Just a reminder to tell you that “360 Brake” being one of the sponsors of my Blog, you get free shipping on your order until March 1st when you mention my name. And trust me, they look very cool on New, Old and No Skool custom bikes. You can order the 5″ standard or the 6″ big brake and […]
Archive for February, 2009
Forget the airbrushed perfection of the pinups adorning our sled gas tanks, or the cold flat chested models competing with the beauty of our custom motorcycles in magazine double spreads. This gorgeous hard cover book called “Suicide Girls” was created to demonstrate that beauty comes in many forms, not a single cookie cutter shape & […]
Best Valentine’s Day Gift For Her?
Published by February 10th, 2009 in Accessories, Editorial and Events.Of course, you know that in addition to heart-shaped/doves/winged cupid filled love notes, candles (always more than one), flowers, living plants and Godiva chocolate are the top list of what men give to women. But a rapid poll around me with my lady friends convinced me that Sexy Lingerie should be at the top of […]
Sucker Punch Sally’s Unveils 5 New Custom Bikes
Published by February 10th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Cincinnati. Another pole of attraction (I mean during the trade show, not after hours) was the Sucker Punch Sally’s display where 5 new bikes were unveiled. One, dubbed “The Workingman”, is similar to “The Traditional” but with a DNA Springer, Ultima transmission and solid color paint for $18995 and $1000 with a $1000 […]
Billy Lane Attorney And Prosecutor Set April 7th As Plea Date
Published by February 9th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.As I reported last week plea negotiations are going on between the State Of Florida and Billy Lane’s lawyer Greg Eisenmenger. For this reason the Judge has canceled the trial initially scheduled to start today February 9th. A tentative plea date of April 7th has been set as negotiations continue. “We’re in agreement on all […]
V-Twin Expo. Business Is Back Belonging To The Pros.
Published by February 9th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Events.So just like it wasn’t the case that everybody in the country was making a mint flipping houses a few years ago, it also isn’t the case that everybody is doing bad in the motorcycle industry. We certainly can’t deny that unemployment is rising and earnings are hurting, but this daily drumbeat of negative […]
First, “Ride Wright Wheels” is a company building all their wheels in-house. Second, they have a large choice of spoke wheels in any powder coating color combination. Third, their wheels are available to fit all the latest 2009 models and of course all custom sizes from 16” to 23”. Fourth, their prices […]
Late 1930’s Indian Motorcycle Replica
Published by February 9th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Today, stopped by the V-Twin Expo Kiwi Indian (booth # 9) where Big Chief Mike Tomas was very proud (as he should be) to show me this new bike that he designed and built replicating the late 1930’s Indian Motorcycle era, but of course using all new Kiwi components that they manufacture in house: rigid frame, […]
Evil Engineering Unveils Its New Kicker/Kickstein Belt Drive
Published by February 8th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Driveline and Editorial.New for 2009 and just unveiled in Cincinnati is this new Open Belt Drive System. Evil Engineering’s HT belt drive technology is now available for your generator/alternator case kicker motorcycle. This 2” all Billet Kicker/Kickstein belt drive utilizes the H.O.T belts giving you three-tooth engagement, as opposed to a standard straight single-tooth engagement belt. Benefit? […]
Good surprise this morning for the V-Twin Expo grand opening. Unusual warm emperature for Ohio in winter. The last displays, bikes & parts were unloaded whithout risking to slip on ice. Nothing more depressing than to see 1 year of labor destroyed in 1 minute, and I have seen it before. Motorcycle dealers from all over the […]
I always loved skinny and narrow gas tanks. A lot of my bikes are equipped with one-offs which we fabricated at the shop because it was impossible to find one pleasing my taste. Until 1 hour ago when I stumbled on this Torpedo steel gas tank showing its lines for the 1st time on the […]
Brass Ball Bobbers Model 1. First Pictures.
Published by February 7th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Events.As promised last Thursday, here the 1st pictures of the new Brass Balls Bobber Model 1 unveiled this morning on the floor of the V-Twin Expo. Not the best pictures (taken late yesterday evening under unflattering neon lights while the bike was pushed to its display), but you get a pretty good idea of what […]
Who dared to tell you that a V-Twin engine doesn’t look like a piece of jewelry? Now you can Motor Ring 24/7 with this outstanding handcrafted ring comprised of 19 separate components in 18 K Gold or Platinum. I wish that bike show organizers gave me one like that, instead of 6-foot high gold plastic […]
I hate cold and leaving my South Florida diggs in winter. I am right now the guy at the Fort-Lauderdale airport wearing the largest number of clothing layers ready to fight cold in Cincinnati when I arrive this afternoon. Fortunately my hotel will be a few feet away from the entrance of the Duke Energy center where […]
Billy Lane Trial. Plea Bargain In The Works.
Published by February 5th, 2009 in Builders, Controls, Editorial and Events.I was with Billy last Thursday at a private event. Although we very rarely talked about his legal issues during the last 2 1/2 years, but knowing that his trial was starting on Monday February 9th, I asked him if it was possible for him to get probation. His answer was that he already knew […]
New $15,995 Brass Ball Bobber To Be Unveiled At V-Twin Expo And Here In My Blog.
Published by February 5th, 2009 in Editorial.Since opening “Brass Balls Bobbers”, custom builder Dar Holdsworth has only one mantra “Building The Above Average Bike For The Average Joe”. The state of the economy being what it is, Dar just added to his philosophy “…For Much Below The Price Joe Could Ever Expect To Pay Today”. And to prove it, he tells […]
Custom Chrome® Changing The Way Motorcycle Parts Distribution Is Done.
Published by February 5th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.In all industries, including ours, the way business is done is changing. Some of us embrace change. Others fear it. And those who are paralyzed are making a big mistake. Understanding the power of internet, its omnipresence in our personal and professional life, Custom Chrome, one of the largest distributor of after-market motorcycle parts in […]
Very representative of what builders have built during these last 5 years, this “GL Special” built by Steve Broyles Senior. & Junior of Stevenson’s Cycle just won The Canada Cup top Award at the 2009 Motorcycle Supershow held January 2 to 4 in Toronto. Not since 1996 has […]
Each custom bike builder has is own obsessive theme. For Greg Rice it’s everything aggressive, sharp and pointed. Looking for a new place to decline his warrior at war theme, Greg imagined this new spiked points cover to complete his bad look/bad ride Deepsickness line of parts. CNC machined from 6061 T6 billet aluminum. It’s available […]
Billionaire Warren Buffet Buys 300 Million Of Harley-Davidson Debt
Published by February 4th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.As the global credit crunch weakens corporations, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is arranging private deals with some of the most recognizable U.S. brands and taking advantage of rising interest rates. Berkshire agreed to buy $300 million of Harley-Davidson debt, getting a huge 15 percent interest on the senior unsecured note. Davis Selected Advisers LP, […]
Keith “Bandit” Ball To Autograph His Books At V-Twin Expo
Published by February 4th, 2009 in Books, Controls and Events.During the V-Twin Expo, Keith “Bandit” Ball, an icon of the publishing industry (Easyrider then Bikernet) will be signing his 2 latest books, “How to build a Bonneville Salt Flats Motorcycle” and “Orwell” a popular fiction novel depicting the true biker lifestyle. “How To Build A Bonneville Salt Flats Motorcycle” was written while Keith was […]
Custom Chrome® Partners With Independent Cycle Inc/Legend Air Suspensions
Published by February 3rd, 2009 in Customs, Editorial and Events.Custom Chrome and Custom Chrome Europe just announced the addition of the Independent Cycle/Legend Air Suspension line for their 2009 catalog season. Independent Cycle Inc. has been aggressively researching its options to expand its global distribution of Legend Air Suspensions and other fine products throughout the United States and Europe. After intense market Independent chose Custom […]
Next Generation Of Motorcycle Builders At The V-Twin Expo.
Published by February 3rd, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.You know one of the main recurring topics of the motorcycle industry. Attract young bikers. Some are talking, some are acting to insure our industry future. Like this group of next generation builders touring the country under the label “Limpnickie Lot” (because it’s the name of the 1st place […]
Santiago Chopper Trick Trike Chassis Kits
Published by February 3rd, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Fortunately, you can’t stop love for motorcycles. Unfortunately, you can’t stop aging. So some baby-boomers, with the help of an encouraging wife, are tempted to add a 3rd wheel to feel more comfortable on the open road. Except a dozen of very radical trikes appearing every year on the custom scene (please, stay away from […]
Addressing The Internal and External Realities of the V-Twin Industry
Published by February 3rd, 2009 in Editorial and Events.This post reserved to all motorcycle industry professionals. Sales, Service, Trends, the Old New, the New Old, and the Next New. A meeting for all makers, media, and manufacturers. Join Metzeler for the 2009 Annual Metzeler Cincinnati V-Twin Expo Roundtable Breakfast Saturday February 7, 2009 ay 8 AM, 2nd floor Duke Energy Center – Seminar room […]
Iron Cross Risers For Harley-Davidson Cross Bones
Published by February 2nd, 2009 in Controls, Customs and Editorial.Newly styled like a post war era Bobber, you know that the Cross is fitted with a Springer front end and ape-hanger handlebars. New York City Choppers just released these replacement risers for all HD Crossbones & Springer front ends. They use all your original Harley mounting studs & bushings. Available in gloss black, in […]
