Hey,
I’ve spoken to any number of riders, industry members, locals, you name it about their take on the rally this year. All answers are different, but I believe this one was happening, jammed, exciting and alive.
I started out asking brothers if they attended the 120th anniversary of Harley-Davidson to see if the celebration was going to impact Sturgis, but I don’t think it did. My other major take-away from this rally was the custom and performance side. I studied packs of bikes, bikes in parking lots, rows of bikes waiting to roll into Deadwood and I didn’t see a lot of bone stock scooters. Even baggers were modified with performance upgrades, sound systems, travel accessories or custom components.
Choppers, bobbers, antiques, FXRs, baggers and custom bikes filled shows. And aftermarket vendors were here in Sturgis, at the Chip and packed around Black Hills Harley. The custom world was here to see, touch and feel. It was happening even in the rain.
The next question includes demographics. There are way more women riders with new, improved, more reliable, more creature comfort laden motorcycles. But what about age groups. My grandson rode out for the second or third time. His buddies are in their late 20s, but the demographic study research continues.
Ever since I turned 50, 25 years ago, journalists wrote about the aging biker population, as if the whole outlaw biker would dry up and disappear. But then my son started riding, and then my grandson and at least one of my granddaughters. The study continues.
Let’s hit the news:
Click for all the info...--APM’s Repro Springer is a work of Art!
This baby is so close to the original it’s scary! Black w/Chrome Springs.
American Prime Mfg., Inc.
8205 Secura Way
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Click for Action!—
Ron Harris of Chop Docs recently launched Traditional Chopper Magazine, Nothing but Excellent Choppers!
It’s gritty, rough and fulla heart and Chopper soul. Check it out!
--Bandit
THE LATEST FROM LOWBROW--
Add some high-and-tight style to a stock or rigid Sportster.
Shotgun Exhaust Pipes from Lowbrow Customs make quick work of improving your motorcycle's look and sound.
Our Shotgun Exhaust Pipes for 1990-2003 Sportsters are Made in the USA.
We are working on the 2004 & later versions (also made in Ohio) which will be available later this year.
TAKE ME TO 'EM
PS - Check out heat shields and exhaust wrap, both are popular options paired with Shotgun Pipes!
PPS - Check out the Shotgun Pipe How-To Install Video to see how it's done on 1990-2003 as well as 2004 & later models.The install is easy & can be done in a home garage with basic hand tools!
Click for Action.--On the Coast of California
Endless sweeping roads, great food, entertainment at night, and a community of riders celebrating 10 years of Babes Ride Out
Endless Coast Line
We pride this event on the epic riding you will experience where you can quite literally ride up to the Pacific Ocean.
BOULDER CANYON RANCH FOR SALE—
More and more riders are looking for a home in the Black hills close to the rally and what is rapidly becoming a motorcycle Nirvana. This historic Lawrence County property is situated on 8.55 acres of land, with the forest service as its backyard.
One of the unique features of this property is that it has no covenants, providing you with the freedom to customize and use the land as you please.
20777 76 Ranch Road, Sturgis 57785, Less than two miles from Deadwood, SD.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/20777-76-Ranch-Rd_Sturgis_SD_57785_M78620-88154
QUOTE OF THE WEEK--"It’s not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters." - Epictetus
from Epoch Times
OMG, I was at the DMV and it cost me almost $500 but I heard a huge crash and this car drove into the building in the office next-door. Look at the irony of the place it crashed into.
-----True story and photo by Jeffrey Patrick Frye
Lakewood, Colorado
www.JeffreyPatrickFrye.com
WIN A LAW TIGERS TRIP--WIN A VIP BIKER CRUISE FOR TWO!Hey,
The ultimate motorcycle adventure awaits on the High Seas Rally!
Prize Package Includes:
- All-expenses-paid Cruise for TWO
- Roundtrip airfare to Tampa, FL
- Deluxe drink package for two
DATES: OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2023
PORTS OF CALL:
Tampa Bay, FL
Key West, FL
Cozumel, MEXICO
Costa Maya, MEXICO
ENTER TO WIN!
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEAR'S HIGH SEAS RALLY!
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CO2 COALITION NEW UPDATE--
Virginia: Life Is Good and Getting Better Regional and State Report Series
The CO2 Coalition is embarking on a bold review of how climate change and increasing carbon dioxide are impacting states and regions across the United States. We have completed reports on Pennsylvania, Virginia, as well as the Midwest and are in the process of researching data for Arkansas and Montana. We will likely expand this to regions across the globe.
Temperature Source: U.S. Historical Climate Network
Atmospheric concentration of CO2 – European Environment Agency
The Virginia data is representative of what we are finding in each area:
-
There is no unusual or unprecedented warming.
-
Heat waves have been declining.
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Severe weather is not increasing.
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Crop and forest growth is increasing.
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Droughts are in decline.
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There is no increase in hurricanes.
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Remarkable trend in crop yield
Corn Yield Source: USDA Data and Statistics
Atmospheric concentration of CO2 – European Environment Agency
Order Greg's book and learn the facts. Click on the image.—
My second book is coming alive again. I sold out shortly after Outlaw Justice was published about 1997, 10,000 books. As you know, the publishing industry changed and I ran the book on Bikernet, in Bandit’s Cantina but never printed anymore until now. This has been a long trek, but I felt it was necessary. This is an important book for any rider who is considering joining an outlaw club. It’s packed with lessons.
Brief description:
The Night Hawks MC were well-established in the Los Angeles outlaw biker scene, but the rugged one-percenters all dreamed of becoming members of the legendary national club known as The Devils Own. But how far would the club go to become heavy hitters? Danny Lonsdale and his bros discovered too late that flying a Devil’s patch meant selling your soul into a depraved world of drug-dealing, murder and betrayal. Framed for a murder he didn’t commit and double-crossed at every turn, Danny’s only hope for survival lied in the power of his fists, a hot rod Harley and a smoking gun.
Every page of OUTLAW JUSTICE brings you face-to-face with the raw and gritty double-barreled world of the outlaw biker, where treachery and deceit are the only markers on the road to hell.
Chance of a lifetime. Click and join.—
And he just received a Silver Spoke Award. What a great guy, family man, biker, freedom fighter and publisher. He will be missed by thousands of riders and freedom fighters worldwide.
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BIKERNET GUN NUT REPORT--IN-DEPTH: States Stop Credit Card Companies From Tracking Gun Purchases, It May Not Last
Credit card companies were preparing to track the purchase of firearms and ammunition of every American citizen. While a flurry of bills lobbed by state legislators caused all of them to reconsider those plans, it may only be a temporary victory.
Almost one year ago, an effort was launched to create a new Merchant Category Code (MCC) to track the purchases of firearms and ammunition. However, inspired by the uproar of Second Amendment constituents, Republicans in the United States Senate, as well as lawmakers in several states, have launched legislative efforts that have successfully shut them down—for now.
On March 21, United States Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced SB 898. This bill prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from auditing a taxpayer based on the MCCs.
So far, seven states have joined the resistance.
On March 29, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice approved House Bill 2004. In summary, the measure will “prevent the use of payment card processing systems for surveillance of Second Amendment activity and discriminatory conduct.” The bill would also preclude financial institutions that violate this law from qualification in bidding on state contracts.
On April 6, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 295 into law, also prohibiting financial institutions from using MCCs to identify or track firearms purchases.
On April 16, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves approved HB1110. In addition to prohibiting the use of MCCs to identify or track firearms purchases in Mississippi, the measure prohibits state governmental agencies as well as public or private individuals from keeping any record or list of privately owned firearms or their owners. The legislation also warns that data collected from this MCC would almost inevitably end up in some federal government databases.
On April 29, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed HB1487 (pdf).
On May 12, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approved CS/SB 214.
On May 19, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed SB359 into law.
On June 10, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed HB2837, which will become effective on Sept. 1. The measure will prohibit financial institutions operating in Texas from requiring or assigning a firearms code, defined as “any merchant category code approved by the International Organization for Standardization for a firearms retailer, including Merchant Category Code 5723.”
On July 13, California’s legislators introduced a gutted and amended version of Assembly Bill 1587, originally introduced on Feb. 17 as a measure about the state’s Health and Safety Code regarding multifamily housing, which now requires credit card issuers to use the MCC unique to retailers of firearms and ammunition.
‘They’re Not Finished’
West Virginia Delegate Chris Phillips (R) called the legislative effort in his state “a caucus priority.”
--Epoch times
HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES SEMA-Supported Bills to Protect Vehicle Technology Choice
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has passed H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, and H.R. 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act. These SEMA-supported bills seek to preserve vehicle choice for consumers and prevent the federal government and the State of California from choosing only one form of technology (such as electric vehicles) (EVs) over the many others to achieve their emission reduction goals.
SEMA has strongly supported H.R. 1435, the "Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act," a bill prohibiting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing a waiver to California for regulations that would ban the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) in the state by 2035.
SADDLEMEN BUILDING IN THE BLACK HILLS—Saddlemen seats are creeping into the Black Hills in a magnificent way. Dave, the boss built headquarters and refurbished a beautiful home between Rapid City and Sturge overlooking the Piedmont Valley.
We attended their industry party for fantastic food, industry insights and magnificent views. I can’t wait to see what happens at the Saddlemen headquarters next.
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Many buyers of Lamborghini in Indian Diaspora: CEO Stephan Winkelmann
"There are more (Indian) owners than we sell cars in India. What is a bit of a challenge today for the Indian market, for sure, is the high taxation we have for our type of products, and then, the infrastructure," Stephan Winkelmann told ET.
full story at:
https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/passenger-vehicle/many-buyers-of-lamborghini-in-indian-diaspora-ceo-stephan-winkelmann/102438667
Wayfarer
Editor: Bikernet Blog & Facebook Page
BOB T. AND TANYA O’CALLAGHAN MAKING A VETERAN BIKER’S MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO—I rode with Bob T. in 1971, he’s been a friend ever since. He lives in 12 Palms California in the desert and over the last couple of years faced major life-changing upheaval.
His life smoothed out with a new love and a new vibrant young neighbor Tanya who is well connected and working with Bob to improve his diet, his meditation skills and his overall outlook on life. She is also working with doctors and experts and five other Vietnam veteran bikers to improve their lives and produce a documentary on the process.
Hang on for more reports.
--Bandit
