Hey,

It’s been an exciting week. The weather in the Badlands has been amazing, so that means we’re getting shit done. The footings are poured for the shop. The foundation wall forms are going up today and the walls will be poured tomorrow. Hopefully, by this time next week the slab will be poured, and we’ll be rocking.






Hell, the roof trusses should be delivered today. And Tim Crandall delivered our front door steel awning and we installed it on Tuesday.







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.






SUPPORT GOOD TIMES TIMING COVER--Support Logo Timing Cover
$ 40.00

Original Support Good Times Logo Timing / Ignition / Points Cover for Shovelheads and big twin Evos in billet aluminum.







MORE FROM THE TEXAS WEATHERMAN--Learned about these Sturgis bikes, both ‘82s. Owner has five or six ‘82s among others. The red & white one is the Sturgis bike. Every year the factory sends a bike to Sturgis H-D to sell at the rally. You probably knew this, but I did not. I would not mind if you sent the owner a big box of Bandit Bucks and bought the Tour Glide for me. Yes it’s newer than my ‘79, but the same color!



The story on the other is even cooler, just 10,000 miles on the clock. It was parked in a climate controlled warehouse on blocks since who knows. Owner died in ‘84, daughter decided to sell it and take it to a shop like MC Creations here in Houston. The old tech, who got it running is the same tech who unpacked it and did the make ready when it was new—amazing. The dealership only got two of ‘em, so it was easy to track as it never left the city, much less the state.

So, an artist in one of the bands I’ve photographed posted this. He is quite skilled in martial arts & weapons. Maybe his own quote, maybe not? I only know my own life, but I’d imagine fits several of those I know as well.





“You can’t truly call yourself “peaceful” unless your capable of great violence… If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful, you are harmless… Important Distinction”

--RFR
Official Weatherman
Bikernet.com™







NEW FROM NORTON-- First pictures of re-engineered V4SV superbike

Norton Motorcycles has revealed the first official pictures of the re-engineered V4SV – the most luxurious British superbike ever created.

True to its Isle of Man TT heritage, the re-engineered Norton V4SV has benefited from significant investment and testing during the last 12 months to deliver a quality luxury product befitting of the Norton name.

The V4SV is currently in the last engineering improvement phase. Each component has been repackaged and revised, none more-so than the in-house developed engine. The new Norton 1200cc V4 sits elegantly in its handcrafted aluminium tubed frame to deliver a blistering 185bhp.

With fully adjustable Ohlins front forks and a bespoke Norton Ohlins TTXGP adjustable rear shock, the V4SV is every bit the TT-inspired performance machine. The V4SV motorcycle is the first model to be shown since the brand was bought out of administration by TVS Motors.

Source: Norton Motorcycles





THIS JUST IN FROM THE PROFESSOR--Help, what is happening with our universities?

By Prof. Dr. IR. Guus Berkhout

This is an English translation of a letter by Guus Berkhout of CLINTEL that was published in De Telegraaf, the largest newspaper in The Netherlands earlier this week.

In recent years we have seen the strangest things happening to our universities. Professors must be extremely careful about what they teach. If they present scientific results that do not fit the ideology of activist movements, their lives are made difficult and they even run the risk of being excommunicated. Joining the consensus is by far the safest. The Boards of Governors do not protect their professors; on the contrary, they are solidly behind the activists.



The University of Amsterdam believes that every student should become ‘woke’. It is no longer about developing talents, but about making white, heterosexual, serious students feel guilty. After all, their ancestors have blood on their hands and they are the new generation of oppressors. Radboud University in Nijmegen has bowed to climate activism and has just decided that all students must be taught the sustainability narrative. The climate crisis is central to this, whether that is scientifically correct or not, that does not matter in Nijmegen.

My own university, TU Delft, has recently adopted the fashionable label ‘climate university’. This university also indoctrinates its students by telling them that there is a man-made climate crisis that must be solved with solar panels, windmills and biomass plants. Criticism is not tolerated. But I say to the Board of Governors, surely the university must be a sanctuary for the unbiased exchange of knowledge? How free is the discussion at TU Delft if everyone is pushed into an ideological straightjacket? Do you still want to send your child to such a university?



Honorary Doctorate

But the worst is yet to come. TU Delft has just announced that it will award EU Vice President Frans Timmermans an honorary doctorate (doctoratus honoris causa), because of the extraordinary achievements he has made with his energy transition policy. But I say to the Board of Governors, Frans Timmermans has done untold damage with his energy policy! He is the great champion of biomass plants, which have been destroying unique ecosystems for many years by massive logging.

Timmermans also believes that sustainability can be achieved with windmills. A technical university such as Delft University of Technology knows perfectly well that such a policy is technically and scientifically nonsensical! Hard figures show that wind farms incur heavy losses; their operating costs are seriously underestimated. Partly due to Timmermans’ policy, energy prices are skyrocketing. And then grant such a person an honorary doctorate? It is an insult to all Delft alumni.



Intertwined interests

Universities have moved in a direction unworthy of science. The interests of science and politics have become strongly intertwined. As a result, critical thinking and truth-finding have not been the starting point for years. Boards of Directors should bear in mind that universities are supposed to be breeding grounds for new ideas. This requires an inspiring research and teaching environment, where new concepts are welcomed and students can develop their talents. Filtering out bad ideas should be done by exposition, argument and observation, not by muzzling creative minds.

Guus Berkhout is a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and cofounder of CLINTEL.

--from What’s up with That





BAGGER RACING ALERT--Richard Gadson Going Bagger Racing with 187 Custom Cycles

Superstar rider/tuner Richard Gadson is well-known for his success in the sportbike drag and grudge racing world. Now Gadson is going Bagger drag racing in a big way with Live Oak, California-based V-Twin speed merchants 187 Custom Cycles.

“I would like to say that myself and the rest of the 187 team are looking forward to working and growing with Richard,” said 187 owner Patrick Lynch. “We have some big plans for 2022 in the Bagger world, but also have had conversations leading to bigger things outside of the Bagger world.” Hmmmm.......could Pro Stock Motorcycle be in this team’s future?

Gadson rode Mike Beland’s turbo Bagger “Meth Beth” at the Atlanta AHDRA race last year, but his recent work helping Chris Bostick’s NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle has him on an all-motor binge.

“Anything normally aspirated gets me excited,” said Gadson. “I like the challenges of trying to squeeze every little bit out of something that has limited power. So, when Patrick called me about racing his Bagger, I jumped right on it. It’s not my normal sort of gig, but I love racing in all forms. I had been paying attention to the all-motor Baggers for a while now and they always peaked my interest. I’m looking forward to getting on it!”

And on it and on it and on it. “Our current plans are to run 10-12 of the larger events,” said Lynch, and that’s scaled back from 2021s all-out assault that netted then-187 rider Victor Gotay the AHDRA championship. “I’m personally still not happy with the parity among all the different associations, so we may run a few IHDRA, a few AMRA and will definitely be at AHDRA in Sturgis and the Trick-Tools Eddyville Corn Belt race.

“The team will be based around Crystal (Patrick’s wife/rider Crystal Lynch) and Richard, and I have committed to do whatever it takes to have a winning and successful 2022.

“Current 2022 sponsors are Fuelab, Worldwide Bearings, GRC Crankshafts, M2 Shocks, and many more we are finalizing contracts with.

“We are building two completely new frame-up builds for the 2022 season for Richard— an all-motor Pro Bagger and a nitrous Bagger. He will be using the bike from 2021 (a stock Harley-Davidson FLH frame with a 143 cubic inch Milwaukee 8 weighing in at around 540 pounds) as a spare.”

Sounds like it will be a busy winter for Lynch, who also has the daily grind at 187 to keep up with. “We focus strictly on racing and performance bikes,” said Patrick. “We build everything in-house: engines, custom trees, swingarms—you name it, we build it if it’s for a race bike we are prepping.”

2022 Can’t come soon enough for this team.

Find out more about 187 Custom Cycles at https://www.187customcycles.com/







LATEST BRAT STYLE CLASSIC--I’m reaching out to share a cool custom motorcycle built by Japanese bike builder and Brat Style founder, Go Takamine. Go customized a 2022 Indian Super Chief Limited for X-Men and Mad-Max: Fury Road star, Nicolas Hoult. In true Go style, he took a clean, minimalist approach to the build – adding vintage elements with the bike’s modern performance.

For Hoult, Go’s vintage styling and thoughtful attention to detail created a piece of art that he’ll treasure and care for with the utmost respect.

Go’s attention to detail is second to none and truly creative. The laundry list of modifications include a 1937 Ford truck fender that was transformed into the rear fender of Holt’s bike, and neat, unique details like custom brass gnarled footpegs with U.S. Buffalo Nickels installed at the end of each peg. Go also converted the motorcycle to a hardtail, for a true vintage, minimalist look and feel.

Hang on, it might be a feature on Bikernet soon.

--Bandit





THIS JUST IN FROM THE PRISM GANG-- 1952 Harley-Davidson Panhead

Watch as Mark Smith shares the story of his father, Tyree “Tye” Smith, his 1952 Harley-Davidson Panhead “Dreamboat” and how he started the first African-American motorcycle club in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Mohawk Delegation.

By standing up for his right to own a motorcycle during a time in which it wasn’t culturally acceptable for him to do so, Tye helped to create a ripple effect that is felt to this day. ?

Tye's legacy is bigger than motorcycles, it’s about doing the right thing and standing up for what you believe in - a lesson we can all learn from and support.

www.prismmotorcycles.com





LATEST FROM AIR STREAM STUDIOS--I've got a couple bike projects going too. A Shovel chopper Eric and I are doing and one of my FXRs.








The FXR's going under a lot of re-working. Starting with the narrow 41mm trees you gave me years ago. Setting up the front brake was quite an ordeal. VERY LITTLE room or clearance.

--El Waggs





QUICK, GIVE ME A BETTER LIFE--Jason Byrd Releases “Better Life” Featuring George Jones. Music Video Premiered by Heartland Television and SCENES Sessions


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Country singer/songwriter Jason Byrd touches hearts with the release of his music video for his latest single, “Better Life,” featuring George Jones. The beautifully crafted video showcases a love story from beginning here on Earth to ending with the reassurance of peace in Heaven, taking the meaning of the lyrics to a whole new level of emotion.


Byrd, strapped with an acoustic guitar, highlights the simple pleasures of life that have the power to change it in the most extraordinary ways. Viewers are able to feel the sentiment of the tune through the video as well as Byrd’s incredible talent and Jones’ legendary voice. The world premiere of the “Better Life” music video was featured by Heartland TV and online by SCENES Sessions, and is available to download and stream on all digital platforms now!



“I am so excited to have the new music video for “Better Life” available,” shares Byrd. “Thank you, Heartland for premiering the official video on television and Scenes Sessions online. I’m happy to have finally released my first music video and I hope that everyone will enjoy it. Keep it country!”


For more information and everything Jason Byrd, please visit jasonbyrdmusic.com.






THE STATE OF European Motorcycle Registrations--Registrations of motorcycles in the largest European markets continued increasing in the first nine months of 2021, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

Five of the largest European markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK) saw registrations rise by 10.6% compared to the same period of 2020, totaling 792,819 units.



Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 disruptions in Spring 2020, almost all the main national markets in Europe registered volume gains in 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, with Italy showing the biggest increase (+27.9%). UK, Spain and France also performed well (13.5%, 8.7% and 8.5% increases respectively); new registrations in Germany were down slightly for the nine-month period (-4.9%).

For a better comparison, against pre-pandemic registration data, the first nine months of 2021 saw the European motorcycle market showing signs of growth; the 792,819 units for January-September 2021 compares to 732,594 units for January-September period in 2019, representing an 8.2% increase.



Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, said: "In aggregate, the registration figures for the first nine months of 2021 confirm market recovery after the impact of COVID-19 compared to the first nine months of last year.

"More importantly, the latest data confirms that powered two-wheeler (PTW) markets in Europe have globally surpassed pre-COVID-19 figures, with significant increases for motorcycles and for mopeds.

"These interim 2021 results could have been even more positive if it weren't for the global semiconductor shortage affecting the automotive sector, and indirectly causing logistical delays for some motorcycle manufacturers' production."

--ACEM
Posted by Dealerworld





SOMETHING FROM MAMA--We are proud to partner with the team at Whiteknucker Brand and offer this special edition Mama Tried branded knife. Buy this slick knife now!







QUICK, NMA ALERT-- Editor's Note: The NMA has received permission to post this report on recent findings on traffic safety in the US. Read Parts 1 and Part 2 for more information.




Data-Driven Safety

Such data-driven analyses play almost no role in urban traffic safety programs today.

For example, Vision Zero is based on the simplistic idea that "People hit by fast cars are more likely to die than people hit by slow cars, so therefore slowing down traffic is the sole measure to be taken to improve safety."

Cities such as Portland have been implementing this idea for several decades, and the increase in traffic fatalities in those cities proves that it doesn't work. Beyond that, it imposes huge costs on society: according to the Texas Transportation Institute, traffic delays cost Americans $190 billion in 2019, and deliberately slowing traffic merely adds to those costs.

Such simplistic planning also ignores the needs of freight movement. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, highways in 2018 (the latest year for which data are available) moved slightly more than 2.0 trillion ton-miles of freight at a cost to shippers of 20.2¢ per ton-mile for a total of $410 billion. For comparison, the Bureau of Economic Analysis says Americans spent $1.2 trillion buying, operating, maintaining, and insuring personal motor vehicles in 2018.

That means 25 percent of the value of roads and streets is due to their ability to move freight. Yet freight is hardly considered by planners when designing their regional transportation plans. Mindless slowing of traffic by, say, 20 percent increases costs to freight companies by forcing them to buy 20 percent more trucks and hire 20 percent more drivers.

Transportation system managers need to replace such simplistic ideas with a data-driven program aimed at designing safety into urban and rural roads.

Such a program must identify which roads and which kinds of roads are most dangerous, what times of day accidents take place, and how roads can be redesigned to make them safer.

For example, the safest roads are freeway arterials in most urban areas, while the most dangerous, killing the most people per billion passenger-miles, are non-freeway arterials. Freeways are safer due to the separation of pedestrians and cyclists and the elimination of cross traffic.



Bicycle boulevards, such as this one in Berkeley, use local streets parallel to major collectors or arterials and apply a few barriers to allow local automobile traffic and through bicycle traffic.




Photo by Carrie Cizauskas.


This suggests that non-freeway arterials could be made safer by reducing the number of intersections with other streets and using lights or other improvements to make the remaining intersections safer. Bicycle traffic could be separated from the arterials by developing bicycle boulevards on parallel routes with less auto traffic.

Pedestrian safety could be addressed by using barriers to discourage pedestrians from crossing at unmarked locations, improving lighting in areas where nighttime pedestrian accidents are known to take place, and providing pedestrian overpasses at the most dangerous intersections.


This roundabout forces traffic on the heavily used east-west road to slow from 65 to 25 mph, sometimes causing lengthy back-ups to avoid a traffic light or overpass for the lightly used north-south road. A larger roundabout would have allowed faster speeds and avoided congestion.


Many states install roundabouts, which often needlessly reduce traffic speeds, sometimes from 65 to 25 miles per hour. They have been proven to reduce auto collisions but may increase pedestrian accidents and certainly reduce walkability as they require pedestrians to walk much further distances to cross a street. One solution is to make roundabouts larger, allowing higher traffic speeds combined with pedestrian overpasses.

Using data-driven systems, motor vehicle manufacturers have already made tremendous steps towards improving the safety of both automobile occupants and pedestrians, but further work can be done.

For example, some cars have automatic emergency braking systems to avoid collisions even if the vehicle is going 45 miles per hour. In comparison, other devices only work at 25 miles per hour or less. Some cars have systems that are supposed to brake when they detect pedestrians or cyclists, but their effectiveness is mixed. Installing improved emergency braking systems on all new vehicles will help increase both pedestrian and occupant safety.

Some changes in bumper design that would reduce pedestrian injuries conflict with a federal requirement that cars suffer no damage in a 5-mile-per-hour collision. The 5-mph bumper standard was supposed to reduce repair costs, but instead, it increased them as it forced manufacturers to install bumpers that cost more to replace in the event of damage at higher speeds. This standard should be eliminated in favor of one that will increase pedestrian safety.

Safer transit means buses, not rail lines. Buses have been involved with the fewest fatalities, per billion passenger-miles, of any major transit mode, and buses are also less expensive than any rail mode.

Proponents of rail transit, particularly light rail and streetcars, clearly are uninterested in improving urban safety.

These are some things that could be done, but what is actually done should depend on data gathered from accident reports.

Logically, this could be done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A 2020 Government Accountability Office report noted that the NHTSA data collection system is inconsistent. The agency "lacks an evaluation plan with criteria to assess whether to expand" the data it collects.

The Biden administration proposed to spend "$20 billion to improve road safety for all users, including increases to existing safety programs and a new Safe Streets for All program to fund state and local Vision Zero plans."

It would be better to spend this, or whatever amount of money is allocated to road safety, by giving NHTSA a mandate to improve its accident reporting and analysis system with the aim to identify ways to design more safety into the existing road and street designs.

Some people use safety issues to justify their goal of eliminating, or at least greatly reducing, the use of automobiles. But those who truly believe in transportation safety regardless of mode should support a data-driven process of identifying and implementing safer roadway designs, motor vehicles, and transit systems.

--By Randal O’Toole, The Antiplanner

Randal O'Toole, The Antiplanner, is an economist with forty-five years of experience critiquing public land, urban, transportation, and other government plans.

--NMA

Randal left out one important element. The desire to eliminate or punish fossil fuel use. --Bandit