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Ok, this page will be used to publish input from members and visitors on anything that gripes you or turns you on! We'll also be using this as a kind of editorial page. So come on, have your say, if good enough it will be published here. This isn't a message board and we won't publish everything, but hey! come on, have a go! A lot of content here is taken from Exhaust Notes and Lets Torque  by Fleetie Mac. Email him and get it first and in full direct!

14.2.07 From Deaks, President, Patriots Australia NSW

APPROVAL GRANTED FOR MIA SEARCH IN VIETNAM

Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Bruce Billson has been
advised that the Vietnamese Government has given its approval for
further work to commence in search of Austalian MIA's from the Vietnam
War.

Ongoing diplomatic efforts, greatly assisted by the support of the
Vietnamese Embassy in Canberra, has secured approvals for the private,
Australian Government backed group Operation Aussies Home and a
specialist civilian team, coordinated by Army, to conduct further
examinations of sites in Vietnam where the remains of Australian
soldiers could be located.

Ground penetrating radar will be used in this work in search of the
graves of Lance Corporal Richard Parker and Private Peter Gillson, who
were killed during fighting in Bien Hoa Province in 1965.

The Army team, supported by the Operation Aussies Home group, will seek
to establish whether remains of Lance Corporal John Gillespie can be
located from a helicopter crash site in the Minh Dam Mountains (formerly
the Long Hai Hills) of southern Vietnam.


Army is currently making preparations to support the expert team to go
to Vietnam at the earliest opportunity.


Media information:
Cameron Hill 
(Mr Billson)  02 6277 7820   or  0408 239 521
Defence Media Liaison
(Defence) 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664

For a free subscription to Defence Direct, the Minister for Defence's
monthly e-newsletter, please follow this link
http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/defencedirect/spt/subscribe.html
MEDIA  RELEASE


The Hon. Bruce Billson, MP
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence


007/2007 Tuesday, 13 February 2007

 

Harley-Davidson to make 3-wheeled motorcycles called 'trikes'

The Associated Press

Published: September 1, 2006
MILWAUKEE Harley-Davidson thinks its riders are ready for a three-wheeled hog.
 
The iconic motorcycle maker said Friday it will begin making three-wheeled motorcycles, also called trikes, in partnership with Lehman Trikes U.S.A.
 
Spearfish, South Dakota-based Lehman already converts motorcycles made by Harley and other manufacturers into trikes, but the new line will be branded as Harley-Davidson and sold by its dealers.
 
Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Inc. did not release further details about the new bikes or when they would be released.
 
Harley is continually looking to develop new products and expand the appeal of its brand, said Harley-Davidson Vice President Ron Hutchinson.
 
"Trikes are another way we can inspire the dream of owning a Harley-Davidson," he said.
 
Lehman Trikes U.S.A. is a subsidiary of Lehman Trikes Inc. of Canada. The company has made trikes for more than 20 years.
 

27.07.07 Indian Motorcycle Company Back in Business has New Home July 20, 2006 - Indian Motorcycle Company Press Release - http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/  Indian(R) Motorcycle Company is pleased to announce that it will be revving up its engine in a new home. After carefully reviewing location options throughout the United States, Indian(R) has selected a factory in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, where it will place its world headquarters. The site, located in Cleveland County, 37 miles west of downtown Charlotte, includes 11 acres of property and a 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility which is expandable to 125,000 square feet.

14.07.06  Helmets fogging up? Tell him the cats sent you.

Hello

I am a member of Ulysses (Hills Group - NSW) and ride a Honda 900 Hornet, and was having all sorts of problems with my visor fogging up, tried all the old remedies to no avail, then discovered a brilliant new product from the US, called Fogtech. www.fogtech.com

I bought a sample of their product and trialled it and found it suited me perfectly, as it keeps the fogging away for up to 5 days+ and have begun importing it into Australia, as it not only is ideal for bikers (in most cases), but for industrial safety use as well. The product comes in handy one use wipes and 30 ml bottles.

If you think it could be of some use to you and your members, let me know and I can send you a sample.

I sell the wipes for $1.50 each, and the bottles (which can give up to 40 uses) for $20.00.

Kindest regards,
Peter Cohen
02 88507298
0429796132
CASTLE HILL
NSW
 

3.7.06 Had to happen sooner or later, Honda have had it on their quad bikes for a year now.

Yamaha has released the much-revised FJR1300, and there's something missing - the clutch lever!

The company has installed an auto clutch system called Yamaha Chip Controlled Shift, or YCC-S, which enables the rider to shift either using a footlever or a left-handlebar switch cluster.

According to the Yamaha: The YCCS system is essentially a manual transmission with a computer controlled clutch. Internally, the FJR1300AS's 5-speed transmission and clutch remain intact; however, they've added a clutch controller and electronic shift actuator all connected to a sophisticated computer to provide perfect, clutchless manual shifting in any situation.

Specially developed by Yamaha, the system employs an electronically controlled clutch-less shifting device that reduces hassle and fatigue, so you can get on with really enjoying the ride. YCC-S uses a dedicated ECU to deliver quick, perfect shifts every time. It?s up to you whether you shift using the handlebar-mounted switch or foot lever.

Australians riders have made it the FJR1300 top selling touring motorcycle and everyone knows about its turbine-smooth, fuel-injected engine and aluminium sports frame.

There are also numerous detailed changes, such as revised bodywork and more friendly positioning of the pillion pegs. The bike is priced at $24,999 plus ORC.

 

Motorcycle Council of NSW - Wire barriers deadly: motorcyclists - June 14, 2006 - This article from : AAP - WIRE rope barriers intended to save motorists from head-on collisions were a deadly hazard for motorcyclists, the Motorcycle Riders Association of Australia (MRAA) said. The barriers - which are median barriers or which can be placed along the side of the road - can dismember or decapitate motorcyclists who come off their bikes at speed and should be banned until proven safe, MRAA president Dale Maggs said. The MRAA today released a photograph of a stretch of wire rope barrier alongside a Victorian highway, where a motorcyclist was killed in 2004. Mr Maggs said conventional median barriers offered a fallen motorcyclist a good chance of ``sliding along'' the face of the barrier, without hitting a post, until they came to a stop.  But a wire rope barrier, Mr Maggs said, had more posts and these were exposed, meaning it was likely a fallen rider would suffer a serious injury. ``If you hit one of the posts at any speed over 35kmh it will shatter a bone, any faster than that and you lose a limb or become decapitated,'' Mr Maggs said. The fresh push to ban the barriers follows media comments last week by state Labor MP Brendan Jenkins, who said the new barriers ``save lives for motorcyclists''. Mr Maggs said the comment was insensitive and he called on the member to ``apologise to the families of the motorcyclists killed and injured by these barriers''. ``Mr Jenkins has thus far failed to answer requests to discuss this matter with the MRAA,'' he said.
A Victorian government spokeswoman said today the wire-rope barriers had faced several safety reviews and they were declared a safer means to halt an out-of-control vehicle. ``VicRoads undertook a thorough investigation of their safety performance (which) found no evidence to indicate that wire-rope barriers pose a danger to motorcyclists,'' the spokeswoman said. 

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Both Shadow and Telstra Jeff sent in this picture. Original and innovative! Would be a fun ride I reckon!

Travelling up Queensland way? Make a note of this one!

hi,

21.03.06 from the  Motorcycle Council of NSW via Exhaust Notes

1. EXHAUST LAW REPEALED ---- Clause 19 is dead. No more sticker tax.

Still need to be mindful of the noise level, but harassment stickers are finished. Details here:- http://www.mccofnsw.org.au/a/174.html

Great news!  A pity so many had to spend so much time fighting to see such an ill-considered regulation overturned. Still, the victory serves as a lesson to the twerps who advised their Ministers to put it on the books in the first place. "The Motorcycle Council wishes to acknowledge assistance from the NSW Democrats, in an initial Motion of Disallowance and also acknowledge support granted to this Motion from members of the NSW Upper House. It reinforces the value of an independent Upper House". Thanks to Arthur Chesterfield-Evans for cranking this issue up. ----

2. BIG BROTHER ON NOISY EXHAUSTS  - End for loud exhausts?

A new camera system could see an end to using loud cans on the road as it can automatically send tickets to anyone exceeding a pre-determined noise limit. The system was developed by Australian firm Acoustic Research Laboratories, and is fully automated with sound level meters, cameras and computer processors. Seperate microphones and video modules are mounted in waterproof boxes and the makers claim it can tell the difference between trigger sounds and general background noise. Once set up, it can generate 10.000 tickets before the on-board hard drive is filled with 10-second video and audio clips as evedence for each one. Officials in Australia are already looking at the system, according to this report by Newspaper.com. It will also be used to tackle loud car stereos.

Now you all can work this out with the greatest of ease.............below is what was sent from the Dept after numerous phone calls.  They were very helpful but as you can see good at bureaucratic bullshit gobbledegook doublespeak. Sent them a copy of what's been floating around as below.....and their clear as mud reply further down.

I got a headache halfway.........but if this turns your dials then enjoy. Also if you want a copy of ADR 39/00 then click here.

Dear Jessica

as requested

 

THE law in NSW which requires motorcycle exhausts to be labelled has been reversed. From March the 2nd police will be unable to issue infringements to a rider whose motorcycle's exhaust fails to have a complying ADR 39 decibel output label attached. The NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (formerly known as the EPA) recently advised the NSW Police that the regulation had been 'disallowed'. Furthermore, any infringement issued after March 2 will be 'no actioned' by the Infringement Processing Bureau

 

Appreciate confirmation

 

Many Thanks

Duds

and the reply

 

Hi Dave,

 

The Department of Environment and Conservation's response on this issue is that:

The law which requires motorcycle exhausts to be labelled is still current. However DEC is working closely with the Motorcycle Council of NSW to repeal the motorcycle labelling law (clause 19 of the Noise Control Regulation) as soon as possible. Regarding the police not being able to issue infringements after March 2nd, this relates to an amendment to the labelling regulation that accommodated bikes designed to the new ADR 83. The amendment was disallowed on 2 March 2005 so any infringements issued after that date by the police specifically relating to offences created by the disallowed amendment would not be actioned by the IPB. The infringements not to be actioned would have related to not having a ADR 83 label for those bikes designed to ADR 83. This offence as part of the disallowed amendment would not therefore exist.

I hope that helps,

Jessica Bell
Public Affairs Officer
Department of Environment and Conservation
Ph: 02 9995 5314
Fx: 02 9995 5912
After hours media line: 02 9995 5347
Email: jessica.bell@environment.nsw.gov.au

 

sooooooooooo......ya got that? Yeh right!!!!!!!!

 Anyway, at the end of the day this isn't about loud exhausts. It's about the misuse of the exhaust laws, for purposes other than those for which the law was made, by unscrupulous police officers.

The fight continues. Shadow just sent in the latest from www.telstraebusinessauto.com 

 Motorcyclists split with national lawmakers

Photos just in from the NSW HOG rally give a lot of credence to the letter below. Our resident Yank does it again!! Scary stuff!

Email received 7th February 2006

I was recently directed to your site especially to view the excellent report on our Rally we, at MONARO HOG Chapter in Queanbeyan, planned and implemented over the long weekend (26 - 29 Jan 06). From your pics it certainly confirms what  we all remember 'it was a great Rally.'

 

Sadly it will be our last as Harley Australia, in their all mighty wisdom, have decided after that 14 years they only want one Dealer in the ACT/Monaro Region. Unfortunately our sponsoring dealer, CAPITAL Harley-Davidson, has been given the chop and will possibly relocate into your area as it happens. Harley did not canvas the HOG members and we are at a loss as to what is in stall for HOG in a future OZ.

 

We are pissed off really and many members have been busy dropping Harley and their HOG rep a line or two. NIL replies as yet. I won't bore you with content of my mails only just to say that I simply requested detail of the way ahead for HOG in OZ, once Harley-Australia takes over in July this year. I wouldn't mind getting the following 'warning' out to HOGs in OZ:   

 

Be alert and retain our Aussie ways or become  clones  of  our  USA  brothers and  sisters and  thus  loose our unique identity and  manner  in  which  we ride, socialize and conduct rallys.

 

Thanks for listening

 

'Happy Trails'

 

'Dee'

As reported in Exhaust Notes 

THE law in NSW which requires motorcycle exhausts to be labelled has been reversed. From March the 2nd police will be unable to issue infringements to a rider whose motorcycle’s exhaust fails to have a complying ADR 39 decibel output label attached. The NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (formerly known as the EPA) recently advised the NSW Police that the regulation had been ‘disallowed’. Furthermore, any infringement issued after March 2 will be ‘no actioned’ by the Infringement Processing Bureau.

Why do we have to wait till the 2nd March? What have they got ready to introduce then?

Below is a photo of a NSW police officer defecting a bike that  the after market manufacturer and the law abiding rider both believed complied with all the stipulations of ADR39/00.  According to this officer it didn't under the *interpretations* of that ADR by NSW Police.

This officer lost his cool, and then in what only can be described as an aggressive, rude and harassing manner, in an effort to intimidate, he reverted to ADR 39/00. Even though the certificate of compliance was attached to the bike as can be clearly seen in the photo, he still issued a defect notice. Further he made it that the defect could only be lifted by the Police themselves. He made the comment that the sticker looked fake and he wouldn't accept that the sticker was the Certificate of Compliance, he wanted to see the letter from the issuing authority. While we can clearly see the Compliance Certificate that this bike carries in an effort to comply with ADR 39, what we can't see is his Name Badge or his NSW Police Force Number. We can't see his Safety Vest or his Hat. Nor could we see either his number or name on the issued papers. An illegible scrawl for a signature. Also out of shot is his patrol car blocking the driveway into the property causing concern and safety issues to others. We even asked that his commanding officer attend but that too was refused. This is just another example of a police officer using the exhaust laws for purposes other than those for which the law was made. This makes riders angry, and it should make police angry too, at this lack of professionalism which degrades the image of law and those that are there to enforce it.

The Motorcycle Council of NSW says the only way to fight this is to take away their toys. Looks like this guy might be one toy less. Let's hope so.

So good news is it appears that part or all of ADR39 has gone. We await confirmation of this by the Motorcycle Council of NSW ( http://www.mccofnsw.org.au )  ....................but what next in their pursuit to harass riders?

Update: We have contacted the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation  and are now awaiting their Public Affairs  department to get back to us with clarification.

28 January 2006 MEDIA RELEASE (as posted in www.ozbiker.org)
 
MRAA ASKS POLICE TO EXAMINE VIDEO INCIDENTS
 
 
The MRAA has written to the Chief Commissioner of Police, Ms Christine Nixon to complain about the appalling behaviour of several car drivers, captured by a Channel 7 News Crew during the recent "Ride to Rule" on Wednesday 25th January. The police have been requested to review video evidence of dangerous driving and road rage and take appropriate action against the offending car drivers.
 
The behaviour involved tailgating riders at speed, deliberately aggressive overtaking and in two cases, speeding down the emergency lane and then
nearly taking out a group of riders. Riders concerned were travelling at the normal traffic speeds, remaining in their lanes and not taking advantage of
the innate characteristics of motorcycles to move quickly and safely through traffic, precisely as recommended by the National Transport Commission's
changes to the Australian Road Rules.
 
The President of the MRAA, Mr Dale Maggs, expressed his concern that riders will become targets for road rage by riding in the manner proposed by
changes to the Australian Road Regulations. He stated that the behaviour of car drivers clearly demonstrated the inherent danger when a motorcycle
is treated the same way as a car.
 
"It shows how foolish these proposed changes are" said Mr Maggs. "It is a  matter of serious concern that the riding style to be forced on motorcyclists by these proposed changes will lead to increased road rage and aggression towards motorcyclists". "The purpose of the ride was to demonstrate the increase in congestion that can occur by attempting to treat motorcycles in the same manner as cars. It is beyond comprehension that any
reasonable person could insist on enforcing a regulation which both increases congestion and diminishes rider safety".
 
Mr Maggs went on to state that not only motorcycle organisations, but also motoring organisations such as the RACV, NRMA and VACC have opposed these proposed changes.
 
Dale Maggs may be contacted on  president@mraa.org.au .
 
See CH 7 Clip at http://www.mraa.org.au/downloads/lane_splitting.wmv or CLICK HERE to download

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and just because it's Christmas hows this for Santa's sleigh?????

From Exhaust Notes 

Unleaded Fuel Label

Honda unveils world's first airbag-equipped motorbike

Here we are on VJ Day, 60 years after the end of WWII and very appropriately this has come to Crusty's attention. This weekend we are going to celebrate Long Tan Day as well right around this country. If you agree with the following please act on it.

Got an email from Shaz yesterday, to let me know that Moose, (Chris Wallace, Liverpool HOG Director) was in the ICU on life support with kidney failure. He went into a coma, so thankfully wasn't in pain which is something. He was to undergo heart surgery toward the end of the week. Unfortunately he didn't make it. He passed away at 11 pm last night.

Our sincere and deepest condolences to family and friends.  Vale Moose.

Contact John Liestins (Honch)
 

Take note! Be warned! Don't say we didn't tell you! As reported in Exhaust Notes

I just had to share this.

Beware of synthetic oil, it can do terrible things to you and your beloved motorcycle. It will not only leak out of your engine faster than you can put  it in, but it will also cause your oil filter to clog and implode, dumping debris and dirt into your lubrication system. It also will make every part  of your bike permanently slippery because of its linear molecular chain dispersion action. Then it will leak onto your kickstand causing it to retract automatically, dropping your bike on the ground! But that's not all...

Synthetic oil will round off your gears and spin your bearings. It will also  splatter onto your seat causing your girlfriend to fall off in the apex of a  turn and she'll never ride with you again. Synthetic oil coats your sight window and your timing window with a whitish pro-emulsification additive that is both non-removable and highly corrosive. Synthetic oil will completely leak onto the ground overnight and your dog will drink it and die.

Synthetic oil will wear out your tires and make your battery leak. It will give you the desperate need to urinate after you put your full leathers on and then jam your zippers shut. It will contaminate your gasoline causing your bike to stall on railroad tracks and accelerate uncontrollably near police cars. It will make it rain during rallies and on weekends. It will
lubricate four timing belts causing them to jump teeth and break your valves  to bits.

Synthetic oil chemically weakens desmodromic valves and causes the clearances to change every six miles. Then it melts the black soles of your riding boots right before you walk across your new carpeting.

While riding past groups of attractive women it will cause both of your handlebar grips to slip off at the same time so you smash your windscreen with the bridge of your nose. It also causes your swingarm to crack, your studs to break, and your rotors to warp, and then it voids your warranty by  changing your odometer reading to 55,555. It also dries out your
wetclutch and wets your dryclutch. It makes your clutch slave cylinder seal fail in the heaviest traffic on the hottest day of the year while putting an angry wasp in your helmet for good measure.
Synthetic oil hides your 13mm socket and puts superglue on your earplugs. Synthetic oil will scratch your faceshield and make your gloves shrink two sizes night before trackday. Synthetic oil stole your neutral and sold it to  the Chinese for $1.25.

Synthetic oil will make you grow a tail.
Synthetic oil will write long crazy e-mails to your Internet friends and then sign your name at the bottom!

Author unknown.
[:-) have a good day

Fleetie.mac

24.03.05 Exhaust Notes is just in as always Fleetie Mac makes some interesting points!

 Monash University is doing a survey that is aimed at motorcycle riders in Australia who are aged 25 years and over. The aim of the survey is to find out more about your riding patterns, attitudes to riding and any accident involvement patterns. If you have a few minutes go fill it out at  http://www.monash.edu.au/muarc/riders

01.04.05 Don't ROCK  the boat baby.............Emails are flying back and forth and it's even made the media. HOG Chapters and Ulysses are worried. Here's a copy of one of the emails we've received that bout covers it all.

24.03.05 Exhaust Notes just in reports the following;

21.03.05 An email from England. Sound familiar? Thanks Deena, hope it's a ripper!!!!!!!

WHITWORTH WARRIORS MCC

WE'RE A MOTORCYCLE CLUB LIKE ANYONE ELSE'S AND WE HAVE DONE SHIT LOADS OF CHARITY WORK FOR LOCAL HOSPITALS , OLD FOLKS HOMES , DRINK AND DRUG REHAB , CHILDREN'S HOMES AND HELPED OUT OTHER BIKE CLUBS UP AND DOWN THE UK.

IN FACT TODAY WE DID AN EASTER TOY RUN RUN BY (ACCRINGTON MCC) AND DELIVERED THE TOYS TO HOSPITALS AND CHILDREN'S HOMES.

AROUND 150 BIKES TURNED UP AND WE WERE SURPRISED AS FROM FRIDAY NIGHT WE WERE ALL OUT GETTING PISSED ON MIDDLE WICKET RALLY ( SILENT FEW MCC) ABOUT 20 MILES FROM HOME.

ANYHOW ON THE 25TH JUNE 2005 WHITWORTH WARRIORS MCC ARE DOING A CHARITY BIKE RUN FROM WHITWORTH TO BLACKPOOL (50 MILES) TO RAISE MONEY FOR PENDLE BURY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND ROCHDALE SCBU SO FAR WE 400 BIKES COMING.

WE WILL ALL END UP AT MAG RALLY IN BLACKPOOL SO IT SHOULD BE A GOOD DAY.

I KNOW THAT THINGS MAY RUN SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WHERE YOU ARE BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE'RE ALL BIKERS AND LIVE TO RIDE.

DEENA

Lets Torque  reports the following interesting facts

• Harley Davidson Sales - 3692 for last year - more than the 100th year anniversary sales. Fat Boys leading the way 489, Softail Standards 409, and 340 Heritage Classics. Motorcycle Sales jumped by over 20% last year with 89,374 sold in 2004.
• The empowered woman hasn't escaped the notice of Harley-Davidson (HDI ). In November, it added a section on its Web site for female bikers, with tips on appropriate gear and how to ride safely. Harley says it was responding to the growing popularity of motorbikes among women: Sales to women grew to 10%, or 23,000, of all bikes sold in 2003 vs. just 2% in 1985.
• OFFENCE CHANGE FOR EXCEED SPEED 15KPH & UNDER FROM 1/4/2005 - 3 DEMERIT POINTS
  (CLASS A VEHICLE PENALTY REDUCED TO $75)
  The Roads & Traffic Authority has received Ministerial approval to increase the DEMERIT POINTS for the offence of exceeding the speed limit by 15Kph & Under from 2 to 3 demerit points for all vehicles types
  (Class A,B & C).
• Motorcycle Noise Emissions -  The EPA have just F'ed U on this in a big way. The Democrats have run a "Motion of Disallowance" (today Wed 2nd March) on the Christmas Eve changes to the EPA Regulations. Basically, this means we are rejecting the changes as hopelessly inadequate. This delivers a message to EPA, to tell them to take their Regulations back, rewrite them and get it right before presenting them again.  Oh, goody!
  The idiots at what was the EPA made a dogs breakfast of writing the rules and the dopey parliament didn't notice, or care.
   

Motorcycle Exhaust Sticker Regulation is a rip off

Democrat MLC Dr. Arthur Chesterfield-Evans today successfully disallowed a regulation that continued the imposition of an unfair “sticker tax” on after market motorcycle exhausts.

“Under the current regulation penalties can be imposed without any evidence that the vehicle is actually making too much noise. These fines can even be issued to parked motorcycles – and the amendments introduced by the regulation do very little to change this situation.” said Dr. Chesterfield-Evans

The President of the Motorcycle Council of NSW, Guy Stanford is calling for fair treatment for motorcyclists who are being fined without cause.

“To test the motorcycle for its actual noise output within a reasonable range would be infinitely fairer As it stands the EPA has thrown responsibility on the rider for a failure in an administrative practice.” Mr. Stanford said.

Both Dr.Chesterfield-Evans and the MCC of NSW have laid the responsibility for the continuing failure of the regulation with the government.

“Lack of consultation with motorcyclists by government agencies and departments has resulted in changes to regulation that will make absolutely no difference to the situation of the average motorcyclist. This issue has been important to motorcyclists for five years and they’ve been trying to get the ear of the government without success until the very last moment. ” Said Dr. Chesterfield-Evans

Whether the sticker regulation stands or fails will be tested in the near future with the imminent arrival of the largest motorcycle-related club in Australia. An estimated 5000 motorcyclists will be travelling through NSW to Canberra in March for their Annual General Meeting of the Ulysses Club, a club for over 40’s motorcyclists and will be caught by the regulation. The EPA has published advice to riders from other States that they are required to comply with these new NSW laws should they travel on NSW roads. Failure to comply merits a fine of $200.

“The Ulysses Club has issued a media release stating that the 2004 AGM bought $10 million to the city of Geelong and NSW will miss out on such expenditure while such unfair policies exist. This will be a public relations and tourism disaster for NSW” Dr Chesterfield-Evans concluded.

Contact:
Arthur Chesterfield-Evan: 9230 2303 or 0419-428-019 or Guy Stanford on 0417 661 827
 

Unfortunately the NSW Police force knows all this and are now simply issuing Defect Notices. Surely this is police harassment of the worst kind. Being pulled over for no other reason that you ride a motorbike!

The other one they are pursuing is the *no unleaded fuel* sticker near the fuel cap. Unleaded or LRP as far as we are aware, is no longer available. It's like being fined for not displaying a *no flying pigs allowed* sticker..........pardon the pun.............well....they can't can they?????.................

An email in from the state of Victoria. Make a note if your travelling in the area and tell them the Wildcats sent you!!

Want to take a well earned break then come and stay at the Allamar Motor Inn in Mount Beauty , spacious rooms , all with Queen size beds and ensuite, panoramic view over Mount Bogong and a great licensed bar. Stay for one night the weekend as long as you like. Come with friends, or have a romantic night accommodation. The price is great and the view is stunning. Secure off the road undercover parking . Check out our website  www.allamarmotorinn.com.au

Popular Place for all bike riders.

Regards

Alison Hodge

14.12.04 Jake LJ replies to our promoting his ride

Thanks Duds,

Hope to see a few of you registering and getting down there, it's going to be an amazing sight! Next publicity stunt is slated for 19th Dec, I want to put 50 painted models on the ferry at Manly, get off at Circular Quay and ride past the Opera House, it'll be great if I can pull it off. We have the models and the paint team but I don't know what the ferry Captain will say...

Jake

BUT.....*I know, my fault, I failed to allow for his devious mind. I did leave the door a bit far open in hindsight. Shoulda known he'd take very  liberal interpretation on this one!*

Email for Kaz with the subject title;  Wooooooooooo-BLOODY-hooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

So you want a full report on the 'Sydney Body Art Ride' Dudsie Doright!!!! Well your gonna get one...now you've as good as told the Crusty ole one to go....he's going to escort the ride....painted silver and in a g-string, helmet and boots and no he's not wearing the g-string over his clothes...he's trying to arrange to have www.wwwildcats.com on his back (they're looking at $1000 sponsorship for the logo's on the back, he might have to do some fund raising?)...so everyone will know who his friends are....oh boy will you have a lot to answer for.....the people of Sydney are gonna go after you in a big way....and what the @#%*& are the poor tourists gonna think???? But the best bit is at the end of the ride everyone runs into the surf to wash off the body paint...now a picture of our crusty ole pom in the surf should be worth something...what think you ????

And NO I am not particpating...the people of Sydney will have suffered enough!!!!

cheers, beers, etc

Kaz

...............which leads to the question...........now who is going to cover this story??????

07.12.04 Jake Lloyd Jones emails...............(and yes it is all genuine. Actually saw them on the national news)

and he followed up with this...................

help raise funds for the Children's Cancer Institute of Australia and promote healthy, sustainable living

Sydney Body Art Ride

Register and join thousands of people in dozens of cities taking part in the World Naked Bike Ride.

F6.12.04  From - Exhaust Notes

December 1, 2004 to February 27, 2005 NSW Summer Blood Challenge 2004/2005

LETS GET INVOLVED THIS YEAR AND BEAT THE POLICE. THE SCORE IS 7 – 5 TO THE COPPERS.

I attended the launch held yesterday at Eastern Creek - This Summer Blood Challenge is the biggest single event in blood donations in NSW. More blood is donated by riders and Police than in any other event.

The Challenge, held over summer is a friendly competition between the NSW Police and Motorcyclists to see who can make the highest number of blood donations during this time.      Since the inception of the Summer Blood Challenge, the NSW Police and Motorcyclists have worked together to save approximately 55,000 lives with blood donated during the Challenge.        Summer is often a difficult time for the Blood Service, as many regular donors are away on holidays, so the support of the NSW Police and Motorcyclists over this critical time is invaluable. HOW TO DO THIS                                                                                                                  

(1) When you give blood, make CERTAIN that your donation is recorded against the motorcyclists tally

(2) Go by yourself 

(3) We will be organizing groups (e.g. PUBBOY Run this Sat 4^th Dec after 9am breakfast at Tropicana Café, 227 Victoria St Darlinghurst + Bikers Australia runs to Liverpool Blood Bank ) for more see Blood Runs 

(4) visit www.donateblood.com.au for more information.

(5) Register online for yourself and make an appointment, or call the 'phone number to arrange a time to bring a group.

(6) Encourage other riders and riders' friends to participate. Bring a BIG group, or several small groups.

(7) Think about this. You, or someone close to you might have to draw from the Bank. Do it.

(8) Remember to nominate the Motorcyclists' tally. 

Blood donors save lives. Blood donors help motorcycle accident victims, as well as other accident victims, premature babies, cancer patients, hemophiliacs, burns victims and other seriously ill members of our community.

An estimated 80 per cent of Australians benefit from blood or blood products at some stage in their lives, however only 3% of Australians are regular blood donors.

Saving lives brings out the best in all of us. Anyone can save lives. 

All you have to do is nominate who you would like to support - the NSW Police or Motorcyclists when you donate blood between December 1, 2004 and February 27, 2005.

Please call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au for more information.

or please contact:

Summer Blood Challenge Coordinator
Australian Red Cross Blood Service
Ph: 02 9229 4540
Mob: 0417 457 329
Email: Erecchi@arcbs.redcross.org.au
www.giveblood.redcross.org.au                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

30.10.04 Jeff J  sent this in. Pays to have a go eh!

I was reading with interest the piece on 1698 compliance stickers on the outside of helmets on your "you tell us" page.

Around four years ago I was pulled up while riding through town by a motorcycle cop, cutting a long story short the reason I was pulled over was because I did not have the chrome AS1698 sticker on the back of my helmet, I explained to the officer that I had a cloth AS1698 label inside my helmet and was to see it by the aforementioned officer, to which I did.

I was then told that my helmet was not roadworthy and if I was seen riding around with the particular helmet again I would be fined, I went on to explain to the officer that the law states that helmets require EITHER the chrome AS1698 sticker on the outside of the helmet or the cloth AS1698 label inside the helmet and that the offending helmet was legal.

Low and behold a week later in the mail was an on the spot fine for the wearing of an unroadworthy helmet to the value of $185 and 2 points from my licence.

Naturally I went to seek legal advice as I was mighty damn sure I was not paying government revenue for for riding my motorcycle LEGALLY.

It turns out the solicitor I went to also spent 30 minutes on the side of the road talking to the same motorcycle cop and was somewhat peeved by the situation.

I explained to the solicitor my understanding regarding AS1698 helmet sticker legislation, RE... the helmet needed to have either the cloth label inside the helmet or the chrome label on the outside of the helmet, but the helmet did not require both!!

My solicitor went away and did his homework, low and behold his findings were as I explained to him as to AS1698 requirements on helmets.

We both took our fines to court expecting a bit of an argument, but nothing, the prosecuting officer stood up in court and relayed to the magistrate the law on AS1698 labels on helmets, which are>>>

AS1698 LABELS ON HELMETS CAN BE EITHER THE CHROME TYPE LABEL ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HELMET OR THE CLOTH TYPE LABEL ON THE INSIDE OF THE HELMETS!!!!! YOU DO NOT NEED BOTH AS LONG AS YOU HAVE ONE OR THE OTHER LABELS ON YOUR HELMET, YOUR HELMET IS LEGAL.

The on the spot fine and the loss of 2 points from my licence was withdrawn.

Hmmmmmmmm bloody blatant attempt at revenue raising.

Cheers Jeff.

(Usual disclaimers and that kinda stuff and it was 4 years ago so check the law out for yourself on what it is today and from state to state.....you know the deal.......usual shit.....but good stuff.. 1 point to the bikers!)

Got an email today

hey man, i dunno if you can help..your club page came up in a search, im tryin to track down a copy of live to ride no.4  hard to find.. me mate was centrefold, she is after a copy

Can anyone help????? let us know and we'll pass it on!!!!!!!

The 2004 Londonderry Country Blues and Folk Festival will be held Sat 6^th and Sunday 7^th November at Londonderry Park, Londonderry. (Between Penrith and Richmond).

This is our Annual Brigade Fundraiser with over 30 live Bands, 2 stages, full fairground, Stalls, Food etc. 

Expected crowds in excess of 5,000 each day.

 If you guys would like to use it as an excuse for a run you would be more than welcome. Entry to event is free, donation if possible.

 Regards

Stephen Ashley Londonderry Rural Fire Brigade 0421 109 527

The New Dodds Hotel.  94 Commissioner Street, Cooma, NSW, 2630.PH: [02]64522011  Fax: [02]64527980  Email: doddshotel.axe@bigpond.com 30 rooms [ singles, doubles and bunk beds, Italian restaurant, secure parking and security guard, breakdown/recovery vehicle, backup vehicle to follow runs with your gear in it. Looks like a good place for Christmas parties, Bring your own snow-chains and skis. Cheers Charlie.

Will also put it in our service providers section! Cheers!

14.09.04 Mike Hess sent an email to fill in a few gaps on the Round Australia Ride......

The Around Australia Anniversary Ride 2004 arrived in Adelaide Saturday morning the 11 of Sep escorted by the Adelaide Chapter of the Harley Owners Group. Graham Felton and John Sinclair were all grins when met at Peter Stevens Harley Heaven for a BBQ with Chapter members and AARF supporters.
Thanks to PS for providing the BBQ. Here are some pics from Saturday, more will be posted shortly at www.adelaidehogsa.asn.au.

The ride continues on schedule as below. Check it all out at http://members.optushome.com.au/toddsinclair/itinerary.htm

Adelaide (Sunday 12th September)
     Reception and fundraising activity to be arranged in the area of Tanunda (70 km)
     Overnight Adelaide

Adelaide (Monday 13th September)
     Visit Adelaide Hills
     Visit Barossa Valley
     Visit Birdwood National Motor Museum
     Other sightseeing
     Overnight Adelaide

Leg Six


Adelaide to Policemans Point, 200km (Tuesday 14th September)
     Joined by VIP motorcyclists from Melbourne for ride back.
     Stop at Tailem Bend
     Stop at Parnka Point for good view of the Coorong waterways and
pelicans (Jack's point which is near Policemans point is good for bird
watching)
     Overnight Policemans Point

Policemans Point to Mt Gambier, 262km (Wednesday 15th September)
     Explore Coorong before leaving, especially views, and walk to beach at
"42 mile crossing"
     Visit Kingston SE
     Visit the information centre at Millicent and the Living History Museum
     Optional 50 km detour to Penola for Coonawarra Wines and Mother Mary
McKillop Interpretive Centre
     Overnight Mt Gambier

Mt Gambier to Warrnambool, 190km (Thursday 16th September)
     Take tour of water system from Blue Lake (Aquifer Tour) at 9am lasting
45 minutes.
     Ride perimeter of Blue Lake Crater
     Visit Lady Nelson Visitor and Discovery Centre
     Visit Port Fairy
     Overnight Warrnambool

Warrnambool to Geelong, 175km (Friday 17th September)
     Optional ride along Great Ocean Road to Colac and see coastal rock
formations
     Possible evening activity and/or Harley Davidson dealership reception
     Overnight Geelong

Geelong to Melbourne, 75km (Saturday 18th September)
     Harley Owners Group (HOG) escort into Melbourne.
     Overnight Melbourne


Tex
 

03.08.04  Bloody Volvo Drivers.

A couple of years ago I was just winding the old girl up coming outa the speed limit signs of a little place called Boggabri, when I wet the sheepskin scrap I have on my seat with a couple of drops of the yellow stuff.  A red Volvo (them red ones are always faster) was overtaking a white Volvo (which was obviously slower) and neither had any apprehension  for a bloke on a bike coming at them from the opposite direction. Side by side they sailed past me quite unconcerned, putting me off the road on an outside bend. Even though I shoulda been totally pissed off with it all, I couldn't stop laughing at the irony of it.

On the weekend I walked past a Bloody Volvo driver poster in a shopping centre. There he was...the epitome of the Volvo driver....yup...decisively, definitively, unquestionably a total nerd! In fact with little imagination a total turd! I'm sure he was one of the drivers, the similarities were amazing...........but then hmmm.....they do all look alike......

The ethos of this particular type is so defined that the Volvo company has now, not only recognised it and accepted it, but is actually and proudly targeting that niche in the market! They even made one advertisement in their series, square siding the motorcyclist, in so doing acknowledging the threat to the riders the world over, their product represents. That raised comment in at least 2 editorials I saw telling Volvo what they could do with their product/advertisements.

But alas, I hope that Volvo are actually successful at getting all those like minded pathetic types into their product! We, the biking fraternity, will all be safer for it! When we see a Volvo now, we all take discretionary action. That sign reads *Volvo* but we all automatically read *Waste of  Space* and unconsciously now, as it's become so mundane, go into auto defensive mode. We are safer for it. And let's face it, there are a lot of people driving out there that deserve the Volvo label.

So good luck Volvo, may your current campaign work.

Hmmmmmm.....wonder if the courts could order that some drivers can only drive a Volvo......now there's a thought...*For being a lousy driver, I sentence you Joe Turd Nerd, to a lifetime of Volvo driving*.......well I've heard of worse ideas in the Road Safety ( lets raise revenue) Campaign! Make them wear an N-Plate as well??...........................

15.07.04  Congratulations to the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

This Shire has taken what only can be hoped will become the norm by all other shires Australia wide, in regard to motorcyclists. Realising that the bikes just aren't going to go away, they have decided that penalties and over policing weren't the answer to addressing their motorcycling concerns.

The Shire now actively promote rider skills and awareness levels and actually subsidise on road courses that cost riders a very meagre $33. The riding fraternity has responded accordingly and over 100 participants have taken advantage of the courses to date. They cater for all levels of riders including learners and the inexperienced. Different rider skill levels have so far taken different routes and they have been such a success that they will run into 2005. Contact Mark Maguire on 1300 368 333 if you can take advantage of a day of instruction.

Well done Shire of Yarra Valley and thank you! Nice to see finally a realistic approach!

05.07.04 Looking for a job????????

17.06.04........ Well we got back from the Gold Coast totally stuffed. Yep...it was that good a time. I am sorry for the people that didn't go. They stayed away in their droves because of two things. The price and the fact that for most of us it was the 4th time back to the Gold Coast in short succession. I know the place reason was explained but I'm just telling it how it is. And as for the price,  $175 per person plus expenses it was in it's way value for money. The entertainment was all terrific. It's just that it's too expensive for a family of 4, and that is what HOG is all about, it's meant to be family orientated. Ok...that gripe done. Now on to the next!

ORGANISERS OF THUNDER RUNS DOWN MULTI LANE CARRIAGEWAYS -  PLEASE TAKE NOTE

When organising such a procession please arrange with the police or the people running the event, to make sure it is moved to the far right lane for as much of the trip as is possible. This means that the bikes can stay together without being broken up, it means that cars entering and leaving the freeway don't have to go in and out of the pack to get on and off the freeway. It also takes away the road rage factor that the odd tin lid suffers.  Write that in your *how to* manuals please!

15.06.04..........and you thought it was safe to come out and play!! Be warned! They now have developed a noise camera! A number of States are testing and developing a machine that can detect and measure a number of different kinds of noises. Yup, you guessed it.....motorcycle exhausts as well as other things like truck brakes. It then take s a picture of the offedning vehicle. Apparently these tests have been carried out for a fair while now and all this is nothing new! Now get this.... it is aimed at a less labour intensive method of law enforcement (read revenue raising). The photo is taken and then sent out to the offender. This is being done under the National Transport Commission which is a co-operative body formed by state and federal transport ministers. Noise pollution......EPA!

This stuff is what made Nazi Germany what it was. I heard John Dengate the well known representative of the Environaziism crew being interviewed on radio in Sydney about a truckie that was fined for having  excessive exhaust emissions. The owner of the truck was sent the notice in the mail. He was never pulled to the side of the road and told he was being fined............he just got the letter some time later. He was *observed* as omitting too much smoke from the exhaust of his truck (which he strongly denies). Now get this! He can't dispute this unless his truck was tested on the same day as he was *observed*. When Dengate was asked why the driver wasn't pulled up and told he was being fined he said it was because it was too confrontational. Now really John, we aren't meant to believe this are we??? The truth is John that it is aimed at a less labour intensive method of law enforcement (read revenue raising). Same as above! It is draconian and bloody unAustralian! It is Environaziism at it's very worst! The poor bloody truckie was denied his right to contest the infringement notice!

And yes, it doesn't take much to know that if we get hit for too loud an exhaust by one of theses *observing* cameras we won't have a right of appeal either!!!

Now fair go!!!!!! This is bloody ridiculous!!!! This is just going to bloody far!!!!!!! The constitution says we are innocent till proven guilty! We demand our right of appeal!  This is sheer bloody mindedness and bureaucracy gone totally mad! See you in jail.......gunna be one hell of a party!!!!

With the Western Sydney International Dragway at Eastern Creek drag strip  having just been completed it's nice to see that the pollies of the ACT want to sniff fumes too! The Gubberment there is contributing $8 million to the construction of an international 1/4 mile strip. To keep it tidy they are locating it near the airport where noise isn't a big deal and in a valley that will keep the noise headed the right way. Plans are to have seating for 12,000 and it will take 8 months to complete in time for the 2005 season. Now just a thought....how bout draggin jeans get a few pollies and give them a rip down the strip? They could do the *without draggin jeans* comparison pics! Reckon that would fill the stands...........

So how much are bikes worth? A 1922 Brough Superior MkII made AUD $70,000 in the UK the other day and at the Sydney bike show they had on display the Honda Rune at $50K. Ducati had a $60K 999R there as well, the most expensive of the day. But hell......30,000 smackerookas for a dirt bike?????? Yup Husqvana's 510 Centennial....and the pundits reckon it's worth it all and then some. Holy  ring ding ding ringatins.......................

Friday last, 28.5.04 at 11.33 am precisely on the Denman to Jerrys Plains Road the other half was driving while I was reading a dirty  mag. She hit the blinker and started to pull out to overtake a slower car. I yelled out and in the same instant she had already taken action and ducked back in to the left lane just in time. 

Yup....loud pipes saved him. He was overtaking us at the same time as she wanted to overtake the vehicle in front. She didn't see him but she heard him just in time as I did and I'm half deaf. Now this girl is a good driver, has followed bikes for a fair few miles in backup mode, been on the back a couple of times and is well aware of the two wheeled fraternity. Probably more aware than most is what I am saying. She's also a cautious driver and drives defensively as a lot of girls do. She also does in excess of 50,000ks a year and her record is impeccable and unblemished. But that morning she nearly killed a motorbike rider. How would she be feeling now if she had? The same as the family of the rider.....devastation all round.

Should we start a register of near misses? Just how many lives a year are saved by loud pipes? I would think that that one life saved last Friday is justification enough to tell the EPA Environazis to stick their noise meters up their arse!

 STOLEN HARLEY DAVIDSON 1993 CUSTOM SOFTAIL

 BLACK WITH PEARL WHITE FLAMES  BILLET ALLOY FLAME WHEELS

 CORBIN SEAT CHROME EVERYTHING

 VIN: 1HD1BKL16PY030564  REGO: RWHD

 STOLEN LAST NIGHT (WED 26^th MAY) IN A SMASH & GRAB FROM THE  RICK WOLANY TOYOTA SHOWROOM IN WERRIBEE

 SUBSTANTIAL REWARD OFFERED  FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO RECOVERY

CONTACT RICK WOLANY ON 0412-593-459

 LOOK OUT FOR ANYONE TRYING TO SELL SOME UNIQUE PARTS 

1.   BILLET ALLOY FLAME CUT-OUT WHEELS

2.   BLACK TANKS & GUARDS WITH PEARL WHITE FLAMES

 The Motorcycle could have slight cosmetic damage to indicators, mirrors & maybe paintwork as it was dropped by the thieves during the theft.

Ok....Easy Rider  (USA) May Issue apparently states following;

and to quote form their own Financial Statements some points that might interest;

dealer network posted the highest first quarter retail sales for Harley-Davidson motorcycles in its history –13 percent ahead of last year. In addition, we achieved our first quarter motorcycle production target, setting the pace to reach our goal of 317,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles by year-end.”

............"to deliver an annual earnings growth rate in the mid-teens. "

"First quarter revenue from Parts and Accessories (P&A), which consists of Genuine Motor Parts? and Genuine Motor Accessories?, totaled $169 million, a 5.8 percent increase over the year-ago quarter. When revenue from 100th Anniversary P&A products sold during the first quarter of 2003 is excluded, P&A revenue would have been up 15.9 percent. For the longer term, the Company expects P&A revenue to grow at a rate slightly faster than the motorcycle unit growth rate. "

First quarter gross margin for the Motorcycles and Related Products Segment was 37.8 percent of revenue compared to 36.2 percent in the first quarter of last year. First quarter gross margin was favorably impacted primarily by foreign currency exchange rates and to a lesser extent by operating efficiencies. Consistent with the higher gross margin, operating margin increased from 21.5 percent in 2003 to 22.9 percent in 2004.

Well we all know about selective reporting and all that. From a shareholders perspective all great news and so too from a Harley owners as well. The company isn't going to go broke tomorrow and all that! (not at growth rate at mid teens!!!!!)  But hey...interesting specially about Parts and Accessories growing at a rate slightly faster than the motorcycle unit rate. Now could it be they are not making as reliable a bike??  Oh.....hold on...of course......they are making accessories better and we all have to have more of them than usual.......Reality is don't buy that new bike you were thinking of this year....buy the shares instead and buy 2 the year after!!!!!!

Read into it what you will.........and if anyone hears any different let me know!

Well we all like to kick at will anyone or any organisation that gets things wrong.....but check this out. The 2004 Victorian State HOG Rally to be held on the 26th - 28th March at Queenscliff Sports Training Camp, Hesse Street, Queenscliff. There'll be the usual stuff,  Show & Shine ~ Thunder Run ~ and a Tour of the Bellarine Peninsular & Great Ocean Rd. Entertainment and all that stuff. Website @ www.geelongharleydavidson.com.au/hog   Rally fee is an all inclusive cost of $110.00 per adult - children under 16 free,1 day Rally registrations now available at $70.00 per adult which includes camping, 1 breakfast, 1 dinner and entertainment This cost will include camping fee for 2 nights on site, BBQ dinner Friday night, carvery dinner on Saturday night and hot breakfast on Saturday & Sunday A bar will be available on site and disco style entertainment will be provided on Friday night and a live band on Saturday night

Hmmmmmm...........now I've been to a lot of HOG Rallies......and let me say that I can't recall a bad Victorian one. Unfortunately I missed the last one but I was told it was a ripper!

What's my point??? Compare and weep!!!!! Check out the cost of the National Rally.....ask yourself why the huge difference? Victoria stand proud! National Rally for the average family of 2 adults and 2 kids is a whopping $968!!!!!! Vic Rally.......$220! A huge $748 difference.........now that's one expensive T-shirt!!!!!!!

Well done Victoria.....you are remembering that HOG is family orientated.....that HOG isn't just for the elitists.....they've changed the date too in an effort to get better weather etc so more people will come and enjoy. Innovative people prepared to adapt and change and improve! Making a good thing better.

 Take a bow Vic HOG. We applaud you.

Well Harley-Davidson and powered flight have just shared their 100th anniversary. It is amazing when you think on the achievements of both. And the similarities. The Wright brothers were into bicycles and conversely most Harley riders at one time or other have taken a flight on their cycles for about the same 12 seconds Wilbur was airborne. I know I have, and I bet somewhere along that time line, we all uttered those immortal words  *oh fuck!*. Amazing isn't it.

But then, with the parallels of both, you have to ask that old question.........If Harleys were aircraft would you fly in one????

Errrrrrr, well.....no......but when was the last time you bought a ticket in a brand new 747 for charity?

Bring on the next 100!

And with only 371 days to go......Happy Christmas and all that! Have a safe one!

From a regular contributor here's food for thought..............isn't it time they got it right out there?????

Something that may be of interest happened to me yesterday it might be worth putting up on the site for comment,

I was pulled over by the police in town the other day, they had followed me for about 300 yards after I had gone through a roundabout, I knew they were behind me so of course I made double sure that I did nothing wrong. When they flashed the lights and blipped the siren at me I pulled over to a safe spot off the road [driveway in the corner pub] and got off the bike wondering why they had stopped me, the senior officer of the two walked up and asked me to show him the compliance sticker on my helmet, I took it off and showed him the Australian Standard label sown into the inside lining, he then said "no not that one, the one on the outside", I explained to him that it was long gone having been worn off by the strap of the goggles that I wear and from having done a lot of riding in the rain, general wear and tear and from being scrubbed every now and then to remove the bugs etc.

He then explained that without the sticker the helmet was not legal and that was why he had stopped me to check it out. So I said "fair enough, where do I get another one"? his reply was to the effect that you can't and that I needed to buy a new helmet, My reply to that was something like, that's bullshit, I've got another helmet at home who's sticker went the same way so your saying that I have to chuck out about 400 dollars worth of perfectly good gear that was in sound and legal condition right up to the point when a couple of one cent stickers fell off.

I should point out that he behaved very courteously, didn't want to check out the bike or see my licence etc, said I had not done anything illegal whilst riding, just again that the missing sticker was the reason for stopping me. We then chatted about bikes after he mentioned that he rode as well, and eventually we went on our respective merry ways with nothing eventuating from the missing sticker problem, [which of course is still an unsolved problem because I am not chucking my perfectly good helmets away].

Now I can live with the fact that the officer was only doing his job enforcing the laws of the land, but when those laws are dreamed up by some wanker in an office somewhere who is getting paid out of my tax dollars I get a bit pissed off when the end result is that I and my wallet are subject to the vagaries of a bloody sticker on a helmet, sure there are helmets out there that do not meet the "standards" but I doubt if anyone who is wearing one does not know it and didn't make their own choice when they put it on, and I am equally sure there is reference about correct helmets in the learners handbook for those that are new to riding, So whilst I applaud the fact that the lawmakers and police are spending so much time and money trying to prevent possible injury to my head whilst I am riding, I am left wondering if perhaps it would be better spent preventing possible injury to some innocent citizens head by cleaning up some of the lowlife scum that go around assaulting people to get money for their next fix or because they are just to lazy to get a real job.

PS. if anyone out there knows who the tosser is that came up with this law, would you do me a favour, walk up behind him/her and smack him/her in the back of the head with a lump of wood and then say to him/her "oh dear, sorry, about that, you had better throw that old head away and get a new one with a sticker on it, because according to your logic the sticker is what prevents your sort of injury"...............................

This was brought to our attention by John from Qld in our Guestbook. What we all knew is now confirmed!

Speed cameras don't stop crashes: report

Most speed cameras should be removed as they do little more than earn revenue for state governments, a British sociologist said.

In his report, Speed Traps: Saving Lives or Raising Revenue, Bath Spa University sociologist Alan Buckingham said the rate of decline in road fatalities has slowed since speed cameras were introduced across Australia.

"The whole point of speed cameras was to increase the rate of reduction in the number of serious and fatal accidents, but the data shows the reverse," Dr Buckingham said.

Speed was not a major factor in road fatalities, he added.

"The statistics used by Australian and British governments which show speeding is involved in 30 per cent of road accidents is flawed, for they include factors such as fatigue and alcohol," Dr Buckingham said. "The British Transport Research Laboratory finds that just 7.3 per cent of accidents were caused primarily by excessive speed."

Those who speed moderately - 10-20 kph above the posted limit - were less likely to have an accident than those who travelled well above and below the limit, the report stated.

"The law bears down heavily on the safest drivers," Dr Buckingham said.

"Millions of motorists are being convicted each year for a driving behaviour that is perfectly safe."

Road safety policy should shift from "the obsessive pursuit of speeders" and return to fostering conscientious driving, he added.

"Most speed cameras should be removed," Mr Buckingham said.

He will present his report at a lecture in Sydney, hosted by the Centre for Independent Studies.

©AAP 2003 copied from http://news.ninemsn.com.au/Sci_Tech/story_52381.asp

Horses for courses!!!!Thought this would be of interest for some. As most major motorcycle manufacturers express their power figures in PS - metric horsepower, I found this explanation, and that on torque, in AMC purty handy. The term ps is actually and abbreviation for pferdestarke - the German word for horsepower. To all intents and purpose, the two measures are nearly identical. Some manufacturers also use kilowatts (kW) as a measure or engine output. 1 ps = 0.736kW, while one horsepower (the old imperial horsepower measurement) = 0.746kW. Therefore 100kW = 135.87ps or 137.04hp. The difference is between ps and horsepower (hp) is slightly more than 1%. Then there is torque. It's expressed in kilogram-metres (kg-m) or Newton metres (N-m) or the old imperial foot-pounds (ft-lb). N-m can be converted to kg-m by dividing by 9.8, while ft-lb can be converted to kg-m by dividing by 7.22. So there ya have it. Maybe best stored in the round filing cabinet after all.

11.10.03 G; Day to all. Well Midway is over. Liverpool Chapter won overall and Ringwood won last place. Next year Midway 2004 will be on the Melbourne Cup weekend in November. Book any cabins NOW!  Ph: 02 60331944 We thank all riders for making The Battle of the Midway 2003 a great weekend. To all that helped out we thank you .    TWO DOGS

11.10.03 Well the Indian Motorcycle Company has sunk again, and a real pity too. They were just looking good with their own motor etc etc.

But hey, remorse doesn't last long. Specially as HD obviously would be appreciating the need to have some good things for 2004 cause they are going to be coming off a high.

So with that in mind you could bet ya bottom dollar some special stuff is gunna hit the streets this year. And already it has! Try the FLHTCSE or better known as the Screaming Eagle Electra Glide. Built on the old FLHT frame it will come in flash paint (looks shit, but hey) It'll have a Silver and Chrome 103 cubic inch "Stroker" Twin Cam powertrain (with Screamin’ Eagle® tuning) backed with a hydraulic  high-performance clutch. All the usual bells and whistles etc. Only a limited number of these will ever be produced which means Australia probably won't see them, but yup, we'll see the new motor etc as it comes through the line. And for Road King lovers they will have one with the same gizzards but no shiny stuff hanging off it!

Get ready for some fairly mildly wild motors. For one, Triumph have released the all-new Triumph Rocket III with  2,294cc - 140 cubic inches 142ft.lbf torque / 140 bhp fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, three-cylinder engine, shaft drive, 240/50 section rear tyre!!!!! If that doesn't have you salivating then your at the wrong place! And as for what's coming outa the rising sun in the next little bit, well, HD do need to keep looking over their shoulder! So get on, sit down, hang on and shut up! We're in for a pretty good ride!!!!!!!!!!!
 

http://www.hondamotorcycles.com.au/motorcycle+range/road/cruiser/default.htm  (Honda)

https://www.yamaha-motor.com.au/motor/index.htm?model_cat.asp?modelcatid=11  (Yamaha)

http://www.kawasaki.com.au/mc/cruisers/vn2000/main.htm  (Kwaka)

http://www.suzuki.com.au/motorbike_webpages/motorbikes_VL1500.asp (Suzuki)

http://www.triumph.co.uk  (Triumph)

22.09.03 Well I haven't been here for a while, but on the way to and from Bike Week, Farbio and I found something we reckoned was worth a look at. Fuel.....yup.......that crap!

Petrol just ain't petrol! We all know that and all have our horror stories! Now in the past I've run my EFI bike in pretty standard mode and run it on old Super since basically new with no problems. My girl couldn't handle the ULP shit, pinged it's heart out whether it was Premium or Standard ULP. And when Super went off the shelf I went with LRP and didn't notice a difference. Then alas another mate came out strong for Shell Optimax and yup, it performed. So I went with it. But still not quite right. Since then I have done a bit of engine modification and found a few more ponies to play with. I lost any hint of economy on the way and thought that was it, I just hadda put up with it. If I wanted moderate performance I hadda put up with it. So I used Premium and octane additives when I had to, and basically it worked ok but at a price, cause suddenly I had a peanut tank.

Then I spied Farbio filling up with this brown pump handle. BP Ultimate. A bit dearer than their Premium but I gotta tell you, I think it's worth every cent! Straight away I had a performance increase. I judged that on how our bikes compared with a 100 kph rolling run. With Premium in mine, Farbio had me by a good 10 lengths by the time I hit 140. With Ultimate he only had me by 1 - 1 1/2! That's a big difference.  And the sound was different too. More throat, and pipes a nice inside colour again.

So what is the difference? Well let's look at rumours....and I stress rumours! Although there is a fair bit of credence in what is said it's always the old *I know someone that siad.......* OK, so rumour out there says, no LRP....like sandblasting inside the motor. Rumour again says Shell Optimax achieves it's octane boost in a way that isn't good for V-twins. And rumour has it that ALL the fuel we get is crap anyway. Those rumours are great! In an octane rating we have to look at how it is achieved and if it's low density or high and all that kinda crap. Forget it!!!!!

Point is this. After a bit of internal engine work, on Shell Optimax I got 255 kms per tank. On BP Ultimate I got 305! I'll do a run on Mobil Synergy 8000 when I get a chance. All are 98 RON. I do 99% of my riding on the highway and sit around speed limit plus 10.

Anyway.....have a run on it. Grit ya teeth when u pay the extra but I think you'll find it's no dearer per kilometre in the end and you'll enjoy a little more power. Let me know what you think. In the mean time though, until I prove to myself on the open road that something is better I'll be looking for that brown Ultimate pump.

And at the end of the day, there is probably someone out there that does know exactly what the fuel companies are selling us all and is right now saying to himself.....yup.....fooled that sucker too!!!!!

13.7.03  Yup, done again! Little blue letter in the mail. And it seems like we are just going to have to get used to it. I was in the centre lane on the Pacific Highway heading North out of Sydney sitting in the flow of traffic. Just how much did that camera make for the revenue raisers that afternoon? Was the car sitting on the side of the road type. Sneaky bastard purely raising revenue. And they are going to get worse.  They've developed a speed camera that is embedded in the road surface. The Vic govt has budgeted on collecting $450 million this year and the NSW govt over double that!

This is no accident or injury prevention exercise, this is purely to raise revenue. The proof is in the figures themselves. If they were slowing down drivers, the amount of revenue budgeted for would decrease NOT increase each year. As to the falling number of road deaths they point to, wouldn't that be purely attributed to the improved safety of modern cars? They never point to the increase in actual accident numbers! And that increase is significant. So much so that an accident causing damage of less than $2,000 is not visited by police if one of the parties admits they are in the wrong. They explain that it simply would take up too much in way of resources. ie: they just don't have the manpower or time. More money pointing hairdryers out the window is my translation!

And even though the pressure for front number plates hasn't gone away, the NSW state government has amended the privacy legislation which will now enable speed cameras in NSW to take photos of vehicles from behind as well as from FRONT ON. Work has apparently already started to place the triggering mechanisms into the other side of the road and adjust the cameras to cover both sides of the road.

Oh yeh, nearly forgot,  fines are going up again!!!!!!!!

Mike Hess sent us this email. I'd like to think it's a fair response to some of the criticism levelled against HOG. He stated in Live to Ride that it was due to misunderstandings that the State rallies had been put on hold. Don't want to get into the politics of it all 'cause anyone that wants to stuff a good show goes there! But for those interested, here it is!

South Australian HOG Rally. 
3-6 October 2003
Kadina South Australia

The 2003 South Australian State HOG Rally will be held in Kadina from 3 to 6 October 2003. It is sponsored by the Adelaide Chapter of South Australia and Peter Stevens Harley Heaven. The Rally will be held in one of South Australia’s premier tourist areas of the “Copper Triangle” on the Yorke Peninsula just 150 kilometres north of Adelaide. There will be something for everyone.  Most importantly, there will be time to meet and greet old friends and make new ones. One word of warning though, if you want close-in, quality accommodations, then you better book now. This is one of the most popular holiday retreats just two hours out of Adelaide and a long weekend in South Australia…first up, best dressed. For accommodations look on the rally rego form or contact the Kadina National Dry-Land Farming Centre & Regional Visitor Information Centre, 50 Moonta Road, Kadina SA 5554, free call 1800 654 991, Phone: 08 8821 2333, Fax: 08 8821 4633, or Email: tourism@yp-connect.net. Plenty of top quality accommodation is still available in and around Moonta, Moonta Bay and Wallaroo. Here are just a few other to chose from:

Patio Motel Moonta Bay  8825 2473

Moonta Bay Caravan Park - cabins - 8825 2406

Moonta Bay Holiday units     8825 2911

Moonta Bay Cabins www.moonta.com/baycabins 0417 471 251

Royal Hotel Moonta 8825 2108

Free bus service will be provided from Moonta, Moonta Bay, Wallaroo and Kadina to the rally site each night and of course there are taxis. There will be plenty of free camping and facilities at the rally site. Have a look at these web sites: www.yorkepeninsula.com.au and www.yorkeregion.on.net.

Friday will be the arrival day with registration opening at noon and pay as you go meals and entertainment at the rally site, Kadina & District Recreation Centre.

On Saturday morning the Rolling Thunder Ride will circle around the Copper Triangle before roaring back into Kadina for the People’s Choice Bike Show at Victoria Square. There the whole community will be invited to admire the bikes and talk with their proud owners. Afterwards we will head back to the rally site for the traditional gymkhana and ride-in bike show. Saturday night’s meal will be one to remember with choices ranging from Porterhouse to a Seafood Platter for Two. Entertainment will be Black Cat Bone featuring the music of George Thorogood, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, etc. The band will play in the dining hall while the separate bar overlooking the band will provide ample room for all tastes in music and conversation. Drink prices are guaranteed to impress with UDLs at $3.50, Jack & Coke at $4.50 and VB for $2.50.

On Sunday morning there will be a ride to Port Broughton and meeting up with the Bute Train Ride for lunch with “Texas Size Steaks.” For those interested in mining history there will be three Wheal Hughes underground copper mine tours. The Yorke Peninsula’s waters provide some of the best fishing and boating for anglers to organise their own charter boat or jetty fishing.

The rally rego fee is $100 Adults, $55 for 7-14 years old and under seven years old it’s $20. This  includes rally site access, camping and amenities; Friday bar snacks; Breakfast Saturday to Monday; Dinner Saturday and Sunday; rally pin; stubby holder and entertainment. All other meals and drinks are at your own expense.

Contact the Rally Coordinator Robyn Scarborough at 08 8821 4077, mobile 0417 872 362 or email  roben@yp-connect.net.

The SA State Hog Rally

PO Box 723

Port Adelaide SA 5015

Paul Maiolo at Adelaide Peter Stevens Harley Heaven can be contacted for your servicing needs at (08) 8212 1494, Fax (08) 8212 7472. Or contact Liz Hudson in Melbourne at (03) 9381 9752, Fax (03) 9381 9798 or liz@peterstevens.com.au. PSHH’s web page is www.peterstevens.com.au.

27.04.03 Tommo sent me an email......thought I'd post it......now what a great place for a party!!!!!! You guys thinking what I'm thinking???

Hey Duds
coupla pics for ya of my mates place about 45 min out of Grafton he's got a flat track on the uphill side of his shed which is two storey and uses the uphill as grand stand. On the down hill side he has got a moto x
track. What a great way to use 100 acres.
Tommo
 

Just too good!!!!

12.04.03 This just in, thought a few Twin Cam owners might like to know about it! Cheers!

HD TC-88, 1999 & 2000 Model Years

Re: Twin Cam Engine Consumer Fraud Class Action In Tietsworth, et al. v. Harley-Davidson, Inc., and Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

The lawsuit was brought by California resident Steven C. Tietsworth and four residents of Wisconsin. All are Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners with 1999 or early-2000 models equipped with Twin Cam 88 or Twin Cam 88B (together “TC-88”) engines.

Plaintiffs allege that the TC-88 engine was defectively designed and potentially dangerous due to the propensity for premature cam failure, which causes sudden and total engine failure. This failure could allegedly result in economic and physical injuries, including out-of-pocket repair costs, property damages, and serious injury or death.

On January 14, 2003, in a unanimous decision, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals today reversed the trial court's dismissal of the lawsuit, finding that plaintiffs had properly alleged the necessary elements of claims under the Wisconsin Deceptive Trade Practices Act and for common law fraudulent concealment.

What this means: If you have a 99 or early 2000 model year TC-88, and either have not had the camshaft bearing fix (see http://www.hdcycles.com/bearfail.htm) or spent your own money to have it done, contact

Jonathan D. Selbin
Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
780 3rd Avenue, 48th Floor
New York, NY 10023
phone: 212/355.9500
fax: 212/355.9592
e-mail: jselbin@lchb.com

This is not a "payday" suit. What the suit is trying to do is to recover expenses individuals may have paid out of pocket to fix the problem, either as a result of bearing failure or as preventive maintenance. You will need any invoices or receipts for work and parts and will be asked to sign a simple declaration. There is no money out of your pocket required. See http://www.vehicle-injuries.com/harley-high-speed-wobble.htm for more info on the case.

Also, if you have a Road King or Electra Glide, you should make them aware of your interest in their HD high-speed wobble case. See http://www.hdcycles.com/wobble.htm and http://www.hdcycles.com/lowspeed.htm.

This is for information only and wildcats make no claim as to it's validity.

20.03.03

Topical right now because of the 100th Anniversary for Harley and the 20th for HOG, is the way the Harley/HOG system is treating it's members.

The Constitution for HOG makes interesting reading and all members really should go through it. It treats members as though they are kindergarten kids and the *Factory* is God. As a result of the system and the very poor handling of the Central Coast HOG Chapter a new force in Australia has sprung up. It's called the American Motorcycle Club, and so far it's been taken on by disgruntled HOG members in droves. As a result of a dealer passing away and the unwillingness of the distributor to keep sponsoring the fastest growing Chapter in Australia, in good ole Aussie fashion they just said, *Up you Jack, we'll do it our way!*

And the momentum is gathering. New Chapters are starting or have already started in Darwin, Dubbo, Bathurst, Tamworth. Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast, just to name a few.  Interest has even been expressed in the west. Based along HOG lines it takes all the good bits and dumps the rubbish. More are coming on line as word gets about. It is only a matter of time before a State and then National Rally will be held.

For too long Harley and their distributors have treated riders with disdain. HOG is one of their primary promotional tools and in the factory's view they own it, not the members. The American Motorcycle Club, on the other hand places their direction firmly in the hands of its members. Whilst it started in order to maintain a viable chapter and retain the comrade that exists, it has given the rest of the riders Australia wide the opportunity to control their own destiny and accountability and still participate fully in events bike orientated.

You'll hear and see a lot more about this club and unless Harley/HOG makes some very drastic changes and fast, the only members it will have are the ones it gives supposedly free membership when they buy a new bike. Worldwide I have no doubt they will continue to roll along and make their claims of growing membership numbers, but in Australia we just don't take it lying down. With over 300 members already and the interest out there, this club is set to take off.

wanna say something? Email us!!!!!!

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