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Dream Trip
By Budd Futterrer
After 40 years of riding everything from Mopeds, scooters, Hondas, BMWs and whatever machine I could straddle, I finally arrived at my life's dream. A Harley! A blue/silver Electra-Glide Ultra Classic. Now I can really hit the road in style. What fun dressing it out with chrome, lights and all kinds of unnecessary gadgets.
However, by the time I bought my new Harley, I developed a little handicap. COPD (emphysema and chronic bronchitis), from 45 years of supporting R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
The condition requires sleeping with oxygen, using oxygen for moderate activity, and travel above 2000 feet. How do you tour the Western states and stay below 2000 feet? Easy! I designed and fabricated 2 stainless steel brackets that I fiber glassed in the front of the bags to hold an oxygen bottle and conserver regulator, and 2 spare bottles. The cannula (tubing) fit easily under the saddlebag lid and up to under my helmet. I was able to carry 6 oxygen bottles, which solved the height requirement. My oxygen supplier would arrange to have a concentrator delivered to each motel on my schedule for night time use. That took care of my night time requirement. The drawback was having to maintain an exact schedule to be at the specified motel on time. But, at least, I could tour.  A few years ago, Respironics, Inc. introduced the "Evergo", a portable concentrator weighing only 10 pounds. It has a shoulder strap so you can carry it anywhere and draws on a lithium battery pack, or ride in/on a vehicle and run on the vehicle's 12 volt system through the cigarette lighter socket, or in a room on 110 volt current. Freedom at last! The concentrator fits neatly on the passenger seat, along with all accessories, cords, filters and cannulas. A very neat package. The only tell-tale sign that I am using oxygen is the short cannula from the unit to the back of my helmet.
My pulmonary physician, himself an Ultra-Classic rider, marveled at the setup. He told me if half his patients had my gumption and determination, he would see a lot less wheelchairs in his office.
Lately, I converted the bike to a Lehman trike. So, now I ride in comfort, health and safely. (Budd recently left on 2-3 week trip to Nevada-Utah-Arizona and returning to Redding California.)
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Taylor Motors is proud to be a sponsor of Big Bike Weekend! Right now the Taylor family is offering special values on previously owned vehicles, including most major brands, each one covered by either the remainder of the original factory warranty or the exclusive Taylor Motors 12 month/12,000 Service Protection Plan. |
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New Vendor/New Product Featured at This Year's Event
MotolightsŪ will be joining us at this year's event. Motolight is a manufacturer of durable and easy-to-install halogen auxiliary motorcycle lights designed for use on virtually any type of motorcycle. The lights are proudly made in America, and allow riders to See, Be Seen and Be Safe™ while on the road.
MotolightsŪ come standard with a 35 watt halogen MR16 bulb. With its 8 degree beam spread the halogen bulb increases daytime visibility making it easier for on-coming traffic to see the motorcycle, while increasing nighttime visibility for the rider. A 50 watt MR16 halogen bulb and a 50 watt MR16 amber bulb are optionally available.
Durable and easy-to-install, the caliper mounted system is designed for motorcycles with dual disk brakes. The fender mount system is for one use on single disc brake bikes with access to the fender mounting bolts on the trailing side of the fork. Both systems eliminate strap mounting and tuck the lights close to the fork of the bike.
All models are available in chrome, brushed, polished or black powder coat finishes. Mounting kits are included with the lights and include everything needed for easy installation. They have a 3-year warranty, and offer lifetime replacements for burned out halogen bulbs to the original owner.
They offer 10% off retail prices to any active or veteran military, police or fire personnel.
Visit MotolightsŪ to learn more. |
Splitting Traffic
By Monty Hight, Retired CHP Officer
You're sitting in traffic, it's hot and you are slowly making your way towards the head of the line, when suddenly some guy on a motorcycle passes you and is now at the front of the line. That's just not right!
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) does not have a section that states 'it is unlawful to split traffic.' What the vehicle code does state, is that a vehicle can pass another vehicle when the pavement is of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in the direction of travel. Generally this would allow a passenger vehicle and a motorcycle to occupy the same lane. The problem generally arises when the motorcycle operator passes the slow or stopped vehicles at a speed that is deemed unsafe.
Determining what speed is unsafe is at the discretion of the officer (there is no magic number of miles per hour). If for example, traffic has slowed or stopped and the motorcycle operator is splitting traffic at a reduced speed and is using caution while passing traffic, there likely is not a violation. At no time can any vehicle pass another vehicle on the right by driving off the paved or main-traveled portion of the roadway.
The aforementioned situations generally occur when you are stuck in commute traffic or waiting at an intersection or construction zone. Traffic is stopped and a motorcyclist passes you and continues down the road. More times than not, you check your rear view mirror, see the motorcycle approaching from the rear and you want to open your door or stick a broom stick in his spokes. Both of these ideas, by the way are unlawful. So the guy is now ahead of you...big deal!
We move into a whole different set of dynamics when we are talking about traffic moving at or a little above the posted speed limit (that, 'a little above the speed limit' is a separate topic) and a motorcyclist is speeding in and out of traffic. The fact that the motorcycle is passing traffic would indicate it is exceeding the posted speed limit. The unsafe turning movements, lane changes, not signaling and following too closely, are all separate and specific violations. Any combination of these violations could be viewed by an officer as reckless driving. The speeding, following too closely, unsafe turning violations are each infractions. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor. The officer has the discretion to issue a citation or make a physical arrest.
We have all seen two motorcyclists riding down the highway side by side. Based on everything I just mentioned, there is no violation. Motorcycles, by their specific design are unique to different situations and traffic. As passenger vehicle operators we need to be aware of their presence around us and remain cognizant that a motorcycle can easily be in your blind spot while you are traveling down the highway. So next time you see one of them pass you by, sit back , relax and remember, you have an air conditioner. |
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Guess what? Win-River Casino has just upped the ante in a big way. Come in to Win-River this month for your chance at not just one new car, but two! That's right, we're giving away two brand new Camaro's this month. You can't get a better deal than that. Visit us daily and Swipe-2-Win for your chance to drive away in the hottest car giveaway yet! |
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News from the AMA - California Senate Bill (motorcycle emissions) has been amended and is now scheduled for a hearing on June 21st
Bill would require stock exhaust on all bikes manufactured after January 1, 1983. California Senate Bill 435 (Pavley, 23rd District, D) is back. Despite repeated failure to garner support for past versions, Senator Pavley continues to unfairly target motorcycle owners. The latest version of the bill would require only stock exhaust systems on all motorcycles constructed since 1983, and mandates a $300 fine for any owner who is found to be in violation. Once again riders throughout the state are asked to contact their Senators and let them know that this is simply unacceptable. The newest version of this bill, which previously mandated smog testing, would result in thousands of currently legal motorcycles to be removed from the road, or their owners being forced to spend hundreds (or thousands) of dollars to reinstall OEM exhaust. Also, in the case of older models, many owners would be left in an all but impossible situation, as OEM exhaust systems will simply be no longer available from the manufacturer, therefore rendering the bike both illegal to ride and all but impossible to sell. Furthermore, the lack of a labeled exhaust system does not mean a motorcycle is out of compliance with the federal law. After-market exhaust systems that comply with RSA 266:59-a are available from a number of manufacturers and often installed by their owners for a number of different reasons: 1) after-market exhaust systems are available when OEM exhaust parts are no longer, especially for older motorcycles; 2) Exhaust systems can rust out or be damaged in a minor accident, requiring replacement 3) after-market exhaust systems cost less than OEM systems, even when they are available; and 4) OEM exhausts systems are not available for custom motorcycles and kit motorcycles constructed by individuals from non-OEM components. Lastly it is simply unfair to expect a motorcycle owner to display a 'readily visible' label if one is not delivered that way from the factory. Many EPA stamps are very difficult to locate on new motorcycles. Is it reasonable to expect a motorcycle owner to partialy dismantle his or her motorcycle on the side of the road to prove the exhaust system is labeled?
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Group Riding Etiquette & Hand Signals
Group motorcycle riding is a great experience
when common sense, respect for other riders, and safety prevail.
Standard staggered formation. You should be
1 to 1.5 seconds behind the staggered bike, which would put you 2 to 3 seconds behind the bike directly in front of you.
If you like to ride slow or are new to group riding get up front. Those who like to ride fast should ride in the back. New riders may think they want to ride in the back, but the reality is just the opposite, they need to be near the front.
Spread out a little around tight corners. Most will need a little extra space. We don't want anyone riding off into the ditch.
No wheelies, stoppies, etc. People should also not slow way down from the group, then zoom back up to the group. While it may be fun to goof around with your bike when you're alone, it can create problems with the safety of the group.
Please pass all signals to riders behind you.
Below are a few hand signals. Use this AMA link to view and print out the hand signals shown below. You can visit |
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Dyno Testing Offered at Discount to Big Bike Weekend Registrants
Is your motorbike in need of a dyno? Do you feel your bike is running below its potential at the speed being ridden? Get your answer at this year's Big Bike Weekend.
Looney Tooners Performance will have their dyno testing equipment in the main parking lot, conveniently located to the bike parking.
Unfamiliar with dyno testing ... you'll ride your bike on a machine that gauges your motorcycle's true horsepower and torque. For those traveling with multiple "toys", they can also test your quad. The testing takes about 30 minutes and you will have three runs or pulls on the machine. When completed, you'll receive a computer printout of your bike's performance.
A benefit of registration is the $10 discount you'll receive for testing, bringing your discounted cost to $40. |
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Big Bike Weekend sponsor Redding Yamaha Seadoo will be holding their annual River Run on June 27. Call them at 275-7300 for more details on registering. |
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