Belt Drive Betty's Blog

A very interesting article on the demise of the Motorcycle & its Culture

Belt Drive 0 Community, International News, Motorcycle Community 9:44 AM

There is an extremely well written editorial over on <a href="http://www.bikernews.net/">www.bikernews.net</a> 
 
<a href="http://www.bikernews.net/index.cfm/d/news/p/read/newsid/index.cfm/d/news/p/read/newsid/8701">Motorcycles And The Culture They Inspire</a> USA - Motorcycles And The Culture They Inspire 1868-2017by LJ James 
 
Many of the "facts" in this story are based on Legend and Myth as much of the history of the Motorcycle and it's Culture was lost in the great rebellion of 2057. 
 
Taken from a history book in the year 2095… 
 
Motorcycles And The Culture They Inspire 1868-2017Motorcycles started out as steam engines strapped on to bicycles in 1868. Soon after the gas engine took its place in the 1900's there were Motorcycle shops and Dealers all over the World. For awhile, Motorcycle were simply used as transportation. In 1907, when Henry Fords, Ford Motor Company, released the Model-T at a price everyone could afford, the Motorcycle soon went from a necessity to a luxury item. 
 
The writer goes on to express his feelings on the demise of the motorcycle and its culture. 
Very similar feelings are expressed by him - to the feelings I expressed in an article I wrote 2 years ago. 
 
By the time the Bikers realized how much they were connected and needed each other, it was too late. Their numbers were certainly sufficient to achieve victory, but their failure to come together as Brothers and Sisters and work for the common good ultimately spelled their demise. Had they been victorious, it may have been enough to stop all of the oppression and tyranny that soon followed. 
 
History is full of stories just like this one, over and over again. The ones who love and honor Freedom the most are taken down first and the rest fall like dominoes. Until the rebellion of 2057, we as a Global Society did not realize how important it was to put aside our differences. It may have taken awhile, but we finally figured it out…Just in time! 
 
Now this is an American writing this but I look here in Canada and I see the same crap happening here. Everyone wants to do their own thing, no one wants to work together on the issues that affect all of us. 
 
Every weekend we have a new bar or a new charity that see motorcyclists as a mean to an end. 
They host events without considering what else is going on in the motorcycle community and what other cause or charity they might be hurting.They want to line their coffers with our money - I call it getting on the motorcycle band wagon. Will they be there to support us when the crunch comes - a few will; maybe, but most will just move on to the next fad or craze and forget us and what we did to help their community or cause. 
 
Bikers/Riders/Motorcycle Enthusiast, Weekend Warrior - no matter what you call yourself - we tend to be A type personalities...independent thinkers and lovers of freedom. 
 
And while that is wonderful it can also cause the problems noted in LJ James' article. 
 
We DO need to learn to work together. It is vital and imperative that we do. 
Our community will be legislated right out of existence if we don't watch out. 
 
Its already happening in the USA - as population densities increase, and noise pollution becomes a bigger and bigger issue - Rallies with 60 year histories are being shut down - why? Predominantly - NOISE. 
 
If enough non riders squawk we will see aftermarket pipes, performance modifications and the like become illegal. Whole segments of the aftermarket industry will fall, badly leaving thousands out of work and the rest of us riding stock machines. 
 
Whether we as individuals understand how politics work or not - politics is what is going to bring this community to its knees if we don't stand united - if we don't use a little common sense and a little bit of consideration and courtesy. 
 
And that's what I see in my little crystal ball, like the Native Indian of the North American Continent - a once proud and vibrant culture that had survived all natures of violence, disease and war - politics brought them to their knees - all but wiped them out and why? Because the various tribes wouldn't work together. 
 
History as Bro LJ James' says, is repeating itself, the writing is on the wall. 
So, the 64 million dollar question is - what are we going to do about it? 
Let it happen or start learning how to work together? 
 
Each individual needs to make a choice - is this way of life something we want preserved and how do we want it preserved? In history books or on the highways? 
 
Your thoughts are always welcome.... 
Ride safe and be smart and have a blast.... 
 
Belt Drive Betty

A very interesting article on the demise of the Motorcycle & its Culture

Belt Drive 0 Community, International News, Motorcycle Community 9:44 AM

There is an extremely well written editorial over on www.bikernews.net Motorcycles And The Culture They InspireUSA - Motorcycles And The Culture They Inspire 1868-2017by LJ James Many of the "facts" in this story are based on Legend and Myth as much… Read more »

06Sep2008

Big Bear Choppers & Nasty Boy Frames

Belt Drive 0 Canadian Riders, Law & Politics, Product Reviews, Rider Safety 7:15 AM

Many of you may have read Raoul Matagora's story about 2 bikes coming in to his shop, 5150 Bike Werks in Rocky Mountain House AB - One bike was a Big Bear Chopper that was subject to a recall for a steering neck issue involving lack of weld penetration. 
 
The second bike was a custom bike built using a Nasty Boy Frame - however according to Raoul the Nasty Boy appeared to be the exact same frame with the exact same problem. Raoul had both frames x-rayed. 
 
I have made some calls and talked to Mike the Greek at Big Bear Choppers. 
 
We have no idea IF the situation in Raoul's shop is unique or a sign of a larger problem. 
 
You see at one time Nasty Boys used to build frames and other parts for Big Bear. 
 
Big Bear Choppers is pretty sure they have pinpointed the recall issue on their machines to one welder who was not applying enough heat, however, this situation in Rocky Mountain House warrants looking into. 
 
Was Nasty Boy Motorcycles selling frames, kits and motorcycles here in Canada using the same frames they were building for Big Bear? 
 
If not, is it possible that welders in both businesses used inadequate heat? 
 
I do not know and so far no one else seems to either but why take a chance with your life? 
 
If you own a Big Bear Chopper, here is the recall, if your machine is one of these - call your dealer and get the repair done. 
 
Information on the original recall: 
Build Years/Makes/Models: 2004 - 2005 BIG BEAR 
CHOPPERS VENOM CHOPPERS 
2005 BIG BEAR CHOPPERS SLED CHOPPERS 
2004 - 2005 BIG BEAR CHOPPERS DEVILS 
ADVOCATE CHOPPERS 
 
Units affected: 432 
 
Recall Number: 08V129000 
 
Summary: BIG BEAR CHOPPER IS RECALLING 351 MY 2004-2005 VENOM AND DEVIL'S ADVOCATES CHOPPERS AND MY 2005 SLED CHOPPERS. SOME MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION BETWEEN THE NECK, BACKBONE, AND DOWN TUBES OF 
THE FRAME. HIGH LOADS CREATED WHEN RIDING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES, STRUCTURAL MODIFICATION MADE TO THE FRAME BY OWNERS, AND/OR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE SPECIFIED TORQUE SETTING OF THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT MAY CAUSE THE AFFECTED WELDS TO CRACK. 
 
Consequence: THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN NECK SEPARATION AND FRONT-END COLLAPSE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. 
 
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND MAINTAIN THE PROPER TORQUE OF THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT OR MODIFY THE FRAME AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG BEAR CHOPPER AT 1-909-878-4340. 
 
Notes: BIG BEAR CHOPPERS RECALL NO. 1B9/631.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE 
NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <a href="http://www.safercar.gov/">http://www.safercar.gov/</a>. 
 
In Canada the dealers for Big Bear Choppers are: 
 
Howler Custom Cycles 
306.542.3839 
408 Queen Elizabeth Blvd East 
Kamsack SK 
<a href="http://www.howlercustomcycles.com/">http://www.howlercustomcycles.com/</a> 
 
Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson 
807.577.6221 
1330 Rosslyn Road 
Thunder Bay ON 
<a href="http://www.tbharley.com/">http://www.tbharley.com/</a> 
 
Speed Trix 
450.537.3277 
259 Route Du'Long Sault QC 
<a href="mailto:speedtrix@hotmail.com">speedtrix@hotmail.com</a> 
 
Underground Performance Cycles 
403.901.1000 
Hwy #1 1020 A Westridge 1K1 
Strathmore AB 
<a href="http://www.undergroundheads.com/">http://www.undergroundheads.com/</a> 
 
 
If you own a Nasty Boy Motorcycle, a rolling chassis or bike built with a Nasty Boy frame that appears to be similar to the three models described above - built between 2003 and 2005 you might want to consider having the steering neck x-rayed just to be safe. 
 
Coincidences happen and perhaps that's all this situation is but I'd rather err on the side of caution. I am not trying to push panic buttons - I just want my brothers and sisters riding safe machines. 
 
Please ride like they are out to get you - Because they are! 
Belt Drive Betty

Big Bear Choppers & Nasty Boy Frames

Belt Drive 0 Canadian Riders, Law & Politics, Product Reviews, Rider Safety 7:15 AM

Many of you may have read Raoul Matagora's story about 2 bikes coming in to his shop, 5150 Bike Werks in Rocky Mountain House AB - One bike was a Big Bear Chopper that was subject to a recall for a steering neck issue involving lack of weld penetrati… Read more »

05Sep2008

More death and carnage.

Belt Drive 0 Community, Rider Safety 6:58 AM

So, the news feeds were depressing as all get out yet again today. More riders dying needlessly, more families left torn apart. 
 
We riders are also cagers. Are you cognizant when you drive your vehicle? 
 
I think that every person who gets a drivers license should have to ride on the back of a motorcycle for 1,000 kms before they are let loose on the roadways. 
 
I also think that every driver of a vehicle should have a refresher course of 1,000 kms on the back of a bike every 3-5 years. 
 
Maybe if they saw the things we see they'd be more attentive. 
 
I don't know what the answer is, but I am sorely tired of loosing my brothers and sisters of the family Wind to inattentive drivers. 
 
Defensive and advanced rider training courses just might help save your life. Perhaps it's time to consider taking one.... 
 
I invite you all to join <a href="http://www.aimcan.com/">AIM-Can </a>- the Association for Injured Motorcyclists. 
 
Your thoughts or suggestions are always welcome! 
 
PLEASE - Ride safe, be smart - even if I don't know you personally, we are connected and it breaks my heart when a rider goes down. 
 
Belt Drive Betty

More death and carnage.

Belt Drive 0 Community, Rider Safety 6:58 AM

So, the news feeds were depressing as all get out yet again today. More riders dying needlessly, more families left torn apart. We riders are also cagers. Are you cognizant when you drive your vehicle? I think that every person who gets a drivers lic… Read more »

04Sep2008

Poor Event Attendance and its affects....

Belt Drive 0 Canadian Motorcycle events, Community, Rider Safety 10:26 AM

The AIM Boogie Bash this past weekend reportedly suffered from low attendance. 
A number of factors contributed to the lower than hoped for attendance not the least of which was a venue and date change. 
 
Many did not attend as they thought the weather would be bad - and there was a rumored boycott of the venue not the event. Apparently some of the local riders have a beef with the new owners of 8 Mile Ranch - now named Heartland Ranch - anyway - these people thought they'd hurt the venue owners when in fact all they did was hurt AIM-Can and all of the vendors. 
 
So, I ask you all this: 
 
Do you have any idea what it is like to host an event that is meant as a fundraiser only to loose money? 
 
Do you realize that whether or not you attend an event the organizers still have to pay for the rental of the site, port o potties, security, advertising, entertainment and insurance? 
 
Do you realize that whether you attend or not the volunteers are still required to be there as are the vendors and the entertainers. 
 
It takes months and thousands of hours to organize an event that is meant to enhance our community. When the community doesn't show up it is devastating to the organizers - volunteers burn out and become deflated and pretty soon there are no events to go to because no one wants to put in the effort. 
 
I agree that we have a lot of events going on. Hence why we started the community events calendars 5 years ago. This tool is meant to help organizers to not step on each others toes and to give the rider a great tool for planning holidays and weekends. 
 
I hope to see even more people using this resource over the coming months and years. 
Then perhaps we can eliminate some of the over booking that's been happening and ensure that our community has good events to go to for a long time to come. 
 
Working together we all benefit.... 
 
Just my 2 bits worth.... 
 
Ride safe 
 
Belt Drive Betty

Poor Event Attendance and its affects....

Belt Drive 0 Canadian Motorcycle events, Community, Rider Safety 10:26 AM

The AIM Boogie Bash this past weekend reportedly suffered from low attendance. A number of factors contributed to the lower than hoped for attendance not the least of which was a venue and date change. Many did not attend as they thought the weather … Read more »

02Sep2008

A wild weekend!

Belt Drive 1 AB, Community 8:33 AM

I'm home safe and sound after my weekend in Onoway for Dave & Carmel's Wedding. 
 
We had an absolute ball! I can't wait for you to see what a spectacle the wedding was! It was exactly what they promised - a wedding unlike you have ever seen before! 
 
The cold and the rain were so worth it! 
 
I have a question for you....have you ever ridden your motorcycle on a highway/public roadway at speeds over 200 kph? 
 
Well, a couple of guys, one clocked at 243 in Ontario and one clocked at over 260 are finding out that excessive speeding costs - big time! 
 
What are your thoughts on speeds like these on our roadways? 
 
I hope you stay safe out there. There were a lot of Sheriffs out here in Alberta, and I am sure police services everywhere will be out in full force. 
 
Speeding isn't the only thing that will get you in trouble today. There will be a lot of people heading home so please, ride like they are out to get you! 
 
Belt Drive Betty

A wild weekend!