Big Vinnie with the Kendall Johnson Trike Asked to make this public

Benefits on February 28th

28th Benefit for Brian BEMO Bement and Jayme McCloud
On February 6, 2009, Brian and Jayme were in a motorcycle accident and since then they have both been in the intensive care unit. We have set-up an account to help them when they come home from the hospital. Any help is greatly appreciated. God Bless.The benefit is on Feb 28 and starts at 4 till close at JB REYS FRY HOUSE at 2924 Telegraph,314 487 0818 we have a 42 in flat screen raffle going right now that is 1 for $5 or 5 for $20 it will be auctioned off the 28th also but you dont need to be there to win,call me at 574 2155

Brian is the son of David Bement the owner of the Big Dog with the Kiss paint job and also an awesome Kiss tat. Please come out and support this event.

This same day there is also a benefit for a lady named Becky at Doit's Village Inn in Pontoon Beach.

Finally the 100 MPH Club is holding a benefit for Gene Walker at their clubhouse.

Have I Ever Mentioned

Have I ever mentioned how helpful it is to us here at the magazine, if you click on these ads by G**gl along the side of the pages. If while visiting the site and you like us I would appreciate it. Jim

Toilets Guys

Did you ever wonder why it is women want the seat up when we pee and down afterward and then they go buy one of those seat covers that makes it impossible for the seat to stay up while you piss. So now you have one or like in my case two hands holding your equipment and no hands to hold the seat up then they wonder why the seat cover is wet.

Rat Run Wheelies from 2006

If you want to see some of the stuff you would see on a The Biking Life DVD. Then I invite you to follow this link to some footage of ours from the 2007 DVD that showed people from 2006 doing wheelies at the Rat Ride. Just go to youtube and thanks for visiting us.

Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to Jan Knobbe and his family

Jan Knobbe and his wife Reine are the owners of Chariots of Fire Customs in Moscow Mills. They are long time supporters of motorcyclists in our area and friends of The Biking Life.

Albert Knobbe, Jan's father passed away on Friday the 20th

From all of us at The Biking Life, we extend Jan and family our heartfelt sympathy and understanding thoughts in this time of sadness. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Visitation for Albert Knobbe will be on Monday, February 23, 3pm to 8pm Ortmann's Funeral Home Overland, MO 63114 314-427-2222

Funeral Mass Tuesday, February 24 10am St. Jude's 2218 N. Warson Rd Overland, MO 63114

If you would like to leave a message for Jan and his family, you may do so in the guest book on the shop's web site. http://www.chariotsoffirecustoms.com/

Office "what is it they call those places where trains stop"

You know how several store chains call themselves depot. Well, the one that has office supplies is a chain that does not deserve anyone's business. The reason I believe this is that a couple of years ago I picked up a headset to use with some software I bought. I never opened the packaging or used the product in any way. I still had the original bag and receipt. I am somewhat busy so I didn't return it right away. When I did attempt to return it, they wouldn't give me my money back. They said that it is a technology product and we do not give out refunds after a certain period of time. Interestingly enough though, they were still selling this same exact product. Well for those of you who don't know this, I am very Irish and do not have a good filter that stops me from telling people how wrong they are, so I proceeded to do so. The person with whom I spoke, okay maybe berated, told their manager that I had stormed off, jumped on my motorcycle and tore up the parking lot. Not even close to true. I spoke to the manager, made peace and ended up getting a store credit. So we were kinda cool.

So cool in fact that they sent me coupons recently, one of which had a card that was good for $20 off a $100 purchase. Well I wanted a cash register; we are going to use one at the Midwest Motorcycle Swap Meet. Oh but I digress just to give a shameless plug to my event. So I am about to get some copies made and I am talking to this assistant manager and telling him what I plan to do. He then tells me that the cash register is a technology item and that if I would have read the very small print on the back of this card I would know that technology items were one of the things I couldn't use my card on. Well my Irish did get raised and I believe I may have offered him a suggestion as to where he could put that card. He informed me that everything on one side of the store is a technology item and therefore not an item that the card could be applied to. I happened to notice a manual cash drawer sitting in the same area as the cash register I was going to purchase. I asked if that would be considered a technology item and he said it was considered such by the management. I asked him does that seem right to you? He said he could see my point.

This is a company that I feel uses deception to lure people into their stores and then provides crap customer service, often hiding behind company policy. I may be older than most of you, but I do know this. I know my father managed K-Marts for his whole career and back then, they didn't treat people like this. In fact I have worked for K-Mart myself and have been talked to about letting people cheat the company even when it is obvious that is what they were trying to do. I urge you to not patronize a store that behaves the way this office store does. Instead I suggest you do business with places that treat you the way they would probably like to be treated. You know that golden rule thing. I know that is how I try to do business.

But not only did the office store lose business today, I am getting one for cheaper delivered to my home from an Ebay shop. So all's well that ends well!

Free Food Tuesday

On Tuesday Feb 24 IHOP is giving away pancakes to celebrate National Pancake Day and is asking for a donation which goes to Childrens Miracle Network. Details at http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/

That same day, Jack In The Box is giving away two free tacos. But you need to get the coupon online and print it out. http://coupon.hangintherejack.com/two-tacos.php

If you are looking for some other choices, T.G.I. Fridays is offering a coupon for buy one get one free entres. The coupon is on their web site and is good till March 1, http://www.tgifridays.com/promos/bogo_2009_02.aspx?fromhome

Midwest Motorcycle Swap Meet Update

Boy our spots are filling up fast. In fact just yesterday we reserved another 10% of the spots so in no time at all we should be very full. So far we have one leather vendor, one sewer, one scooter dealer some other awesome accessories and a bunch of parts guys. The swap meet was met with great enthusiasm at the recent bike show and I think this is going to be a big one. In addition to the vendors some very recognizable clubs have signed up and some of the big charity rides of the year will also be represented here, groups like Bikers for Babies, Hartbauer/McBride Foundation and Rip's B.A.D. ride. If you want more information about the swap meet check out our website www.midwestmotorcycleswapmeet.com. Oh did I mention this is an event that everyone is welcome at just leave the attitudes at home.

More thanks

I have been getting ready to do my taxes. Alright really I've been getting information together so Joy can do our taxes and do you know what? The Biking Life had it's most successful year ever in 2008 and I thank you guys for making us the most popular mag around. I know I was bitching about slow pay and no pay people but even with that we are on our way. And after the overwhelming success we had at the recent bike show we stand poised to break all records again this year. I thank you for your past support and always welcome your suggestions as to what we can do better. Also just because we don't put your suggestion into action right away doesn't mean we won't use it later on. Once again I thank all of you who support us and more importantly our advertisers.

Thanks

I thank all of you who stopped by our booth over the weekend. It was great to see you and it was awesome to see how many people wanted some type of The Biking Life gear. We need your support and appreciate it greatly. For those of you who didn't make the show. Well you missed some very cool bikes and a good time. You also missed out on a special show deal where you could get both the 2008 and 2007 DVDs for $10. If you send me an email so I can invoice you electronically I will offer the same deal to everyone else. The only difference is I'll have to charge you $3 extra for shipping and handling. Thanks again oh and the email address is: jim@thebikinglife.com

Wide Open Bike Show in St Charles, MO

Be surre to stop by The BIking Life booth at the Wide Open Bike Show this weekend and preview the just released 2008 Biking Life DVD.

The show is at the Family Arean in St Charles. The hours are 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Saturday and 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Sunday. Free parking this year.

Motorcycles Included in Stimulus Bill

According to a story by Larry Connors on Channel 4 KMOV, Missouri Senator Kit Bond helped get motorcycle purchases included in the Economic Stimulus Bill just passed by both the House and the Senate.

This excerpt from the AMA has some more detail:

'Specifically, motorcycles are included as "qualified vehicles" in Section 1008 of the legislation. Those purchasing a new motorcycle will be able to deduct the sales and excise taxes on their 2009 tax returns. Prior to the actions taken by the AMA and others, the deductions only applied to the purchase of a new car or light truck.'

More Motorcycle Event Pictures

Yes we have posted even more motorcycle event pictures on the web site in the last couple of days. I guess the old saying is true "you can't stop them you can only hope to contain them". Seriously though I hope you enjoy seeing the pictures and in some cases the events that didn't get into the magazine.

Jim

The 2008 DVDs and New Pics

Are scheduled to arrive on Friday which menas you have another good reason to visit the Wide Open Bike Show this weekend at the Family Arena. It will be your first opporunity to own this piece of local history. I think this year's may be the best ever and we are going to be offering s show special of $8 for the 2008 edition or $10for both the 2007 and 2008 editions. That is certainly a deal.

Also today I have put some new galleries in our photos section. Two are FORR events from 2007 and I forget what the other one is.

Some People Do Not Get It

I have posted here on my blog and told folks to their face that if I find their stuff in my magazine stands I will throw it away. Apparently some people do not care or do not believe me but that is exactly what I do and will continue to do. I do not put my stuff in other people's racks without their permission.

I used to not do this but I have better things to do with my time than to organize other people's stuff.

The New Issue

The new issue is on the website although we have not yet updated the home page to reflect this. If you go to the past issues tab you can view it there or you could just click on February 2009 issue here.

I apologize to all for the lateness the last couple of months of updating the website. I feel especially bad for those of you serving our nation overseas who look forward to seeing this little bit of home every month. I know this happens because I have had your parents call me before. I will do better in the future you have my word.

A Furey Is Unleashed

Oops, I mean A Fury Is Unleashed. Honda has revealed a new model that will be available in the 2010 model year. And it looks like they named it after the publisher of the Midwest's best damn motorcycle publication. For more info check out their web site (it might take a few seconds to load).

My Friends

One friend of mine asked me the other day why I posted pictures from the Invader's Swap Meet from 2008, on the website. I asked why, they said haven't you heard the news about them. Well yes I have heard he news about them but they are my friends and they have been supporters of mine. I do not take advantage of my friends, nor do I distance myself from them when trouble arises. Plus I was at the event and it was fun.

I hope things work out well for my friends I have no idea what the issue is nor do I care to. I may not always agree with things my friends do but I always support those who support me.

Original???? better????

The original way to wash clothes was to take them down to the river and beat them with rocks. I think the way we do things today is better. Something being the original doesn't make it better, in many instances the "original" just keep trotting out the same old tired ideas.

The original way to get from one place to another was to walk. Still an option today but not one many people choose these days.

The original airplanes were open cockpit, is that how you wan to fly these days. I'm not seeing a lot of open cockpit planes so I think not.

The original American motorcycle was the Indian hmmm I don't think they are around anymore.

What I am saying is that in a whole lot of instances new is better than the original not that the original isn't good but taking new ideas and implementing them is at the heart of what makes America great. The status quo is not the way to go.

Oh and a final note Midwest Motorcycle Swap Meet, an event where all patch holders are welcome. That is right everyone from the Christians, to the local HOG Chapters to riding clubs to the true motorcycle clubs can fly their colors proudly just Leave the Attitudes at Home. is being advertised world wide. Our garage sale area will provide a place where individuals can sell parts for only $20 and all our booths regardless of product are one price $40 and electric is only $10. Once again showing that your friends at The Biking Life are all about making motorcycling fun and affordable.

IRS Audits Needed

There seems to be a problem with another government official that made a mistake and did not pay his taxes. Maybe we should get a 100% audit of all them. I wonder how many others have similar problems. And when errors are found, they should pay the penalties in addition to taxes and interest owed. Al Capone was jailed for income tax evasion while Washington insiders are given cabinet positions.