event.
W8LESS IS ALIVE AND GROWING– Attached are photos of our first batch of motorcycle (larger rings) and All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) rotors in their final machining to shape and parallel grinding. From here it is off to our warehouse for assembly and shipping.
We will be producing about 80 floating motorcycle rotors (11.5″ 11.8″ and 320mm) and 80 ATV rotors (8″ size) by mid- January in preparation for the February V-Twin Expo and Dealer Expo shows. We have already begun to put together the next batch for production in February (80 motorcycle/80 ATV rotors) and expect to double production numbers in subsequent months to about 600-800 monthly.
These rotors are enroute to Greening Laboratories for testing IAW DOT motorcycle brake standards along with a stock Harley Davidson single piece steel rotor that weighs 2 1/2 times as much! We will finally be able to quantify how much better our forged MMC brakes perform as well as how much lighter they weigh than stock steel brakes.
Hang in there! Success is at hand.
–John Arbeeny
W8less Products, LLC
Managing Member
THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION BLUES– A convention for those gay men have a fetish for leather chap wearing gay bikers will roll into DC the same time the world?s attention is centered on Washington for the inauguration of Barack Obama. The 25th annual Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend to Washington, D.C. Hosted by the city?s Centaur Motorcycle Club, “a group of men with an enthusiastic interest in motorcycles, leather and other men,” is estimated to attract some 2,000 to 3,000 attendees, according to spokesman Larry Barat.
President Obama?s swearing-in will most likely draw a much bigger crowd but D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham says the overlap isn?t a bad thing. “I think that this event contributes to the rich diversity of the capital.” Graham, speaking about Leather Weekend. “We?ve welcomed them here many times, and we welcome them again. In my mind it?s a positive gathering of people.”
A spokesperson for President Obama told ABC News that the President-elect had a full schedule and wasn?t able to participate in any of the Leather Weekend events.
–from Rogue
NEW YORK CITY ATTACKS MOTORCYCLISTS–New York City Targeting Motorcyclists for Noise and Revenue An unprecedented bill virtually de-legalizing tens of thousands of otherwise legal, registered, insured and environmentally friendly motorcycles. We ask that New York City council members exercise other non-discriminatory options for raising revenue. Attempting to lesson noise and alleviate traffic congestion in New York City should not include a virtual ban on motorcycles as is the case if this bill is passed. Manhattan, New York, December 21, 2008 ? Intro. 416-A, A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the stopping, standing, or parking of motorcycles equipped with straight pipes on the streets of the city of New York.
This bill would deem tens of thousands of already legally registered motorcycles illegal, subject to enormous fines and permanent forfeiture of the motorcycle. We implore all New York City council members to reject this one-sided and biased bill targeting only motorcycles owned by citizens who are otherwise law abiding, tax paying voters.
The bill is aimed at noisy motorcycles with ?straight pipes? or ones that knowingly remove or modify exhaust baffling. As we are in agreement with the objection of excessively noisy exhaust pipes, we believe the subject requires more insight and definition.
We welcome the introduction of a panel that involves, but not limited to, representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and exhaust system manufacturers to hash out an environmentally conscious solution.
Amidst the expected budget cuts facing New York State in this unpredictable economy and undoubtedly looming over New York City , the NYC Council should remain steadfast in protecting the rights of its tax paying citizens. Let?s not create an environment of chaos and further burden a police department clearly out of their realm.
?Officials backing this bill apparently believe that requiring motorcyclists to have EPA-approved exhaust systems is easier to enforce than trying to prove a motorcycle exceeds the city’s vaguely defined 80-decibel sound limit?. – AMA Press Release 2008 Concerned Citizens for Motorcycle Safety (CCMS) founded in 2008, a NYC grass roots organization for motorcycle safety and public awareness. If you disagree with the Intro 416A Bill please sign this petition and feel free to leave your comments and testimonies of how loud pipes save lives.
http://www.petitiononline.com/ccmsny/petition.html
Continued On Page 2
