Hey,

I just drove back from Deadwood through snowstorms and black ice in two days. That was an easy 1331 miles and I’ll bet I can cut it to less than 1290 miles on the next run to the Badlands.

I’ve been edgy recently about all the stuff on my plate for this year, until I looked at the patina B&W photos of 1880 settlers living in tents in Deadwood during the winter. We have it so fucking easy, it’s incredible how blessed we are.

While warm in the 2WD high-top Bikernet van we watched the digital temp gauge click from 1 degree in Evanston, Wyoming to 70 degrees in Nevada as we rolled through Las Vegas.

I know many of you have experienced these shifts most of your lives. Hell, some of my neighbors in Deadwood moved from North Dakota for the climate in Deadwood. I had a blast shoveling snow and working on the new digs.

Now, I need to get the Salt torpedo prepped for Bonneville this year. We need sponsor and I need to take the body off and take it to paint at Chris Morrison’s shop in Harbor City. Hang on for the next report. 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.







STATES SEEK TO LEGALIZE LANE SPLITTING--As of January 2020, California is the only U.S. state that formally authorizes motorcyclists to lane split. Utah passed a law to allow riders to lane filter in 2019, while Hawaii made shoulder surfing legal in rush hour traffic situations in 2018. Now, Arizona and Virginia could soon join California on the elite list of lane-splitting-friendly states.

Proposals to legalize lane splitting both in Arizona and Virginia were recently submitted to those states’ legislative bodies. The Arizona bill, House Bill 2285 introduced in January by Representative and Arizona House Transportation Committee chairman Noel Campbell, a former Navy and U.S. Forest Service pilot and a motorcycle tour guide, would allow riders to lane split on roads of more than one lane in the same direction with a speed limit of 45 mph or less and when traffic is cruising at no more than 15 mph.

In Virginia, Rep. Tony Wilt proposed a similar measure, House Bill 1236, to allow motorcyclists to lane split on roads of more than one lane in the same direction but traffic speed would have to be under 10 mph and motorcycles would be limited to a maximum speed of 20 mph.

Over the past few years, a slew of bills have been introduced to legalize lane splitting and filtering, including;

Connecticut, where lawmakers are actively considering Senate Bill 629 to make both lane splitting and filtering explicitly legal.

In Oregon, House Bill 2314 was referred to the Speaker's desk. If approved, motorcycles could travel between cars on roadways where the speed limit is 50mph or greater, and traffic is moving at 10mph or slower.

Washington state reintroduced Senate Bill 5254 on January 13, 2020 and it's currently in committee.

In Canada, the Toronto city council is considering Agenda Item MM43.53 to allow filtering throughout the city, as well as allowing motorcycles to “use reserved lanes” in some specific areas of the city.

--Bill Bish
NCOM Editor

Check out Bill’s full legislative report on Bikernet tomorrow. Lane splitting should be a national bill. It would solve lots of issues in a congested world. Years ago, I suggested a motorcycle lane next to the fast lane. Freedom always works.—Bandit






DIGITAL EXHIBITION: CHRIS GIBBANY—
When I was little, I collected Hot Wheels and toy motorcycles. As I got older, I built model cars and would ask for Hot Wheels for my birthday and the Christmas exchange during my elementary school years.

I always dreamed of Camaros and Corvettes, with the late 70’s and early 80’s models being my favorites. While in college I purchased two 1978 Camaros; a black LT that I put “Back in Black” on the spoiler and a 78 Z-28 I called “Mean Streak”. I kept both cars for many years. Goals are a very huge part of my life and while in my twenties decided I wanted a Corvette before I turned 30. I ended up owning three of them before I turned 29!

I bought my first Vette, a 1981 model while working for minimum wage, taking a job at a department store to complete this goal. As always, people around me laughed at my goals as they considered them too far-fetched.



For the first 40 years of my life, I was ALL Chevy, owning eight different Corvettes and Camaros, but I carried a deep dark secret that I didn’t dare mention.

Just six years ago, I admitted to my husband Gabe that I wanted a Mopar. Since I speculated that this might end in divorce, I was ecstatic when I found out that he wanted one too! I set a goal to own a Mopar by the time I turned 41.

The car I had dreamed about for years was a Dodge Challenger. On July 1st, 2013, I sold the 1981 Corvette after owning it over 13 years and drove 10 hours to purchase a Panther Pink 1973 Challenger. Upon arriving, the car was in such poor shape for the asking price that I didn’t buy it.

Driving away without getting the Challenger sent me into a month-long depression as all the other Challengers I spotted were out of my price range. I realized I had to free up the prospects of other Mopars if I was to reach my deadline.

Two days before my birthday, I purchased a 1974 Dodge Charger. When we arrived, I saw potential in the car and my paint and body man Jim Crabb agreed to work on it for me. I never liked the 1970-74 Dodge Chargers but knew I could make an awesome car out of it. After two years, I built a car that exceeded my expectations.



In the interim, Gabe picked up a white 1973 Rallye Challenger that was fairly rusty. He only owned it for two months when he decided he had too many cars. I still owned the 1978 Z-28 that I built the motor for, did most of the bodywork and used to drag race.

Tears would run down my face when Gabe ever mentioned the word “sell”, but I jumped at the chance to acquire this Challenger. After 23 years together, I sold “Mean Streak” and I even covered up my Chevy bowtie tattoo with Mopar art! None of these changes were easy but, I felt that they had to be made to keep moving forward.

My favorite color has always been purple and I have always wanted a Plum Crazy Purple car, even when I owned Camaros. I assumed that my painter would be too busy to paint another car for me, so I bought a purple 1973 Dodge Dart Sport.

After meeting with my paint guy, he agreed to paint my Challenger purple. When my Charger came back from the body shop painted Green-Go, the Chall left. With all of my previous cars, it had always taken me years to get them to the super nice phase; the Charger was different. I soon realized I had built a car so nice that when I discovered a rock chip or other imperfection, I would have mental distress. After several months of heartbreak, I had my Challenger painted flat black instead.


One day while washing the Charger, I told Gabe I was going to sell it and buy a ’68 Charger. He had no doubts that I would, but other people, once again, figured I was pipe-dreaming. I ended up finding a ’68 the same day I sold mine, and it was PLUM CRAZY PURPLE! I had big plans for the car, working on it for a year and a half but decided I was putting myself in a “prison” once again and sold it earlier this year.

For the last four years, Gabe and I have hosted an event at the local Kenda Drive-In in Marshall, Arkansas called “Throwback Thursdays”. This event is free to anyone driving a pre-1980 vehicle, and we show car movies once a month from April to August. We give out goody bags, owners get a punch card and we give out grand prizes during the finale to those who attend the most movies.

As I was getting ready for the May event, my pet chicken Amos Moses tried to fly into my trunk. When he didn’t make it, his toenails put deep scratches on my driver’s quarter panel. For two months I didn’t drive the car and finally came up with the idea to put our logo, “Old Iron Never Dies” on the side and I LOVE IT!

I have always had nice cars, with shiny paint and great interiors. My ’73 Challenger gets 8mpg, has no a/c, and no stereo, but I feel like a rock star every time I drive it. It has a lot of heart; it runs strong, and it is rough around the edges, just like me.





MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS ISSUES FROM THE MRF--
I'm interested in learning what your organization and/or your State is doing relative to Motorcycle Awareness in your Driver Education Programs.

In Massachusetts, it's sadly gotten weaker instead of stronger and I want to gather best practices before taking a non-Legislative approach to fixing it.

The Statute needs to change for sure... Currently it only calls for a MSF Curriculum, but what they currently use is quite weak. The statute is here:

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXII/Chapter71/Section13D

The regulation only calls out the 8-1/2 minute version of a MSF video through the curriculum:

Video: Cars, Motorcycles and A Common Road: A motorist awareness program 8.5 min
https://www.mass.gov/doc/drivers-education-program-curriculum/download

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCPHe2R6Ufk

UGH. It's so bad that I've learned that some are using a 3-1/2 minute version, which is even worse:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPvAtFcmgYc

Of things I've collected through the years, one of my favorite awareness videos so far is this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b3T7u4ZJ1Y

And a quick 30-second "Look Twice":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xMfk1msw9A

This one's tough to follow because it's UK-based, but powerful:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=to_UaN25B8s

And in the realm of paying attention to things you might NOT see:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4

What are some of the things you've collected, delivered, or are used by your State's Driver Education Programs?

PLEASE share!

--Doc
MRF.ORG






DAYTONA BIKE WEEK ACTION--Billy Lane's Sons of Speed Vintage Motorcycle Race 2020.



Hosted by Billy Lane of Choppers Inc. and Sons of Speed



Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 5 PM – 7 PM EST



New Smyrna Speedway
3939 State Road 44, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168



Tickets
www.eventbrite.com





BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!--
WILD ADVENTURE BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for February 13th 2020



https://www.bikernet.com/pages/WILD_ADVENTURE_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_February_13th_2020.aspx


Fish Camp averages 63 inches of snow per year. This is twice the national average.




--Sam
rotorkat@yahoo.com
TX




LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK--
2017 Harley-Davidson® FLRT – Freewheeler for $20.995.00

See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=8058899

**JUST 2,995 MILES**



The Freewheeler puts stripped down, custom style into an easy handling frame that lets you roll with the confidence three wheels gives to a rider. You get classic cruiser lines and styling details, like bobtail rear fenders, slash cut pipes, chrome headlight nacelle, 12-inch mini ape hangers and Enforcer aluminum wheels.



You also get enough cargo space to hold two full-face helmets. The acceleration is instant thanks to the low-end torque of the all-new Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine. And the 49mm front forks and adjustable rear suspension make the ride smooth. They say good things come in threes, and Freewheeler is the proof.

The Freewheeler trike represents iconic Harley-Davidson hotrod-inspired styling and attitude that just happens to be on three wheels. Visually and physically smaller than the Tri Glide Ultra, its rear section is pulled forward making the overall vehicle length 76.2 mm shorter. The Freewheeler offers a confidence-inspiring stance and a low-profile trunk that adds to its hotrod style.



ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT...

Vivid Black paint with raised tank logos is pristine and near new. Chrome / rubber grips with wrist saver. Leather lever covers. Black regulator shroud. Chrome engine covers including a black accented '107' air cleaner cover, cam / horn covers with black accented H-D logos, and black accented six speed cover. Foot operated parking brake, a chrome rear bumper and a luggage rack. 2-up seat with backrest and passenger handles. Almost new tires and more...

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 100 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!!!










BIKERNET GUN NUT REPORT-- When More Research Funding Isn’t the Answer to ‘Gun Violence’ in America

In the aftermath of impeachment, and with Coronavirus apparently under control in the U.S., it appears the mainstream media is out of things to talk about. There’s no other explanation for a recent article in USA Today titled, “Congress approved $25M in funding for gun safety research. Now what?”

This piece rehashes the tired, inaccurate argument made by gun control advocates that if the government only spent more time issuing papers on their pet policies, our communities would be safer.

Of course, research on the criminal misuse of firearms isn’t prohibited – only funding politically-motivated projects. And the policies these groups call for would have no impact on crime or accidents with firearms.

But that doesn’t stop the same small group of anti-gun researchers from publishing deeply biased “studies” in the pursuit of their political goals.

Root Causes
This piece also lumps together the fortunately declining trend of homicide by firearm, and the tragically increasing trend of suicides. These are two distinct problems that merit separate policy discussions and solutions. As suicides are about two-thirds of all firearms-related deaths, it is ridiculous to argue that targeting the guns themselves will solve the mental health crisis.

As we have said here numerous times, firearms and their law-abiding owners are not a public health issue. The criminal misuse of firearms must be addressed – and the fields of criminal justice and criminology are better suited than the public health arena to pursue solutions.

The USA Today article’s flaws don’t end there, however. The authors also attempt to draw a comparison between firearms-related deaths (homicides, suicides and accidents) and those due to car crashes. As we have said here before, it’s apples to oranges to compare deliberate actions with unintentional accidents.

Real Solutions
The firearms and ammunition industry knows that there is more work to be done to make our communities safer. We’ve proven that with our leadership in getting our FixNICS program signed into law in Congress and 16 states, increasing the disqualifying background checks from 1.7 million to 5.3 million since 2012, a 241-percent increase.

It is the firearms industry that leads with Project ChildSafe, passing out 38 million free gun locks. We’ve partnered with the largest suicide prevention group in the country to provide gun ranges and retailers the resources to intervene before a moment of crisis. We’ve led on preventing straw purchases with our Don’t Lie for the Other Guy campaign.

And we know that increasing suicide trends is a major crisis in the U.S. today. We are working to reduce these tragedies through partnerships with groups like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Department of Veterans Affairs. We know the answer isn’t more government spending on ineffective proposals, but is in coming up with Real Solutions for safer communities.

--By Larry Keane

BY TTAG CONTRIBUTOR


Larry Keane is SVP for Government and Public Affairs, Assistant Secretary and General Counsel of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.





QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY--Four great confusions still unresolved.

1 At a movie theater, which arm rest is yours?

2. If people evolve from monkeys, why are monkeys still around?

3. Why is there a 'D' in fridge, but not in refrigerator?

4. Who knew what time it was when the first clock was made?

--El Waggs
Bikernet Librarian






SADDLEMEN SEAT OF THE WEEK--1979-2003 XL Sportster Profiler™ Tattoo Seat with Stitched Flame

Brand Fitment: Harley-Davidson
Model Fitment: XL SPORTSTER
Year Fitment: 1979-2003
$338.00
Drag Specialties Part #: 0804-0064
Saddlemen Part #: 879-03-0512




Heat up your ride with our one-piece Profiler Tattoo seat design for Harley-Davidson®.

Profiler Tattoo is the ultimate low-profile, slammed seat for two with our custom Tattoo flame and 3-D effect stitch pattern. The Profiler incorporates our Integrated Design Philosophy (IDP™), which takes styling cues from each motorcycle and incorporates them into the contours and patterns of each seat. What you get is a seat that looks and fits perfectly on your bike - no generic, “one size fits all” styling.

The Profiler Tattoo offer a great looking seat which is a more comfortable ride that is noticeable from the moment you get on. Why?

Almost two decades ago, Saddlemen® was the innovator of SaddleGel™ for motorcycle seats, bringing over a gel technology widely used in medical applications. Now widely copied, but not duplicated, SaddleGel™ provides undisputable comfort.

Adding to the comfort is our unique SaddleHyde™ covering, a glove-soft that has the right amount of stretch built in to make better use of the SaddleGel™ underneath.

Saddlemen® has engineered the perfect and only matched motorcycle seating foam that works in conjunction with SaddleGel™ and SaddleHyde™ for maximum riding distance and pleasure. Saddlemen’s® proprietary Profoam™ with its high resilient properties maximizes your motorcycles suspension package by collapsing just enough to conform to the rider’s body shape. In turn it helps to equalize the pressure to allow good blood flow. Combined with our precisely engineered molding cavities, our 3 part system is carefully molded with a skin that resists penetration by rain or perspiration. All completed in house under the careful supervision of train technicians to guarantee a perfectly contoured seat with every pour.







NEW INDIAN SCRAMBLER--Built on the FTR 1200 platform, the new scrambler-inspired Indian FTR Rally has spoked wheels with knobby tires, a taller ProTaper handlebar, a flyscreen, a brown aviator seat and a Titanium Smoke paint job with the Indian Motorcycle headdress graphic on the tank.

--from Rider Magazine



STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM YOUTH PROGRAM FOR 2020-- Tuesday night was the kick-off for the 2020 youth motorcycle build scholarship program, Lonnie's Heart, a 501c3 non-profit within the Museum.

This year six students from Sturgis Brown High School will participate in the program, transforming a 2015 H-D Heritage Softail into a custom cholo or vicla style motorcycle.



Students who participate throughout the entire program and demonstrate enthusiasm and passion for learning will earn college scholarships. The program is open to all high school students in the northern Black Hills but for the second year in a row, only Sturgis students applied.

The 2020 build will be lead by Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame Inductee Keith Terry and well known builder Patrick Garvin.

In 2019 students built a custom Softail with a modern board-tracker vibe, complete with a 26-inch front wheel and a 23-inch rear wheel. That motorcycle sold at Mecum Auction in January garnering $35,000 for the scholarship program. A small portion of that money will be used toward the 2020 build and the remaining dollars will be used to support future scholarships.

--Emma Garvin
Executive Director
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum