Brendon Thompson was mentored in the techniques of forming sheet metal by Don Baumunk the owner of Fat Katz. During 13 years he has been building all of their custom gas tanks and now just started his own company named Elite Metal Designs (Fat Katz is still producing stamped fenders Trendsetter, Troubadour and the Cool […]
Archive for the 'Chassis' Category
Need Some Help With Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication?
Published by June 8th, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.New Old School Sancho Rigid Frame
Published by June 1st, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.With a direct filiation to the Dropper frame also fabricated by old school frame expert John Grant (also creator of the clever Swift Kick) the new Sancho rigid frame is a good base for a very nostalgic custom built, whatever the powerplant you intend to ise: Sportster, Evo or Shovel (same engine mounts), Knucklehead or […]
New Contoured Billet Rack For Harley-Davidson Touring Bikes
Published by May 29th, 2010 in Accessories, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Like others in the industry, Ron Loynds, the man behind the wild MetalSport 3-D Wheels, has quite a few ideas to improve the style of Harley-Davidson touring bikes. Example is this new Tour-Pak Set machined out of a single piece of billet aircraft aluminum and then formed to the contour of the trunk lid. It’s […]
On Demand Custom Sportster Gas Tanks
Published by May 25th, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Vision Design Studios created a web page to choose the way you want your Sportster gas tank to be custom (re) built. You choose your style, mounting position and configuration right down to the position of your fuel petcock (if your bike is carburated). Frisco mount tunnel? Dished in tank sides? Sight glass? Relocated gas […]
Easy To Build Custom Chopper Chassis
Published by May 25th, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.This nice chopper chassis is a collaboration between well known frame manufacturer Kraft/Tech and manufacturer/distributor Kustomwerks. Conceived to offer a simple and affordable solution to those who want to assemble a nice rigid bike without to worry about custom fabrication and fitment.
New Old School Motorcycle Luggage Racks.
Published by May 20th, 2010 in Accessories, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.After the return of the solo leather saddlebag, of the leather or tin tool box, what is the accessory to add to your bike to make it look even more period correct? Of course a rear fender luggage rack. The classic 5-rail stock version was bulky and doesn’t fit well with today’s narrower old style […]
The Debate About Fiberglass Versus PPO/PA Plastic Motorcycle Saddlebags
Published by May 19th, 2010 in Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Hey, when I published an article about Sinister Industries and its PPO/PA plastic material 4″ extended saddlebags, some wondered about the material used on their own stock and after-market motorcycle bags, and others in the industry producing fiberglass bags were not to happy that I ‘advertised” PPO/PA plastic. First let me mention again that Harley-Davidson […]
Designed by Nash Motorcycles and fabricated by John Grant, the creator of the clever Swift Kick this old school style rigid frame is sold in the basic geometry 30-degree rake, 1″ backbone stretch, 1″ up stretch up with a cool seat height of 20″ can also be custom ordered in different configurations. Neck, axle plates, […]
Flash Back. Arlen Ness 1977 “Harley Hauler”
Published by May 14th, 2010 in Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Since this year Arlen Ness is celebrating his 40th Anniversary in the biz, a short flash back to show the industry younger cats how it was in the 70’s. No Semi to trail custom bikes and parts to shows around the country. Arlen had this van customized for him for his long, long miles on […]
Custom Motorcycle Frame Builder And Beyond.
Published by May 9th, 2010 in Chassis, Driveline, Editorial and Engines.You know that a motorcycle frame is the first critical part on which to never sacrifice quality and integrity. Better work with experts who work on frame tables, use professional jigs, know about tubing bends, cross members and braces, and have the welding know-how to get a straight frame with a safe geometry. After that, […]
Rare Vintage Motorcycle Parts. Bid Them Up.
Published by May 4th, 2010 in Chassis, Customs, Editorial and Seats.This small company carries a bunch of relatively rare vintage and customized parts, seats and clothing. So, I thought that some f you could find the piece they are looking for. Advice, contact Adam and make an offer below the listed price. Jump to Bear Parts Co.
Harley-Davidson Touring Bike Audio Saddlebag Lids
Published by May 1st, 2010 in Accessories, Chassis, Customs, Editorial and Electrical.No need to worry about moisture getting to the electronics. This new water-resistant saddlebag speaker system utilizes marine quality 6” x 9” full range speakers and is waterproofed by a revolutionary speaker grill.
Harley-Davidson Bat Wing Fairing Saver
Published by April 26th, 2010 in Accessories, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Harley-davidson Electra Glide, Ultra Classic, Street Glide, Electra Glide Classic and Electra Glide Standard Fairings have a known weakness. Sooner or later, because of normal vibrations and/or those created by a lose motor mount, your upper fairing bracket may break. Hard to see in your mirrors or unusual fairing vibrations may tell you that the […]
Weld-On Solo Seat Spring Mounts
Published by April 14th, 2010 in Chassis, Customs, Editorial and Seats.These ready to weld mounts mild steel supports make mounting your solo seat a breeze. Lowbrow Customs is offering them already coped for a perfect fit on 1″ frame tubing, with the shaft already cross-drilled for the supplied spring cotter pin. A set of leather base washers are included to keep your springs from squeaking. […]
Customizing Your Harley-Davidson Dyna With A Little Help From Fred Kodlin
Published by April 11th, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.New from fellow German Custom Builder Fred Kodlin, a series of new sleek and dark parts for Dyna models, including the raw looking “Street Bob”. Wide tire rear tire still being popular with the Harley crowd, Fred designed this smooth lines 240 mm fender with integrated fender struts (delivered in raw finish). It’s a bolt-on […]
The Story Of The World’s First 30” Front Wheeled Harley-Davidson Bagger
Published by April 1st, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs, Editorial and Wheels.Last January, when I published the stated first 30” wheel, it provoked a lot of passionate comments in my Blog . Both regarding its size and the tire necessary to dress it. Controversy amplified when I informed you that its first use will be as a Bagger front wheel. Like many professionals, I had the […]
New Stretched Motorcycle Bags And Fenders. The Way Harley-Davidson Makes Them.
Published by March 30th, 2010 in Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Harley-Davidson makes its touring bags out of ABS (PPO/PA Plastic). Most after-market companies make theirs out of fiberglass and some out of carbon fiber.
A Reservoir With Split Personality. Gas And Oil.
Published by March 23rd, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Want something different and an easy way to clean the look of your bike without to worry about where to install your oil tank? This custom reservoir holds 3 quarts of oil on the left side and 2 gallons of gas on the right side. Tunnel is 2 1/2″ high with in front a universal […]
Paughco Sportster Rubber Mounted Rigid Chopper Frames
Published by March 13th, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Own an Evo Sportster and want to turn it into a rigid chopper? Paughco has 2 new options to help you make the metamorphosis. The Single Loop Rigid Bobber frame is designed for 1986-2003 Sportster engines and features a distinctive 1 1/2” single loop downtube and 1 1/8” lower frame rails. A variety of rake, […]
Klock Werks New Downforce Harley-Davidson Windshields
Published by February 20th, 2010 in Accessories, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.At this year’s V-Twin Expo Klock Werks proposed its FLARE Windshield in a new 8.5″ high size, in 3 versions: tint, dark smoke and black (3.5″, 8.5″ and 11.5″ FLARE Windshields are also available for different touring models). The company was also showing for the 1st time a FLARE version for Harley Softails and Road Kings. […]
Fat Katz Non Vented Pop Up Gas Cap
Published by February 4th, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.What is the remedy to some pop-up gas caps leaking gas by the vent? Simply, a non vented gas cap to use with a vented gas tank. Fat Katz, a leader in custom gas tanks and fenders, like many builders and owners of their custom built bikes, decided that it was time to end the problem […]
New from Heartland USA, a specialist of design solutions to improve the look of many stock Haley-Davidson models, this new set of bags fitting their wide tire conversion kits. These bags were conceived for those who have the occasional need to carry more, for example for a weekend out of town or a little bit […]
How To Scotch Brite Your Motorcycle Chrome Parts
Published by January 12th, 2010 in Builders, Chassis and Customs.A lesson in “Scotch Briting” your chrome motorcycle parts for an aged/stainless look, By Dar Holdswoth at Darwin Motorcycles (Brass Balls Bobbers).
New Pandemonium Gas Tank
Published by January 7th, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Evidently for custom applications, this new steel gas tank is setup for the petcock to be installed in the bottom rear to let you run till’ the last drop of gas. A clear fuel hose is used as a gauge and the 2 line fittings are in brass. Capacity is 2.2 gallon and it will […]
Most Simple Frame. No Chain. Ouch.
Published by December 30th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.When, like me, you obsessively research all new design ideas on 2 wheels you find everything from the best function with the poorest design to the ultimate design, which is always simplicity, with the poorest ergonomic factor, and of course everything between.
A New Type Of Motorcycle Front Suspension. No Forks!
Published by December 26th, 2009 in Chassis, Customs, Editorial and Suspension.James Parker tells you that he invented a motorcycle front suspension much better than the traditional forks. It’s called the RADD system. Below is the video demonstration at the shop and on the track…(sent to me from Canada by Arlene The Biker Queen).
