Billy Lane (Choppers Inc.) killed a motorcyclist. (From ADVRider)

[DaveDragon]

Chopper builder hurt in fatal crash

Billy Lane's truck, motorcycle collide on A1A near Melbourne Beach

BY J.D. GALLOP
FLORIDA TODAY Local motorcycle shop owner Billy Lane, who has appeared on the Discovery Channel's “Biker Build-Off” and “Monster Garage,” was injured in a head-on traffic accident Monday that left a man riding a small moped dead.

The 9 p.m. accident involving the 36-year-old Lane, the owner of the Melbourne-based Choppers Inc. and a resident of Melbourne Beach, occurred on State Road A1A south of Melbourne Beach near the intersection of Ballyshannon Street. Florida Highway Patrol investigators said Lane was trying to pass two other vehicles on a double yellow-lined portion of A1A when his southbound 2006 Dodge Ram pickup collided with a northbound 1983 Yamaha moped.

The motorcyclist, identified as 56-year-old Melbourne Beach resident Gerald Morelock, was wearing a helmet. He suffered extensive injuries during the collision with the pickup and was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Lane hit the motorcycle head on, and then the pickup hit a power pole,” said Kim Miller, spokeswoman for the Florida Highway Patrol.

Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Patrick O'Neill confirmed that Morelick was riding the small motor bike.

“But it was street legal,” O'Neill said this morning.

Miller said a passenger in the custom-painted black pickup, identified as 22-year-old Erin Derrick of Rockledge, was also injured in the crash. Lane and Derrick were transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne. Lane was treated and released while Derrick remained in stable condition this afternoon, hospital officials said.

Lane, a tattoo-adorned, dreadlocked chopper-building legend was semi-conscious at the accident scene. He is known nationally for his work building custom-made motorcycles.

Florida Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigators said no charges were filed, but added they were waiting on the results of blood-alcohol tests, which were sent to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement state lab for evaluation.

Employees contacted at Lane's Choppers Inc. this morning would not comment about the accident.

[motorhead]

Damm !! .... A cyclist driving his cage cross's a double yellow to do an illeagle pass & hits another cyclist. Pretty damm STUPID !!

Such a waist when the innocent one go's to the morgue & and the idiot at fault walks away.

Please do a follow up to his accountablity .... Manslaughter is the least they should throw at him !!

Scott

[DaveDragon]

Lets see what the Blood Reports say, taking bets on impairment.

[dglenn1]

Lets see what the Blood Reports say, taking bets on impairment.What do the reports matter? The guy was driving on the wrong side of the road and killed somebody. Really doesn't matter why he was there.

[DaveDragon]

I think you missed my point, I'm all for them burning his ass, just curious if he was drinking or high or just the average, dumb ass, inattentive, impatient cager.

[KayGee]

I think you missed my point, I'm all for them burning his ass, just curious if he was drinking or high or just the average, dumb ass, inattentive, impatient cager.

I vote All of the Above.

[82katana]

He was impaired alright - just not the usual chemical or alcohol type of impairment. His impairment is that he thinks he can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, and to heck with the consequences. Reminds me of a few of the long-haired, tattoo covered group that ride bikes in my area.

[tmgs]

What do the reports matter? The guy was driving on the wrong side of the road and killed somebody. Really doesn't matter why he was there.

the law is the law, if he is DUI then it will be manslaughter. Remember it is ok to kill someone driving if you are sober in most states (I know it's a fucked up deal but how it is)

I know that area of melbourne well, and I promiss most on this board would have passed in that area many times.

hopefully when nothing was coming

[tmgs]

He was impaired alright - just not the usual chemical or alcohol type of impairment. His impairment is that he thinks he can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, and to heck with the consequences. Reminds me of a few of the long-haired, tattoo covered group that ride bikes in my area.

Yup I can tell you know him. I do, not well but do. He has never once acted like he was better than anyone else, never once acted like he would harm anyone, does not have a big head, is not a jerk, in fact is a pretty decent guy, just like many I have met here on this board. he has alway's been respectfull to my wife myself and anyone we have ever been around.

He screwed up BIG TIME he will PAY big time particularly if he has a blood alcohol content as well he should.

[tmgs]

I think you missed my point, I'm all for them burning his ass, just curious if he was drinking or high or just the average, dumb ass, inattentive, impatient cager.

passing on a double yellow on A1A ?

wonder how many times I have passed in that same area........ bet money there are a whole bunch on this board that would as well.

[vernvernvern]

the law is the law, if he is DUI then it will be manslaughter. Remember it is ok to kill someone driving if you are sober in most states (I know it's a fucked up deal but how it is)

I know that area of melbourne well, and I promiss most on this board would have passed in that area many times.

hopefully when nothing was coming


Maybe MORE LIGHTS on the Moped would have helped. We have to be seen in order to be safer from other drivers..........bikers or not!

Just my .02 worth.

Every day I wake up I thank the Lord for another day!

[messenger13]

What a freakin' moron!
Yes, I've been known to pass on a double-yellow. But NEVER in my cage.

[tmgs]

Maybe MORE LIGHTS on the Moped would have helped. We have to be seen in order to be safer from other drivers..........bikers or not!

Just my .02 worth.

Every day I wake up I thank the Lord for another day!

Who knows , '83 Moped prolly didn;t have much for lights new let alone that old, that area isn not well lit either.

there is no good in a story like this, it's not like some scumbag is going down because of this either.

[DaveDragon]

passing on a double yellow on A1A ?

wonder how many times I have passed in that same area........ bet money there are a whole bunch on this board that would as well.

I have......

[Ted]

Not the first incident for ol' Billy this year...kiss it all goodbye....

Excerpt:
In June, he was arrested by the North Carolina Highway Patrol on charges of drunk driving. Police said Lane was driving the wrong way on a two-lane road without a helmet. Lane refused a breathalyzer test. The Rowan County Clerk of Courts confirmed that he is due to appear in court on Oct. 5.

Complete article here:
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060906/BREAKINGNEWS/60906018

[messenger13]

Are we starting to see an ugly trend?

[tmgs]

I have......

living there as long as I did, I can;t imagine how manyu times, there are so many times you get stuck behind someone on that road doing under the limit without a care in the world

musta been the soccer mom in front holding up traffic on the cell in her SUV

[rickcavanaugh]

Maybe MORE LIGHTS on the Moped would have helped. We have to be seen in order to be safer from other drivers..........bikers or not!

I guess it is ok to run over pedestrians if they have no lights.

If you are going to do an illegal move, it is YOUR responsibility to do it without killing someone.

Don't blame it on the moped.

[DaveDragon]

It will be interesting to see how this case is handled in the courts.

Former Gov of SD kills a biker while executing an illegal action, ran a stop sign. 100 days and now gets his Law License back.

Widely known Biker/builder kills a biker with a cage while executing an illegal pass.
Will he get burned by the courts? by other bikers? by the press?

Will this finally focus attention on the lack of justice handed out to biker killers?

[tmgs]

It will be interesting to see how this case is handled in the courts.

Former Gov of SD kills a biker while executing an illegal action, ran a stop sign. 100 days and now gets his Law License back.

Widely known Biker/builder kills a biker with a cage while executing an illegal pass.
Will he get burned by the courts? by other bikers? by the press?

Will this finally focus attention on the lack of justice handed out to biker killers?


or any that get killed in the same manner?

it will be interesting to see the outcome of this. the real difference I see is Janklo was not DUI was he? (I honestly do not remember)

[OKUIII]

I think we should all remember the congressman for Minn or Wisc who killed a motorcycle rider a year ago or so. We all thought it horrible and wanted to throw the book at him. Well, does not this incident, as horrible as that one, mean we should have the same law applied? Reading some of these post, it's funny sometimes how the shoe never fits on the other foot.

[alindsay]

I can see a new TV series - Custom License Plate Build-Offs.

Think he is royally boned on this one.

[messenger13]

"I can see a new TV series - Custom License Plate Build-Offs." :rotf:

Coffee all over the floor!!!

[BUGKILLER]

If they thought he was under the influence and took blood for testing,why was he released? In Calif. if you are in and accident that involves alcohol or drugs and someone dies,no one goes home until the test are done.If he was under the influence he should have been booked right then.

[Steve_R]

Not all state laws read like CA and GA.

[FridayBob]

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060905/BREAKINGNEWS/60905003

Head on in his Dodge pickup while trying to pass two other vehicles across a double yellow. The victim was a 56 year old guy on a moped. Wearing a helmet.

This could happen to any of us. Be careful out there and look ahead of where you are riding.

[iowarider]

to bad for the moped rider, lane deserves whatever he gets and I hope its a lot. Arrogant sob, was not an accident was manslaughter. Passing two cars on a double yellow line.

[jayjacobson]

The last guy you figure would nut up a kill another biker!

[petevandyke]

latest news release says that the lab tests on the BAC levels will be "available soon" --any of our forum members "on the job" in Florida? If you are, you know that lab tests on blood drawn on the 6th of September already have results, and we're all dying to know.....

[petevandyke]

Hmmmm, Billy Lane just replaced "Paulie Sr. and Paulie Jr.'s" spots on my top ten biker sh**bag list...while we wait to see if he was under the influence when his attempted pass of TWO vehicles over DOUBLE YELLOWS, he was awaiting trial on an earlier arrest for driving under the influence (refused to blow) ON A MOTORCYCLE.

If the lab tests show positive, I hope he gets a chance to share his highly-developed metal fabrication skills at one of Florida's finest correctional facility auto shops.

[tmgs]

even if he has only one beer even if he is under the legal limit. In FL, he is done.

Too bad, cause he is a decent guy IRL, I can not believe he F'ed up like that. I'm glad it wasn't me on that stretch of A1A that night.

[gfspencer]

Too bad, cause he is a decent guy . . .

He might be a decent guy but according to one report he has been charged with drunk driving before.

[rlv]

the law is the law, if he is DUI then it will be manslaughter. Remember it is ok to kill someone driving if you are sober in most states (I know it's a fucked up deal but how it is)

I know that area of melbourne well, and I promiss most on this board would have passed in that area many times.

hopefully when nothing was coming

Let's all remember that we too have son's and daughter's out there driving every day and night making stupid decisions in their live's also. Believe it or not, we all are only human beings at one time or the other.
I've been there and done that and got away with it, and even worse.
I'm not going to be jumping on his ass here on this site.
I feel sorry for him no matter how it comes down.
But I am sure that Billy Lane is man enough to pay for his crime's if he committed any. He will surly pay with his heart even if he did not commit any crime, just due to the fact that he took a life.
Just because were of a different color, just because we wear long hair, or just because we have tattoo's, does not make us bad people.
He may be the next nicest guy that you ever met, sitting in prison, doing hard time just because of one second in his life that he today would probably do anything to change.
Just a guy on top of the world, that has now fallen on hard times.
just my damn 2 cents worth

[tmgs]

Let's all remember that we too have son's and daughter's out there driving every day and night making stupid decisions in their live's also. Believe it or not, we all are only human beings at one time or the other.
I've been there and done that and got away with it, and even worse.
I'm not going to be jumping on his ass here on this site.
I feel sorry for him no matter how it comes down.
But I am sure that Billy Lane is man enough to pay for his crime's if he committed any. He will surly pay with his heart even if he did not commit any crime, just due to the fact that he took a life.
Just because were of a different color, just because we wear long hair, or just because we have tattoo's, does not make us bad people.
He may be the next nicest guy that you ever met, sitting in prison, doing hard time just because of one second in his life that he today would probably do anything to change.
Just a guy on top of the world, that has now fallen on hard times.
just my damn 2 cents worth


your quoteing the wrong person here for ther tone of reply, I personally feel bad for him, I know him although not well like others do, I do know him, well enough to know he is a decent guy and would not want to harm someone in any way let alone this way. he has always been respectfull to my family never have I seen him out of line.

[dshealey]

Let's all remember that we too have son's and daughter's out there driving every day and night making stupid decisions in their live's also. --------------------

What if it had been one of your sons or daughters, or father, mother, even a good friend that he had KILLED?

If this was the first time he did something a little stupid, it would be one thing. But soon after another DUI issue, and to pass TWO CARS on a yellow line, that is way beyond just a little mistake.

This time he has stepped WAY over the line of "mistake", and is now in the realm of "willfull endangerment" of another's life, to the point of taking it. You sure cannot tell me he "accidently" passed two cars on a yellow line. That requires a decision to do so.

I'm sure that if he is convicted, he is likely to be the recipient of a very life changing lawsuit.

[iowarider]

Just checking, has anyone heard the reults yet. Was lane charged?

[Gino]

Enough talk about Lane - he'll get what's coming to him...

There was an actual victim in this case... Found this (http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060907/NEWS01/609070331) while searching the web...

[FridayBob]

John,
I've been checking the Florida Highway Patrol site and there is nothing when I search on Morelock (the victim) or Billy Lane. The publication Florida Today did a follow on story a on Sept 7. They quoted a witness and explained that the FHP will charge Lane when they can prosecute more than just crossing a double yellow.

I e-mailed the author of the article to ask if there was anything new, will re-post if I hear anything. As you can imagine, all the motorcycle forums out there are commenting on it. Do a search on "Morelock+moped". There are hundreds of posts.

BTW, Billy Lane is also scheduled to appear on DUI charges in Rowan County North Carolina on October 5. Wrong way on a one-way road, no helmet and refused to blow. This happened last June and he's only now getting to court.

[Ted]

Hey Bob -

You Harvard guys are always a day or so late. I can say this because I went to Northeastern :-)

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13846

Thanks for the updates - we are all waiting for some justice on this one.

[petevandyke]

it'll probably make a martyr of him like that moron "Indian Larry" who bought it when he was riding one of his recent abominations...I mean motorcycles "Indian Larry Style" (standing on the seat, throttle locked, no helmet, arms spread at 75 mph) and wiped out.

But hey, if "Paulie Sr." can go from prison time for VIN fraud to (and I still can't believe this one) making money selling--are you ready for it--"Orange Co. Chopper COLOGNE", then why not ignore the moped guy and his family and run the headline "Biker Builder Celebrity injured in accident?"

[graydude]

Let's all remember that we too have son's and daughter's out there driving every day and night making stupid decisions in their live's also. Believe it or not, we all are only human beings at one time or the other.
I've been there and done that and got away with it, and even worse.
I'm not going to be jumping on his ass here on this site.
I feel sorry for him no matter how it comes down.
But I am sure that Billy Lane is man enough to pay for his crime's if he committed any. He will surly pay with his heart even if he did not commit any crime, just due to the fact that he took a life.
Just because were of a different color, just because we wear long hair, or just because we have tattoo's, does not make us bad people.
He may be the next nicest guy that you ever met, sitting in prison, doing hard time just because of one second in his life that he today would probably do anything to change.
Just a guy on top of the world, that has now fallen on hard times.
just my damn 2 cents worth


It never ceases to amaze me how someone with some margin of fame can elicit responses of sympathy that "the man on the street" does not warrant. I doubt he is "man enough to pay for his crime" If he is such a stand up guy, why did he refuse to blow for his last DUI?? :confused: Something tells me he was not man enough to face the consequences for that incident. Buy time and have the lawyers figure an escape is my guess. I don't care if he was DUI when he took that poor mans life. He passed two cars, on a double yellow, at night. Book him Dano and throw away the key. What else could you possibly say to the family of the man who was killed?

[tmgs]

It never ceases to amaze me how someone with some margin of fame can elicit responses of sympathy that "the man on the street" does not warrant. I doubt he is "man enough to pay for his crime" If he is such a stand up guy, why did he refuse to blow for his last DUI?? :confused: Something tells me he was not man enough to face the consequences for that incident. Buy time and have the lawyers figure an escape is my guess. I don't care if he was DUI when he took that poor mans life. He passed two cars, on a double yellow, at night. Book him Dano and throw away the key. What else could you possibly say to the family of the man who was killed?


I don't think anyone said "let him off" or walk on this.
and beating a DUI is a little different than killing somone.

no one knows the circumstances up in NC either. To tell ya the truth if I ever have a beer or two and get pulled over I'll ask for blood alcohol test instead of breath.Ill.yzer, which right there will get you a refuse to blow ticket, but I bet I beat it in court IF I cna afford the attorney. otherwise you wil get a dui even if you are UNDER the legal limit anymore

[tmgs]

If they thought he was under the influence and took blood for testing,why was he released? In Calif. if you are in and accident that involves alcohol or drugs and someone dies,no one goes home until the test are done.If he was under the influence he should have been booked right then.

Had he not been sent to the hospital they probably would have done a roadside sobriety test, first, had he not passed that while been video taped, they then would have him blow, if he failed the blow test with ANY amount shown he would have been arrested on the spot. And by any amount I mean if he had blown a .001 he would have been taken in custody since there was a accident and death involved

Since he was sent to the hospital for possible treatment (which according to the fist article he was), there is no way any EMT would let a officer touch him at the scene,
(been there myself, the cops tried to get to my wallet, the EMT about ripped the cop off his feet for touching me!.)

The officer had to go to the hospital at that point to do anything. The officer then requested a Blood alcohol test done quickly! So there was no time for whatever alcohol that might be in his system to dissipate, remember 1 hour for each drink you have, lets say its already been 30 minutes ........ the cops did good I’m sure, this is Melbourne Beach the cops there are Strict and sharp with DUI

[tmgs]

Enough talk about Lane - he'll get what's coming to him...

There was an actual victim in this case... Found this (http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060907/NEWS01/609070331) while searching the web...

Seems the victim had his own problems as well

Suspended DL, possibly a Court ordered drug abuse program - under the Marchman Act, Many traffic infractions.

[tmgs]

and run the headline "Biker Builder Celebrity injured in accident?"

I got to tell ya, that part about killedd me, had it been me, it would have read drivers kills innocent retired Moped rider
(Melbourne Area is full iof OLD moped riders with the big orange flags on the back). In fact it used to be a problem there with the moped gangs, they all would ride three apart blocking the roads, boy did they get ticked when a stroked Harley with 2" open drag pipes got tired of waiting for them

<g>

[Rondeau]

yep, I would pass on a dbl. yellow on my KRS, or GXXr maybe- but in a F-cking Pick Up? Nice guy, maybe- Dumbass, w/o a doubt.

[hawg]

What if it had been one of your sons or daughters, or father, mother, even a good friend that he had KILLED?

If this was the first time he did something a little stupid, it would be one thing. But soon after another DUI issue, and to pass TWO CARS on a yellow line, that is way beyond just a little mistake.

This time he has stepped WAY over the line of "mistake", and is now in the realm of "willfull endangerment" of another's life, to the point of taking it. You sure cannot tell me he "accidently" passed two cars on a yellow line. That requires a decision to do so.

I'm sure that if he is convicted, he is likely to be the recipient of a very life changing lawsuit.

Kinda reminds me of a law school quote from one of my professors: "There are three kinds of fools in the world...fools, damned fools and GD fools!"

Man, oh, man...life is full of twists and turns... :confused:

[FridayBob]

Hi Ted,
Yeah, I was embarrassed when I found that other thread about 10 minutes after I posted mine. That's okay, I got over it in a few seconds after I found yet another tire thread...:rolleyes:

[iowarider]

thanks for the update, I'll look around.

[mjordans2000]

it'll probably make a martyr of him like that moron "Indian Larry" who bought it when he was riding one of his recent abominations...I mean motorcycles "Indian Larry Style" (standing on the seat, throttle locked, no helmet, arms spread at 75 mph) and wiped out.

But hey, if "Paulie Sr." can go from prison time for VIN fraud to (and I still can't believe this one) making money selling--are you ready for it--"Orange Co. Chopper COLOGNE", then why not ignore the moped guy and his family and run the headline "Biker Builder Celebrity injured in accident?"
I would hardly make excuses for the lifestyles of Billy Lane or Indian Larry but while Larry's demise was unneccessary it was not from reckless highway bravado (which he was known to partake in). His accident was part of a show. I recently witnessed a performance by a sport bike stunt group. Show or no show, that level of stunt riding with out helmets is about as idiotic as you can get. In fact, I would have enjoyed the show more if they had worn helmets. That unneccessary risk made me uncomfortable.

[cccpastorjack]

QOUTE: yep, I would pass on a dbl. yellow on my KRS, or GXXr maybe- but in a F-cking Pick Up? Nice guy, maybe- Dumbass, w/o a doubt.


NO ONE!!! And I mean NO ONE should ever pass on a double yellow. Today I am sitting at a stop light with a small dodge neon on my left (with the back seat full of kids) and a really old pick up truck with a buck-toothed old man driving, never saw us or the light and careening from the rear cuts to her left to keep from hitting them full speed in the rear. Never hit the brakes even once. He goes on through the intersection at 50 miles per hour or so and never broke stride. There were even two people in the back of the truck. I told my wife, "We just about watched a lot of people die. Could'a been us! If he had swerved right to miss her, we were history. But for the grace of God. But man...people gotta learn to drive within the rules!!!!!

[jayjacobson]

....while we wait to see if he was under the influence when his attempted pass of TWO vehicles over DOUBLE YELLOWS, he was awaiting trial on an earlier arrest for driving under the influence (refused to blow) ON A MOTORCYCLE....
WOW! A real looser!

[nbroca]

I have read this post and it makes me wonder about the common sense of those that seem to condone ignoring a double yellow line. Are you out of your minds? As motorcyclists we are supposed to be more alert and exercise prudence at all times for the consequences may be tragic, not only while riding our bikes but while driving our cars...

What the hell is wrong with acting according to the law? Who is superior to the rest of us that accept the traffic laws?

You may get away with "it" sometimes but, unfortunately, you also may be the cause of a very serious accident in which someone dies. Wake up!!

And no, I have never crossed a double solid line!

[vernvernvern]

I have read this post and it makes me wonder about the common sense of those that seem to condone ignoring a double yellow line. Are you out of your minds? As motorcyclists we are supposed to be more alert and exercise prudence at all times for the consequences may be tragic, not only while riding our bikes but while driving our cars...

What the hell is wrong with acting according to the law? Who is superior to the rest of us that accept the traffic laws?

You may get away with "it" sometimes but, unfortunately, you also may be the cause of a very serious accident in which someone dies. Wake up!!

And no, I have never crossed a double solid line!


Amen! and right on!

[UncleRock]

Dbl yellow is just paint on the ground, if I have the visabilty to make the move I will.
Have been told by local LEO that with 500' of visabilty, okay, any less than that is no good.
My skills in driving a vehicle with more than 2 wheels would make me one of those being passed.
On my bike it is a differant ball game.
Rock

[meese]

I don't trust the government to decide what's safe for me. I have to make my own decisions in any given situation. Traffic laws and controls are there for a reason, but necessarily have to be set for the lowest common denominator. Just because it's not safe for a pickup to pass in a certain area doesn't mean it's automatically unsafe for a smaller, faster bike to pass in the same area. However, in doing so you accept that you are making a conscious decision to override local traffic controls and you should be prepared to pay the consequences.

But there are also places where the traffic controls are set up purely for revenue reasons. Recent discussions of shorting yellow lights come to mind. Many small towns in Oregon have 20 mph school zones. Fair enough, protect the children, etc. But many of these school zones are listed as "during school hours" (whatever those are) or "when children are present" (how close is "present"?). And some of those school zones are effective 24 hours. Should I be concerned that a child will come darting across the road at 4 a.m. on a Sunday morning? Or more concerned about a local LEO out trolling for $$? Some school zones are posted as "when red light is flashing". That works, as long as they don't randomly start flashing the red light. But the rules are there, so we have to abide by them or consciously choose not to.

Billy made a bad decision, and someone died because of it. He will pay the price for his actions.

[tmgs]

I have read this post and it makes me wonder about the common sense of those that seem to condone ignoring a double yellow line. Are you out of your minds? As motorcyclists we are supposed to be more alert and exercise prudence at all times for the consequences may be tragic, not only while riding our bikes but while driving our cars...

What the hell is wrong with acting according to the law? Who is superior to the rest of us that accept the traffic laws?

You may get away with "it" sometimes but, unfortunately, you also may be the cause of a very serious accident in which someone dies. Wake up!!

And no, I have never crossed a double solid line!


ya know maybe if other drivers were considerate no one would pass on a yellow in a straight away, when someone is doing like 15-20 mph in a 45 or 55 mph zone.

I find it real hard to believe anyone would not pass in those circumsances, what amazes me more so is how rude some drivers are by just not pulling over and letting traffic pass

yes I understand you have never gone 1mph over the limit or passed by going over the limit or by crossing a double yellow line, but do you also hold up all th etraffic going well under the speed limit?" or are you always curteous and pull off asap and let traffic by you?


and no this has nothing to do with the accident in this particular thread as we have no idea who was driving what speed.

[BUGKILLER]

How fast was this guy driving ? The biker didn't have a chance.
http://www.flatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060905/BREAKINGNEWS/60905003
http://www.hotboat.com/image_center/data/520/2013bilde.jpg

[meese]

I don't know which is more ironic: that there's a speeding motorcycle painted on the side of the truck, or that it says "Dodge" in huge letters. Either way, the moped rider is still dead. :(

Any reports on his BAC yet?

[George_S]

Didn't he hit a pole after hitting the moped rider? All that damage we're seeing has got to be from the pole hit....

[alindsay]

As of yesterday's paper, 17 May, they are still waiting the results of the blood test.

[alindsay]

As of yesterday's paper, they are still waiting for the test results.

[messenger13]

Billy blah blah blah Lane blah blah blah moped blah blah blah doube yellow blah blah blah BAC blah blah blah shame on him blah blah blah yadda yadda yadda . . . http://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/bueller.gif

[zippy_gg]

Billy blah blah blah Lane blah blah blah moped blah blah blah doube yellow blah blah blah BAC blah blah blah shame on him blah blah blah yadda yadda yadda . . . http://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/bueller.gifWhat are you trying to say Joe...?:confused:
;)

[meese]

What are you trying to say Joe...?:confused:
;)Nothing in particular. He's just trying to reach 10K posts. :)

[DaveDragon]

Nothing in particular. He's just trying to reach 10K posts. :)

Does Joe have Postarrhea again!

[dshealey]

Does Joe have Postarrhea again!

No, just wants to complain about anyone ELSE posting inane stuff. :D

[BUGKILLER]

Billy blah blah blah Lane blah blah blah moped blah blah blah doube yellow blah blah blah BAC blah blah blah shame on him blah blah blah yadda yadda yadda . . . http://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/bueller.gif

Hello Just Joe, Hope you don’t mind me writing this in crayon. Always taught to sell to my audience. It occurs to me that someone with almost 10,000 posts that has only started a thread 2% of the time should be interested in threads of any nature, especially one about a Biker killed by a bike builder.. But in the future I will try and keep up with the high set of standards set forth here by posts like Farkle, Farkle, Farkle and Metal: A Head Banger’s Journey. Non-the less if you send me a list of your interest I will have the secretary scour the internet in search of grist that will please your discerning palate. Have great day Just Joe. :D

[rlv]

Dbl yellow is just paint on the ground, if I have the visabilty to make the move I will.
Have been told by local LEO that with 500' of visabilty, okay, any less than that is no good.
My skills in driving a vehicle with more than 2 wheels would make me one of those being passed.
On my bike it is a differant ball game.
Rock

Thanks Rock,
I love ya man.
Your an alright guy. You would just rather tell the truth wouldn't you.
Well, I would too.
I've done it before , will do it again, and have read were another on this forum, but not on this thread has said that he does it and will continue to do it.
All that I was trying to say in my previous post to this thread, is not to jump on the guy with both feet, we've all done wrong, and we will all do wrong again. Other's (each and every one of us) on this forum have broken the law before, maybe not pass on a double yellow line, but in other ways with their autos and bikes, and you will again, maybe not the next time that you on the road but sooner or later you will, know why, any clue, it's because were all only human. And being human we have bad things that happen to us every now and then.
Now I'm not talking about you premadona guys from, what is it CALEEEFORNIA., especially one old fart by the name of Dave. I do understand that you guys have a different reasoning about things and your all ahead of times out there, and that we are just still in the dark ages here in the south east.
But all of that being said, I would really like to know just how fast a man has to ride for how many hours to do a, what was it 10 grand in 10 days. Damn Dave, you got to keep the wheels turning to make that record. Now I know that you being from CALEEEFORNIA and a math superstar to boot, I know good and well that you can tell us what your fastest speed was and what your average speed was, and how many hours you stayed in the saddle each and every day.
I'm just from TN. but I would think that a man would have to do better than the speed limit a huge chunk of the time to do a grand a day, maybe even did more that a grand a day on the front end knowing how tired you were going on the last half of the leg.
Come on Dave, inquiring minds would like to know, how many hours a day do you figure that you were breaking the speed limit.
My point is, that you chose to break the speed limit , probably for a big chunck of each and every hour that you were on the road each and every day that you were trying to do the 10 grand in 10 days.
You chose to break the law each and every minute that you chose to go over the speed limit.
Mr Lane chose to break the law in one split second, and took a life.
You could of just as easily killed someone while you were speeding doing you little 10 grand in 10 days that your so proud of.
You would of been just as guilty, maybe even more so because you continously broke the speed limit.
And I do assure you that that is a proud feat, I've done 1200 in one day myself coming back from Stergis in 1998. Broke the speed limit each and every mile of the way, but I lived thru it and everybody else that I came in contact did also that day.
I think that there are a lot of people on this forum that are just a little jealous of Mr Lane, or maybe despise him because he rides another brand of bike, wear's dreadlocks, or has tattoo's, and chicken shittedly saw a chance to jump on somebody's ass and vent a little and tell the would just how good that they themselves are.
You guy's out there just keep referring to him as a scum bag, Idiot, trash, non caring person, and what ever else. But you know what, that's what all the people that do not ride bikes call of us that do ride bikes.
Strange

[messenger13]

Hello Just Joe, blah blah blah Hope you don’t mind blah blah blah me writing blah blah blah this in crayon. blah blah blah http://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/bueller.gif

[BUGKILLER]

Oh.... I have one last thing for Joe. :histerica
http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/1/7/2/8/bouncy_original.gif

[BUGKILLER]

Hello Just Joe, blah blah blah Hope you don’t mind blah blah blah me writing blah blah blah this in crayon. blah blah blah http://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/bueller.gif

I see a pattern developing here. :sleep:

[mwnahas]

Oh.... I have one last thing for Joe. :histerica
http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/1/7/2/8/bouncy_original.gif

Did someone post some text here?
LOL, still no boat

[RonKMiller]

Hello Just Joe, Hope you don’t mind me writing this in crayon. Always taught to sell to my audience. It occurs to me that someone with almost 10,000 posts that has only started a thread 2% of the time should be interested in threads of any nature, especially one about a Biker killed by a bike builder.. But in the future I will try and keep up with the high set of standards set forth here by posts like Farkle, Farkle, Farkle and Metal: A Head Banger’s Journey. Non-the less if you send me a list of your interest I will have the secretary scour the internet in search of grist that will please your discerning palate. Have great day Just Joe. :D

:rotf: :rotf: :thumb:

[BUGKILLER]

Did someone post some text here?
LOL, still no boat

I found IT.
http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/1/7/2/8/Yachtontherocks2_original.jpg

[meese]

I think you're way off base there, Richard. David is one of the safer riders I've met and I'd ride with him anytime.

As for his "accomplishments" you've got that all wrong, too. 1,000 miles divided by 65 mph is just over 15 hours. Even adding several 10-minute fuel stops, that still gives 7 hours sleep per night, plus an hour to waste eating, checking in to a motel, watching the weather channel, etc. Easy enough for most of us, if we chose to do that.

You've also got Don Arthur as an excellent example. He did 100K miles in a year, while never doing more than 5 mph over the limit. It's all about efficiency, and knowing your personal limits, and surely not about just twisting the throttle and going as fast as possible to "make time." Any idiot can try that.

Yes, we all make mistakes. And no, none of us were in the truck with Billy (or on the road near him, fortunately), so we're all just guessing here. But the facts as presented suggest that he made a stupid move, and that he paid for it, but not nearly as much as his victim paid.

As for choosing sides and acting on your own personal biases, would you have defended Congressman Janklow with the same fervor? After all, he's only human, and he just made a simple mistake. Too bad for his victim, but that's how it goes some time. It could have happened to any of us (as either perpetrator or victim).

[UncleRock]

As for his "accomplishments" you've got that all wrong, too. 1,000 miles divided by 65 mph is just over 15 hours. Even adding several 10-minute fuel stops, that still gives 7 hours sleep per night, plus an hour to waste eating, checking in to a motel, watching the weather channel, etc. Easy enough for most of us, if we chose to do that.

You've also got Don Arthur as an excellent example. He did 100K miles in a year, while never doing more than 5 mph over the limit. It's all about efficiency, and knowing your personal limits, and surely not about just twisting the throttle and going as fast as possible to "make time." Any idiot can try that.

Yes, we all make mistakes. And no, none of us were in the truck with Billy (or on the road near him, fortunately), so we're all just guessing here. But the facts as presented suggest that he made a stupid move, and that he paid for it, but not nearly as much as his victim paid.
.
I agree it is not that hard.
I don't know these fellows, but I have done over a 1000 in a day many times. It's not that big of a deal.
Lets not make this a personal shooting gallery. :(
Rock

[tmgs]

I think you're way off base there, Richard.


I don't, I think he hit the nail right on the friggen head...

he was making a point not a personal attack, his point is spot on, he just happen to use a subject which is dear to many of us LD riding and IBA certs.


Tom

[dshealey]

Yes Richard, I broke the law. Probably 5-10 MPH over the speed limit most of the time I was riding, but always just in the flow of traffic, never "speeding" like you want to think. I rode typically 15-18 hours a day, which is pretty normal for IBA 1000 mile/day rides. "Speeding" tires you out faster than riding the normal speed everyone is going on any stretch of road, which I have found just about everywhere in the US at least 7-10 MPH over posted speed limits. Riding slower than that on a motorcycle is dangerous. People don't tend to see us well anyway, sure don't want to be the pebble in the stream out there.

I wrote a trip report of the 10/10ths, where each day had the hours ridden, and beleive me, there were no "speed runs" involved in any part of it. Just a lot of time sitting on the bike, which one can get used to and do quite well, IF that is the goal.

Yes, I have passed on a yellow in the mountains around here on occasion, but was very sure to have PLENTY of clear road ahead to make the pass SAFELY, if not legally.

I cannot see where any of that makes what Billy Lane did conscionable though. Yes, we probably all have broken the highway rules, but that does not make what he did any less STUPID. What he did was to a much higher degree, with the probable results unfortunately lining up for him.

[Skylark]

I don't, I think he hit the nail right on the friggen head...
he was making a point not a personal attack, his point is spot on, he just happen to use a subject which is dear to many of us LD riding and IBA certs.
Tom

This is not a personal attack?

"Now I'm not talking about you premadona guys from, what is it CALEEEFORNIA., especially one old fart by the name of Dave. I do understand that you guys have a different reasoning about things and your all ahead of times out there, and that we are just still in the dark ages here in the south east." "Damn Dave, you got to keep the wheels turning to make that record. Now I know that you being from CALEEEFORNIA and a math superstar to boot"

This is crap from someone who obviously has some personality issues of his own. I don't know Dave personally but, I've been on this board long enough to know he goes out of his way to try to be helpful and share his extensive knowledge of the LT. He doesn't deserve this kind of abuse for putting his two cents worth in the conversation - nor does anyone else for that matter - whether they are from CALEEEFORNIA or Bum F__k Egypt.

[tmgs]

Yes, I have passed on a yellow in the mountains around here on occasion, but was very sure to have PLENTY of clear road ahead to make the pass SAFELY, if not legally.

I cannot see where any of that makes what Billy Lane did conscionable though. Yes, we probably all have broken the highway rules, but that does not make what he did any less STUPID. What he did was to a much higher degree, with the probable results unfortunately lining up for him.


ok I was really trying to stay away from thebeat up billy part of this/

your right it was diffeent he passed on a double yellow line (oh wait you have done that as well) But you knew there was nothing comingtheother way,

Do you really for one moment think that he would have passed KNOWING there was something coming?

here we havea 83 yamaha moped at 9pm Did it ust come on to the road? the lights are piss poor on them inthe first plae, di this evenhave a workinglight?

lets just say for one moment (because face it we do not know) if any or either of them were true it could have been very easily YOU that killed the guy on the moped passing on a yellow at night on your 10/10 , Hell it could have been me passin on the stretch here just coming off the mountian which I have done.

So exactly how is this different?

I just do not see your logic take into account the driver of the moped had no DL multiplel drivinginfractiosn of which include running a stop sign driving with no DL over 10 mph the limit over 15mph above the limit, drug rehab, do you really think he had his 1983 moped in good shape?


Face it billy Screwed up Big time, it cost a life ruined two family's lifes.

the point here is It COULD have been you or me had any little circumstance been just right (or rather just wrong)

[tmgs]

Yes, I have passed on a yellow in the mountains around here on occasion, but was very sure to have PLENTY of clear road ahead to make the pass SAFELY, if not legally.

I cannot see where any of that makes what Billy Lane did conscionable though. Yes, we probably all have broken the highway rules, but that does not make what he did any less STUPID. What he did was to a much higher degree, with the probable results unfortunately lining up for him.


ok I was really trying to stay away from the beat up billy part of this/

your right it was different he passed on a double yellow line (oh wait you have done that as well) But you knew there was nothing comingtheother way,

Do you really for one moment think that he would have passed KNOWING there was something coming?

here we havea 83 yamaha moped at 9pm Did it just come on to the road? the lights are piss poor on them inthe first place, did this evenhave a workinglight?

lets just say for one moment (because face it we do not know) if any or either of them were true it could have been very easily YOU that killed the guy on the moped passing on a yellow at night on your 10/10 , Hell it could have been me passin on the stretch here just coming off the mountain which I have done.

So exactly how is this different?

I just do not see your logic take into account the driver of the moped had no DL multiple driving infractions of which include running a stop sign driving with no DL over 10 mph the limit over 15mph above the limit, drug rehab, do you really think he had his 1983 moped in good shape?


Face it billy Screwed up Big time, it cost a life ruined two family's lives.

the point here is It COULD have been you or me had any little circumstance been just right (or rather just wrong)

[dshealey]

ok I was really trying to stay away from thebeat up billy part of this/

your right it was diffeent he passed on a double yellow line (oh wait you have done that as well) But you knew there was nothing comingtheother way,

Do you really for one moment think that he would have passed KNOWING there was something coming?-------------------Not that it will make much difference to you, but I never passed on a DOUBLE YELLOW. Only on a single one, where I had plenty of straight ahead view to know it was perfectly safe to pass, and also I never passed TWO cars on a yellow, and I was on a motorcycle with decent performance, not a big pickup truck.

Hell no, I don't think he KNEW there was someone coming from the other direction. But it seems from everything we can read so far that he really pushed the envelope far beyond reasonability in this instance.

It amazes me to no end how some people will take one small instance and project so much larger in a feeble attempt to make something much bigger just fine. If I steal a loaf of bread, does that remove responsibility from you for burning down the bakery???

[meese]

Well put, Les. I saw Richard's point, but blew it off due to all the extraneous junk he posted around it. Is it logical to refute someone's comments on a celebrity in a moment of misfortune by choosing to attack them directly? That sure doesn't give much weight to the original argument, right or wrong.

I then chose to stick up for a friend (not that he needed it) and to debunk several erroneous assumptions. Not for Richard's sake, but more for anyone else who may read this in the future.

And while I can see Tom's point that it could conceivably have been any of us under certain circumstances, I can say that if Billy comes back as a DUI, then it will never be me in those circumstances.

David's got it right. It was poor judgement in poor conditions, with a possibility of driving impaired to boot. That's just stupid, and unfortunately deadly, and he should be punished for his choices.

[tmgs]

Not that it will make much difference to you, but I never passed on a DOUBLE YELLOW. Only on a single one, where I had plenty of straight ahead view to know it was perfectly safe to pass, and also I never passed TWO cars on a yellow, and I was on a motorcycle with decent performance, not a big pickup truck.

Hell no, I don't think he KNEW there was someone coming from the other direction. But it seems from everything we can read so far that he really pushed the envelope far beyond reasonability in this instance.

It amazes me to no end how some people will take one small instance and project so much larger in a feeble attempt to make something much bigger just fine. If I steal a loaf of bread, does that remove responsibility from you for burning down the bakery???


No it really makes no difference at all David not one damn bit, although I will say My mistake I misread what you typed, I just assumed passing on a yellow would/could have been a double yellow which really makes no difference it is still illegal!

it was a dead straight road there may have been other circumstances involved no one here will admit.

by god if it were one of us that hit that man they would!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cause shit we ride BMW we are perfect

if you steal a loaf of bread your a criminal and belong in jail period - then again I hate a thief they are the bottom of pond scum, I don;t care if it is a .25 item of 25k dollar item

[budzee]

Any word yet?

[rlv]

I was going to stay out of this since my last post, but I'm having so much fun reading this hog wash bull shit that I am laughing my ass off.
You guy's from ca. are so self centered your pathetic, and neither of you can not see past the nose on your face.
You guy's have lost all of your rational out there, and I am sorry for you, but I do believe that I do understand why that is. With all of the gays, lesbians, bi sexual's, gang's, silly assed actor's and actress's running around out there, you guy's just don't know whether to shit or go blind.
Hell, Dave stole a loaf of bread, which was ok in his mind because he was hungry, and meese helped him eat it because their big buddies. Now their both mad because some guy burned the store down.
Hell, he was just trying to keep you guys from going to jail for theft.
Just let me explain a little something to you as I see it.
I know that your going to jump on this with both feet and tell me that I am wrong, and I just can't wait to read your reply's.
But here goes anyway.
In (my) understanding about the yellow lines.
With a double yellow line, nobody passes.
With a single yellow line on the opposite side of the hwy. you can pass if all is clear. Sometime's it is clear, sometime's it's not clear, if anything bad happens while your on the opposite side of the road, it is your fault. Drinking, not drinking, picking your nose to get the smog out or not, it is your fault.
OK listen up
If the yellow line is on your side of the road, the law says, (you are not to pass). It does not say that you pass if the coast is clear.
What the yellow line says, is, you are not suspose to pass period, no rationalizing it out and oh I can see a mile down the road and it is alright for me, I'll make it.
The yellow line on your side is saying that the police or traffic engineer's have scopped it all out, and if you are behind someone on this stretch of hwy, your view will or may be blocked at a critical point in time when in fact you may choose to pass.
It may be a drive way coming from the right, it may be a road coming from the right, it may be a place where kids are known to play and may run across the road blocked from your view while behind that vehicle in front of you.
you will not know what it is or what it was until you stick your smogged out snotty little nose's out in front of the vehicle that you have just passed.
If there's anything out there at that time.
Then it's usually to late.
But I have done this myself.
I have just not paid for it.
I think that Billy Lane has really done all biker's a favor that we don't yet know.
Our subconsious is probably at work on each and every one of us.
Some are still trying to rationalize it all out that billy lane is a jerk for doing what he did, and they have never done as bad as he, because it was just one yellow line that they passed on, oh, and that was not breaking the law.
Were all wresteling with it, and the best part about it is that when all the smog clears, I think that were all going to be just a little better driver while riding our bikes or in our car's, trucks, or what have you.

[meese]

http://www.salagir.com/gfx/troll-web.jpg

[dshealey]

http://www.salagir.com/gfx/troll-web.jpg

Don't worry Ken, I ran out of troll food, and was not planning to buy anymore anyway. :D

[Woolly]

Sorry Ken, but I'd go with RLV - he's NOT a troll - he's someone with an opinion (even if we might not agree with it) - we're all in charge of our own destiny. If it F***s up then that's very unlucky. I don't condone dui at all but, RLV has some very valid points . .. . . .

[fas]

........I never passed on a DOUBLE YELLOW.....

Really, NEVER....all those years and miles and you NEVER.....

Hummmmm?

Well, I have. And more than once I may have been over the posted speed limit. In fact, did today as two old blue hairs were doing 40 in a 55 zone trying to decide where they wanted to go.

Must be great to be able to say NEVER.

Take care and protect that NEVER.;)

Now, if the man who drove that truck killed that man on that scooter, and if that truck drivin' man was drunk, I say lock him up and throw away the key. Unless you're in the Dakotas of course....

Recently, I lost a pal who got hit by a drunk. This drunk was on DUI #6, he was from Mexico, and he was doing yard work in North Carolina. My pal's wife is still in a coma.

[UncleRock]

Looking back over these posts, at one point I seem to be a voice of reason???? :histerica
Does that give any indication of how F*%ked this has become??
Rock

[meese]

Yes, he has some valid points. But when he continues spewing hatred towards a particular group (in this case, Californians) and then picks out specific individuals to target directly, and then spends more time deriding his opponents than actually making his points, then that falls under troll.

We all know what the yellow lines mean, and don't need several paragraphs explaining it. We're all aware of the laws for passing, speeding, red lights, etc. And most of us will push those laws if we feel that the opportunity is there and it can be done safely. Heck, he even admitted that he does it too.

Plus he hasn't said anything new on the original topic but rather has drug up a week-old thread just to poke fun at others for his own amusement.

...I'm having so much fun reading this hog wash bull shit that I am laughing my ass off...

...You guy's from ca...

...I know that your going to jump on this with both feet and tell me that I am wrong, and I just can't wait to read your reply's...So I stand by my call. In this case, he's a classic troll.

[eljeffe]

This thread is done.