Chip Miyler and his wife were until October 14, 2005 the owners of Mid-West Choppers in Illinois, at which time they filed for both business and personal bankruptcy. According the filing, the business had liabilities of $2,315,325 and assets of $635,382. Personally, the couple had $1,633,221 in liabilities and $345,287 in assets. As I related in […]
Archive for the 'Builders' Category
Former Mid-West Choppers Owner Chip Miyler Guilty Of Fraud
Published by May 28th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Thanks to our recession everybody’s learning how to do and offer more for less. After the Chopper under $20K, the Bobber under 16K, now you can get a brand new old school Trike for under $19K. 88” RevTech Engine, 6-speed tranny, front end boots, open or enclosed primary, solo or dual seat, choice of paint jobs, […]
Garage Girls Ultimate Biker Makeover
Published by May 27th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial, Events and Merchandise.4 finalists have been chosen to compete in the Garage-Girls Ultimate Biker Makeover. You can cast your vote on who you feel is most deserving. 2 winners will be announced, both receiving rider makeovers with one grand winner receiving a makeover for his/her bike as well. The finalists include, Victoria Kriner, a regional rep for […]
Viper Motorcycle Company Monster 152” Billet Engine
Published by May 26th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.Viper Powersports designs, produces and markets through an independent dealer network a line of premium custom V-Twin Super Cruiser motorcycles, V-Twin aftermarket engines and other related aftermarket products. The company designs and manufactures custom motorcycles, accessories and motorcycle engine component parts with patented technology using Computer Aided Design (CAD). Viper Motorcycle Company and Ilmor Engineering, […]
Titan And American Ironhorse Motorcycles. Will The Saga Ever End?
Published by May 25th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Could it be that you are still interested with what’s going on with “Clone Harley” companies Titan (3rd version) and American IronHorse (2nd version)? As I predicted in my post of April 23rd, American IronHorse has now filed for chapter 11-bankruptcy protection. Before filing for court protection, and as I told you before, American Iron Horse filed suit […]
It was the 1st choice of Arlen Ness during the recent Custom Chrome Europe Dealers Show. Another “All Turbo” custom bike to show you that Europeans are addicted to speed. Built by Riverside Motorcycles in France. Thanks Krugger for the link. (picture HRF)
Harley-Davidson Partners With AMD World Championship Of Bike Building
Published by May 23rd, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Harley-Davidson becomes an official partner of AMD’s World Championship of Custom Bike Building and title sponsor of the Modified Harley-Davidson Class. It is a little bit surprising to some because Harley-Davidson has its own official Harley Bike Shows where it used to be that only motorcycles with a Harley title could compete. This rule was […]
In reaction to my post about the English Yamaha powered four wheel motorcycle, Keith Smith, Co-Owner and General Manager USA/Canada/Mexico Distribution & Sales of GG Quad North America sent me the following email (pics of the GG-Quad built for Basket Ball Star and motorcycle enthusiast Michael Jordan)
Texas Hardtail Scooter Show. Jesse James And More…
Published by May 21st, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.“Hey Cyril. I want to let you & your readers know about my latest Texas Hardtails Scooter Show Podcast that’s up on my website. In episode 9 (video & audio), I interviewed Jesse James & talked to him about his new TV show Jesse James is a Dead Man, his appearance on Celebrity Apprentice & […]
Inverted Control Levers Are Back
Published by May 20th, 2009 in Builders, Controls, Customs and Editorial.I don’t need to explain why they are again so popular. But apparently, not many of you know where to buy a set of inverted levers. So, here an address where you can find them in 2 versions, smooth and teardrop finned designs. They are available for 7/8” and 1” handlebars, the levers hooking up […]
Sturgis 2nd Annual Baker Burnout Drags Competition Is August 7th
Published by May 20th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Driveline and Events.Baker will bring again riotous fire and rubber-burning fury to the 2009 Sturgis Rally. 12 of the world’s top custom bike builders will go head-to-head in a no-holds-barred, tournament-style drag race competition. The unbridled mayhem will be unleashed Friday, August 7th in the main amphitheater at the Legendary Buffalo Chip, with the support of Spectro […]
The RideMaxx™ Plus Wireless EFI Tuner by AMFD lets you feel the power of what your bike can do with more upgraded features like; fuel accelerator pump to deliver extra fuel to match the engine’s needs and snappier throttle response during quick throttle movements. Includes software for most portable Bluetooth enabled devices and is wireless […]
Marcus Walz. Hardcore For Life.
Published by May 19th, 2009 in Books, Builders, Customs and Editorial.My first contact with Custom Builder Marcus Walz was in 1993. He wrote an email congratulating me about my James Dean tribute bike called “Deanager”, telling me that he was also a huge Jimmy Dean fan. As a proof he also emailed pictures of his residence in Ockenheim, Germany showing black & white Dean’s pictures adorning most of […]
In Europe, the 3-wheeler Piaggio MP3 scooter is a huge hit. And now, an English company called “Four Wheeled Motorcycle Compagny Limited” shows the prototype of a 4-wheel motorcycle named 4MC powered by a Yamaha 400 cm3 . But is it a motorcycle? Its designer Nick Schotter insists it is because in a turn it […]
Jesse James Demolition Death Race Online Game
Published by May 18th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.As you already know, the new Jesse James TV Show “Jesse James s A Dead Man” will debut May 31 at 10 PM on Spike TV. To boost the show and increase traffic to the Spike Website the show producers launch an online video game named “The Demolition Death Race”. The game challenge is to win the […]
Fix My Hog Releases 2 New Harley-Davidson Maintenance And Performance DVD’s
Published by May 18th, 2009 in Builders and Editorial.When he released the original motorcycle maintenance DVDs six years ago, Dennis Santopietro, President and Founder of Fix My Hog couldn’t have anticipated the overwhelming positive reaction from critics and customers alike. Because there is always more to learn about any motorcycle, because models evolve and because you want to do more yourself, Dennis announced […]
Wire Plus New Shield Wiring System
Published by May 18th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Electrical.Wire Plus Powersports Electronics introduces their newly designed “Shield” wiring system that mounts the power control module and ignition switch together. The power control module features Solid State breakers that never need replacing, is waterproof and has separate circuits for the ignition, accessories, head light, running lights and an isolated compression release circuit. It also […]
Friend of the industry Marc Frantz has all reasons to be excited. He just got an immaculate 1946 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead. This 74” is a low compression “Model F” (only 418 were produced) and it was fully restored from the ground up by the renovation masters at Milestone Restoration in […]
Liability Trial Against Big Bear Choppers
Published by May 16th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Motorcycle are dangerous and potential liability exposure of Builders and Manufacturers is extremely high. A product liability trial arising out of an alleged custom motorcycle defect on a Big Bear Choppers motorcycle began yesterday in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York.
Euro Festival. 15000 Bikers In The St-Tropez Gulf
Published by May 16th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Sometimes I wonder why biker life is sometimes so difficult in some US cities (did I say Myrtle Beach?). Take the French Riviera small historic village of St-Tropez located in the most beautiful landscape you can imagine (have been there many times, done all the St-Tropez crazy stuff…). No place is more protected by environmentalists […]
Should A Motorcycle Always Look Like A Motorcycle?
Published by May 15th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.TSgt Randy Redman, of Public Affairs at USAF Thunderbirds sent me the following letter about a new OCC theme bike. Personally, I don’t challenge the quality of the fab. work or deny the fact that OCC has probably accomplished the mission assigned by its client Norhop Gruman, but I still think that a motorcycle should look like a […]
Steven Tyler and Dirico Motorcycles To Attend Sturgis Bike Week.
Published by May 15th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Dirico Motorcycles USA, the brand of Steven Tyler’s inspiration and Mark Dirico’s innovation, will be appearing at the 2009 Sturgis Bike Week. Tyler himself will be there performing with Aerosmith, the official band of the event. Dirico Motorcycles will be displaying bikes at the 7th Annual Metzeler Bike contest on Tuesday, August 4, at Buffalo […]
Ice Speed World Record. 148.7 Mph On A Buell 1125R
Published by May 14th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Erik Buell is extremely happy. On one of the frozen Dellen Lakes in Sweden, Craig Jones broke the ice speed world record reaching the speed of 148.7 mph (238 km/h) on a heavily modified Buell 1125R. Craig a Stunt Buell pilot humbly stated that “only fear is limiting speed. “I shifted all my gears, lowered […]
A 1947 Indian Chief Motorcycle restored with a lot of love and passion by Mike Tomas at Indian Kiwi Motorcycles in California. Priceless! Nothing else to add…
Harley-Davidson Considering Closing Its York Assembly Plant
Published by May 14th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Harley-Davidson Inc. is considering closing its main motorcycle assembly facility in Pennsylvania and moving production elsewhere as it aims to lower costs and cope with a sales downturn, a company spokesman said Wednesday. Spokesman Bob Klein said the Milwaukee-based company is exploring ways to reduce costs at its York location. That could include a move, […]
Brass Balls Military Bobber Raffle
Published by May 13th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.“Wheeler” (pictured on left with Builder Rick Fairless), a Vietnam Vet and president of Wheeler Industries, will is representing the custom Brass Balls Military Bobber on the over 2,000 miles “Long Road” event hosted by the Horse magazine. The Brass Balls Bobbers “Win the Military Bobber for the Troops Raffle” will raise money and awareness […]
