The GUNNY'S SACK

February 2005 We are always talking about getting our biker people elected to the legislature and other elective offices in our states. This is a good thing, but it isn't all there is to it.

A good friend of mine, Clark Brooker, is working on a bill to present to our legislature and he is looking for a sponsor to get it considered. He is looking at the left turn signals and other electronically-driven traffic lights that don't trip for motorcycles.

He says, and I agree, that bikes should not have to sit all day waiting for the light to change when it's obvious it won't change unless a CAR hits the right spot on the road. He proposes that after the second or third cycle of the lights, the bike should be permitted to proceed through the light with caution. This doesn't automatically allow the biker to ignore the light, but it gives us a practical solution!

What's interesting is that ONE PERSON can do this, with some spare time and a lot of energy. We can do much to preserve our rights and freedoms just by getting involved in the processes that govern this land. It's easier than you think!

The battle over whether or not to be forced to wear helmets when we ride isn't the only fight. I agree, we should have the choice and I will fight for that right as long as there is breath in my body, but I'm not against wearing a lid. I wouldn't for the world deny people the CHOICE. I think there are a lot of issues out there we need to deal with that are just as important. The whole reason we have this country to live in is the folks who went before us needed the freedom of choice in their lives just as much as we do, and they paid dearly for us to have those liberties.

ALL MOTORCYCLISTS INVITED AND WELCOME! MAY 5-7, 2005.
This year's National Coalition of Motorcyclists Convention is to be held in NASHVILLE, TENN., folks. It will prove to be one of the best yet, for sure. Room reservations can be made at the Sheraton Music City Hotel at 777 McGavock Pike, Nashville, Tenn 37214. Call (615) 885-2200. The special rate is $79.00 per night single or double. You get the rate by mentioning you are attending the NCOM Convention. After the end of March you will have to pay the full amount because the special rate will end then. Make sure you don't miss out on this trip. You can pre-register for the conference by calling NCOM at (800) 525-5355. The seminars will be the best and the party won't be forgotten for many moons. There will also be a National Confederation of Clubs meeting you just don't want to miss. I'll see you there.

NEWSBITS 'N' PIECES: DAKAR: Marc Coma of Spain won the Dakar cross country race for motorcycles. The race this year took two bikers' lives, so it was an impressive win of one of the world's most difficult races.

The Dakar rally covers 5,566 miles of some of the most treacherous terrain in the world, from Barcelona Spain to Dakar Senegal. I think I'll park my 'Wing this year, so I don't show up all those racers.

MALTA, N.Y. Starfire Inc, Manufacturer of motor products has a new ceramic composite disc brake system that is drawing high praise from Jason DiSalvo, one of the world's foremost motorcycle racers. The system is comprised of a new lightweight brake pad and rotor system that even improves fuel mileage

Starfire is a leader in improving motor vehicle performance with innovative improvements in design and operation of many components of motor vehicle parts form autos to trucks to motorcycles. The braking systems will be available for motorcycles early this year.

KEIZER, OREGON: The cops are at it again in this small town that's grown into a suburb of Salem. Our Oregon AIM attorney, Sam Hochberg, is doing a pro bono (for free) case down there for around THIRTY Gypsy Joker MC folks who were ticketed by some over-zealous officers. It's also a project of the Oregon Confederation of Clubs, the COC. It's the same story Sam keeps running into over the last few years: The police see ONE rider who they THINK committed a traffic infraction, and it turns into a citation festival – or as Sam says, a "fund-raiser" for the town's treasury – when they cite ALL the bikers. Sam's going to court on it soon, so we'll let you know what happens at trial, right here in The Sack.

DANA POINT, CA: Patriot Motorcycles Co. has proven there is a growing market in America for the affordable "Yamoto" off-road bikes, made in China. They took over distribution last November and in the first 60 days they delivered 1,750 units at the average price of $950.00 each. We need to pay more attention to the manufacturers off shore! If you're interested in selling Patriot bikes, you can call their Sales Director at (949)488-0434. Who knows? You might make a new career with a dealership.

PORTLAND, OR: I looked over a Korean motorcycle in one of our shops here in Portland not that long ago – Columbia Scooters it was – and I was impressed at the fit and finish as well as the good looks of the machine. If you're in the area, go check out all the other interesting machines they sell there. They have a 3-wheeler truck with a motor under 200cc's that can haul a full ton and it sips the gas! They're made in India, where they use 'em all the time.

ATLANTA, GA: Bluelinx Corp and Orange County Choppers (of TV fame) pulled out all stops for the International Builders Show in Florida and apparently it was a huge success.

GERMANY: Police in Germany are hunting some folks they think are just pranksters, who have been sticking miniature US flags into piles of dog poop in public parks. You know, some people around the world have very little regard for this country, and they can have their opinions, but THIS kind of thing irritates me.

German authorities say they don't know what they will do if the clowns are caught, because there is no statute that deals with this sort of behavior. Maybe there should be. There are laws that govern everything else, especially in Europe.

WEB-WRECKS: For those who are interested in reading about bike wrecks, there's a website that supposedly collects and links you up to all motorcycle accidents that are reported in the papers. It's interesting to see how folks mess up; but it's scary when you see the ones you just know could have been you.

Sobering stuff, but it DOES keep this Gunny's eye on the ball just that much more, out on the road. Here's the site, courtesy of my boss, Sam Hochberg, our Oregon AIM Attorney. He likes to poke around the internet: http://www.wcow.com/html/motorcycle_accident.html . And NO, Sam says he's does NOT send out letters to accident victims, like a dozen or so other lawyers do here in Oregon. Sam's plate is pretty full anyway. He says it seems pretty damned slimy to send out a letter trying to hustle some poor guy who's all busted up. Some states forbid that altogether, but not Oregon.

PORTLAND, MN: David Sharp of the Associated Press brings us this bit of news: Safety experts suspect older motorcycle riders with a lot of disposable income are buying more machine than their aging brains and out-of-practice bodies can handle. Several other groups have come out with similar stuff on us OLDER riders, and I'm starting to get annoyed about it. I may be the exception, but then I've been riding a looonngg time; well in excess of fifty years, and I'm still doin' OK. I ride a big bike, too. The difference might be that I take rider ed courses often. It really helps folks, especially with the traffic on the highways the way it is nowadays. It distresses me to read about all the folks being killed and maybe for no better reason than lack of preparation when it comes to getting on their scooters to enjoy life a little more. Please take a riding course if you haven't ridden for a few years, or if you're a new rider. It just might save your life and keep your family from losing someone they love. The annual number of motorcycle fatalities among 40-plus riders tripled over the past decade to 1,674 in 2003, in the USA. That's way too many of us gone.

HELMET PROTEST in INDIA: Cutting across party lines, elected members of the Pune Municipal Corp. (PMC) resolved to launch a mass protest against the state's decision to make helmets compulsory for motorcycle riders and passengers. We are not alone in the agitation caused by compulsory helmet laws, folks. These are elected officials protesting what the state says they have to do. KUDOS for them. I hope it does the job.

GUNNY AGAIN: As always I remind you good people, the AID TO INJURED MOTORCYCLISTS (AIM) attorneys across this country are the best source of help that bikers have when we get ourselves in a nasty accident or any other mess dealing with the laws of this land. Use their expertise and be glad they are here for us. We have enough going on in our lives without trying to get around the insurance companies alone. The number to call is 1-800-On-A-Bike. Visit 'em on the web, at www.On-A-Bike.com or www.AIMNCOM.com . Both'll getcha there! You will get at least some info, or if you need it, good advice.