Harley-Davidson CEO Keith Wandell, contrary to most of his predecessors who had a motorcycle background because promoted from inside the company, was criticized for not being a biker with the innuendo that he could not fully understand his clients. Well, on Thursday August 6 he will stradle one of the company touring models to be […]
Archive for the 'Builders' Category
Harley-Davidson CEO Keith Wandell To Ride For The 1st Time To Sturgis Bike Week.
Published by June 27th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Confederate Motors Very Limited Edition Black Flag P120 Fighter
Published by June 27th, 2010 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Faithful to its philosophy of building motorcycles with a simple, pure, minimal, rugged to skeletal shape, Confederate Motors announced a very limited production of a new dark version of the P120 Fighter called the Black Flag. President Matt Chambers believes that its niche market is the clientele in the top 1% of Harley-davidson buyers, those […]
Shinya Kimura. The Sounds And Images Of Custom Bike Building.
Published by June 26th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Videos.A superb video directed by Henrik Hansen to explain in a few words and images why and how Shinya Kimura build custom bikes in his small shop of Azusa, California. Never before have I seen a short movie where editing and sounds express so well the art of custom building motorcycles (including visual references to “The […]
Fast Motorcycle Industry news.
Published by June 25th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Polaris opened its first dealership in Beijing, China, and plans to open more. Its Ranger and Sportsman models made their first high-profile appearance to Chinese consumers at the Beijing auto show in April. Polaris partnered with Beijing United Automobile Motorcycle Manufacturing Co, a subsidiary of Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co, to establish 5 retailers in China […]
New Hitman Bobber. Starting At $22,995.
Published by June 25th, 2010 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Another very limited production custom bike offered in the $20’s + price range depending of the options you choose. For $22,995 you get the choice of the frame (0″ Up, 0″ Out, 30 deg Rake 150mm-250mm) or 1″ Up, 2″ Out 32 deg Rake 150mm-250mm or 0″ Up, 4″ Out 32 deg Rake 150mm-250mm.
Vintage is the new cool. With a new twist added to a classic round shape, this 2-piece air cleaner is available for CV, S&S B, S&S E, Bendix and Likert 4 bolts carburetors. CNC machined aluminum two piece body, and provided with adapter plate with stainless steel perforated metal, mounting hardware & a UNI Filter […]
Dale Walksler 1936 Harley-Davidson EL Knucklehead
Published by June 24th, 2010 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.All those discovering, maintaining, and preserving American motorcycle history deserve a very special place in all bikers’ heart. Dale Walksler is since 1993 the founder/curator/restorer (with crew) of the Wheels Through Time Museum, home of world’s premier collection of rare American Vintage Motorycles located in beautiful Maggie Valley, NC. Being at the helm of an […]
From a 1915 Cyclone To a 2010 Psyclone. Half A Million Dollars Saved.
Published by June 23rd, 2010 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Frederick Fortune is a graphic designer, a motorcycle hobbyist whose taste about brands goes from vintage Harley to classic Norton to Cyclone…But a 1915 Cyclone Racer like the one on the top picture, the fastest motorcycle of its time (50 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, 111 mph) will set you back at least 1/2 million dollars because […]
Motorcycle Wheels. Both Custom Spokes And Rims.
Published by June 23rd, 2010 in Builders, Controls, Editorial and Wheels.First, I must disclose that I have used this company in the past, and that when it will be your time to look for very fancy spoke patterns and unusual colors that you can choose – either powder coating or anodizing – you must pay a visit to the website of HD Wheels. Owner Andrei […]
Soon An All American Sport Tourer?
Published by June 22nd, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Is it a good time to launch a new motorcycle manufacturing company? Is there a market for an a new All American Sport Tourer? Partners Lee Conn (Health Care Industry background) and Brian Case (former developer and designer of the Confederate Wraith) believe so. In 2008 they incorporated Motus Motorcycles (motus means motion in Latin) and polled bikers […]
Did you ever wonder why so many old school motorcycles and cars have Spanish names? Even when the machine is American? Even when you are custom builder not living north or south of the border (of Mexico)? I have some answers but I am curious to see if some of you have convincing explanations. Anyway, […]
New Motorcycle Spring Leaf Forks From The Past
Published by June 20th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Suspension.Back to the popular Spring Leaf front end assemblies of the 1920’s and 1930’s. These ones are a reproduction of the Kiwi-Indian reproduction model and will look good and work on many styles of bikes, boardtrack, bobber or chopper. These new forks are manufactured using only the finest modern materials. Custom swaged 1-piece, 1 ¼” […]
Horse Smoke Out Event Chop Off Bike
Published by June 19th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.The Smoke Out XI is this year a weekly event starting this weekend in santa Rosa, New Mexico and ending June 25/26 in Rockigham, North Carolina. The long road will stop by in Oklahoma where Bryan from Brass balls Bobbers will join the party on this chop that he built for himself with Tim’s help. […]
Exclusive. S&S Launching the KN-Kone Engine. Vintage Vibe With Modern Muscle And Reliability.
Published by June 18th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial, Engines and Events.In July 2007, I was the first to inform you of the acquisition by S&S Cycle of Flathead Power, a Swedish Company that moved to Louisiana to service classic/vintage engine lines and components dating back to 1936. It was a perfect complement for the S&S brand and products line. Since 2008 the acquisition of Flathead Power’s […]
Myrtle Beach Rally. Will the South Carolina Supreme Court’s ruling overturning the Myrtle Beach’s helmet law be enough to have bikers return in greater numbers next year? Some local businesses are optimistic for a motorcycle rally rebirth in 2011. Harley-Davidson of North Myrtle Beach is already betting on it and has already chosen the dates […]
Got A Vintage Indian Motorcycle To show Off?
Published by June 18th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Indian Motorcycle Co. will be in Sturgis and would love to have your vintage motorcycle on display. They have a VIP space downtown Sturgis to exhibit your Springfield era motorcycle. The proof again and again of the irresistable appeal of Classic Indians… To reserve your spot, just email pictures to Erin Tracy etracy@indianmotorcycle.com.
Harley-Davidson Experimenting With New Motorcycle Manufacturing Methods
Published by June 18th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.The Harley-Davidson trike manufacturing line and a frame welding operation are used by Harley-Davidson as pilots for testing new work structures. The goal is to produce the best possible quality motorcycles with the least amount of waste of any kind, time, energy and money. The systems are an empowerment movement of the workforce to find better […]
Lost My Head Valve Stem Caps
Published by June 17th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Wheels.Brand new and from the mind of Greg Westbury these little gems to cover nicely your wheel valve stems. They are called “Lost My Head” because they look like an engine barrel with a piston. With a W logo as in Westbury machined in the top of the piston. Made in the USA and ready to […]
“You meet the nicest people on a Honda” was the 1962 advertising campaign launched to elevate the public perception of those who rode motorcycles. Ads depicted housewives, a parent and child, young couples and other respectable members of society-referred to as “the nicest people” riding Hondas for a variety of purposes.
Kustom Kulture. Godspeed 45/06. Volume NO. 3
Published by June 17th, 2010 in Books, Builders, Customs and Editorial.Cicero deGuzman Jr. is a Design Director at Time Inc., a Time Warner company, one of the largest publishing companies with a portfolio of more than 120 magazines. He is also the owner of Godspeed 45/06 where he photographs and documents motorcycle builders, their work and workspaces.
Silent Speed. World’s Fastest Production Electric Motorcycle. 150 MPH.
Published by June 16th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Last year, I introduced you to this electric motorcycle prototype. Now that it has been clocked at 150 mph on the Bonneville Salts, the company behind it, Mission Motors in san Francisco, is selling it in limited number for a MSRP price of $68,995. Like most of you, I am not a fanatic of the […]
Harley-Davidson Dealer Settles Sex Discrimination Lawsuit
Published by June 15th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Despite a 1964 US Federal law prohibiting sex discrimination, breaking into jobs in non-traditional fields, like being a Harley-Davidson mechanic, seems to continue to be a challenge for many women. A lawsuit brought by Bowen Dean alleged that The Dudley Perkins Company, a Harley-davidson dealer in San Francisco since 1914, denied her a job as […]
Kenji Nagai is another, but less known for now, Japanese motorcycle builder installed in the US (Torrance, California) to practice his art. His latest custom called “One Eyed King” is modern chopper based on a modified after-market rigid frame with no stretch but a 40-degree rake and a modified 93″ S&S engine by Ken’s Factory […]
The main reason I feature this bike is because you rarely see a full custom Harley WLA, and even less one BMX theme inspired. This one was born in 1942 and was rebuilt by a you shop located in Bern, Switzerland, always ranked among the world’s top ten cities for the best quality of life, […]
Original Vincent To Headline Bonhams Classic Motorcycles Auction.
Published by June 13th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.This stunningly original 1952 Vincent Rapide in Chinese Red has been untouched for nearly half a century. Discovered in Fresno, California where it had been sold new by the local Fresno Indian dealer, this time capsule machine has 8500 original miles, matching numbers and California black license plate. Its auction estimate is $85,000-$100,000. It will […]
Second Of Six New Glenndyne Wheel Designs
Published by June 12th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Wheels.As promised, at the scheduled pace of one model every week, this the second new design of Aaron Glenn “conventional” forged wheel line up. The GD-4 model features a modern mesh design with a European feel and speed dashes (As Glenndyne calls them) machined into the rim. Speed Dashes or a machined pinstripe available on […]
