NOISE LAWS DEFEATED

The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association has announced that a proposed noise ordinance in North Reading, MA that would have required an EPA Stamp on motorcycle exhaust systems and stricter noise controls has been defeated.

Prior to a recent meeting of town Selectmen, MMA Chairman Dave Condon met with MMA Member Bill McGarry, a local resident, to review the warrant and the pertinent Massachusetts laws. During an earlier town meeting, the legality of the EPA stamp requirement was discussed in detail and ultimately dropped, but an alternative proposal was amended into the Warrant which would have made noise levels and testing requirements stricter than those currently in Massachusetts General Law (MGL).

With significant support from McGarry, who attended both public hearings and spoke on behalf of the MMA and motorcyclists across Massachusetts, the Selectmen and North Reading Chief of Police recognized that the town cannot impose laws stricter than the Commonwealth -- instead, the town acknowledged that enforcement of the existing MGL coupled with appropriate education could be a far more effective tool, and by vote of the selectmen the warrant was removed from the town agenda.

Meanwhile, following much lobbying and testimony from local bikers, a hotly debated noise ordinance in Portland, Maine was unanimously rejected by the City Council and sent back to the Public Safety Committee for more work.

The proposal would have enforced the federal law that all motorcycles made after Dec. 31, 1982 must have mufflers with an EPA label certifying the exhaust system meets EPA standards. A biker riding a motorcycle within city limits without an EPA sticker on the muffler would have been fined $50. The ordinance would have been the first of its kind in Maine, and supporters said its adoption would have made it easier to pass a similar state law.

Opponents, including the United Bikers of Maine (UBM), said the measure would discriminate against motorcyclists and could cost the city tourism dollars by discouraging motorcyclists from visiting Portland.

Motorcycle noise continues to be a contentious and controversial issue across the country, with places like Boston and New York contemplating stricter laws.

Man... Don't know what the world is coming to. Noise ordinances.. EPA requirements on Bikes... What's next?

Finally.... Gonna take some time off work and fly into Sacto on August 7th to pick up this:

in Yuba City.... Then I am gonna ride him home to SLC. I plan on stopping in Winnemuca over night and then taking it slow back home. Yuba City? Yep... The good people at http://www.old-stf.com/index.html built this bike for me! This is the second bike from Mike and crew. this guy is outfitted with a 103 cu S&S shovelhead engine. Rigid frame (which is why I am taking two days (or more) to make it back to the Homestead!). I am looking forward to being on the road!

Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect.
Remain close to the Great Spirit.
Show great respect for your fellow beings.
Work together for the benefit of all Mankind.
Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.

Do what you know to be right.
Look after the well being of mind and body.
Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.
Be truthful and honest at all times.
Take full responsibility for your actions.
Let us greet the dawn of a new day
when all can live as one with nature
and peace reigns everywhere.

Oh Great Spirit, bring to our brothers
the wisdom of Nature and the knowledge
that if her laws are obeyed
this land will again flourish
and grasses and trees will grow as before.

Guide those that through their councils
seek to spread the wisdom of their leaders to all people.
Heal the raw wounds of the earth
and restore to our soul the richness
which strengthens men's bodies
and makes them wise in their councils.

Bring to all the knowledge that great cities
live only through the bounty
of the good earth beyond their paved streets
and towers of stone and steel.

He is survived by his spouse Agnes "Punky" Wolf, also of Nampa, three sons: Pete in Arizona, John in California, Toby in California, and five stepsons Joe Youren, Jeff Youren, Terry Youren, Tim Youren and Todd Youren.

Carl - "A kind hearted man who will be missed by many friends and family members!"

Carl and Toby: Desert Palms, CA (circa = 1980s)

Sorry that I have not replied to emails and otherwise been not available for a while. My Father passed away on December 30th... I found out on New Year's Eve. Took some time off from work and spent some time with family and spent a lot of quiet time getting myself to terms with things. Anyways... I am going back to work and things will go on. Rest in Peace Dad.. We will all miss you.

UNDER THE LEATHER AND BEHIND THE SHADES
Under the leather and behind the shades stands a biker. We ride for the sense of freedom it gives us. The encouragement to take the road less traveled in the chance that we may encounter something new. We ride for the friendships we make along the way, as well as, the solitude of the open road. We don’t really care what you ride, just that you do. Under the leather and behind the shades is a beating heart. A heart filled with compassion that on any given day will be riding for those in need. Ask one of us for help, but don’t be surprised when all of us show up. Under the leather and behind the shades stands a proud American. We are as diverse a group of people that you could possibly assemble. We are men, women, tradesmen, doctors, lawyers, retirees, military, civilian and on and on and on. We stand silently with reverence and one voice that, in the silence, can be overwhelming. Under the leather and behind the shades stands an invited guest to the funeral of a soldier that we most likely have never met. We hold the flag of our nation as a tribute to the greatest sacrifice anyone can make. Out of respect for the fallen, we travel to stand firm for a family, a community and a nation to lean on. Under the leather and behind the shades stands a biker with sons, daughters, brothers and sisters of our own. Beneath the rough exterior we tremble and weep at your loss. You may not see that, for we are there to support you. That’s why we stand so silently under the leather and behind the shades.

A TRUE HEART OF A BIKER

A BIKER'S HEART TELLS THAT HE OR SHE IS A BIKER.
A BIKER DOES NOT NEED LEATHERS TO PROVE ANY POINT.
IN FACT, A TRUE BIKER NEEDS NOT PROVE ANY POINT.
A BIKER DOES NOT HAVE TO FLY COLORS TO BE A BIKER.
A TRUE BIKER DOES NOT HAVE TO PROVE WHO THEY ARE.
IN FACT, A TRUE BIKER IS SECURE ENOUGH WITHIN THEMSELF
THAT THEY NEED NOT PROVE WHO THEY ARE.

A BIKER IS SOMEONE WHO IS BORN WITH SOMETHING ONLY
FEW CAN UNDERSTAND. A BIKER IS SOMEONE WHO STANDS FIRM FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE, AND FOR THE RIGHT CAUSE, WILL FIGHT TO THE END. NOW A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS IMAGE OF A BIKER, BUT SO MANY OF THEM ARE WAY OFF BASE! WHEN THEY THINK BIKER, THEY THINK ROUGH AND TOUGH ....... MEAN AND NASTY........ HEARTLESS AND COLD..... TO THOSE PEOPLE I SAY HOW WRONG YOU ARE.

A TRUE BIKER KNOWS WHEN THEY MUST BE THAT WAY AND KNOWS
THAT THEY MUST DEFEND WHEN NECESSARY.
BUT A TRUE BIKER DOES NOT GO OUT AND PROVOKE .
THE NEW BREED OF SO CALLED BIKERS ARE TRULY
LOST AND CLUELESS. THEY WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND THE RULES AND CODES SO MANY HAVE LIVED BY FOR YEARS GONE BY.
A TRUE BIKER KNOWS IT IS NOT ABOUT THE COLORS YOU FLY OR THE KIND OF BIKE YOU HAVE...

IT IS ABOUT HEART & SOUL & FREEDOM & FAMILY !!!!!!!!!!!!
(this came from the page of AZbikerman...copied with his permission...amen)

'Well ya see, Norm, it's like this. A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular con sumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers.

We had to put Roscoe down today. Poor Guy just couldn't get around anymore. He hung in there for a long time; but his left hip finally went totally out and he couldn't get up anymore. He was a "GOOD BOY"... And we will miss him. Rest in Peace Roscoe.