Hey,
It’s all good. We are just about to go to press with our second Easyriders issue #599. Next issue is #600, incredible.
I woke up this morning with a perfectly fine, heartfelt notion of my news intro. Then the metalflake world hit the fan. Two brothers and a sister reached out for bike feature approvals. A brother sent me a leather seat tech and asked me if I wanted to feature a Paul Wheeler classic. I interviewed a film and video editor. Danial James discussed the March/April Centerspread, Ken Conte contacted me about the Four Corners Run. Penny called about Las Vegas Bikefest, Dennis Kirk and Lifestyle Cycles. I talked up tech issues with Andrews Cams and S&S Cycles.
We are going to cover the new Andrews 45 cams built for Hot rods, street or race. What’s the difference between Race and Hot? It’s never dull around this joint.
Let’s hit the news:
The News was provided by the Bikernet Team including: Wayfarer, the Redhead, Bob T. Sam Burns, Agent Zebra, Rogue, Laura, Barry Green, El Waggs, J.J. Solari, Amy White, Jenn and the rest of the crew.
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Easyriders Magazine, Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
MICHAEL HUPY POWERS PROJECT GUARDIAN’S– Custom Build to Protect Riders and Preserve History
Michael Hupy, President of Hupy and Abraham, is reaffirming his long-standing commitment to the motorcycle community by supporting Project Guardians, an initiative that preserves motorcycling history while advancing rider safety.
Hupy pledged an initial $5,000 donation toward the 2026 Project Guardians custom motorcycle build, with an additional $5,000 once fundraising reaches $10,000. A lifelong motorcycle advocate, Hupy is a lifetime member of ABATE of Wisconsin and has been recognized by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation for his dedication to rider rights and awareness. “By combining a custom build with rider safety education, Project Guardians ensures the future of motorcycling is just as strong as its past,” Hupy said.
Project Guardians, led by Road Guardians, will oversee the creation of a one-of-a-kind custom motorcycle to be donated to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. The build is being led by Athena “Chickie” Ransom of Vagabond Chopper Co. and Road Guardians founder Vicki Sanfelipo. The project began after Sanfelipo won a diamond-cut S&S V-Twin motor at the 2025 Sturgis Rally and donated it to support the build.
Construction is set to begin in December 2025 and will take approximately three months. The completed bike will travel from Fort Lauderdale to Sturgis, where it will be raffled off during the 2026 Sturgis Rally.
Beyond this project, Hupy continues to champion rider safety through his firm’s nationwide “Watch for Motorcycles” campaign and by representing injured motorcyclists across the country, advocating for safer roads and greater awareness nationwide.
FOUR CORNERS MOTORCYCLE RALLY HITS 33–It’s wild how time flies. I think it was at a Sucker Punch Sallys launch, back when we were all trying to wrangle the chaos of the moment, lining up the bikes, getting the shots, and trying to make it all look effortless. It was getting late, people were getting antsy, and then you cut through the noise like only you can:
“Goddammit—we’re burning daylight.”
Next thing I knew, everyone fired up their bikes and we tore off through the desert in a thunderous roar. That one line—that energy—has stuck with me all these years. It’s exactly the spirit we’re channeling as we work to grow the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally into something worthy of its 33 year legacy.
I wanted to personally invite you to join us this Labor Day weekend out in Durango, Colorado, for what’s shaping up to be a powerful year:
150 years of Colorado
250 years of the United States
And we were just voted 2025 Motorcycle Event of the Year by Cycle Source Magazine
We’ve been putting in the miles to evolve this rally into a space where the roots of American moto culture still hold—and riders from all walks come together in community, not chaos.
This isn’t about spectacle—it’s about soul, scenery, and storytelling. We’ve got flat track, stunt shows, rodeo, canyon rides, and a town that turns into a living, breathing biker outpost.
I’d love to have you out—whether to cover it through Easyriders or just kick back and feel the pulse of the rally. It would mean a lot to have you witness what we’re building.
Let me know if you’re open. We’ll make it worth your time.
In Gratitude,
–Ken Conte
Director of Sponsorship
Four Corners Motorcycle Rally
970.227.3588
WORLD DUC WEEK 2026–ticket sales now open to celebrate a century of passion at the world’s biggest Ducati gathering!
A historic and one-of-a-kind edition celebrating the Centenary of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer: tickets for World Ducati Week 2026 are now available on Ducati.com
From 3 to 5 July, the Misano World Circuit and the Adriatic Riviera will welcome Ducatisti and motorcycle enthusiasts for a weekend that promises excitement and fun for everyone
The most eagerly awaited moment will be the Race of Champions, which this year will follow a format featuring free practice and qualifying on Saturday, and the official race on Sunday
Borgo Panigale, Bologna, 29 January 2026 – Ducati fans, it’s time to start warming up the engines! Tickets for World Ducati Week 2026 are now available on Ducati.com, the event that, more than any other, tells and celebrates Ducati passion around the world.
The dates to mark on the calendar are Friday 3, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July 2026: three days that will give life to an event destined to remain in history.
The 2026 edition promises to be truly unique: World Ducati Week will be the culmination of Ducati’s Centenary celebrations, already underway during the year and set to reach their peak at the Misano World Circuit. On Saturday, July 4, the exact anniversary of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer, the event will go beyond the boundaries of a gathering to become a global celebration of two wheels, capable of uniting generations of enthusiasts in one big community.
An energy that will take shape through new products, contests and in-depth sessions with Ducati engineers, designers and experts, alongside opportunities to meet riders from the present and past. There will be many chances to take to the track with one’s own motorcycle, Ducati model Test Rides and Riding Experience sessions, culminating in the parade – one of the unmissable rituals of WDW – a spectacular “snake” of motorcycles that comes to life with a lap of the circuit. All of this will be complemented by an entertainment program designed to accompany the event in the evening as well. Paddock activities and track sessions will alternate with breathtaking shows and animated evenings, creating a rich program of appointments.
The connection with racing will remain central thanks to the presence of Ducati Corse, a leading force in MotoGP, WorldSBK and Off-Road championships. This outstanding sporting heritage will be showcased in one of the most anticipated events of the weekend: the Race of Champions, which this year will introduce a completely new format: free practice and qualifying on Saturday, followed by the official race on Sunday, offering motorsport enthusiasts the opportunity to experience a unique spectacle up close on the Misano track, with a world-class starting grid.
Many elements united by the same common thread: celebrating 100 years of Ducati history by living first-hand the emotions that have made the Borgo Panigale manufacturer unique in the world of two wheels.
Tickets to attend World Ducati Week 2026 are available on the Ducati website in two formats: Biker Pass (participant with motorcycle) and Visitor Pass (passenger or participant on foot), valid for one or all three days of the event. Both types of passes allow access to all public areas of the circuit and free participation in numerous activities.
World Ducati Week 2026 will feature two sales phases. The first, called Early Advantage, runs from 26 January to 25 March and offers special limited availability rates for those who secure their place at the event right away. From 26 March, the Regular Ticket rate will be available.
In addition, all WDW ticket holders will be able to visit the Ducati factory and the Ducati Museum in Borgo Panigale at a reduced rate.
For accompanied minors up to the age of 18, admission to the event will cost a symbolic €1. Admission will be free of charge for participants coming from outside Europe (Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania), for people with disabilities and their accompanying persons.
A special discounted rate is reserved for D.O.C. members, available only to Ducati Official Club members active for the 2026 season. For information, find and contact the official DOC in your area.
Tickets can also be purchased by anyone at a special price at Ducati dealerships.
For further information on ticket prices and how to purchase them, please visit the dedicated section of the official Ducati website. Tickets are available exclusively in digital format and are nominal.
FROM THE GEARHEAD NEWSLETTER– NEW! Race-Grade Reliability Where It Counts
BAKER Drivetrain’s Race Grade Primary Chain Adjuster Shoes are engineered for riders who demand peformance, durability, and long-term reliability from their drivetrain components. Precision-machined from virgin billet Nylon 6-6, these adjuster shoes deliver greater strength, reduced wear, and a significantly longer service life compared to the original cast components.
Designed as direct replacements for H-D part numbers 39976-65B (1965–2000 Big Twin models) and 39976-01 (2001–2006 Big Twin models, excluding the 2006 Dyna), these adjuster shoes offer a high-quality solution now that OEM production has ended. BAKER fills that gap with a proudly U.S.-made alternative that outperforms both stock cast parts and imported cast copies.
Manufactured using modern CNC technology and proven through real-world use, each adjuster shoe delivers consistent performance you can trust—on the street, at the track, and everywhere in between.
Features & Benefits
Precision-machined from billet Nylon 6-6 — never cast
Stronger and more durable than stock components
Increased service life and reduced wear
Ideal for demanding performance applications
Tested, used, and endorsed by the BAKER Race Team
Proudly Made in the USA
–Baker Drivetrain
BIKERNET MONK IN TRAINING AT THE BASE OF THE MOUNTAIN–Time is the most precious commodity we have.
Waste your money and you can always make more.
Waste your time, and you’ve lost a piece of your life. — Yale
WOW… it’s already January 25, 2026. Where has this month gone? I don’t know about you, but I began January with a long list of things I was sure I was going to accomplish. And now—here we are—nearly at the end of the month.
It has been a fairly productive month, and yet, if I’m honest, I had hoped to get more done. Over the weekend I paused and took a quiet inventory—looking at what I have accomplished and what still wants my attention.
What became clear is how easy it is to confuse activity with productivity. We can stay busy all day long and still avoid the things that truly matter. Procrastination—especially around the tasks we don’t enjoy—can quietly put us into a little jackpot of pressure and delay.
So today, I choose clarity.
I am making a list of true priorities—the things that actually move my life forward. I notice how often the small, easy tasks crowd out the important ones. Today, I commit to completing what truly matters.
I’m reminded of the saying: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Today, I choose to have a plan—one I will follow—with simple benchmarks I can check off as I go.
Three steps to making it happen:
1. Decide
To decide is to choose a direction. It is knowing, “This is where I’m going.” Once I decide, I take immediate action—book the meeting, make the call, enroll in the class, put it on the calendar. Momentum begins with the first step.
2. Commit
Commitment is staying the course. It’s creating compelling reasons to follow through and choosing not to turn back when things feel uncomfortable or inconvenient.
3. Resolve
Resolve is confidence in motion. It is knowing, “I am doing this—starting now.” I promise myself that I will not give up. Decisions become powerful when they are backed by resolve.
If you feel called, make a list today—small decisions and big ones alike. Decisions are pathways to growth. Success in life comes from deciding, committing, and knowing that you will see it through.
Today I know this:
This morning, I review my 2026 master plan and gently check in to see if I am on track. Throughout the day, I pause and ask myself if my actions are aligned with what truly matters. Today, I recommit to my plan. I focus not on what might happen, but on what I will do.
I have faith in myself. I see beyond the present moment with a quiet sense of certainty. I hold the consciousness that I am Divinely guided and Divinely supplied on this journey, and I am deeply grateful for the gifts of this day. I know adjustments may be needed along the way—and that is perfectly okay.
Today is a productive, joyful day.
And so it is.
Namaste
Contemplative Questions:
Where am I spending my time—and does it truly reflect what matters most to me?
What one decision today would create the greatest forward movement in my life?
If I fully trusted myself, what would I stop postponing and begin now?
–Yale
MOTORCYCLE MISSIONS ON THE MOVE– Finding Healing in the Himalayas
In the bracing, clear high-altitude air, a small group of motorcyclists leans into a sweeping turn on an unpaved mountain road. A massive, snow-covered peak fills the skyline. Engines shut off. Helmets come off. In the silence, the group takes in Nepal’s Himalayas — a sight most only dream of.
Motorcycle Sherpa was founded by Bear Haughton, a veteran and lifelong rider who turned his personal recovery journey in these mountains into something far greater. After suffering two spinal fractures and a herniated disc near the end of his military career, Bear faced years of pain, depression, and dependence. A motorcycle trip to the Himalayas marked a turning point—first toward sobriety, then toward deep physical and spiritual healing.
Motorcycle Sherpa was never founded to make money. It was built as a healing mission. Focused on brotherhood, shared purpose, and respect for local communities, the organization creates carefully curated journeys designed to connect riders with people and places that change lives. Many who expect the adventure of a lifetime return home with renewed perspective, gratitude, and purpose.
That mission aligns closely with Motorcycle Missions. In 2024, Bear met Motorcycle Missions founder Krystal Hess and quickly recognized shared values around service, healing, and addressing veteran PTSD and suicide. In 2025, Bear joined the Motorcycle Missions Board and began sponsoring veterans to participate in Motorcycle Sherpa rides.
“These trips are about presence, perspective, and connection — not bucket lists,” Bear says. “If not now, when?”
Read the whole tamale at the Motorcycle Missions Website: https://motorcyclemissions.org/
SAVE THE COUNTRY FROM CALIFORNIA RESTRICTIONS–H.R. 2218 and S. 1072: Ending California’s Special Waiver Authority
Under the Clean Air Act, California has a unique power to seek waivers from the EPA to adopt emissions rules differing from federal standards. Other states can then align themselves with these California rules.
This process shaped national vehicle policy for decades. Many Members of Congress now argue the waiver system outlived its purpose. Riders across the country raised similar concerns. When one state can dictate emissions policy for the rest of the country, the result can be restrictions on internal combustion engines which do not reflect the needs or conditions of other regions.
H.R. 2218 and S. 1072 seek to end this waiver authority and require uniform standards nationwide. Supporters of these bills argue that they defend rider choice, prevent indirect bans on gasoline powered vehicles, and restore national consistency. Riders who see the internal combustion engine as essential to the future of motorcycling should consider contacting their Representatives and Senators to support these bills. When one state drives national emissions policy, the needs of motorcyclists in other states, can be overshadowed.
CO2 THE LIFE BLOOD OF THE PLANET–
Congressional Review Measures: H.J. Res. 87, H.J. Res. 88, H.J. Res. 89, and S.J. Res. 46
Congress is also considering several resolutions under the Congressional Review Act. These measures would overturn recent EPA rules granting California expanded authority to mandate zero emission trucks and cars within its borders.
If allowed to stand, these rules would shape national vehicle availability and shift market incentives toward electric power in ways that would affect the motorcycle market indirectly.
CO2 is a good thing, not bad. We need the internal combustion engine to help bring balance to the atmosphere and make our planet greener and more productive.
–John McCartney
More from the history books:
H-D company saved by a trike during the Depression: In the 1930s Great Depression, when motorcycle sales tanked, Harley stayed afloat thanks to the Servi-Car—a 45 Flathead trike designed for police and delivery kicked-off and remained in production for decades, until 1973 I believe.
We’ve kicked-started The Employ of the Month on the Easyriders Staff Masthead. This month the Flea and Chad had a serious impact on the future of Easyriders Magazine. The Flea took our Facebook page from 24,000 users a quarter to 11 million. No shit, 11 million.
Chad the Easyriders.com webmaster tackled a ton of projects head-on including creating the new Easyriders Blog and adding a shop to Easyriders.com. He wrote new software and successfully launched 54 years of Easyriders back issues digitally onto Easyriders.com. This entailed countless hours, unrelenting changes, connections, new programming and insight. But now you can have access to our entire publishing history.
Watch for changes to our merch and wild content on the Blog.
A brother bought a 2000 Road King at Black Hills Harley for $1,000 bucks, amazing. The market is currently soft. Brothers and sisters all over the country are snatching up deals, in fact our Managing Editor, Dave “Phantom” Nichols did it in Vegas. Hang on for reports about his Dyna.
Have you ever heard the name Edward Turner—Jan 24th, 1901—August 15th, 1973. In 1925 The Motor Cycle published a Ed Turner drawing of a single OHC engine called the Turner Special. He conceived the square four engine in 1928. He was invited by Jack Sangster to join Ariel. Sangster bought Triumph in 1936 and made Turner the GM and chief designer. Amazing.
BAKER BUILDER OF THE MONTH– Jace’s Sturgis 1991 FXR
After sitting dormant since 2008, this 1991 FXR is officially back on the road—and what a comeback it is. Jace breathed new life into this bike with a full ground-up refresh.
We were proud to be part of the build with our 5-Speed Transmission Rebuild Kit, N1 Shifter Drum, and Anti Overshift Ratchet Pawl. One of Jace’s favorite upgrades? The N1 drum. With neutral all the way at the bottom, missed shifts and hunting for neutral are a thing of the past—just clean, confident shifts every time.
Projects like this are exactly why we love what we do—keeping legendary bikes like the FXR alive, shifting better than ever, and built to be ridden. Big respect to Jace and everyone involved in bringing this one back from the dead.
–Baker Drivetrain
Government corruption seems everywhere. Here’s a crazy example. FBI exposed School Bus Camera Corruption in Dallas, Texas.
Several years ago, the school transportation provider in Dallas added stop-arm cameras to their school buses to keep students safer and bring in revenue from traffic tickets.
Taxpayers ended up paying millions of dollars for the cameras — but they brought in little revenue.
The school transportation provider continued to buy the cameras because the camera company lined the pockets of multiple public officials. And because of an FBI and Internal Revenue Service investigation, those involved in the scheme are now serving prison sentences.
Robert Leonard Jr, CEO of the camera company paid several bribes to benefit his company, including $450,000 in multiple cash payments, trips, and other gifts to Dallas City Councilman Dwaine Caraway. In exchange, Caraway cast votes on the council in favor of the cameras.
“They needed an ordinance to ticket drivers who were caught passing the camera,” said Special Agent Erik Tighe, who investigated this case out of the FBI’s Dallas Field Office. “Caraway was instrumental in making that ordinance happen. He accepted bribes to continue the program.”
Caraway pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion charges and was sentenced in April 2019 to 56 months in prison. Leonard pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges and was sentenced in May to seven years in prison.
Ultimately, the taxpayer-funded transportation provider paid the camera manufacturer $70 million for the cameras. They continued to pay even though the cameras were bringing in less revenue than they cost.
“They just kept using taxpayer funds as a piggy bank,” Tighe said. “It had a huge impact on the community. Thousands of people were affected by this corruption.”
STURGIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM NEWS–New Year. 25 Years of History. One Legendary Future.
Honoring the Ride, Building the Legacy: Celebrating 25 Years in 2026
The year 2026 marks a moment of reflection and celebration across the nation, with milestone anniversaries such as the 250th birthday of the United States and the 25th anniversary of 9/11. It also marks a very special milestone for us, the 25th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame.
Our story began in June 2001, evolving from the groundwork laid by the National Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame. With determination, admiration for the sport, and a deep commitment to community, we opened the doors of our new home in the historic former Sturgis Post Office on Main Street. What we lacked in resources, we made up for with persistence and passion, driven by a clear mission that continues to guide us today: Honor the Ride. Build the Legacy.
That same fire still fuels everything we do. As we celebrate 25 years, we invite you to join us throughout 2026 as we reflect on our journey and look ahead to the road forward. Expect spotlights on our history, new and commemorative events, the unveiling of the 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees, the launch of a new collector magazine, and much more.
We are proud to continue serving as stewards of motorcycling’s rich heritage and grateful to the riders, supporters, and community who have helped build this legacy with us. Here’s to 25 years and to honoring the ride for generations to come.
New Year, New Upgrades at the Museum
As we continue celebrating our 25th year, we’re excited to share a fresh wave of updates throughout the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame. Over the past month, the museum has undergone a series of upgrades designed to enhance the visitor experience and bring our stories to life in new ways.
Guests will now enjoy new digital exhibits, audio narrations, and a brand-new Hall of Fame wall, courtesy of Coeur Wharf, along with updated lighting, fresh paint, and many other improvements throughout the space. These enhancements create a more immersive and engaging way to explore motorcycling history.
Don’t wait until the Rally to see what’s new. The museum is reopening after a month of upgrades, and this is just the beginning of what we have planned for the year ahead. We look forward to welcoming you back and sharing an exciting year of celebration, innovation, and legacy.
Project Guardians Officially Launches: A Custom Motorcycle Build for Riders and the Road Ahead
The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame and Road Guardians are proud to announce the launch of Project Guardians, a one-of-a-kind custom motorcycle build created to benefit both organizations and the riding community they serve.
The project began when Hall of Famer and Road Guardians Executive Director Vicki Sanfelipo, RN, won an S&S 124” V-Twin engine in the 2025 raffle donated by Easyriders Magazine. Rather than keeping the prize, Vicki chose to transform it into something far bigger, a collaborative fundraiser designed to support rider history, safety, and education nationwide.
Bringing the bike to life is legendary builder Athena Ransom of Vagabond Chopper Co., who will craft the custom build from the ground up. Throughout the process, fans and supporters will be able to follow along through live streams, behind-the-scenes content, and special project updates as the bike takes shape.
Adding a striking visual identity to Project Guardians is Robert Howell of Sun God Graphics, who will serve as the project’s featured artist. Howell will share sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes looks at the artistic process, offering an inside view of how the bike’s final aesthetic comes together.
Project Guardians is made possible in large part thanks to Glen Larson of Biker Wolfpack Law, the project’s title sponsor, whose support exemplifies the strength and generosity of the biker community.
The completed motorcycle will be raffled off in 2026, with tickets going on sale in February. Proceeds will directly support both the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame and Road Guardians, helping preserve motorcycling history while advancing rider safety, education, and awareness.
The bike will make its official debut at Daytona Bike Week 2026, with the winner announced during the 2026 Sturgis Rally.
Project Guardians is more than a custom motorcycle, it’s a shared mission fueled by passion, purpose, and the belief that riders are stronger when they support one another. Stay tuned as this extraordinary build unfolds.
THAT’S NOT ALL–It’s all happening fast.
It snowed all goddamn day today. The below shot was taken yesterday. I don’t mind the snow, especially on Thursdays. It allowed me to kick ass all day long, then dive into the Bikernet news. I ran into another issue. My Outlook email program is fucking with me. I’m not receiving all my emails, and suddenly I discovered an odd file with emails trapped and never sent. I asked Grok, who gave me a very direct and inspiring answer. Unfortunately I could never find the “Send Immediately,” button. Let me know if you encountered a solution.
While I fought and sent texts rather than emails on the final day of our second deadline, I pondered all the positive shit we accomplished. Through Easyriders Magazine, our internet accomplishments and the growing freelance staff, we are able to help riders all over the country, event promoters, bike builders and even the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. It’s a trip and you’ll encounter every effort over the months and years ahead.
Here’s Tim’s beautiful bagger Dan shot for an upcoming feature. Tim’s the sales boss for Black Hills and Sturgis H-D. Below is a shot of the Paul Wheeler bike we plan to test Frankie’s skills at photography. Frankie’s bike is on the cover of the March/April issue, but he hopes to shoot Paul Wheeler’s latest build.
Hang on for this. Bob Vitti attended the recent Frisco show and Charlie wants to shoot one of the winning bikes. Check this trophy.
Speaking of the Bay area, an excited Wyoming rider rolled into Sturgis the other day and found the museum open, and then he stumbled into the Emporium, and we kicked around Easyriders history. I took him into the archives where we discovered boxes of Pete Chiodo’s features. Pete shot with 2 1/4 by 2 1/4 film. Pete was a master and we broke open one of the boxes and I grabbed one manila envelope in a box of 50…
We discovered this shoot from the mid ’70 of Cisco and his clean Shovelhead. I was there, a prospect at the time.
You can see me in the background behind another member. I’m going to have some prints made and send them to George Christie. I just never know what we might find next.
Ride fast and free forever!
–Bandit
