Look Twice – Save a Life

U-Tube video presents a “You didn’t see me” message

Bike Maintenance Again

Got my latest order from Mike’s XS, www.mikesxs.net, and got rid of the vacuum operated petcocks on the two 78 XS650 Specials. I only ordered two petcocks, as they are $40 apiece. The 78’s had a petcock on each side of the tank. The 80-84’s only had one petcock. I had bought 2 adapter plates from “partsnmore.com” that would accept a 3/8″ NPT petcock, put a brass plug in the plates and put these on the right side petcock location. So far, working out great. Finished putting new fuel line on the BabyDog on last Saturday. Next thing will be to get some small rubber pieces that cushion the metal side cover mounts and some other small incidentals items to replace things that are getting old, like the rubber covers on the clutch and brake levers. But overall, things looking up on the bikes. Nice to have them running good. When I started to investigate the vacuum petcock issue on www.650rider.com, the advice there was to get them replaced as soon as possible to not have them start leaking and filling the crankcase with fuel. And when I investigated, I discovered that the vacuum hose on the back side of the diaphragm petcock on Spotty had come off! (The carbs have a fuel line between them) This was the source of my idle problem, and backfiring on slowing down. Doh! SpottyDog runs much better now.  I had no problem on Baby because I had to use “72 carb mounts a couple of years back, replacing the stock ones that were not holding the carbs securely, so they had no intake nipple to block off.  But the petcock could still start leaking.  This issue is what happened to the 79 XS1100 that resulted in the fire in the shop last year.  Never want that to happen again.

Bike Maintenance

I went to R&K Cycle in Kirkwood last week to order parts to repair the 56 Panhead that was injured in the shop fire I had last year. Still waiting on the windshield and handle bar switches to come in from the New York warehouse. Took Spotty on Wednesday and Thursday and Baby on Friday. I got the flathead style speedo, which is white faced, thinking it may be easier to see by the light of the voluminous glow of the 6 volt dash bulbs. Three days in a row. Thats more times than all of last year to visit R&K!

One of the biggest things that I got on Monday, and the thing that I have wanted for a long time, is a hydraulic lift table for the bikes. I went down to East Peoria to Harbor Freight and picked it up on Monday afternoon. (I had a coupon from Motorcyclist Magazine to make the cost at $299. and it is marked at $399 in the store.) I looked at the website, and it is listed at $349, $10 off regular price and since its oversize, you have to add $75 for overweight shipping, so I drove the diesel to pick it up. I know that its China made, but Honey said I should spend the money to make working on the bikes easier, (as I am getting older) and I am trying to get the most for my money’s worth. It is rated for 1000# so the 85 Voyager would be a bit much for it, but not much maintenance on it anyway. It will be perfect for the xs650s and the panhead. Woo-Hoo. (As Homer would say, finding the last donut in the box)

I put Spotty (78 XS650) up on the lift yesterday, adjusted the chain, and assessing what types of blocks I need to put under the frame to support the bike while I remove the plate under the rear wheel. Sure beats putting a piece of carpet down on the concrete and working on the bike while laying down. I think engine maintenance will be better with points and tappets at eye level! I didn’t like the front wheel vise that comes with it and had previously bought drive in wheel chock designed for mounting on a truck or trailer bed for $29.95.

Media shows bias against bikers

Media shows bias against bikers by criticizing safety message

July 16, 2009

ABATE of Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke and Hupy and Abraham, S.C. worked together to produce a 30-second message urging drivers to Watch for Motorcycles. All three organizations have the same goal; reduce the number of deaths and injuries to motorcyclists. There has been a disturbing increase in motorcycle crashes due to right of way violations by drivers of other vehicles.

ABATE members and Hupy and Abraham, S.C. organized the video shoot, which was produced as a public service announcement by TV Channel 6, a local station. Sheriff David Clarke delivered the entire message and was not compensated in any way for appearing in the video. Rather than run the spot as a strict PSA in late night time slots, Hupy and Abraham, S.C. donated commercial slots already paid for by the firm to run the safety message. The law firm pays up to $2,500.00 a month to just one station to deliver this message. The PSA now runs on at least three television stations in Milwaukee and will expand to other parts of Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.

A recent newscast on TV Channel 58 in Milwaukee was entitled, “Sheriff by Day, Pitchman by Night,” and was critical of the fact that the name of our law firm appeared on the 30-second message. No mention was made by TV 58 that ABATE of Wisconsin’s logo also appeared. TV 58 was also critical of the fact that the spot, with Sheriff Clarke as spokesman, was being aired on prime time, insinuating some type of impropriety may have taken place. In fact, as stated above, those prime time spots were already bought and paid for by Hupy and Abraham for commercial purposes. The firm simply substituted the safety message in place of the advertisements.

Some bikers were upset that TV 58 criticized an effort to save biker’s lives yet the station did nothing to bring awareness to careless drivers causing accidents with motorcyclists.

Furthermore, the newscast came on the heels of a fatal motorcycle accident involving Hupy and Abraham, S.C. client Robert Perkins. The Sheriff’s office issued the following statement in response to TV 58’s newscast:

“Here’s the bottom line. Sheriff Clarke is trying to change driver behavior so that bikers may ride safely too. PSA’s, like the one here, are a big part of his educational effort. Sheriff Clarke will gladly partner with the business community, Hupy & Abraham, or anybody else to get this important safety message out. Public service announcements are expensive and Sheriff Clarke believes someone other than taxpayers can pay for it. On June 27th, 54-year-old Robert Perkins was killed, KILLED after a car struck his bike. Let’s get upset about that.”

Free “Watch for Motorcycles” Stickers

Free “Watch for Motorcycles” Bumper Stickers Available

Help us save a life by forwarding this message

As part of Hupy and Abraham’s efforts to increase awareness of motorcycles on the road, we have come up with another facet to our “Watch for Motorcycles” campaign. We have reached over 4 million people with full-page newspaper ads in the last three years. We have added electronic billboards, airplane banners and television messages.

We are now providing fee of charge, black, orange and white bumper stickers that say “Watch for Motorcycles” (see attachment). This is another reminder to motorists that they must be careful and specifically look for motorcycles as well as manage their vehicle appropriately when motorcycles have the right-of-way.

In addition to bumper stickers, we have stickers that can be placed on envelopes or letters that carry the “Watch for Motorcycles” message (see attachment). The stickers are in black, orange and white. We also have a version available in yellow and black that says “ABATE of Wisconsin” and a generic orange and black sticker.

If you wish to receive any of these or be added to our Biker Newsbrief mailing list, please send an e-mail to pan@mfhupy.com and indicate which stickers you would like.

Tony “Pan” Sanfelipo
Investigator, Hupy and Abraham, S.C.
See our new website at www.hupy.com

Illinois to start using Photo Radar in July

Illinois will begin using photo radar in freeway work zones in July. One mile per hour over the speed limit and the machine will get you a nice $375.00 ticket in the mail. Beginning July 1st, the State of Illinois will begin using the speed cameras in areas designated as “Work Zones” on major freeways. Anyone caught by these devices will be mailed a $375.00 ticket for the FIRST offense. The SECOND offense will cost $1000.00 and comes with a 90-Day suspension. Drivers will also receive demerit points against their license, which allow insurance companies to raise Insurance rates.

This is the harshest penalty structure ever set for a governmental unit involving PHOTO speed enforcement. The State already has two camera vans on line issuing tickets 24/7 in work zones with speed limits lowered to 45 MPH. Photos of both the Driver’s face and License plate are taken. Pass this on to everyone you know who might be affected!!!

For more info: http://www.dot.state.il.us/press/r062409.html

NHTSA Recall- 2009 Ducati

NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 09V142
MAKE / MODEL YEARS :
DUCATI / 2009
SUBJECT : MAIN WIRING HARNESS

Summary:
DUCATI IS RECALLING 1,755 MY 2009 MONSTER 696 MOTORCYCLES. THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH THE VERTICAL CYLINDER HEAD AND EXHAUST PIPE POSSIBLY RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE MOTORCYCLE AND A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO THE RIDER.

NHTSA RECALL- BMW R1200

NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 09V129
MAKE / MODEL YEARS :

BMW / 2008

SUBJECT : ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BMW IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008 R1200 GS AND R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, SUCH AS HIGH GENERATOR SPEEDS COMBINED WITH LARGE DEMANDS FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT, SPURIOUS SIGNALS COULD EMERGE WITHIN THE MOTORCYCLE’S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD AFFECT THE PRESSURE SENSOR SIGNALS OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL UNIT

NHTSA Recall- Bridgestone Exedra G850 G motorcycle tires

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 09T004

Synopsis:
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operation (BATO) is recalling certain Bridgestone Exedra G850 G motorcycle tires, size 180/70R16 77H, sold as original equipment for MY 2008 and 2009 Triumph Rocket III Touring motorcycles.

One Million Miles on a Harley-Davidson

March 25, 2009

Former Wisconsin State Senator set to complete one million mile ride on Same motorcycle

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Hupy & Abraham, S.C. Announces Landing Party on April 4, at noon, to Commemorate First Time Anyone Has Ridden One Million Miles on the Same Harley-Davidson

Milwaukee, Wis. – The law firm of Hupy & Abraham, S.C. announced today a landing party set for Saturday, April 4 to welcome former Wisconsin State Senator Dave Zien back to Wisconsin as he becomes the first person to ride one million miles on the same Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The feat will earn him a world record from the Iron Butt Association, an international group that oversees and governs safe, long-distance motorcycle riding challenges.

Hupy & Abraham, S.C. is the sole sponsor of the ride, providing more than $5,000 to offset the travel and maintenance costs. Zien is a longtime friend of attorney Michael Hupy, president of Hupy & Abraham, S.C., and a former client of the firm. Attorney Hupy also testified before the Wisconsin Senate Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy Committee in 2006 in favor of Act 466, the right of way violation bill requested by ABATE. Zien was chairman of the Judiciary Committee at that time.

“We are excited to see the culmination of Dave’s journey next month,” said attorney Hupy. “It will be a monumental occasion when he caps the million mile mark in Wisconsin.”

Zien’s odometer is expected to hit one million miles as he rides into Hal’s Harley-Davidson in New Berlin, Wis. at noon on April 4. Zien will be joined by John “Rogue” Herlihy, a Sturgis Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame member, Bruce Arnold, an Iron Butt Bun Burner 4500 Trifecta title holder, and Tony Sanfelipo, Sturgis Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame member, founder of ABATE of Wisconsin and 16-year employee of Hupy & Abraham, S.C., as he travels the more than 1,400 miles from Melbourne, Fla. to Milwaukee, Wis. Dozens of Wisconsin Patriot Guard riders will also escort Zien on a route lined with over 100 American flags as he completes the final leg of his journey. The celebratory event will include remarks from the president of the Iron Butt Association and local elected officials, as well as a check presentation from Hupy & Abraham, S.C. for a $5,000 donation to a veteran’s organization of Zien’s choice in honor of his work as a champion of veteran’s rights and Marine combat veteran.

There will also be a surprise announcement made at this celebration that you won’t want to miss.

The landing party is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.hupy.com and click Dave Zien’s photo on the homepage.