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 […]
Archive for the 'Builders' Category
BAKER Tin Primary. A Classic Reinvented.
Published by April 20th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Driveline and Editorial.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 […]
Nothing that can be ridden on the street nor compete for a world championship of bike building. Not what most people would expect from Danny Schneider at Hardnine Choppers in Switzerland after all the media exposure his custom DMX received last year. Danny builds what he wants with the money of the day… One lousy […]
Language barrier. One week that I try to have a technical discussion with the Italian Ragazzos of Garage 65 in Tuscany about their over-the-top latest creation called Stargate. Impossible to understand each other in English or French so the mysterious technicalities of this latin metal wonder will not be discovered by me until I check […]
Luxury Motorcycle Taxi Service Coming To New York City And Los Angeles
Published by April 17th, 2011 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Cars, buses, limos and taxis immobilized in traffic . A several times a day occurrence in big cities like Los Angeles and New York City. Are motorcycle taxis the solution to navigate more easily and faster from point A to point B? Several european cities offer this service with more or less success since many […]
Sturgis Road Show In Harrisburg, PA (Part 3) Bike Show Winners.
Published by April 17th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Building on already early season successes of the Custom Chrome International Bike Show Series, Kundratic Kustoms was proudly named the inaugural Sturgis Road Show Champion today with their highly innovative bike, Boardtracker. Featuring front and rear perimeter braking, an S&S Knuckle motor, and many handbuilt components, Kundratic Kustoms Boardtracker was a show stopper from day […]
Sturgis Road Show In Harrisburg, PA (Part 2)
Published by April 17th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.Why do I show you only people and not the best bikes present at this weekend the Sturgis Road Show and competing in the Custom Chrome North American Bike Competition? For a simple and very good reason. At 4 pm EST, the big winners will be called on stage to receive their trophies. I know […]
Harley-Davidson Versus Polaris Stock.
Published by April 17th, 2011 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Stock market analysts are daily piling up numbers about the companies they follow. From P/E ratios (dividing the company’s share price by its earnings per share EPS), to free cash flow (FCF) to net income variations (margin ranges) to consistency of past earnings and cash flow, to 5-year trailing and 5-year estimated future growth, etc. The […]
Sturgis Road Show In Harrisburg, PA (Part 1)
Published by April 16th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.In August, bikers take the road to Sturgis, SD for the world’s largest rally. This year, for the 1st time ever, the Sturgis Rally takes the road to Pennsylvania for the 1st Sturgis Road Show in Harrisburg. A new concept that surprised many but justified by the organizers by the fact that for many bikers […]
Custom parts designer and motorcycles builder John Reed lives atop of some hills of California with wild peacocks paying daily visits to his house. Who knows why, they are not afraid of him?!? and love his bikes…One peacock in particular likes to emit a very loud high pitched cry and doesn’t stop fanning its iridescent blue-green […]
What Do You Get At Ducati For $11,995. A Monster 1100 Evo.
Published by April 15th, 2011 in Builders and Editorial.It just arrived in US dealerships and if I talk again about it it’s because I hear repetitevely that orders for this model are piling up. It’s the latest version of Ducati’s naked line sporting the 1100 Sports, a 100 HP L-twin engine, the most powerful 2-valve that the Italian maker ever made. This new Monster […]
So, You Want To Become A Harley-Davidson Dealer?
Published by April 15th, 2011 in Builders and Editorial.First time I got this question. It came from a friend who is a long time biker and successful professional investor, 2 criteria that Harley-Davidson absolutely love from its prospective dealers. So, even if you don’t intend to be like Harley says “a keeper of their unique culture” by investing millions in what the company […]
Big Bear Choppers Retains 25 Jobs Through Assistance
Published by April 14th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Big Bear Choppers retained 25 jobs through a Layoff Aversion Program with assistance from the San Bernardino Workforce Investment Board (WIB). The program, issued by the WIB through funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provides technical support for manufacturers aiming to retain their employees through targeted strategies. Vincent McCoy, Director of the Inland […]
1- Harley-Davidson License Plates Debut In Wisconsin. The first-ever Harley-Davidson branded automotive license plate is available to drivers in Wisconsin. The Harley-Davidson/Share the Road plate can be ordered for automobiles, light trucks and motor homes (but not for motorcycles, even Harleys!) for a $15 issuance fee and an annual $25 donation to support safety initiatives […]
I discovered this new old school Panhead Chopper at the Custom Chrome North American Championship . And when it was rolled to its competition spot, it was kind of panic at the show among other builders. This custom called Panic is so full of interesting details that in any bike show competitors will fear…Jerry Wasemiller […]
Akira Bike Replica. Almost Famous And For sale.
Published by April 13th, 2011 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.This ultra un-functional replica of Kaneda’s bike from Akira was built with the only purpose of being used by rapper singer and record producer Kanye West in one of his music videos. At editing, the shots showing this bike were cut making it almost worthless non only to ride but even for the Kanye West […]
High-Tech Italian Cafe Racer Inspired By John Britten
Published by April 12th, 2011 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.CR&S Motorcycles (an acronym of Cafe Racers & Superbikes) is an Italian company whose original founders (Roberto Crepaldi & Carlo Talamo) were inspired by a meeting with legendary John Britten that led them to build the CR&S Britten V1000 a very successful creation competing throughout the world. Following the death of John Britten, the CR&S team […]
Victory Motorcycles Test Ride $100 Challenge
Published by April 12th, 2011 in Builders, Editorial and Videos.Polaris just launched an original and interesting promotion to prove you than nobody can beat a Victory motorcycle for performance, style & comfort. You schedule a test ride at a Victory Dealership to test the model of your choice, then take a competitor bike for a spin. “You buy a Victory, you get the best. You […]
Sturgis Road Show™ Countdown to Event
Published by April 12th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.The doors open on Friday, April 15 at the Farm Show Complex & Expo Center (FSC) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for the world premiere of the 2011 Sturgis Road Show™ . Promoter John Detrick, CEO of Motoring USA, launched the final countdown to the April 15-17 weekend bash by unveiling the official Sturgis Road Show magazine featuring […]
Custom Chrome European Series Champion. A BSA Gold Star Named Son Of A Gun.
Published by April 11th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.The first engine powered bicycle produced by BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) was launched in 1905 with a small Minerva engine attached to it. By the 1950’s the company was producing more than 75.000 bikes and was the largest manufacturer of motorcycles worldwide. At that time the Gold Star became a very popular roadster and racing […]
Jesse James And Jeff Decker Unearth One Of The Most Famous Racing Motorcycles In American History.
Published by April 10th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.“Certified Motorcycle Nuts” Jeff Decker & Jesse James love to do investigative work to discover the rarest, so the most valuable motorcycles and memorabilia of our motorcycle industry. And they just scored huge with the unearthing of the “Tramp” one of the most famous dual purpose motorcycles of the 1950’s. Built by George Smith Sr. […]
Fast Motorcycle Industry News
Published by April 9th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.1- Harley-Davidson and other brands motorcycle sales in the US. There is a consensus in the industry that beginning of year 2011 is much better than it has been during the last 3 years (for me too, with an increase of close to 40% in custom parts sales versus last year.) But it comes with […]
All Big Dog Motorcycles Drivetrain Service Parts Available Directly From Baker
Published by April 8th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Driveline and Editorial.Following the demise of Big Dog Motorcycles as a motorcycles manufacturer, Baker Drivetrain informs all current Big Dog owners at all dealers (ex Big Dog or not) that their service parts and upgrades will continue to be available directly from them for all Big Dog Makes and Models. Whether you need an inspection cover, replacement o-ring, top cover or want […]
Art Of The Chopper “Haut Moteur” Exhibit. June 24 To October 2, 2011
Published by April 8th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.“Imagine motorcycles, unlike any you’ve seen before, arrayed on pedestals and resplendent in their sculptural variety. These are extravagant mechanical confections. Like Fabergé eggs with engines, they are exquisite yet hard-boiled. Forget bikers. Think Haut Moteur. Just as a couturier’s gown goes from runway to rack with each new season—an archetype of fashion unveiled, so […]
