Hey,
We blasted back from the Bonneville Salt Flats and arrived yesterday about 5:00. We took a 40-mile shortcut detour off Highway 80 at Wamsutter, Wyoming. Mostly dirt roads, cows, deer mules, whitetails, dead cottontails, Pronghorn or speed goats, Antelope, creosote and base like washboards.
We jammed for miles at 30 mph and Danial kept saying, “We’re saving time…” We made it and I popped a beer.
So, what about Bonneville? We are writing all the blood and guts story and will publish it the Nov/Dec issue of Easyriders magazine.
It was wild and the guys at Departure Bike Works did a tremendous job on the engine and final 45 Flathead adjustments. Berry Wardlaw of Accurate engineering pulled up with the Assalt Weapan I built under a new name, Rough Boys Racing and he made his first pass on the Bonneville Salt flats and tore along at 140 mph, but you’re gonna need the next issue to check the racy results.
Let’s hit the news.
The Bikernet Weekly News was created by our non-stop, never give up staff: The Redhead, Wayfarer, LA Laura, Viscous Vickie, Danial James, Freak Show Team, Sturgis Prospect Kendra, Paul Davis, Agent Zebra and Berry Wardlaw.
DIRECT FROM NASH HEADQUARTERS–
Now that you’re back from Sturgis come and join us on Paths and record your memories, your ride, the good times, before they fade.
Make sure you search Nash Motorcycle Co., Follow us, join this CollabTab, link below and do a post about your trip.
By joining this CollabTab and posting you will also receive15% off! Just respond to this email after you have posted and i will send you a code.
THE ELECTRIC WORLD RULES— Illinois just signed an e-bike/e-moto bill. Devices that can exceed 28 mph become motor vehicles: license, registration, insurance, DUI rules. Takes effect 2027 for most new restrictions.
California: AB 1588 (sideshows) now explicitly covers motorcycles and raises penalties; SB 1167 is rewriting definitions and rules for electric motor-driven cycles, mopeds, and off-highway e-motos.
NEWS FROM THE FACTORY–
For 123 continuous years, H-D has continued to evolve, overcome challenges, and come out stronger. Not simply because of the motorcycles, but because people have always been at the center of the brand. Our customers. Our partners. And our incredible co-workers.
At Sturgis this year, the power of that connection was on full display. Harley-Davidson and our incredible partners came together to create an unforgettable celebration of the sport, the culture, and most importantly, the Harley community.
—Matt Swedlund
Manager, Brand Partners and Ambassadors at Harley-Davidson Motor Company
LOOK!—13-inch Bagger Bars
Burly Brand’s Batwing Bar – updated for 2023.5+ models! Designed specifically for full-fairing touring bikes like the latest Street Glide and Ultra, these Bagger Bars deliver a perfect fit and rider-focused ergonomics.
The signature dogleg bend at the base allows the bar to tuck cleanly against the fairing without blocking gauge visibility or interfering with speakers. Fully dimpled and drilled for internal wiring, they install clean and function flawlessly. Available in durable Black Powder Coat or Chrome finishes.
Height: 13″
Overall Width: 37.92
Center Width: 5.35″
Pullback/Sweep: 6.07″
AVAILABLE IN BLACK AND CHROME
MC LEGISLATION UPDATE–
Federal — the loudest fight
The Ride in Freedom Act (H.R. 10067 / S. 5274) dropped in early August. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) and Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) want Congress to bar D.C. from enforcing its universal helmet law. They are treating D.C. as a test case for a wider push against helmet mandates. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is backing it; D.C. officials and safety groups are not. Six motorcycle fatalities in the District so far this year is the backdrop.
Highway bill / industry fly-in
The next surface-transportation reauthorization is the bigger structural fight. After the 2026 Powersports Capitol Hill Fly-In, two industry-opposed items were kept out of the House Energy & Commerce base package: changing the federal motorcycle definition to exclude autocycles, and sweeping powersports into catalytic-converter VIN-etching rules. Those issues are not dead. Still in play: tariffs, public-lands access, Recreational Trails Program money, PFAS, and whether motorcycles stay a distinct class of vulnerable road user.
Parks pass
H.R. 4386, the America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act, has passed the House and is in the Senate. It would restore the old practice of covering two motorcycles (plus passengers) on one America the Beautiful pass instead of one. Interior changed that in 2024.
States worth watching
Washington HB 1367 would let motorcycles use the right shoulder of limited-access highways in slow/stopped traffic (not full lane splitting). Still in House Transportation after hearings in 2025 and 2026.
Lane filtering continues to spread in limited form (Utah, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota; California still the only full-splitting state). Several other states have bills; most that pass cap speed and require traffic to be stopped or crawling.
Minnesota is expanding its Digital Fair Repair Act to motorcycles (parts, tools, docs for independent shops).
LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK–
2014 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail® Classic for Sale
Sand Pearl / Canyon Brown Pearl • Used Motorcycles
No one does style better than the Heritage Softail, you won’t beleive your eyes!
Stock# 14907A
2014 Harley Davidson FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic with only 16,711 miles!
Talk about having true character, this Heritage Softail is eye candy all day everyday!
* Harley Davidson OEM Sand Pearl/Canyon Brown Pearl Paint Job
* 103 Cubic Inch Harley Twin Cam Motor
* 6 Speed Harley Transmission
* Dual Chrome Fishtail Exhaust
* Solo Rider Seat with Chrome Luggage Rack
* Chrome Engine Guard
* 18-Inch Front and 16-Inch Rear Gold Fat Spoke Wheels
* White Wall Tires
* 12-Inch Chrome Handlebars
* Chrome Air Cleaner
This bike is only $17,995.00
Plus license, $85.00 documentation fee, and local sales tax. NO HIDDEN FEES like some dealers. And we have no reconditioning or prep fees. This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 103-point safety/mechanical/structural inspection.This motorcycle has not been refurbished and does not come with any warranty expressed or implied! EXTENDED WARRANTIES are available!
Fill out an online application today. We have EZ FINANCING
Lifestyle Cycles is located at 1510 State College Blvd,Anaheim,CA,92806. Open 7 days a week.
NOT LOCAL? WE HAVE SHIPPING AVAILABLE! Call today (714) 490-0155.
Huge selection of Street Glides, Road Glides, Road Kings, Ultras, Sportsters, Softails, Dynas, and much more!
We are California’s pre-owned Harley Mega-Store with over 200 Pre-Owned Harley-Davidsons in stock! To view our current inventory,
Please visit www.LifestyleCycles.com or www.facebook.com/LifestyleCyclesUsedHarleys/
NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD– Elsewhere (if you ride or import internationally)
Spain’s new circulation rules kick in October 1, 2026 (gloves on interurban roads, closed shoes everywhere, homologated helmets later).
India is lining up 2027 headlight/glare rules and a broader two-wheeler safety package (speed alerts, reflective tires, AVAS on quiet EVs).
Mexico City is trying to ban app-based moto passenger services. China already rolled a large 2026 package on standards, registration, and licensing.
S&S CYCLE Announces New M8 Cam and Camshaft Chain Kits
HPT542
• The HPT542 is a direct bolt-in cam for M8 non-VVT 117-121ci with oval port heads
• Strong, flat torque band
• Aggressive lope at idle https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DcREMFQtU/.
CAMSHAFT CHAIN DRIVE KITS
• Precision machined sprockets made from bearing-quality steel
• Direct replacement for OE products in 2007-up bikes
• Provides accurate cam timing for high-performance builds
18 deaths from battery fires show hidden danger of UK’s e-bike boom
As Reported by BBC UK about 12 hours ago
Eighteen people have died and nearly 700 have been injured in fires caused by e-bikes and e-scooters, new data shows.
Fatalities recorded by fire and rescue services across the UK from these fires include cases where people became trapped inside burning homes, died while trying to escape from a fire out of a high window, or from inhaling toxic smoke.
More than 2,000 fires were started by e-bikes, e-scooters or their batteries between 2019 and 2025, Freedom of Information requests made by BBC Verify show.
The number of incidents has risen year-on-year and nearly half the fires started in homes or garages, the data shows.
London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pam Oparaocha told BBC Verify the service is “increasingly concerned by the significant fire risk” some of these vehicles can pose, especially when modified or bought second hand.
“From our investigations we know many of the fires we’ve attended have involved second-hand vehicles or the bike has been modified using parts bought online. We urge people to be extremely careful about where they buy their e-bike or e-scooter from,” she added.
Footage of fires caused by e-bikes and e-scooters show how quickly the vehicles can start smoking and then apparently explode, causing blazes that spread within minutes.
To Read more, visit: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2z8lr9l7wo
—from Wayfarer
Associate Editor, Bikernet.com
NOW WHAT?—
Good Question. Don’t look at me. I’m just the guy who got his ass handed to him in Bonneville. Let’s see how we do in Sturgis.
I need to unload the Van and get to work eliminating the salt. Believe it or not, we’re working on the November/December issue.
Let me know what you think of this statement. I was interviewed about the AI world. I know folks who have lost jobs to AI. Think about how our world changed. How about the Pony Express riders who lost their jobs when the telegraph system was installed, then trains and automobiles and the dread motorcycles.
I told the interviewer AI it’s just another tool like the encyclopedia. We gotta get used to it, and we will all benefit.
We will unload the Bonne Belle tomorrow and wash it down. A brother tonight said, “If it’s running strong, the trans isn’t binding, the dyno numbers look good, check the wheel bearings.” I will. I have my suspicions about the carb, but more testing is required.
Now the calm before the winter sets in. We need a deck coated with Thompson’s weather seal and the new shop. There are projects afoot and whiskey to drink. Hang on.
Ride fast and free, forever!
–Bandit
