The Sturgis Legendary Buffalo Chip has teamed up with GEICO for a special “30 Years Strong – Sturgis Buffalo Chip” bike give-away during this year’s 71st annual Sturgis Rally. Victory Motorcycles, another one of The Chip’s official sponsors, provided one of their classic, Kingpin 8-Ball cruisers for customization to Klock Werks Kustom Cycle.To get a […]
Author Archive for cyrilhuze
71th Sturgis Rally Buffalo Chip Give-Away Bike
Published by April 26th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Custom Chrome Launches Jammer and Touring Catalogs
Published by April 26th, 2011 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.No doubt than during at least the last 5 years the motorcycle industry was forced to reshape around 2 big trends. 1- Baby-boomer bikers looking for the comfort and reliability that touring models provide. 2- All age categories, youngsters and gray beards discovering or rediscovering the charms classic motorcycle design. Manufacturers, builders, part vendors and […]
It Happened in Vegas. Compliment Of The Month.
Published by April 26th, 2011 in Editorial and Events.I don’t brag. Every month I receive lots of emails congratulating me for my work with this Blog. Sometimes, the compliment comes in unexpected ways, like this story reported to me by the one and only builder, reader, commentator of my posts and Texan Jeff Nicklus. Read it, and continue to send me your stories (of […]
Polaris Industries On A Shopping Spree. After Indian, Acquiring Global Electric Motocars
Published by April 26th, 2011 in Builders, Editorial and Events.The low-emission small vehicle market has a huge growth potential. And of course Polaris Industries want its market share. The company just announced an agreement to acquire Global Electric Motorcars LLC (GEM), a wholly owned Fargo, N.D. based subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC and manufacturer of premium electric-powered vehicles. GEM is the recognized leader within […]
Christoph Madaus, an avid biker for the last 33 years (he owns several Harleys, XLCR 1000, XR1000, FXR, Night Rod Special, Road King and a very special KHRM) is a talented German interior designer at Madaus Design and a custom motorcycle builder building only for himself under the label The German Motorcycle Authority. His most […]
American Chopper Senior vs. Junior Returns Tonight April 25th
Published by April 25th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Events and Videos.
Jesse James To Produce How-To and Extreme Motorsports Entertainment Series.
Published by April 24th, 2011 in Builders, Editorial and Videos.Most of the TV shows in which Jesse James was starring (History of The Chopper, Iraq Confidential, Jesse James: Blacksmith, Jesse James is a Dead Man, etc) were produced by his own production company named Payupsucker Productions (like the tattoo in the palm of his hand) that he created in 2004. Jesse James’ Payupsucker Productions […]
Third Generation Confederate Hellcat
Published by April 24th, 2011 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.From Confederate Motor Company the Birmingham, Alabama manufacturer of very limited edition high end motorcycles, a 3rd generation of the Hellcat model equipped with a 132″ (2160 cc) square C3 X132 engine (bore 4.4 x stroke 4.4) with its patented minimalist fusion design and adjustable front & rear suspension. A Hell raiser that you can […]
The announcement of Polaris Industries buying Indian Motorcycle Limited from the UK based Stellican private equity firm was quite a surprise to many. But the fact that Indian Motorcycle would go for sale was not unexpected by most industry insiders. Not because they thought that the Kings Mountain company was in financial trouble but simply because Stellican […]
The Inner workings Of Motorcycle Suspension (Part 2)
Published by April 23rd, 2011 in Customs and Suspension.After understanding Springs and Dampers, and before personalizing your motorcycle suspension to your taste and needs (Lower? Firmer Spring? Height adjustable?, you must also understand Shock Pre-load and how to make Shock Sag Adjustments. In this Part 2, Progressive Suspension explains what you should know before choosing between all custom suspension options. 3- Shock Preload […]
Knuckle Shuffle. A Fun Ride To Raise Money For The Kennedy High School Chopper Class
Published by April 23rd, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Kevin “teach” Bass is the high school metal teacher whose life is dedicated to offer his students a better and richer education through motorcycle building. Every year Kevin relies on the generosity of the custom motorcycle industry to help him keep his class alive and welcomes any support that can be provided under the form […]
BAKER Drivetrain Working After Hours
Published by April 22nd, 2011 in Customs, Driveline and Editorial.Until Labor Day, BAKER Drivetrain phone lines (Tech & Sales) will be staffed from 8 am – 7 pm EDT Monday through Thursday, and Friday from 8 am to 5 pm EDT. Why? Because it’s riding season and BAKER wants to better meet the needs of its customers. So, you are better off entering right now […]
S&S Cycle to Stand Behind Big Dog Motorcycle Engine Warranties
Published by April 22nd, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.You own a Big Dog motorcycle owner and after the announcement of the closure of Big Dog Motorcycle Company you wonder where to turn to for warranty support on your bike Though the official BDM warranty ended with the company being foreclosed by its lender then dissolved, S&S Cycle is stepping up to the plate […]
Steve McQueen Collection Of Racing Trophies To Be auctioned.
Published by April 22nd, 2011 in Editorial and Events.In addition to Steve McQueen’s well-documented 1971 Husqvarna 400 motorcycle, Bonhams will be auctioning the iconic actor’s collection of racing trophies in Carmel, California, on May 14th. The nearly two-dozen pieces in the King of Cool’ collection will be sold individually and with no reserve. Spanning a period from the late 1950s to the mid-70s, […]
Harley-Davidson Celebrating Latino Motorcycle Culture
Published by April 22nd, 2011 in Builders, Editorial, Events and Videos.La Banda Films announced the release of the documentary film, Harlistas: An American Journey, premiering April 2011. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Alfredo de Villa and follows the emotional journeys of real-life Harlistas – Harley riders of Latino heritage – as they seek adventure, camaraderie and achievement of the American Dream. The documentary […]
The Guts And Glory Rally Postponed Or Canceled?
Published by April 21st, 2011 in Editorial and Events.The Guts & Glory Rally across American is (was?) an event whose objective, like the 2010 Hoka Hey Challenge, to test endurance of bikers during 11 days, across 48 states for a total of 9000 miles with a grand prize winner initially announced at $100,000. The concept was created by John White who was the #1 […]
Jeff Decker grew up in the hustle and bustle of Southern California, heavily influenced by his father who raced, customized, collected old cars and owned one of the country largest vintage speed equipment collection. With him, young boy Jeff visited Steve McQueen, Ed Roth and Von Dutch and spent most of his weekends prowling aisles […]
Serious Bagger By A New Kid On The Block
Published by April 21st, 2011 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Let’s give a push to a “kid” named Curtis Hofmann who made impression with this Bagger at the recent Donnie Smith Bike Show. Curtis Hofmann paid his dues in Southern California, working successively at 3 Harley-Davidson dealerships, then at 2 independent custom chopper shops. Back in his native state of Minnesota he started Hofmann Designs […]
The ISDE (International Six Days Enduro) is 6 days of grueling riding over varied and demanding terrain, and the strains placed on the bike are tremendous. The lubricants must withstand shearing and thermal breakdown, and be able to perform despite the dirt, sand, dust, water, mud and extreme heat of the race — and never […]
Flash News. Polaris Stock Up 26% For The Day.
Published by April 20th, 2011 in Builders, Editorial and Events.At 12.45 pm April 20, 2011 (Eastern). Polaris Industries stock (PII) up 26% in morning after announcing 1st quarter results and Indian Motorcycle acquisition. Up 48% year to date.
BAKER Tin Primary. A Classic Reinvented.
Published by April 20th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Driveline and Editorial.Regarding motorcycle parts, today’s trend is to re-engineer classic designs with current technology to improve durability, reliability and performance. S&S Cycle did it with its new Shovelhead, Panhead, and Knucklehead engine designs and Bert Bakers follows by providing an essential piece of the combo, the tin primary. BAKER took that classic 1936-64 tin design and […]
The music, videos, fashion, and other artistic endeavors of Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, do nothing to me. I am completely indifferent to her outré sense of style in fashion, in performance and in her music videos. But when last week she revealed the cover of her new […]
Polaris Reports Record First Quarter 2011 Results
Published by April 20th, 2011 in Builders, Editorial and Events.This morning April 20,2011, Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE:PII) today reported record first quarter net income of $47.3 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. By comparison, 2010 first quarter net income was $19.8 million, or $0.59 per diluted share. Off-road vehicle sales rose 55 percent to $388 million. On-Road […]
Breaking News. Polaris Buys Indian Motorcycle Limited.
Published by April 19th, 2011 in Builders and Events.After weeks of speculation and although Indian Motorcycle refused again to confirm my information last week, it’s now official. Polaris has bought Indian Motorcycle. Having met personally with Indian’s Chairman Stephen Julius in 2006 before the official launch of the new Indian Chief, I knew that his objective, like he did with his other ventures, […]
Harley-Davidson First Quarter Earnings Soaring
Published by April 19th, 2011 in Builders, Editorial and Events.This morning April 19, 2011 just before Wall-Street opening bell, Harley-Davidson (HOG) said first-quarter earnings soared to $119.3 million, or 51 cents a share, from $33.3 million, or 14 cents a share, a year earlier as worldwide sales of motorcycles rose 3.5% and operating income at its financial division skyrocketed. Harley-Davidson said operating income from […]
