Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Wilmington N.C. Motor-Officers Go ATGATT

Wilmington North Carolina Motorcycle Officers are now protected with ATGATT  "All The Gear All The Time"  while on-duty.

The local chapter of the Blue Knights, a group of active and retired law enforcement officers who enjoy riding motorcycles, donated the new riding gear to the department.
 
 
The Riding Gear weigh less, are water proof, and have extra armor in the shoulders, elbows, spine, and knees to protect the officers should they be in an accident.
 
 
"A motorcycle is less visible than a car and the more visibility we give these guys the better the survival rate," said Blue Knights member Jeff Tripp.

The officers are already wearing their new gear on patrol.
Good Move
 
The Morrisville PD in N.C. went with ATGATT back in October 2006.
LATER

Motorcycle Stunt Riders Could End Up Behind Bars

A Proposed Bill Could Put Florida's Stunt Motorcycle Riders Behind Bars.


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. April 30, 2008

Some Motorcycle Riders could face huge fines and even prison time for speeding and/or stunt riding if a new bill in the Florida Legislature becomes law.

Florida lawmakers say they want to stop the stunt riding on public streets and Riders who perform tricks or speed could face a $1,000 fine under this new bill; a third offense could lead to a $5,000 fine and five years in prison.

The bill is now heading to Governor Charlie Crist's desk for consideration.

Again, the bad actions of a few will impinge on the rights of the many.
LATER

Commuting in FlatLand - Apr 30

Another gorgeous FlatLand Morning for the Motorcycle Commute to Tampa in 58 degrees f. with no wind or clouds; just gloriously bright sunshine.
 
Pasco County Leo feeding on a cager.
 

Traffic moved very well on SR54 considering the heavy LEO coverage.


 
 
 
 
I love mornings like this, even heading east into the sun is a delight.
 




“The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson


Traffic on the Toll Roads was heavy and moving slowly as there were Florida Highway Patrol Cruisers running ambush in the medians.




FHP MotorCop feeding on a Cager.

Better them than me.
Have a Great Day everyone!
 

LATER



Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Loose Change 2nd Edition - The Video

I just completed watching a 90 minute video on the 9-11-2001 World Trade Center destruction, The attack on the Pentagon and the destruction of Flight 93.

The video entitled Loose Change 2nd Edition explorers and challenges the Official Account of the happenings on 9-11-2001 using Video & Audio from numerous sources along with reports and data from the crash sites as well as engineering data about the construction materials & methods of the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.


The video also shows airplane crash study data and explores the dynamics of a Jet Airliner Crash, the damage, the debris field and the survivability of materials used in the construction of modern Jet Airliners.

The video has eye-witness accounts from the First Responders as well as their actual Radio Communications between Fire Fighters and their Commanders coordinating the rescue efforts in both towers of the World Trade Center.

There are several examinations of the widely seen video footage of the towers as they collapsed as well as an examination of the Cell Phone recordings from Flight 93. The video also shows Public Statements by persons in the know, that mysteriously changed their statements to the press and in official reports.

I'm not going to try to persuade you one way or the other about the video but I feel if you take the time to watch it you'll find many things that just don't add up to the official accounting.


Having worked for this government in the past; I know that if it walks like, quacks like and swims like a Duck; there are Duck Droppings to be dodged!

My thanks to my riding buddy Paul Ostvold in Norway for bringing this video to my attention.

LATER

Albert Hofmann - Creator of LSD Dies at 102


Sad News today.

Albert Hofmann, the creator of LSD has died.









“Through my LSD experience and my new picture of reality, I became aware of the wonder of creation, the magnificence of nature and of the animal and plant kingdom. I became very sensitive to what will happen to all this and all of us.” - Albert Hofmann


“In old times, and also in our time among the Indian tribes, psychedelic substances were considered sacred and they were used with the right attitude and in a ritual and spiritual context. And what a difference if we compare it with the careless and irresponsible use of LSD in the streets and in the discotheques of New York City and everywhere in the West. It is a tragic misunderstanding of the nature and the meaning of these kinds of substances.” - Albert Hofmann


“It is true that my discovery of LSD was a chance discovery, but it was the outcome of planned experiments and these experiments took place in the framework of systematic pharmaceutical, chemical research. It could better be described as serendipity.” Albert Hofmann



LATER

The Dodge Tomahawk Motorcycle

This is a 8200cc Monster of a Motorcycle.  The Dodge Tomahawk is the fastest and the most powerful motorcycle in the world.  It’s like riding a 2-wheeled Train Engine.



ENGINE
  • 500 bhp (372 kW) @ 5600 rpm ( 60.4 bhp/liter); 525 lb.-ft. (712 Nm) @ 4200 rpm
  • 10-cylinder 90-degree V-type, liquid-cooled, 505 cubic inches (8277 cc)
  • 356-T6 aluminum alloy block with cast-iron liners, aluminum alloy cylinder heads
  • Bore x Stroke: 4.03 inches x 3.96 inches (102.4 x 100.6)
  • Two pushrod-actuated overhead valves per cylinder with roller-type hydraulic lifters
  • Sequential, multi-port electronic fuel injection with individual runners
  • Compression Ratio: 9.6:1
  • Max Engine Speed: 6000 rpm
  • Fuel Requirement: Unleaded premium, 93 octane (R+M/2)
  • Oil System: Dry Sump; takes 8 quarts Mobil1 10W30 Synthetic
  • Cooling System: Twin aluminum radiators mounted atop engine intake manifolds, force-fed from front-mounted, belt-driven turbine fan
  • Takes 11 quarts of antifreeze
  • Exhaust System: Equal-length tubular stainless steel headers with dual collectors and central rear outlets
SUSPENSION
Front:

Outboard, single-sided parallel upper and lower control arms made from polished billet aluminum. Mounted via ball joint to aluminum steering uprights and hubs. Five degrees caster. Single, fully adjustable centrally located coil-over damper ( 2.25-inch coil with adjustable spring perch); pullrod and rocker-actuated mono linkage. Center-lock racing-style hubs.

Rear:

Hand-fabricated box-section steel inboard swing arms, incorporating “hydral-link” lockable recirculating hydraulic circuit parking stand. Single fully adjustable centrally located Koni coil-over damper ( 2.25-inch coil with adjustable spring perch); pushrod and rocker-actuated mono linkage. Center-lock racing-style hubs.

BRAKES
Front:

20-inch perimeter-mounted drilled machined stainless steel rotors, one per wheel. Two four-piston fixed aluminum calipers per wheel (16 pistons total), custom designed. Blue anodized caliper finish. Hand-activated.

Rear:

20-inch perimeter-mounted drilled cast-iron rotors, one per wheel. One four-piston fixed aluminum caliper per wheel (8 pistons total), custom designed. Blue anodized caliper finish. Foot-activated.
 
The Tomahawk is a Viper V-10 based motorcycle, a 500 horsepower engine with four wheels beneath it.
 
Chrysler will be selling the original Tomahawk concept and nine replicas through Neiman Marcus, for up to $555,000 each. The motorcycles cannot be licensed, so they cannot be legally driven on public roads. A Chrysler spokesman told Reuters they were meant as rolling sculptures.

Rumors had the Tomahawk selling for under $200,000, most likely at a loss or breakeven price, for publicity purposes - but still fully drivable.
Wolfgang Bernhard, Chrysler’s not particularly respected first mate, was said to be enthusiastic about that project, so much so that hundreds were projected to be built at under $200,000 each.
They reportedly cost Chrysler over $100,000 to build (admittedly the work is outsourced).

The Dodge Tomahawk can reach 60 miles an hour in about 2.5 seconds, and has a theoretical top speed of nearly 400 mph.
Each pair of wheels is separated by a few inches and each wheel has an independent suspension. Bernhard said four wheels were necessary to handle the power from the engine.

The Tomahawk remains on display at auto shows - though well out of reach of the general public, elevated on a special display.



PERFORMANCE

0-60 mph: 2.5 seconds (est.)
Top Speed: 300+ mph (est.)

DIMENSIONS

Length: 102 inches
Width: 27.7 inches
Height: 36.9 inches
Wheelbase: 76 inches
Seat Height: 29 inches
Weight: 1,500 lbs.
Track, Front: 8.75 in
Track, Rear: 10 in
Weight Dist: 49F/51R
Ground Clearance: 3 in
Fuel: 3.25 gallons

 
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Alternator: 136-amp high-speed
Battery : Leak-resistant, maintenance-free 600 CCA
Lighting: Headlights consist of 12 five-watt LEDs, front, with beam-modifying optics and masked lenses. Eight LEDs, rear.
Headlamps articulate with wheels.


TRANSMISSION

Manual, foot-shifted two-speed
Aluminum-cased two-speed, sequential racing-style with dog ring, straight-cut gears
Gear Ratios: 1st 18:38; 2nd 23:25
Clutch: Double-disc, dry-plate with organic friction materials, hand lever actuated with assist
Final drive: Dual 110-link motorcycle-style chains
Front Sprockets: 14 teeth
Rear Sprockets: 35 teeth
Longitudinal, centrally mounted engine, rear-wheel drive layout; monocoque construction, engine is central, stressed member.
Body of billet aluminum

Source: Bored-Bored

LATER

Commuting in FlatLand - Apr 29

This morning's Motorcycle Commute to Tampa was in 68 degrees f. with heavy overcast sky's and some light rain thrown in for good measure.

The FHP Cruiser was already feeding on the cager as I passed them on SR54.

I stopped for Petrol and paid $3.57 US per gallon of Regular Unleaded.
 
Traffic on the surface roads in Pasco County moved well, even with the LEO's out hunting.



The Suncoast Parkway / Veterans Expressway was different sack of frogs all together.

Traffic crawled slowly the closer we got to my exit.

Once off of the Toll Roads and back on surface streets in Tampa, the pace slowed to a halt on Wilsky Blvd and Linebaugh Ave.
A distance that normally takes 4 minutes, took 16 this morning.


LATER

Monday, April 28, 2008

The Uno Electric Transport

Another offering from the Strange File is The Uno!

It reminds me of a re-engineered Segway.





It was unveiled at the 2008 Toronto National Motorcycle Show.






Operation is just like the Segway in that you lean forward to go forward, and back to go backwards.




This is the 18 year old inventor, Ben J. Poss Gulak, showing off it's capabilities.






It's kind of cool and who knows, it may even prove to be more practical than the Segway.

 
LATER

And The Ass Hat of the Week goes to

The Florida Legislature
 
 

For wasting time and Tax Payer dollars debating a stupid automotive accessory.

It must be envy or jealousy because of their collective lack of the debated "Orbs".


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - They're proudly displayed by any self-respecting bull, but dangling big metal ones on the back end of a truck could be banned in Florida.

Metal replicas of bull testicles have become trendy bumper ornaments in some parts of the Sunshine State, but state Sen. Carey Baker is campaigning to ban the orbs.

Baker acknowledged that Florida lawmakers have more pressing issues, including huge revenue shortfalls, but said the state needs to draw a line on what's obscene before more objectionable adornments appear.

State Sen. Steve Geller argued against Baker's bill.

"I find it shocking that we should be telling people that have the metallic bull testicles ... you're now going to have points on your license for this," said Geller.

Geller was in the minority. Baker's bill to fine drivers $60 for displaying the ornaments passed the Senate. It's now up to the House, but there's only a slim chance that members of that chamber would pass the measure before the session ends this coming Friday.

If it were to be passed, Gov. Charlie Crist has not indicated whether he would sign it, although he has not been too critical of this and other not-so-pressing issues.

"It's good to have some things that maybe aren't quite as serious. Got to have a little levity," the governor said.

A similar bill in Virginia, aimed at rubber trailer hitch replicas of human genitalia, died in committee this year.


LATER

Commuting in FlatLand - Apr 28

This mornings Motorcycle Commute to Tampa was in 70 degrees f. with heavy overcasts sky's and no wind.

We should be getting some nice rain this afternoon.
 



The FHP Cruisers were out enforce this morning on the Suncoast Parkway / Veterans Expressway.
Here are Three FHP hanging out in the median.

 
 
Traffic moved well considering the number of LEO's that were out this morning.
 
 


 
Traffic was heavy for a Monday Morning.






Here is a Forth FHP Cruiser on the same roadway.




 
 
 
 
This is My Exit...

LATER

Friday, April 25, 2008

Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics

Here a some interesting statistics to ponder next time you see a Doctor.

The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000.
Accidental deaths caused by Physicians Per year are 120,000.
Accidental deaths per physician Is 0.171.

Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept of Health Human Services.

The number of gun owners in the U.S. Is 80,000,000.
The number of accidental gun deaths Per year, all age groups, Is 1,500.
The number of accidental deaths Per gun owner Is .000188.

Statistics courtesy of FBI.

So, statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.

So remember, Guns don't kill people, Doctors kill people.

One other thing to ponder:  Not everyone owns a gun but almost everyone has at least one Doctor! 
LATER

High Resolution KillBoy Photos From Deal's Gap During Spring Training Camp for Riders

Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.
Here are the High Resolution images from KillBoy.com of me riding Deal's Gap during Spring Training Camp for Riders in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina & Tennessee.

Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.

 
Click the images to view the Full-Size High-Resolution images. 

 
 
Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.

KillBoy.com are a group of Professional Photographers that spend their day's  photographing the goings-on on Deal's Gap and sell the photos on their web-site KillBoy.com


Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.

I'm really liking how the Olympia High-Visibility Vest makes me more conspicuous.

Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.





Dave Dragon - R1200GS Adventure on Deal's Gap.



Once again the KillBoy.com crew have delivered excellent photos, as they always do.

The order process is fast & easy and they turn orders around quickly.
 
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