Hey,

I’m watching a documentary series on the Curse of Oak Island. Folks have been searching there for buried treasure for 200 years. Six dudes have died hunting, and so far, no one has found anything except little trinkets. Amazing.

Get this, I even published an article 35 years ago about Shakespeare original manuscripts buried on Oak Island by the real author. Incredible.



I’m also watching another series on the Brain and much of it discusses mindfulness and recently the history of meditation. Meditation started before Buddha, but he was a great practitioner and student of meditation. It works for anxiety and brain strength and longevity. Amazing.

What’s this got to do with motorcycles? Nothing and everything. The first speaks to brothers who want to build their own custom motorcycle, but never seem to get off the dime. Desire is everything. Following the correct path is everything.

And the brain is often the only thing keeping us moving forward, or not. Through meditation we’ve discovered we can change and or open our minds. One of the major benefits for meditation is decision making. We react less and relax and take more time with decisions. Could save your life or a relationship. Let’s hit the news:

The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Most recently the Smoke Out and Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.





VINTAGE ELECTRIC INTRODUCES POWERFUL NEW 48-VOLT THROTTLE BIKE INSPIRED BY CARROLL SHELBY’S LEGENDARY COBRA--
Using Most Powerful Battery Pack Yet, Vintage Electric Presents Hot Rod Two-Wheeler Celebrating One of Motorsports Most Famous Race Cars, the Cobra

SANTA CLARA, CA – Vintage Electric is known for designing high-performance electric bikes that perfectly pair bygone-era aesthetic with state-of-the-art technology. Now, ahead of the major motion picture release documenting one of the greatest racing victories of all time in Ford v Ferrari, Vintage Electric is excited to present the all-new 48-volt Shelby throttle bike. Inspired by Carroll Shelby’s personal metallic blue 289 Slabside, Vintage Electric partnered with Carroll Shelby International to craft a two-wheel hot rod that celebrates the iconic race car that started it all, the Cobra.

“To channel Carroll Shelby’s spirit of design, you have to be in the presence of the phenomenal vehicles that he created. Walking around these celebrated Shelby cars, touching them, driving them, and seeing every last detail that Carroll poured into them is truly where our inspiration came from in making the new Shelby bike,” comments Vintage Electric Founder/Lead Designer Andrew Davidge. “When you walk up to a Cobra, this first thing you notice is the timeless aesthetic that has been celebrated for generations. The Cobra is an American icon, and we wanted to express that in our newest Vintage Electric Shelby bike.”

As part of the bike’s development process, Vintage Electric also met with Aaron Shelby, Carroll’s grandson and closely researched one of the racing legend’s very first personal 289 Slabside cars. Alongside driving the Cobra, Vintage Electric also took great care in incorporating the smallest details and classic finishes into the new bike’s overall design. The new Vintage Electric Shelby is outfitted in the exact matching blue metallic N6 paint scheme as Carroll’s own 289 Cobra with matte black racing stripes and iconic Shelby logo alongside distinctive Cobra badging.



To further express the classic Slabside aesthetic, Vintage Electric crafted the rugged handle grips and saddle seat to perfectly mirror the interior design of Carroll’s original blue 289. In fit and finish as well as color, tires, wheels, and brakes, every facet of the new bike echoes the legendary Cobra car it was modeled after. The black striping and metallic blue are tastefully accented with tones of silver throughout to make sure that the new Shelby bike immediately makes an impression out on the road.

Above all, the Cobra is known for its visceral, aggressive performance. Vintage Electric kept that in mind by integrating the most powerful battery pack the company has ever used for the new Shelby bike. The newest Vintage Electric throttle bike features a massive 48-volt battery along with a muscular 1,123-watt battery cell. The more powerful amerpage allows Vintage Electric Shelby bike riders quicker off the line speed and torquey performance on road. The large battery is housed in a stunningly crafted matte black cast-aluminum housing that briskly charges in a speedy 4.5 hours.

In another nod to classic Shelby race cars, the new high-performance Vintage Electric Shelby bike features a specially tuned ‘Race’ mode that is capable of speeds up to 36 mph on private-property/closed-courses. To unlock the full performance of the ‘Race’ mode, Vintage Electric Shelby riders must take out a specially designed speed key that is installed in every battery pack.

After a full charge, the Vintage Electric Shelby reliably offers up to a 75-mile range. The new bike features a high quality hydroformed aluminum frame made for striking the perfect balance out on the road with an MRP inverted-fork system. The front suspension supplies 60mm of front wheel travel. The Vintage Electric Shelby also integrates a stately LED headlamp and rear taillights that not only illuminate the open road for riders but recaptures the celebrated American spirit of race cars.

“As a company, Vintage Electric is really trying to blur the lines between an electric bicycle and electric motorcycle,” continues Vintage Electric Founder/Lead Designer Andrew Davidge. “For this new Shelby bike, our company is taking a platform that is relatively simple in theory, and we’re applying a very Shelby formula to every detail, which means we’re adding significant amounts of power and performance while giving this new Shelby bike an incredibly unique, one of a kind Cobra look.”

Pairing classic aesthetic with the best in modern technology, the Vintage Electric Shelby bike features groundbreaking EV technology. The sleek electronic interface on the handlebar is clear and intuitive, allowing riders of all levels easy, on-demand acceleration at the simple push of a button. Alternately, the thumb-throttle provides convenient access to five extremely smooth power modes. Speed ranges from a steady ramp to a powerful launch for riders looking to go full throttle. Another helpful feature on the Vintage Electric bike is the rear regenerative disc brake, which provides incredible stopping power while also recharging battery power.

For more information on the $7,249.00 Shelby bike or other Vintage Electric models, please visit www.vintageelectricbikes.com, or call (408) 969-0836.






THE EASYRIDERS LEGACY—
With all the talk about ER ‘s demise I came across an old Easyrider’s T and the remnants of another. The old skull logo, along with a signed pic of the Miraculous one. Enjoyed that rag from the early ‘70s.

Sold my collection years ago when money got a little tight. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

--Rhys H. Ralston



NEWS FROM INDIA--
It is the time for the biggest festival in India - Diwali - the festival of Light. I wish for you that the Divine Light brighten your present and future and cast away all shadows of the past.

Happy Diwali and wishing you a prosperous New Year.

- Ujjwal Dey
International Editor Supreme
Bikernet News Desk India





THE CALIFORNIA DISASTER--If I'm not mistaken Trump has alluded to this type
scenario on a few occasions when speaking about the necessity of the wall. Imagine a government capitulating to something completely disastrous to its citizens and economy. Hmmm, sort of like the current California government giving in to political correctness, becoming a complete sanctuary state and turning it over to the homeless and we've all seen the effects of that brilliant move in at least three of our major cities; San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. I'm not sure how many of you have seen the newly proposed state flag so I'm including a picture of it.

https://medium.com/navigating-life/what-the fuck-just-happened-in-mexico-b98eff2b340c

--from Steve B.
Undercover agent





Pirelli is Confirmed as the Official Tire Supplier for all Classes of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship Until 2023--With the extension of the partnership with Dorna WSBK Organization for an additional three years, the relationship established in 2004 between Pirelli and the production-derived series will boast a unique 20-year collaboration in motorsport

In response to the evolution of supersport machines, and confirming Pirelli's role as a leading tire manufacturer in the international racing scene, starting from 2020 all WorldSBK Championship classes will use DIABLO™ Superbike slick tires

In the WorldSBK category, the larger sizes become the new standard, as well as the rear 190/60 for WorldSSP, and the switch to slick tires will gradually involve the national championships in which Pirelli participates. The SCX option will enter the DIABLO™ Superbike range and become available on the market




Pirelli has been confirmed by Dorna WorldSBK Organization as the Official Tire Supplier for all classes of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship up to and including the 2023 season. In agreement with the promoter and organizer of the production-derived series and with the FIM, the International Motorcycling Federation, the Italian tire company has extended, as per contractual conditions, the current supply agreement, set to expire in 2020, for three additional seasons.

Pirelli, in agreement with Dorna WSBK Organization and the FIM, also announces that from 2020 all WorldSBK Championship classes will exclusively use DIABLO™ Superbike slick tires. This means, starting from next season, the WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 classes and the newborn Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup will also have the maximum technology and performance offered by the top product in the Pirelli range, replacing the DIABLO™ Supercorsa SC treaded tires used in those classes.




Beginning in 2004, and initially designed to contain the overall costs of running the Championship, the technical partnership established by Pirelli with the Federation, promoter, teams and racers represented the first example of single tire formula in the history of top motor racing competitions. Now, after almost 20 years, it has proven to be a winning choice that has been followed by other two and four-wheel championships, offering all riders and teams the same opportunities to compete for victory, through a fair and identical tire supply for all.

Also, the choice of Pirelli, which has always been a leader of market trends and needs, to make the WorldSSP, WorldSSP300 and new Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup compete with slick tires, is the result of the brand's strategy to respond to market changes and to the performance evolution of modern medium and small displacement supersport machines. Then the goal of Pirelli is to gradually involve the national championships in which it participates, offering the same product that will be used in the World Championships. The slick solutions are in fact not only able to guarantee better performance than treaded ones, thus allowing riders to exploit the full potential of their machines, but they have also become the new reference for all motorcyclists and amateur racers who love to use their own motorcycle on the track while participating in track days.

In the WorldSBK class, the rear tires will all be in the 200/65 rear and 125/70 front sizes which, as per the rules, the riders will be able to use a maximum amount of 11 front and 13 rear to cover the entire race weekend.

-- Casey Huntley





VISION ZERO MEANS ZERO FREEDOMS—This was my response to a recent NMA article regarding Vision Zero efforts and Infrastructure. We are living in the best of times, yet the control freaks (Halloween) never relax.

Beyond the above statement, these vision Zero statements miss the point entirely. I defined it as infrastructure for a growing population. This includes not just fixing roads and bridges, but building additional roads, two-tiered roads, additional lanes for more cars and a growing population.

We should take a pro-active stance for making the population more comfortable while driving, having more fun and more able to travel. The other side seems anxious to attack, ban and regulate everything. They are missing the point.

--Bandit




LOWBROWS LATEST FILM--Fuel Cleveland 2019 Show Video

The 5th annual Fuel Cleveland took place at the end of July. We hadn't made a show video since 2016 and we figured, as Fuel was at a new venue this year and the show has grown quite a bit since, it was overdue...

Scope out the Fuel Cleveland 2019 video or take a look at photos of the event. Leave us a comment on the video or reply to this email and let us know what you think. And plan on being in Cleveland in July 2020 for the next Fuel Cleveland!


The people are what really makes the show. Yes, the motorcycles are great, but so is the varied and eccentric crowd that makes its way to Cleveland from all over North America.


#lowbrowlife

The people below are using motorcycles in the proper fashion: excitement, adventure and passion. Get out of the house, out of your comfort zone, tag @lowbrowcustoms and hashtag #lowbrowcustoms, #lowbrowlife, #lowbroworder or #rideeverywhere for a chance to see your post highlighted here.





VINTAGE RIDES ROLLS THROUGH MONGOLIA--Mongolia on a Royal Enfield Himalayan,quite a story in itself...

That's it! Mongolia's 2019 summer season is over. We thought it would be an emotional one...

Let me tell you a story. We need to go back to the summer of 2018. Our fleet of Machismo in Mongolia (our old Royal Enfields) was beginning to crack up. They weren’t going to make another summer in the steppe....

It was a tough call for us. Vintage Rides was born with the Royal Enfield Classic 500. And at the time there was only this model in Chennai. But in 2018 the Himalayan was available. So began a heated debate at the office between supporters of the Classic 500 and those in favor of using the Himalayan on more off-road destinations. Conservatives versus progressives. When you wear the word Vintage, it’s legitimate to debate the question.



Part of the team had the opportunity to rub shoulders on the tracks of Kashmir and Ladakh with the new trail. Guillaume, Jean and Baptiste had been delighted by the capabilities of this small motorcycle, designed for the trip. It still aroused the curiosity of the locals, without being frightening because of its size. The old-fashioned trial will tell....

So, we decided to embark on this new adventure. The character of a motorcycle journey is, above all, a state of mind. We ordered motorcycles and sidecars from our friend Jean Burdet of Alternative Sidecar. We do offer sidecar trips in summer and winter - on a frozen lake - in Mongolia.

Very excited and waiting for our riders’ reactions on the first laps, we decided to capture it on video when the time came. We shared the idea with a group of friends, led by Fred, who have already gone to Rajasthan with us. They had just registered to travel this summer. A cheerful team of fellows, mostly from New Caledonia. They seemed just as impatient as we are.

The bikes arrive in Ulaanbaatar in the spring, just long enough for the running-in. The snow melts in the steppe. They are waiting for the first riders. Tuk will be our local guide for the season. A dependable guy.



The first groups finally arrive. As they discover the steppe and the capabilities of this new bike, the smiles are ear to ear on the faces of our Vintage Riders. The bike is easy and playful. It makes it possible to get to grips with off-road driving for those who are not great endurance riders. In other words, it is perfect for the large expanses of the steppe.

Thank you to Fred's group for their patience and kindness.

Thanks to all the Vintage Riders of the Mongolian 2019 season. Your feedback has been valuable, and we have modified our trips to adapt them to the pace difference between the Classic 500 and the Himalayan.

Thank you to Tuk and our mechanics for helping you discover their beautiful country by motorcycle.

Thanks to Jules and Maryne from the blog Explore the World for the pictures and to Seb Sega for the editing.

Thanks to Royal Enfield and Mutuelle des Motards for their support.

Photo credits: Jules Bloseur & Maryne Amar

--www.vintagerides.com