The GUNNY'S SACK

July 2000

Let me start off with some Oregon business this month, and let's hope this doesn't become a national trend. Now this little problem we're seeing here in the Great Northwest doesn't affect too many other folks, yet, but it IS kind of different: See, here in Oregon -- and I think New Jersey, too -- we have no "self-serve" gas. You're not permitted to pump your own. Now for bikes, this has always been ignored. No gas jockey wants to risk spilling fuel on your scoot's tank, custom paint or not. Plus, you've got a hot engine and fire danger as well, if some sloppy kid spills gas on the bike. NOW, according to our Oregon A.I.M. (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists) attorney Sam Hochberg, they're trying to enforce the rule against bikes, too!

This all started when Sam saw a notice posted on a gas pump in Portland that specifically said that motorcyclists CAN'T pump their own!! Seems there's some new edict from the state on this, and it may become a big problem. I'll tell you, when I see that sign, I'm going to the next station. I'm not risking my new Valkyrie to any old Joe who wants to squirt go-juice in my tank. Sam is in touch now with the State Fire Marshall on this, and he's asking bikers to let him know if and where they've run into this problem. We need to document it, and think about making that a legislative priority in the next session.

Get your reports to Sam ASAP on any such gas-fill problems, in Oregon or any other state, so we can try to nip this problem in the bud. Best way is to email Sam at SamBikeLaw@aol.com, or drop him a note at his law office at 720 SW Washington, #750, Portland, OR 97205. Sam's also always available to talk about ANY issues related to the law and motorcycles - and accident cases - by telephone at 503-224-1106, or 1-800-347-1106. Same thing with all our other A.I.M. attorneys around the country, and to talk with one near you simply call the A.I.M. office at (800) ON-A-BIKE.

Speaking of legislative priorities, all of us Oregon bikers need to get our energy and money behind BikePAC of Oregon. Our next legislative session starts up next January, and we need our ducks in a row, and with a few bucks in those ducks. And bikers EVERYWHERE need to GET INVOLVED NOW by joining and supporting their local motorcycle rights organizations, because we've got some really important elections coming up real soon! As Bill Bish at the National Coalition of Motorcyclists said recently at the NCOM Convention in San Francisco, "You have to have a motorcycle-friendly legislature in order to pass motorcycle-friendly legislation!" Amen.

 

NEWS BITS'N PIECES:

LIGHTNING: Summer means hot weather and lots of outdoor stuff like riding motorcycles, playing softball, getting that summer tan. Unfortunately it also means being exposed to the danger of lightning. Over 40 percent of deaths caused by lightning occur in open areas; 18 percent occur under trees and 14 percent on boats. In 1998, 44 reported lightning fatalities and over 6,000 lightning fires occurred in the United States. It's said to be 25% of homeowner insurance claims in the summer, especially in the South.

Just something to think about when outside and things get to feeling funny. Seek shelter inside if you can. Lightning is not a common household circuit.

And if you're on your scoot, GET OFF, but remember not to run for cover under a tree!

COPENHAGEN: The mother of a slain Danish Hells Angels member has been ordered by the courts to remove her son's tombstone, ruling that the inscription is sacrilegious and might scare visitors.

The tombstone of Louis Linde Nielsen includes the club's name, its winged skull insignia and the words "the ultimate sacrifice." His mother originally placed a neutral tombstone at his grave. The Hells Angels replaced it two years later with one they had customized. They put it in the cemetery without the consent of the parish, 150 miles west of the capital, Copenhagen.

Mom got sued because she accepted the stone as "a memory of how Louis was." The case was taken to the court in nearby Vejle. Some people have no respect.

BRAZIL: From January to May 2000, Brazil exported 22,211 motorcycles, a huge 111% growth compared with 1999 when it reached 10,537. According to the industry association Abraciclo the prediction is to end the period with the sale of 45,000 - 50, 000 motorcycles, versus a 32,600 sold in 1999. Major Brazilian bike consumers in the international market are Mexico, Argentina, and the US. From January to May the sector produced 255,423 units, a 29% growth compared with 1999.

CAIRO: The Egyptian Environment Affairs Agency has decided to make good use of methane generated from landfills of organic and agricultural waste to get electric energy and operate light transport, especially motorcycles. If the project is successful, it will be done nationwide. The next thing we know we'll be plugging into our scoots every time we eat boiled eggs and drink beer.

PAKISTAN: Here's a good reason to keep your scoot in good shape: According to the Chinese news agency Xinhua, a motorcycle in Pakistan broke down on the road, coming from Afghanistan. The rider tried to hide the bike in a sand dune, but the cops saw it, checked it out and found 30 kilos of hashish on the bike! Now they're combing the countryside for that biker. It pays to do that there preventive maintenance, folks!!

MILWAUKEE, WI: Harley-Davidson has finally dropped its six-year effort to trademark the sound of its V-Twin engines. H-D said it was tired of spending money on a case with no end in sight. Some things just do not make sense, do they?

PORTLAND, OR: Latus Motorcycles -- a Harley dealership here -- loaned the cops a scoot for a sting operation and now the cops won't pay them for the bike that was stolen during the sting. Cops say the officer that signed the agreement was not authorized to do so. Sheesh! Guess that proves the statementâ?¦ YOU CAN'T EVEN TRUST THE COPS!

GUNNY AGAIN: Watch for me all summer here at the biker runs in Oregon. I'll be running the A.I.M. booth (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists), and I'm there to hang out and chat, so please stop by. A.I.M. has booths set up at all the major events across the country, and even most local ones. So if you don't already have that yellow A.I.M. Card in your wallet, just say the word and you'll get a free one! I won't take up print space today on all the reasons why that's important, but you stop by and talk and I'll give you an earful! I'm also always available online at AIMGunny@aol.com. If you have a bike meeting or event you'd like to have me and Sam give a free talk on the law and motorcycling, please get in touch.

Keep the round side on the bottom.
Gunny, Oregon A.I.M. Chief of Staff