A very WILD day in the news - Pickton connect to HA Disappearance?

Reports out of Vancouver from Canada dot Com suggest that Robert Pickton had something to do with the disappearance of a Hells Angels Member.

Begin Quote:

Connor admitted that he received a tip that a Hells Angel associate who worked in a "booze can" after-hours drinking club across the street from Pickton's Port Coquitlam property "was chopped up in a meat grinder on the farm and fed to the pigs."

Connor said police knew Hells Angels went to Pickton's farm and attended "Piggy's Palace" - the nearby illicit nightclub run by Pickton and his brother Dave.

However, Connor said he did not investigate the credibility of the allegation a male Hells Angel associate was disposed of on Pickton's farm. End Quote

Could it be that Robert Pickton had something to do with the disappearance of Nanaimo chapter president Michael (Zeke) Mickle disappeared on April 30, 1993 or or Rick (Blackie) Burgess who vanished on Jan. 7, 2002 or the founding Vancouver Chapter Angel, Cedric Baxter Smith who went missing from Langley in May 2008, or some other missing member we are not privy to?

I wonder perhaps if the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry could tell us a lot more than the RCMP would like the public to know?

As always, I welcome your thoughts...

In other News:

In Vancouver, BCCOM reports that the Monty Robinson trial begins Monday February 13th

Out of Pennsylvania comes word that a pick up truck driver and three taverns have been sued in the death of 2 riders.

From Rhode Island comes word of a really unfriendly Motorcycle Only Noise Ordinance

New Hampshire's Motorcycle Noise Bill could be passed sooner than later.

The Child Motorcycle Helmet bill in Iowa was defeated in the subcommittee and will likely fail this year.

Out of India is an interesting article on attitudes towards riders....a good read no matter where in the world you live.

There are lots of motorcycle reviews in from a variety of sources and some sports news, so come on over to www.beltdrivebetty.com come see what else might affect your day or world...

I leave you with a few funnies from my friends on FB - bent bunch that they are!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

The Cafe Ness - the most incredible looking Victory yet!

How do you carve a career out for yourself in the motorcycle industry when your name is Zach Ness and your iconic grand father is Arlen Ness and your dad is Cory Ness?  You do something that no one else in the family has done!

When young Zach was challenged by Victory to take their new Judge and do something radical with it he was all over it!  The only rule he was given to follow was to keep the headlight  and the tank, the rest was WIDE open for his to do a no hold barred custom...

The Ness Cafe Photo from MCN (www.motorcyclenews.com)

I REALLY LIKE THIS BIKE 

The young man did really good - this bike is truly the BEST looking Victory I have ever seen and could easily be put into production to compete with the XR1200 from H-D.

What do you think? Should Victory put these into production?

I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on this!

In other news:

In Ontario: Lou DeVouono and the Perfect Pigs MC are proud men these days, the Hero's Highway Ride, referred to as the HHR is everywhere in the media as this event has captured the heart and soul of MANY a rider! From humble beginnings this ride has swelled in size, last year saw over 2,400 riders show their gratitude and thanks to our Troops by riding in the pouring rain, it is estimated that if mother nature even remotely cooperates, this year's ride could well exceed 7,000!  Won't that be an impressive sight! I can't wait to ride in this terrific event again this June 2nd! That's right, I intend to take part again - it is one of the most emotional and soul moving events I have ever been a part of!

In Switzerland: A member of the Hells Angels in Zurich won his appeal for compensation.
He won about 27,000 Franks instead of the original 8,000 he was award after the federal prosecutors case against the club as a criminal organization fell apart.

On the gear side of things - according to OneWheelDrive, Touratech has come out with a new Adventure Riding Catalogue that will blow minds with it's size!

In the Brands corner, Ducati is pleased with their all new GP12, and in sports, Aprilia announces it's 2012 WSBK team

There are lots of other articles that may be of interest to you over at www.beltdrivebetty.com

And while you are there reading the news and jokes, take a second to vote for your favourite machines in the 2012 Beat the PMS Blues online Show n Shine...there are great prizes on the line from all of our fabulous sponsors who are all member businesses in the Rider Friendly Business Association!

We will begin taking orders for the 2012 Rider Friendly Phone Book for your saddlebags soon - the books themselves are free but shipping and handling is $7.50 plus taxes.
Bill Braham from the lower mainland in BC said: "I saved about $500 and enjoyed some of the best service I have ever had by using the Rider Friendly Book partners whenever I could for the things I needed!

Thanks for sharing that Bill!

Have a fabulous Thursday, hope you enjoyed this weeks National Newspaper, The Busted Knuckle Chronicles, it has some GREAT stories in it!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Which Rally is THE MUST DO of the season?

Well - the rally and run information has been coming in to our events calendars with a fury much like a hurricane  - so my big question for the day - what Canadian Rally/Event is a must do on your list?

Here in Canada the heavy hitters that have so far announced things are:

The Great Canadian Bike Rally
Sturgis North
Horse Thief Hideout
Wharf Rat Rally
Cape Breton Bike Fest
Bobcaygeon Bike Fest
St Victor Boogie

Not to mention all of the HOG rallies, the RAT event in Nelson and the hundreds of charity events that are listed...like the 28 Rides for Dad...

So - what event is your favourite to do and what event is on your bucket list that you have to find out about?

Download our events app to keep up to date with the latest event information!

My feet are itchy - I want to be riding instead of stuck in front of a computer - working!

The news is a mixed bag with info on the Sturgis South event - the formerly the Red Hills Rally and their restructuring to see if the rally will continue on.

There is a great article on a 1955 Panhead from Street Choppers Magazine.

BMW announced a new online store for classic BMW motorcycle parts.

At the Sturgis SD Bike Rally - world renowned photographer Michael Lichter will have his photography on exhibit at the Buffalo Chip.

There is a review on a book called "Big Sid's Vincati"

There are sports articles and business news too - check them all out at www.beltdrivebetty.com!  Oh an while you are there, don't forget to vote on your favourite bike in our online show n shine!

I leave you with a few giggles sent to me by friends and shared on Facebook - I have a twisted and bent circle!

Have a fabulous day...

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

THIEVES....and BIG HEARTED BIKERS

A very rare motorcycle valued at over 1 million dollars - a 1914 Cyclone and a rare 1950's Honda Racing bike were stolen from a Bel Aire California home. The Cyclone had been on display at the Beverly Hills Concours D'Elegance show and the owner believes the thieves must have followed him home.

According the article in LA Weekly, the owner was tied up after he confronted the thieves at 4:30 am.

Now either these thieves already have a private sale for this machine or they are dumber than bat chit...OR something else is stinky in the wind.

Which one of these three scenarios is it? 

Well, I guess time and the investigations by cops and insurance will tell the story.  

All I can say is who ever you are, why ever you were motivated to steal these bikes - PLEASE DON'T hurt them - they are valuable pieces of motorcycle history.

I hope that these rare motorcycles end up resurfacing cause if they don't any coffee table books that have pictures of them may be all of the preserved history that is left of them....sad huh!

Under the Personal Stories and Opinions Category: 

A mother whose son was killed by a biker in a crash, praises the bike club the member belonged to for helping her and her family to cope.

The Tingey's young son, Hayden (8yrs old) was walking his older brother who has Aspergers syndrome home. According to the story, Hayden was much more like an older brother - yet for reasons that are unclear, he ran out into the street in front of an oncoming motorcycle.  

Begin Quote:
Head of road policing Kieran Walshe said police had cleared the motorcyclist of any wrongdoing and Hayden's death was a tragic accident.


"The young boy ran across the street into the path of the motorcycle," Mr Walshe said.

"We feel for the family and the motorcyclist, he will be suffering that mental trauma at what has taken place." End Quote (From the Herald Sun)

Reportedly, the Rebels Motorcycle Club has gone above and beyond to aide the family:

Begin Quote: Club members called the ambulance and helped out at the scene, and have also given the family financial aid.

Mrs Tingey said Rebels members had donated money and also organised a concert last Saturday night to help the family out.

“They have shown us the biggest hearts we’ve ever seen,” she said.

“From our perspective, they couldn’t do anything more.”

Mrs Tingey said a number of Rebels went to Hayden’s funeral and showed respect by not riding their bikes to the event.

She said she lived around the corner from the Springvale Rebels’ clubhouse and had not known they were there.

Mrs Tingey encouraged people to look beyond tattoos and clothing to see the people underneath.

“I would actually be happy to have them as my next door neighbours,” she said.

End Quote

Man - what a story - good on the motorcycle club. I have one question to ask - where did this mom.  

I would love your feedback and comments on these topics!

In other news...

In Ontario - Londoners are treated to the World of Motocycles Expo

San Fransico - the 2nd oldest motorcycle club in the USA lives here!

Under the International Law Category - The Gypsy Joker's President in Australia has been jailed over a meth lab bust.

There's some interesting sports news and a great article from Bike Exif on the newest Triumph concept bike....visit www.beltdrivebetty.com for more news that might affect your day, your life or your world!

We are having a few hiccups with some of our sports feeds, be aware that we are monitoring the situation and will be doing our utmost to catch the duplicate items they are posting and get them cleaned up and out quickly. Ali is looking into the issue.

Hope you have voted today for your favourite bike in our Beat the PMS Blues online show 'n' shine!

Check out our sponsors - the ones who make all of the incredible gifts we have to offer possible!

Here are some of them....more next time....

C & T Sales and Services

Full Throttle Motor Company

Elbow Grease Ventures Ltd

Drift Camera Canada

Toad Rock Motorcycle Campground

Krazzy Kustomizing

Trike Zone

SDH Enterprises

RoadHouse Distribution Inc.

Shadow Dragon\'s Lair

Bentleys Motosicle Pain Tin & Auto Ba Day

Ernie Os Restaurant, Pub & Gaming Room

Chromedreams Motorcycle Appraisal Service

Underground Performance

Bunkhouse Campground Resort

Home for Chrome Powered by Dalton Timmis Insurance

Bandit Art Freehand Engraving

Adelle Laudan

Ernie Os Restaurant, Pub & Gaming Room - Fox Creek

Hogan\'s Hogs HH Tools and Equipment

Shuzi Health Jewelry

I leave you with some thoughts from the bent people in my world that I call friends - shared with me on Facebook and by email - laughter is the BEST of medicines!

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

A job of epic proportions...

How do you move and streamline 500,000 pages of content on a web site? SLOWLY...

Seriously that is the task that Ali our wonderful web mistress and her small part time team are doing right now.

When we started out to be a clearinghouse of information, we didn't really think our categories and sections so well - at least we know that now, at the time they made sense though.  So beyond moving content over from the old web host, we have also been cleaning things up - putting them in categories that make better sense
 - hence all of the brand specific news is sectioned out by the major players - we also have first ride reports from motorcycle writers from around the world - Ali will be getting that part of the project up in the next day.

On top of major undertakings like these is fixing all of the little hiccups, like our review modules not showing up in the phone book online...yah - some tiny - minute piece of code broke or fell out and she is facing some challenges.  All in all though I am pleased with the progress - it is my hope that sooner than later we will have all of our content restructured and all of our components working like a well oiled machine.

There is not a lot in the news feeds as of yet today, but keep checking back to see what our new, news feeds component comes up with - that's another tool for us to use that needs some tweaking but I am sure we will figure it out!  In the mean time, have you voted for your favourite bike in the show n shine????

Tell me, which bike IS your favourite?  And Why...

Have a Happy Monday!!!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider