Rolling Thunder Washington DC Rally

Reminding the world of the issue of Prisoners of War (POW) and those soldiers Missing in Action (MIA) is the purpose of the annual Memorial Day Rolling Thunder ride through Washington DC. Rolling Thunder is an annual event to keep the issue in the public awareness.

When the US was involved in North Vietnam in 1965, the non-stop bombing was known as “Operation Rolling Thunder. The rally is named from that sound.

In 1988, two veterans of the Vietnam War, Artie Muller and Ray Manzo, rallied together a group of fellow veterans, family members and veterans’ advocates to organize a demonstration during the Memorial Day weekend, to be held at the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. The group became known as Rolling Thunder and each year since has held an annual “Ride for Freedom” to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Initially focusing attention on those POWs and MIAs after Vietnam, it’s grown on a large scale. Rolling Thunder participants are often veterans, and many ride motorcycles, but all persons can participate.

This year we started with just under a half a million riders forming up in the Pentagon parking lot. It was an honor to ride in the Rolling Thunder Rally. We honor our nations missing heroes and shall never forget those that gave their all for freedom. Our participation symbolized our respect for all of the veterans of this country, living and deceased.

It is a stirring , emotional experience to display that proud patriotism while choking back a tear of remembrance.

The sound of a hundred thousand motorcycles starting up as the ride filled the air as the first groups of riders took to the streets of DC. It was very loud yet very subdued at the same time. Emotion filled the air.

The sun was shining and the rally route took us through downtown Washington. Supporters packed the streets and waved and flashed peace signs as we rode by. You could feel the common bond that untied us in this cause.

Riding to the Vietnam Vets Memorial was a serious event. We listened to those honoring the missing soldiers and noticed the thousands of Americans that supported us in our recognition. This public display of support for the missing and unaccounted heroes was moving.

This type of event remains with you for all of your life. It touches the young and old alike. A strong emotional day remembering the purpose of Rolling Thunder.

Finding Motorcycle Helmet Features

In choosing a motorcycle helmet, there are many different features you should be looking for. The ones that will be the best for you are those options that will help with comfort and convenience for you.

You can have many awesome add-ons as cool motorcycle helmet features. One really convenient feature if to have a quick change shield mechanism. This will mean you can quickly and easily change your shield.

To keep an extra helmet in case you have a passenger, you can buy a motorcycle helmet storage bag. These bags attach to your bike, keeping the helmet there when you need it, and protecting it when you don’t.

Other motorcycle helmet features help to keep small annoyances away. Some helmets come with a strap guard which keeps the extra fabric of the chin strap from flapping while you ride and striking you.

If you’re riding somewhere humid, a good motorcycle helmet feature for you may be removable pads. Every few rides, if the pads are starting to get stale, you can wash them and then place them right back in your helmet.

Another motorcycle helmet feature that many riders enjoy is a scratch resistant shell. This will keep your helmet looking new and shiny long after you first buy it, and keep you looking sharp as you ride.

If you have a shield that tends to fog from the inside, you may want to look for a new helmet with vents. Beware however that vents can lead to a louder ride, and do protrude a bit from the helmet.

When you’re ready to buy a new motorcycle helmet, you should look for one with the motorcycle helmet features that best suit your needs. You want a helmet that is as safe and comfortable as possible.

Motorcycle Helmet Safety is Important

If you’re interested in riding a motorcycle, you know that there are many important skills you need to know first. In fact, there is a special license and test for those who do ride, to ensure they are qualified.

But did you know that even the safest motorcycle rider is likely to end up in an accident in their lifetime. Most riders know that if they haven’t already been in an accident, they will be someday.

The high rate of accidents for motorcycle riders is one of the reasons that motorcycle helmet safety is so important. If you are not wearing a helmet, or have a defective helmet, your risk of injury is much higher.

A key to motorcycle helmet safety is deciding what type of helmet you should buy. Many experienced riders use a full face helmet because as it protects their face and head, they feel it’s safest.

There are two different motorcycle helmet safety standards. At the least, you should always buy a helmet that is DOT certified. This shows that under manufacturers testing, it meets minimum safety standards.

A Snell certified helmet undergoes even more rigorous testing in an independent lab, and meets higher safety standards. Helmets with this certification are the safest helmets that you can buy.

When trying to keep up motorcycle helmet safety standards in your own life, always avoid buying a used helmet. There is no guarantee that these helmets will protect you, as they could be damaged.

It is important to always follow motorcycle safety standards. Wearing a certified helmet will ensure some level of protecting, and in many cases can help you to walk away uninjured from an accident.

Find the Right Leather Motorcycle Jacket Style

There are two aspects to any jacket purchase. A rider of course wants a jacket that will keep them safe while they’re riding. However, leather motorcycle jacket style is also an aspect to notice.

When you’re buying your jacket, the first decision to make is that length you’d like. There are two to choose from. The half waist style is the more traditional, while the three quarter length gives more coverage.

If the classic style is important to you, you should definitely buy a waist length jacket. This is the iconic jacket style, the one James Dean and the Fonz wear, and it’s the most stylish.

If you decide to go with this leather motorcycle jacket style, there are a few features that you should look for before you buy. The back of the jacket should be slightly longer than the front, to give you coverage when you lean forward.

For a rider who might have a beer belly, the three quarter length jacket is the right way to go. Because it has more material, this leather motorcycle jacket style offers better coverage.

This is also a good style if you are going on longer rides. The extra coverage will leave you more comfortable, and also leaves space for storage pockets to help you carry extra water or gear.

For a rider who likes to be unique, there are many leather motorcycle jacket styles that are quite colorful. You can find a color to match your bike and helmet, or simply make yourself more noticeable.

A leather motorcycle jacket style can fit into your riding lifestyle easily. Whatever you’re looking to show off, a leather jacket will let you do so, and let you do it while looking your best.

Useful Motorcycle Helmet Tips

If you haven’t been riding for very long, or are an older rider who is just starting to wear a helmet, these easy motorcycle helmet tips will help to keep you riding safe for a long time to come.

When buying a new helmet, or a first helmet, make sure to give a full face helmet a fair try. They may look less comfortable, but they’re actually very comfortable when fitted right, and are also safer.

The second motorcycle helmet tip concerns certification. A helmet with DOT certification is perfectly safe, and will be able to protect you in most situations. But for the safest helmet on the road, pick a Snell certified helmet.

If safety is a huge concern of yours, you can also get more safety from the appearance of your helmet. Choose a bright solid color that will be easily noticeable, and attach a reflective strip to the back of your helmet.

There are motorcycle helmet tips for the proper care of your helmet as well. Though many riders do it, you should never hand your helmet from your bikes handle bars. If it drops, it will be damaged.

There are a few places you should never leave your helmet. The first is next to the gas tank of your bike, as the vapors let off cause damage. Direct sunlight will also damage your helmet, and it should be stored in the shade.

Always remember to never ride with a damaged helmet, a motorcycle helmet tip that can’t be stressed enough. Any helmet that was in an accident, dropped, or that looks damaged won’t give you protection in an accident.

Use these motorcycle helmet tips to keep you safe during all of your rides. A helmet is the best protection you’ve got, and should be worn at all times, no matter how short or long the ride.

Lambretta for Sale Checking guide for purchasing a Lambretta

The first thing to check for when buying a Lambretta for sale, is to research the model being sold. Prices can be different as can the quality and condition of the Lambretta for sale. When looking for a Lambretta for sale it is important to consider this so you find a Lambretta for sale at the most competitive price possible.

There are other things to look at when buying a Lambretta for sale

1. To maintain speed and originality check the engine and frame numbers match that of the log book that come with the Lambretta for sale. Chances are the engine of the Lambretta for sale may have been changed to improve performance or because of cracks in casings. This could mean the Lambretta for sale is illegal, and may be confiscated or crushed.

2. Check the Lambretta for sale has no rot and rust. In most cases any damage to a Lambretta for sale will be instantly visible, but it is possible for rotting to occur at the top of side panels. Behind the number plate should be checked for rust on the Lambretta for sale. An Old Lambretta for sale is also quite likely to have various bumps and dents to the bodywork.

3. If the top or bottom of a headset is damaged it can be hard to find a suitable replacement for either part, so check the Lambretta for sale has an intact headset. The colours may be different or they may not line up properly. You can tell by looking at the headlight rim on the Lambretta for sale closely.

4. When checking over the Lambretta for sale, you should always check the petrol tank for rust damage. It the most common internal problem with a Lambretta for sale but easily fixed. You can check the petrol tank on the Lambretta for sale by taking off the lid and running your finger along the inside top. If the inside feels rough then it is likely there is a rust problem. If it appears to be major then you may have to fit a new petrol tank to the Lambretta for sale.

5. It is worth, when buying a Lambretta for sale, to check it’s most current MOT as this will have information of wheel alignment. If this is not available, then it can be checked with a straight piece of wood. The wheels of the Lambretta for sale should each sit flat with the edge of the wood. If not then the Lambretta for sale could be suffering from worn engine mounts.

6. It is hard to check the engine of a Lambretta for sale without it being stripped in a workshop, but you can check that all the nuts and bolts are in place/tightened and for worn threads. Check the engine side casing of the Lambretta for sale. The threads can weaken due to removal if it has been repaired/modified to often. Also certain models of Lambretta for sale will not have interchangeable engines. So make sure the Lambretta for sale comes with an engine compatible with the model.

All of these points should help you find the Lambretta for sale for you. Make sure you test drive the Lambretta for sale. Do this on a normal road and for long enough to get all the parts of the Lambretta for sale warmed up to check it all runs appropriately. Some of these aspects may not have been noticed upon observing the Lambretta for sale.

JD’s Place, Proving the world wrong about Bikers

I have heard many say over the years, That you can not have a biker friendly bar and have all Types of bikers hanging out Together! It has been said that 1% MC’s, Military MC’s, Fire MC’s, Law MC’s,Sport Bike MC’s, Outlaw MC’s, AMA Clubs, MRO’s, Independent Riders and everyone else can not get together and have a few drinks without there being problems!

I have heard many say there would be nothing but fights and problems at a bar like this and no one would want to go to there! I had always believed it was nothing but a Bunch of Bull Sh#t!

Well for around two years now Michelle and Anthony the owners of JDs Place 1005B Fulton Street (Rte 109) Farmingdale on Long Island in NY have proved that Bikers from all corners of the Motorcycle world can come together have a few drinks and get along!

They have proved that given a place where all are welcome that not only can everyone get along, But that these Bikers can come together and accomplish many great things for their Community! The Long Island Bikers and MC Members who hang out together at JD’s have worked together and supported each other while hosting Charity events at JD’s Place to help many of the less fortunate on Long Island! These Bikers have also come together and crossed barriers to be there for each other in both good times and bad! JD’s Place may be a small Long Island biker bar, but when it comes to helping to change the whole biker world, It is huge!

To those out there that think they know about Bikers, Please keep telling us what we are not Capable of doing and we will be more then happy to keep proving you wrong!!!

If you want to “Have a Good Time On Rt 109″ check out JDSPLCE.com

Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

Biker Lowdown Radio Show

I have been writing about the Biker Lifestyle for years as a freelance writer and I have also been DJing Bike events for many years. I knew I wanted to bring the two together and do a Biker Style radio show right from the beginning. I had spoken with local stations in my area about doing a Biker radio show and each time the radio station either wanted lots of money up front or they just wanted nothing to do with a Biker radio show. The Biker market is what they call a niche Market and stations want shows that will appeal to everyone.

knew that the motorcycle market was going to be tough. If I was to use regular radio station I was going to only be able offer the show to local Bikers and it would be a show that was on only at a certain time every week, so if you missed the show well that’s it you missed it. This is not what I really wanted.

I wanted a show where Bikers from all over the world could listen in and be part of it. Being We are Bikers and never know where we will be at any given time I also wanted the Bikers to be able to listen to the show on their time schedule. The answer I knew was the Internet. But how to do it? I had no Idea.

I didn’t have the cash to start my own Internet radio station. So I started looking into existing Internet stations. Again the same problems everyone wanted money upfront and the shows would only be on at a certain time! I knew there was a way to make this work I just did not know what it was!

The answer came during the Summer of 2008 when a guy from Florida called the Paisan sent me an email saying he had read some of my articles and he would like to interview me on his Internet radio show called Sundays Sauce Pot. I called him and after speaking to him I agreed to be on the show.

The show I did with the Paisan and his partner Danny Dawg was unforgettable and I had a great time. I developed a friendship with Danny Dawg and the Paisan. When I told them how I wanted to do my own Show for years they where happy to explain how I could do a show like theirs. The show would go Live at 8pm on Wednesdays and could be listen to from the beginning any time a person went to the website from any computer world wide 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This was perfect it was everything I had been looking for over 10 years! With help I figured out how to work every thing and the Biker Lowdown Radio Show was born.

I had originally planned on waiting to start the show in January as I wanted to make sure everything was perfect! Then I remembered nothing in life is perfect and I just started the show as is. The response the show has received has been beyond anything I could have hoped for and has really been overwhelming!

The Biker Lowdown chat room gets busier every week and it lets listeners know they are really a part of the show! My goals for the show is to be entertaining and let all who Ride know what is going on in the Motorcycle world at the same time. I am also working on a much larger more inter active website and I am getting ready to start having T-Shirts, Bumper Stickers and so much more to give out to my listens at events! I invite you all to check out the show at BikerLowdown.com let me know what you think and what topics you would like to talk about !

I am Your Bro LJ James AmericanBikerX.com I’ll See you on the road!!!

The Several Kinds of Motorcycle Helmets

If you are new to riding a motorcycle, or are just new to wearing a helmet, you may be overwhelmed by the many different kinds of motorcycle helmets. It can be hard to decide what is right for you.

This is a guide to the different kinds of motorcycle helmets. What type you should get is a personal decision, but factors that are likely to come up include price, safety concerns, and your personal style.

A more classic style of motorcycle helmet is the beanie, or puddin Hat. You may remember these from WWII movies. This type of helmet is the least expensive, and offers some protection.

But they do only offer minimal protection, and even then, only to the top of your head. They also do not block any wind or rain from your face, which leaves you open to being stuck.

For those who like the beanie style, but want more protection in their kind of motorcycle helmet, the half helmet is a good option. It gives you a similar stylistic look, but it also gives protection to the sides of your head.

This kind of motorcycle helmet does have similar disadvantages to the beanie. It does not offer adequate noise protection, and also does not protect your face while you’re riding, or in the case of a fall or crash.

For those who are very interested in safety, a full face helmet is the right way to go. It protects your entire head, including your chin and covering your ears, and it also blocks your face from debris and weather.

There are some drawbacks to this model of helmet. Covered ears can make it difficult for you to hear. You must also completely remove your helmet if you would like to take a picture, drink or eat.

DOT Motorcycle Helmet Certification is Important

As you’re getting ready to buy a new motorcycle helmet, it can be hard to know what is the best and safest for you. One of the best ways to know your helmet is safe is to make sure it’s DOT certified.

DOT motorcycle helmet certification is indicated through a sticker, located on the back of the helmet. If the helmet that you’re interested in doesn’t have this sticker, don’t buy it. You have no idea if it will protect you in a crash.

The United States Department of Transportation, otherwise known as the DOT, is a government agency that tries to keep you safe on the road, through regulations and safety standards.

What standards must be met to attain DOT motorcycle helmet certification? First, a helmet must absorb most of the force on impact. It must also prevent most objects from penetrating it, and it must fasten in a way that can withstand a large amount of force.

Who does the testing to make sure that a helmet meets DOT motorcycle helmet certification standards? The manufacturer themselves test their helmets, and are allowed to attach the sticker should it pass each test.

You’re probably thinking about what happens if a manufacturer fudges the results a little. Periodically, the DOT will send helmets to independent labs for testing, and posts the results on their website.

Before you buy, make sure to familiarize yourself with what the real DOT sticker looks like online. Some unscrupulous manufacturers will attach false stickers to their helmets in order to trick you into buying.

DOT motorcycle helmet certification is an important safety tool for riders. This is a way to ensure that your helmet meets minimum safety standards, and will be able to protect you in a crash.

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