This is were I was in my evolution as a bikerider in 1978 with my Harley.

I am involved with ABATE of Illinois in all its renditions since 1977, joining the original ABATE of Illinois that was approved by Easyriders Magazine. I am still the Secretary of Central Illinois ABATE, Inc, that was started in the aftermath of the first ABATE of Illinois becoming defunct for non-filing of the Corporate Report to Secretary of State in the Spring of 1985. We started Cen IL ABATE in July 1985. We didn't know until years later that the former State Director, Bill Orce, had moved to South Dakota and that's why we lost touch with him. He passed away a couple of years ago, I found that I was actually older than him by about 4 months. He told me in the beginning, that the Idea that is ABATE (A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments) (this is the original name) is just that, an Idea. It doesn't work if you don't have people involved to make it work. I was District 3 Director from May 1980 to April 1984, when Swede took over as the Director. The Factory, Outboard Marine Corporation in Galesburg was closing and that's where most of us were employed.