Monday, September 15, 2008
Cool stuff from Viva Las Vegas
As usual when you take a trip to a cool event you end up bringing back more stuff than what you left with. Carolyn gave her King Kat boy beater away when we got home so I went to order her another. These guys have a nice line of clothing, and when you buy something they take your pic and post it on the site. Checking out the pages I happened to see some people I know...
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Communism still alive in Saskatchewan
The following form was sent to me by one of my bike riding friends. Seems that the Sask. Government wants to curb the custom bike scene. (note below) I guess the next logical step would be to apply these regulations to custom rods as well. I did a cut and paste from a pdf so the lines have been removed but check out some of the areas that will be used to not allow a bike on the street. I mean I understand the need for an engineered frame for safety, as well as the serials numbers because no one likes a thief but who cares if the head light has dot stamp?? What happens if your short and fat so you carve out the valley of your seat so you can plant both feet on the ground, only to find that it is 19.5" . Nice that only dealers get to approve the build. I guess the bike build from a kit off EBay for less the cost of a dealer is no good anymore; however if you buy the new bike from them then buy the after market stuff that would be o.k.
Still I can ride a vintage bike that will never meet these rules and still get it plated. Long gone are the good old days of the "swap meet special" and home garage design, yet all these aftermarket parts came from the inspiration of these guys. Is a "bobbed" fender now the mark of a non-conformist free thinking agitator? This was something your grand dad did in the day to go hill climbing!
It should be noted that the custom OEM Harley's were inspired from the riders that would attend rallies like Sturgis. Harley designers would take notes and bikes like the "Wide Glide" were born.
I will guarantee you that if I was to put $30K into a custom bike it would not come with a ratty leaking fuel tank.
I guess the OCC styles just are not welcome in Saskatchewan.
...next it will be Lou's rat rod getting pulled off the street because it doesn't conform to vehicle standards. Flat Black is no doubt against the rules.
Again there is a fine line between subjective views on safety and personal rights & freedoms. I also subscribe to the thinning of the heard theory. That is if your going to ride a bike with out it being safe then good luck to you.
I guess if everyone just crushed all the cars and bikes that were more than 10 years old we wouldn't have to worry. The economy would be rocking with all sorts of vehicle sales people. We could put a ban on any aftermarket part like light bulbs, batteries and tires. Think of what that would do for the environment. You need a tail light bulb? Not anymore, well just crush it! No more body shops, speed shops or car shows. Canadian Tire will only sell Tupperware and fishing rods. God help you if you need an oil change.
Service stations can be converted to farmer's markets and Vespas will own the roads!
Hey it works in China, but truth be told they have less bike regulations, helmet laws and speed limits.
Here are some examples of the two page list.
WHEELBASE - SEE NOTE (1). BODY TYPE - SEE NOTE (2).
SADDLE HEIGHT - SEE NOTE (3). FRAME HEIGHT - SEE NOTE (4).
TIRE SIZE - SEE NOTE (5). In Orange was the specific instructions for what to look at.
RECORD TIRE SIZE. BOTH WHEELS AND RIMS MUST BE DOT/CMVSS CERTIFED FOR STREET USE (TIRES MUST HAVE A THE LETTERS "DOT" OR A MAPLE LEAF NATIONAL SAFETY MARK EMBOSSED ON THE SIDE WALL). TIRES MUST HAVE THE APPROPRIATE LOAD AND SPEED RATING BASED ON THE GVWR OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND ITS RATED TOP SPEED. PLEASE NOTE: WHEELS MUST HAVE A MINIMUM DIAMETER OF 9.875 INCHES (250 MILLIMETRES).
BRAKES MAKE/MODEL - SEE NOTE (6).
RECORD MAKE AND MODEL OF STREET LEGAL MOTORCYCLE WITH AN IDENTICAL BRAKE SYSTEM (This means find something you can com pair it too, if not FAIL IT.)
SUSPENSION MAKE/MODEL - SEE NOTE (7).
MUFFLER - SEE NOTE (8).
HORN
OPERATIONAL TAIL LAMP - SEE NOTE (12).
FUEL SYSTEM (FREE OF LEAKS) MIRROR - SEE NOTE (9). SIGNAL LAMPS - SEE NOTE (13).
DRIVETRAIN GUARD INSTALLED HEADLAMP - SEE NOTE (10). LICENCE PLATE LAMP
SPEEDOMETER OR TACHOMETER STOP LAMP - SEE NOTE (11) REFLECTORS - SEE NOTE (14).
INSPECTORS SIGNATURE
DATE
Please return completed form to: SGI Vehicle Standards and Inspection
2260 - 11th Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2N7
Fax:(306)775-6222 Tel:(306)775-6188 *See Notes on reverse side of form.
I certify that the motorcycle
described above is compliant with all of the requirements listed on
this form.
SGI may consider a "homebuilt" motorcycle for road use provided SGI recieves confirmation from a recognized motorcycle dealership that the motorcycle is equipped
Once compliance is confirmed by a recognized motorcycle repair facility,
the motorcycle would qualify for registration as a current year “homebuilt” motorcycle.
Please Note: SGI will not permit registration of a motorcycle built around a non-certified/non-engineered frame (including a custom frame custom frame void of a
serial number or any form of certification) or equipped with home built custom fuel systems, suspension, steering and brake components unless the vehicle has
been certified by the manufacturer (through Transport Canada) as CMVSS compliant
RECORD SADDLE HEIGHT (MEASURED FROM THE GROUND TO THE SEAT VALLEY). SADDLE HEIGHT MUST NOT BE LESS THAN 20 INCHES
(500 MILLIMETRES) WHEN LOADED WITH 150 POUNDS (70 KILOGRAMS).
RECORD WHEELBASE. WHEELBASE MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 41 INCHES (1,040 MILLIMETRES).
Still I can ride a vintage bike that will never meet these rules and still get it plated. Long gone are the good old days of the "swap meet special" and home garage design, yet all these aftermarket parts came from the inspiration of these guys. Is a "bobbed" fender now the mark of a non-conformist free thinking agitator? This was something your grand dad did in the day to go hill climbing!
It should be noted that the custom OEM Harley's were inspired from the riders that would attend rallies like Sturgis. Harley designers would take notes and bikes like the "Wide Glide" were born.
I will guarantee you that if I was to put $30K into a custom bike it would not come with a ratty leaking fuel tank.
I guess the OCC styles just are not welcome in Saskatchewan.
...next it will be Lou's rat rod getting pulled off the street because it doesn't conform to vehicle standards. Flat Black is no doubt against the rules.
Again there is a fine line between subjective views on safety and personal rights & freedoms. I also subscribe to the thinning of the heard theory. That is if your going to ride a bike with out it being safe then good luck to you.
I guess if everyone just crushed all the cars and bikes that were more than 10 years old we wouldn't have to worry. The economy would be rocking with all sorts of vehicle sales people. We could put a ban on any aftermarket part like light bulbs, batteries and tires. Think of what that would do for the environment. You need a tail light bulb? Not anymore, well just crush it! No more body shops, speed shops or car shows. Canadian Tire will only sell Tupperware and fishing rods. God help you if you need an oil change.
Service stations can be converted to farmer's markets and Vespas will own the roads!
Hey it works in China, but truth be told they have less bike regulations, helmet laws and speed limits.
Here are some examples of the two page list.
WHEELBASE - SEE NOTE (1). BODY TYPE - SEE NOTE (2).
SADDLE HEIGHT - SEE NOTE (3). FRAME HEIGHT - SEE NOTE (4).
TIRE SIZE - SEE NOTE (5). In Orange was the specific instructions for what to look at.
RECORD TIRE SIZE. BOTH WHEELS AND RIMS MUST BE DOT/CMVSS CERTIFED FOR STREET USE (TIRES MUST HAVE A THE LETTERS "DOT" OR A MAPLE LEAF NATIONAL SAFETY MARK EMBOSSED ON THE SIDE WALL). TIRES MUST HAVE THE APPROPRIATE LOAD AND SPEED RATING BASED ON THE GVWR OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND ITS RATED TOP SPEED. PLEASE NOTE: WHEELS MUST HAVE A MINIMUM DIAMETER OF 9.875 INCHES (250 MILLIMETRES).
BRAKES MAKE/MODEL - SEE NOTE (6).
RECORD MAKE AND MODEL OF STREET LEGAL MOTORCYCLE WITH AN IDENTICAL BRAKE SYSTEM (This means find something you can com pair it too, if not FAIL IT.)
SUSPENSION MAKE/MODEL - SEE NOTE (7).
MUFFLER - SEE NOTE (8).
HORN
OPERATIONAL TAIL LAMP - SEE NOTE (12).
FUEL SYSTEM (FREE OF LEAKS) MIRROR - SEE NOTE (9). SIGNAL LAMPS - SEE NOTE (13).
DRIVETRAIN GUARD INSTALLED HEADLAMP - SEE NOTE (10). LICENCE PLATE LAMP
SPEEDOMETER OR TACHOMETER STOP LAMP - SEE NOTE (11) REFLECTORS - SEE NOTE (14).
INSPECTORS SIGNATURE
DATE
Please return completed form to: SGI Vehicle Standards and Inspection
2260 - 11th Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2N7
Fax:(306)775-6222 Tel:(306)775-6188 *See Notes on reverse side of form.
I certify that the motorcycle
described above is compliant with all of the requirements listed on
this form.
SGI may consider a "homebuilt" motorcycle for road use provided SGI recieves confirmation from a recognized motorcycle dealership that the motorcycle is equipped
Once compliance is confirmed by a recognized motorcycle repair facility,
the motorcycle would qualify for registration as a current year “homebuilt” motorcycle.
Please Note: SGI will not permit registration of a motorcycle built around a non-certified/non-engineered frame (including a custom frame custom frame void of a
serial number or any form of certification) or equipped with home built custom fuel systems, suspension, steering and brake components unless the vehicle has
been certified by the manufacturer (through Transport Canada) as CMVSS compliant
RECORD SADDLE HEIGHT (MEASURED FROM THE GROUND TO THE SEAT VALLEY). SADDLE HEIGHT MUST NOT BE LESS THAN 20 INCHES
(500 MILLIMETRES) WHEN LOADED WITH 150 POUNDS (70 KILOGRAMS).
RECORD WHEELBASE. WHEELBASE MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 41 INCHES (1,040 MILLIMETRES).
