Hey,

Another fascinating week in paradise. Folks write and text me about the weather in South Dakota constantly. It’s amazing, challenging and never dull. I tell friends from California, “It’s not cold unless you go outside naked, goddammit.”

The Redhead watches the weather reports constantly. I watch for motorcycle parts and equipment for the new shop.



Just received three issues of Choppers Magazine, a subscription-only Chopper book designed by Beatnik the Magnificent, the former art director of Biker Magazine. It’s a sharp piece celebrating pure chopper freedom.




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.







FRANK BALL’S NEW SHIRT AND TILES—My grandson is cooking on all fronts. He’s rapidly becoming a master tattoo artist. He took over the 5-Ball leather line and is doing a helluva job.



He recently rode his Street Glide north to San Francisco for a Tattoo gathering and painted on some ceramic plates. He also created a new shirt for Bartels’ H-D.



"Doing a small run of these to see how they do," Frank said. "20% smaller collar and a straight bottom waist with the adjustable snaps. Got a few request."

He’s rocking out and building a chopper behind the master Domenic M. We’ll bring you reports in the near future.

--Bandit









THE MORAL CASE FOR FOSSIL FUELS REPORT--The greatest energy technology of all time

Last we discussed that for energy to be useful, it must be cheap, plentiful, and reliable, and to be cheap, plentiful, and reliable, every element of the process to create energy must also be cheap, plentiful, and reliable. We saw how this can be difficult to achieve with some alternative energy sources, such as solar.

It’s important to know this because if somebody tells you “Let’s replace the way we currently produce energy with this other way,” you have to be able to evaluate whether or not the process is really viable.



Fossil fuels: cheap, plentiful, reliable energy for billions

The subject of this email is that the hydrocarbon, or fossil fuel, industry is the only industry that can produce cheap, plentiful, reliable energy on a scale of billions. That means that without such an industry, we don't have the amount of food we need, the amount of technology we want, the amount of anything we need or want.



The first thing to realize is that the vast majority of the world's energy is in fact produced by the hydrocarbon industry. This was true back in 1980, and it’s also true in the present.

As you can see, there’s much more overall energy consumption now and the vast majority of that is still fossil fuel energy. What that means is that we're using considerably more fossil fuels, not less.

There is currently no other industry that can match what the fossil fuel industry is producing and on the scale that it’s producing it.

Why? The reason is that the hydrocarbon industry has developed a highly resource efficient process to find, extract, and harness a naturally concentrated, plentiful, and stored source of energy. It’s the only industry that has come up with a process that is cheap, plentiful, and reliable.

To understand why that is, it’s important to understand what fossil fuels are and how to explain it to someone who doesn’t work in the fossil fuel energy. We’ll take that up next week.

--Alex Epstein







THE GRISSLY RETURNS--
I have been contributing for Biker magazine under the name Grizzly. I wrote for many other mags as well. I am now making the Chop, ride & party books ( www.choprideandparty.com ) and I am doing research.

I would like to know when did bobbers turn into choppers. I mean, the first modified motorcycles in the US were called bobbers. In my opinion bobbers are just heavy stock American bikes stripped of all unnecessary shit to make them go faster.

At a certain point people started calling those bobbers, choppers but my question is when? For a long time, I was under the impression it wasn’t until bikers started raking the frames. But I found out that long before that happened they already called their bike choppers.

For instance the Frisco chopper didn’t sport a raked frame but they certainly were not bobbers. So what made people call their bikes choppers? As soon as they started individualizing them? Or when they started making them pretty?

Or was it when they went from smaller gas tanks to bigger tanks. Many people tend to call choppers with a stock frontend and a big gas-tank bobbers, but when they see the same bike with a small gas tank they tend to call them choppers.

Was it when it was not only about stripping but started to become more about making things for them? Custom things like sissy-bars and seats and stuff?

I already asked many old biker guys who were around in the late ‘50s, early ‘60s. Many different opinions. Would like your take on it. Maybe even publish it if you don’t mind. Right now I am just collecting opinions and memories of different people. Can you help me out a bit?

--Beer
www.choprideandparty.com
chopper culture books

PS. I asked your friend Bob Tron as well. He suggested I should ask you




Hey Beer,

I will tell you the exact date and time of the first Chopper. I will tell you who the first builder was, how old he was and what he drank, snorted and smoked before creating the first chopper.

But this isn’t easy. This is a secret that only I know and one other Easyriders editor, Frank Kaisler. Of course J.J. Solari might know, but you can’t believe a word he says. First, I must get their permission, which is nearly impossible.

You are right about many of your statements. In my lifetime, I’ve watched Choppers die several times, but they always return. There are many threats against the Chopper Kingdom currently.

I will be glad to share this with the Chromed Gods and Bikernet Readers.

May the Twisted Steel Santa bless your holidays,

--Bandit

Jesus Christ, as usual Bandit is fulla shit. The answer is simple: When you bob something, you take shit off your bike for performance.

When you chop something, you modify it, like chopping the frame, chopping fenders or gas tanks, narrowing seats and modifying frontends. WTF, over?

--Renegade






WILD REPORT OF THE WEEK FROM SOUTH OF THE BORDER--Mexico's Supreme Court says you can choose your own age

Think the ability to choose your own sex is the most amazing feature of the Depraved New World? Well, actually, it probably is. But now, at least in Mexico, you can also choose your own age!

That’s right, Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) has affirmed that a “fundamental right to personal identity” includes the right to change one’s date of birth on government documents. The Court ruled that, under the Mexican Constitution’s recognition of individuals’ “right to identity,” a birth certificate should reflect how someone has “constantly identified himself in his private and public acts.” It added that identity is comprised of more than just “biological truth.”

Indeed it is. “My truth” and “your truth” supersede silly old “biological truth” any day. Our feelings don’t care about your facts. So there!

Just because I’ve been “assigned” a sex at birth doesn’t mean that’s my destiny. Doesn’t mean I have to live with it. Just because I happen to have a penis, scrotum and protruding Adam’s Apple doesn’t mean I am confined to being a male for life. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. I can be whatever gender I wish to be at any given moment in time.

Man! I feel like a woman!

--By American Thinker


https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2021/12/mexicos_supreme_court_says_you_can_choose_your_own_age.html


And now, though I may have allegedly been “born” in 1946, I should also be able to alter my birth certificate to identify as whatever age I wish to be. (Tomorrow I’m going to be a coquettish young schoolgirl.)

But this doesn’t go far enough. It should also be everyone’s right to identify as whatever race they choose. For that matter, we all should be able to pick what species we wish to be. The right to pick one’s own sex, age, race, and species should be self-evident. I don’t know how Jefferson and the other Founders missed it. And what was God thinking? Anyway, next month I’m going to present as a seven-year-old female water buffalo! Bisexual, at that! Can’t wait!

Those of us who are allegedly nearing the end of our lifespans need only move to Mexico and have our birth dates changed on government documents. If we do this repeatedly over time, we will never die! Immortality!

I don’t know about you, but I feel better already.

--Sam Burns





NEWS FROM CALIFORNIA HARLEY--Santa rides a Harley!!! and I know it is alot. That nice lady standing next to Santa with the long hair is Jodi, member of the staff.



The only thing lacking was the bourbon but that is just my preference. Those people over there not only live the life of the H-D legend, they love their jobs and love having satisfied customers

Merry Christmas!!!

--Gearhead





ANOTHER PROGRESSIVE FAILURE--Fentanyl Overdoses Become Leading Cause of Death in 18- to 45-Year-Olds

Fentanyl-related drug overdoses in 2020 became the top killer in adults aged 18 to 45—overtaking suicide, vehicle accidents, and gun violence, according to an analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data by nonprofit group Families Against Fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that’s 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, highly addictive, and deadly. Buyers may be unaware that the drugs they buy contain illicit fentanyl, a 2 milligram dose of which can be fatal.

The substance is most often manufactured in Mexico using chemicals supplied from China and trafficked across the southern border by Mexican drug cartels. Fentanyl is mixed with other narcotics to increase potency as well as pressed into counterfeit pain pills that are made to look like blue Oxycodone prescription pills and are commonly known as “Mexican oxys.”

Families Against Fentanyl is advocating for the U.S. government to designate fentanyl and its analogs as a weapon of mass destruction under federal statute.

The statute defines “weapon of mass destruction,” in part, as “any weapon that is designed or intended to cause death or serious bodily injury through the release, dissemination, or impact of toxin or poisonous chemicals, or their precursors.”

More than 100,000 Americans, a record amount, died of drug overdoses in the 12-month period ending in April, according to CDC data. Fentanyl was involved in almost two-thirds of those deaths.

During 2020, as lockdowns became prolonged and widespread as a response to the pandemic, overdose fatalities accelerated.

“This represents a worsening of the drug overdose epidemic in the United States,” the CDC stated in an emergency health advisory issued more than a year ago, on Dec. 17, 2020.

This year, as the southern border became more porous, record amounts of drugs have been seized by authorities.

During fiscal year 2021, which ended in September, Customs and Border Protection confiscated 11,200 pounds of fentanyl, up from 2,150 pounds the year prior.

In addition, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized a record-breaking more than 20 million counterfeit pills containing fentanyl this year, according to Cheri Oz, DEA special agent in charge of the Phoenix field division.

Almost half of those were seized in Arizona, she said.

BY CHARLOTTE CUTHBERTSON






ALERT FROM THE WHITEHOUSE--Omicron Forces Wave of Closures Nationwide as White House Warns ‘Winter of Death’ Coming

The Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 has sparked a wave of closures across the United States in recent days, including schools and businesses, as the White House is warning of a “winter of severe illness and death” for individuals who are unvaccinated.

“For the unvaccinated, you’re looking at a winter of severe illness and death for yourselves, your families, and the hospitals you may soon overwhelm,” White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said during a briefing. He then encouraged people to get vaccinated or receive boosters if they’re eligible.

So far, few Omicron-related deaths have been officially confirmed worldwide, and it’s not clear if any have been reported in the United States. The United Kingdom reported the first known death with Omicron, while the UK Health Security Agency, in a Dec. 18 update, reported seven deaths so far, although scant details have been provided.

--Jack Phillips
Epoch Times

Bikernet Covid Analysis:

I don't know who Jeff Zients-rhymes-with-science is, but he's broken new ground in "bureaucrats making fools of themselves." Who knew there was still untraveled Stupid Territory in DC for an idiot Presidential spokesman to trod and explore?

Five days before Christmas his message to America is "You're all going to die writhing screaming deaths if you don't do what I say." Not "Merry Christmas." Not even Merry Xmas. I'da settled for THAT.

"Happy Goddamn Holidays" - even that would be better than "You are on the verge of killing a whole lotta people, including your loved ones and the heroes on the front lines scratching their fat lying nurses-unions asses in the hallways allegedly filled with the bodies of your parents.

This in on you, kids! You want Santa to bring you toys and you're not vaccinated against the flu that's not a flu?" There should be a whole new way to say Fuck You to this asshole.

--J.J. Solari






MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE ACE CAFÉ--Enjoy your holidays and this cool little twist on a Christmas classic- biker style!

'Twas the Ride Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas
and I went on a ride.
No creatures were stirring,
myself set aside.
The cold winter night
was crisp and was clear.
No cagers, road ragers,
or traffic to hear.

Just me and my bike,
and the road I was on.
I opened that throttle,
with a roar I was gone.
The moon was out full,
and the stars they were bright.
I picked some great pavement
for my ride on that night.

When all of the sudden,
what was that I just saw?
I stopped my bike hard
and just stood there in awe.
Sure enough, it was Santa.
He was clear, and not hazy.
This couldn’t be real.
This is so crazy!

The legit dude in red
rode a hog through the air!
I rubbed my eyes twice,
but still, he was there.

“HO HO!” he laughed loudly.
On the ground, I could hear,
“You see my new bike
instead of reindeer?
The elves made a point,
That the old way was lame.
Adding some horsepowerupped me and my game!”

“I have gifts for you, brother,”
he grinned as he said.
“Not toys, but I got you
some cool stuff instead.”
He parked down beside me,
and then with a smile,
Opened up his big bag
and dug around for awhile.

Then, in a flash,
he pulled out my loot.
An awesome new lid that
matched with my scoot!
“Wow, thank you Santa!”
It’s all I could say!
He gave me the wave
and went on his way.

I stood there in shock
for a little while more.
He rose in the air
and took off with a roar.
I heard his voice clear
as he flew out of town,
“Merry Christmas to all,
and dirty side down!”

--The RumbleOn Rider-Writers


Ace Cafe Orlando
100 W. Livingston St.
Orlando, FL 32801
P: 407-996-6686







HOLIDAY LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK-2011 Harley-Davidson® FLSTC - Heritage Softail Classic for $11.995.00

SEE IT HERE: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=9680675

This bike is nice Heritage with a cool paint job


ONLY 41837.00 Miles !!!!!

2011 Superior Blue Harley-Davidson HERITAGE SOFTAIL CLASSIC FLSTC



Some of the features/Add-ons on this bike

* 96 C.I. motor
* 6 Speed trans
* Leather saddle bags
* Detachable backrest
* Detachable windshield
* Mini apes



This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 101-point safety and mechanical inspection. Whether you’re 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**

Just $11,995.00 at Lifestyle Cycles (714) 490-0155







HOLIDAY Wisdom for the Season of Giving--

“Give people the best of what is within you and help others to awaken to their best self so that they too can live a life of abundance.”

“It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.” - Albert Einstein

“Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.” - John D. Rockefeller Jr.

“There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.” - Khalil Gibran

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” - Pablo Picasso



“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” - Winston S. Churchill

“To do more for the world than the world does for you – that is success.” - Henry Ford

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." - Dalai Lama

"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough." - Meister Eckhart

--Professor Wayfarer
Monk in Training
Two-Wheeled Temple
Pillar Peak
Sturgis, South Dakota





EASYRIDERS COMPLETE DIGITIAL COLLECTION DELAYED AGAIN--The Latest from "Classic Easyriders" - below

The original launch & shipping was changed from August to September.

Now the website mentions it will be delivered to customers by December 15 which has not been updated since their below email.

On their website they have promised a free printed issue number 555 of December 2021 with the digital collection as loyalty bonus for pre-ordering the digital collection.

The digital collection continues to be on Pre-Sale at Classic Easyriders website and GIT Corp website.

At Classic Easyriders :
https://classiceasyriders.com/product/classic-easyriders-complete-digital-magazine-collection/

At GIT Corp :
https://gitcorp.online/shop/ols/products/classic-easyriders-complete-digital-magazine-collection




Dear Valued Customer,

As you may know, the shipment of your Classic Easyriders Digital Collection has been delayed due to the backup of freighters in Long Beach Harbor. We are awaiting the delivery of the shipment and have no control over when our products will be trucked from the docks. Because your order is extremely important to us, we want to offer you the entire Digital Collection online so that you can enjoy all 554 back issues of the original Easyriders magazine.

We would also like to make up for this delay by offering you the first issue of the all-new Classic Easyriders December issue that is soon to be a rare “collector’s edition”, most have you may have already received it. You will receive an email from us in a few days that will explain how you can access the entire Digital Collection online as well as the digital version of our December issue.

The email will provide a link to the Digital Collection of Easyriders online and will give you a special password so you can register to grant you full access and enjoy the product. If for any reason you decide that you’d rather have a refund, simply respond to this email and we will refund your money in full.

We are very sorry for this delay in shipping and thank you for your continued patience.

Ride Easy and Happy Holidays,

--Russell Brown
Chief Marketing Officer
Classic Easyriders a Division of GIT Corp
212-220-3651 x703 Office
516-316-6781 Mobile
russ@classiceasyriders.com
www.classiceasyriders.com