The Masterlink - January 2016

A publication supporting the rights, safety and freedom of all motorcyclists through education and legislation

January 2016 VOLUME XXIV, ISSUE VIII

ABATE of AZ.

7509 N. 12th St, #200

Phoenix, AZ

85020

abateofaz.org

Nonprofit Org

US Postage Paid

Permit #1662

Phoenix, AZ

more from

waco

Editor’s Note: This article was sent out onthe MMA mailing list by Billy Larson. Here ishis commentary: “And, if you read thisstory... It is absolutely put out by law enforce-ment to cover their own Asses!!! There aresome HUGE Discrepancies..... All of whichpoint away from them... And the training mis-sion they were engaged in with the militaryand other LE agencies... “

Reprinted from http://www.msn.comBy EMILY SCHMALL and SETH ROBBINS, Associated Press

FORT WORTH, Texas — Four of the ninepeople killed in a melee between rival bikergangs outside a Texas restaurant were struckby the same caliber of rifle fired by Wacopolice, according to evidence obtained byThe Associated Press that provides the mostinsight yet into whether authorities wereresponsible for any of the deaths and injuries.

The latest trove of potential grand jury evi-dence reviewed by the AP depicts a chaotic,bloody scene in which police swarmed intothe shootout between rival biker gangs onMay 17 outside the Twin Peaks restaurantthat left about 20 wounded and arrested near-ly 200 people.

Hours of audio and footage and hundreds ofdocuments including ballistics reports show

that four of the dead and at least one of thewounded were struck with bullets from .223-caliber rifles — the only type of weapon firedby police that day.

Two of the four dead had wounds from onlythat kind of rifle; the other two were shot byother kinds of guns as well. The ballisticsreports show that the rest of the people killedwere shot by a variety of other guns.

It was not clear whether any bikers had simi-lar guns to the police that day. Among thehundreds of weapons authorities recoveredfrom the scene were 12 long guns, whichcould include rifles.

The Southwestern Institute of ForensicSciences, which conducted the ballisticsanalysis, declined to comment on its findings.

Waco Police Chief Brent Stroman had said inJune that officers shot a total of 12 roundsusing the semi-automatic setting on their.223-caliber rifles. The AP has previouslyreported that evidence showed some of thoseshots struck bikers, but didn't indicatewhether they were fatal.

Police and the district attorney's officedeclined to comment on the latest evidence,but have previously defended the officers' useof force, claiming that bikers had also opened

fire on police. Police have previously cited agag order in the criminal case of one of thebikers. Media groups including the AP havefought the order, contending that it is overlybroad and unconstitutional.

Investigators have offered few details publiclyabout what sparked the fight or how the gun-fire played out. Much of the narrative hascome from the evidence obtained by the AP,including the latest batch of documents,footage, autopsy photos and audio of 911calls and biker interviews describing how afeud between the Cossacks and Bandidosmotorcycle gangs turned deadly.

Bikers have criticized the way police dealtwith the incident and believe the ballisticsfindings prove that officers made the situationworse.

"I think they handled it badly," said JohnWilson, who was at the shooting and is achapter president of the Cossacks. "I thinktheir first responsibility is to be a deterrent tocrime, not to set up and hope they get to usetheir rifles."

The gunfire had erupted shortly before ameeting of a coalition of motorcycle clubsthat says it advocates for rider safety.

continued page 10

Visit us on FaceBook facebook.com/AbateofAZ and facebook.com/pages/Too-Broke-For-Sturgis-Rally

How to Reach Us

480-256-9237For Advertising Rates

Email Ericat [email protected]

Or Mail Your Ads to:MasterLink, ABATE of Arizona

7509 N. 12th St, #200Phoenix, AZ, 85020

MasterLink Advertising Rates:SizeMonthly Quarterly YearlyBusiness Card Size (3-1/2”w x 2”h):$20.00 $60.00 $200.001/8 Page (5-1/8”w x 4”h)$50.00 $150.00 $500.001/4 Page (5-1/2”w x 8”h)$70.00 $210.00 $700.001/2 Page (10-1/4”w x 8”h)$100.00 $300.00 $1,000.00Full Page (10-1/4”w x 16”h)$200.00 $600.00 $2,000.00Full Color Back Page (10-1/4”w x 16”h)$400.00 $950.00 $3,300.00

Mission Statement

We will lobby and educate the government and the general public to promote

motorcycling in a safe and positive image.

We will endeavor to enlist the cooperation and participation of all organizations

and individuals who share

a similar interest in preserving our American tradition of

FREEDOM.

PAGE 2 MASTERLINK JANUARY 2016

Would you like to receiveThe Masterlink digitally?It is posted monthly onthe ABATE website -www.abateofaz.org. Optout of the receiving theThe Masterlink? Pleasecontact the ABATE Officeif you would like to nolonger receive a hardcopy of The Masterlink.480-256-9237 [email protected]

ABATE OF ARIZONA LOCAL CHAPTERSYavapai Chapter

P.O. Box 11319Prescott, AZ 86304

Coordinator............................ OPENVice Coordinator....................OPENSecretary................................ OPENTreasurer................................ OPENMembership........................... OPENRun Coordinator......................OPENSafety Coordinator..................OPENSgt. At Arms...........................OPENP.A.C...................................... OPENCommunications.................... OPENMerchandise...........................OPEN

Yavapai monthly chapter meetings have been sus-pended due to lack of member participation.Anyone interested in re-establishing the chaptershould contact Deborah Butitta at [email protected]

Yuma Chapter11316 S. Glenwood Ave.

Yuma, AZ 85367Coordinator............................ Frank WhiteVice Coordinator....................VacantSecretary................................ Mikkie MelansonTreasurer................................ Virginia NielsenMembership........................... Tyrone (Runt) GillRun Coordinator.....................Jerry AllisonSafety Coordinator..................Ray “PeeWee” GrierSgt. At Arms...........................Terry “Gunner” Langworty P.A.C...................................... Gilbert HernandezCommunications.................... David "Pastor D" LittsMerchandise...........................Lisala White

Yuma Chapter meets the second Tuesday eveningmonthly at 6:00 PM at the pm. The next meetingwill be held at the Kountry Kitchen Café locatedat 11242 S Foothills Blvd, Yuma, AZ. 85365. Foradditional information contact Frank White(Hound) at 209-327-0814.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

If any of the Officers are listed hereincorrectly, please send corrections to:[email protected] I will be sure everything is accurate for the next Issue and on the web site.

A.B.A.T.E. BOARD OF DIRECTORSAND OFFICERS FOR 2015 - 2016

Chairman..............................Sean Pinder

East Valley………………….Jack BattyHigh Country........................Forrest “Woody” PhillipsPhx / Shadow Mountain…...Clyde BrooksSouthern AZ.........................Sean PinderYavapai……………………..Deborah ButittaYuma....……………………..Rick Breadwell

Quarterly Board meetings are held on the firstSunday in January, April, July and October at1:00pm @ the AZ American-Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th St, Phoenix. Please make sure yourChapter has representation.

A.B.A.T.E. State Officers For 2016President………..............……Jim ButsbackVice President.....……………Brad CrosbySecretary……………………Dawn SteedTreasurer…………………….Jim SilkMembership…………………Ben MartinezRun/Events………………….VacantSafety Coordinator………….Teresa "Trauma Mama"McClellandSergeant-at-Arms……………Vic GradyP.A.C………………………...John "Johnny D" DreyfusCommunications…………….Judy "Hooody" BrusDesignated Lobbyist...............VacantABATE Products……………Tina "Sweetpea" BenoitMasterLink Editor................ Eric Hampton

[email protected] phone: 480-256-9237

www.abateofaz.org and www.toobrokeforsturgis.com

Mailing address 7509 N. 12th St, #200, Phoenix, AZ85020. State Officers meetings are held the 1st Sunday ofevery month, 10:30 am at the AZ American Italian Club,7509 N. 12th Street Phoenix, AZ.- OR in conjunctionwith the quarterly BOD meeting.

East Valley Chapterc/o Jim Silk, 5722 E. Garnet Circle,

Mesa, AZ 85206Coordinator............................Joe FerrucciVice Coordinator...................Jack BattySecretary................................Dawn SteedTreasurer................................Deb BrunkoMembership...........................Mike ShearhartRun Coordinator....................VacantSafety Coordinator.................Jim SilkSgt. At Arms..........................Richard DaltonP.A.C......................................Dawn SteedCommunications....................Dawn SteedMerchandise...........................Donna Batty

EAST VALLEY CHAPTER meetings are heldthe 4th Sunday of the month at 11:00 a.m. at Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.) 1712 W.Broadway Road, Mesa AZ 85202FMI contact Joe Ferrucci at 480-295-9488

High Country Chapter209A E. Juniper St.Payson AZ 85541

Coordinator............................Wayne SlocumVice Coordinator...................Billy HenslerSecretary................................Dee SchultzTreasurer...............................Debra BedaMembership...........................CC Rider Run Coordinator....................Mark Fickel2nd Run Coordinator....................CC Rider lSafety Coordinator.................John LaceySgt. At Arms.........................Justin Wilson2nd Sgt. At Arms.........................Mike BasnerP.A.C.....................................Woody PhillipsCommunications...................SnakeMerchandise..........................Beth Lacey

High Country Chapter meetings are held on the3rd Sunday at 10 a.m. at The Moose Lodge in StarValley. Contact: [email protected]

Phoenix-Shadow Mountain ChapterP.O. Box 54041

Phoenix, AZ 85078-4041Coordinator...........................Mike SchneiderVice Coordinator....................Jim PageSecretary................................Tara RudometkinTreasurer................................Laura "Sunny" SleemonMembership...........................Ben MartinezRun Coordinator....................Jeremy KellimSafety Coordinator.................Trauma MamaSgt. At Arms..........................Scott GibbonsP.A.C......................................John ‘Johnny D’ DreyfusCommunications....................Nichole KirkpatricMerchandise...........................Judy "Hooody" Brus

Phoenix/Shadow Mountain meetings are held onthe 2nd Sunday of each month at 10:30am at theAZ American Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th Street,Phoenix, AZ 85020. FMI: Chapter CoordinatorMike Schneider, 602-549-1044, [email protected]

Southern Arizona Chapter6888 N De Chelly LoopTucson, AZ 85741

Coordinator............................Jim ButsbackVice Coordinator....................Darron “Radar” HuntingtonSecretary................................Becky GarinoTreasurer................................Dawn DeteljMembership...........................Bob StewartRun Coordinator....................VacantSafety Coordinator.................VacantSgt. At Arms.........................Robert GuentherP.A.C......................................Anissa HuntingtonCommunications....................VacantMerchandise...........................Vacant

The Southern Arizona Chapter will meet the thirdSaturday. We will gather at the Kettle Restaurant,748 W. 22nd St, Tucson. Breakfast will be avail-able at 7:30 a.m. with the meeting beginning at 9a.m. FMI contact Jim Butsback by phone at 520-247-3051 or email [email protected]

Arizona MRF Representative WantedThrough the Motorcycle RidersFoundation State RepresentativeProgram, local motorcyclists are kept upto date on the MRF's legislative and train-ing agendas. The MRF State Rep pro-gram allows information to pass quicklyto the State Motorcyclists' RightsOrganizations, as well as allowing infor-mation to reach the MRF concerningindividual states.

The men and women involved in theMRF's State Rep Program are dedicated

volunteers from the membership rankswho are willing to give their time andenergy to build, maintain and enhance therelationship between the MRF and allmotorcyclists within their states. Theymust work closely with the StateMotorcyclists' Rights Organizations,attending their meetings and events,keeping the SMROs abreast of nationalissues, international issues, and issuesaffecting motorcylists in other states.

MRF State Reps promote the MRF by all

possible means, such as making presenta-tions to SMROs and other groups.Writing articles for newspapers andnewsletters, membership recruiting, andspeaking to individual motorcyclists areother examples of promoting the MRF.

To become an MRF State Representative,candidates must submit two things to theDirector of State Representative Program:(1) An MRF State Representative applica-tion, obtained from the Director of StateRepresentative Program. (2) A written

endorsement from your StateMotorcylists' Rights Organization. If yourstate has more than one SMRO, anendorsement must be obtained from allSMROs in your state.

For additional information regarding theMRF's State Representative Program,please contact Dave Condon, Director ofState Representative [email protected]

Meeting MinutesA.B.A.T.E. of Arizona, Inc. Board ofDirectors and State meeting minutes willno longer be printed and taking up spacein THE MASTERLINK. They are avail-able to view 24/7 on-line at www.abateo-

faz.org under the “Communications” tab.

Thank you!MK

By Jim Butsback

Greetings Brothers and Sisters of ABATEof Arizona. First I would like to say howhonored I am that you have elected me torepresent you as President of ABATE ofArizona. I do not take this charge lightly.I promise to work hard to continue tokeep ABATE the driving force in themotorcycle community of Arizona.

I would also like to take this time to con-gratulate Mary Kay and all the state offi-cers who have worked so hard the pasttwo years to turn things around and placeour organization on firm ground. Whenthey took over two years ago our organi-zation was at a crossroads and they madesome hard and much needed decisionsand the turnaround has been nothing butamazing. Thanks guys you have done aGreat Job!!!

We are an all volunteer organization andas any such group we depend on ourmembers to step up and fill officer posi-tions and various chairman jobs etc.Without all the dedicate individuals whodonate their time and talents, the greatwork we accomplish could not be done.So thank you to every member who hasstepped up to fill an officer position intheir chapter or who has volunteered towork a membership table at an event ormade phone calls and sent emails etc.Without you we would cease to exist.

For those of you who may not know me,I am originally from Chicago. I grew upon the northwest side of the city about 4miles west of Wrigley Field. I made themove to Tucson in 1996 with my family.I live with my wife and two children onthe northwest side of Tucson. I own asmall pool and spa service company inTucson. I started riding motorbikes webuilt from bicycles with Briggs &Stratton lawn mower engines mounted onthem when I was in grammar school. Ieventually moved up to a ’71 HondaCB350 and that was the start of my loveof motorcycling. I presently have twobikes that I ride, a 93 Harley HeritageSoftail Classic and a 97 Electra-GlideUltra-Classic.

I joined ABATE in 2007 after picking upa Masterlink and reading an article onwhy ALL riders should join a SMRO. Agroup of us were out and happened upona membership drive that the Tucson chap-ter was having and several of us signedup. I became active with the chapter,became Sgt-at-Arms and eventually waselected Coordinator when Ron Kool

moved on. I have been Coordinator forthe past several years. I am now a lifemember of ABATE of Arizona and I amalso a member of MMA, MMAA, AMAand the MRF. I have attended Best of theWest and recently was at Meeting of theMinds in Milwaukee. I have representedABATE at the ACMC meetings whenthey are held in Tucson.

I would like to thank the members fromaround the state that encouraged me totake this position. Without your input Iprobably would not have taken theplunge. It is going to be a little bit of achallenge for me to fulfill the duties ofthe State President while living inTucson. It is a 4 hour round trip to makeit up to Phoenix for meetings etc., butnow that the BOD has purchased theequipment for conference calls and asmart TV it should make it much easierfor members from all over the state toparticipate in state meetings.

This is an exciting time for ABATE ofArizona. Our main fund raising event forthe state, TOO BROKE for STURGIS, iscelebrating its 25th anniversary. This willbe a HUGE event this year and the TBFScommittee has already been hard at workmaking sure it will be an event we all canbe proud of. This event is put on by US,ABATE of Arizona and as such we needeveryone’s help to make sure it comes offas planned. I am encouraging all ABATEmembers from all around the state to planon attending this year’s TBFS and sup-porting our organization. While you arethere please step up and volunteer for atleast one if not more shifts working theevent. For the past couple of years I have

worked the registration table at TBFS. Ihave to say that it has been the best partof the event for me. I get to meet every-one coming into the campground first,before they get in. I also am given theprivilege of explaining to those who arenot familiar with ABATE, who we areand what we are all about. It is a wonder-ful feeling when you explain the impor-tance of our SMRO to a fellow motorcy-clist and they decide right there to fill outthe application and join.

The ABATE Officers training will be heldon Saturday January 9th, 2016 at theArizona American Italian Club, 7509 N12th Street, Phoenix, AZ. I want to inviteall members to attend this training. If youare not an officer of your chapter butwould like to learn more about the differ-ent positions and what they entail this isthe perfect opportunity to do that. It isalso a good idea for every chapter to havemore than one person familiar with theduties of the various officers. We are allvolunteers and we all have families andother responsibilities that take our timeand attention. By having someone famil-iar with the duties, you can have someoneto fill in if other responsibilities take anofficer away for a time. There will also bepresentations on the new membershipprocess that has been implemented, thetreasury process, Too Broke for Sturgisand Motorcycle Day at the Dome(Freedom Rally). The BOD will also havea meeting and everyone is invited toattend. I look forward to seeing you there.

Ride Free! Jim

President’s ReportMASTERLINK JANUARY 2016 PAGE 3

13th Annual Barbie Hensler Memorial Toy Run

MASTERLINK JANUARY 2016

Chapter ReportsEast Valley Chapter

Welcome to the Holidays! The bestweather riding time of the year, we justaren’t going to talk about the snow birdtraffic that makes our adventures “extraspecial”.

I hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving.

Well in all honesty as far as the Chaptergoes it’s been a pretty quiet month. As faras the season of giving it’s been a crazybusy month.

As I sit here writing this we have theACMC toy run coming up in a week.

We will be voting on our ChapterOfficers for 2016 at our December 27thmeeting, which will also be our annualpotluck.

I have been voted in and accepted theABATE of Arizona State Secretary posi-tion therefore I have made a choice toonly run for East Valley’s ChapterSecretary. I will be allowing others theprivilege of being PAC andCommunications Officers.

I would like to wish everyone a BlessedMerry Christmas (or respectfullywhichever holiday you may celebrate)and a Happy New Year.

So until we meet again, be safe out there.Enjoy the ride and as always keep it rub-ber side down.

Here’s to wind knots in my hair,

Dawn P Steed

Secretary, PAC, and Communications

High Country ChapterHello brothers and sisters.

Well it has been one hell of a hecticmonth. With the weather being somewhere between fair to shitty up here, wehave still been able to ride from time totime. With that being said, always pre-pare yourself for extreme weather condi-tions. Always pack for adverse weatherconditions, maintain a safe speed, keep asafe following distance, and alwaysassume that other drivers don't see you.Ride as though you are invisible to otherdrivers, because with the weather condi-tions, and this being the holiday season,other drivers are not thinking about whatthey should. Simply put; they just aren'tpaying attention.

Here in the High Country we haveworked hard on Barbie Hensler MemorialToy Run. When the 12th of Dec. rolledaround and we knew we would be sockedin with snow, and realized a couple daysearlier that we had to adapt. So memberswere asked to pick up toys at specifiedlocations prior to our event. Toys weredelivered to the Moose Lodge in StarValley the day before. I know this is nothow things are normally done, butKnowing bad weather was coming, Ireally didn't want brothers and sisters onthe road in these conditions. "Just notmotorcycle weather".

We held a zero mile poker run so no onehad to go out in the snow. Donationswere accepted, cards were drawn, all hadfun, and everyone stayed safe, warm, anddry. There was a silent auction with a lotof good stuff, from wine baskets to jew-elry, to a night vision game camera. Allproceeds from the silent auction wereadded to the donations for the kids. Twoof the Old Bastards MC took high andlow hand in the zero mile poker run, thengraciously donated all back to the kids.

Thank you Coyote and Keeper.

I want to thank everyone for their hardwork, especially CC Rider and Woody.With CC Rider organizing and runningthe event and Woody promoting, this wasa good combination for success. All ofour Business members and their patrons,for their continued support and generosi-ty. Punkin Center for their Hand madehats, scarves, mittens, and overflowingboxes of toys. Also Pete & ChristineRandall, Spencer & Marcy Scott for theirgenerous cash donations. The Pour Houseand their patrons for the overflowing boxof toys. Sidewinders for their box, host-ing our event, and supplying us with DJentertainment by KRIM FM "Low Powerto the People".

In addition, Thanks should go out to theRim Country District (RCD) ModifiedMotorcycle Association (MMA) of AZ,and the drivers of AAA Medex for theBicycles, toys and generous cash dona-tions. Up here in the High CountryCommunity, everyone seems to cometogether for a cause, and what bettercause than the families in need of helpduring Christmas.

All toy donations were brought to theMoose Lodge 852 in Star Valley wherethey will be wrapped by the Women ofthe Moose, (WOTM) and distributedamong the children at their party the fol-lowing weekend. In addition, collectivelyall cash donations totaled $1752.00.These funds will help the Moose Lodgebuy clothes, coats, and shoes for a lot ofthese children, in addition to buying foodfor the families. As the toys startedrolling in to the meeting hall, some of the(WOTM) got started right away onWrapping and sorting as per age and gen-der. They took a little time for a fewphoto opps and got back at it. They havea lot of work to get things ready for theirparty. While presenting them with thecheck some had tears and others almostfainted. I am honored to be a part of sucha loving and caring community.

HCC ABATE will be attending the partyat the Moose Lodge to help in the distri-bution of the toys. It is amazing to watchthese children as they sit on Santa's lapthen receive their gifts. It touches thehearts of everyone involved.

Just a reminder HCC holds our meetingsevery 3rd Sun. of the month. 10am at theMoose Lodge 852 in Star Valley. WeMeet for breakfast 8:30am at the SpurBar prior to the meeting. All are welcometo come and join us.

Keep wind in your face, sun on yourback,fuel in the tank, and rubber on the road.

Wayne SlocumCoordinator,HCC ABATE

Phoenix/Shadow MountainChapter

Great meeting and a beautiful daySunday 13th. Our Safety officer didremind everyone that in the winter youcan still get dehydrated in Phoenix andhypothermia in the higher elevations..Also be sure to check you tire pressures.

Jonny D. (The future lawyer) informed usthat the highway bill had passed both thehouse and senate. Now waiting for thePresident to sign. This includes provi-sions for no US Government funding ofMotorcycle only checkpoints and a studyon preventing crashes. We were alsoinformed that the AMSAC had not com-pleted their required meetings and wereurged to call them before the year ends so

the registration funds collected go tomotorcycle safety instead of the generalfund.

Vic Grady has made good progress onDay at the Dome and it is scheduled forApril 18th from noon to 5 PM.

We also held our chapter elections.Thanks to the new members who havestepped up for nominations. All of ourpositions are filled for next year.

Steve PalmerPhoenix-Shadow Mountain ABATECommunications Officer

Southern Arizona ChapterThe November meeting, as always, washeld at the Kettle Restaurant. The meet-ing started at 9:00 AM with the Pledge ofAllegiance and Prayer for those in harm’sway and fallen Brothers and Sisters.Officers Present were Coordinator JimButsback, Treasurer Dawn Detelj,PAC/BOD Sean Pinder. Attendance waslow due to the Tour de Tucson bicycleevent messing up traffic all over town.

The minutes of last month’s meetingwere approved as written, and theTreasurer’s report was accepted.

Bob is still working on setting up anevent for February, but had a problemwith the City on using Fort Lowell Parkto hold the event. He is working with ourbusiness members to get a venue. He willhave more to report at the Decembermeeting. We are planning on workingwith the VA Hospital to raise funds forthem.

Chapter elections were held and I wouldlike to thank all those who stepped up totake on a position. We only exist becauseof volunteers stepping forward. The offi-cers for next year are:

Coordinator-Jim Butsback, Vice Coordinator-Darron “Radar”Huntington, Secretary-Becky Garino, Treasurer-Dawn Detelj, Membership-Bob Stewart, PAC-Anissa Huntington.

We are still in need of a couple of folksto fill open positions.

We are looking for a new Safety officer,a Communications officer, and a Runofficer. If you have any interest or wishto learn more about what is involvedplease call Jim Butsback and he will behappy to explain it to you.

New officer training and the transition tothe new State officers will take placeJanuary 9th, 2016 at the Annual OfficerTraining at The American Italian Club,7509 N 12th Street, Phoenix, AZ. Thetime is set for 11:00AM – 3:00PM andthis will also include the BOD meeting aswell as State Officers meeting. All newofficers are encouraged to attend and anyother member wish to attend is alwayswelcome.

The Annual A.B.A.T.E. general member-ship meeting/officers elections were heldNovember 8th. The list of new officers ison the State web site.

This year is the 25th Anniversary for TooBroke for Sturgis!! We are starting tosign up members for volunteer duties forthis event. This is ABATE’S big eventand we can’t e to do it without your helpPLEASE plan on coming up to TBFS andstep up and volunteer for a couple ofshifts to help make this year’s event aHUGE success!!

Sean reported on several issues including

The House passed the long-termHighway bill, and now the House andSenate will form a committee to blendthe two versions of the bill.

There is once again a push for NationalHelmet laws.

Sean also gave an update on the WacoCOC meeting at the Twin PeaksRestaurant. Now it seems revoking gunrights from Motorcyclists is on the riseacross the country.

The DPS, Gang Task Force and WinslowPD were all involved in an operation forno discernible reason other than to con-duct massive and visible surveillance ona local MC that has no felons etc. This isa gross mismanagement of public funds.There is a call for the State to look intothis event.

As always please keep promoting ourBusiness Memberships to those you dobusiness with. We have been doing Greaton this so let’s keep up the good work.

Anyone who is not getting emails fromthe Chapter, please send your emailaddress to [email protected] is also a group page at YahooGroups. All Chapter members can signup there and receive all emails from theChapter through the group.

It is [email protected]. Weare trying to save the Chapter somemoney by cutting down on postage.Please make sure the State MembershipOfficer has all your current informationas well, this includes phone numbers,email addresses, address changes etc. Youcan email him [email protected].

Ride Free, Ride Safe

Yavapai ChapterYAVAPAI CHAPTER has been deactivat-ed due to lack of member participation.Anyone interested in reviving the chapter,please contact Deborah Butitta, ABATEof Arizona Board of Directors representa-tive for Yavapai County. The chapter isrequired to have a Chapter Coordinator,Secretary and Treasurer. You may con-tact Deborah at [email protected] or the StatePresident at [email protected]

Yuma ChapterThe Yuma chapter met on December 8that 6:00 pm at the Kountry Kitchen restau-rant to conduct our monthly businessmeeting. The meeting was called toorder, the Pledge of Allegiance was recit-ed, and normal reports were addressed.No new business was addressed at thismeeting.

By the time this article is publish andbeing read, Christmas will have passedand we will have crossed over into a newyear. May 2016 be a year of great accom-plishments, many miles of carefree rid-ing, and great adventure. We are lookingforward to another year of fighting forthe rights of motorcyclist in the State ofArizona and nationally.

The Yuma ABATE chapter meets the sec-ond Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm.The next meeting will be held on January12th, 2016 at the Kountry Kitchen Cafélocated at 11242 S. Foothills Blvd, Yuma,AZ. We would love to see you there.

For the love of freedom,

Pastor DCommunications OfficerYuma ABATE Chapter

Accepting Applications for Designated LobbyistWe are currently accepting applicationsfor Designated Lobbyist of A.B.A.T.E. ofArizona, Inc. This position is appointedby the Board of Directors. TheDesignated Lobbyist interacts with thestate legislature and motorcycle safety

and awareness organizations, developsA.B.A.T.E.’s legislative plans, formulatesplans to circumvent negative motorcyclelegislation, drafts positive motorcyclelegislation, keeps officers informed, andwrites an informative article each month

for publication in The Masterlink. Thisperson needs to be personable and have afull understanding of the workings ofboth state and federal government, be anarticulate speaker and writer, familiarwith local, state and federal laws, and be

proficient in legal research methods.Interested applicants may submit theirapplication with background informationto [email protected]

MASTERLINK JANUARY 2016 PAGE 5

ABATE IS:· A Motorcycle Rights Organization(MRO)· For Bikes & Riders, regardless of Race,Creed, color, sex, age, machine or gear· For all Motorcycles regardless ofFraternal or club affiliation, as well asIndependents· For people interested in motorcycle safety· For People interested in rider education· For people interested in motorcycleawareness PSAs directed to non-Riders· For people interested in protecting andpromoting motorcycling· A volunteer, not-for-profit grass-rootsorganization · For Motorcyclist who enjoy the ride

$7,583 Value

$50 Masterlink, Patch, Memb card$8-20 TBFS Disc Entry, RV, Cabins$4,000 AD&D Benefit$3,000 60% Discount Health$10 Child Safe Kits$3 White Bandana$1,000 Leadership Training Priceless Motorcycle Awareness Priceless RightsPriceless Rider Education

ABATE of Arizona Serves to:

· Collaborate with other organizations to

monitor and support funding for practices thatdo not discriminate against motorcycling.· Encourage political involvement of its mem-bership.· Promote and present motorcyclists and motor-cycling in a positive and safe manner.· Help prevent motorcycle crashes and promotecrash survival through rider education, and · · · ·· Public awareness campaigns.· Encourage ongoing federal research programssuch as use of E15 fuel in motorcycles, inclu-sion of motorcycles in ongoing transportationemerging technologies, and improvements insafer roadway design strategies.· Promote rider skills training through ABATE’s· Rider Advantage (ARA) scholarship programand tax-deductible entity

ABATE accomplishments:

· Motorcycle Lobbyist at the State Legislature· 2013 Eliminated yearly motorcycle emissionstesting in Maricopa County· 2007 Remove Motorcycle Safety Fund cap· 2007 Eliminated yearly motorcycle emissionstesting in Pima County· 2004 Veteran’s plates for motorcycles· 2002 Arizona Motorcycle Safety Councilestablished· 2001 Motorcycle Safety Fund established· 1997 Handlebar height raised to shoulder · 1993 Helped prevent mandatory helmet legis-lation in Arizona· 1992 Opened HOV lanes to motorcycles

Motorcycle Awareness Program (MAP)

ABATE of Arizona has developed a programwith the mission to provide motorcycleawareness training to all drivers and soon-to-be drivers on the road in Arizona.Instructors provide a one hour program tostudents in driver education classes through-out the state.

MAP is available to be presented to civicorganizations as well as most businesses thathold safety meetings. FMI: [email protected]

Please Tell us What Your Top FiveMotorcycle Issues, Matter to You:

· Distracted Driving – Motorcycle, Bicycle, Pedestrianare Vulnerable Roadway Users · Right of Way Violations resulting in Injury/Fatality · Insurance Discrimination and claim denial· SAFETEA-LU Safety/Highway Funds ~2010 MSF· Discriminatory Profiling by Law Enforcement· Anti-tampering Regulations – Right to Modify· State/National Mandatory Helmet/Equipment · Transportation Exclusion of Intelligent Technology(IT), New Vehicle, Highway, Taxes and Fuel regardingMotorcycle Safety and Use· Motorcycle-Only Checkpoints · Accurate Stats & Research Study regardingMotorcycle Safety & Accidents· Off Road Trail Closing and Access· Tar Snakes & Median Cable wire · Intersection Engineering – Lights to Speed Limit,Leading Left Only, Increase Yellow & All Clear Red

JOIN ABATE NOW!ABATE Of Arizona provides a unifiedvoice for all motorcyclists in Arizona.Add your voice to ours. Join ABATEnow, for the preservation of your abili-ty to ride a motorcycle with the free-dom that's your right!!

© 2015 ABATE Of Arizona7509 N. 12th St, #200Phoenix, AZ. 85020

Website: www.abateofaz.orgTo join our discussion group,

send email [email protected]

Join A.B.A.T.E.

Coast to CoastNCOM BIKER NEWSBYTESCompiled & Edited by Bill Bish,National Coalition of Motorcyclists(NCOM)

CONGRESS MOVES TO DE-FUNDMOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS

On November 5, the U.S. House ofRepresentatives approved their version ofthe federal Highway Bill which, like theSenate companion measure, contains pro-visions of importance to motorcyclists,most notably the ban on federal fundingof motorcycle-only roadside checkpoints.

In addition to curbing the controversialroadblocks, the House bill also authorizesa motorcycle crash prevention study;revives the federal Motorcycle AdvisoryCouncil; continues off-road trails funding;and makes highway safety grants moreaccessible.

Approved by a bipartisan vote of 363-64,the Surface TransportationReauthorization and Reform Act of 2015(HR 3763) provides $325 billion in trans-portation funding over the next six years,corresponding to similar legislationpassed by the U.S. Senate earlier thisyear.

Unfortunately, the House highway billdoes not include similar Senatorial lan-guage that would ban the U.S. DOT fromlobbying local, state and federal govern-ments on policy issues such as mandatory

helmet laws, so it is important to contactyour federal representatives to adopt sucha compromise when the House andSenate convene a conference committeeto iron out the details.

WACO INFO

One hundred seventy-seven people werearrested and held on million dollar bondsfollowing the melee in Waco, Texas inMay that left nine bikers dead and nearlytwenty wounded, and on November 10thprosecutors announced 106 felony indict-ments charging defendants with engagingin organized criminal activity.

“The Waco Grand Jury indictments on106 individuals for engaging in organizedcrime are not convictions,” explainsDavid "Double D" Devereaux of theMotorcycle Profiling Project(www.MotorcycleProfilingProject.com),“The Grand Jury only determines whetherthe prosecutor has sufficient evidence toindict. The Grand Jury only hears fromthe prosecutor, no defense attorneys areallowed, and does not make a determina-tion on guilt.”

“Double D”, who is also a member of theNational Coalition of Motorcyclists’Legislative Task Force (NCOM-LTF),says that as examining trials have madeclear, the basis of the prosecutor’s argu-ment in many of these case relies solelyon an individual’s association with amotorcycle club that had members

accused of committing a crime on May17th. “These indictments based solely onassociation, particularly the cases wherethe prosecutor admits that there is no evi-dence that the individual participated inany crime or violence, flies in the face ofrecent Federal Court precedent.”

A U.S. District Court decision in Coles v.Carlini, 9/30/2015, relying on SupremeCourt precedent, concluded that the gov-ernment may not impose restrictions onan individual solely because of theirmembership in a MC, including a 1%club that the government labels as a gangor criminal organization. “The criminalactivity of others does not justify denyingrights and privileges solely because ofassociation with an unpopular organiza-tion,” according to Devereaux.

“Although I agree with many that areconcerned about the seemingly brokenWaco criminal justice system, recent Feddecisions seem to say that the underlyingassumptions of an indictment based sole-ly on association are unconstitutional,”said Devereaux in a prepared documenttitled “Understanding the Waco GrandJury Indictments.”

“The decision by the Waco Grand Jurycomes as no surprise to many consideringthe obviously over-broad arrests, exces-sive bail, and unsuccessful challenges toprobable cause during examining trials,”he concludes, adding that an overly-broadindictment affords the prosecution the

ability to offer plea deals, shield them-selves against lawsuits, and pressuredefendants to testify.

IDAHO MOTORCYCLE CLUB WINSSETTLEMENT OVER CLUBHOUSERAID

Ten members of the Brother Speed MC,along with the club itself, will be splittinga $16,500 payment from the UnitedStates government, to settle their lawsuitover a 2013 raid on their Nampa club-house that yielded no charges.

The club and its members sued numerousfederal agents and the United States, say-ing their civil rights were violated whenfederal agents serving a search warrantbroke down the door, set off flash-banggrenades, and sent dozens of heavilyarmed SWAT team members into thesmall home. The club members weredetained for up to three hours whileagents forcibly removed their personalproperty, including their clothing, andconfiscated club memorabilia, accordingto the club’s attorney, Craig Durham.“These were regular guys minding theirown business that night,” Durham toldThe Spokesman-Review newspaper.“They were not a threat, and there was nocall for the use of terrifying, military-style tactics to serve a simple search war-

continued page 6


Coast to Coast (continued)rant.”

The government admitted no wrongdoingbut agreed to the settlement, under whichthe club will receive $4,000, and the indi-vidual members will receive paymentsranging from $500 to $2,500.

“This was never about money,” saidchapter president Daniel Bugli. “It wasabout standing up for our rights as citi-zens and members of this community.Law enforcement officers shouldn’t beable to run roughshod over people’srights based on speculation and assump-tions.”

BIKERS’ LAWYER FILES CIVILRIGHTS LAWSUIT AGAINST VEGASPOLICE

A Nevada lawyer who represents motor-cycle clubs has filed a federal civil rights,false arrest and negligence lawsuit againstLas Vegas police after he was acquitted inMarch of a misdemeanor obstructioncharge.

Southern Nevada Confederation of Clubs(COC) attorney Stephen Stubbs allegesthat a Las Vegas practice of harassingmotorcycle club members led to his arrestin November 2013, and that being foundnot guilty by a local judge showed thearrest was improper. Stubbs told theAssociated Press (AP) that he was pre-vented from representing a member of theBikers for Christ motorcycle ministrywho was being questioned by police, andwho is a plaintiff in a recent lawsuit seek-ing at least $75,000 in damages from thedepartment.

Stubbs is representing members of bikergroups, including the Mongols, Vagos,Stray Cats and Bandidos in a federal civilrights complaint filed in June 2012 alleg-ing harassment by Las Vegas and otherarea police. The lawsuit is pending inU.S. District Court in Las Vegas. It wasfiled a day after a meeting of Mongolsnational leaders in Boulder City wasmonitored by hundreds of local and statepolice and federal agents.

ANTI-PROFILING LEGISLATIONINTRODUCED IN PENNSYLVANIA

On November 13, 2015 PennsylvaniaSenator John Wozniak (D-Johnstown)introduced Bipartisan Bill SB1058: An

Act providing for motorcycle profilingprohibited, and the measure has beenreferred to Law and Justice.

“No police officer or police departmentmay engage in motorcycle profiling inthis Commonwealth,” states the bill, andcalls for police instruction on “what con-stitutes motorcycle profiling in patrol pro-cedures and other police department oper-ations and the duty to refrain from engag-ing in motorcycle profiling.”

As defined in this legislation, "motorcy-cle profiling" means “the use of the factthat an individual rides a motorcycle orwears clothes or possesses paraphernaliathat a reasonable person associates withsuch individuals as a factor in a decisionto stop and question, take enforcementaction against, arrest or search the indi-vidual or motorcycle in violation ofFederal or State law.”

Such violations by law enforcement “maybring a private right of action in a courtof competent jurisdiction against anypolice officer or police department thatengages in motorcycle profiling in viola-tion of this section. In the action, the vic-tim may be awarded injunctive relief,actual damages, punitive damages andreasonable attorney fees and costs.”

A companion measure, House Bill 1580,“prohibiting motorcycle profiling andestablishing a private right of action” wasintroduced October 1st by RepresentativeGarth Everett (R-Muncy) along with 46bipartisan cosponsors and was referred tothe House Judiciary committee.

72 TYPES OF AMERICANS CONSID-ERED “POTENTIAL TERRORISTS”

Are you a conservative, a libertarian, aChristian or a gun owner? Supportstates’ rights? Belong to “The PatriotMovement”, or display a “Don’t Tread onMe” flag? Are you opposed to abortion,globalism, Communism, illegal immigra-tion, the United Nations or the NewWorld Order? Anti-establishment? Doyou believe in conspiracy theories, orever visit “extremist” websites? Are youa veteran? If you answered yes to any ofthose questions, or a vast array of others,you may be an “extremist” or a “potentialterrorist” according to official U.S. gov-ernment documents.

At one time, the term “terrorist” was usedvery narrowly, explains the alternativewebsite www.activistpost.com, but saysnow the Obama administration is remov-ing all references to Islam from terrortraining materials, and instead the term“terrorist” is being applied to largegroups of American citizens, which itdelineates in an article on their website;“72 Types of Americans That AreConsidered ‘Potential Terrorists’ InOfficial Government Documents,” byD.C. attorney Michael Snyder.

The “list” covers much of our country’sdemographics and most of its citizenry,but if you belong to a group of peoplethat is now being considered as “potentialterrorists” by the government, the authorwarns that you should not take it lightly.

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FUND PRO-VIDES SIGN-LANGUAGE FOR DEAFRIDERS

The National Motorcycle Safety Fund(NMSF), a 501(c)(3) charitable commu-nity organization created in 1980 to aug-ment the work of the Motorcycle SafetyFoundation, has created a new grant pro-gram to help rider training sites cover thecosts of hiring sign-language interpretersfor deaf and hard of hearing students.

MSF-recognized Rider Training Sites reg-ularly receive requests to accommodatestudents with physical disabilities, so incompliance with the Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA) and state laws, theNMSF grants will help defray the cost ofsign-language interpreters.

There are many deaf and hard of hearingcar drivers and motorcyclists on the roadtoday. To compensate, drivers and motor-cyclists typically employ risk-reductionstrategies such asSearch/Evaluate/Execute (SEE), maintainlonger following distances, make betteruse of peripheral vision, and check theirmirrors more frequently.

STUDY INDICATES MOTORCYCLERIDERS’ INJURIES DIFFER WITHHELMET USE

Helmet-wearing motorcycle riders areless likely to hurt their heads in accidents,but end up with more injuries to otherparts of their bodies, suggests newresearch. Researchers suggest in JAMA

Surgery that the results may be due tohelmeted riders being more likely to sur-vive high-force crashes, and ultimatelyend up with more extensive injuries.

The authors write that loosening restric-tions on helmets in some U.S. statesallowed them to study how wearing headprotection may influence other injuries.For the study, they used national datafrom 2007 to 2010 on almost 86,000 peo-ple with some sort of motorcycle-relatedtrauma, paying particularly close attentionto the number and extent of injuries topeople's heads and necks, torsos, spinesand extremities.

Overall, the researchers found helmetedmotorcycle riders were about half as like-ly to end up with head injuries, but hel-meted riders were more likely to haveinjuries to the chest and extremities thanriders who weren't wearing helmets.

One explanation for increased injuries toother body parts could be that helmetedriders feel more secure and end up driv-ing at higher speeds, wrote the IndianaUniversity researchers.

There was no difference in the time peo-ple spent in a hospital regardless ofwhether they were helmeted.

CALIFORNIA DMV OFFERS “VETER-AN” DESIGNATION ON DRIVERLICENSES

Veterans in California can begin applyingto receive the word “VETERAN” on theirdriver’s license or identification (ID) cardstarting November 12, 2015.

In accordance with the legislative lan-guage contained within Assembly Bill935, the California Department of MotorVehicles (DMV) requires veterans to firstobtain a Veteran Status Verification Formand to pay an additional one-time $5 des-ignation fee to apply for the specialVeteran designation.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “Tous pour un, unpour tous.” (All for one, one for all.)

~ Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) Frenchauthor; “The Three Musketeers”

Vive la France!


ABATE of Arizona Business Members

ABATE of Arizona Chapter Meeting Times and Locations

East Valley ChapterEAST VALLEY CHAPTER meetings areheld the 4th Sunday of the month at 11:00a.m. at Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.)1712 W. Broadway Road, Mesa AZ 85202FMI contact Joe Ferrucci at 480-295-9488

High Country ChapterHigh Country Chapter meetings are held onthe 3rd Sunday at 10 a.m. at The MooseLodge in Star Valley. Contact: chickn-bone@live .com or 928-970-1134

Phoenix / Shadow Mountain ChapterPhoenix/Shadow Mountain meetings areheld on the 2nd Sunday of each month at10:30am at the AZ American Italian Club,7509 N. 12th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020.FMI: Chapter Coordinator Mike Schneider,602-549-1044,[email protected]

Southern Arizona ChapterThe Southern Arizona Chapter will meetthe third Saturday. We will gather at theKettle Restaurant, 748 W. 22nd St, Tucson.Breakfast will be available at 7:30 a.m.with the meeting beginning at 9 a.m. FMIcontact Jim Butsback by phone at 520-247-3051 or email [email protected]

Yavapai ChapterYavapai monthly chapter meetings havebeen suspended due to lack of member par-ticipation. Anyone interested in re-estab-lishing the chapter should contact DeborahButitta at [email protected]

Yuma ChapterYuma Chapter meets the second Tuesdayevening monthly at 6:00 PM at the pm. Thenext meeting will be held at the KountryKitchen Café located at 11242 S FoothillsBlvd, Yuma, AZ. 85365. For additionalinformation contact Frank White (Hound)at 209-327-0814.

A to Z Mobile Repair Services of Tucson520-304-6078

AZ Differential SpecialistsPhoenix 602-462-5367

Big Sky MotorcyclesTucson 520-886-7388

Biker’s MallMesa 623-335-1000

Bill Alexander Flight-Line MazdaYuma, AZ 928-314-3400

Bob’s House of HairMarana 520-797-6566

Bobby’s Territorial Harley-DavidsonYuma 928-782-1931

Boston’s Common HousePayson 928-474-2900

Brewer’s Truck Repair, IncWillcox 520-384-2846

Brown & Little, P.L.C., Attorneys at LawTempe 480-299-2093

Breyer Law Offices, P.C.Phoenix 480-505-2160

Brothers, Sons and Pop Motorcycle ShopTucson 520-370-7788

Buchanan Construction928-978-3291

Buffalo Bar & GrillPayson 928-474-3900

Butcher HookTonto Basin

CCAScottsdale 480-985-6764

The Chaparral BarCottonwood 928-634-2131

Cowpony BarTucson 528-721-2781

Coyote AutoPayson 928-472-1100

D & G Paint & BodyWillcox 520-384-2933

Desert Thunder MC

Dr. GearPhoenix 602-263-8484 Payson 928-978-4027

Eclectic CafeTucson 520-885-2842

El Rancho RestaurantPayson 928-474-3111

Evil Twin Custom CyclesMesa 480-784-0040

Great Lakes PropertiesTucson 520 203-2323

Greater Payson Moose Lodge #852Payson 928-474-6212

HDBitchin http://hdbitchin.com

Herman’s Automatic TransmissionsTucson 520-294-8717

Independent MotorcyclesChandler 480-785-4888

Jakes Corner BarPayson 928-474-0679

Joeta’s LeatherMesa 480-827-1868

Kitty For TaxCamp Verde 928-567-0224

La Gitana CantinaArivaca 520-398-0810

Law Tigers888-529-8443

Lucky 13 SyntheticsSahuarita 619-647-4895

MaacoTucson 520-495-5411

Marc Victor, P.C., AttorneyChandler 480-455-5229

Monkey Butt RadioScottsdale 602-399-7787

Mormon Lake LodgeMormon Lake 928-354-2227

Motorcycle SafariOnline www.motorcyclesafari.com

Old Bastards MC

Phoenix Vulcan Riderswww.phoenixvulcanriders.com

The Back Alley Chiropractic & MassageOro Valley 520-877-2666

The Bashful BanditTucson 520-881-9706

The Pour HouseStar Valley 928-478-6979

Punkin Center BarTonto Basin 928-479-2627

Renegade ClassicsTucson 520-647-9312

Sacred Bones Society M/Chttp://www.sacredbones.org/

Sidewinders Tavern and GrillPine 928-476-6434

Sons of Hell MCYuma

Spur BarStar Valley 928-472-7787

Square Peg PromotionsPhoenix 602-549-1044

Steel Horse MotorsportsRio Rico 520-281-1962

The Maverick SaloonPhoenix 602-943-5680

Tonto Silkscreen & EmbroideryPayson 928-474-4207

ABATE of Arizona


Please donate, we are a 501C3 Corporation. Your donation is tax deductible. To donate go to our web site listed at the bottom.

Motorcycle Riders FoundationAwareness & Education (MRFA&E)

1325 G Street NW, Suite 500Washington, D.C. 20005

(202) 546-0983

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Awareness &

Education (MRFA&E)was established to promote motorcycle awareness and education due to an ever-

increasing rider population. No one is more concerned

with rider safety than riders themselves, and obviously

those best suited to educate newer riders are veteran riders.

Promote awareness and education in the motorcycle

community to improve rider’s safety.

Hard Ass Run 2015 AbbreviatedIt was a little chilly the morning of theRun and I was pulling on my boots andpow, broke a shoestring. Well, I thoughtabout just wearing my hiking boots thendecided my riding boots would bewarmer and better protection so Iswapped the laces. Don and Mike rolledup and we had a cup of Java, mountedup, and split for Joeta’s. Riding with mynew ¾ helmet, that I scored fromHeadkase in Tempe was a bit differentthan my half helmet; the wide ear piecesof my shades rubbed the edges of thehelmet, but plenty of shades to choosefrom at Joeta’s. We left out of the sign infor the Space Age Diner in Gila Bend.Had a fun time, some chow, and meetingup with friends (as in Teresa taking picsand posting on Facebook, lucky for me Ihad wiped the Gravy from my beard).Even saw Billy D there!

On to Arlington. Riding that old bridgeover the Gila River was a memory fromthe past when we used to hold the AprilFools Rally at the Desert Rose. Folkswould ride from all over - AAHH YESSthe Rose cooked a pig in the ground,Bike Games in the Arena, Dancing andTattoo Contest in the Ballroom, as theycalled it. I remember Kramer doing aburn out on a piece of concrete and whenhe was winding down the bike slippedover a little bit caught, the edge of theslab, and popped a hole in the primary.

OUCH!! Sarge, from East Valley, wasairlifted out one year. Saw some Tattoo’sI would never forget in some interestingplaces (you know who you are). Uponleaving the Rose, OK, it’s called the CoOp Grill now, Navy Mike’s bikewouldn’t turn over. We decided it wasthe Security Fob chingaso. He wentinside and exchanged the battery withanother fob, but to no avail. So wedecided to check the obvious stuff likestarter relay, battery cables, voltage. Arider even showed up with a voltmeter.Don gave it his best, but it wouldn’t go.After almost 2 hours we were done, andwe didn’t see any chase vehicles, exceptfor Shorty and we couldn’t get the RoadKing in the back seat of his bug.Sometimes the newfangled stuff ain’t socool. If it was Rich’s shovelhead wewould have hot wired the points and orpushed started it down on the road.Mike called his neighbor to bring thetrailer. I called Jean to plead with Dawnand Nolan for the last stop location.They finally gave it up and Don and Isplit for the Boulders on Southern.

Phone GPS is a wonderful thing, if youremember to bring your reading glasses.Don led to the final destination and uponturning across the street I fell over. .Firsttime down in forever! Lost the frontwheel in a little gravel and moving toslow for momentum, over I went, land-

ing on my left butt cheek and left palm.I rolled over got up killed the motor,grabbed the left handlebar and saddlebagbar and remembered how much thisthing weighed, especially when it goesall the way over; I was barely able toeven budge it. Don parked and ran overand a Bro from the front porch ran out ofthe bar, where everyone was watching.We picked that pig up and I rode into theparking lot. Assessing the damage, it wasmostly my pride.

So check it out, I had a scrape on my leftboot and a sore left ankle, scraped myshin and scuffed up the palm of my leftglove. Found a small gravel divot in theback of my new lid. Glad I decided tochange that shoelace, score the new hel-met and wear the double leather palmgloves. Remember dress for the crash! Iwas lucky, even if it was just a slow fall.I was sore and bruised for the next week. Oh yeah, we went to Mikes to get thebike off the trailer and of course it firedright up.

That’s why they call it the HARD ASSRUN.

Ride Fast and Take Chances, see ya atthe 25th Too Broke for Sturgis Rally,June 9-12.,

Clydeman

Events CalendarJanuary

01/01/2016 {Fri} Motorcycleson Main Bike Night in DowntownMesa from 6-10pm. Beer Garden,Vendors, & more. Live Music by‘Hillbilly BarBQue Band’. Park &show your bike. Eateries open.Vendors call Cori 480-890-2613https://facebook.com/MotorcyclesOnMain

1/9 {Sat} Chili Cook-off forColon Cancer at Desert WindHarley-Davidson, from 11a-3pm.

Live music by Rob West. 922 SCountry Club in Mesa, AZ.FMI/register with Missi 480-894-0404, www.desertwindhd.com

1/16 {Sat} Skin & Steel Tattoo &Motorcycle Show, held atAmerican Legion Post 2 ~ 2125 SIndustrial Park Ave, Tempe. FMI:[email protected] |http://skinandsteelaz.com/

1/16 {Sat} HAMC Cave CreekSmoker Party, 9th annual smokerparty, same location as all previ-

ous smoker parties. Food, drinksand entertainment. CroatianAmerican Club

1/23 {Sat} HOOLIGANS MCANNIVERSARY PARTY on Jan23rd 2016. 6pm-???. $10 single$15 couple, food, live music,50/50 raffle, plenty of vendors tobrowse and ALWAYS GREATTIME TO BE HAD!!!! HOOLI-GANS MC Deer ValleyClubHouse


More from WacoWaco police assigned 16 officers towatch over the gathering, and state policewere present.

Police dashboard video shows a tightgroup gathered in front of the Twin Peakspatio. A biker can be seen striking otherswith a chain. Twenty seconds later, thebiker is shot in the leg and the hip, stain-ing the grass with blood. One bikershoots while running backward awayfrom the parking lot while another firesfrom the patio. The group quickly dis-perses, with many taking cover behindcars and trucks.

Department of Public Safety video showsone of the men who was killed, JesusDelgado Rodriguez, tackling anotherbiker brandishing a gun. The two wrestleon the ground until another biker

approaches and appears to stomp onRodriguez's head. The biker with the gunthen shoots Rodriguez in the head andwalks away.

In separate police video of the aftermath,several dead bikers are seen slumped onthe ground, blood streaming from theirwounds. Hats, sunglasses, knives, guns,cigarettes, and a hammer litter the pave-ment, while rock music can be heardplaying loudly in the background.

Inside the restaurant, blood pools in thesink and floor of the men's bathroom, anda baton and handgun are dumped intoseparate toilets.

"They got people shooting at people," aman reports in a call to 911. Duringanother 911 call, a man can be heard urg-

ing people to get in the cooler. In thebackground of that call, police can beheard saying, "Hands up! Everybodykeep your (expletive) hands up!"

Authorities recovered more than 430weapons, including 151 guns, knives,brass knuckles, clubs and a chain, accord-ing to a 724-page police incident reportreviewed by the AP in September.

A grand jury indicted 106 people inNovember on charges of engaging inorganized criminal activity. McLennanCounty District Attorney Abel Reyna hassaid the grand jury will consider chargesagainst the other 80 bikers arrested onidentical charges. The next session isscheduled for Wednesday, but Reyna hasdeclined to say whether the rest of thecases will be presented that day.

Among other evidence reviewed by theAP are more than 100 police interviewswith bikers who were arrested, several ofwhom attested to simmering tensionsbetween the Cossacks and the Bandidosbeforehand.

One Cossack told police the Bandidoshad been trying to force his group to jointhe confederation of clubs in order toprofit from $30 per month in dues eachbiker paid, and that this caused the ani-mosity leading to the shootout.

In a separate interview, a Bandido whowas shot in the leg claimed the Cossackshad long refused membership in the con-federation. He denied that membership ordues were being forced on anyone.

Phoenix /Shadow Mountain Officers 2016L to R-John "Johnny D' Dreyfus -PAC, Judy "Hooody" Brus- Merchandise, JimmyPage -Vice Coordinator, Mike Schneider-Coordinator, Tara Rudometkin -Secretary,Jeremy Kellim-Run Coordinator, Scott Gibbons-Sargeant at Arms, Laura "Sunny"Sleemon-Treasurer, Teresa "Trauma Mamma" McClelland-Safety, Ben Martinez-Membership. Nichole Kirkpatric-Communications, absentThanks to all for stepping up and to you repeat offenders, for making our Chapter FullThrottle for next year.

Renewable Fuel Standard Mandates Announced by EPA IncreaseEthanol Risk for Motorcycles, ATVs

From the AMA

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- TheRenewable Fuel Standard volumerequirements announced today by theU.S. Environmental Protection Agencyincrease the risk of inadvertent misfuel-ing for motorcyclists and all-terrain-vehi-cle owners by mandating the widespreadavailability of higher-ethanol fuel blends,such as E15, the American MotorcyclistAssociation reports.

Although the EPA Renewable VolumeObligations under the RFS are lower thanthe statutory requirements, the EPA'sdecision still means more ethanol must beblended into the nation's fuel supply dur-ing the coming year.

The EPA set the renewable fuel standardfor 2014 at 16.28 billion gallons. For2015, the standard is 16.93 billion gal-lons. And for 2016, the total increases to18.11 billion gallons.

Those volume obligations are higher thanthe EPA's initial recommendations issuedin May, when the EPA proposed settingthe renewable fuel standard for 2014 atthe levels that were actually producedand used, which totaled 15.93 billion gal-lons; for 2015 at 16.3 billion gallons, andfor 2016 17.4 billion gallons.

"We are extremely disappointed that theEPA bowed to pressure from the ethanolindustry and agreed to foist more ethanolonto the backs of American consumers,"said Wayne Allard, AMA vice presidentof government relations. "Any increase inthe amount of ethanol required in our fuelsupply, coupled with America's decreas-ing demand for gasoline, is going toresult in higher-ethanol blends, such asE15, at more pumps and stations. And thewidespread availability of E15 and high-er-ethanol fuels increases the risk thatmotorcyclists will inadvertently misfueltheir bikes."

E15 fuel is a blend of 85 percent gasolineand 15 percent ethanol and represents a50 percent increase in ethanol over thecommon E10 blend most Americans cur-rently use in their vehicles.

None of the estimated 22 million motor-cycles and all-terrain vehicles in use inthe United States is approved by the EPAto operate on ethanol blends higher than10 percent. Using higher-ethanol blendsin those vehicles is illegal and may causeengine and fuel system damage and voidthe manufacturer's warranty.

By increasing the amount of ethanol inAmerica's gasoline, the EPA will severelystrain the fuel marketplace by exceedingthe blend wall by hundreds of millions of

gallons. The blend wall is the point atwhich no more ethanol can be blendedwithout forcing consumers to use higherblends, such as E15, E30 and E85.

The AMA also is concerned that forcinghigher-ethanol fuel blends into the mar-ketplace will cause E10 - which mostAmericans currently rely on for theirvehicles - to become less available, andthat gasoline with no ethanol maybecome virtually unavailable. Theamount of E0 will go from 9.2 billiongallons to just 130 million in 2016 perthe rule.

"Owners of vintage motorcycles alreadyhave trouble finding E0," Allard said."What are they supposed to do if ethanol-free fuel disappears entirely?"

In addition to the RFS mandate, thespread of E15 and higher-ethanol fuels isbeing augmented by a $100 millionmatching grant program at the U.S.Department of Agriculture that is funding

the purchase and installation of blenderpumps at service stations in 21 states.

These pumps dispense several blends offuel and can retain as much as a quart offuel in the delivery hose after fueling.That amount of E15 or higher ethanolblends in a motorcycle's small tank cre-ates a real risk for the vehicle owner.

During the EPA's comment period on itsproposed RFS rule, which ended July 27,the AMA collected 29,379 signatures onan online petition opposing the higherethanol mandate and asking the EPA tolower, rather than increase, the standard.The AMA forwarded those signatures,along with its comments, to the EPA.

The EPA's proposed standards includecellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel,advanced biofuels and traditional corn-based ethanol. The corn-ethanol volumeswould be about 12 billion gallons for2014, 12.2 billion gallons in 2015 and12.4 billion gallons in 2016.


JohnnyD’s PAC Report

Well friends, we have reached 2016. Inmy high school days in the 1970s, I pre-dicted I would be rich by now. I fell a bitshort on that prediction. I am rich in someways, I have children and a small herd ofgrandchildren. I have many good friendsand acquaintances who care about me. Ilive a life that I choose. I ride a motorcy-cle. And I am a member of a communityof motorcycle riders who believe in unity,brotherhood, and freedom. Money won’tpurchase a position in this community, itis earned.

The new highway bill that recentlypassed includes language that prohibitsfederal funds from being used for motor-cycle only checkpoints. That is a big winsince we have been trying to pass a standalone bill for about four years. It alsoincludes language that will force NHTSAto study ways to avoid motorcycle crash-es rather than push helmet laws as ameans of survival.

This new year takes us into full electionmode. We are going to vote on candidatesfor President of the United States, theentire House of Representatives, one thirdof the United States Senate, also ourentire state legislature. We have county

offices on theballot, the mostcontroversial isthe MaricopaCounty Sheriff.As manyknow, JoeArpaio hasbeen in thatoffice since1994. The lat-est total onwhat he hascost countytaxpayers is$150 million inlawsuits and

legal fees. When he took office MaricopaCounty was self insured. The biggestproblem they had then was rocks fallingoff of county trucks and cracking wind-shields and county vehicles in collisions.Now we pay $12 million a year for insur-ance with a $5 million deductible. Wemax out that deductible every year. Forfull disclosure, I am suing MaricopaCounty for more than $2 million.Property taxes in Maricopa County havejust been raised by 4.6% to cover the lat-est mess in which he has become entan-gled. While I am sure I will collect alarge sum of money, I would trade thatfor never having had to suffer due to thepolicies of this sheriff. I cannot tell youhow to vote, but I will tell you that votingthis clown out of office will save a lot ofmoney and our county can go back tonormal business.

While we are at it, Ann Kirkpatrick is onthe House Transportation committee andhas supported our legislative efforts foryears. She is running against JohnMcCain for the Senate. Many believe thatMcCain is long overdue to retire. I amone. I am also tired of seeing senators inoffice so old that they can only show up

to vote if pushed in a wheelchair andtheir hand put on the button by an aide.

Statewide, all legislators are having vol-unteers circulate petitions to put theirnames on the ballots. If you want to getto know a candidate this is a good placeto start. You need to be a member of theirparty or registered without a party affilia-tion. Then there will come phone banks,going door to door with literature, andpublic events where they try to get peopleto gather. When you help them get elect-ed, they remember and are grateful. Thisgoes a long way when we need to getbills passed or stopped.

The Arizona Motorcycle Safety AdvisoryCouncil has only had one meeting in2015 as of this writing. By law they haveto have at least three. There is some con-fusion as to what happens if they don’t.One former member believes the resultwill be that our registration derived fundswill revert to the state’s general fund andthat any federal grants will also. In previ-ous years, GOHS was applying for andreceiving more than $200,000 a year andgiving it to the legislature to fill holes inthe budget. I estimate that they stole morethan $1 million from us. The only way torecoup that money is to sue them. As wesaw with the education funding, thatwould cost a fortune and lead nowhere asour courts cannot force our legislature todo anything.

If any of you have not heard, I have reg-istered for college. My goal is to attendlaw school and become an attorney. Ifound a way to have it paid for and havea number of friends supporting me in thisendeavor. Ultimately I hope to be a lowcost advocate for the biker community.My hope is that I can afford to live andpay bills while keeping the cost of myservices in the range that our people can

afford. Who can really afford to pay $350or more an hour for representation in traf-fic court over a bullshit ticket? Howmany of us can afford to take two morn-ings off of work to fight a ticket in court?

On January 16, I begin this new chapterin my life. I know all of you wish mewell. This will not interfere with mypolitical duties for at least three years. Ihave a new Authorized Lobbyist for theACMC. Animal, the president of TinnersMC has joined the effort and has alreadymade a friend with Kyrsten Sinema at apublic event she sponsored.Congresswoman Sinema is a long timefriend of mine and has been supportive ofour legislative efforts as well. ArizonaABATE is looking for a designated lob-byist. Please consider applying.

I will keep everyone up to speed on polit-ical events through my articles. January11, 2016, is the opening day of the legis-lature. My dream is to see hundreds ofbikers at the capitol. I know that if weshow up in force, they will listen to us.They will have to. It starts about 9 am.Many groups that have interest in legisla-tion will show up. Television and radiostations will have crews there. A hundredor so motorcycles will make the eveningnews as will the reasons we are there. Iwill be in attendance. I hope as many ofyou as can come will also. Until nextmonth, bundle up, keep the rubber sidedown.

John P DreyfusJohnny D ALMA MCArizona Confederation of MotorcycleClubs Designated LobbyistArizona ABATE PAC officerAmerican Brotherhood Aimed TowardEducation / Phoenix-Shadow MountainPAC OfficerNCOM Region 9 Representative

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News from the MRFCONGRESS BUYS MORE TIME TOPASS HIGHWAY BILLNovember 21, 2015

In an effort to allow more time to pass along-term highway bill, Congress haspassed an extension that allows for morenegotiation time for this important piece oflegislation. The extension, signed byPresident Obama via autopen on Friday,November 20, renews the government'sauthority to keep highway and transitfunding flowing to states throughDecember 4 and gives Congress until thento iron out any differences in the long-termspending bill.

As previously reported by the MotorcycleRiders Foundation (MRF), the highwaybill contains key issues of vital concern tomotorcyclists. First, the bill ends the feder-al funding of motorcycle-only checkpoints.It re-convenes the National MotorcycleAdvisory Council (NMAC), a group thatadvises the Secretary of Transportation onhow infrastructure issues affect motorcy-clists. It maintains the ban that prohibitsthe National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration (NHTSA) from lobbyingstates to pass mandatory helmet legisla-tion, and it allows for funding of a study todetermine the best ways to prevent motor-cycle crashes.

Both the House and Senate have alreadypassed separate versions of the bill. TheHouse version calls for spending $261 bil-lion on highways and $55 billion on transitover six years, but only if Congress canfind a way to pay for the final three years.In contrast, the Senate’s version containsonly three years of funding, with the extrathree years as conditional.

In order to maximize funding for roadsand transit projects, transportation groupsand some lawmakers are urging the high-way bill’s conference committee to allowfor more money over fewer years. “As you

begin conference negotiations to reconcileHouse and Senate proposals for a multi-year surface transportation reauthorizationbill,” wrote a group of 26 senators in a let-ter to members of the conference commit-tee, “we urge you to consider the urgentneed for an increase in infrastructureinvestment around the country, and reporta final proposal that can best address theseneeds by maximizing annual investmentlevels for all surface transportation pro-grams over a shorter authorization period.”

The MRF will keep you apprised of devel-opments as the conference committee con-tinues its work on the highway bill.

============================

Legislative Strategy Agenda 2016December 6, 2015

At the 2015 Motorcycle RidersFoundation’s (MRF) 31st annual Meetingof the Minds Conference held inMilwaukee, WI, a Legislative StrategySession was hosted by the MRF’sLegislative Committee. As has been donefor the past several years, the MRFrequested that it be attended by SustainingState Motorcyclists’ Rights Organizations(SSMRO) Legislative and/or ExecutiveOfficers. We welcomed several representa-tives from our Sustaining MotorcycleClubs and Organizations as well. The goalwas to set the MRF’s Federal LegislativeAgenda for the 2015 Meeting of the Mindsto the 2016 Meeting of the Minds annualcycle.

The MRF’s SSMRO partners respondedonce again with a majority attendance thatresulted in a healthy dialogue focused onmotorcycling. The MRF LegislativeCommittee remains extremely pleased atthe aligned and clear direction we experi-enced again this year from our SSMROpartners. This level of agreement continuesto allow for solid action plans to be devel-

oped by our Legislative Committee andour Board of Directors that can be effec-tively employed by our GovernmentRelations Department and our SSMROpartners while in Washington D.C. and inworking federal issues in their homestates. Additionally, we continue to seeproductive gains in state legislative activi-ties that support our federal efforts when itcomes to protecting on-road motorcyclists,motorcycling, and its associated lifestyle.

The MRF Legislative Committee contin-ued the practice instituted five years ago ofrecording one vote per SSMRO in atten-dance. A full breakdown of each vote willbe printed in the upcoming issue of theMRF Reports. The session this year wasmoderated by MRF Vice President, JayJackson, with support from MRF VicePresident of Government Relations &Public Affairs, Jeff Hennie, and MRFPresident, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard.

FAST reauthorization (the HighwayBill) – work to include Motorcycle 2010type Grant Funding, continuation of theNHTSA Lobbying Ban, pursue reinstate-ment of the Motorcycle Advisory Council(MAC) to advise the FHWA, oppose anymotorcycling related federal blackmails orfederal sanctions contained in the highwaybill; closely monitor for any action thatwould negatively impact motorcycles,motorcycling, and motorcyclists; seek toinclude HR1861 type language to banmotorcycle specific roadblock grant fund-ing; seek to clarify ownership of “blackbox” data

SAE Motorcycle Roadside Sound Test –The MRF to NOT promote the use of theSAE Sound Test as a National enforce-ment standard, majority considered this astate issue

Continue monitoring the Federal CrashCausation study and the MSF Naturalisticstudy

Strongly oppose any federal standardproposing stamping and certifying ofmotorcycle exhaust systems

Work to discourage ALL forms of dis-tracted driving, and oppose all forms offunding blackmails or withholding offunds as related to motorcyclists, watchthis issue closely for motorcycle specificdiscriminatory language

Continue participation at the federallevel where the definition of a motorcycleis under review taking advantage of anyopportunity available to enhance and fur-ther clarify

MRF will oppose any motorcycling,motorcycle, or motorcyclist-based discrim-inatory legislation or rules proposed by theU.S. Congress or by a federal agency

MRF to seek a legislative vehicle toinclude motorcyclist anti-profiling lan-guage this upcoming session

Continue participation in motorcyclerelated activity in the European Union,United Nations, and Canada

MRF to fiercely oppose any mandatoryhelmet or apparel standards

MRF directed by our SSMRO’s to notsupport the use of ethanol fuels higherthan E10 or any other newly developedfuel blends including alternative renewablefuels without further testing on motorcycleengines and obtaining specific recommen-dations from motorcycle manufacturersapproving their use

MRF to continue to ensure the inclusionof motorcycles in ongoing IntelligentTransportation System (ITS) emergingtechnologies

Pursue safer roadway design strategiesat the federal level


News from the MRF (continued)Continue to promote our theme of crash

avoidance versus safer crashing, using theprinciples of House Resolution 1498 urg-ing NHTSA to focus on crash preventionand rider education

MRF to pursue limiting funding in arelevant legislative vehicle of the Centerfor Disease Control (CDC) for theirincreasing involvement in motorcyclingsafety issues

MRF to monitor private organizationsthat oppose the legislative agenda or mis-sion of the MRF and investigate theirfunding sources to make certain they arenot receiving federal tax dollars

MRF to monitor public organizationsfor funding sources when in opposition toour legislative agenda or mission, respondappropriately if they receive federal taxdollars

MRF to monitor and report on non-transportation federal agencies becomingincreasingly involved in motorcycling suchas the Government Accountability Office(GAO)

MRF to continue to closely monitor thefederally mandated Affordable Health CareAct for potential motorcyclist and motor-cycling discrimination

MRF to fully engage the EPA onupcoming activity on motorcycle emissionregulations and motorcycle drive trainmandates

MRF to support the Black BoxProtection Act to regulate black boxes inmotorcycles, seek to clarify the rights ofthe vehicle owner to ownership of therecorded data

MRF to monitor fair tolling concepts onfederally funded roads and roads supportedby federal bonds

MRF to seek to add clarification of an“autocycle” as third class of vehicle at thefederal level

Lane splitting was discussed and decid-ed it should remain a state by state issuewith the MRF providing resources, there isno federal lane splitting initiative at thistime

Federal Agency Motorcycle DesignStandards – MRF to oppose non motorcy-cle manufacturer mandated specific design

standards

SSMRO’s by discussion and voterequested the MRF engage with multiplepartners to draft federal anti-profiling lan-guage specific to motorcyclists and workto include it in the upcomingCongressional session

Request for MRF Sustaining MemberMotorcycle Club Committee to lead aneffort to provide resources to clarify theusage of the terms gang, club, known asso-ciate, associate when referring to motorcy-clists

There was agreement that there wouldbe an effort by the MRF and SSMRO’s toget non-motorcycle powered two- andthree-wheelers such and mopeds, scooters,and the various cabin-based steering wheeltype vehicles removed from motorcyclecrash statistics.

There was discussion on the noveltyhelmet educational promotional campaignby NHTSA to the Law EnforcementCommunity and it was decided theSSMRO’s should be educating their mem-bers on the definition of a helmet as practi-cally used in their states

With the current U.S. Congress, combinedwith our comprehensive and aggressivelegislative agenda, the MRF LegislativeCommittee strongly encourages ourSSMRO partners and our MRF membersto actively engage in a lively motorcyclingdialogue with their U.S. House ofRepresentative and U.S. Senate Membersas an immediate priority. We will need ourstrong presence to continue with thisCongress. If your SSMRO needs anyassistance in planning a trip to WashingtonD.C. to begin or strengthen the dialoguewith your members of Congress, contactthe MRF Washington D.C. office at 202-546-0983. We would also like to encour-age you to finalize your plans to attend ournational biker lobby day event inWashington D.C., Bikers Inside theBeltway, on Thursday May 12th, 2016.See our website at www.mrf.org for moredetails.

MRF Legislative Committee Members:

Dave “DAD” Dwyer, George Gorman,Lenny Holcomb, Ryan Hubbard, JayJackson, Jim “Legs” Korte, Boyd McFail,Bob Myers, Todd Riba, Kirk “Hardtail”Willard (Chair)

Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, MRF President,[email protected]

==========================

MAC Membership & NHTSA BanDecember 7, 2015

MAC Membership and NHTSA BanTargets on the MRF Radar

As previously reported by the MotorcycleRiders Foundation (MRF), the U.S. Senateapproved the Fixing America’s SurfaceTransportation (FAST) Act within a fewhours of the U.S. House voting in favor ofthe same legislation. Now that the bill is infront of the President for his signature, it’simportant to note two very importantissues on which the MRF will be workingvigorously.

The language within the FAST Act thatreestablishes the Motorcycle AdvisoryCouncil (MAC) to advise the U.S.Department of Transportation on motorcy-cling infrastructure issues does not, unfor-tunately, spell out the motorcycling organi-zations that will make up the membershipof the Council. Instead, organizations thatwish to be included now need to lobby theSecretary of Transportation to be a mem-ber. The MRF had been a member of theoriginal incarnation of the MAC, and wewill be actively lobbying to be once againincluded in the MAC membership. TheMRF already has the commitment of sev-eral members of Congress to support ourefforts of inclusion, and we will work dili-gently to ensure that the voice of motorcy-clists is included in the Council’s makeup.

While the MRF was not successful inour effort to include language within theFAST Act to expand the ban on lobbyingStates (without invitation) using taxpayerdollars to all of the DOT, the ban that pro-hibits NHTSA from doing so remainsintact. The MRF will continue to closelymonitor NHTSA to ensure that they adhereto the limits of the ban and that your taxdollars are not used against you, and wewill be working to expand the ban toinclude all of the DOT.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation wouldlike to thank our supporters withinCongress for their upcoming efforts tohave the MRF included as a member ofthe MAC, and our members who tirelesslysupport the cause to defend motorcyclists’rights.

===========================

EPA Raises Ethanol Blend LevelsDecember 8, 2015

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF)reports that the Obama administration,along with the Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA), last week raised theamount of ethanol and other renewablefuels that must be blended into the nation'sgas supply, announcing that 18.11 billiongallons of renewable fuels must now beblended into the nation's gasoline supply in2016.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation(MRF), as directed by our Sustaining StateMotorcyclists’ Rights Organizations(SSMRO’s), does not support the use ofethanol fuels higher than E10 (10%ethanol) or any other newly developed fuelblends, including alternative renewablefuels, without further testing on motorcy-cle engines and obtaining specific recom-mendations from motorcycle manufactur-ers approving their use.

This increase comes as part of theRenewable Fuel Standard, a mandate thatwas meant to encourage the use of domes-tic ethanol in U.S. gasoline supplies, andsupporters claim it helps reduce carbonpollution and cuts American dependenceon foreign fuel. Higher ethanol blends,however, void new motorcycle warrantiesand have been reported to cause damage tomotorcycle fuel systems and other enginecomponents.

Interestingly, while the EPA announcementof the 18.11 billion-gallon figure is signifi-cantly above the 17.4 billion gallons ini-tially proposed in May, it falls far belowthe 22.3 billion-gallon amount laid out byCongress in 2007 legislation and raisesnew questions about the viability of thecontroversial Renewable Fuel Standardmoving forward.

As part of its 2016 Legislative Agenda, theMRF will continue to call for furthermotorcycle engine testing with theseblends and seek manufacturer recommen-dations regarding their use, and as always,the MRF will continue to keep its mem-bers apprised of any actions regarding theethanol issue.

News from the NetThe Buell Saga Continues…

A judge on Monday declined toapprove the sale of the manufactur-ing assets of Erik Buell Racing to aliquidator, leaving open at least thepossibility that the shuttered motor-cycle maker might be started upagain under new ownership.

Court-appointed receiver MichaelPolsky had sought approval of the$1.6 million sale to Liquid AssetPartners LLC, which made the offerbefore an auction held Thursday. Theauction, the second in the case,attracted no other bids.

============================

Victory Motorcycles’ Combustion

Hits The Big Apple

Last night, Victory Motorcyclesrevealed the final installment in their1200cc concept series with theCombustion. Powered by the produc-tion version of the engine that madeits debut last month at EICMA inMilan, the Combustion is the workof Zach Ness. The Combustion willbe on display at Victory booth at theIMS show in New York City

“Our family has a long-standing rela-tionship with Victory Motorcycles,customizing many Victory produc-tion bikes in the past,” says ZachNess, third generation custom builderand grandson of Arlen Ness. “It’salways fun to look into the future –so to have the trust of Victory to cre-ate a more conceptual bike has been

great. Also, as one of the first to ridethis new engine it absolutely rips!”

============================

Hells Angels Buy Out EntireWalmart Bike Supply For ChristmasCharity

For most of the last two decades, theHells Angels motorcycle club inCalifornia has been a major sponsorof a Christmas charity for needychildren.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, oneintrepid Reddit user witnessed theangels purchasing a CaliforniaWalmart’s entire stock of children’sbicycles.

The 200+ plus bikes will go straightto the Poverello House, a Californiabased-charity for the homeless andimpoverished.

In 2010, the secretary for the HellsAngels opened up about why thegroup supports Poverello House.

“People read what they want to read,and believe what they want tobelieve, we believe in these kids. Wewant to make sure to bring these toyshere for these kids to have a greatChristmas,” Merl Hefferman toldKMPH.

“You got Wind and Fire, you gotScreamin Demons, you got just theregular Joe riding his motorcycle. It’severybody coming together to makethis come together.”


Loners MC Tucson - Stuff the Bus!!On November 22nd the Tucson Chapterof the Loner’s MC presented their“STUFF THE BUS” charity event! Thisevent started and ended at The CowponyBar, which is a Business member ofABATE of Arizona and the folks at theCowpony are always willing to help witha charity fund raiser!!

This was a Poker Run with 6 stops alongthe way which had everyone riding allaround town. The Loner’s mixed it up byhaving games at the stops where you gotyou card like a golf game and dart throws

to make it a little different than justpulling a card.

All the proceeds from this worthwhileevent went to the Gospel Rescue Missionin Tucson. Those folks help many, manyfamilies and needy people especially dur-ing the Holidays.

As the bike were arriving and the fooddonations started coming in, all the fooditems were loaded in the Cowpony’s Busfor transport to the Mission. It was reallyheartwarming to see the generosity of the

motorcycling community of Tucson cometogether like this.

After the poker run when all the ridersgathered back at the Cowpony the broth-ers of the Loner’s MC cooked a fullTurkey dinner for all those attending.They served Deep Fried Turkey, dressing,mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, greenbeans, corn, gravy, bread & butter andeven pumpkin pie with whipped cream! Itwas quite a feast and they did an excellentjob.

There also were several raffles and a50/50, but the highlight of the afternoonwas the “Turkey Shit Bingo” game. If youcan imagine a large gathering of bikersstanding around cheering on a live turkeyto poop on their number to win the prize!!It was hysterical!

Thank you to the Loner’s MC for hostingthis event and helping those in need espe-cially during the Holidays, and also thankyou to the good folks at the Cowpony forall they did to support this fund raiser!

Obama’s EPA Ignores Congressional Mandate for Ethanol in GasolineReprinted from http://www.washington-times.com

The Obama administration backed off itsso-called ethanol mandate Monday, deal-ing a blow to President Obama’s promiseof a green energy revolution just as heand other world leaders opened a newround of historic climate change talks inParis.

The Environmental Protection Agency’slatest round of ethanol mandates —known as the Renewable Fuel Standard(RFS) and initiated during PresidentGeorge W. Bush’s time in office — cameunder fire from all sides, with proponentsof ethanol blending saying the rules fallfar short of what the nation needs to con-tinue cutting greenhouse gas emissions

and from critics who say the entire sys-tem is flawed and must be scrapped.

The regulations call for at least 18.11 bil-lion gallons of renewable fuels to beblended into the nation’s gasoline supplyin 2016, significantly above the 17.4 bil-lion gallons initially proposed earlier thisyear but far below the 22.3 billion-gallonrequirement set by Congress in 2007 leg-islation.

Blending homegrown ethanol into gaso-line, supporters say, helps reduce emis-sions and cut American dependence onforeign fuel. But the standards have runinto practical problems, most notably thefact that most automobiles and gas sta-tions aren’t equipped to handle fuel con-taining more than 10 percent ethanol — a

problem commonly referred to as the“blend wall.”

Inability to overcome that blend wall isthe main reason EPA has been unable tomeet the congressionally mandatedethanol levels and, at this point, is essen-tially ignoring federal law.

Still, EPA says its most recent figures willrequire the blending of more than 10 per-cent ethanol into gasoline, and adminis-tration officials are confident that can bedone.

“We think there will be increased avail-ability of fuels … that can increase theamount of renewable fuel that gets intothe system,” Janet McCabe, EPA’s actingassistant administrator in the Office of Air

and Radiation, told reporters.

The standards are a key piece of theadministration’s broader climate agendaand have helped the U.S. reduce its emis-sions. In Paris this week Mr. Obama isboth pushing governments worldwide toadopt an unprecedented international dealto fight global warming while also tout-ing the U.S. pledge to cut its overallemissions by at least 26 percent by 2025.

“Over the last seven years, we’ve madeambitious investments in clean energyand ambitious reductions in our carbonemissions. We’ve multiplied wind powerthreefold and solar power more thantwentyfold, helping create parts of

continued page 17


Old Bastards MC Tucson - Burgers & Beers Event!The Tucson Chapter of the Old BastardsMC hosted their Burgers & Beers eventat the Mid-Town Bar & Grill in Tucsonon November 21st. The Old Bastardsare a club member of ABATE ofArizona, and held the event to collectfood and raise money to help those inneed as the Holidays approach. Therewas a $15 entry fee per person and atleast 1 non-perishable food item. All pro-

ceeds were for the benefit of Tucson areafood banks.

There was also a raffle for a Dirt Bikeand club members were cooking burgersfor all attendees. The entertainment wasprovided by The Garcia Brothers whoare well known around Tucson and playmany of the events put on by the motor-cycle community here. There were sev-

eral vendors and some GREAT raffleitems as well as a 50/50.

It was really great to see the good turnout and the motorcycling communitycoming together to help those who areless fortunate especially at this time ofyear. There were Old Bastard membersfrom all their Chapters as far away asApple Valley CA as well as Tucson

Payson etc.

Thanks Again to all the Old Bastards fora great event and for supporting a goodcause helping our needy brothers andsisters in the community have a HappyHoliday Season!

Would you like to receive The Masterlink digitally? It is posted monthly on the ABATE website - www.abateofaz.org. Opt out of thereceiving the The Masterlink? Please contact the ABATE Office if you would like to no longer receive a hard copy of The Masterlink.480-256-9237 or [email protected]


House Roster

Senate Roster

Obama’s EPA IgnoresCongressional Mandate (cont)

America where these clean powersources are finally cheaper than dirtier,conventional power,” Mr. Obama said atthe outset of the climate change confer-ence Monday.

“We’ve invested in energy efficiency inevery way imaginable. We’ve said no toinfrastructure that would pull high-carbonfossil fuels from the ground, and we’vesaid yes to the first-ever set of nationalstandards limiting the amount of carbonpollution our power plants can releaseinto the sky,” he said.

But in Paris and at home in the U.S., crit-ics launched a coordinated attack on bothMr. Obama’s broader climate changeagenda and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Of the RFS, key lawmakers and oil-and-gas industry groups, among others, saidthe standards have failed miserably.

“The Renewable Fuel Standard as awhole is remarkably flawed. The premiseof this program was based on a numberof assumptions that no longer reflect real-ity, like gasoline demand,” said Sen.James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma Republicanand chairman of the Senate Committeeon Environment and Public Works, point-ing out that the EPA has failed to meetnumerous congressionally mandateddeadlines.

The agency, for example, only retroac-tively finalized the 2014 ethanol figuresMonday.

Fossil fuels sector groups say the EPA is

off-base in assuming more ethanol can beblended into gas supplies.

Meanwhile, Mr. Obama’s opponents aretaking concerted steps to fight the admin-istration’s environmental agenda as thetwo-week Paris conference kicks off.

On Capitol Hill the House this week willvote on resolutions disapproving of theEPA’s Clean Power Plan, which sets thefirst national limits on carbon pollutionfrom power plants and forms the basis ofthe president’s broader global warmingagenda.

In addition, the American PetroleumInstitute on Monday launched a newwebsite, climatechangeandenergy.com,which focuses on the fact that the U.S.energy sector has been able to lowergreenhouse emissions significantly with-out federal mandates.

The conservative advocacy group theCommittee for a Constructive Tomorrowannounced Monday it will hold a screen-ing of a new documentary, “ClimateHustle,” in Paris on Dec. 7. The organiza-tion says the film focuses on the “propa-ganda” of climate change claims.

Also, House Majority Leader KevinMcCarthy over the weekend penned anop-ed for Reuters saying that Mr. Obamais wrong to push a new global climatechange deal and should instead focus onthe fact that the U.S. oil-and-gas industryhas created millions of jobs in recent

continued page 19


Documentation of Discrimination

DATE: ______________ Business Phone _______________ NAME OF ESTABLISHMENT: __________________________________ BUSINESS PHONE (with area code): __________________________________ BUSINESS - FULL ADDRESS: ___________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ NAME / POSITION OF PERSON ENFORCING POLICY: ________________ ________________________________________________________ WRITTEN STATEMENT OF DISCRIMINATION (use back if needed): _____ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ YOUR NAME (please print): ______________________________________ YOUR PHONE (with area code): __________________________________ YOUR SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________ *** INCLUDE ANY PICTURES OF DISCRIMINATING SIGNS POSTED *** Mail To: Ray Fitzgerald 1634 West Pine Cone Way Prescott, Arizona 86303

ATTENTION - ALL RIDERS:=======================

It has come to our attention that business establishments in Arizona may still bediscriminating against motorcyclists. Please carry copies of this form with youat all times. Discrimination can range from a sign stating "No Colors" or "NoMotorcycle Parking" or "No Motorcycle Attire" etc., to simply being asked toleave a place of business, just because you are on a motorcycle or because ofyour riding apparel. If anything like this happens to you, PLEASE fill out thisform in its entirety and send it to the address noted. Your lobbyists cannot get

sponsorship for "equal access" legislation, without evidenceof this type of discrimination.

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HAVASU CITY

86403 MOHAVE (928) 505-3321

JB'S RESTAURANT View MOHAVE

VALLEY 86440 MOHAVE Click Here (866) 668-6462

Rider Ed Courses in AZ Important Phone Numbers

Aid to Injured Motorcyclists - A.I.M. - (800) 521-242524-Hr. Legal Assistance

for all accidents

Aid to Incarcerated Motorcyclists A.I.M. - (800) 235-242424-Hr. Legal Criminal Defense

National Legislative Hot Line - (800) 300-NCOM24-Hr. Motorcycle Legislative Alerts

National Coalition of Motorcyclists NCOM- (800) 525-5355Fighting for Bikers Rights

Confederation of Clubs. - (800) 531-2424Motorcycle Clubs Fighting Against Discrimination

Motorcycle Riders FoundationWashington D.C. Office

(202) 546-0983

Classifieds

Your Classified Adcould be here...

It’s Free to ABATE Members.submit your ad online at www.abateofaz.org

2000 HD Custom (623) 374-5510 $15K OBO

ATTENTION ALL 30 YEAR OLDS!!I have your year Softail-- 1984.1 owner, 1st yr. Softail, 1st yr. Evolution

Kick and electric start PLUS all orginal parts. $9,500Call 970-420-6675

2006 H-D Dyna Street Bob11,000 miles, $22,000 invested,

selling for $16,000.Contact Pete @ (602) 315-6950

One-Piece DayTripper motorcycle seatNew - never used - In box

Retails for $359 model 76189 fits Honda VT 750 Spirit 2001-2006 & VT750DC 2007-2009. The detailed stitch work in the highly durable, synthetic

glove-leather makes the DayTripper a show winner.$150.00

Call Bob @ 602-463-0544

AzTech Flatbed Trailer (Car/ATV Hauler) $2200 obo2008 STS Cadillac for sale, 23K miles $28,000 obo

Call 928-718-6296 Cell 928-716-7289

Motorcycle HearseCOPD diagnosis forces SALE! $50,000.00

www.eagleswingscarriages.com visit this website to view complete set of equipment.

Equipment included: 1999 Harley Davidson Road King Trike (6045 miles) modifiedwith reverse gear & fifth wheel hitch, detachable 18th Century styled Hearse

Carriage, full size casket with full cover flag, cherry wood Urn Ark with panoramicglass & folding stand, Encased Memorial Flag, 2007 22ft. flatbed transportation trail-er with winds/bug shield, Honor Flags, pre-printed magnetic Carriage name plates &

misc office supplies. Call Bill or Phyllis 623-386-8281

FOR SALE:2008 Harley Davidson Road Glide- 6,240 miles-lowering kit-travel package-AM/FM/WB/CD- 6 speed-Dark Blue Pearl-Corbin Solo and Stock Seat- asking

$17,000.e-mail serious inquiries to: [email protected].

FINALLY!! A motorcycle themed paperback book for the young reader. TheAdventures of Olive Pearl and Hammy Davidson features Olive Pearl; agreen and black motorcycle and Hamrietta (Hammy) Davidson her stuffedpiggy passenger. They experience the joy of motorcycling on a 1700-mileroad trip to meet new people, see new things, and learn life lessons along theway. Their adventures are wrapped inside the love story of husband and wifecharacters, “The Man” and “The Lady”. Sprinkled throughout with pictures,social observations, and humor, adults will also enjoy reading this story toyounger children and are sure to get a laugh or two themselves. Get moreinfo and place an order at: www.OliveandHammy.com Let’s Ride!!

2004 Waltz Hardcore special constructed soft tail Custom Chopper, Vin # AZ262741, Vehicle is garage kept, and customized. Chopper has a 145 HorsePower TP polished Engine, a 3" Primary and 6 speed Transmission. The Vehicle isbuilt on a Waltz Hardcore Soft Tail Frame. All sheet metal work, paint job is Custom.Custom Chrome wheels and brand new Tires. All Mechanical components are in

good working order. Engine runs awesome. Has less than 4000 miles.This baby is worth way more than I'm asking! Just need money now!

Waltz Hardcore Frame $6,500, TP 124" Cubic Inch Polished Engine $7,5003" Open Primary and 6 speed Transmission $3,000, Custom Sheet metal Work $3,000Custom Paint $3,000, Wheels & Tires $2,500, Progressive Airtail Suspension, Brakes,

Starter, Charging System, $4,000, Labor $4,500Asking $18,999 obo, For more information call or text @ (480) 385-8947

My bike is one of the only STAMPED limited edition bikes that Harley ever made. Therewere 2800 made. It is a 1993 celebrating their 90th year. Some facts and features: Odometerreading 10,543. 5.1 gallon gas tank and is a softail, ported heads, oversized pistons, adjustablelifters, Andrews E-27 low duration cam, converted to SINGLE FIRE ignition, S & S Carb,Deluxe Saddleman saddle, New HD Battery, Almost new wide whitewall tires. This Harley isa 'head turner.' Loaded with performance extras: ported heads, oversized oistons, Andreqs 27high torque cam. Fishtail dual exhaust. LOUD and FAST.. PLUS new battery, brakes and wide

whitewall tires. Under 11,000 miles. First $11,759 drives her home .

Call Jim at 480-600-9449

For sale 2012 Subculture hard tail

93 Soft tail engine and transmission in rigid frame, big cam, S&S super E carb, 8mm1 3/4belt primary, chain final drive. 200-17 rear wheel , 21 front, wide glide front

end, black lowers.Much more - 602-300-4115

2009 HD Sportster 1200 Low style.like new with 5000 miles, kept in AC garage, Stage 1 kit with Vance

and Hines shorties, forward foot controls, all service down byChester's in Mesa. Limited HD factory root beer brown color. $8750obo. call or text 480-338-1965 in Gilbert AZ. For pictures email to;

[email protected]


Obama’s EPA Ignores Congressional Mandate (cont)years, lowered its own emissions andhelped America move toward true energyindependence.

“President Barack Obama is poised torepeat his history of weak-handed negoti-

ations on the world stage when nearly200 countries gather in Paris on Mondayto consider an international response toclimate change. According to the presi-dent, rejecting the Keystone XL oilpipeline and piling regulations on the fos-

sil fuel and power industries in theUnited States are necessary to preservingAmerica’s credibility as a leader on theworld stage,” Mr. McCarthy wrote.

“But by doing this, Obama ignores the

strongest card in America’s hand as hesteps to the table: the advances our ener-gy sector has made to reduce carbonemissions while simultaneously acting asthe lone bright spot in our economy,” hesaid.

The Masterlink - January 2016

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Transcript of The Masterlink - January 2016