December 2016 FREE

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Gift Ideas inside Camp Liberty Raffling Dozer Cycle Studios Crusader Custom to Benefit Its Veterans Services

Major Richard tickets, go to https://camp- Briggs (Retired, USAF), co- liberty.org/crusader-custom-built- founder and Board Member motorcycle/. of Camp Liberty, has Founded in July 2012, the mission announced that the of Camp Liberty is to “provide organization is raffling off inclusive outdoor recreation the Crusader custom programs that aid in the motorcycle built by Dozer reintegration of U.S. military service Cycle Studios. Proceeds members, veterans, and their from the raffle will benefit families, with an emphasis on the Camp, a 137-acre restricted-access facility located assisting those with post-traumatic stress and in Norvell Township in Jackson County, Michigan. traumatic brain injuries.” (https://camp- The organization offers “programs designed to aid liberty.org/) in the rehabilitation and reintegration of U.S. The Camp is operated through a long-term Military Service Members, Veterans and their land sharing agreement. Under this agreement, families in a natural outdoors setting.” Camp Liberty Inc. utilizes this property for its The Crusader is powered by an air-cooled recreational and therapeutic programs. A multi- Harley-Davidson 80 cubic inch EVO v-twin with a year conservation plan has been implemented to S&S E carburetor mounted in a rigid frame. The restore this property to a native Michigan habitat in exhaust is from Vance and Hines. The Harley- Davidson five-speed transmission is controlled by a foot clutch and hand shifter. The styling combines the looks of a and with 16” tall ape hanger handlebars. (See picture accompanying this article.) Raffle tickets for the Crusader are $20 each. Only 4,000 tickets are being printed so the odds of winning are significantly better than the lottery. The drawing will be held during the Diamonds and NowNow inin Spurs Gala on Feb 18, 2017 at the Laurel Manor, Livonia, MI at 9 pm. cooperation with the United States Department of MichiganMichigan Proceeds go into the Camp Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program, the Liberty general fund and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partner’s for Fish and will be used on mission Wildlife program and with the support of priorities as set by the conservation organizations such as Pheasants organization’s all- Forever, Safari Club International, and the National volunteer Board of Wild Turkey Federation. Directors. For more For more information about Camp Liberty information about the and its services, visit their website at https://camp- raffle and to purchase liberty.org/. The MOTUS® is a sport-touring bike with the soul of an American muscle car. And the MV4 is the heart. Built in Alabama. The Great Lakes Dual Sporters Stop by our dealership to The V4 Baby Block®, is a is a like-minded group of off- check the newest American 1650cc (100ci), road motorcyclists who enjoy liquid-cooled riding Michigan’s vast two-track sport-. V4, is a “clean trails and back roads. All done Powered by a small-block V-4, sheet” engine design. When it using a street legal dirtbike also the Motus is built for long- comes to torque, V-engine known as Dual Sport. distance, spirited rides. NOW configurations are renowned for just that. Power ranges from 160-180 bhp, IN STOCK! Call or visit our depending on the specific engine If you’re looking for fantastic dual- dealership for details. version (V4 or race inspired V4R) with sport riding and the company of peak torque above 120 ft lbs. great friends, join us. Check out our website at www.gldsmc.org to BMW-Motus of Grand Rapids learn about our group, our events 5995 South Division, Grand Rapids, MI and much more. Only $10 to join! (616) 530-6900 • www.bmwmcgr.com www.GLDSMC.org

12 www.midwestmotorcyclist.com December 2016 Crusader Custom Raffle Motorcycling & Law to Benefit Camp Liberty Bill to Include Slingshot as a Motorcycle by Dondi Vesprini

This fall we Code. $20 enjoyed unseasonably Thus, Senate Bill per ticket warm weather which 1120 was introduced on served to extend the riding October 16, 2016 which season beyond that period would change the of time we are accustomed definition of an Only 4,000 to. As fall moved forward, autocycle to read “A not only did I observe more motorcycle that is tickets motorcycles on the equipped with safety roadways than I am used to belts, rollbar or roll will be sold seeing this time of year but hoops, steering wheel, I also saw more of another and equipment vehicle that seems to have gained more otherwise required on a motorcycle, Drawing on and more popularity as time has gone has not more than three wheels in 2/18/2017 on. I am speaking of the Polaris contact with the roadway at any one Slingshot or “The Original 3-Wheeled time, and is not equipped with a To learn more about Camp Liberty, visit Roadster” as it is called on the Polaris straddle seat.” The Bill would change their web site at https://camp- website. You have likely seen them, the definition of a motorcycle to read liberty.org. To purchase a raffle with their sports car looking front riding “a motor vehicle that has a saddle or ticker for the Crusader Custom, go on two open wheels, the two passenger seat for the use of the rider and is to https://camp-liberty.org/ go cart looking cockpit complete with designed to travel on not more than crusader-custom-built-motorcycle. steering wheel and five-speed manual three wheels in contact with the transmission, and the one wheel ground. Motorcycle includes an The proceeds from the sale of the supporting the rear. Below is a photo of autocycle, but does not include a Crusader will fund recreation, training and support programs for a Slingshot: tractor.” our combat injured and disabled veterans, through Camp Liberty. By virtue of including an autocycle in the definition of a motorcycle, vehicles such as the Slingshot would be deemed a motorcycle for purposes of the Michigan Vehicle Code given that it meets the definition of an autocycle. This would mean that under the Michigan Vehicle Code, any regulation which applies to a “motorcycle” would by definition thus apply to a Slingshot or any other It is a very different looking similar three-wheel vehicle that motorcycle. No, that is not a typo. This meets the definition of an autocycle. “LOOK TWICE, vehicle would be classified as a Such regulations include but are not motorcycle under Michigan’s Motor limited to Michigan’s modified Vehicle Code if Senate Bill 1120 passes. law and noise The Michigan Vehicle Code has regulations regarding decibel levels a definition for an “autocycle”, which of noise that the vehicle produces. SAVE A LIFE” presently is defined as “an enclosed The analysis of the bill by the motorcycle that is equipped with safety Senate Fiscal Agency states that the belts, rollbar, windshield, wipers, bill would have a minimal impact on steering wheel, and equipment otherwise the number of individuals who would required on a motorcycle, and which has not be required to have motorcycle no more than 3 wheels in contact with endorsements on their licenses. This the roadway at any 1 time.” is likely because, while falling under The Michigan Vehicle Code the motorcycle definition under the MOTORCYCLES presently defines a “motorcycle” as Bill, it would appear that Slingshot “every motor vehicle having a saddle or riders would not be required to get a seat for the use of the rider and designed motorcycle endorsement on his/her to travel on not more than 3 wheels in license, as the motorcycle contact with the ground but excluding a endorsement law specifically excludes ARE EVERYWHERE tractor.” persons riding an “autocycle” from Apparently, the legislators in the requirement. Lansing did not believe that a vehicle Also, if the Bill passes and such as the Slingshot fit in either the government includes Slingshots category, making it a class of vehicle or similar three-wheeled vehicles as a without a definition for purposes of motorcycle for purposes of compiling regulation under the Michigan Vehicle Continued on page 18 16 www.midwestmotorcyclist.com December 2016