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A small Bikernet team is preparing to leave for the Bonneville Salt Flats, loading two vintage Harleys and finalizing last-minute work. Crewmembers are already en route from several states, and the group says readers should expect detailed reports after the event.
On the road to Bonneville
Bandit and company are packing to depart in the morning for the salt. Among the machines headed to the Flats are the rebuilt Assalt Weapan — a 120-inch Panhead — and its sister bike, the Bonne Belle, a 45 flathead coming from Richmond, Virginia. Berry Wardlaw is already in Wyoming, traveling from Dothan, Alabama, and an Army veteran is transporting the flathead in his pickup.
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As they loaded the bikes, crew members made a few tweaks: Brian, Andrew and James fitted an electronic speedometer to the Bonne Belle’s handlebars. The trip has been squeezed into a tight timeline, complicated by supply hiccups such as the still-missing pistons for the Assalt Weapan.
The weekly news edition credits a long list of contributors for keeping coverage moving: The Redhead, Wayfarer, LA Laura, Viscous Vickie, Danial James, Freak Show Team, Sturgis Prospect Kendra, Paul Davis, Agent Zebra and Berry Wardlaw.
Wheel safety: a simple step that prevents flats
Lowbrow posted a short how-to demonstrating one little but critical task to avoid roadside punctures on spoked wheels. Before mounting a tire, inspect the wheel for any spoke ends that protrude past the nipples.
Grinding those proud spokes flush can prevent inner-tube damage and save a ride. The clip shows the inspection process and the basic grinding step riders should not skip.
WindVest announces new address
WindVest Motorcycle Products will relocate effective September 1, 2026. The company lists its new address as:
WindVest Motorcycle Products
66 El Toro Ave
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
ph 408-592-8531
Royal Enfield brings Vintage Rides tours to the Black Hills
Royal Enfield is expanding its long-standing travel partnership with Vintage Rides to North America, launching motorcycle tours based in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The move arrives during Royal Enfield’s 125th year and adds the region to a roster of destinations that already includes the Himalayas, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
The North American operation will offer rental access to travel-prepared Royal Enfields and both guided and self-guided itineraries. The rollout is timed to coincide with the 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, scheduled for August 7–16, with self-guided tours such as the Best of the Black Hills and Black Hills Blast departing on August 17, after Sturgis concludes.
Nathan Kolbe, Royal Enfield Head of Marketing – Americas, said: “Expanding the Vintage Rides and Royal Enfield partnership into North America provides a fantastic opportunity for both existing and potential Royal Enfield riders to experience adventure travel to its full. Riders can maximize riding enjoyment through the dynamic landscapes of North America, while letting the Vintage Rides team take care of the routes and accommodation so you don’t have to, all while riding a fleet of prepared Royal Enfield machinery.”
Vintage Rides, which has worked with Royal Enfield in multiple regions, offers route planning, logistics and support for both fully-guided and self-guided options. Alexandre Zurcher, Founder of Vintage Rides, added: “Being able to enhance our longstanding relationship with Royal Enfield by introducing the first tours into North America is a significant moment for us, and exemplifies the amount of dedicated miles, travel, and experiences our specialist team have put into motorcycle adventure. We can’t wait to share this experience with our new guided, and self-guided tour offerings for North America.”
The collaboration aims to move beyond dealership sales by creating riding experiences that connect participants with scenery, local culture and fellow enthusiasts.
Light relief: the Bad Joke Library
Among the regular features, Wayfarer contributes a handful of groan-worthy puns and one-liners. Examples shared in this edition include:
- “I’m addicted to brake fluid. But I can stop anytime.”
- “I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me.”
Packing up and heading out
Bandit reports the van is loaded and the team is set to meet in the morning to pick up additional riders, collect a banner in Spearfish and press west across Wyoming toward Rock Springs. The plan is to make Bonneville in time for the event, pending weather and final logistics managed by Delvene Manning.
Bandit also offers a personal note about why the ride matters: a brother with a sick wife needed stress relief, and he suggested that a change of scene — riding and writing — could help. Finally, Bandit signs off in characteristic fashion: “And ride fast and free forever, goddammit!”
