Get Your Bike Ready For Spring

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Now that the warm weather is on the way, many riders are faced with getting their motorcycles back in shape for the riding season.
If you didn't do much more than park your bike on the side of the garage when the first cold winds blew last fall, you've got a little work ahead of you. Suffice it to say that prepping a bike for winter is usually a lot easier than getting an unprepped bike ready for spring. That’s because several things have been going on over the past four months that could make your life difficult now.

Foremost is the fuel system. Gasoline is a mixture of volatile chemicals, and when it sits untreated for several months, parts of the mixture can evaporate, leaving behind a brown gunk called varnish. Varnish can clog the small jets inside a carburetor, leading to sluggish performance, hard starting or even no starting. You’ll at least want to drop the float bowls on the carbs, dump out the gas that remains, and clean out any residue with carb cleaner. In addition, you may need to unscrew the jets and clean them, too.
Preventing this next year is as easy as squirting a bit of fuel stabilizer into your last tankful before winter. Then run the engine for a few minutes to get treated fuel into the carbs.
If your gas tank was low when you parked the bike last year, it’s possible that condensation has formed in it. Draining all the remaining fuel and replacing it with fresh gas is your best bet.

Your battery may well be dead or nearly so. Pull it, add distilled water to any cells that need it, and put it on a trickle charger. You can use a hydrometer to tell when it’s ready to use.

You’ll also want to be sure that your tires contain the recommended air pressure, that your brakes work smoothly and have adequate fluid, that your chain is oiled and your air filter is clean.
Yes, it’s a lot to do. But it’s stuff you’d more than likely have to do sometime soon anyway. Consider it getting a jump on your bike maintenance for the year.

Now comes the real work, cleaning!  Get out the cleaning tools and get started, warning:  This will take some time.

Most of us take good care in getting our bikes ready for the riding season – we have either had the bike to the shop for a spring tune-up or checked the bike over ourselves, using TCLOCS, a pre-ride inspection:

- T: tires, wheels, and brakes;
- C: controls (levers and pedal, cables, hoses, and throttle)
- L: lights (battery, lights, turn signals, mirrors, lenses & reflectors, and wiring)
- O: oil (filter, levels, and leaks)
- C: chassis (frame, suspension, chain or belt, fasteners)
- S: stands (center stand and/or side stand)

Motorcycle Legislative Wrap Up

Motorcycle Legislative Wrap Up from Richmond
February 18, 2013

Even though the General Assembly has not officially adjourned, all of the bills which we have been tracking have either passed or failed.  The most significant piece of legislation for motorcyclists is SB 1038 which, among other things, changes the licensing structure for motorcyclists in the Commonwealth.  The bills which have passed will become law as of July 1st this year.  Let’s take a look at how all of these bills faired.

HB 1476

This is the bill that was introduced by Delegate Ed Scott at the request of Harley Davidson.  It has passed with an amendment which was worked out between Harley-Davidson, VCOM and the DMV.  It changes the criteria for the types of motorcycles which may be used in the Virginia Rider Training Program.  The criteria will now mirror the MSF standards; this being what most states use.  However, as amended and passed, this bill gives the program authority to reject a motorcycle that meets the criteria but is deemed to be an unsafe motorcycle for training purposes.  Being that motorcycle safety begins with training and education, we feel that giving the program greater authority over which types of motorcycles may be used to train new riders is a smart move.  You can view the bill here: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+ful+HB1476ER

HB 1865

This bill was introduced by Delegate Roxanne Robinson at the request of VCOM and made a part of HB 1476 above.  It clarifies that the criteria for training program motorcycles apply to every motorcycle used and not just a single motorcycle.

SB 1038

This bill, which for the most part was aimed at mopeds, was introduced by Senator Newman, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.  It was passed even though HB 1984, which was a mirror bill in the House, failed.

This bill provides for the titling and registration of mopeds and distinctive license plates for low-speed vehicles. It also requires a moped operator to carry government-issued photo identification and wear a face shield, safety glasses, or goggles if his moped is not equipped with safety glass or a windshield. It further requires moped riders to wear helmets.

As for its application to motorcycles, this bill changes the current licensing structure and adopts three classes of motorcycle licenses which will be M3, M2 and M.  M3 will be restricted to the operation of a three wheeled motorcycle and will be issued to those who test on a three wheeler or take the trike/sidecar course. M2 will be restricted to the operation of two wheeled motorcycles and issued to those who test on a two wheeled motorcycle or take the basic rider course. M will allow riders to operate either a two wheeled motorcycle or a three wheeled motorcycle.  If a rider currently holds an M classification then they WILL NOT have to take a new exam or get re-licensed.  Current holders of an M endorsement are grandfathered.  The new law only affects those who obtain a license after the law goes into effect on July 1st of this year.  However, when you renew your license, you will be asked to self-certify whether you have experience on two wheels, three wheels or both.  Let your conscience be your guide.  You can view the bill here: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+ful+SB1038H1

SB 1218

This bill, which has passed, concerns DMV customer service and impacts motorcycles in two ways.  The first thing that this bill does concerns temporary motorcycle endorsements. Under current law, if you take the DMV approved course or, while stationed outside of the Commonwealth, take a motorcycle course approved by the United States Armed Services, your completion card is your motorcycle endorsement for 30 days in order to give you time to get a permanent license at DMV. No further testing is required.  In part, this bill amends the Code to allow for the certificate of completion from any course approved by the United States Armed Services, be it within or without the Commonwealth, to do the same. You must be a military member, spouse or dependent.

The second thing that this bill does, while not specifically aimed at the military, is correct an issue which impacts many military members. Under current law, if you want to stop your motor vehicle insurance while not using your vehicle, you need to cancel your registration and turn in your tag to DMV. If you don’t, your license will be suspended for having a non-insured motor vehicle. Additionally, when you get new insurance it will most likely be high-risk. In order to re-register your motor vehicle you need to go back to the DMV and have it registered. Imagine what a pain that is for a military member who is being deployed long term and does not wish to continue paying insurance.

As of July 1^st of this year you will now have a method to deactivate your registration. This will be able to be done online. When you wish to re-activate you simply pay a $10.00 fee. It is also envisioned that this will be able to be done online. Now if you are deployed you can simply go online and deactivate your registration. You can then cancel your insurance. When you return you re-activate. This will also be helpful to those motorcyclists who do not ride during the winter (You know who you are).  You can view the bill here: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+ful+SB1218ER

HB 2010

This bill would have allowed motorcycle riders in Virginia to choose whether or not to wear a helmet.  Currently 31 states give adult riders that choice.  There were enough votes in both the House and Senate to pass this bill.  That being said, there is a difference between having enough votes and having the right votes.  The bill was sent to an unfriendly committee and an even more unfriendly sub-committee where it was “laid on the table” and left in sub-committee with no further action being taken.  That effectively kills the bill for this year.

That concludes the wrap up of this year’s legislation.  Later in the year I will post information about this year’s legislative round table where motorcyclists will gather to decide upon the legislative agenda which VCOM will pursue in 2014.  The round table usually takes place in August.  Additionally, “Bikes on the Border” is being held March 15th & 16th at South of the Border.  This will be an informational gathering of motorcyclists from Virginia and the Carolinas.  For more information on that you can go to motorcyclelawgroup.com.

As always if you have any questions or comments concerning anything that I have written, please feel free to contact me.

Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com

Motorcycle Legislative Wrap Up

Motorcycle Legislative Wrap Up from Richmond
February 18, 2013

Even though the General Assembly has not officially adjourned, all of the bills which we have been tracking have either passed or failed.  The most significant piece of legislation for motorcyclists is SB 1038 which, among other things, changes the licensing structure for motorcyclists in the Commonwealth.  The bills which have passed will become law as of July 1st this year.  Let’s take a look at how all of these bills faired.

HB 1476

This is the bill that was introduced by Delegate Ed Scott at the request of Harley Davidson.  It has passed with an amendment which was worked out between Harley-Davidson, VCOM and the DMV.  It changes the criteria for the types of motorcycles which may be used in the Virginia Rider Training Program.  The criteria will now mirror the MSF standards; this being what most states use.  However, as amended and passed, this bill gives the program authority to reject a motorcycle that meets the criteria but is deemed to be an unsafe motorcycle for training purposes.  Being that motorcycle safety begins with training and education, we feel that giving the program greater authority over which types of motorcycles may be used to train new riders is a smart move.  You can view the bill here: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+ful+HB1476ER

HB 1865

This bill was introduced by Delegate Roxanne Robinson at the request of VCOM and made a part of HB 1476 above.  It clarifies that the criteria for training program motorcycles apply to every motorcycle used and not just a single motorcycle.

SB 1038

This bill, which for the most part was aimed at mopeds, was introduced by Senator Newman, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.  It was passed even though HB 1984, which was a mirror bill in the House, failed.

This bill provides for the titling and registration of mopeds and distinctive license plates for low-speed vehicles. It also requires a moped operator to carry government-issued photo identification and wear a face shield, safety glasses, or goggles if his moped is not equipped with safety glass or a windshield. It further requires moped riders to wear helmets.

As for its application to motorcycles, this bill changes the current licensing structure and adopts three classes of motorcycle licenses which will be M3, M2 and M.  M3 will be restricted to the operation of a three wheeled motorcycle and will be issued to those who test on a three wheeler or take the trike/sidecar course. M2 will be restricted to the operation of two wheeled motorcycles and issued to those who test on a two wheeled motorcycle or take the basic rider course. M will allow riders to operate either a two wheeled motorcycle or a three wheeled motorcycle.  If a rider currently holds an M classification then they WILL NOT have to take a new exam or get re-licensed.  Current holders of an M endorsement are grandfathered.  The new law only affects those who obtain a license after the law goes into effect on July 1st of this year.  However, when you renew your license, you will be asked to self-certify whether you have experience on two wheels, three wheels or both.  Let your conscience be your guide.  You can view the bill here: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+ful+SB1038H1

SB 1218

This bill, which has passed, concerns DMV customer service and impacts motorcycles in two ways.  The first thing that this bill does concerns temporary motorcycle endorsements. Under current law, if you take the DMV approved course or, while stationed outside of the Commonwealth, take a motorcycle course approved by the United States Armed Services, your completion card is your motorcycle endorsement for 30 days in order to give you time to get a permanent license at DMV. No further testing is required.  In part, this bill amends the Code to allow for the certificate of completion from any course approved by the United States Armed Services, be it within or without the Commonwealth, to do the same. You must be a military member, spouse or dependent.

The second thing that this bill does, while not specifically aimed at the military, is correct an issue which impacts many military members. Under current law, if you want to stop your motor vehicle insurance while not using your vehicle, you need to cancel your registration and turn in your tag to DMV. If you don’t, your license will be suspended for having a non-insured motor vehicle. Additionally, when you get new insurance it will most likely be high-risk. In order to re-register your motor vehicle you need to go back to the DMV and have it registered. Imagine what a pain that is for a military member who is being deployed long term and does not wish to continue paying insurance.

As of July 1^st of this year you will now have a method to deactivate your registration. This will be able to be done online. When you wish to re-activate you simply pay a $10.00 fee. It is also envisioned that this will be able to be done online. Now if you are deployed you can simply go online and deactivate your registration. You can then cancel your insurance. When you return you re-activate. This will also be helpful to those motorcyclists who do not ride during the winter (You know who you are).  You can view the bill here: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+ful+SB1218ER

HB 2010

This bill would have allowed motorcycle riders in Virginia to choose whether or not to wear a helmet.  Currently 31 states give adult riders that choice.  There were enough votes in both the House and Senate to pass this bill.  That being said, there is a difference between having enough votes and having the right votes.  The bill was sent to an unfriendly committee and an even more unfriendly sub-committee where it was “laid on the table” and left in sub-committee with no further action being taken.  That effectively kills the bill for this year.

That concludes the wrap up of this year’s legislation.  Later in the year I will post information about this year’s legislative round table where motorcyclists will gather to decide upon the legislative agenda which VCOM will pursue in 2014.  The round table usually takes place in August.  Additionally, “Bikes on the Border” is being held March 15th & 16th at South of the Border.  This will be an informational gathering of motorcyclists from Virginia and the Carolinas.  For more information on that you can go to motorcyclelawgroup.com.

As always if you have any questions or comments concerning anything that I have written, please feel free to contact me.

Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com

Bikes on the Border

For those who may not have heard, the first Bikes on the Border will be held at South of the Border on March 15 and 16. (For those who have somehow missed South of the Border just look for the big sombrero along Interstate 95 at the North Carolina/South Carolina border).  This will be both an informational and social gathering of motorcyclists from South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, although all motorcyclists from any state are welcome.   Registration is $25.00 which covers the cost of Saturday’s dinner and a t-shirt.  If you do not wish to attend dinner and receive a t-shirt you do not have to register but priority seating for the 100 person gathering must be given to those who register.  You can register at motorcyclelawgroup.com   For lodging contact South of the Border at 1-800-845-6011.  The special rate is $59.00 per night.

 

If you have any questions please feel free to call or email me.  I hope to see you there. 

 

AGENDA

 

March 15

7:00 p.m. – Midnight              ABATE of South Carolina Hospitality Suite

 

March 16

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.           Analysis of the Recent CDC Helmet Study

            Tom McGrath, Attorney

 

10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.           Accident Scene Preservation

                                                Jim Cannon, Accident Investigator

 

11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.            Lunch on Your Own

 

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.              Federal Issues Affecting Motorcyclists

Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Governmental Relations for the MRF

 

1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.              Your Rights During a Traffic Stop

                                                Matt Danielson, Attorney

 

3:00 p.m. – Until                     Bikers Roundtable to Discuss Issues Faced by Motorcyclists in Each State and Across the Country

 

7:00 p.m.                                 Dinner

 

 

Matt Danielson

McGrath & Danielson

Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group

1-800-321-8968

Motorcyclelawgroup.com

Proposed DMV Changes Are Friendly to Motorcyclists -

Especially Military Ones

January 24, 2013  We were at the House Transportation Committee meeting this morning in order to make sure that there were no issues with HB 1476, which as amended gives the Virginia Rider Training Program more control over which motorcycles may be used in the course.  That bill passed unanimously and goes to the full House on the uncontested calendar.  You may follow the progress of that bill at vcomonline.org.

While there, the committee took up a large bill having to do with DMV customer service.  The bill was HB 2042 (http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+ful+HB2042) To my surprise, this large bill had buried within it two matters that impact motorcyclists, particularly those in the military.  We had not caught this bill due to the name of the bill.  We watch all of the legislation which is filed to identify those that impact motorcyclists.  Due to the nature of the bill as described we failed to catch this one. 

The first thing this bill does that impacts motorcyclists has to do with temporary motorcycle endorsements.  Under current law, if you take the DMV approved course, or, while stationed outside of the Commonwealth, take a course approved by the United States Armed Services, your completion card is your motorcycle endorsement for 30 days to give you time to get a permanent license at DMV.  No further testing is required.  In part, this bill amends the Code to allow for the certificate of completion from any course approved by the United States Armed Services, be it within or without the Commonwealth, to do the same.  You must be a military member, spouse or dependent. 

The second thing that this bill does, while not specifically aimed at the military, is correct an issue which impacts many military members.  Under current law, if you want to stop your motor vehicle insurance while not using your vehicle, you need to cancel your registration and turn in your tag.  If you don’t, your license will be suspended for having a non-insured motor vehicle.  Additionally, when you get new insurance it will most likely be high-risk.  In order to re-register your motor vehicle you need to go back to the DMV and have it registered.  Imagine the pain that is for a military member who is being deployed long term and does not wish to continue paying insurance. 

This bill in part provides for a method to deactivate your registration.  This will be able to be done online.  When you wish to re-activate you simply pay a $10.00 fee.  It is also envisioned that this also will be able to be done online.  So if you are deployed, you simply go on line and deactivate.  You can then cancel your insurance.  When you return you re-activate.  This will also be helpful to those motorcyclists who do not ride during cold weather.  (Although I know none of you on this list fall into that category).

We will now monitor this bill as well.  It passed out of committee unanimously and is not expected to receive any opposition. 

As always if you have any questions concerning this article or any other matters upon which I have written please feel free to contact me at matt@motorcyclelawgroup.com, or 1-800-321-8968. 

Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com

HB 2010 - Helmet Reform

While in recent years we have fought some hard fights and won, I am saddened to say that today is not such a day.  HB 2010, our bill to allow adults to choose whether or not to wear a helmet, was laid on the table in sub-committee on a 4-2 vote.  That means that the bill is dead for the year.  Had it been killed on an up or down vote it would still go before the whole committee.  However, being that it was laid on the table, no action was taken and the bill simply remains in sub-committee with no further action.  The votes to lay the bill on the table were cast by Delegate John Cox, Delegate Scott Garrett, Delegate Betsy Carr and Delegate Barbara Comstock.  The Votes against doing so were cast by Delegates Anderson and Minchew. 

 

The truly disappointing part of this is that we had the votes this year.  Over the summer, fall and into the winter we had built a majority in the House and Senate.  We had the votes to send it to the governor.  That is most likely why the Speaker of the House, either on his own or at the request of someone else, had the bill sent to Transportation rather than Militia, Police, and Public Safety where it has traditionally gone.  The chairman of Transportation, Chairman May, despises our bill.  Even when both our patron, who is a sub-committee chairman on Militia, and the chairman of Militia himself asked for it to be re-referred the speaker refused. 

 

We still had a chance if we could get to a decent sub-committee but that was already destined as well.  Even with friends fighting to get our bill to a friendly sub-committee, our bill was sent to the worst possible sub-committee.  And to cement our understanding that our bill was sent there to die, Chairman May came in to watch the vote to ensure that what he wanted to happen did in fact happen. 

 

That is in a nutshell what happened to HB 2010.  There are a few positives to take away.  We made some new relationships that we can continue to grow.  It will be important to maintain those relationships and keep our majority so that we can take advantage of future opportunities as they may arise.  It will also be important to continue to increase memberships in our SMROs, and to continue to raise money so that we will have the ability to not only take advantage of future opportunities, but come election time, oppose those who opposed us.  We need to let them know that votes have consequences. 

 

I want to thank everyone who put in time sending emails, raising money, talking to neighbors, and going to the capitol.  There is no other group of people I would rather fight with, win or lose, than you.  I will close with an excerpt from a speech by Theodore Roosevelt which I have heard many times over the years.  I heard it most recently at an MRF conference.  The speech, entitled “Citizen in a Republic”, was delivered in Paris France in 1910.  This portion has often been dubbed “The Man in the Arena”

 

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

 

-          Theodore Roosevelt

 

 

Matt Danielson

McGrath & Danielson

Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group

1-800-321-8968

Motorcyclelawgroup.com

Lobby Day Up Date

For those who could not make it to Lobby Day, I will reiterate what we discussed Sunday.  We are getting procedurally screwed at the General Assembly.  We have historically gone to the Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee.  That is a friendly committee.  This year we were put in the Transportation Committee which is much less friendly.  The chairman of Militia & Police could not even get us moved to his committee.  The aggravating thing is we have enough votes on the House floor to get the bill to the Senate, and as of this morning, we have a 22-18 majority on the Senate floor.  We have made more head way this year than ever before.  We have turned some good relationships into great ones and have made some new and very important relationships as we move on.  Our lobbying team has been fantastic to work with and has put us in the best position we have ever been in to prevail.  That is what makes the procedural moves of a few individuals so aggravating.

 

As of now, we do not have the votes to prevail in subcommittee.  Remember that we were sent here to be defeated.  Even if we do not prevail it is still possible to get to full committee.  In full committee we have a potential 13-9 victory if all of the stars align.  Your help is necessary to make that happen. 

 

The bill will be heard in sub-committee tomorrow Wednesday January 23 at 7:00 a.m. on the 4^th floor of the General Assembly Building in the 4^th floor West conference room.  Tom, Jim, Martin and I will be there.  Anyone is welcome to join us.  That being said, if you can make one day it is most important that you make the full committee hearing which should be Thursday January 24 at 8:30 a.m. in House Room C.  We need as many people as possible.  This is extremely important.  The General Assembly building is located at 9^th and Broad Street in Richmond.  There are parking garages at 6^{th St}. between Grace and Franklin as well as at 8^th and Clay St.  The House committee rooms are on the first floor to the right after you pass through the metal detectors.  It is important that you are in your seats by 8:00 a.m. so that we can have the front rows and be seen by the committee members.  Make sure that you are easily recognized as a motorcyclist. 

 

This is an opportunity to show our legislators that we are an active and engaged part of the electorate.  This is a tough committee for us but if we get out we are very comfortable with our chances in the full House.  If you are able to make it please contact me so that I have an idea as to how many we can expect.

 

Likewise let’s get the emails rolling to all of the members of the transportation committee.  Keep hitting the same points that we have been hitting.  This is not a question of should you wear a helmet.  It is a question of should the law take that choice away from you and force you to do so.   Remind them that over the past twenty years the trend has been for states to allow their citizens to make their own choices.  We are now to the point where Virginia is one of 19 states that do not trust their citizens to make appropriate choices for themselves.  If all of the horror stories were true, these states would be re-enacting mandatory helmet laws.  However, the opposite is happening.  More and more states are seeing that this is truly an issue of personal choice.  The members of the Transportation Committee are listed below my signature line.  Email each and every one. 

 

Thank you again for all that you do for motorcycling.  I look forward to seeing you Thursday morning.  Also please watch your emails tomorrow for important updates. 

 

 

Matt Danielson

McGrath & Danielson

Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group

1-800-321-8968

Motorcyclelawgroup.com