All artists, and of course you can put all custom builders in this group, are inspired by their own God. He talks to them in his own way to inspire them new concepts and designs. And when a custom builder gets a revelation about what to build, you know that he will never stop working […]
Archive for the 'Builders' Category
Custom Vintage Racer As Homage To A Father
Published by January 17th, 2011 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.New Avon Boss Performance Grips. Like No Others.
Published by January 16th, 2011 in Builders, Controls, Customs and Editorial.In 2 weeks at the Cincinnati V-Twin Expo, Avon Grips is going to show its full lines of grips and pegs and will unveil a new all aluminum design that is radically different from any other in the market. Famous for its ergonomic designs, Avon designed it with a “Coke Bottle” shape providing a very […]
Italy Verona Motor Bike Expo
Published by January 15th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Welcome to Verona, the city of the most famous lovers in history: Romeo and Juliet. All the european motorcycle industry and a contingent of American builders and vendors will be in town on the weekend of January 21-23rd, 2011 to show their bikes, parts, and participate to a very important AMD World Championship Of Bike […]
Gorgeous Slammed Honda VT1300 Conversion
Published by January 14th, 2011 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Background. Last Fall, Southern California based Honda Research & Development Americas asked 3 of its young designers to build custom motorcycles based on the 2010 Honda VT1300 series (all models are less than $11,000 and use the excellent 52-degree 1312cc liquid-cooled V-Twin engine with overhead cam, two spark plugs per cylinder and three valves per […]
How To Turn a Lighter Into a Motorcycle
Published by January 14th, 2011 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Until today I didn’t know I was carrying a motorcycle in my pocket. Yes, from a lighter (Bic brand or not) you can build a motorcycle (or a Bic Cycle.) Maybe a way to help smokers kick the habit and anyway better than watching a TV realty show during your long winter evenings. Didn’t have […]
Always loved 60’s and 70’s Triumphs. Even more when they are customized with a bare bone look. So, this post to congratulate (and plug) a little shop in New-Jersey called TT Cycles (Steve Blaufeder and Dennis Harrold) doing a very nice Triumph revival job.
He is a plumber in Arlington, Texas. It’s the first time he builds a motorcycle. He used mainly second hand or junkard parts and spent a total of $9500 on this “monstruous” hubless chopper. He states that it handles like a trike. Hmmmm…
Victory Motorcycles. The company is about to release its first 2012 model during an event in New-York City on January 20th. Victory tells me that this new exciting model will position them in a new category of style and performance. Can you guess? In addition to the stock model, Victory executives will reveal a custom […]
The Secret Life Of Rick Fairless
Published by January 12th, 2011 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.There is not such a thing as a typical Custom Builder profile. And if you want another proof of it, just read about Rick Fairless’ background and how it led him to create a Texas Biker Lifestyle Empire (bikes, booze and tattoos). Calling himself a “Lucky Chump from Texas”, Rick is both a colorful character […]
A Letter Of Jay Ridley, President Of Ridley Genuine Parts
Published by January 11th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Jay Ridley replies to my readers regarding their comments after my article “Ridley Motorcycles Trying A Come Back ” “Reader. I am surprised and grateful to see the continued interest in our motorcycles. In 1995, my father and I started with a dream to build the ultimate ¾ scale motorcycle. Over the company’s fourteen year […]
Win A Knucklehead Replica For Just $5.00
Published by January 11th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Antique and Classic motorcycles are all the rage and auction prices are going through the roof. But with an investment of just $5.00 to benefit the National Motorcycle Museum you could own and ride a brand new Harley-Davidson Knucklehead replica, one of the most lasting all-American designs. This replica is built from a forged and […]
Harley-Davidson Reflective Wind Resistant Knit Hat
Published by January 11th, 2011 in Builders, Editorial and Merchandise.I have to believe Harley explanation. This new hat is supposed to deliver 80-percent wind resistance (in this case, not sure about the correct definition of wind resistance) because it is made from 55/45-percent acrylic/cotton knit and lined with Polartec® WindPro® micro fleece, In addition two reflective stripes and embroidered graphics add an extra dose […]
Like An Old School Bobber On Steroids…
Published by January 10th, 2011 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.I have to disclose that I didn’t write this headline. These are the words of Arlen Ness when he awarded this custom bike with the “Partner Pick Of Excellence” during the 3rd round of the AMD Championship Of Bike Building at the IMS Show held recently in Seattle, Washington. So, I asked its Builder, Robbie Kerr, […]
Classic Popsicle Kicker Pedals
Published by January 9th, 2011 in Builders, Controls, Customs and Editorial.Designed and fabricated by Kutty Noteboom at Hippy Killer Garage, these Popsicle kicker pedals are a classic style that never goes out of style. It’s a direct fit for Harley-Davidson kicker arms. Available in cast aluminum ($95.00) or brass ($105.00). Directly at Hippy Killer and also distributed by Lowbrow Customs.
Bonhams Inaugural Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction Brings Over $2.5 Million
Published by January 8th, 2011 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Bonhams’ first ever motorcycle sale in Las Vegas on Thursday January 6th, proved to be a resounding success for the world’s leading automotive auctioneer. With a packed auction room of international buyers from around the US and overseas, approximately 200 motorcycles of diverse makes and models from every era of history sold briskly – even […]
Cycle World Ride For Kids Custom Honda CBR 1000RR
Published by January 8th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Customized by Gregg Desjardins at Gregg’s Customs this American Honda donated CBR 1000RR is touring the IMS shows and may be yours. $5 raffle tickets are being sold during each show (jump HERE for schedule) with the proceeds benefiting the Ride For Kids Organization. The bike features hand formed side panels, a custom front aluminum […]
More About The New Harley-Davidson Factory Customization Program HD1
Published by January 7th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Harley-Davidson just created a new website specifically designed to alert you on their HD1 Customization Program. In this new HD1 website, you can learn a little bit more and I summarize. Starting February 4, 2011 you will be able to design online from the comfort of your home (or directly with the dealer) your new Harley motorcycle to your own specifications. […]
National Motorcycle Museum Looking for Motorcycles And Memorabilia
Published by January 7th, 2011 in Builders, Editorial and Events.The National Motorcycle Museum, Anamosa, Iowa, invites anyone with motorcycles or uniforms, photos, posters, even stories that are related to motorcycles at work to consider being part of a new exhibition. “At Work Motorcycles ” will chronicle a century of courier service, police, military action and more in which motorcycles have played an important role. A […]
New Custom Automotive TV Show On Speed
Published by January 6th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.George Barris, the “King Of Kustomizers”, who has designed so many concept cars and customized since the 60’s so many vehicles for films, television, advertising and many celebrities, and whose work has inspired so many toy models, posters, images, etc will be featured in a new weekly 1 hour TV show on Speed called Car […]
To Look Retro Go Narrow. Apehangers Too.
Published by January 6th, 2011 in Builders, Controls, Customs and Editorial.It continues to surprise me that so many custom bikes using a narrow or mid-glide Springer or hydraulic front end, are mounting on them ape hangers conceived for wide-glide front ends. Yes, your bars are supposed to flow smoothly up from your front suspension system. The base of your bars is not supposed to be […]
Harley-Davidson New Core Series Paint Program
Published by January 5th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Painters.Easy to understand that this paint program will also belong to the paint options you will be able to make when ordering your new model under the HD1 personalization program. The new Core Series paint program from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories offers Harley owners the opportunity to create their own paint using select designs, colors, and […]
Kraft/Tech Sportster Rigid Frame.
Published by January 5th, 2011 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Not sure why, but I get many requests of recommendation for a clean after-market rigid Sportster frame. Drifting to the old school style? Big amount of used Sportsters on the market at a cheap price? Since you want to know one that I like (among others), this one accepting up to a 180 mm rear […]
I don’t know for sure how the 1995-2005 decade will be remembered in motorcycle history books. Among many positive developments in the custom motorcycle industry, abundance of creativity and emergence of new talents. But also some less flattering components like the arrival of too many business people and companies with no motorcycle background, just jumping […]
Ridley Motorcycles Trying A Come Back.
Published by January 4th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Jay Ridley, son of Ridley Motorcycle Co. founder Clay Ridley, announces that a newly formed company named Ridley Genuine Parts has acquired the stock of parts/fixtures/equipment from Ridley Motorcycle Company’s creditors after its bankruptcy filing at the end of 2009. The new company is headquartered in Oklahoma City, a few blocks from the original company, […]
Mikuni HSR48 Performance Carburetor For Big American V-Twins
Published by January 4th, 2011 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.Factory or custom built, “High Tech Wonder Bikes” have increased displacement requiring the highest air flow possible, highly accurate fuel metering, and precision throttle response. Following the popular HSR42 & HSR45 carburetors for stock and mildly modified Harley-Davidson and other V-Twins, Mikuni is now offering the HSR48 Flat Side Carburetor, a must have for highly […]
After Dark 1963 Custom BMW. Attitude Does Matter.
Published by January 3rd, 2011 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.A downtown Paris dark garage, 3 friends (Fred Jourden, Hugo and Leo), the same passion for old Harley 750 XR, Yamaha 125/250, Kawasaki W650, Triumph, BMW on which they work after hours with for inspiration the restored/modified custom bikes from Japan & Australia they read about in magazines.
