Etc.

etc.

SCAMMER IN THE SLAMMER

Philip Zanghi II, the self-styled Indian revivalist, has been convicted in U.S. district court of bilking investors out of $830,000. The jury deliberated less than three hours before finding Zanghi guilty on 12 counts of securities fraud, three counts of tax evasion and six counts of money laundering.

Acting as his own attorney, Zanghi told the court, “Maybe I’m a con man...but i brought the Indian trademark back.” The jury apparently discounted the latter claim, but believed strongly in the former:

Zanghi now faces a maximum penalty of 221 years in prison and $14.5 million in fines.

SHOP GUIDE

Have you ever needed a motorcycle part while you were on the road? It’s not always easy to find a shop, is it? Well, if you had a copy of The North American Motorcycle Store Directory, you’d never have that problem again. For $32.95 (plus $3.95 shipping), you’ll receive a book and a computer disk with an IBM-compatible database that list the addresses and phone numbers of some 15,000 bike shops in the U.S. and Canada. Order yours from Macpherson Publishing, 7 Gordon Way, Thonhill, Ontario, Canada L3T 5A1.

HONDA HISTORY

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, the AMA’s Motorcycle Heritage Museum is featuring an exhibit titled, “You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda.” Sponsored by the American Honda Motor Company and Honda of America Manufacturing, the display includes more than 70 machines, ranging from a rare 1951 Model D Dream to a 1998 VTR1000F Super Hawk. Notable competition machines include an ex-Freddie Spencer Honda NS500 GP bike, a pair of dirt-trackers campaigned by Mike Kidd and Bubba Shobert, and an ABC Superbikers CR raced by Steve Wise. For more information on the display, which runs through December, 1998, contact the AMA at 614/891-2425.

MARCH OF BIKES

Motorcycle events have become a big part of the March of Dimes’ fundraising effort. Since 1992’s first “Ride for Healthier Babies” in Georgia, $3 million has been raised for the prevention of birth defects and infant mortality. Today, 30 MoD chapters around the country put on charity rides, raising an average of $1 million a year. For information on the nearest event, phone 800/244-9255.

OREGON GOV. JUST SAYS NO

Saying he would approve such-legislation only if motorcyclists accepted “full economic responsibility for their actions,” Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber vetoed the repeal of his state’s mandatory helmet law.

“The governor incorrectly accepts the notion that unhelmeted motorcyclists are a social burden of some sort, and that they must rely upon a disproportionate amount of public funds to pay for their medical costs the advent of an accident,” says the AMA’s Sean Maher. “This notion is categorically untrue.”

Medical costs for injured riders without helmets are similar to the costs for riders wearing helmets, notes Maher, and motorcyclists are just as likely to be insured as any other highway user. “Despite these facts, the proponents of the ‘social-burden’ theory continue to portray motorcyclists as deadbeats who are unable to pay their medical bills,” he says. “While the AMA supports the voluntary use of helmets, we will continue to work to ensure that adult motorcyclists, not a state governor, can decide the issue of helmet use in Oregon.”

AT YOUR SERVICE

Bring us your tired, your poor, your huddled messes yearning to run free. Our Service section is in need of a few good questions, so jot ’em down and send to CW Service, 1499 Monrovia Ave., Newport Beach, CA 92663; or if you’re modem-equipped, e-mail ’em straight to Editorial Director Paul “Mr. Fix-It” Dean at CW1Dean@aol.com.