Hey,

Another wonderful day in paradise. I joke about the adage from the India-based movie "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Great flick: Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end. Think about that anytime you’re in a jam. Think about it, when strange shit is happening in your hood, in the country or in the industry.



Harley seems to be struggling, but I look at it as a transition. And everything will be cool, when they come out of it. I’ve spoken to shop owners all over the country about the times. Here’s a good one. “We had a slow week when the Covid hit,” said Randy Aron of Cycle Visions in San Diego. “Ever since then we’ve been cooking.”

So, keep smiling, riding free and rockin’ the world. 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 Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.







THE STURGIS COUNCIL OF GENERALS-- had a vote last night. From one source the vote went down to 7 for and 2 against opening the rally gates. Another source told me the Council was reviewing five or maybe seven, hold it, could be nine opening options.

Rumor had it, they went for option three. The whole greasy enchilada played out on facebook they other night, so let us know if you heard anything else?



According to one reporter in the fields of South Dakota, the Council doesn't really have much sway whether the rally rocks or not. At one time they attempted to control the name until the courts took it away from them this year. Now you can print any Sturgis 2020 T-shirt you like. Bottom line, the biker world is coming to Sturgis for the Rally and no one can stop them, except the Governor. From all accounts the Governor of South Dakota is very cool.

Here's the latest from an inside source: Rally is on. Vendor licenses will be approved. There will be no City sponsored events but anything else can happen. And of course, the town of Buffalo Chip is hosting eight bands and is wide open.

So, be safe, be careful and healthy and promise not to bring any Covid to South Dakota. Some Bikernet staffers are heading out later this week.

--Bandit





AWESOME! Mike Harmon Racing recently and very proudly released the 47 Chevy Camaro paint scheme ThinBlueLine to be piloted by KyleWeatherman.



--Bob Clark





Suspension of INTERMOT 2020

Digital INTERMOT events at year’s end to keep motorcycle community informed of innovations and industry News

Classic trade fairs returning to the venue in Cologne beginning in autumn

Following extensive consultations, and in coordination with the conceptual sponsor, the German Motorcycle Industry Association (IVM), Koelnmesse GmbH has decided to suspend INTERMOT 2020 – an event it originally planned to host from 6 to 11 October 2020. A digital format for this is under preparation and will be implemented by year’s end. Regardless of the decision on INTERMOT, preparations for trade fairs scheduled for autumn 2020 at the venue in Cologne – such as spoga+gafa, DMEXCO and Orgatec – are proceeding as planned.

In contrast to trade fairs with a B2B orientation, major events such as INTERMOT draw tens of thousands of private visitors on all days of the trade fair; the hall space is limited and the time available is short. Spatial proximity and the shared experience of the trade fair form an integral part of the character of this event. At this point in time, the specifications currently in effect that have been issued by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), policy-makers and the public authorities cannot be met at major events.

With this in mind, after conferring with key players from the industry, and with a view to the health of exhibitors and visitors, Koelnmesse and the German Motorcycle Industry Association (IVM) have decided not to host this trade fair in 2020. ‘An event that depends on its appeal as an experience and event cannot be held in this form at this point in time and thus does not meet the expectations and needs of the industry. Our customers resources for 2021 are already under heavy strain as a result of the SARS/COVIC-19 crisis. As an important part of the motorcycle industry, however, and particularly in difficult times, we want to actively support our partners and are now working full steam on a digital format. With the digital INTERMOT news stream, we are creating a communication platform that will provide sustainable inspiration for the industry and the motorcycle community alike.

We can then turn our full focus to the event scheduled for 2022. In future, trade fairs such as INTERMOT will incorporate more hybrid elements – to supplement the on-site experience with added digital reach. All of the stakeholders involved now have plenty of time to prepare accordingly for the next INTERMOT in Cologne, and to make this the meeting place for the international motorcycle community once again’, explain Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse, and Reiner Brendicke, General Executive Manager of IVM, in a joint statement.


INTERMOT in the Social Web:
https://de-de.facebook.com/INTERMOT
https://www.instagram.com/intermot/
https://twitter.com/intermotcologne
https://www.youtube.com/user/intermotcologne








NEW ZEALAND Unplugged--
Bike Rider Magazine recently published an article by Andrea Tomba who joined us in February for the Kiwi Crusade tour with his fiancée, Tamara.

I have extracted a few quotes to give you an idea of what the article is about:

“We travelled to New Zealand to see the amazing landscape and people, however, as I linger over the pictures, I believe that what I took home is very different from what I expected.”

“An experience is something that we live first-hand, that we have direct contact with, and that, in my humble opinion, forms us as we become the result of our interpretation of our life’s experiences. It is something that we carry with us, that we build on, and that we often use to reflect on things in completely different realms.”

Read the full article on our website.

If you are in New Zealand then grab a copy (June Edition).

Cheers,
--Ben

Planet Chopper
4-22 Triton Dr, Rosedale
Auckland
New Zealand



A SLICE FROM THE GEARHEAD DIARIES-- The wife and I were riding back from San Francisco down the 405. The new ‘78 Lowrider Shovel was running great. I had it only about 6 months. Just this side of Salinas that new Shovel lost power. I went from 80 to zip in no-time.

My wife asks me, “Now what?” I told her I have no idea. Me, being a new rider and all, I had no notion of what made this bike tick. I spent the next 40 years learning.

We sat on the side of the road, with the wife scratching my head about what to do. This is how brothers on the road use to be, we got cell phones and laptops nowadays.

A dude flys by and doubles back to ask me, if I needed any help. I said hell yea.

He had no idea about it just like me. He did offer to drive my wife into Fresno to the Harley dealership since the bike was still under warranty. The service package took care of a tow as long as you carried the warranty card, which I did, always.

While they split to the dealership I sat there waiting. You just did not leave a bike by the road back then or nowadays.

By the grace of the God of Harley and everything else, an old biker pulled over in his old ‘50s Ford pickup truck and ask if I needed help? I said hell yeah, again.

He asks me a few questions to diagnose the problem and I answer. No power to anywhere he says and goes hum. He found out that the lug had broken off on the hot side of the battery. He stripped the end of the wire where it broke, opened up the braided wire in the middle and stuck the battery bolt right through it. He bolted the lead to the battery, and we were fixed.

I put the key turned on the ignition and kicked the Harley to life. I gave him a few dollars for his time and thanked him. I went to turn around to turn off the bike, and when I turned back, he was gone. Where do you go out in the middle of nowhere, I ask you? The dude had to be the Harley Angel sent by God himself.

The wife and the other biker got back from town and I told them what had happened and they both were blown away. That started my learning process. It never ends.

-- Gearhead





LE PERA SEAT OF THE WEEK—Classic Cobra for Softails--
Overview

Is there a seat style that offers more of the classic chopper style than the Cobra? We think not!

It will single handedly capture the heart and soul of the Softail. Simply put, the Cobra is one righteous around town, bar hoppin', day cruiser seat.

Now available with our killer pleated stitch!

Rider seating area is 10" wide. Passenger seating area is 7" wide.
Specs

Driver Seating:
10" Wide
Passenger Seating:
7" Wide

MSRP:
$389.00

Part Number:
LK-070PT ['06-'17 200mm]







QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY-- Two Priests on Vacation
Two priests decided to go to Hawaii on vacation. They were determined to make this a real vacation by not wearing anything that would identify them as clergy. As soon as the plane landed they headed for a store and bought outrageous shorts, shirts, sandals, sunglasses.

Next morning they were at the beach, enjoying drinks, sunshine and the scenery when a topless blonde walked straight towards them. They couldn't help but stare. As the blonde passed them she smiled and said, "Good Morning Fathers" then she passed on by.

Stunned, they wondered, how in the world did she know they were priests. So back to the store to buy even more outrageous outfits. Now in their new attire, they settled down in their chairs to enjoy the sunshine.

After a little while the same gorgeous topless blonde came walking toward them. Again she nodded at each of them saying "Good Morning Fathers" walking away.

One of the priests couldn't stand it any longer and asked, "Young lady, we’re priests and proud of it but how in the world do you know we are priests dressed as we are?"

To which she replied...

“Father, it’s me, Sister Kathleen…”

--EL Waggs
Officially Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina







LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK--
2015 Harley-Davidson® FXDB - Dyna® Street Bob for $11,995.00
see it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=8475401

2015 Harley-Davidson FXDB - Dyna Street Bob 103



Power comes from an air-cooled, Twin Cam 103 engine that delivers a maximum torque of 98.8 ft-lb at 3,000 rpm. As far as efficiency is concerned, the engine delivers an average fuel consumption of 43 mpg. The engine was carefully designed to work together with a modern Six-Speed Cruise Drive transmission that is perfectly suited for long journeys. For enhanced comfort the Harley Davidson Dyna Street Bob is equipped with a slammed low rear suspension.The combination stop/tail/turn lighting and side-mounted license plate keep the chopped rear fender clean and smooth.

The Street Bob can be further personalized through our in-store parts department that allows customers to select options that personalize fit, function and style in more than 2,000 combinations. Add your touch to this bike. You will be starting with a Nice Dyna 103!!!



ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDE:

Vivid Black paint is like new. Black powder console with chrome caps and gauge accents, Vivid Black 12" T bars, black Avon grips, chrome mirrors and vivid black levers. Chrome blinkers and black quarter fairing with a tall blacked out windshield.

Chrome fork, black hi-reflective headlamp, crossties, lower legs on laced black rims. Chrome 2:2 exhaust. Chrome H-D logo stamped circular air cleaner. Black powder engine including rocker covers with a polished band, polished 103 timing cover, chrome horn cover, and polished 103 derby cover. 2-up seat with forward controls. Vivid black swing arm, battery case, oil bag, and fender supports.

Black powder chain guard, chrome adjustable shocks, and black drive sprocket with a polished rim. Hi-reflective chrome stop / turn / tail lights with side mounted LED lit license plate.

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 101 point safety and mechanical inspection. Whether your looking to commute to work, ride the coast or take that dream vacation, this bike is ready to go!!!

EZ FINANCING-SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!

Fill out an online application and ride today!!!

**Open 7 days a week**







CLASSICS FROM BDL--The Belt Drive Limited EVBB-3T-4, was developed for big inch, big horsepower Shovel Head drivelines from 1970 – 1983 running 4-speed transmissions and rear chain drives.

This is BDL’s ball bearing version of the company’s legendary EVB-3T-4 drive. The conversions address inconsistent clutch adjustment and obnoxious oils leaks in one shot. No more floating basket to contend with and best of all no more unreliable clutch.

The 68-tooth basket and 45-tooth front pulley come with the BDL-138-38K belt providing a 1.511:1 gear ratio to help on the open road. This is a performance clutch kit incorporates the famous BDL ball bearing lock up assist pressure plate.

Tried and proven on thousands of machines over the past 5 years the new kit retails for $774.00.






LATEST FROM THE WIDE-OPEN BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY--Some excellent new puns...

How does a lawyer sleep? First, he lies on one side, then he lies on the other.

There was a kidnapping at school yesterday. Don’t worry, though - he woke up.

He wasn’t originally going to get a brain transplant, but then he changed his mind.

Which country’s capital has the fastest-growing population? - Ireland. It’s Dublin every day.

A supercilious crook going downstairs? Oh you mean, a condescending con, descending.

Jill broke her finger today, but on the other hand, she was completely fine.

England doesn't have a kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.

--Wayfarer
Chief Investigator
Bikernet.com™ News Bureau
India






TEXAS WEATHER REPORT--So I’ve worn Wolverine Durashock boots for 20+ years, they made one with a thick, straight cushion sole and then stopped a couple years ago. I’m struggling to find a replacement.

Today I found Bandit, the only EW width they had & they were used! Store let someone return them, the entire line was already $10 off, so I made ‘em give me another $20 too!

Figured a used Bandit was better than none.

--RFR






UPDATE: ALL THREE AMENDMENTS PASS COMMITTEE


The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased to update our members that all three of our high priority motorcyclist amendments have just passed with unanimous consent after being placed in a bipartisan en bloc vote during this morning's hearing. After lengthy negotiations between both parties, each side agreed to put 18 amendments in a single en bloc vote to help speed up proceedings in the markup of H.R. 2, the INVEST in America Act.



The MRF wants to thank all of our members and partners for engaging with their member of Congress to ensure the priorities of motorcyclists were addressed during this process. We will send out a full release later today on the hearing but wanted to alert our members who have been following the hearing proceedings over the past two days.



About Motorcycle Riders Foundation
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.