Hey,
We rolled in from Ohio to Sturgis yesterday evening, about 3,500 miles. Fuck, I don’t know where to start. We blasted to the bottom of Ohio, 22 hours straight last Sunday.
We had a mission to grab the Easyriders Rodeo Captain America and Billy Bike and blast back to Sturgis. The bros, Jason and his son Jack needed to be home for a party on Friday. That’s where the shit got rough.
The bikes were sequestered on the second level of a NASCAR, then Easyriders Rodeo rig, behind two serious piles of crap. Hang on, the liftgate didn’t work. We rewired, hooked up a generator, beat on shit, ran a jumper cable, but nothing worked. Ah, but we did find the hand crank, and I have the blisters to prove it.
Monday, we worked with the help of Nick, Kirk and a very cute… Nothing worked until Jason proclaimed, “I’ll just drive the whole rig back to Sturgis, SD!”
We left the scene of the grubby crime and hit a sports bar for $2.50 beers, watered-down Jack on the rocks and Mexican food.
The next day we returned with a high-impact service truck, paperwork progress and prayers. Nothing worked, but we didn’t give up and with the help of a backhoe, we dropped the liftgate and lifted each bike out of the truck with the pronged bucket and straps.
Right on schedule, sorta we rolled out of Piketon at noon and headed north toward Cleveland. That afternoon we hit a Hamsters shop and two new batteries. In the evening we pulled the Captain America bike, replaced the battery, added fuel and oil and started to kick.
We didn’t have power to the ignition switch. We chased the hot lead and discovered a tiny, rusting, hidden, cut-off switch behind the battery box, it worked and the Captain fired up. Jack, grinning from ear to ear rode the bike for the first time in five years. Oh, and the tires were flat. We aired them up.
The next day we pulled the Billy bike, replaced the battery and service her. But we ran into a gas mess, stuck S&S shorty float bowl. We stripped the carb and rebuilt it. No sweat, but no spark.
We finally concluded the coil went bad and started to search for a replacement. Lowbrow ain’t open to the public, no help. We tried several shops and started rolling toward Cleveland.
We finally found a super-helpful group in Toledo at Chop Machine Cycle shop. We replaced the coil and made several improvements, but still no spark. We pulled the cap off the circuit breaker and I suggested we replace the dinky condenser. “Not sure we have one,” said the tattooed mechanic. But he found a new one and we installed it, Bada Bing, it fired, ran like a champ and off we went.
I’ll tell you about our next stop at the end.
Let’s hit the news
The Bikernet News is brought to you by our resilient team: The Redhead, Wayfarer, Danial James, Sturgis Vicky, LA Laura, Palma, Freak Show and Sturgis Prospect Kendra.
LEE WIMMER FOR STRIDER–Good day. Just like you I’ve been busy as hell. Several projects in the works. We are close to having a new M8 Gen 2 intake.
Now I just finished my Strider for this year’s Flying Piston event. I thought you’d like to see it. Countless hours but worth it. The springer actually works. The headlight and tail light work. All done by hand, no CAD/CAM or CNC .
–Lee Wimmer
QUOTE OF THE WEEK–
“Carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge one day someone will do the same for you.”
— Diana, Princess of Wales
SUPER GLIDE IS BACK!
Need a blast from the past on this Flash Back Friday? H-D’s Super Glide launch video is live on h-d.com and YouTube. The campaign features riders who witnessed the original, and are now making their own Super Glide stories today. Scotty Stopnik, world renowned builder and co-founder of Cycle Zombies Garage, and his father Big Scott Stopnik share the legacy of riding with the youngest generation, proving that this isn’t just a motorcycle but a way of life – inherited, shaped and redefined over time.
FROM THROTTLE ADDICTION–“Party at the Pen is the brainchild of Luke Morris, founder of Chop Merchandise and winner of “Best in Show” for his Panhead at Born-Free 15.
The show started out west in Boise, Idaho at the Old Idaho Penitentiary. They’ve since added a second summer show for the eastern side of the country.
Word on the street is the 2026 edition of the PATP East show has already grown 3 times larger than its inaugural edition.
We also overheard an old-timer with a bike in the show once served 15 years in this very prison. And Lil Wayne filmed a music video here. Wild stuff…”
WHEELS THROUGH TIME ACTION–AND YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUR 24th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!–
Dale’s Wheels Through Time will celebrate its 24th Anniversary Celebration from July 2nd to July 6th with a week full of history, horsepower, and thrills, and we want you to be a part of it! All week long, museum staff will be firing up rare motorcycles for your eyes and ears to enjoy. Many of these machines have not been run in years! The museum will also host the American Motordrome Company’s “Wall of Death,” which will put on FREE thrill shows for visitors all week!
Keith/Kristen,
DIGITAL EDITION NOW AVAILABLE–Easyriders 601 is live on the site.
Home preview section is updated
Easyriders Digital is updated
Issue 595 has been moved from Easyriders Digital to the Easyriders Archives.
The email blast will go out on Monday.
Have a fantastic weekend,
–Chad
CO2 COALITION ALERT–National Academy Persists in Fearmongering
A recent NASEM (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) newsletter on “Climate Effects on Brain Function” says that “climate change is increasingly recognized … as an environmental and physical health challenge” and “as a growing risk to how we think, feel, and function.”
NASEM points to extreme heat, air pollution, and climate-related disasters as threats to neurological and mental health.
While real environmental risks are to be taken seriously, NASEM’s presentation is just more fearmongering that ignores the benefits of warmer temperatures and higher levels of atmospheric CO2. Our report Challenging Net Zero with Science shows that alarmist assumptions driving net-zero policies are scientifically flawed — and that modest warming, rising CO₂, and abundant fossil fuels have delivered better human health and greater prosperity.
Here are just a few key realities:
Cold-related deaths far outnumber heat-related ones.
Vector-borne diseases are managed far more effectively by prosperity, sanitation, and modern medicine than by temperature changes or by quixotic attempts to change Earth’s climate.
CO₂ fertilization has produced dramatic global greening and boosted crop yields, while fossil fuels have powered the agricultural revolution that ended famines common during colder historical periods.
As a result, global population has quadrupled since 1900, weather-related deaths have plummeted over 90%, and life expectancy has doubled1.
Unfortunately, NASEM continues to cling to the so-called consensus of alarmists and to disregard the rigorous examination of evidence gathered over a period of many years. This attitude is reflected in their work on the Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence (4th Edition), where climate chapters were recommended for removal due to bias — yet NASEM refused to remove them2. (You can find out more about the problems with the Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence (4th Edition) in this letter by William Happer, Richard Lindzen, and Steve Koonin: Open Letter to Federal Judicial Center Chair, Chief Justice John Roberts – CO2 Coalition)
Fossil fuels remain the most reliable energy source with the lowest mortality per unit of energy delivered. The net-zero agenda would reverse decades of progress in human health and prosperity by imposing energy poverty and economic hardship.
At the CO₂ Coalition, we remain committed to evidence-based science and practical solutions that prioritize human flourishing. We invite you to read our full report, Challenging Net Zero with Science, available at co2coalition.org. It provides a comprehensive, data-driven counterpoint to much of the prevailing narrative.
We believe the path forward lies not in fear or energy deprivation, but in truth, abundance, and an optimistic pursuit of technological innovation. By embracing the proven benefits of fossil fuels and rising CO₂, we can continue building a healthier, more prosperous world for generations to come.
1. Challenging Net Zero with Science, pp. 2–3, 34–40 (and surrounding sections on CO₂ benefits, greening, crop yields, fossil fuel advantages, and human prosperity metrics).
2. [your]News, Science Academy Refuses to Remove Climate Section From Judicial Training Manual
–CO2 Coalition
H-D DEALER LETTER–The members of the National Powersports Dealer Association (NPDA) Harley-Davidson Council represent Harley-Davidson dealers across the United States who are committed to serving riders, supporting our local communities, and strengthening the future of the Harley-Davidson brand. In recent weeks, there has been renewed public discussion surrounding Harley-Davidson and its leadership. While outside voices may choose to focus on past affiliations, speculation, or commentary, the Dealers we represent are focused on what matters most: The future of the Harley-Davidson brand, the success of our dealerships, and the satisfaction of our customers.
Based on our direct interactions and experiences, the NPDA Harley-Davidson Council supports the leadership of Harley-Davidson President and CEO Artie Starrs. Since assuming leadership of Harley-Davidson, Mr. Starrs has demonstrated a clear commitment to strengthening relationships with dealers, improving communication, listening to dealer concerns, and aligning the interests of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company with the long-term success of its dealer network.
These efforts have been welcomed by dealers throughout the country. Harley-Davidson has endured for more than a century because of the passion of its riders, the dedication of its dealers, and the strength of its products. The future of this iconic American brand will be determined by how well we serve customers, grow ridership, develop compelling motorcycles, and create a strong and sustainable business for generations to come.
Our Council believes the current leadership team understands these priorities and is moving the company in a positive direction. As dealers, we are less concerned with headlines and outside commentary than we are with the actions being taken to support riders and strengthen the Harley-Davidson experience. We believe constructive collaboration between Harley-Davidson Motor Company and its dealer network remains the best path forward.
The NPDA Harley-Davidson Council remains committed to working with Harley-Davidson leadership, fellow dealers, and industry partners to ensure that the brand continues to thrive and that riders remain at the center of every decision.
At a time when unity, focus, and leadership matter most, we believe Harley-Davidson is best served by working together toward shared success rather than becoming distracted by divisive narratives. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Artie Starrs and the Harley-Davidson leadership team as we build a stronger future for the Harley-Davidson brand, its dealers, and the millions of riders who proudly represent this great American institution.
NPDA Harley-Davidson Dealer Council
Chairman: George Gatto – Three Rivers Harley-Davidson (Pennsylvania)
Mark Adamec – Adamec Harley-Davidson of Jacksonville (Florida), Adamec Harley-Davidson of Orange Park (Florida) and Adamec Harley-Davidson of St. Augustine (Florida)
Bubba Boswell – Boswell’s Harley-Davidson (Tennessee)
Chad Clark – Battleship Harley-Davidson (Massachusetts), Sheldon’s Harley-Davidson (Massachusetts), Hartford Harley-Davidson (Connecticut), Old School Harley-Davidson (Connecticut) and Spitzie’s Harley-Davidson (New York)
Ray Clements – Ray C’s Harley-Davidson (Michigan)
Preston Douglas – Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson (Texas)
Bob Eggstein – Keystone Harley-Davidson (Pennsylvania)
Jay Goodart – Freebird Motorsports dba Lawless Harley-Davidson (Missouri)
Michael Maledon – Elway Powersports (Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska)
Mike McGuire – McGuire Harley-Davidson (California)
Donald Meyers -Harley-Davidson of Baltimore (Maryland)
Brett Tekavec – Queen City Harley-Davidson (Ohio) and Harley-Davidson of Washington, D.C. (Maryland)
David Tull – Susquehanna Valley Harley-Davidson (Pennsylvania)
Erik Vandervest – Vandervest Harley-Davidson (Wisconsin) and Bull Falls Harley-Davidson (Wisconsin)
Pokey Weiss – Steel City Harley-Davidson (Pennsylvania)
Ozzie Giglio – Harley-Davidson Council Advisor
–Dealer News
ON THE ROAD AGAIN–We took a day to get to Ohio and four days to creep back to the Black Hills of South Dakota. That’s not us above, but on the way back we stopped to see Fred Cuba a longtime builder and racer.
He has his own flat track behind his pad near where he had a shop for decades, Fred’s speed and Sport in Hastings, Nebraska. He drives around in a raked ’41 panel wagon.
We pulled the bikes out of the trailer and started to fuck around. We discovered we had a deadline, a party in Sturgis on Junction Ave. the next day. We had to move, but first another beer and another lap around the town.
We still cruised to Deweese to ride around and look cool. This is the local bar, a one-room shack owned by a cool guys who hires bands to come to town, but there was a recent storm and all the port-a-potties blew over in the back.
Fred’s place is fucking amazing, if you know the guy and get to see what he has create. His wife and him built a motorcycle and a bulldog paradise hidden in the trees.
I’m wondering about a full-on story about this adventure in the mag. Let me know your thoughts. We are featuring this escapade on our Youtube channel. We are also working on a special subscription sweepstakes for next year. I would like your input on that. We are thinking about giving away as the grand prize a full-on Chopper Roller. It’s the build your own fucking Sweepstakes bikes. We will cover progress the following year and feature the bike in Easyriders magazine.
I need to unload the trailer and the van, so I’ll take a break…
Ride Fast and Free Forever, goddammit!
–Bandit
