Once again Sturgis is opening their arms to motorcycle riders from around the country.
This year it is 8/5 – 11/2013. There are plenty of places to stay including camping. You can find more information about the Rally and lodging on the following links:
The following is a report from Stan on the January 12th breakfast and ride thereafter.
We had a very good time while we visited The Old Time Cafe on Prince Rd. The food and service were excellent. Mike Leeper and I rode our motorcycles and after breakfast we went on a nice ride. We first headed north to Ina Rd, then west on Picture Rocks Rd. We then traveled south on Sandario Rd. to Kinney Rd. As we traveled south on Kinney Rd., we took a ride around McCain Loop, which is a rolling, curved road with a nice view out over the western valley. We rode to Mission Rd., continuing south to Duval Mine Rd., then southeast on Continental Rd. into Green Valley. After a nice stop and conversation, we continued on Continental Rd. around to Old Nogales Highway. We rode north to Valencia Rd., where we headed to our respective homes. It was a very good ride through some interesting areas.
Those who made the breakfast were: Stan & Patti Thibaut, John Falzone, Jeff & Kelly Jamieson, Frank & Kate Brunetti, David & Laura Vitkus, Russ & Jackie Cole, Mike Leeper, and finally Norm & Mary Hubbard.
Stan has made reservations @ Club 21 on N. Oracle Rd for our January Dinner Ride. This sounds like a nice Mexican style restaurant. Dinner is @ 6:30 pm. Below is a link that gives you a description of the restaurant.
In case you forgot or missed it the first time around, the Motorcycle Anti-Tampering Act (SB 435) went into effect January 1, 2013. Signed into law by Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in late 2010, the law authorizes the PoPo to cite motorcycle owners with non-compliant exhaust systems and ticket them with a noise pollution violation. SB 435 requires motorcycles and aftermarket motorcycle exhaust systems made on or after January 1st to display an EPA sound emissions label. Motorcycles produced prior to this date cannot be ticketed under SB 435. Motorcyclists must also first be pulled over for violating another traffic law such as speeding, illegal U-turn, etc. Police are not allowed to pull over a motorcyclist with the sole intention of an SB 435 infraction. First time offenders will face a fine between $50 to $100 — a fine that can be dismissed with proof of correction. A second offense raises the fine to $100 to $250 with no provision for dismissing the fine with proof of correction. Meaning, you can’t keep reinstalling your stock exhaust every time you get caught and pay nothing. An argument against SB 435 is the emasculated EPA has no power for enforcing the correct placement of its mandated label for exhaust systems, on OEM or aftermarket exhaust systems. Thus, it’s difficult to find the EPA label, especially on motorcycles with bodywork, and unreasonable to expect police officers to be able to easily locate the label. It’s also unreasonable to expect a motorcyclist to disassemble the bike’s exhaust system in an effort to find the label.
The law was originally opposed by both the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). These two organizations both recommended the J2825 standard developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers. The MIC is currently working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the EPA on adopting J2825.
For now it is suggested that to avoid any unwarranted tickets regarding your bike’s exhaust system, the owner should carry receipts or other forms of proof regarding the date of manufacture of the motorcycle, when the exhaust was installed and/or purchased, etc.
Our January Breakfast ride will be at the Old Times Café on W. Prince Rd. Several members have requested that we go back there. After breakfast Stan has a ride planned for those who may be interested. Stan is also asking for suggestions for future chapter rides between 2 -4 hours, or all day rides. The meeting time is 8:00 am. on January 12th.
http://www.mapquest.com/places/old-times-cafe-tucson-az-10487533
After many requests to resurrect the old Roadside Assistance Program (RAP), the Internet Committee (with the actual work done by Web Master Paul Croteau) has resurrected it via a self-sustainable, self-administered emergency contact list database. Log onto the members only section and click on the Roadside Assistance tab to the right, then once you’re on that page, read through it and then click on the “Blue Knights International Roadside Assistance Program” bar towards the bottom and add your information.
To All,
I received the following from a friend, fellow motorcyclist, member of another motorcycle group I belong to and a Veteran. I think this is a great cause and wanted to share it with you to see if we can contribute to this project. If any of you are interested, take a look around in the next couple of days to see if you have of the items mentioned that you could donate. I know it is the Christmas, Hanukkah season and many of you are extremely busy. If you have items, send me an email. Let’s try to get things donated before Christmas, so send me an email as soon as you can and by next Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the latest. Let me know the area around the city/county you live in. I will then see where I should set up pick up points to collect items from members. I can then take them to donate on behalf of the chapter. I think we should continue to gather items, for our Veterans, throughout the year.
Stan Thibaut
President BKAZIX
____________________________________________________
Greetings All,
Dan Neal here.
There are some folks that very much need our help right now. At the Wilmot gate of Davis-Monthan AFB is a place called Esperanza en Escalante (www.eeeveterans.org ). This is a program for homeless veterans. I am honored and humbled to sit on the board of directors. This morning as we met, and I spoke with some of the Vets, a need was brought to my attention that I want to share with you all.
These men and women have just about nothing and as the weather has really taken a turn towards winter, there is a serious need for warm, winter jackets and coats. I saw a number of people that had on nothing but a light sweater.
As I was driving home I was really prompted to write to our BMW family and friends to see if putting this need before you could produce some results. I made a detour to Iron Horse Motorcycles (3444 E. Grant Rd) to speak with John Cartwright. And true to form, he agreed to allow IHM to be the collection point for this endeavor. He also started this drive by donating the first two coats. If you would be so kind as to look in your closets and see if there might be a jacket / coat that might just have some good miles on it that you, like me, have not worn in a while, please consider letting it put a smile on someone else’s face right now.
Jim Richardson of IHM said ” This is a group of people that should not be homeless, much less cold and shivering”. I couldn’t agree more. This nation will always be indebted to these heroes that served for our freedoms.
Throughout the year there is also a need for all sorts of clothing, socks, appliances and furniture to eventually set these people with their own housing. If you are interested in large donations, they would need to be dropped of at the Esperanza facilities or you can call Phyllis Russell, our program director at 520-571-8294 to make arrangements for pick up. The address is 3700 S. Calle Polar, Tucson, Arizona 85730
Have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
To All,
I have all the details on our Palm Springs Ride. Make your reservations now. If you are going please let me know and we can coordinate the ride up.
RoN
Our official, unofficial gathering to tell lies, get to know your fellow Knights, and re-acquaint yourselves with old friends is happening once again. Mark your calendars and we’ll see you there…..
Our Annual Palm Springs Gathering is upon us.
1875 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA, 92262
(760)320-7676
Register now and let them know you’re with the Blue Knights
Well our 2012 Christmas Party is now history. Here is a little note from Stan and a few pictures. Those who made the party were: Stan & Patti Thibaut, Twan & Fonda Van der Sanden, Ray & Donna Valenzuela, Bill (Rev) & Antje Calkins, Jeff & Kelly Jamieson, Will & Gisele Harris, and of course Alan Stewart & Susan Wagner.
After some very good food, dessert and conversation, we then had the usual gift exchange. We all got our numbers and had a good time while the gifts were picked out. There were a few folks that liked what someone else got, so there were a few take a ways. Even though the Rev ended up with the tea set that Patti and I brought as one of our gifts, he decided that one of their granddaughters would really like it. It was a very nice evening and we all appreciated Susan and Alan opening their home to us again. We all wished each other Merry Christmas and went on our ways.
2012 Xmas – 1
2012 Xmas – 2
Our Monthly dinner ride for November was at Hot Rods Grill on Houghton Rd. The food was good and there were a number of interesting cars in the shop to be worked on, painted, etc. For those who haven’t been there before, one wall of the dining area is glass and over looks the work bays, engine room and paint booth. Those who made the trip for dinner were: Stan & Patti Thibaut, Alan Stewart and Susan Wagner, Ray & Donna Valenzuela, and Norm & Mary Hubbard. Here is a picture of those members:
Dinner Guests