A publication supporting the rights, safety and freedom of all motorcyclists through education and legislation
December 2012
VOLUME XXI, ISSUE VIII
Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Permit #1662 Phoenix, AZ
persistence pays
Opportunity to Comment on Exemption for Motorcycles from Emissions Testing
The American Motorcyclist Association wants to inform you that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed three revisions to the Arizona State Implementation Plan submitted by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Two of these revisions relate to an amendment to Arizona's Basic and Enhanced Vehicle Emissions Inspection Programs that would exempt motorcycles in the Phoenix metropolitan area from emissions testing requirements. The EPA is proposing approval of these revisions because it has found that they meet all applicable requirements and would not interfere with reasonable further progress or attainment of any of the national ambient air quality standards. The EPA is proposing this action under the Clean Air Act obligation to take action on state submittals of revisions to state implementation plans.
Focus Topics: Motorcycle Emission Testing
abateofaz.org
ABATE of AZ. 7509 N. 12th St, #200 Phoenix, AZ 85020
Deadline: Comments must be received on or before Dec. 5, 2012.
Contact: Jeffrey Buss, Office of Air Planning, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9, (415) 947-4152, email: buss.jeffrey@epa.gov.
The full text of the proposal is available in the
Federal Register.
You can submit your comments, identified by Docket No. EPA-R09-OAR-2011-0552, using one of the following methods:
Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Email: Jeffrey Buss at buss.jeffrey@epa.gov.Fax: Jeffrey Buss, Air Planning Office (AIR-2), at fax number (415) 947-3579. Mail: Jeffrey Buss, Air Planning Office (AIR-2), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, 75 Hawthorne, San Francisco, CA 94105. Hand or Courier Delivery: Jeffrey Buss, Air Planning Section (AIR-2), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, 75 Hawthorne, San Francisco, California 94105. Such deliveries are only accepted during the regional office's normal hours of operation. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. ================================
There have been many people involved in this process over the last 10 years. Below is a list of those specific to Motorcycle Lobbyists, State Legislators, ADEQ and MAG:
Motorcycle Lobbyist: Bobbi Hartmann, Carole O'Reilly, Ray Huston,
Mick Degn, Billy Larson, Janet Reber, Steve Musgrave, Paul "Skypilot" Price
State Legislators – Primary Sponsors: Rep Cooley, Rep Gabby Giffords, Rep Chase, Rep Avelar, Rep Brimhall, Rep Blendu, Rep Barnes, Rep Huffman, Rep Jerry Weiers Arizona Department Environmental Quality (ADEQ): Nancy Wrona Director (past) Air Quality Division; Ira Domsky Deputy Director (retired) Air Quality Division; Mohan Toopal Technical Researcher; Ginny Dickey Air Quality Division; Jim Buster Lobbyist; Eric Massey Director Air Quality Division; Trevor Baggiore Deputy Director Air Quality Division; Bruce Friedl Air Quality Planning Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Lindy Bauer, and staff
Gordon & Darby Testing: Rex A. Martin Waiver Lane Supervisor
And last, but surely not least, all of the motorcycle riders and members of the many MRO’s, organizations, associations and clubs, that took the time and effort to attend various public hearings and respond in force to the many ‘Calls to Action’ from the lobby team.It seems that all of our efforts from 2002 until now, have finally paid off!!
PAGE 2
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012
Mission Statement
We will lobby and educate the government and the general public to promote
motorcycling in a safe and positive image. We will endeavor to enlist the cooperation and participation of all organizations and individuals who share
a similar interest in preserving our American tradition of
FREEDOM.
We will involve ourselves in fund raising to achieve our goal.
President’s Report
State Officer Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2012
State Officers Meeting Minutes OFFICERS:
President - Tim O’Reilly, Vice President - Paul Pendergast, Secretary Casey Yates, Treasurer - Matt Brown Absent, PAC - Jim Page, Run Coordinator - Darin Yates, Membership - Tina Benoit, Merchandising - OPEN, Safety Officer - Jean Cooper - Absent, Des. Lobbyist - Carole O’Reilly, Sergeant at Arms - Joe Ferrucci Absent, Communications - Paul Hassinger - Absent Guests: ABATE BOD
Call to order: 11:30 am
Secretary minutes from October:
Motion to wave reading of Minutes: _Jimmy Page___ 2nd:_Paul Pendergast_ All in favor Motion passed
Treasurer report - Matt Brown - Absent *Budgets for 2013 Officer reports:
Hello to all my Brothers and Sisters;
I hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving holiday! Just a reminder as we go into the holiday season. Tis the season for many parties and celebrations. We all need to pay extra attention for those cagers while riding. Many drivers are pre-occupied and not paying attention to bikers. Yea I know they don’t anyway, but less during the holiday season.
A special thanks to everyone who attended the general meeting and BOD election at Kid Chilleen’s Bad Ass Bar B Que. What a great day for a ride! Now that the BOD and Chapter elections are over and I want to welcome our returning past officers and new officers to ABATE of Arizona. Our number one goal is to make ABATE of Arizona one of the best MRO’s in the United States.
We had a purposed By-Law revision. The revision was voted on and passed by the membership. The revision reads as follows; This purposed By-Law is cleaning up a paragraph that was missed last time around and further confirms that Chapters have the ability to elect and recall their BOD own representatives. Section 3.02 (c) A director must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, a member of the corporation of the respective Chapter, and have served as an officer in the Corporation for a period of not less than one year. For a director’s name to be placed on the ballot for election, he or she must be nominated by another member of the Corporation. The directors shall be elected by the general membership of the individual chapter at the Corporation’s annual meeting each
November to serve for a term of two years and until their successors are elected and qualified commencing January of the year following the election.
January 12, 2013 will be officers training at the American Italian Club at Noon. We will have training packets for new officers and lunch will be provided.
This year Motorcycle Day at the Dome will be February 20, 2013. We will be arranging various locations and times throughout the state for motorcyclists to meet. Chapter coordinators will be responsible for arranging locations for their members to meet and ride to a central location in Phoenix. We can then ride together down to the State Capitol. Final details for the Freedom Ride to the Capitol will be out in January. The elimination of emission testing for motorcycles, in Maricopa County is closer now then it has ever been. Hopefully sometime during the first quarter of 2013 this long process will be over. A Hugh Thank You to everyone who put forth time and energy getting this law repealed. Wishing everyone a very safe and happy Holiday Season.
Remember, Democracy begins with you and democracy only works when you get involved! Drive now text later! You can’t do both.
Tim O’Reilly ABATE of Arizona State President
Pac Report - Jimmy Page
Membership - Tina Benoit
Safety report - Jean Cooper - Absent Lobbyist report - Carole O’Reilly
Are you ready for the GREATEST NEWS ever, that many of us have been working on for the better part of 10years? The EPA is about to APPROVE
the ADEQ's State Implementation Plan(SIP), requesting the ELIMINATION OF EMISSIONS ON MOTORCYCLES IN MARICOPA COUNTY !!! Bobbi Hartmann got a call from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), stating the following: As recently reported, the ADEQ had been
expecting a 'Disapproval Notice' from the EPA on the last SIP that they submitted, due to the Revision of Ozone Levels at the federal level. Come to find out that when EPA recently submitted their disapproval draft to their D.C. headquarters for approval, the D.C.
How to Reach Us
480-256-9237 For Advertising Rates Email Eric at themasterlink@abateofaz.org Or Mail Your Ads to: MasterLink, ABATE of Arizona 7509 N. 12th St, #200 Phoenix, AZ, 85020 MasterLink Advertising Rates:
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office apparently had a change of mind and REVERSAL OF OPINION from the last time they dictated what the EPA was to do. According to ADEQ this morning, the D.C. office just told the EPA that they were wrong, and that the EPA was to
APPROVE the ADEQ's request for elimination of yearly motorcycle emissions in Maricopa/Pinal County (AREA A). What happens next? ADEQ expects the proposed EPA action to be signed this week and published in the Federal Register within 2 weeks. That starts the approximately 30 day Public Comment and EPA response to Pubic Comment period. Once that is
complete, the EPA will sign the final action and then have 2 weeks to publish that in the Federal Register. The entire process should be FINAL and EFFECTIVE 60 days from that time frame. This will make our Revised Arizona Statute become law. The ADEQ will be working with Arizona's MVD during that 60 day time frame, to REVISE the registration forms to no longer state the requirement of emissions on those motorcycles registered in AREA A. Bottom line is that the elimination of yearly emissions on motorcycles in AREA A should be effective by the end of first quarter of 2013 or before. Communications report - Paul Hassinger: absent
Run Coordinator report - Darin Yates:
HAMC annual Smoker will be held Jan. 19, 2013. Tickets are $15.00 each or $30.00 couple, includes; Dinner and very reasonable adult beverages. Adult entertainment is always enjoyable. Tickets will be available soon.
ABATE Riders Advantage – Jim Clark Riders Advantage is working closely with Victory Motorcycle for a range and instruction classrooms. Obtaining construction prices, cost of training MSF Instructors. *Discussion on ABATE”s MAPP program Jean Cooper absent OLD BUSINESS
Proposed change to P & P regarding starting a new chapter of ABATE of Arizona.
Any new ABATE of Arizona Chapter shall have a minimum of 40
members signed up prior to their inaugural meeting. The 40 members shall include the 11 Chapter Officer positions.
There are 11 Chapter Officer Positions for every chapter. Coordinator, Vice Coordinator, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership, Sgt. at Arms, Run, Safety, P.A.C., Communications, Merchandise and BOD Rep.
Officers of the new chapter would have to be present for a pre - inaugural meeting with State Officers. At this time Chapter Officer duties and job descriptions would be discussed and explained by State Officers.
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012
State Officer Meeting Minutes (continued)
All Officer positions are important for a chapter’s survival. There are 3 that may be filled at a later date, if necessary. (1) Vice Coordinator (2) Merchandise (3) Safety. These positions are critical to any new Chapter and must be filled as soon as possible. Motion to accept purposed change as presented. Motion by Jim Page Second by Paul Pendergast. Motion passed.
would like to resign as of 12/31/2013 New Business:
Saturday November 10, 2012 NCOM is having the BOD meeting & Region IX Seminar. The seminar is free and very convenient as to location. Grace Inn Phoenix, 10831 S. 51st. St. Phoenix, Az. 85044.
*Discussion on ABATE”s MAPP program Jean Cooper absent *We need to get a new lobbyist, Carole
Steve Musgrave has asked ABATE of Az. to be the host organization for the hospitality room. Sandwich’s (big sandwich) potato chips, soda & water.
October 7, 2012
*Need for MAPP program instructors
Those present: Eric Hampton – Phoenix- Shadow Mountain Chapter, Stillray – Yavapai Chapter, Billy Hensler – High Country Chapter, Sean Pinder – Tucson Chapter, Don Russell – Mohave Chapter, Red Bone – East Valley Chapter, Frank White – Yuma Chapter (via telephone)
Guests: Doug and Jan, Yuma CMA Chapter, Meeting called to order: 1:20pm Pledge of Alligence and moment of silence led by: Joe Ferrucci
Motion to waive Meeting minutes: 1st: Billy Hensler 2nd: Frank White All in favor Treasurer Report – Matt Brown – Absent
*P & L balance sheet sent to officers via email
*TBFS budget sent to BOD. Has not been reviewed *Template made by Sean Pinder to be sent to each chapter for uniformity Motion made to accept treasurer report:
1st: Don Russell 2nd: Sean Pinder
Safety Report – Jean Cooper - absent
November 4, 2012
Those present: Eric Hampton – Phoenix- Shadow Mountain Chapter, Stillray – Yavapai Chapter, Billy Hensler – High Country Chapter, Sean Pinder – Tucson Chapter, Don Russell – Mohave Chapter, Red Bone – East Valley Chapter, Frank White – Yuma Chapter Guests: Tim O’Reilly - State President, Darla Hampton – ARA Treasurer
Motion to waive October Meeting minutes: 1st: Redbone 2nd: Billy Hensler All in favor
Treasurer Report – Matt Brown – Absent *Budgets sent via Email *Budget for officer training *2013 Budgets incomplete, tabled for email approval *Budget Template made by Eric Hampton and sent to Tim for inclusion in Officer Training packs Motion made to accept new form: 1st: Sean Pinder 2nd: Don Russell
President O’Reilly will submit to ABATE BOD for funding. ACMC Riot on the River Oct. 19 – 21, 2012 Winkelman, Arizona. I was able to sell 50 tickets which was $150.00, the remaining 50 tickets were bought by ABATE of Arizona for the remaining $150.00. Total of $300.00 was turned in at Riot on the River. Unfortunately ABATE did not win any of the prize money. I recommend next year dividing up the 100 tickets equally between all the Chapters to sell.
October BOD Meeting Minutes
Lobbyist report – Carole O’Reilly
*Carole O’Reilly is resigning as our lobbyist December 31, 2012 *Seeking new lobbyist *Legislators back in session the 2nd week of January
TBFS update – Tim O’Reilly *CCF Contract alternative to MML *issues to be worked out, i.e. noise ordinance, misc. CCF fee’s *Final decisions to be made by the TBFS Committee *ABATE responsible for up keep of fair ground while in our possession *Rental of entire area *3 references. *1million in insurance liability *opens up TBFS to be a family oriented again? *Weapons? Open carry? *Band accommodations at cabins owned by Luke Air Force Base?. *RV prices to be increased *TBFS committee discussion to raise price of tickets A.R.A. Update – Darla Hampton – Treasurer *Instructor training *Seeking sponsors for equipment *2013 Budget *Is training approved by DMV *ARA loan contract, discuss additional funding – (tabled)
Lobbyist report – Carole O’Reilly *Lobbyist plan of action *Helmet law *EPA update *NCOM Seminar - ABATE providing food for Hospitality room *Carole O’Reilly is resigning as our lobbyist December 31, 2012 *Seeking new lobbyist TBFS update – Tim O’Reilly *CCF Contract
A.R.A. Update – Darla Hampton – Treasurer – *status of MSF application *Victory Motorcycles letter of intent *MSF Regulations and Guidelines must be submitted *Tentative license *Number of licenses are available *Instructor training *Seeking sponsors for equipment *2013 Budget *Is training approved by DMV *Contract must be submitted to State for approval and president signature
Motion made to table ARA/ABATE con-
Open discussion
Next TBFS meeting will be held at the State Office Nov. 7, 2012 at 6:30 PM. Nothing further.
Next State Meeting: December 2, 2012 will be held at the State Office. 11:30 AM Motion to adjourn: Jim Page 2nd: Paul Pendergast
All in favor Yes motion passed. 1:12 PM
Old Business
line.
New Business
* State Officers/BOD – Prepare for Officer Training Sessions
1. Tickets for Riot on the River $3 ea. ACMC has given us 100 tickets to be sold.
2. Chapters will not have a budget as they have no comparison
* Square Pegs quote for 1500 white bandanas
*ACMC donation
2. The state officers have proposed to purchase the remaining tickets.
3. Seeking other suggestions
Critical Time Frames
*The monthly State Officer meeting will also be conducted prior to BOD meeting *Meeting confirmed for Nov 4th, at Kid Chilleen's in Black Canyon City
*Chapter elections
*State Secretary Contacts each current chapter secretary for new officer infomation. *State Run Coordinator submits AMA Charter Renewal, listing current State Officers.
DECEMBER
1. New forms to be added to officer training packets
*AMA roster new State Officers are to be verified to ensure at least 3 ABATE State Officers are AMA members and have s AMA’s Safety Training Certification.
The State Run Coordinator needs to be a AMA member
Motion to adjourn:
1st: Eric Hampton 2nd: Sean Pinder ALL IN FAVOR
Next BOD meeting: November 4, 2012
Location: Kid Chilleen’s in Black Canyon City
Time: 12pm – 3pm
*State Treasurer – Corporation Commission Report due, submitted on-
November BOD Meeting Minutes
Safety Report – Jean Cooper, absent
PAGE 3
tract until January meeting !st: Sean Pinder 2nd: Frank White Old Business
Motion to accept Square Pegs quote for 1500 white bandanas 1st: Billy Hensler 2nd: Sean Pinder ALL IN FAVOR
New Business
Motion made to allocate $2000 for supplying the NCOM hospitality room 1st: Redbone 2nd: Don Russell ALL IN FAVOR *Contact Soldiers for Jesus regarding refreshments Motion to donate $1k to MRF A&E for scholarships *1st: Redbone 2nd: Stillray ALL IN FAVOR Motion made to donate $2k instead of $1k to MRF annually 1st: Stillray 2nd: Don Russell ALL IN FAVOR
*Donations to MRF must be included in 2013 budget
*Kat Grover to send MRF current membership roster
Motion made to donate $1k to the ACMC's SOH Fund *1st: Billy Hensler 2nd: Frank White *Stillray abstains. Motion passes
Critical Time Frames Chapter elections.
*New officer roster 2013 BOD Officers: Eric Hampton – Phoenix- Shadow Mountain Chapter Stillray – Yavapai Chapter Billy Hensler – High Country Chapter Sean Pinder – Tucson Chapter Don Russell – Mohave Chapter Red Bone – East Valley Chapter Rick Breadwell – Yuma Chapter Motion to adjourn: 1st: Eric Hampton 2nd: Sean Pinder ALL IN FAVOR
Next BOD meeting January 6th, 2013 at the State office
PAGE 4
East Valley Chapter
NO REPORT
High Country Chapter
Hello Brothers and Sisters,
I would like to start this off by saying HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all of you!!!!!!! We up here in the High Country Chapter are having are 10th Annual Barbie's Toy Run !!! It is be held Dec 15th at 12:00 pm at one of our business members est. The Buffalo Bar and Grill, music and really good food. Please bring one unwrapped toy which will be donated to the local Moose Lodge! Now, I would like to give my congrats to the New board members and the old members who retained their position.
Ride Safe, Live Free, Be Heard Chicknbone H.C.C. coordinator
Mohave Chapter
NO REPORT
Phoenix/Shadow Mountain Chapter
Wow! Where has the year gone? December is here and there are so many things to do.
Last month’s chapter meeting was a tad short due to our annual officer elections. The following is a list of our 2013 Officers: Coordinator – Vic Grady Vice Coordinator – Kat Grover Secretary – Dee Grady Membership – Melissa Everest Run/Events – Paul Grover Safety – Ernie Lizzagara Communications – Steve Palmer PAC – Darla Hampton SGT-AT-ARMS – Jerry Davis Merchandise – Mike Schnider Congratulations to all!
The subject of police profiling was brought up again. It seems as if the City of Glendale is still profiling. It was suggested that maybe we attend a council meeting (on our best behavior) as a group in order to get the message across that we are not just “Bikers” but we are a population. A part of the overall population and that discrimination applies to us all and will not be tolerated. Report any discrimination to your MRO and use the form inside this edition to file a complaint.
With Christmas on the way we have quite a few Events going on. Check with your MROs’ event calendars for Toy Runs. We will again be collecting socks and slippers for the Veterans. Please bring your donations to the next Abate chapter meeting Dec. 11th @ the American - Italian Club.
December 15th is the Wreathes Across America celebration. If anyone is going and would like to meet and go together That would be great. We can set a time and location at the meeting.
Remember with the holidays coming it is important to be extra cautious riding and driving . Everyone is in a hurry, there is more traffic due to winter visitors and emotions run high at this time of year.
December is a time of joy for most people, but, can also be a very sad or depressing time for others. If you know someone who is having difficulties or that might be alone, step up and lend a hand or give emotional support. Sometimes just a phone call can make all the difference in someone’s life. Don’t forget your socks and Merry Christmas,
Melissa Everest Phoenix-Shadow Mountain ABATE Communications Officer
Chapter Reports
Southern Arizona Chapter
October’s meeting was held as usual at the Kettle and was presided over by Don Boulé jr., Chapter ViceCoordinator. We were a little thin at the Officer stations due to several officers out of town or down with health issues.
There were about 24 members in attendance which is not bad for this time of year. The main order of business was our BOD election and the upcoming General Meeting in Black Canyon City. Those of us traveling up are looking forward to seeing everyone. We rarely get to get together except for the State meeting and TBFS.
We are preparing for our upcoming Chapter elections. ALL positions are open if you want to nominate somebody to run. It would be great to see a contested election at EVERY position. I hear people say that we need new blood or someone else to do a position because the same person has done it for several years. Well now’s your chance to change that! Step-up and try, get yourself nominated for any one of the positions and see if you can get elected! We do need new blood and we need more people to help! Many hands make light work!
Once again I am asking anyone who is not getting emails from the Chapter to please send me your email address at abateofazsac@yahoo.com we are trying to save the Chapter some money by cutting down on postage. Please make sure the State Membership Officers has all your current information as well, this includes phone numbers, email addresses, address changes etc. You can email her at membershipofficer@abateofaz.org.
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012
(Merchandise). Thanks and congratulations to all. Big thanks to Rich and Gabby for their dedication to the cause.
Speaking of the cause, I would like to get on my soap box and make a little suggestion inspired by our state V.P., Paul Pendergast.We need to increase our membership statewide. When I talk to bikers and try to get them to join, I often get the "I don't mind wearing a helmet" reply. I offer other reasons, but got to thinking if every member had a card or cards that detail exactly what ABATE has help change in the biker world, we could counter the notion we are just focused on helmet issues. Mike "Dawolf" Ruddel Communications Officer Yavapai Chapter ABATE of AZ
Frank to Brad)
New Business - Abate starting new group – Motorcycle Ride Training Safety Looking for new person to fill in as a Lobbyist President Report –
2 Broke for Sturgis group is very close to making a decision about 2013 (2Broke) EPA – Emission Test on Motorcycles in Maricopa to be done away with State still talking about lane splitting
Profiling
Around the Table –
Yuma Chapter
Upcoming rides - El Centro Turkey Run 11- 17-12
Open Pledge 6:33
Minutes Read – Accepted by Virginia and Brad
Meet at Chevron in Foothills 8:15
Weigh Station 8:30
Treasure Report – Accepted by Brad and Patty
CMA – Yard Sale 12 -8-12 to Support Ken and Mary White with Medical Bills
New Members / Guest – Karen and Donnie
Close
Officer Report – N/A
Old Business – BOD (Change from
Son Of Hells – Red and White Run 12-112 Charity - Back 2 Basic Next Meeting 12-11-12
There are many upcoming events and our calendar will fill quickly with Toy Rides and holiday parties. Be safe and remember that the cages aren’t looking out for you. As this will be coming out in the December issue, all the Members of the Southern Arizona Chapter would like to wish all our brothers and sisters throughout the State of Arizona a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!
The 50/50 was won by Ron Kool – how about that, he is gone for months and first meeting back he hits the 50/50! He generously donated it back to the Chapter!! THANKS RON! Our Dollar Jar has once again rolled over!! You have to be there to win!! It is now over $247.00. We will also be having a holiday party at our December meeting. I am sure Dawn is again planning our gift exchange with STEALING, it always turns into a fun time! Jim Butsback -Coordinator Southern Arizona Chapter
Yavapai Chapter
A bit of a winter blast hit Prescott the day before our meeting and thanks to those who braved the cold to attend our meeting. Big thanks to Beth Ladd for stepping up to do the treasurer duties after the sad passing of Pat Fitzgerald. Handi reported on the NCOM meeting in Phoenix on 11/10. The profiling of bikers, no matter what their affiliation or lack thereof, is continuing across the country, but bikers are taking action.
Log into http://motorcycleprofiling.org/ learn how action is being taken. Doc and Don gave some good advice at the meeting suggesting mounting a camera on your handlebars, make those profiling have second thoughts of hassling said biker. Great idea!!!!
Our 2013 elections were held, and here is the list of those that stepped up. Lynda Marie "Handi" Barnett (Coordinator); David "Doc Pratt (Vice Coordinator); Beth Ladd (Treasurer); yours truly (Secretary); Dave "Chino" Pinney (Membership); "Longhair" James Venegas and Lora Ralo" Heinime (co-run coordinators); 44 Dan" LeMond (Safety); Mike Ladd (Communications); Deborah Buttita (PAC); JD Fillingim (Sgt. at Arms); Lori Lutz
Join ABATE
of Ohio in welcoming the
MEETING OF THE MINDS
28th Annual to Columbus, Ohio September 26-29, 2013
Ave., ve., Columbus, OH 43229 Crowne Plaza Columbus North, 6500 Doubletree A Call 614-885-1885 for room reservations ($95 inc. breakfast). Cut-off date: August 26, 2013 (Room amenities: hairdryer, coffee maker, indoor pool, airport shuttle) Conference Information: Pre-registration for conference through the MRF, 236 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Suite 510, Washington, DC 20002. Pre-registration (must be received by Aug. 26th): $70.00 Current, Individual member / $80.00 Non-MRF member. Registration rate after Aug. 26th: $80.00 Current, Individual member / $90.00 Non-MRF member. Registration includes all workshops, workshop materials, and Saturday banquet. Registration questions call the MRF at 202-546-0983 or Carol Downs at 303-204-6939, downs@mrf.org.
Hosted by ABATE of Ohio, PP.O. .O. Box 1658, Hilliard, Ohio 43026, 1-800-25BIKER, stateoffice@abate.com, www.abate.com
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012 by Rod Taylor - ABATE Legal Services
RUN OVER? WHAT TO DO WHEN THE LITTLE OLD LADY WITH BLUE HAIR DOESN’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY YOU?
Q: Rod, I was run over by a person with low insurance limits. Do I have to settle for those limits? The insurance company says the person who hit me does not have any more money. What do I do? A.B.A.T.E of ILLINOIS MEMBER.
A: Believe it or not, Mrs. Smith can drive down the highways of this country and be required to have minimal insurance limits. Even though she may not be able to hear, see or think, as long as she has a driver’s license and the state required minimum insurance she is free to run over you- as long as she doesn’t do it on purpose. Minimum state insurance requirements can be as little as $10,000.00. Try to get a broken leg fixed for that. But even if the insurance limits are $100,000.00, what do you do when your hospital bills are over $100,000.00, your lost wages are over $25,000.00 and you have a permanent limp and other disabilities that adversely impact your life?
What Is ABATE?
ABATE Of Arizona, Inc. is a non-profit motorcycle rights organization that is dedicated to freedom of the road for all motorcyclists.
ABATE is a volunteer organization that fights discriminatory legislation aimed towards the motorcycling community. ABATE's position is that all motorcycle riders have the right to choose not only the machine that they ride, but also the riding gear that they choose to wear or not to wear, (i.e. leathers, gloves, boots and helmets.) ABATE promotes rider education for all motorcycle riders and motorcycle awareness for all automobile drivers. ABATE needs the support of all motorcyclists.
Arizona Motorcycle Rights Organizations Need Your Help!
PAGE 5
Ask Our Lawyer
You have a serious case so you should have a lawyer advise you as you have entered the big league of legal issues. A good lawyer will find out the amount of insurance limits of the car that Mrs. Smith was driving. And ABATE LEGAL requires the insurance company to certify the amount of those limits.
Mrs. Smith has considerable assets that would pay for your losses, you could pursue those assets. But what if she does not have assets other than the insurance company’s limits? And how do you determine the amount of her personal assets? Good question; because in most states you are not able to subpoena/request personal asset information until you have a judgment- which usually means you have to go to the expense of a trial to get a judgment. That adds insult to injury in that you do not want to incur the cost of a trial in an inadequate asset/insurance situation.
If the limits are inadequate, what options do you have? If Mrs. Smith is underinsured, we need to determine whether you have underinsured coverage with your insurance policy that could pay for your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, pain/suffering, temporary and permanent impairment, loss of enjoyment of life and your spouse’s loss of consortium.
What can you do in order to maximize your recovery? A search of public records is a must. You should look for exempted and attachable real estate, vehicles and other property. The internet is a valuable source for this information. After you or your lawyer have conducted a search of Mrs. Smith’s assets and learn that she does not have any assets (or at least she says she has no assets), how do you protect yourself if she misrepresents the truth or hides her assets?
If you do not have enough underinsured coverage under your own insurance policy to pay for your losses, and Mrs. Smith has insufficient insurance coverage to pay for your losses, what choices do you have? The obvious first choice is to take the limits of Mrs. Smith’s insurance policy, but can you take those limits and also go after Mrs. Smith’s assets? Usually not. The insurance company usually has a duty to resolve all the claims you have against Mrs. Smith and not leave her exposed to your additional claims. If
Here is our advice. Prior to accepting Mrs. Smith’s insurance limits as a complete release for your losses, demand that
Mrs. Smith provide a statement under oath affirming the extent and value of her assets. If she has very little, that is one situation. If she owns 500 acres of good farmland or just hit the lottery, that is another. Armed with the statement under oath, you can now rest assured that if Mrs. Smith lies to you about the lottery she hit or the farm she owns, you should be able to set aside the Release you signed based on her fraud and misrepresentation to you. The theory being: if she would have told you the truth about her assets you wouldn’t have accepted only the limits of her insurance policy. You would have insisted that she part with some of her lottery winnings and/or some of the farm. DIGGER PHELPS RECHECKS MY NUMBERS
Digger is an old friend and an original member of the Board of ABATE. He has a habit of trying to keep this lawyer honest (claims its a full time job). In my last column I wrote about flying through the air after getting hit on a motorcycle. Here are Digger’s interesting observations
continued page 9
Join A.B.A.T.E.
along with an events section to inform you of *Do you like emission testing your motor- up-coming motorcycle runs and events. cycle? The Motorcycle Rights Organizations in *Do you like the choice to wear a helmet or Arizona are run by volunteers. Anyone that not? does volunteer gives their time freely to fight the fight. Please help us to pass on our ability *Do you like noise ordinances? to ride free. *Do you like the ability to modify your motorcycle?
*Do you know that there are dollars available for motorcycle safety and awareness? Please help the Motorcycle Rights Organizations in Arizona to prevent our Governments from restricting our ability to ride free. With your help, we can eliminate the emission testing of motorcycles in Arizona, fight our National-level battles with the EPA and NHTSA, and effectively watchdog the Arizona Legislators who, on a yearly basis, have entertained the idea of introducing a mandatory helmet law in our state. You can help by joining in the fight. The cost is only Twenty-five Dollars a year. Although you are not under any obligation to volunteer your time, any time you choose to give to our cause is always appreciated. With your membership you not only help our cause, but you will receive our newsletter as well. "The MasterLink" contains local happenings and national motorcycling news
Name_____________________________________ Name #2 __________________________________ Address __________________________________ City _____________________________________
Benefits Of Membership
Individuals ·ABATE membership card ·ABATE patch on first year ·Year pins thereafter ·One year subscription to the MasterLink newsletter ·Lifetime members get all that without the hassle of renewing
Business ·Two annual memberships ·Business card size advertisement and alphabetical listing in the MasterLink for the length of your membership. Circulated throughout Arizona ·Benefit of a run stop or event participation to support your business ·Addition of your business listing on our web site with a link to your business
Or turn in your membership application to an officer of the chapter of your choice. East Valley
Northern Arizona
High Country
Southern Arizona
Mohave
Yavapai
Phx/Shadow Mtn
Yuma
State___________ Zip ___________ Phone(s)___________________________________
Office Use Membership # ____________________________ Expiration Date___________________________
Email address _____________________________ make checks payable to: ABATE of AZ and mail to: 7509
N. 12th St, #200, Phoenix, AZ 85020
DONATIONS
Motorcycle Awareness Program (MAP) $ _____ Legislative Efforts $____ General Fund $_____ MasterLink Newsletter $______
JOIN ABATE NOW!
ABATE Of Arizona provides a unified voice for all motorcyclists in Arizona. Add your voice to ours. Join ABATE now, for the preservation of your ability to ride a motorcycle with the freedom that's your right!! © 2012 ABATE Of Arizona
7509 N. 12th St, #200 Phoenix, AZ. 85020
Website: www.abateofaz.org To join our discussion group, send email to Abate-request@abateofaz.org
Type of Membership (check one) Single……………$25____ Charter $15 ____ Couple………......$40 ____ Charter $25 ____ Life/Single………$350 ______ Annual Business Membership $125 ____ Annual Club Membership $125 ____ If a business member, please enclose business card for publication in our newsletter, The MasterLink. Renewal
Membership #_____________
New Member Referred By: Business Membership: ABATE of Arizona Business Membership is a substantial value at just $125.00 per year and includes (12 issues) of business card size ads, an annual membership for two people and an ABATE of Arizona Business Member Certificate for display in your business.
PAGE 6
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012
ABATE OF ARIZONA LOCAL CHAPTERS
A.B.A.T.E. BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS FOR 2011 - 2012
Chairman..............................Eric Hampton
East Valley………………….Redbone Schneider High Country........................Billy Hensler Mohave……………………..Don Russell Phx / Shadow Mountain…...Eric Hampton Southern AZ.........................Sean Pinder Yavapai……………………..”Still Ray” Fitzgerald Yuma....……………………..Frank White Quarterly Board meetings are held on the first Sunday in January, April, July and October at 1:00pm @ the AZ American-Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th St, Phoenix. Please make sure your Chapter has representation.
A.B.A.T.E. State Officers For 2012
President………..............……Tim O’Reilly Vice President.....……………Paul Pendergast Secretary……………………Casey Yates Treasurer…………………….Matt Brown Membership…………………Tina Benoit Run/Events………………….Darin Yates Safety Coordinator………….Jean Cooper Sergeant-at-Arms……………Joe Ferrucci P.A.C………………………...Jim Page Communications…………….Paul Hassinger ABATE Products……………Vacant MasterLink Editor................ Eric Hampton TheMasterlink@abateofaz.org
www.abateofaz.org and www.toobrokeforsturgis.com
Mailing address 7509 N. 12th St, #200, Phoenix, AZ 85020. State Officers meetings are held the 1st Sunday of every month, 11:30 am at the AZ American Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th Street Phoenix, AZ.- OR in conjunction with the quarterly BOD meeting.
East Valley Chapter
c/o Jeff Gorall, PO Box 20433 Mesa AZ. 85277 Coordinator............................Joe Ferrucci Vice Coordinator...................Jack Batty Secretary................................Jeff Gorall Treasurer................................Jess Method Membership...........................Mike Shearhart Run Coordinator....................Vacant Safety Coordinator.................Joe & Jim Silk Sgt. At Arms.......................... Vacant P.A.C......................................Vacant Communications....................Jack Batty Merchandise........................... Todd Ferriby
East Valley Chapter meetings are held the fourth Sunday of the month at 11:00, At the Mesa Tri city Eagles Club. 2314 E. APACHE BLVD Tempe Az. 85281.
High Country Chapter
209A E. Juniper St. Payson AZ 85541 Coordinator............................Jim “Chicken Bone” Mazzone Vice Coordinator...................Billy Hensler Secretary................................Dee Schultz Treasurer...............................Debbie Fickel Membership...........................Becca (Vine) Holyoak Run Coordinator....................Jonathan Lucero Safety Coordinator.................Steve Leonard Sgt. At Arms.........................Wayne Slocum P.A.C.....................................Johnathan Lucero Communications...................Bill Hensler Merchandise..........................Wayne Slocum
High Country Chapter meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday at 10 a.m. at The Moose Lodge in Star Valley. Contact: chicknbone@live .com or 928970-1134
Mohave Chapter
2620 Miracle Mile Bullhead City, AZ 86442 Coordinator...........................Joe Monfredo Vice Coordinator...................Eric Sauvan Secretary................................Carrie Russell Treasurer................................Crystal Sauvan Membership..........................Don Russell Run Committee....................Lew Morgan Safety Coordinator................Vacant Sgt. At Arms.........................Reggie Ingram P.A.C.....................................Don Russell Merchandise..........................Vacant Communications...................Vacant
Mohave County Chapter meetings are held the 1st Sunday of each month at 12 PM at the Moose Lodge #1860, 2620 Miracle Mile, Bullhead City, AZ 86442 Phone: 928-763-1860.
Phoenix-Shadow Mountain Chapter
P.O. Box 54041 Phoenix, AZ 85078-4041 Coordinator...........................Jim Page Vice Coordinator....................Kat Grover Secretary................................Donna Woodward Treasurer................................Tina Benoit Membership...........................Dee Grady Run Coordinator....................Darin Yates Safety Coordinator.................Pam Costello Sgt. At Arms..........................Victor Grady P.A.C......................................Darla Hampton Communications....................Melissa Everest Merchandise...........................Sandy Hassinger
Phoenix/Shadow Mountain meetings are held on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 10:30am at the AZ American Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020. FMI contact Jim Page at 602570-6839 or email jpage30@cox.net
Southern Arizona Chapter
6888 N De Chelly Loop Tucson, AZ 85741 Coordinator............................Jim Butsback Vice Coordinator....................Don Boule Secretary................................Vacant Treasurer................................Dawn Detelj Membership...........................Art Burke Run Coordinator....................Jim Clark Safety Coordinator.................Jin DeYoung Sgt. At Arms.........................Robert Guenther P.A.C......................................Sean Pinder Communications....................Jim Clark Merchandise...........................Ron Kool
The Southern Arizona Chapter will meet the third Saturday. We will gather at the Kettle Restaurant, 748 W. 22nd St, Tucson. Breakfast will be available at 7:30 a.m. with the meeting beginning at 9 a.m. FMI contact Jim Butsback by phone at 520544-6086 or email jimbutsback@yahoo.com
Yuma Chapter
11316 S. Glenwood Ave. Yuma, AZ 85367 Coordinator............................ Frank White Vice Coordinator....................Daniel Medina Secretary................................ Mikkie Melanson Treasurer................................ Virginia Nielsen Membership........................... Lisala White Run Coordinator.....................Jerry Allison Safety Coordinator..................Ray Grier Sgt. At Arms...........................Terry Longworthy P.A.C...................................... Vacant Communications.................... Vacant Merchandise...........................Lisala White
Yuma Chapter meets the second Tuesday evening monthly at 6:30 PM at the IHOP located at 575 East 16th Street Yuma, AZ 85365. For additional information contact Frank White (Hound) at 209327-0814.
Yavapai Chapter
P.O. Box 3377 Prescott, AZ 86302 Coordinator............................ Rich Kocar Vice Coordinator....................David “Doc” Pratt Secretary................................ Linda “Gabby” Kocar Treasurer................................ Patrica Fitzgerald Membership........................... Dave ‘Chino’ Pinney Run Coordinator......................“Longhair James” Venegas and Lora "Ralo" Heiniemi Safety Coordinator..................Dan Lemond Sgt. At Arms...........................JD Fillingim P.A.C...................................... Lynda Marie “Handi” Barnett Communications.................... Mike “Dawolf” Ruddell Merchandise...........................Lora "Ralo" Heiniemi
Yavapai Chapter Meets 2nd Sunday, 11:00 AM; The Taj Mahal Restaurant, 124 N. Montezuma St. Prescott, AZ 86301. FMI contact Rich Kocar 928-771-9293 or email grayghost17@cableone.net.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
If any of the Officers are listed here incorrectly, please send corrections to: TheMasterlink@abateofaz.org I will be sure everything is accurate for the next Issue and on the web site.
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MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012 Alexander Toyota Yuma 928-344-1170
All Clene Carpet Cleaners Payson 928-468-1358 Amon Builders Payson 928-474-0689 AZ Alarm Doctor Mesa 480-334-6087
AZ Differential Specialists Phoenix 602-462-5367 Bedmart Phoenix 623-878-0536 Big John’s Garage Tucson 520-322-9933
Big Sky Motorcycles Tucson 520-886-7388
Billy Jack’s Saloon & Grill Humboldt 928-632-8689 Bobby D’s Bar-B-Q Pit Jerome 480-703-0045
Brett Miller’s Upholstery Prescott 928-778-5565
Brown & Little, P.L.C., Attorneys at Law 480-299-2093 Buffalo Bar & Grill Payson 928-474-3900
Burro Saloon Bar & Grill Kirkland 928-442-3287
Cactus Flats Tonto Basin 928-479-2233 Capsurz www.capsurz.com
Cathiez Leather Bullhead City 928-758-6592 Cleopatra Hill Jerome 928-634-6701
Continence Center of America, Inc. Phoenix, AZ (623) 977-1212
Desert Lightning Motorcycle Apparel Lake Havasu 928-505-2453 Doreen’s Backstreet bar & Grill Chino Valley 928-636-0309
PAGE 7
ABATE of Arizona Business Members Eaglerider of Flagstaff Flagstaff 928-637-6575
Phoenix Vulcan Riders info@phoenixvulcanriders.com
Taj Mahal Prescott 928-445-5752
Eclectic Café Tucson 520-885-2842
Punkin Center Bar Tonto Basin 928-479-2627
The Drunken Lass Irish Pub Prescott 928-778-4211
Eagles Wings Carriages, LLC Tonopah 623-386-8281
El Rancho Restaurant Payson 928-474-3111
Gila County Chopper Strawberry 480-789-2933
Gold King Mine & Ghost Town Jerome 928-634-0053
GraphicsGraphics Web Design & Development Phoenix 602-595-4740 Gurley Street Sports Pub Prescott 928-778-2491
Havok Cycles Chino Valley 928-239-5303 Jakes Corner Bar Payson 928-474-0679
Jerome Tattoo Company Jerome 928-649-2143
Kactus Kate’s Cottonwood 928-634-7822
Kitty For Tax Camp Vercde 928-567-0224
The Law Office of Alfred McDonald Tucson 520-884-5201 La Gitana Cantina Arivaca 520-398-0810 Law Tigers 888-529-8443
Lyzzard's Lounge Prescott 928-778-2244
Mother Road HD Kingman 928-757-1166
Mountain Pass Prescott Valley 928-899-7663 North Health Center Scottsdale 602-421-2730
Paul’s SE Arizona RV Rentals LLC Whetstone 877-728-5778
Pincus & Associates, PC Tempe 480-777-2599
Red Garter Bar & Grill Tucson 520-325-0483
Renegade Classics Biker Outlet Tucson 520-647-9312 Roberts Marketplace Prescott Valley 928-722-8920 Shamrock Bros. Lock & Safe Goodyear 623-377-6541
Skin City Ink Prescott Valley 928-458-7242 Spirit Room Jerome 928-634-8809
Square Peg Promos LLC Phoenix 602-549-1044 Sutures Embroidey Phoenix 602-751-8181 Tailwinds Hauling Phoenix 623-463-2187
The Butcher Hook Tonto Basin 928-479-2226
The Hog Pit Smoke House Tucson 520-722-4302
The Jerome Tattoo Company Jerome 928-649-2143 The Maverick Saloon Phoenix 602-943-5680
TMA Precision Tube LLC Glendale 623-221-4922 Walt’s Lock and Safe Phoenix 623-780-0490 Wear This Smoke This Payson 928-474-3090
Xhale Smoke Shop & Adult Boutique Prescott Valley 928-458-0040 Y’all Come Back Saloon Rio Rico 520-781-3730
ABATE of Arizona Chapter Meeting Times and Locations
East Valley Chapter East Valley Chapter meetings are held the fourth Sunday of the month at 11:00, At the Mesa Tri city Eagles Club. 2314 E. APACHE BLVD Tempe Az. 85281.
High Country Chapter High Country Chapter meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday at 10 a.m. at The Moose Lodge in Star Valley. Contact: chicknbone@live .com or 928-970-1134
Mohave Chapter Mohave County Chapter meetings are held the 1st Sunday of each month at 12 PM at the Moose Lodge #1860, 2620 Miracle Mile, Bullhead City, AZ 86442 Phone: 928-763-1860.
Phoenix / Shadow Mountain Chapter Phoenix/Shadow Mountain meetings are held on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 10:30am at the AZ American Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020. FMI contact Jim Page at 602-570-6839 or email jpage30@cox.net
Southern Arizona Chapter The Southern Arizona Chapter will meet the third Saturday. We will gather at the Kettle Restaurant, 748 W. 22nd St, Tucson. Breakfast will be available at 7:30 a.m. with the meeting beginning at 9 a.m. FMI contact Jim Butsback by phone at 520-5446086 or email jimbutsback@yahoo.com
Yavapai Chapter Yavapai Chapter Meets 2nd Sunday, 11:00 AM; The Taj Mahal Restaurant, 124 N. Montezuma St. Prescott, AZ 86301. FMI contact Rich Kocar 928-771-9293 or email grayghost17@cableone.net. Yuma Chapter Yuma Chapter meets the second Tuesday evening monthly at 6:30 PM at the IHOP located at 575 East 16th Street Yuma, AZ 85365. For additional information contact Frank White (Hound) at 209-327-0814.
ABATE of Arizona
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012
about my article:
Rod, after reading the most recent article, I had to pause and question your calculations regarding the time spent waiting to hit the ground when one is launched from a bike by another vehicle. The particular that caught my eye was your assumption that it would take a "couple" of seconds to accelerate once hit. I suggest that the rider is already moving at X speed when hit and therefore, upon collision, the bike decelerates but the rider would continue at the original speed and decelerate due to wind resistance and eventually contact with solid objects. (earth, trees, sign posts, other vehicles, etc.) In order to compute the time spent airborne it would be difficult to account for the acceleration caused by a vehicle's energy transferred to the rider upon collision from behind or the side. To avoid this problematic calculation, let’s simplify it by removing the acceleration from the equation and say: Given: MC traveling at 40 MPH is passing through an intersection and strikes the side of a car which has turned left in front of the MC, launching the rider upwards and over the car with no rider contact. (fat chance, but bear with me), resulting in a launch distance (airborne) of 125 feet. A.) In that event the rider is arguably still traveling at 40 MPH. B.) 40 miles per hour = 40 X 5280 ft. = 211,200 feet per hour; = 211,200/60 minutes; = 3520 feet per minute; = 3520/60 seconds; = 58.6666667 feet per second C.) total distance 125 ft./ 58.6666667 = 2.13 seconds total time inflight; NOW CONSIDER:
According to an unnamed expert @ http://www.ualberta.ca/~chrisw/howfast.ht ml "A human being has about 100 billion brain cells. Although different neurons fire at different speeds, as a rough estimate it is reasonable to estimate that a neuron can fire about once every 5 milliseconds, or about 200 times a second. The number of cells each neuron is connected to also varies, but as a rough estimate it is reasonable to say that each neuron connects to 1000 other neurons- so every time a neuron fires, about 1000 other neurons get information about that firing. If we multiply all this out we get 100 billion neurons X 200 firings per second X 1000 connections per firing = 20 million billion calculations per second." 20 million billion calculations (thoughts) per second X 2.13 seconds = 42.6 million billion in-flight thoughts. Based on this: A rider could have 42.6 million billion thoughts while flying 125 feet at 40 MPH. I would suggest that, given this number of thoughts passing through a person's brain, it would SEEM to extend the perception of time and artificially expand it. Hence,"It seemed like I was airborne for about 10 minutes." That is why the old wives' tale of one's life passing before one's eyes at the point of death is not unfounded. Interestingly, another Internet source states that although the laws of physics state that nothing happens faster than the speed of light, it is conceivable that thought can exceed this speed and is not bound by physics. "Thoughts can be faster than the
PAGE 9
Ask Our Lawyer (continued)
speed of light - I think. Proof? Deja vu? That's what happens when you exceed the speed of light and make time twitch. You create a temporal disturbance, although highly localized in your brain, which is then interpreted by our intellect as a delay in a thought already conceived in the past. This makes us think we just had this thought, which we did. We registered the thought twice, once as the super-physical faster-than-light disturbance and once as pure physical information that our senses can register." NOTE FROM ROD - Digger, I like the way you make me think and make my head hurt at the same time. Thank you. SHOULD I OR SHOULDN’T I BE A GUARDIAN?
Q: My late wife’s son was badly injured in a motorcycle crash and I want to get appointed as guardian, or at least I think I do? She left him considerable funds. What are my responsibilities as a guardian? ABATE of Ohio Member A: The court will require you to care for and manage your step-son’s estate prudently, and may authorize you to spend your ward’s (step-son’s) money for his comfort, support and education. If the Estate has enough money, you can be paid for serving as a guardian. Your bill for services, however, must be supported by careful records, and be approved by the court prior to you being paid. THE SCHULTETI LEGEND- SOUTHSIDE HARLEY-DAVIDSON
These folks started out in Milwaukee and poetically with a Harley bicycle (didn’t know Harley made bicycles). As a boy, George Schulteti, the leader of the clan, so pestered the management at Harley that they gave him a job. He was only 16. That was in 1922, and George stayed there for twenty-five years, but his dream was to be a Harley-Davidson dealer. That happened in 1947 and George’s family is still a Harley-Davidson dealer. His son and daughter-in-law (Bob and Anita), are now in the process of handing the baton off to the next generation - Kathy and Allen. And they are chips off of the preceding blocks. Wonderful folks - each and everyone of them.
The story goes that when George married Ann in about 1925, he took his bride on a honeymoon trip around Lake Superior-in a Harley sidecar. No wonder Bob gets his Harley enthusiasm naturally- he was born with it.
That the Schulteti family is a family of numerous motorcycle firsts is common knowledge in these parts. Many of them have been and still are hill climbers, flat trackers, cruisers and just about everything else you can think of in motorcycling. That they have always been generous with their time and money for good causes is a Schulteti trademark. As an original sponsor of the Miracle Ride they have helped
raise over $4,000,000.00 for Riley Children’s Hospital. I think that says just about all you need to know about them.
SMALL CLAIMS COURT - HOW TO BE YOUR OWN LAWYER AND AVOID LINCOLN’S CURSE*
Q. I just had my Harley repaired and shortly thereafter a bolt fell out and caused considerable damage. I took it to another shop and they told me that the first shop failed to torque the bolt properly. That problem cost me several hundred dollars. I can’t afford to hire a lawyer for this, so can I go to small claims court on my own? ABATE of INDIANA member. A. Yes. Here are some simple and easy rules that will make your life bearable as you serve as your own lawyer.
RULE NO. 1 Write a demand letter to the repair shop explaining your claim and how much the loose bolt cost you. Include your bills and a statement from the second repair shop explaining what they did to fix your bike and what the first repair shop did wrong. And ask them to respond to your letter within a reasonable amount of time. If they don’t respond by that time see Rule No. 2. RULE NO. 2 “Sue the Bastards in Small Claims Court”, but bear in mind that the amount you can sue for is limited. 3k in Indiana (except some counties); 10k in Illinois and 3k in Ohio. The amount is limited in most states.
RULE NO. 3 As part of filing suit use your demand letter to organize your Complaint that you will file against the other side. Check with the Court staff as to how your papers will be served on the other side. The Court has all of the forms you need so bring full names and addresses of all persons involved when you file your case. Remember there are filing and service of process fees that you have to pay- so bring money, and don’t forget that the idea is to get more back than you spend - within the amount of your damages of course.
RULE NO. 4 Get ready for trial. Talk to your witnesses and organize your documents, receipts, photographs, and the like, that explain your case. Usually, it is best to present your case chronologically. After the other side has been served with your papers, the Court will set your case for trial before the Judge. Even if the Judge is difficult, be nice to him/her. At trial, as Lyndon Johnson used to say, even if the Judge is an asshole he/she is “your asshole now”. Same goes for the other side and witnesses. Even though you are emotionally invested in your case, now is the time to impress all with your preparation, honesty and level headedness. Fairness rocks and rules the day.
RULE NO. 5 Trial Day. Bring your witnesses and papers that prove your case. You can subpoena the witnesses if they won’t agree to come to court or need a
subpoena because of their job. Ask the Court personnel for help as they are usually very helpful.
RULE NO. 6 If you get the pre-trial jitters, call me the night before. If you get in a jam on trial day, call me during a recess if you have a chance. You have my cell number.
PITFALL A. If the other side believes they have been wronged by you they can counter sue you. So you need to make sure that you don’t have a dollar exposure for more than they owe you. Sometime is it is best to leave sleeping dogs alone. (My New Year’s Resolution is to avoid cliches like the plague).
PITFALL B. Small Claims Courts are designed to work without lawyers, but the other side can hire one. That may not be a fair fight and that lawyer can ask for a jury trial, which moves your case to a more complicated Court. The good news is that usually neither of those Pitfalls occur.
*Lincoln once said “that a person who represents himself has a fool for a client”. But remember, he was also looking for business.
TIP OF THE DAY - MICE DON’T LIKE COUNTRY MUSIC
I store my Harley with a sidecar in an outside building. And the field mice found it. That is irritating with all of their debris etc. I couldn’t use mice discouragers as my dogs roam in the building. So what could I do? Being a recent country music fan ( played loud), I accidently left my stereo on (one of about 6 or so left over from another era and that’s one way to tell how old you are, if you forget -count them up and take that times ten). And I am one of those that keeps everything. Well guess what? After forgetting to shut off the stereo a few times - the mice have gone and left my Harley sidecar alone - no more mice presents/presence. I have a theory that rap might work as well. Haven’t tried Beethoven or Slim Whitman as yet.
Ride Safe and Free, Rod Taylor ABATE Legal Services
ABATE, though many know it not, is one of the greatest rights organizations ever; but what it reaches for, by far exceeds what it has achieved, and what it has achieved is magnificent.
Remember, injured ABATE members pay only 28 ½% of total recovery and expenses as approved by client, consistent with and conforming to applicable state law. Elsewhere, you may pay 33 ⅓%, 40% or even 50% of your recovery. ABATE members are not charged for recovery of damage to your motorcycle, and have access to a 24-hour toll-free telephone number. Call us at (800) 25-RIDER. Questions? Submit them to RodTaylor@abatelegalcom. © 2012.
PAGE 10
December 2012
Saturday December 1, 2012, The Huns Toys for Tots. The Sierra Vista Chapter of The Huns of the Southwest will be holding its Annual Toy for Tots Run at Buddy's Bar in Sierra Vista. Bring a toy to make an underprivileged child happy over the holiday season. For more information call Greezy @ 520.226.5882
Sunday December 2, 2012: MESA 81 TOY RUN. The 15th annual Mesa Hells Angels Toy Run will start at Skunk Works - 720 S Country Club, Mesa sign in from 9am to 11am - $10 single / $15 couple and an unwrapped toy - it will end at the Sundance from noon until 4pm. Thanks and hope to see you there.
Wednesday, Dec. 5th- Phoenix, AZ. Crusaders For The Children Bike Night. 7-9 p.m. at the Top Shelf Mexican Cantina - 35th Ave. and Greenway. Everyone Welcome! Good food, friends, and families! Great Bike Night Specials! This event is held every 1st Wed of the month. See ya there... Thank you for your support! For more information www.crusadersforthechildren.com
Saturday, Dec. 8th - Phoenix, AZ., Operation Toy Ride. Sign up 10:00 A.M. - Noon at Schumacher European Ltd, 18530 North Scottsdale Road, Phoenix, AZ 85054. Kick stands up at Noon. Operation Toy Ride is a charity motorcycle ride to benefit Military Asssistance Mission, a non-profit organization that helps local needy active military families. Along with your taxdeductible ride fee, riders are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy as a donation to these deserving families. The ride is a family oriented, non-competi-
Events Calendar
tive atmosphere with great food and live entertainment featured at the rendezvous point: The Hideaway Grill 6746 East Cave Creek Road in Cave Creek. This is not a guided tour; please ride at your own pace. For more information visit http://schumachertoyride.org
Saturday, Dec. 8th - Phoenix, AZ., Arizona Biker Leathers Customer Appreciation Day 10th Anniversary party. 12:00 - 4:00 P.M. N.E. Corner 19th Ave & T-Bird. Free Food - Free Drinks - Music - Raffles & Vendors. Free Vendor Set Up Call for more information & reserve your spot 602-8435847
Saturday, Dec. 8th - Mesa, AZ., Join the Tri-City Eagle Riders on December 8th for our second annual Toy Run. The event will be hosted by Mesa Tri-City #3468 and will benefit Banner Health Cardon Children's Medical Center. Breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30 am with registration between 8:00 am - 10:00 am. Kick stands up at 10:30 am, for a short ride to Cardon Children's Medical Center for a toy presentation. Registration: Requires Toy Donation, $20 per single rider or $30 per couple and includes breakfast, live entertainment, raffles, and much more! The after party will be back at Mesa Tri-City #3468 at 1:00 P.M. For more information call Jayc at 480-223-2297 or visit www.foe3468.com/runs/toyrun/home.ht ml
Saturday, Dec. 8th - Desert Road Riders 22nd Annual Toy Run. 22nd Annual TOY RUN. SATURDAY DECEMBER 8th, 2012 MEET AT HOOCHES IN GOLDEN SHORES, THE PACK LEAVES AT 12 NOON
FOR THE EL RIO COUNTRY CLUB IN MOHAVE VALLEY, AZ. ENTERTAINMENT BY JOHN EARL BOOGIE MAN BAND SANTA WILL BE HANDING OUT TOYS TO THE KIDS RAFFLE, 50/50, FOOD AND FUN BRING ONE UNWRAPPED TOY AND A CAN OF FOOD PER BIKE. FOR MORE INFO CONTACT JIMBO AT 928-530-8058
Sunday December 9, 2012 - ACMC 1st Annual Toy Run. MEMBERS, ASSOCIATES, GUESTS, SUPPORTERS, PLEASE, HOLD THIS DATE!!!! OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!!! This is the DATE for ALL ACMC Members, Associates, Supporters, Guests and Friends to come and participate in a Statewide Toy Run. Details to be announced. FMI: Kat (email: katmmmc @ yahoo.com)
Friday 14 December, Event_Title: Rough Riders M/C (Papago) Open House, Event_Time: 1900 hours (7:00 pm), Event_Location: Rough Riders M/C (Papago Chapter) Club House Event_Description: ROUGH RIDERS M/C Inc. PAPAGO CHAPTER OPEN HOUSE 14 December 2012 1900 Hours (7:00 p.m.) till whenever Come party with your local Rough Riders! RRMC Clubhouse 1201 N. 54th Ave. Suite #133 Phoenix, AZ 85043 (Enter clubhouse from alley) Just south of I10, take 51st Ave exit Turn right on Latham St.
Saturday, December 15th - Payson, AZ: ABATE's High Country Chapter's 10th Annual Barbie Hensler Memorial Toy Run. All toys stay local. Held at the Buffalo Bar & Grill, 311 S. Beeline Highway, 928-474-3900. Bead run signin starts at 10am. Kick stands up at 11am. Must bring one unwrapped toy to participate. DJ music from 3pm to 5pm,
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012 live music from 9pm to 1am by the Moonshine Mafia. Drink specials and sirloin steak dinner for $12.50. 50/50 & raffle prizes. FMI contact Spinner at 928-951-2270.
Saturday December 15, 2012 - END OF THE WORLD PARTY. HAMC PHX (email: juanphx81 @ yahoo.com). END OF THE WORLD PARTY.... Hells Angels Phoenix event. "If the world is going to end... Hell let's PARTY!!!..." Check our website for detail...
Sunday December 16, 2012 - Yavapai County HAMC Toy Run. Yavapai County HAMC Toy Run will be @ Doreen's Backstreet Bar & Grill 2879 Arizona Trail in Chino Valley Az. It will start @ 12 noon. Admission will be $10 and an unwrapped toy.
Friday December 21, 2012 - The Huns "End of the World". The Tucson Chapter of The Huns of the Southwest invites everyone to help us celebrate "The End of the World" at the Tucson Clubhouse, 531 E. Alturas or at another location law enforcement approves of. For more information contact Fester at thetraveler333@gmail.com.
Saturday December 22, 2012 - LRMC Adult Christmas Party. White elephant Gift exchange..Bring 1 mystery gift per person.. Loads of fun. FMI: oldhippy13 @ gmail.com
Saturday December 29, 2012 - VIII's end of the month party. VIII's End of the month party/open house. Come out and party with the VIII's. Every last saturday of the month. FMI: email: matt.fike @ hirata.com
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012
PAGE 11
Renewable Fuel Standard Waiver Requests Denied
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Chuck Beck cbeck@ethanol.org/ (605)334-3381 ACE praises EPA for denying RFS waiver requests
Sioux Falls, SD (November 16, 2012) – The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for denying a request from a handful of states to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “Despite millions of dollars spent by Big Oil and Big Food to shamelessly attack American-made ethanol, it comes as no surprise EPA denied the requests to waive the RFS because the
facts are on our side,” said Brian Jennings, ACE Executive Vice President. “EPA considered the flexibility built-into the RFS, precedent established in 2008, and data which proved waiving the RFS wouldn’t remedy the harm of the drought in making the right decision.” Jennings says that comments submitted by ethanol supporters were a factor in the EPA’s decision. “In a strong demonstration of grassroots support for ethanol, more than 130 unique comments were submitted by ACE members from 15 different states making the case for the RFS,” said Jennings. “Given the battle we anticipate over the RFS in Congress
Lobbyist Report
time of the crash, the articles seemed to address the fact that these people were killed and injured, but they never missed the opportunity to let everyone know that riding a motorcycle can be very dangerous. I would hazard a guess that crossing a street can be dangerous; smoking a cigarette can be dangerous as well as showering in a thunderstorm.
On March 25, 2010 the motorcycling community suffered a tragic atrocity. I can’t call it an accident, it was not. Four motorcyclists died and five others were injured in the fiery obscenity caused by someone who decided that it was perfectly okay to be driving a dump truck and be high on meth. He was so busy getting high that he saw the group of motorcyclists but did not bother to stop.
If you read any of the newspapers at the
next year, we encourage ethanol supporters to stay engaged. One way to remain actively involved is to join ACE for our annual ‘Biofuels Beltway March’ fly-in scheduled for March 1314 on Capitol Hill.” ACE members will tell the story of how the RFS benefits America during the fly-in and why it is necessary to enable consumers to have meaningful fuel choice at the pump.
The victims and their families will go on, but their lives will never be the same. The person who drove the truck has been convicted on several charges and sentenced to twenty-six years in prison. The jury returned guilty verdicts in August on charges of manslaughter, aggravated assault and endangerment. Even after the trial the defense attorneys insisted that this perpetrator had taken diet pills and that the brakes on his truck weren’t working right. I know that our justice system insures, “innocent until proven guilty”, and I’m glad that it does, it just takes a lot of patience waiting for the outcome. Some people refuse to be victims, one
of them is Ernie Lizarrga, he’s back on his bike, makes most of our meetings and events and is getting involved with ABATE. Thank you Ernie, good to have you back. On another note this is my last month as Lobbyist for ABATE of Arizona. Meeting and working with our legislators at the Capitol, it has been an honor to represent so many great people involved with motorcyclist’s rights. I’ve had the privilege to meet and learn from “Freedom Fighters” across the country. Many of them have huge challenges in order exercise their freedom to ride and some have to deal with overzealous law enforcement. They have the heart to challenge those who will attempt to infringe on motorcyclists right, they have the perseverance to succeed. REMEMBER!!! Motorcycle Day at the Dome!! February 20th, 2013!! See You All at the House Lawn!!
Phoenix-Shadow Mountain’s Moon Mullins Run
Oh what a night! This year we switched it up a bit. We went north, riding under the stars and putting some miles in between stops. The object was to use no freeways. What an AWESOME turn out, someone said at one time we had fifty bikes! Sign in was at the Maverick Bar. There were five stops in all, with Skunk Creek Flats
next, Wild Horse West, and the Road Runner with the final stop at Greasewood Flats. At Greasewood we gave out the trophies for best and worst hand, 50/50 raffle, and the last of the raffle items. Thanks to our local vendors, there was a raffle at each stop. A quick shout out to, Ramjet Racing, The Maverick, Precision
V-Twin, AZ Biker Leathers, and Sinister Cycles. Not to mention…. the PhoenixShadow Mountain members who helped pulled this off!
Did you get one of this year’s Moon Mullin 2012 T’s? They are bitchen, and I think we have some left, get yours at the chapter meeting.
If you didn’t make this run, you missed a hell of a night. Better plan for 2013! Casey Yates
ABATE State Secretary
Phoenix-Shadow Mountain Chapter
PAGE 12 NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)
FATALITIES FALL IN MICHIGAN AFTER HELMET LAW REPEAL
“The numbers speak for themselves,” said Vince Consiglio, president of ABATE Michigan, in announcing a decrease in motorcycle deaths since the state repealed their mandatory helmet law. Despite dire predictions to the contrary, motorcycle fatalities actually have dropped by 7% based on statistics obtained from the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Secretary of State.
On April 12, 2012, the requirement for motorcycle helmets was amended to allow adult choice for bikers 21 and older, providing they completed an accredited motorcycle-safety course or had a minimum of two years riding experience.
According to an ABATE press release, from 2011 (pre-amendment) to 2012 (post amendment) motorcycle fatalities dropped from 89 to 85 in Michigan, a 4.5% reduction. During the same time period, the number of motorcycle registrations increased from 261,658 to 266,589, so ABATE concludes; "If the fatality rate is adjusted to the total of motorcycle registrations it shows that the fatality rate has decreased from 0.034% to 0.031% since the helmet-law amendment - a seven percent reduction." "This data proves conclusively that the helmet-law amendment had no adverse effect on motorcycle safety," Consiglio told The Detroit News. DEER TAKE DEADLY TOLL ON MOTORCYCLISTS
“When a deer collides with a vehicle that weighs a couple of tons, the fragile animal almost always gets the worst of it. When a deer meets a motorcycle on the roadway, both the rider and the deer may suffer the same fate,” stated the Washington Post in reporting on research by AAA that found that seven of the eight people who died in crashes involving deer over a three-year period in Maryland and Virginia were motorcyclists. Nationwide, the auto club said, about 70% of deer-crash fatalities involve motorcycles.
“Because they are riding on two wheels, motorcycle riders and their passengers are especially vulnerable when they smash into a deer,” said John B. Townsend II, an AAA spokesman. The deer mortality rate becomes most evident this time of year, as the mating season has more deer on the move. Their carcasses by the roadside attest to the danger that the lure of romance poses for them and for drivers. In 2010, the latest year for which there are national statistics, 403 people were killed in accidents involving deer. MOTORCYCLE THEFTS DECLINE
A total of 46,667 motorcycles were reported stolen in 2011, and 17,199 of them were recovered, according to a report released today by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. That compares to 49,791 stolen bikes in 2010, a decrease
of 6%.
Coast to Coast
California, the most populous U.S. state and the one with the most stolen motorcycles since the NICB began collecting data in 1996, retained its top spot with 5,927 thefts last year. It was followed by Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Indiana. The state reporting the lowest number of thefts was North Dakota (21) followed by Wyoming, South Dakota, Vermont, Alaska, and Montana.
Recoveries of stolen motorcycles were largely proportional to thefts, with California the leader in recoveries (2,085) followed by Florida (1,334), Texas (965), Indiana (769), and North Carolina (725). The overall average time of recoveries was 31 days.
July and August were the biggest months for thefts in the U.S. last year, with more than 5,000 each, compared with 2,147 in February, the report shows.
Whereas the number of thefts increases dramatically in the warmer months, the day of the week seems to be of no significance. On Mondays, the day of the largest number, there were 6,962 bikes stolen. The number on Sundays, the day of the lowest number, there were 6,422.
More than 500 motorcycle makes were among those stolen last year, but the highest percentage of bikes stolen were of the Honda brand, at 24%. Yamaha was next (19%), followed by Suzuki (16%), Kawasaki (11%) and Harley-Davidson (7%).
“UNFAIR” TICKETS LEAD TO PROPOSED FREE MOTORCYCLE PARKING IN NYC
City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (DAstoria), an avid Harley-Davidson rider, is pushing for legislation that would make motorcycle parking free throughout the five boroughs. “We get tickets a lot,” Vallone said of motorcyclists in the Big Apple. “That is unfair.”
At issue are muni-meters; “There is no way for a motorcycle rider to affix a muni-meter (receipt) to their bike in a way that it won’t blow away and it won’t be stolen,” Vallone said.
State Assemblyman Michael DenDekker (D-Jackson Heights), a fellow motorcyclist who recently received a $65 parking fine, has joined with Councilman Vallone in supporting a law to give motorcyclists a free ride. Due to what he calls “a faulty system,” DenDekker said making parking free for some 38,000 motorcyclists in New York City would put the brakes on the problem while being an environmentally sound move because motorcycles generate less pollution, need little space and use minimal gas.
“It would be a great idea to encourage other alternate forms of transportation like we’re doing right now with bicycles,” DenDekker said. “We also need to do that with motorcycles.”
Joe Sessa, director of New York City Harley Owners Group, said the parking situation in the city is only getting worse, and American Brotherhood Motorcycle Club president John Cartier said bicyclists get help from the city, while motorcyclists don’t. “We pay $42.50 in registration fees and pay our taxes, too. We make our contribution and we’re not getting anything back. We just want a level of equality.”
R.I. SALES TAXES HIGHER FOR MOTORCYCLES THAN CARS
Normally, if you're buying a new car and you have a trade-in, you will only be charged sales tax on what you pay. But Rhode Island riders are roaring mad about an old law that forces motorcycle buyers to pay taxes on the full price of the bike regardless of the value of your trade-in.
Richard Unsworth of North Scituate, RI complained to a local news station that he was burned by $600 in excess sales tax when he traded in his old bike on a new Harley-Davidson. "When I went to the registry I expected to pay about $1,100 in taxes," he said. "When I got done, it was like $1,700!" That’s because Unsworth was charged sales tax on the full price of the motorcycle, even though he had a trade-in valued at $7,500. "My trade-in was taxed back in 1999," he added. "I'm paying again for the same $7,500! I don't believe it's fair."
An investigation by WPRI-TV Call 12 For Action uncovered a law in Rhode Island that only allows passenger vehicles to get a reduction in sales tax for the trade-in. Passenger vehicles, according to the law, do not include motorcycles or pickup trucks.
"This was a law that was actually passed in the 1940s when pickup trucks were mainly used by farmers and motorcycles weren't that popular," said RI Tax Administrator David Sullivan. "Now that it's 2012, things have changed, but clearly the law hasn't." According to Sullivan, the revenue hit would be about $5-10 million a year if the General Assembly were to change the law to include all vehicles. That's not expected to happen in the near future. Although there have been several attempts by legislators to make the change, but it's been shot down every time. LEGAL BATTLES CONTINUE OVER MONGOLS CLUB COLORS
An unprecedented federal government effort to seize the Mongols Motorcycle Club’s trademark has quietly become a quarter-of-a-million-dollar headache for the Justice Department, reports McClatchy Newspapers. Four years after prosecutors grabbed national headlines by seizing the Mongols’ logo, an appellate court must now sort out what the federal government might owe the club’s attorneys. It could be a lot, in a free-speech case that’s also a cautionary tale about aggressive federal use of forfeiture to seize private property.
“What they did was an outrageous violation of the First Amendment, and an absolute abuse of forfeiture and trademark laws,” American Civil Liberties Union attorney David Loy told the paper. Rebuking prosecutorial overreach, a federal judge in Los Angeles ordered the Justice Department to pay $253,206 to Loy and Alan Mansfield, an attorney with Consumer Law Group of California, who successfully challenged the prosecutors’ attempt to seize the Mongols’ trademark. Forfeitures are big business for the federal government. Last year, the Justice Department seized some $1.8 billion worth of forfeited assets. Typically, these
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012 are ill-gotten gains from drug trafficking, financial fraud and other criminal activity.
Los Angeles-based prosecutors claimed a huge haul in October 2008 when they announced mass indictments of Mongols MC members, and in addition to physical assets such as motorcycles, firearms and other property, prosecutors sought to claim the Mongols’ trademarked name and logo. “If any law enforcement officer sees a Mongol wearing his patch, he will be authorized to stop that gang member and literally take the jacket right off his back,” then-U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien declared at the time. But a judge in Los Angeles ruled last year that prosecutors had gone too far. The judge reasoned that the trademark belonged to the organization, not to individuals, and therefore unindicted club members should still enjoy the right to use it. Last February, another federal judge added that the Justice Department had to pay for the trademark fight because the government “violated settled First Amendment and trademark law.” “The novelty of the government’s position did not make it substantially justified,” U.S. District Judge David O. Carter ruled. “Rather, it took unlawful action based on an ungrounded and unsubstantiated legal theory, and without sufficient factual support.” Because the complex case “arose at the intersection of forfeiture, trademark and First Amendment law, “ Carter added, attorneys deserved the fair-market rates of between $525 and $650 an hour for the 461 hours spent challenging the government. The Justice Department is appealing the judge’s order to pay, however, with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals likely to hear the case next year. PALESTINIANS CRACK DOWN ON MOTORCYCLES
Lawmakers in Gaza have continued their draconian campaign against motorcycle usage, taking the bold step of banning the import of spare parts for motorcycles into the ancient Palestinian city.
Interior Ministry official Hassan Akashed has admitted that the move aims to directly reduce the number of motorcycles, which he claims are a main cause of car accidents. According to visordown.com, motorcyclists in the city have been subject to an ongoing crack down, banning them from riding after midnight, and restricting women from riding. The Interior Ministry recently announced that it was banning women from riding bikes or being pillion passengers, to limit accidents and “protect community values.”
Israel's blockade of Gaza has meant that parts for cars have been impossible to get hold of and the cost of maintaining them has become unsustainable for most. As a result, motorcycles have seen a huge surge in popularity. Just five years ago there were only about a dozen or so motorcycles in the city, but the number of motorcycles in Gaza had grown to around 15,000 by 2010. EUROPEAN BIKERS PROTEST VEHICLE-INSPECTION PLAN Thousands of motorcyclists rolled into Belgium to protest an EU proposal for regular mandatory bike inspections. The law would be "expensive and useless,"
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012 said representatives from the Federation of European Motorcyclists' Association (FEMA) who met with European Union officials EU headquarters in Brussels as more than 4,500 motorcycles roared through the city's streets, protesting the proposed law that would introduce mandatory EU-wide road-worthiness tests
Jim Page State PAC Officer Finally!!!
The Elections are over! Hopefully our elected political heroes will get their excrement in one container and get something done. HMMMMM. The Chinese have an aphorism (Yeah I looked that one up) It goes along the lines of “May you live in interesting times”. It hasn’t been determined if it is a well wishing or a curse. But I think we will definitely be living in interesting times. Not trying to be all doomey and gloomy. But there is for sure, for sure, some interesting things coming our way. Then there is that whole Mayan thing also. But just in case the sun rises on the 22nd of December and large rocks don’t fall from the sky, I guess I’ll need to write an article.
Ok, So the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released their 2013 "Top Ten Most Wanted List”. (Okay I’m lifting a lot of this stuff from the MRF and NTSB websites. Ya caught me.) Most recently motorcyclists made an appearance on the list. In 2010 the NTSB took aim at motorcyclist safety and recommended that each and every State institute a mandatory State helmet law. It’s important to note that the NTSB's recommendations are put into place 96% of the time.
BIKERNET RARE PHENOMENON DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK--Forget about the superstitions, it is a rare phenomenon, don't you find it strange?
This year, December has 5 Saturdays, 5 Sundays and 5 Mondays.
This only happens once every 824 years.
The Chinese call it the Money Bag. Send this to all your friends and enemies as well. According to the legend, you will receive money in 4 days.
According to Feng Shui, if you do not send it you will stay poor.
--from Bob Clark
===========================
HELLS ANGELS SUE JANET NAPOLITANO AND HILLARY CLINTON OVER BAN ON MEMBERS ENTERING THE U.S.-- By Matthew Hendley Phoenix News times The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club has filed a lawsuit against several federal agency heads, claiming the group's foreign members have been wrongfully banned from entering the United States.
for motorcycles.
Coast to Coast
The new EU-wide regulations would supersede national safety inspection rules for four-wheel and two-wheel vehicles, and FEMA said the law would offer "no benefits expected in terms of safety, as proven by several independent studies."
Members of Belgium's Federation of Angry Bikers (FBMC) turned out in large numbers for the protest. "Only 0.3 percent of motorcycle accidents in Belgium and 0.6 percent in Europe are due to technical problems," FBMC head Joe Verrecke told the Belgian news agency Belga.
The PAC Rant
The MRF met with the staff and Members of the Safety Board aggressively over the following year to educate them on a comprehensive approach to motorcyclist safety. It worked, the following two years ('11, '12) the motorcyclist safety portion of the "Top Ten" was twofold. They recommended volunteer helmet use and just as importantly to them, a strong emphasis on crash prevention. This coming year’s list does not contain any motorcycle or motorcyclist recommendations what so ever. They have recognized the work that is being done at the National, State and Local levels is working. Motorcycle fatalities are still less than they were four years ago. They recognize the fact that proper education and awareness programs work. The NTSB realize they have more pressing issues that they need to focus on and that the motorcyclist safety is in good hands, the right hands, the motorcyclists of Americas hands.
NTSB Chairman Deborah Herdsman states "Safety areas are dropped from the list when meaningful progress has been made." Woo Hoo! Right?
A big tip of the hat to Jeff Hennie , Kirk Willard and the MRF crew for educating the NTSB folks and getting them to see the light. Now we have to start all over with the Center for Disease Control. But that’s another story. BTW It wouldn’t be such a bad idea to join the MRF if you haven’t already. As with all of our MRO’s they are struggling with rider apathy big time. It seems that riders are more concerned with Football, NASCAR, the Flying Burrito Brothers and toe jam to do anything to keep themselves riding free. But I digress. I did go to the NTSB website to look up their “top ten wish list” and saw this. (Again pilfering)
Over the past 10 years, the NTSB has investigated numerous accidents that have demonstrated time and again the danger of using portable electronic devices while operating a vehicle, plane, train, or vessel. Talking hands-free on a cell phone led to a seasoned motorcoach driver colliding with a bridge in Alexandria, Virginia, in November 2004. Pilots overflew their destination, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, by 100 miles in October 2009 because they were distracted by their laptops. In September 2008, an engineer ignored a red signal while texting, resulting in a head-on collision near Chatsworth, California, and 25 deaths. Two years later, in July 2010, a tugboat operator in the Delaware River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was paying more attention to his phone and laptop than to his job, which resulted in the tugboat/barge combination colliding with a passenger vessel and killing two tourists. The use of portable electronic devices in transportation has led to an increased number of crashes and an increased number of deaths. Distraction is not just about the manipulation of a device or a visual distraction. It is also about cognitive distraction or not being fully engaged in the task at hand. The Alexandria motorcoach crash demonstrates that cognitive distraction while conversing is not limited to hand-held use of cell phones and other portable electronic devices, and research further supports this fact. In both the New England Journal of Medicine and the British Medical Journal studies, researchers found no difference in crash risk between handheld and hands-free conversation. Carnegie Mellon (Ha ha. They said Mellon) University researchers explored the cognitive issue by taking functional magnetic resonance imaging pictures while study participants drove on a simulator and listened to spoken sentences that they were asked to judge as true or false. Listening to sentences resulted in a 37
News from the Net
Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services Director Alejandro Mayorkas are named as defendants in the lawsuit, as the lawsuit claims their executive rules could be violating the Hells Angels' constitutional rights.
The federal lawsuit contends that several foreign Hells Angels members applied for visas last year to attend one of the club's major events in New Hampshire, and they were denied, based on their membership with the Hells Angels.
According to the lawsuit, "[m]any members" of the Hells Angels don't have criminal records, and the club says it's not a "criminal organization." On the other hand, the lawsuit recognizes that Homeland Security and the Department of State made an agreement to define the Hells Angels as a "known criminal organization" in the Department of State's Foreign Affairs Manual -- thus making them ineligible to obtain a visa.
But the Hells Angels' lawsuit claims this rule flies in the face of the congressional immigration legislation that allows immi-
gration officials to deny visas for security reasons.
"Defendants will deny visas to all aliens based solely on their membership in a Hells Angels charter without further analysis into whether or not that individual seeks to enter the United States to engage solely, principally, or incidentally in unlawful activity," the lawsuit states.
The Hells Angels are ultimately seeking a permanent injunction against the rules that are keeping its members from getting visas -- which would likely apply to other biker gangs listed by the State Department, like the Outlaws, Bandidos, and Mongols, as well as street gangs like MS 13 and the 18th Street gang.
--from Rogue
============================ ROGUE’S BAD COP FILE-- Ex-ICE chief gets prison in porn case
WEST PALM BEACH — A former top U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official in South Florida has been sentenced to 70 months in prison on a federal child pornography charge.
PAGE 11 QUOTABLE QUOTE: "We keep having to choose among candidates who are so stupid they want the job, and so egocentric they think they can do it." Orson Scott Card (1951-), American author and political activist
percent decrease in the brain's parietal lobe activation associated with spatial processing.
Of course, armed with this information, what do auto makers do? They put every conceivable distraction on a screen right in the middle of the dashboard that does everything from display your text messages to play Donkey Kong. Okay, Donkey Kong might be stretching it a bit but you get the point.
What do our political heroes do? They run from the problem like their hair is on fire. What does the press do? They cover the problem with a resounding yawn. But hey! Let some football player bump his head while riding a motorcycle and they will be writing about it for weeks. People will be coming out of the woodwork screaming about putting helmets on everybody. (As long as it’s not them) and suggest that riders that don’t wear helmets should left for dead and be made organ donors. Oh yes, they have a lot to say about what we should do. But don’t even suggest that they should just shut up and pay attention to their driving. That would be insulting.
I guess the point I’m trying to make here is nobody is on your side. If you don’t make a stand for your lifestyle, nobody will. I hope some folks will read this and put freedom a little higher on their list of priorities. Even somewhere between Football and the Flying Burrito Brothers will help a lot. (So much for digressing) Anyway, I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Years. That is if that whole Mayan thing doesn’t pan out. Does anyone know where I might find a falling rock umbrella? Jim
Anthony Mangione faced a minimum of five years in prison after pleading guilty in July to using his home computer to receive and transmit images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He ran ICE’s South Florida operations from 2007 to 2011, including numerous child pornography investigations. He retired a few months after investigators searched his home in April 2011. --from Rogue
============================ ROLAND SANDS NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM--RSD Slant 2-into-1 exhaust system.
MAG Europe now has the newest exhaust system from Roland Sands Design available - the Slant 2-into-1 for use on '04 '13 Sportsters. The new system will fit bikes with standard mid controls and some aftermarket rear sets only, but will not work with stock forward controls.
The Slant is being offered in two versions, both made from stainless steel. One option is stainless steel with a carbon fiber end cap, and the other is finished in a satin black ceramic coating and with a carbon end cap.
PAGE 14
News from the Net (continued)
The header pipes on the system are stepped from 1.75in to 2.0in and have 18mm O2 sensor bungs. There is a heat shield for the rear cylinder and collector inlet, and fiberglass and SS wool is used for the baffle material. Exhaust port gaskets are included. ============================
UNCLE MONKEY ON MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE--I hear it every day. Why has it stopped working? They are dumb founded as to why their precision piece of machinery has stopped working. I run down the usual list of questions but inevitably they reveal that they have done nothing to their machine in five, ten, fifteen or worse 20 years.
As humans we are somewhat limited as to what we can do by ourselves. We rely heavily on machines to get us where we are today. Before we were putting a man on the moon and a dune buggy on Mars, I
12NR30 - MRF News Release Election Day Wrap Up
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14 November 2012
Contact: Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Ralations and Public Affairs
Breaking News!
Election Day Wrap Up
One week ago you went to the polls and decided the direction our country would be driven in. Both parties suggested radical ideas to reform the country and what did we get? Status Quo. Nothing changed. Same President, same balance of Congress.
So what happened? Having expressed unease with the economy, concern about the nation's direction and frustration with government gridlock, voters chose to maintain the status quo in Washington, propelling President Barack Obama to a second term, while keeping his party in charge of the Senate and Republicans in control of the House.
The President's victory was remarkable in many ways, racking up more than 300 electoral votes and carrying nearly every state he won in 2008 against a much weaker opponent. Only North Carolina and Indiana shifted from the President to the Republican column. Outside of North Carolina and possibly Florida, the President carried every battleground state despite winning only a slim popular vote majority. The President led his opponent by 2.6 million votes (50% to 48%).
That he became the first President to be
will remind you without basic tools we would have froze to death or baked to death without the protection of hides for our own hide. Machines only work as well as we take care of them. Ignore and neglect them and they will bite you in the ass.
It seems like a simple concept to care for the things that keep your world running smoothly (that includes our ol' ladies but that is another column) but everyday I run into people who refuse to do even the simplest of maintenance; filters plugged so full of dirt and grime that plants have taken root. The delicate foam deterioration beyond recognition.
It is then that it shows up at my door. The owner bewildered, as to why it stopped working. I'm not even sure where to start. Honestly it needs to be rebuilt from front to back. More honestly it should be crushed. Years, even decades, of grease
and grime concealing cracks and breaks, pitting and peeling. I'm the bad guy for telling them that they will need a new engine or transmission because they've been running it without oil for god know how long.
Basic maintenance is just that. Basic. Anyone can do it and should do it. Even if you can't - man up and admit you are over your head and pay someone else to do it. It is amazing how many $3000 dollar jobs could have been avoided if the owner had only paid the $3 for a new filter. Even the basic maintenance of washing a bike reveals loose bolts, cracked hoses, frayed cables. Take the time to learn the general concept of how something works and how to maintain it for years of trouble free operation that won't end in a horrifically expensive bill. Now, if I could only find the ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manual for the Ol' Lady. -bad Uncle monkey
News from the MRF
re-elected with smaller popular vote and electoral college majorities than in his first term is less remarkable than the fact that he won re-election during an anemic recovery that has left millions out of work and driven labor force participation rates to near 30-year lows. No President since Franklin Roosevelt has won re-election with unemployment rates so high.
So what will happen? First as motorcyclists we did lose some races where major motorcyclists were involved. Senator (R-MA) Scott Brown who rides, lost his race and in Wisconsin, Tommy Thompson a strong supporter of ABATE of WI and the MRF failed to win the open Senate seat. A lot of people just retired this year, the most noteworthy is Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME). Snowe offered the original national helmet law repeal language that would become the law. So we have work to do with the new Congress, but thats always been the case.
Lameduck. First we have to get through the lame duck session of congress, the point in time after a political election but before the Congress adjourns for the year. Its an odd time of year when you have congressmen and women voting after they lost an election. Strange things tend to happen. My predictions of what issues will be addressed are: The Fiscal Cliff, Hurricane Sandy, and the Farm Bill.
House and Senate leadership elections will be a factor as well. Some rumors have Nancy Pelosi retiring since House Democrats underperformed again in an election. So a lot has changed and at the same time everything in Washington DC is exactly as it was last Monday. Gridlocked,
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012
In addition. It has always been the MRF position to not advocate for the SAE sound standard. The MRF has had a position on the sound working group national standards as reported most recently. For reference please refer our legislative agenda press release sent on 12-10-29.
===========================
12NR31 - MRF News Release National Transportation Safety Board Drops Motorcyclists From "Top Ten" List
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14 November 2012
Contact: Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Ralations and Public Affairs
Breaking News!
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released there 2013 "Top Ten Most Wanted List" Wednesday, November 14th 2012 reports the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF). The list is a collection of the NTSB's top safety priorities. Recommendations are made to governing bodies and industry. Typically the list reflects recent concerns of the NTSB, for instance in a year where there are a lot if motor coach crashes you could expect to see some recommendations to governing bodies to screen drivers better and to industry to make the buses safer.
Most recently motorcyclists made an appearance on the list. In 2010 the NTSB took aim at motorcyclist safety and recommended that each and every State institute a mandatory State helmet law. Its important to note that the NTSB's recommendations are put into
place 96% of the time. The MRF met with the staff and Members of the Safety Board aggressively over the following year to educate them on a comprehensive approach to motorcyclist safety. It worked, the following two years ('11, '12) the motorcyclist safety portion of the "Top Ten" was two fold. They recommended volunteer helmet use and just as importantly to them, a strong emphasis on crash prevention.
This coming years list does not contain any motorcycle or motorcyclist recommendations what so ever. They have recognized the work that is being done at the National, State and Local levels is working. Motorcycle fatalities are still less than they were four years ago. They recognize the fact that proper education and awareness programs work. The NTSB realize they have more pressing issues that they need to focus on and that the motorcyclist safety is in good hands, the right hands, the motorcyclists of Americas hands.
NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman "Safety areas are dropped from the list when meaningful progress has been made."
Read the 2013 NTSB Top Ten list here: http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/mwl.html
The NTSB is an independent government agency charged with determining the probable cause of transportation accidents and promoting transportation safety, and assisting victims of transportation accidents and their families. Formed by Congress in 1926 their original charter was to investigate only airline and airplane accidents. In 1967 that charter was expanded to include; marine, pipeline, railroad and highway modes.
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012
December Safety Report
running well, keeping your skills up and making yourself conspicuous. We have also talked about vehicle operation while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
I was reading an article on Accidental Hypothermia in the most recent New England Journal of Medicine. It does not take much to become accidentally hypothermic (an involuntary drop in core body temperature to 95 degrees). Our normal core body temperature is usually very close to 98.6 degrees. It dawned on me how dangerous it could be to become hypothermic while riding your motorcycle. Evaporative cooling happens during the winter as well as summer time. Hypothermia can sneak up on you before you know it.
Jean Cooper State Safety Officer
Throughout the year, my safety articles have focused on keeping your motorcycle
The body works to maintain that normal core temperature by involuntary movement – shivering. Shivering takes energy. When the body no longer has enough energy to shiver, and the shivering stops the core temperature falls. In all types of
Call for MAP Instructors
The Motorcycle Awareness Program (M.A.P.) is an educational program aimed at the target audience of high school students in driver’s education classes. There has been a small group of instructors who have volunteered to present the M.A.P. to students throughout the state. But, we need more instructors.
Remember, that ABATE stands for EDUCATE. Our purpose is to spread the word about safe motorcycling and promote a positive image of motorcyclists. What better way than to speak to the future drivers of our state. The students hopefully, will not only be better equipped car and truck drivers but will also be more aware and watch out for us.
To become an instructor you must:
1. Be available during the day: The presentations in the high school driver’s education classes last about an hour during the school day. There may be as many as 5 classes in one day.
2. Be willing to stand up in front of a group of about 30 high school students and speak: That sounds easier than you think. You need to be able to gently maintain control of the group.
3. Know the material being presented: There is an outline for all presenters to follow so there is uniformity in
the material presented.
4. Commit to teaching at least 2 classes per school year: We hope to have at least one volunteer instructor in each ABATE Chapter. That person will attend and instructor class (about 4 hours), attend a M.A.P. with an experienced instructor, teach a class with an experienced instructor in attendance. When the new instructor is comfortable and the experienced instructor assesses him/her to be ready the new instructor may begin teaching alone. The mentor program assures that everyone is teaching the same material and everyone has support.
5. Provide record of teaching to the M.A.P. Coordinator on a consistent basis.
This is your opportunity to get the word out to new drivers about the importance of sharing the road with motorcyclists. This is your opportunity to support the mission and vision of ABATE in your community. Call me 602-616-9855 or email me azjkc@aol.com for more information and to register to become a M.A.P. Instructor. Jean Cooper ABATE State Safety Officer ABATE M.A.P. Coordinator
hypothermia, consciousness, breathing and circulation are initially intact but are impaired as the body cools. The risk of cardiac arrest increases as the core temperature drops below 90 degrees.
The article struck me because I know I have been so cold riding that I have a hard time holding on to the hand grips. Just think about trying to control the bike as your shivering interferes with your coordination. If you don’t stop riding and find a way to warm up, the body cooling continues. As your temperature goes down so does your coordination and ability to think. Your reaction time slows due to not thinking clearly. You may not be able to respond to road hazards or even make simple maneuvers. Your balance will be affected. As you become hypothermic, you become an impaired rider. Hypothermia can quickly become a medical emergency. We don’t think about it too much here is the warm Valley of the
PAGE 15 Sun, but it can happen here as well as in the high country, especially in the winter.
So what do we do to prevent hypothermia?
- Dress appropriately for the weather - Be sure you are well hydrated (drink water) - Pay attention to your body signals. - When you start shivering, stop riding and get someplace to warm up and drink warm sweet drinks (to warm from the inside out and for energy). - Move to create body warmth, if possible.
Hypothermia is largely preventable. Do not become an impaired rider this winter (or anytime). Keep your body in top condition for the cold, just like your bike. Enjoy and Warm Holiday Season!! Jean
PAGE 16
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012
Authorities in NYC Halt Ring of Motorcycle Thieves
Reprinted from www.foxnews.com
parked bikes, slide open the van door and lift them inside before driving off.
NEW YORK – A ring of bandits made high-end motorcycles suddenly disappear -- and illegal guns appear -- on New York City streets in a lucrative smuggling scheme, authorities said Thursday.
The ring dispatched "steal teams" in stolen minivans -- their backseats removed -- to comb upscale neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and Brooklyn Heights for Ducatis, Hondas and other bikes of choice, authorities said. Then they would stop alongside
Reprinted from www.foxnews.com
"In most instances, this took no more than 30 seconds," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said at a news conference where he and District Attorney Cyrus Vance announced enterprise corruption and other charges against 33 people.
"The streets served as outdoor showrooms where crews would go shopping," Kelly said.
Black market dealers would pay about $2,000 for each stolen bike before having them dismantled, wrapped in plastic and shipped for resale in Caribbean and African nations and elsewhere under labels reading "household goods." The ring also diversified "like any good business" by dealing illegal guns in
Harlem, Vance said.
Prosecutors allege that during the probe, an undercover detective bought 15 weapons -- most believed smuggled from southern states -- from the ring. The cache included three semiautomatic assault rifles.
Investigators also learned that the bandits tried to escape detection with counter-surveillance -- identifying unmarked police vehicles and taking photos of them.
College Students Reinvent the Wheel with Spherical Drive Motorcycle
Who said college isn’t worth it anymore? A group of engineering students have designed what may be the coolest motorcycle ever, if you can even call it a motorcycle.
While at San Jose State University last spring, senior Max Ratner and a team of undergrads invented what they call the Spherical Drive System. Instead of wheels and tires the motorcycle they designed rides on spheres controlled by six motors on top of them. The result is a very radical ride can move in any direction.
The team recently completed the steel frame. This fall, they plan to start building the electrical components and finish the motor design, which is the most unique component. For the drive system to work, complex algorithms control each
http://www.detroitnews.com
The investigation stemmed from a report last year of a Yamaha stolen in Tribeca. Over the next several months, police learned that the defendants had swiped more than 60 motorcycles worth about
$500,000.
motor – three on each sphere. With the spheres, the team says they are “reinventing the wheel” because the bike has a new freedom of movement to zig-zag through traffic, park laterally, and even spin in place.
“The spherical design is actively balancing all the time, which is similar to a Segway,” says Henry Li, part of the sixperson engineering team. “We chose the form factor of a motorcycle because we know it can handle high-speeds, but the Segway is limited in how fast it can go.”
One reason the design is so novel is because of the programming that went into the spherical drive system. The bike uses electronic gyroscopes and accelerometers to measure whether or not the bike is falling over. The six “omnimotors” are constantly in contact with the sphere, like the roller sensors touching the ball in a mechanical computer mouse, and can spin it in any direction.
The team says they don’t know of any other drive system like this. An existing product, called the Gyrobike, balances by using a spinning mechanical gyro. GM’s EN-V urban transit concept balances on two wheels like the Segway.
Li says the two-way spherical design could easily support speeds up to 50-60 MPH or more and be adapted to a four “wheel” vehicle, as well. The initial proof of concept prototype will be limited to about 10-15 MPH.
For those who dream of having a computer-controlled car that watches the road, dodges accidents, and swerves around obstructions autonomously, this spherical superbike could pave the way. Since a computer can more accurately control the movements, future vehicles using the system could avoid obstacles (and each other) easier. Ratner says the spherical design can respond much faster that exist-
ing two-wheel and four-wheel designs.
Li says the design could be used for forklifts, large transport vehicles, and even toys. The team has aspirations to produce the first prototype and then move on to more ambitious design schemes. Right now, Ratner is seeking more funding because three of the key engineering members graduated last year. The plan is to retool the motor design and finish the initial prototype by next summer.
Ratner says the Spherical Drive System is at least five years away from being mass produced, but will it really see the light of day? For now, the team has support from the university to continue with their development plans and they could be driving a prototype around campus sometime next year.
Fatalities Drop After Michigan Allows Motorcycle Riders to Not Wear Helmets
Proponents of the law allowing motorcyclists to ride without helmets stated Tuesday that despite predictions to the contrary, motorcycle fatalities actually have dropped by 7 percent.
Opponenents of the law countered by saying the drop was centered on incomplete evidence. American Bikers Aiming Toward Education (ABATE) said the decrease was based on statistics obtained from the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Secretary of State.
"We at …ABATE Michigan are concerned with motorcycle safety, so we have been monitoring the effect of this helmet law modification to see what impact it has made, " said Vince Consiglio, president of ABATE Michigan.
"We used the Michigan State Police/Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning data, which compares motorcycle data between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31 for the last two years, and the numbers speak for themselves." On April 12, 2012, the requirement for motorcycle helmets was amended to allow adult choice for bikers 21 and older, providing they completed an accredited motorcycle-safety course or had a minimum of two years riding experience. According to ABATE, from 2011 (preamendment) to 2012 (post amendment) motorcycle fatalities dropped from 89 to 85 in Michigan, a 4.5 percent reduction.
"If the fatality rate is adjusted to the total of motorcycle registrations it shows that the fatality rate has decreased from 0.034
percent to 0.031 percent since the helmetlaw amendment — a seven percent reduction," said ABATE in a press release. "This data proves conclusively that the helmet-law amendment had no adverse effect on motorcycle safety," Consiglio said.
In response, AAA of Michigan spokeswoman Nancy Cain said the report was based on "very preliminary data."
"It's far too early to suggest motorcyclists are safer now," Cain said. "We know by looking at data from every other state that has repealed its helmet law that fatalities and injuries went up.
"Additionally the report doesn't address injuries, which we believe went up."
AAA is forecasting an additional 30 fatalities and 127 incapicatating injuries in a
year now that the new law is in effect.
"The riding season is still under way," Cain said. "We stand by our belief that the safest thing a rider can do is to wear a helmet. "What does matter is car driver/motorcyclists awareness and motorcycle education, which we have advocated for and provided to residents of Michigan for more than two decades."
State and law enforcement officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
According to ABATE, the keys to motorcycle safety are education for both motorcycle and motor vehicle drivers. tgreenwood@detnews.com
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012 Buffalo Chip’s Student Build Challenge Update
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Student Build Challenge™ kicked off it’s 4th annual motorcycle build educational program at Brown High School in Sturgis South Dakota. As part of the program, students will transform a 2012 Harley-Davison® Road King donated by Black Hills-Harley Davidson, into a one of a kind, show quality custom bike. The new custom bagger will feature hand fabrication and high end aftermarket parts and accessories from industry leading brands making it an instant classic ready to compete in world class bike shows or long haul riding. The completed custom creation will be auctioned off at the Buffalo Chip® during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in support of the Legends Ride charity event on Monday August 5, 2013. Learn more about the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Student Build Challenge™ and reserve your tickets for the Legends Ride now at www.LegendsRide.com.
Students of Brown High School in Sturgis are beginning the initial stages of the build challenge that will give them insights and hands on experience on how conceive, design and build, what is expected to be one of the top custom bikes in the nation. Under the instruction of V-Twin industry veteran Keith Terry of Terry Components and Nick and Randy Kramer of Dakota V-Twin in Spearfish, SD these Future Technicians will transform a stock Harley-Davidson into a one of a kind custom touring classic. The Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Student Build Challenge™ is a unique opportunity giving students valuable knowledge and experience that can aid them when entering the South Dakota work force in the future. “This program, the only one of its kind in South Dakota, gives local High School students real world experience. Working with knowledgeable instructors, world class parts and a like-new Harley, gives
More News from the Net
these visionary future technicians skills that they can carry forward in life,” said Rod Woodruff, president of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip®. “The last 3 years of the Student Build Program has produced some amazing bikes and taught students a great deal. We know this year’s bike will be the best ever and the Challenge is to see whether these students can put together a bike that will compete with the best of professionals and actually win an award in a custom bike show.”
“As a Black Hills resident, it is an honor to work with some our young people at Sturgis Brown High School,” says Keith Terry of Terry Components. “The Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Student Build Challenge gives me and the instructors the opportunity to pass on knowledge it has takes us decades to accumulate. The great thing about this program is the students get to actually apply skills they are learning in class to customizing a motorcycle. There is nothing that can compare to getting in there building something and with the Challenge these student can do just that.”
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip® is proud to champion the Student Build Challenge ™. The public is invited to follow the Student Build Challenge™ build at http://www.facebook.com/SturgisLegends Ride, where pictures and video of the Student Build Challenge™ will be published. More information including reservations for the Legends Ride 2013 can be made by visiting www.BuffaloChip.com or calling (605) 347 9000.
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Just in time for the holiday season, and only for a limited time, the HarleyDavidson Museum is releasing 10 new images from its archives and making them available for purchase on harleydavidsonimages.com. These limited prints are a mix of photographs and vintage advertisements and are available for purchase for the first time ever. On Dec. 31, 2012, the images will return to the vault.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 3% of Roadway crashes involve motorcyclists but 17% of roadway fatalities were motorcyclists. Statistically, another motorcyclist is the first to be on the scene of a motorcycle crash. The purpose of Accident Scene Management Bystander Assistance Programs is to reduce injuries and fatalities to motorcyclists through First Response Education.
100 series: Bystander Assistance Program Ͳ “A Crash Course for the Motorcyclist” This course is designed for the average motorcyclist. No prior training is necessary. “BAP” classes have made an impact on over 10,000 motorcyclists! Don’t miss your opportunity to learn the specifics of motorcycle trauma care. Rescuer Safety, Assessment & Treatment, Mechanisms of Injury, Good Samaritan Laws are all covered in this seven hour course. There are no other classes like it! For more information or to sign up for a class, call Jean @ 602Ͳ616Ͳ9855. CPR & First Aid Course This class is for those who need or want CPR & First Aid (Heartsaver) Certification according to American Heart Association guidelines. Chest Compressions, Rescue Breathing, Recovery Position, Choking Interventions and hands on testing are all part of this six hour course. For more information or to sign up for a class call Jean @ (602)616Ͳ9855. Jean Cooper, RN, MSN has been riding motorcycles for over 40 years and has been a nurse for almost as long. She has also been an American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) Instructor for about 30 years and a Certified Accident Scene Management Instructor for the past three years. She has passion for motorcycling safety. Let her share her knowledge and enthusiasm with you!
“These authentic Harley-Davidson images make the perfect gift for any motorcycle enthusiast, or for anyone who enjoys American history and heritage,” said Bill Davidson, Vice President of the HarleyDavidson Museum. “Since launching the new harley-davidsonimages.com site, more people have the opportunity to choose and own their very own piece of H-D history.”
On Monday, Nov. 26, also known as “Cyber Monday,” all custom framed prints purchased on harley-davidsonimages.com will be 25 percent off. Earlier this year the Harley-Davidson Museum launched harley-davidsonimages.com. More than 500 different images are available via the new site, many of which have never before been seen by the public. The site also provides several print options, allowing customers to find photos they want and have them printed on various media, including stretched canvas, wooden signs, archival paper and more. Visit www.harley-davidsonimages.com for more information. ============================= Lightning Motorcycle Sets Land Speed Record At El Mirage
Lightning Motorcycles brought its superbike to the 1.3-mile course that runs downs the El Mirage dry lake bed.
In an effort sponsored by solar technology company SMA, and with LSR veteran Jim Hoogerhyde gripping the handlebars (tightly, we imagine), Lightning flashed down the dusty trail at 189.086 mph. That speed gives the company the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) record for production motorcycles – electric or gas-powered – for that venue. There two significant things about this achievement. First, the energy for the three runs was supplied courtesy of the sun. Its rays fed a 48-kWh battery pack
PAGE 17 attached to a mobile solar array, which in turn, fueled the bike's on-board batteries. This is no coal-powered motorcycle.
Second, though wearing a streamlined fairing, the bike is essentially the same machine that the first handful of customers will begin receiving within the next 60 days or so. Yes, Lightning Motorcycles is turning that hard corner from race team and technology developer to actual manufacturer. And that is no small feat. ============================= CHP Reminder: Share the Road with Motorcycles
California is home to more than 1.3 million licensed motorcyclists and some of the best riding weather year round. Unfortunately, the state has also experienced an increase in the number of people killed in motorcycle-involved collisions. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is preparing to address the problem with the help of a federal grant that will fund a yearlong, lifesaving effort.
“Motorcycle awareness is a priority for the California Highway Patrol and a key to saving lives on the roadway,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Education combined with enforcement will help reinforce the concept that all motorists need to safely share the road.” Each year hundreds of motorcyclists are killed in collisions and thousands are injured. According to preliminary data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there has been nearly a 20 percent increase in the number of motorcyclists killed from 2010 to 2011. The recent increase follows a twoyear decline (2008-2010) in motorcycleinvolved collisions.
continued page 19
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012 To reverse the trend and reduce motorcycle-involved collisions resulting in injury or death, the CHP has begun an intensive public awareness campaign which will run through September 30, 2013. In addition to enforcement, the campaign includes an education component which will be achieved through public service announcements, social media, public outreach events, and motorcycle safety and road-sharing presentations throughout California.
“Without a continued focus on motorcycle safety education for all motorists, the number of motorcycle-involved collisions may continue to rise, especially as more Californians are turning to motorcycles as a means of transportation,” added Commissioner Farrow.
Funding for the California Motorcycle Safety Enforcement and Education II was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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This Rider Refuses To Hibernate
Where did the summer go? As we get just that much closer to November and December I realize that most folks are putting their bikes up for the season. I’m not sure if I could take the thought of not riding and that’s probably why I keep mine out of hibernation. We all know it’s a little ridiculous to ride in 10 degree weather, but it doesn’t turn that cold overnight (at least not here in Kansas). Why is it that 40 degrees in the spring feels warmer than 40 degrees in the fall?
PAGE 19
News from the Net (continued)
It’s the gradual change in the temperature and the constant will to ride that keeps me going, day after day, mile after mile. Or is it the price of gas…
Either way, I bundle up and hope for the best. I should get paid to try out winter gear and write reviews. It would be hard for me to give up the stuff I use now because it has proven itself down to three degrees on my 22 mile commute. I don’t really want to know the wind-chill as that would probably be enough to make me park it right there. I hear stories of this “heated vest” and those “heated gloves” like they are something from the future, but I have yet to try them out. Uh yeah, I wouldn’t want to spoil myself.
So I grin and bear it. I complain in the heat, so it’s inevitable I’ll complain in the cold. But one thing is for sure, if I don’t ride, I always wish I did. Have you ever had that feeling? Half-way to work, I question my sanity. If I take the truck, I go insane. Go figure. I don’t think the words “I wish I wouldn’t have ridden today” have ever come out of my mouth. But you will hear “why didn’t I ride today?”
So as some of you are putting your bikes away for the winter and placing your helmet on the shelf, think about me and all of us that are out there riding through the cold. Don’t feel sorry for us as we are exactly where we want to be – riding. And when you pass us by admit it to yourself…you wish you were too! ===========================
Ben Nighthorse Campbell trucking 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree to Washington,
D.C.
Former Colorado U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, is behind the wheel of a Mack truck hauling the nation's 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree from Colorado to Washington, D.C., the American Motorcyclist Association reports.
"It is a privilege to drive the tree for the U.S. Capitol from Colorado this year," said Campbell, who was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2001. Campbell, an avid motorcyclist, represented Colorado in Congress from 1993 to 2005.
Choose Outdoors, a national nonprofit coalition for outdoor recreation, is coordinating the 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree tour with the White River National Forest, where the 73-foot-tall Colorado Engleman spruce tree was harvested.
The almost-four-week-long trip began in Meeker, Colo., where the tree was harvested from the White River National Forest in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. On the way to Washington, D.C., the tree is scheduled to stop in cities and towns in Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The custom-decorated Mack truck used to haul the tree was fitted with a special cradle to support the tree's branches.
The AMA and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame are urging motorcyclists along the route to greet Campbell and the tree during its journey.
The next stop is in Denver from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11, at the Midtown Development at 6700 Pecos St. The AMA will post route updates on its Facebook page at
Important Phone Numbers
Aid to Injured Motorcyclists - A.I.M. - (800) 521-2425 24-Hr. Legal Assistance for all accidents
Aid to Incarcerated Motorcyclists A.I.M. - (800) 235-2424 24-Hr. Legal Criminal Defense
National Legislative Hot Line - (800) 300-NCOM 24-Hr. Motorcycle Legislative Alerts
National Coalition of Motorcyclists NCOM- (800) 525-5355 Fighting for Bikers Rights
Confederation of Clubs. - (800) 531-2424 Motorcycle Clubs Fighting Against Discrimination
Motorcycle Riders Foundation Washington D.C. Office (202) 546-0983
House Roster Name Andy Tobin Majority Leader Karen Fann Tom Chabin Albert Hale Doris Goodale Nancy McLain Judy Burges Jack W. Harper Chester Crandell Brenda Barton Amanda A. Reeve Carl Seel Heather Carter David Burnell Smith Michelle Ugenti John Kavanagh Rick Gray Debbie Lesko Majority Whip Jim Weiers Kimberly Yee Eric Meyer Kate Brophy McGee Steve B. Montenegro Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry Weiers Anna Tovar Richard Miranda Debbie McCune Davis Chad Campbell Minority Leader Lela Alston Katie Hobbs Ruben Gallego Catherine H. Miranda P. Ben Arredondo Eddie Ableser Cecil P. Ash Steve Court Kirk D. Adams Speaker of the House Justin Olson Jeff Dial Bob Robson Tom Forese Javan "J.D." Mesnard Eddie Farnsworth Steve Urie John Fillmore Frank Pratt Russ Jones Lynne Pancrazi David W. Stevens Peggy Judd Terri Proud Vic Williams Sally Ann Gonzales Macario Saldate IV Bruce Wheeler Steve Farley Assistant Minority Leader Matt Heinz Minority Whip Daniel Patterson Ted Vogt David M. Gowan Sr.
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Party Email
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Senate Roster Name Paula Aboud Minority Whip Sylvia Allen President Pro Tempore Frank Antenori Nancy Barto Andy Biggs Scott Bundgaard Majority Leader Olivia Cajero Bedford Rich Crandall Adam Driggs Steve Gallardo Ron Gould Linda Gray Gail Griffin Jack Jackson Jr. Lori Klein Leah Landrum Taylor Assistant Minority Leader Linda Lopez John McComish Al Melvin Robert Meza Rick Murphy John Nelson Russell Pearce President Steve Pierce Majority Whip Michele Reagan David Schapira Minority Leader Don Shooter Kyrsten Sinema Steve Smith Steve Yarbrough
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fantenori@azleg.gov nbarto@azleg.gov abiggs@azleg.gov sbundgaard@azleg.gov
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926-5683 926-5766 926-4371 926-3297
417-3269 417-3261 417-3022 417-3248
27 19 11 13 3 10 25 2 6 16
D R R D R R R D R D
ocajerobedford@azleg.gov rcrandall@azleg.gov adriggs@azleg.gov sgallardo@azleg.gov rgould@azleg.gov lgray@azleg.gov ggriffin@azleg.gov jjackson@azleg.gov lklein@azleg.gov llandrum@azleg.gov
314 305 308 315 306 300 302 315 302 213
926-5835 926-3020 926-3016 926-5830 926-4138 926-3376 926-5895 926-5862 926-5284 926-3830
417-3027 417-3252 417-3007 417-3113 417-3165 417-3253 417-3025 417-3291 417-3270 417-3148
29 20 26 14 9 12 18
D R R D R R R
llopez@azleg.gov jmccomish@azleg.gov amelvin@azleg.gov rmeza@azleg.gov rmurphy@azleg.gov jnelson@azleg.gov rpearce@azleg.gov
312 307 303 313 311 301 205
926-4089 926-5898 926-4326 926-3425 926-4444 926-5872 926-5760
417-3029 417-3020 417-3159 417-3114 417-3009 417-3112 926-3429
1
R
spierce@azleg.gov
212
926-5584
417-3224
8 17
R D
mreagan@azleg.gov dschapira@azleg.gov
303 213
926-5828 926-3028
417-3255 417-3038
24 15 23 21
R D R R
dshooter@azleg.gov ksinema@azleg.gov stevesmith@azleg.gov syarbrough@azleg.gov
304 313 311 309
926-4139 926-5058 926-5685 926-5863
417-3024 417-3015 417-3167 417-3258
Fax (602) 926-3429
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News from the Net (continued)
www.facebook.com/AmericanMotorcycli st. To learn more about the 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree tour, go to www.capitolchristmastree2012.org.
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Harley-Davidson And DAV Help Wounded Veterans Move Onward
For the fourth straight year, HarleyDavidson continues its tradition of honoring United States military veterans throughout the month of November, this year by raising awareness of DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and the Harley’s Heroes program through a national video campaign spotlighting two veterans who have benefitted from the program. Troy Torgerson of Wausau, Wis. and Nick Bernardi of Newark, N.J., both served in Iraq and sought help from the DAV upon their return home. Their videos can be viewed at www.harleydavidson.com/military.
Harley’s Heroes brings DAV mobile service offices (MSOs) to HarleyDavidson dealerships throughout the country on more than 200 days out of the year, bringing services directly to where veterans live.
DAV National Service Officers, all of whom are disabled veterans themselves, help veterans understand and apply for the benefits available, including medical treatment, disability compensation, insurance, home loans, continued education and training, and more. Veterans get help navigating the process of applying for and securing the benefits to which they’re entitled through the VA. Last year, Harley’s Heroes helped the nation’s heroes claim tens of millions of dollars in earned benefits.
“Through these veterans’ stories, we’re hoping to inspire other veterans by showing them the positive impact DAV can have, as well as motivate them to pursue the benefits they deserve,” said Mike McCann, director of core consumer marketing at Harley-Davidson. “The services the DAV provides all across the country day in and day out are vital to helping injured veterans move onward with their lives, and we’re proud to support their efforts with the Harley’s Heroes program.” Since 2007, Harley-Davidson has provided $2 million in grants to the DAV. DAV MSOs visit over 800 U.S. locations each year and serve more than 18,000 veterans per year through this program.
“Harley’s Heroes enables DAV to provide free services that empower veterans to live a higher quality of life. Through our partnership, we recognize and honor those who defended our way of life,” said Arthur H. Wilson, DAV National Adjutant. “We’re grateful for all this partnership has done to ensure that we fulfill our promises to the men and women who serve.” Harley-Davidson’s history with the U.S. military dates back almost 100 years. More than one third of Harley-Davidson customers are veterans of the armed forces, and approximately 15% of all Harley-Davidson employees are veterans. In recent years, in addition to the Harley’s Heroes program, Harley-
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012
Davidson has paid tribute to the nation’s veterans through donations made to the World War II Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
For more about Harley-Davidson’s longstanding commitment to the U.S. military, visit www.harley-davidson.com/military. ============================
Suzuki to end auto sales in US, focus on motorcycles By Doreen Hemlock, SunSentinel
Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp. is ending sales of new autos in the U.S. market, but the move will have little impact in South Florida, where the brand already was losing ground, dealers and industry experts said.
Most Suzuki dealers have combined their stores with other brands that can take over Suzuki's space, experts said. In addition, Suzuki will honor all auto warranties and provide parts, as required by law, ensuring that car owners can maintain their existing vehicles without problems.
"It's not a shock to any dealer out there that Suzuki is ending sales. They haven't had much product, sales or advertising for a long time," said Rick Case, president of the South Florida Automobile Dealers Association. "The big effect would be in real estate, if there are standalone dealerships left." Suzuki said it now will focus in the U.S. market on selling motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and marine supplies including boat engines.
Suzuki's auto presence in South Florida has been shrinking. The Sunrise Suzuki showroom, at 3140 N. University Drive, shut this summer. Other stores now operate in multi-brand outlets. Coconut Creek Suzuki, at 4970 N. State Road 7, for example, belongs to an auto mall that also sells Mitsubishi, Subaru and Hyundai vehicles.
Suzuki's U.S. unit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday in California, listing $346 million in debt and $233 million in assets as of Sept. 30. The filing came after its U.S. sales of new vehicles dropped 5 percent to just 21,188 units in the first 10 months this year. That's despite a U.S. market growing 14 percent to nearly 12 million new vehicles sold in the period, said researcher AutoData Corp.
Suzuki began selling autos in the United States in 1985. Its exit follows similar U.S. departures by Sweden's automaker Saab this year and Japan's Isuzu in 2009.
Rivals likely to pick up Suzuki's U.S. market share include Kia and Nissan, according to car shopping website Edmunds.com.
Rider Ed Courses in AZ
To Print a Copy, Go To: http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=AZ Locations Zip County Email Phone Site Website City Motorcycle Rider View PHOENIX 85012 MARICOPA Click Here (623) 979-1839 Training RIDE SMART M/C View PHOENIX 85023 MARICOPA Click Here (623) 877-5425 TRAINING T.E.A.M. Arizona View GILBERT 85233 MARICOPA Click Here (480) 998-9888 Chandler/Gilbert GILBERT PUBLIC View (480) 894-0404 GILBERT 85234 MARICOPA SCHOOLS (PARKING LOT) T.E.A.M. Arizona View SCOTTSDALE 85260 MARICOPA Click Here (480) 998-9888 Scottsdale CHANDLER View TEMPE 85283 MARICOPA (480) 496-6800 HARLEYDAVIDSON T.E.A.M. Arizona View GLENDALE 85302 MARICOPA Click Here (623) 939-9888 Glendale DEER VALLEY View GLENDALE 85308 MARICOPA (623) 247-5542 HIGH SCHOOL LUKE AIR FORCE LUKE AFB 85309 MARICOPA (623) 975-6264 BASE Motorcycle Rider View PEORIA 85345 MARICOPA Click Here (623) 979-1839 Training VEHICLE SAFETY View YUMA 85367 YUMA Click Here (928) 376-7489 INSTITUE T.E.A.M. Arizona FT View 85613 COCHISE Click Here (520) 733-9888 Sierra Vista HUACHUCA Pima Community View TUCSON 85707 PIMA (520) 206-3981 College T.E.A.M. Arizona TUCSON 85714 PIMA Click Here (520) 733-9888 View Tucson RIDE NAZ -View BELLEMONT 86015 COCONINO (928) 443-0111 FLAGSTAFF Ride Northern View PRESCOTT 86301 YAVAPAI Click Here (928) 443-0111 Arizona - Prescott T.E.A.M. Arizona View PRESCOTT 86301 YAVAPAI Click Here (928) 771-2500 Prescott MOHAVE (928) 757-0825 KINGMAN 86401 MOHAVE View COMMUNITY COLLEGE MOHAVE LAKE View (928) 505-3321 COMMUNITY HAVASU 86403 MOHAVE COLLEGE CITY JB'S MOHAVE View 86440 MOHAVE Click Here (866) 668-6462 RESTAURANT VALLEY
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012
PAGE 21
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PAGE 22
A One-Of-A-Kind Custom Build By The Legendary Pinstriper By The National Motorcycle Museum
The National Motorcycle Museum thrives on relationships with other museums, collectors, and even pickers, like Mike Wolfe, star of American Pickers. Motorcycles and memorabilia loaned for exhibit is how the Museum stays fresh and interesting, always bringing you something new. John Parham, president of the Museum asked Mike to put the bike on display, share his recent find, the XAVW with visitors to the Museum.
"Mike said to run down to the Antique Archeology shop and pick it up, so we were on our way. This bike is so cool and I'm really happy to have it on display here at the National Motorcycle Museum. Mike stressed, "Don't touch it!" so we carefully picked off some spider webs, rolled it up next to our Von Dutch Triumph and other VonDutch artifacts in the Museum. The patina will remain intact, cooked on grease and oil, even the green-ness of the chrome! There's nothing like original unrestored motorcycles and cars," says Parham.
Von Dutch's XAVW Motorcycle
With several auctions at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles over the past few years, plus the licensing of the Von Dutch trademark, there's been a renewed interest in the man's works. Probably best known as a car and bike pin-striper, sometimes a painter but rarely if ever someone who built a custom bike from the ground up, the XAVW Von Dutch built around 1966 is about as rare as they come. This machine also speaks to the high level of design and fabrication skills Von Dutch possessed.
Von Dutch realized the inherent smoothness and low center of gravity an opposed four cylinder engine could offer in a motorcycle and struck out to build his own. While others used BMW rolling chassis for similar builds, Von Dutch worked around a 1941 Harley-Davidson XA. A "boxer" or "flat twin", like the classic BMW which it emulated, the XA was a design requested of HarleyDavidson by the United States government to do service in the sands of North Africa during World War II. The shaft drive system would be more durable, lower maintenance. Imagining the moment of the engine
Guest Safety Article
Stacey “Ax” Axmaker Asst BOD Member for MRF A&E
In 2007 and 2008, 25-30% of motorcycle fatalities in Idaho involved riders who had been drinking.
And most of these fatalities involved riders who had a BAC of .08 or higher. Nationally, these percentages are even higher. What gives?
One of the unfortunate elements of our ‘biker culture’ is alcohol. Poker runs often go from bar to bar; many bike shows, swap meets, and other riding events have beer gardens (or at least a keg or two). So often we see a row of beautiful bikes parked outside of a bar. Perhaps the riders in there are drinking coffee or lemonade – the fatality numbers suggest otherwise. You’ll hear people say (or may you say) that they can ride fine with a few drinks. Here is the bottom line:
1. Judgment, vision, and divided attention skills are affected by even small amounts of alcohol. Judgment is the most critical. 2. Reaction time and coordination are also affected and this is where we can really get bitten. A half second delay in reacting to a car pulling out in front of you can make the difference between a
close call and a 911 call.
Our best ‘rescue’ from these crashes and fatalities is each other. Drinking is not the problem; it’s what we do after we drink that can be the problem. Let’s face it – you know when one of your buddies shouldn’t ride. And guess what – your buddies also know when you shouldn’t ride.
‘Knowing’ isn’t the problem. The problem is that we typically don’t take action to stop something we know could result in disaster.
As riders, we take action when issues arise. Those issues could be that one of the riders in the group is having a problem with their bike, or it starts to rain, or maybe there is a speed trap ahead.
We recognize the situation, we know what needs to be done, and we do it. In these ways, we look out for each other and ourselves. Alcohol is no different – please – look out for your buddies (and yourselves) and take action when you know they (or you) shouldn’t ride.
It’s your choice. Make the right choice – ride sober.
Idaho STAR Motorcycle Safety Program www.idahostar.org 208-426-5552 1-800-280-STAR (7827)
MASTERLINK DECEMBER 2012
swap, Von Dutch probably grabbed a tape measure, compared engine and frame mounting points, considered whether the distributor would clear the frame down tube, removed the clutch and transmission unit from the XA and then got a buddy to help him boost the VW motor into place, just give it a try in the XA frame. So with a little spreading of the frame rails, and a VonDutch machined engine to transmission adaptor, then shortening of the drive shaft it seems the VW motor dropped into place and hooked up to the XA's drive line. Well, it looks pretty easy, but we weren't there to watch! Front suspension on the original XA is a two inch lengthened Harley springer, decidedly pre-War, so Von Dutch located a 1951 Moto-Guzzi hydraulic fork and used the headlamp, wheel and fender as well. Cutting edge, perhaps, the design is even what we today refer to as an "upside down fork!" Harley-Davidson's plunger setup is intact at the rear, but the Guzzi fender is used. Wheels remain 18 inch, mufflers appear to be from a Triumph.
The 74 cubic inch, or 1200 cc VW engine at only 36 horsepower is a 50% increase over the 45 cubic inch XA twin, and it's likely power comes in at lower revs. Had he wanted to Von Dutch could have easily souped up the VW engine, or even swapped in a Porsche motor. The
story goes that his friend Keenan Wynn asked Dutch to build him such a bike as a sidecar rig.
The masterpiece would not be complete without a Von Dutch graphics treatment. The Honda CB450 tank is two-tone with stripes, the rest of the bike pinstriped in red on the black finish. If you could not see the VW badge on the tank, would you very quickly figure out this is not a production motorcycle? Sure, the radiator is not very well tucked in and the battery box perhaps a bit hastily fabricated, but this is a brilliant amalgam of some cheap available components. A few short years after building it, Von Dutch took the XAVW apart, then sold or traded it to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, whose name still appears on the paperwork Mike Wolfe got with the bike. Then Randy Smith, a custom builder in Gardena, California restored the XAVW around 1970. What happened between then and now is yet to be known, but the good news is the bike is safe in Mike Wolfe's ownership and is on display at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa. You can sit down beside it and study what the hands of the great Von Dutch created almost 50 years ago. Go to www.nationalmcmuseum.org to plan your visit to the Museum which is filled with exciting bikes, many with stories like the Von Dutch XAVW.
ATTENTION - ALL RIDERS: =======================
It has come to our attention that business establishments in Arizona may still be discriminating against motorcyclists. Please carry copies of this form with you at all times. Discrimination can range from a sign stating "No Colors" or "No Motorcycle Parking" or "No Motorcycle Attire" etc., to simply being asked to leave a place of business, just because you are on a motorcycle or because of your riding apparel. If anything like this happens to you, PLEASE fill out this form in its entirety and send it to the address noted. Your lobbyists cannot get sponsorship for "equal access" legislation, without evidence of this type of discrimination. Documentation of Discrimination DATE: ______________
Business Phone _______________
NAME OF ESTABLISHMENT: __________________________________ BUSINESS PHONE (with area code): __________________________________ BUSINESS - FULL ADDRESS: ___________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ NAME / POSITION OF PERSON ENFORCING POLICY: ________________ ________________________________________________________ WRITTEN STATEMENT OF DISCRIMINATION (use back if needed): _____ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ YOUR NAME (please print): ______________________________________ YOUR PHONE (with area code): __________________________________ YOUR SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________ *** INCLUDE ANY PICTURES OF DISCRIMINATING SIGNS POSTED *** Mail To: Ray Fitzgerald 1634 West Pine Cone Way Prescott, Arizona 86303
Your Classified Ad
Classifieds
could be here... It’s Free to ABATE Members. submit your ad online at www.abateofaz.org
2000 HD Custom (623) 374-5510 $15K OBO
2-1/2" Santee® 50 caliber pipes
exhaust for Harley 1986-2006 softail 84-06
Loud Loud pipes.. deep throaty base lets everyone know your there. Lightly used and in excellent condition. Retail on this set is 479.00 dollars. Pipes are stacked low and feature full-radius heat shields embossed with Santee's® distinctive logo. These pipe sets are the best combination of performance and looks with a 1-3/4"-diameter inner pipe and a 2-1/2" outer cover. Chrome billet end caps with integral baffles are included. Pipes are Chrome and have no dings or scratches they are in excellent condition... even the inner 1 and 3/4 pipe has little bluing... I just wanted to add this since i have had many questions as to the condition of the pipes.. Price: $150.00 James Osborne 623-692-5597
2003 Honda Shadow A.C.E. 750 for sale.
This bike has been very well maintained and is in excellent condition. Runs like a top, looks amazing-beautiful black paint, no dings or scratches. Has many upgrades including a removable windvest, upgraded mirrors, rear tiedown chrome rack, aftermarket Kuryakyn ISO grips with chrome accents and Throttle Boss, plus a Kontour custom seat. Passenger seat and foot pegs included. Great first bike! This is a wonderful bike for anyone who wants to ride without constant wrenching. 31,000 miles, regular maintenance done professionally. She is worth $4,000 with all the extras and the condition, but will take 3,200. Relocating, advertising in southern Arizona, serious buyers only-call 520-490-4548 or send email to bbthestilter@gmail.com
2006 H-D Dyna Street Bob 11,000 miles, $22,000 invested, selling for $16,000. Contact Pete @ (602) 315-6950
2003 Harley- 100th Anniversary FXDX Dyna Super Glide Sport
Has added – 100th Anniversary Gold Key Package Stored- Like New -Driven less than 200 miles Black Textured Paint - This Model Highly Rated – Built for speed. Judy Rovno 928-234-2969 2002 V8 Trike
Chevy 350c.i. engine. Automatic Transmission. Harley Davidson Fatboy Front End. Very comfortable ride -- Adjustable Air Shocks. AM/FM, Tape, CD Player. Great sound system. Harley Davidson "Luxury Rich Red" paint. Blue and Gold Ghost Ribbons. Beautiful Tank Mural of Pegasus. Lots of Chrome. Loaded. Prize Winner. A real beauty. Easy Maintenance. $19,000 o.b.o. 928-445-3992
One-Piece DayTripper motorcycle seat
New - never used - In box Retails for $359 model 76189 fits Honda VT 750 Spirit 2001-2006 & VT 750DC 2007-2009. The detailed stitch work in the highly durable, synthetic glove-leather makes the DayTripper a show winner. $150.00 Call Bob @ 602-463-0544
FOR SALE:
2008 Harley Davidson Road Glide- 6,240 miles-lowering kit-travel packageAM/FM/WB/CD- 6 speed-Dark Blue Pearl-Corbin Solo and Stock Seat- asking $17,000. e-mail serious inquiries to: momac99@yahoo.com.
Gas Tank from an 05 Springer Classic.
Black/Lave Red. Taken off my bike in 2005 with approx 9,000 miles on it. Excellent Condition, $300.00. Located in Chino Valley (near Prescott). 928-830-4505.
For Sale 2 chaps, 1 men’s coat, 1 women’s vest, 1 pair women’s boots, 2 outback dusters. call Bill for info. 928-443-1528 Prescott AZ 86301
AzTech Flatbed Trailer (Car/ATV Hauler) $2200 obo 2008 STS Cadillac for sale, 23K miles $28,000 obo Call 928-718-6296 Cell 928-716-7289 Motorcycle Hearse
COPD diagnosis forces SALE! $50,000.00 www.eagleswingscarriages.com visit this website to view complete set of equipment. Equipment included: 1999 Harley Davidson Road King Trike (6045 miles) modified with reverse gear & fifth wheel hitch, detachable 18th Century styled Hearse Carriage, full size casket with full cover flag, cherry wood Urn Ark with panoramic glass & folding stand, Encased Memorial Flag, 2007 22ft. flatbed transportation trailer with winds/bug shield, Honor Flags, pre-printed magnetic Carriage name plates & misc office supplies.
Call Bill or Phyllis 623-386-8281
FOR SALE 2006 H-D HERITAGE SOFTAIL CLASSIC
18,282 MILES, NEW REAR TIRE, KURYAKYN HAND GRIPS, ENGINE GUARD, SADDLEBAG LUGGAGE LINERS, "SAGGY BAG" INSERTS, TAIL LIGHTS ARE TURN SIGNALS/BRAKE LIGHTS COMBO WITH RED LENSES, VANCE & HINES PIPES, KING SIZE WINDSHIELD, 4 INCH EXTENDED HANDLEBARS, CHROME BRAIDED CABLES, MUDFLAP, LUGGAGE RACK, CUSTOM COVERS, GARAGE OPENER IN HANDLEBAR. 1 YEAR PRE-PAID SERVICE @ SIERRA VISTA H-D, TWO YEARS ON EXTENDED WARRANTY. $15,000.00 CALL BOB 520-663-3818
2000 H-D Sportster 4 plug heads, K&N air filter, larger gas tank, forward controls, straight drag pipes, windshield, sissy bar, saddlebags, new battery. NOT ABUSED. Always garaged or covered. Original pipes, battery minder and Clymer book included. $4500 in Payson Call (928) 474-5287
For Sale - Cave Creek Home $85,000
.97 acre lot with older mobile 2/1 in great condition with 2 car detached garage & storage. Lot located in Saguaro West. Great lot for a new home/land package, on improved lot. Great Mountain views. Great location. Great Deal. Contact: Call Casey for details #602-434-2222
MORE MORE INFO CONTACT SPINNER 928 951 2270