The GUNNY'S SACK

August 2002

Recognition: I'm blessed to associate with many motorcycle people, but some really stand out in my mind. Right up on the top of the list is Butch Harbaugh, who lives here in Oregon, and is also Chairman of the NCOM Legislative Task Force (LTF), and true friend. Longview Tom of the Gypsy Jokers M C, and Chairman of the Oregon Confederation of Clubs has been an inspiration to me, when he took over the job from another great one, Showman, from Brother Speed M.C. And people like Rotten Roger Hendricks, our Oregon ABATE run coordinator and lifetime freedom fighter, are always there for you. Like yours truly, Rotten Roger was presented a Silver Spoke Special Recognition "Grunt" Award from NCOM last year for all his hard work over the years.

I should also announce to the world that Butch Harbaugh was selected by NCOM to receive next year's Ron Roloff Lifetime Achievement Award, NCOM's highest honor.

There are so many that they can't all be mentioned in one presentation, but I'm just feeling this gratitude welling up in this old biker. So, I'll try to include many more as we go on with future Gunny's Sacks. I don't want to leave anyone out if I can help it. These people are the driving force in Oregon's fight for freedom and my brothers and sisters, and I love them all.

 

OREGON CONFISCATIONS: Some late word on the motorcycle seizure case we've been following. This is a pro bono case that's been handled by our AIM (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists)/NCOM (National Coalition of Motorcyclists) Attorney here in Oregon, Sam Hochberg. You'll recall a bike was seized because Eugene cops "thought" parts were stolen. THAT was in February. Sam's firm went to court and raised constitutional arguments about why they shouldn't be permitted to keep a scoot indefinitely!

The Oregon Confederation of Clubs stood behind the plaintiff with support, and the case went to the Court of Appeals, but it had to be withdrawn. Why? The cops finally CLAIM to have found a stolen part now, so the appeal is moot, says Sam.

But here's the GOOD NEWS: As a result of this high-profile case, and because it's happened to so many other Oregon bikers, our political action committee, BikePAC of Oregon, has targeted this confiscation law for reform in the legislature. Sam's on the BikePAC committee that is going to try to structure and propose a fair law to our lawmakers. We'll keep ya' posted, here in Sack-land, and you Oregon riders oughtta be members of BikePAC, if you aren't already. The membership info is always in your ABATE and other biker newsletters, or you can e-mail me at AIMGunny@aol.com.

 

NEWS BITS 'N PIECES:

MIES, SWITZERLAND: This is a NO, NO and it doesn't matter who you are. New Zealand motocross rider Joshua Coppins tested positive at the Austrian 250cc Grand Prix for more than six times the limit of the stimulant pseudoephedrine. He was suspended and a heavy fine slapped on. Why don't I feel sorry for him?

DETROIT, MICHIGAN: How about these apples? According to the AP services, Harley-Davidson is NO LONGER the bike of choice for thieves. Of the 25 most stolen motorcycles in 2001, eight were Hondas, seven were Suzukis, six were built by Yamaha, three by Kawasaki and just one by Harley-Davidson, according to the study by CCC Information Services Inc. The most popular bike to steal was the Yamaha YZFR6. Honda was the most stolen make regardless of model.

I'm sure Harley is pleased to pass the honor on, and I'd guess Honda would sooner sell bikes than have them stolen.

 

ORLANDO, FLORIDA.: Less than 75 miles from the Kennedy Space Center one of our other American Bike success stories, Polaris' Victory, has launched their own mission in the largest product release in their history. A whole gob of new products. New all terrain rigs, New water sports stuff, and a stunning new custom Cruiser called the "Vegas". 92 inches of go, and pretty, according to press releases. Maybe we all need to pay Polaris dealers a visit. Sounds like some goodies we might not be able to live without.

 

ENGLAND: A 15 year-old lad here was killed during a riding demonstration, at a charity event, when he collided with two others in the event that were down. Here's a fellow who was riding with people who KNEW what they were doing in a set display, and still he lost his life. Our hearts go out to his family; yet if there is any good in the whole thing it proves the fact that training, training, training is so important. Things can happen so fast. We must be alert ANY time we're on our scoots.

 

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: If you get chased down the sidewalk by a man in blue on two wheels, it might be a cop on one of those Segway scooters we reported on here in the Sack. You've seen 'em on TV: the wheels are one next to the other, like a push- mower. You just stand on the damned thing and it pops you around town. More for fast sidewalk riding, I figure. The company that builds these odd little machines has turned over a small batch of 'em for the cops in Atlanta to use, to figure out whether it's gonna work for 'em, or if they will just feel silly riding them. We'll see!

 

HOW ABOUT A BEANIE RECALL? NexL Sports Products says all sizes of its NXT "Beanie" helmets, NEXL 01, Part Nos., MB021, MB031, and MB041 manufactured prior to February 28, 2002, fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218," which is the federal regulations on helmets...not that anyone can figure out what all that beaurocratic mumbo-jumbo really means. But, if you own one of these critters get back to the manufacturer, and they'll make it right.

 

FROM TIGER MIKE IN OKLAHOMA COMES THIS GOOD WORD. . . I got word that a biker named Ron from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma just contacted Tiger Mike Revere, State Coordinator for ABATE of Oklahoma, with some good news. I want to share it with folks, since we need to savor our victories large and small. For a while now, according to Ron, a specific police officer from the Broken Arrow Police Department has been handing out exhaust violation tickets to Harley riders only. From the information Ron received, the officer had given out 90 tickets in 30 days, and Ron says he was going strictly by the appearance of the pipes. No noise measurements at all. His boss, the Broken Arrow Chief of Police, was contacted by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and they requested a meeting with the Chief and the officer involved. Ron said that after this meeting, the Chief and the officer met with the county District Attorney. Apparently, the DA told the cop to cut it out, because of all the complaints from various high-level offices! So, big kudos to Ron for keeping after this, and for keeping his ABATE folks informed. This is what we need: rank-and-file citizen-riders keeping vigilant and fighting to preserve Riding Liberty. Thanks to Tiger Mike for the info, and all you folks up in the Broken Arrow area, enjoy your victory, stay gracious, and we'll all learn a lesson from ya. By the way, Tiger Mike is also a member of our NCOM Board of Directors, and it's people like him that make NCOM tick!

 

GUNNY AGAIN: It's also important we remember the people that take such good care of us when we are hurt and our scooters are all bent up by cage drivers.

Our AIM attorneys across this great country of ours (and Canada) are our most important asset and we should always take advantage of that. These good folks ride with us daily and know what our world is because they live in it with us. If you are involved in an accident or just need some legal advice on harassment or helmet issues, do call your AIM attorney at 1-800-ON-A-BIKE, and you will get useful information. Advice is always free.

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