MNO Blog – Motorcycles, News, Opinions

Erin Derrick, the female passenger that was with Billy Lane on the night of the crash that took the life of Gerald Morelock and injured Derrick has filed civil suit against Lane and Chrysler for Auto Negligence. Lane and Dodge reached a settlement with the family of the victim last year, but are still waiting for justice in the criminal case. This is breaking news just discovered and the actual summons has not even been returned yet.

Lane is scheduled for a hearing today at 1:30 pm in the criminal case where he is still facing charges of DUI Manslaughter.

More on this story as it unfolds.

Technorati Tags: DUI, Billy Lane, celebrity justice, motorcycle news, law, auto negligence, dodge, florida, melbourne

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Brevard County, Florida has seen two days of fires that have destroyed over 50 homes and still threatens more houses and businesses. Interstate 95 has been closed off and on during the day today while many Palm Bay and Malabar schools have been shut down due to the threat of approaching fires and smoke.

Florida Governor Crist declared Brevard County in a state of emergency at 4:00 this afternoon as firefighters from nearby counties had already been in action helping the local fire departments try to contain the fires that spread from Cocoa to Malabar.

 Homes and local businesses were threatened this afternoon when a large brush fire broke out near the intersection of Wickham Road and Parkway in Melbourne. Brevard County Fire Rescue has established a brush fire information line at 321-637-5550 to provide information about brush fire activity, evacuations and other critical information.

Gerry, a homeless veteran and friends had set up camp in the brush that was on fire behind the 7-11. He sat helplessly worried about all of his worldly belongings that he had to leave behind in the wooded area that was blazing with fire. Many of the employees of the businesses located next to the 7-11 were also gathered around and watching in concern as the flames approached the buildings where they worked.
 

Local 6 camera man and reporter Erik von Ancken rush in to cover the brush fire. Brevard County has been on the news on local television and across the nation as the concern and likely hood of more fires in the area grow. We have not had much rain in weeks and the dry areas combined with the winds in past few days bring the threat of more fires.

Authorities have announced that they suspect arson to be the cause in at least 9 of the fires started in the Palm Bay area. Crime line is offering up to a $10,000.00 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person that may have been responsible for causing the fires that have damaged over 50 homes and thousands of acres of land. If you have any information that might be of help please call 1-800-423-TIPS.

While the Brevard County fire rescue have been working hard to contain the fires, the dry brush and winds have been keeping them busy. Many residents have lost their homes and belongings. The Red Cross has set up a temporary shelter for those who have lost their homes or have been evacuated at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 300 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay.

Technorati Tags: brevard county, fires, florida, news, fire, rescue, melbourne, palm bay, malabar, arson, firefighters

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Leesburg Bikefest 2008 your best bet for Florida fun in the sun. Today is the final day of the 12th annual Florida motorcycle event, but there are still big things happening today in Leesburg.

The Rats Hole Custom Bike show winds down the three day event with the “metric madness” contest held today and there are still plenty of concerts, motorcycle demos and stunt shows scheduled for this afternoon. If you did not make it out to Leesburg this year, make plans to visit next year when the Bikefest will be held April 24-26 2009. The Rat’s Hole bike show holds what is known as the largest 3 day show in the country each year in Leesburg, Florida.

We were present to see the custom motorcycle show and of course the famous ratmate contest. Ten beautiful women on stage competing for the title of miss ratmate is always a big crowd pleaser.

 The motorcycle show was huge as always, but this Vietnam Veterans Tribute Bike was one of my favorites. The detail and use of actual military gear showed the great amount of planning that went into building this bike.

Guilty Customs had a booth set up that proudly displayed one of their bikes as a former Leesburg Bikefest Rats Hole winner. The downtown area remained crowded from just after 9 am until after 11 pm with music, food and fun. There is always plenty to do and see and with four stages set up, the free concerts never stop.

Even with the current gas price on the rise, it did not seem to have any effect on the amount of visitors to this annual Florida motorcycle event. Downtown and Main Street was filled with the sound of motorcycles and music, while the smell of food vendors made me want to try all the grilled sandwiches available. Leesburg allows their biker guests to walk the streets of the fest with beer and other alcoholic beverages, which adds to the welcomed atmosphere there. I had a frozen rum runner that was filled way above the rim and priced reasonably at only 6 bucks.

While walking around the area, I ran into an interesting display of custom motorcycles built by Logic Motor Company. Now, you may not recognize this brand name right off, but maybe this next picture will tell you more.

Yea, it is that Insurance company that has a reptile in their commercials, Geico Powersports custom motorcycles are built by another face you will recognize from the Geico motorcycle insurance ads.

 Busy man, but I got a quick opportunity to meet Rick “Big Rick” Hoffman, motorcycle builder and company spokesman for GEICO Motorcycle Insurance. Cindi and I had a great time in Leesburg and I strongly suggest that you make it out for this event next year.

Technorati Tags: motorcycle news, events, Leesburg, Florida, Bike Shows, custom motorcycles, biker event

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(Viera, Florida) Billy Lane was in court today but remained seated behind the court divider as his defense attorney, Ken Barry, appeared before Judge Allawas in the ongoing DUI Manslaughter charge that Lane faces. The main questions Judge Allawas wanted answered today were if the results were back from the independent lab the defense was using and when she would be able to set the case for trial.

Barry told the court that his office had received oral results on the blood work and based on the results he has ordered more testing. Barry told the court that he hopes to receive the final written results within the next 7 days. State attorney Mike Brown said that pictures were taken of the blood work before it was released and his interest was to see the return of the evidence and the report so that his office could examine the results as well. Both sides of the case should have the results by April 30th at which time more will be known on the exact amount of time that will be needed to prepare for trial.

Judge Allawas set a new hearing date for 1:30 pm on May 16th at which time she hopes to be able to set the case for trial. The mass media turnout for the hearing today was large in anticipation of a trial date being set, however that was not the result of the hearing. You may remember that the Judge had also stated that the final reports from the lab chosen by the defense may not be acceptable to be used as evidence in the trial. All of these questions still remain unanswered even after close to two years since the crash that left Melbourne Beach resident Gerald Morelock dead.

Billy Lane’s custom motorcycle shop, Choppers Inc. closed its doors to the public last year and now the building is empty. The Choppers Inc. web site states that the shop was to be moved in 2008, but there has been no notice of the location of a new shop. Billy Lane could get up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the DUI Manslaughter charge.

Technorati Tags: billy lane, DUI, Manslaughter, Melbourne, Florida, motorcycle news, court, crime, celebrity justice, custom motorcycles

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I don’t normally advertise bikes for sale here, but I made a promise to do this one for my in law. It is a 01 Harley Davidson Dyna.

I snapped two shots of the bike and one of the VIN for those who may want to run a car fax or what have you.

Please call the owner, Dallas about this motorcycle at 321-698-5527 for price and information.

Technorati Tags: HD for sale, Harley-Davidson, Dyna Glide, Motorcycles

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If you took a stroll down the Daytona Beach boardwalk, the once ever popular bike week attraction, you may have noticed this huge block of etched and polished granite. The north side of the monument stone tells of the days over 70 years ago and 9 miles south when the first Daytona 200 motorcycle race was held on the hardened sands of Ormond Beach. In 1937 the running of the first Daytona 200 took place on a 4.2 mile beach and road track and was the start of bike week. Three time race winner Dick Klamfoth wanted to preserve the memory of the original motorcycle race and rider and so the idea of the Daytona 200 monument began. Today, the Daytona 200 has moved to the International Speedway and bike week attracts over a half million visitors during the first week in March of each year.

The south side of the monument has the names and faces of the first 12 men that won race on the sand and road course before the yearly event was moved to the track in 1961. Back when the race first began, most of the bike week attendees were the ones running the race that now attracts motorcycles and visitors in the hundred of thousands. Dick began the plans and development of the monument over six years ago and presented it to the city of Daytona Beach. The monument is still under development and you can get involved! Engraved granite plaques and paver bricks are available for purchase at the official monument site. Visit the Daytona 200 monument site here to learn more and get involved.

Technorati Tags: daytona 200, motorcycle racing, Daytona Beach, Florida, boardwalk, beach, race, bike week, motorcycles, monuments

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The early morning launch of the space shuttle Endeavour was short for viewing due to a low cloud ceiling. Night launches light up the sky even in Melbourne over 30 miles away from the launch pad in Titusville, Florida. This launch viewing was very short. The Endeavour was gone from our view long before the sound of the rocket engines hit our area. Any way here is a video of what we saw at 2:38 am Tuesday morning from our location on the Indian River at the Melbourne causeway. NASA has reported that the Endeavour has docked smoothly with the International Space Station about an hour ago.

Technorati Tags: shuttle, space, endeavour, NASA, launch, video, Melbourne, Florida

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We were on the way back to our campsite at the Cabbage Patch Bar when I caught a bike in a parking lot across the road out of the corner of my eye. Cindi asked what was wrong as I quickly changed lanes and made a u-turn. “I think I see a biker broke down” I told her as we made our way back. It was late Sunday afternoon and we had been up since dawn out taking pictures of bike week happenings, so we were both pretty tired. I could tell this young man was happy to see someone pulling in to check on him as we turned into the parking lot. I make it a habit to carry tools and always pull over to see if I can be of assistance when I see someone broke down. It seemed a shame to see hundreds of motorcycles and cars passing by while no one stopped to ask if he needed any help.

The custom motorcycle that this young man was riding looked pretty new and it seemed that the transmission plug had vibrated enough to work its way out. I introduced myself and he responded that his name was Tony. I was quick to notice that he had a great deal of respect as he spoke using the word “sir”. I wanted to tell him to leave off the sir, but I sensed there was a reason for it. Tony was in trouble and had no way of getting help, so I offered to attempt to find a Harley Davidson transmission plug or at least a close resemblance to get him back on the road. We also would need to find some transmission oil for the machine as it was all drained from the case. I knew this was going to be tough late on a Sunday afternoon during bike week, but we headed out to try.

I found a auto parts store reasonably close, but they had no idea what I might be able to use for a Harley. I guessed at the size and grabbed a couple of bolts that I thought might work and then asked if there was any type of a motorcycle shop nearby. The guy told me that Carl’s Speed Shop was up the road about 2 miles, so I gave them a call to see if they were open and had the parts we would need.

Luckily, I was able to get someone in parts and they said that they had the part and the oil. We headed on up Nova Road in Holly Hill to Carl’s Speed Shop though it was right at closing time for the motorcycle shop. When we arrived, I found the guy I had spoke with outside at one of the vendor tents and we went back inside to get the parts. When he held up the bolt I knew it was definitely not what I was looking for. This drain plug was way too small. I had measured the opening to the case and found it was about one half inch.  He asked one of the mechanics to help and though he was busy, he made his way over to the parts bin to find an assortment of drain plugs. We were able to find the correct drain plug, purchase some transmission oil and get back to Tony just before dark.

When I returned, Tony was glad to see that I had brought back the exact part needed to get his bike back on the road. As he put the drain plug back in and filled the case we talked. I learned that Tony was active Army and was in fact a Captain! He was only home on leave and his parents had surprised him by booking a hotel room in Daytona Beach for Bike Week. After filling the case with oil, we found that one quart was not enough to bring the level up to the stick. He was not real sure as to the Harley specifications for the transmission either. I remembered seeing a fairly large crowd of motorcycles just up the road at a Dunkin Doughnuts, so we followed him up to the restaurant. While I was inside asking if they had WIFI to check on the transmission specs, one of the men asked me what I needed Internet for. I explained the problem and as luck would have it, he had extra transmission oil on him. This was great being as Carl’s Speed Shop had already closed and chances of finding another motorcycle shop or Harley dealer open were real thin. He had enough oil to properly fill Captain Tony’s transmission up and we got him back on the way to having a good time at Bike Week. Thanks for the help!

I followed Capt. Tony back to his hotel and it made me feel good to have helped him out. He called a few days later to thank me again.

Technorati Tags: bike week, Daytona Beach, Florida, motorcycles

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While Billy Lane is appearing live on Main street in Daytona Beach during Bike Week, he had to appear in court yesterday before Judge Allawas for a case that started back in September of 2006. Billy Lane is still facing charges for DUI Manslaughter and can get up to 15 years if he is convicted for taking the life of 56 year old Gerald Morelock. Though prosecutors did not want Lane’s blood samples to be sent out of state to Colorado, Judge Allawas allowed it and now the Lane defense team stated they are still waiting on the blood and results to be returned. A trial date has yet to be set in this case and the next scheduled hearing has been set for April 11, 2008.

Choppers Inc. the retail store that Lane owns has been closed to the public for over a year and their web site states that the store is relocating. Billy Lane has continued his work and still makes public appearances while he is waiting for a trial date to be set. Lane recently unveiled his latest project the Henderson Bike in Columbus, Ohio and is in Daytona Beach for Bike Week 2008.

Technorati Tags: billy lane, DUI, motorcycle news, Florida, bike week, daytona beach, Melbourne, choppers inc, motorcycles

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I finally found a place to get online and make a few posts, but to keep everyone up to date on what is going on in Daytona for Bike Week, please be sure to check out the live blogs and Daytona Motorcycle Rally for pictures. I hope to have some videos up too within the next few days, if possible by tomorrow. I am having some problems with Word Press, so Bike Week Blog may have to wait until I can do a software update. In the meanwhile I will be sending some picture updates to Bike Week Live for now.  We will be doing a photo shoot out on the loop one day this week, so keep an eye open for the date to be posted here. I hope to have these problems worked out by tomorrow. If you are in the Daytona and Ormond Beach area keep an eye out for us!

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