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A small team of riders and builders is due to leave tomorrow for the Bonneville Salt Flats, carrying two vintage race machines and the promise of on-the-ground coverage. Their trip faces last‑minute setbacks, but the crew says reports will follow as the event unfolds.
Rolling toward Bonneville
Berry Wardlaw is already in Wyoming after a drive from Dothan, Alabama, and a second machine — the Bonne Belle 45 flathead — is coming from Richmond, Virginia. The rebuilt Assalt Weapan 120‑inch Panhead is set to travel with the group.
The Salty Bikernet publishes weekly edition dated August 19, 2026
Atari revives 800XL with keyboard, cartridge slots and BASIC
An older Vietnam veteran has the flathead loaded in his pickup and is en route. During loading, team members Brian, Andrew and James fitted an electronic speedometer to the handlebars. The journey has been hurried; crucial engine pistons for the Assalt Weapan never arrived in time.
Bandit, who is traveling with the crew, warned readers they might not post next Thursday but promised more reports the week after.
Who’s behind the coverage
The Bikernet Weekly News roundup is produced by a long-standing, all‑volunteer staff. The team credited in this dispatch includes The Redhead, Wayfarer, LA Laura, Viscous Vickie, Danial James, Freak Show Team, Sturgis Prospect Kendra, Paul Davis, Agent Zebra and Berry Wardlaw.
Quick safety tip for spoked wheels
Riding teams and builders offered a short maintenance reminder from Lowbrow: when fitting tires to spoked wheels, inspect for any spoke ends that protrude beyond the nipple and grind them flush. A single proud spoke can cause punctures and leave riders stranded.
The advice is accompanied by a how‑to video demonstrating the inspection and grinding step — a small task that can prevent roadside trouble.
WindVest announces new headquarters
WindVest Motorcycle Products will relocate to a new address and phone number effective September 1, 2026. The listed contact details are:
66 El Toro Ave
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
ph 408‑592‑8531
Royal Enfield expands Vintage Rides partnership to South Dakota
Royal Enfield has announced new motorcycle tours in the Black Hills through a North American extension of its partnership with Vintage Rides. The move commemorates Royal Enfield’s 125th year and aims to broaden the brand’s organized travel offerings beyond the showroom.
The launch coincides with the 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, scheduled August 7–16, 2026, and the fleet will offer rental-ready Royal Enfields for riders exploring the region. Following the rally, Vintage Rides will run self‑guided departures — including the Best of the Black Hills and Black Hills Blast routes — beginning August 17.
Nathan Kolbe, Royal Enfield Head of Marketing – Americas, commented: “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, already a partner in other regions, will supply route planning and logistics for guided and self‑guided options. Alexandre Zurcher, Founder of Vintage Rides stated: “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.”
More information is available from Vintage Rides at vintagerides.com.
Light‑hearted detour: Wayfarer’s bad joke library
The bulletin also includes a recurring humor column from Wayfarer. Samples of the one‑liners shared this week:
- 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.
- Did you hear about the guy who invented the knock‑knock joke? He won the no‑bell prize.
Final logistics before departure
Bandit described last‑minute packing: Danial James brought gear, plans were set to meet in the morning, pick up Irish Rich and run to Spearfish for a banner, then cut across Wyoming toward Interstate 80 and Rock Springs en route to Bonneville. The event plans are proceeding, pending weather and organizer updates from Delvene Manning.
Readers are asked to stay tuned for on-site updates from the team as they arrive at the Salt Flats.
