Rising unemployment and falling business activity have caused consumer confidence and spending to tumble. At the same time it has never been a better time to buy anything…including motorcycles. Every company is proposing incentives, including Big Dog motorcycles. The manufacturer just launched its “Wind Chill” program, a retail incentive which provides new buyers cash allowances […]
Archive for the 'Builders' Category
Roland Sands Design introduces their new Tracker Grips. Wrapped with Renthal™ rubber to ensure that your hand never slips off, no matter how hard you twist the throttle. These grips feature RSD speed-dots to compliment the RSD Venturi Speed 7 air cleaner and RSD wheels. They are also CNC- Machined from billet aluminum and are […]
A Letter From Matt Levatich New President And COO Of Harley-Davidson To The US Dealers Network
Published by April 15th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.After being responsible for overseeing the European launch of Buell in 1997, then coordinating Harley’s suppliers with its 5 US factories, then being appointed Managing Director of MV Augusta when Harley-Davidson bought the Italian brand in August 2008, Matt Levatich will become May 1st the new Harley-Davidson President and COO. Below is a letter he just […]
Jesse James Is A Dead Man. Exclusive Interview.
Published by April 14th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Videos.The TV show series will start on Spike May 31 at 10 pm est.
With its very high gas tank, all its hand made parts and and fancy details, what a better name for this 3-wheeler than “High Roller”. Built by british shop “Destiny Cycles”, I can imagine it rolling down London West End financial district, scaring the hell out of these ex High Rollers […]
Billy Lane Plea Deal Reaches An Impasse
Published by April 14th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Billy Lane’s DUI manslaughter case went again before a Brevard County, FL circuit judge this morning at 9 am. Attorneys were expected to notify the court of their progress on plea negotiations. It was expected that Billy Lane would enter a plea deal this morning. But Billy’s attorney Eisenmenger stated again that he disagrees with […]
Harley-Davidson Celebrates Harlistas
Published by April 13th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.It’s called market segmentation or the strategy consisting of dividing the market into distinct groups who have distinct needs, wants and behavior and to communicate to each segment with a specific message . And if you already know that in 2025 half of the US population will have a Hispanic origin, no wonder that Harley-Davidson […]
In the series Best Of the “Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show”, this cute both simple and sophisticated little chopper named “Build A Billy”. It won the title in the category “Modified Harley-Davidson”. It was built by famous German builder Thunderbike, a shop whose custom bikes received a lot of gold during these last 3 years. […]
American Chopper Kicks Off 6th Season
Published by April 12th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Difficult to believe that the Teutels are returning to The Learning Channel for a 6th season of “American Chopper”. Like it or not, it is the proof that they still have a very large audience. Trust me, TV channels are not in the charity business and only go to programming bringing a big audience = commercial advertising […]
Black Leather, Fast Bike And Greasy Hair. Is It You?
Published by April 9th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Events.If it is…read this letter sent to me by Mike Seate, publisher of the Café Racer Magazine. “Build ‘Em Up, Show ‘Em Off. Got something cool, fast and sleek in your garage? Café Racer magazine, the U.S.-based quarterly, is hosting a trio of Ride-In Bike Shows this summer. The first event jumps off on June […]
The “custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show” attracts builders from all over Europe but also custom bikes from all kind of pedigrees. And only a flamboyant Italian could build such an outrageous Ducati. Did you say speed and style? Worls well with girls of all nationalities. No website, but an email if you want to know more about […]
Hitting The Race Track With The New RevTech 125″
Published by April 8th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.Need to evaluate a new engine? To convince all the custom motorcycle scene to use it? Just ask a couple of well-known Custom Builders to build a custom bike fitted with your new motor and send them speeding around a racetrack. It’s exactly what Custom Chrome did with their brand new RevTech 125”, proposing Builders […]
Old School Chopper Built In The United Arab Emirates!
Published by April 8th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Never thought that in the United Arab Emirates they were guys building old school choppers. And you must admit that he looks very good and… very American. One of the most crowd pleasing custom bikes during the “Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show”. And it had nothing to do with the model standing by (pictures by […]
Seen on the floor of Indian motorcycle Charlotte this 1947 Indian Chief Sidecar. A rare 74”, with all matching numbers, correct 3-speed transmission and completely rust-free. As you see, the sidecar is primed, ready for a matching paint job in coral red/cream. And I hear that it is for sale for under appraised value…Indian Motorcycle […]
Billy Lane Plea Delayed One More Week
Published by April 8th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.The plea hearing of this Wednesday morning at 8.45 am ended up with the Judge giving Billy Lane’s attorneys and the State prosecutor at least 1 more week to iron out the details of the written version of the verbal agreement. Attorneys will notify the court of their progress during a docket hearing set for […]
Harley-Davidson Inc. named Keith Wandell of Johnson Controls Inc. as new President and CEO. Wandell, 59, replaces retiring CEO James Ziemer, also 59, on May 1, Milwaukee-based Harley said in a statement yesterday. Wandell represented the auto supply industry in U.S. Senate testimony last year, as chief operating officer and president of Johnson Controls, North […]
Billy Lane Plea Deal Postponed 24 Hours
Published by April 7th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Events.During the last days a plea deal has been verbally negotiated and agreed by the defense and the State prosecutor. This morning at a 9 am hearing front of the judge in Viera Court, the prosecution and defense realized that they had different interpretations of what their verbal negotiations meant. Billy’s attorney Greg Eisenmenger stated […]
3rd Annual Arlen Ness Bike Show Is April 18/19Th
Published by April 7th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Events.This year the 3rd annual show will be held at a new location and on a new date. This exciting event is Saturday, April 18th from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Sunday April 19th, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, at the San Mateo County Event Center in San Mateo California. This Arlen Ness […]
It used to be impossible to test ride a new model at your favorite local Harley-Davidson dealer. You had to go to big rallies like Daytona or Sturgis to get a chance to demo ride one of the new bikes. Well, as a new strategy to create more traffic into their dealerships, Harley-Davidson is launching […]
During Daytona Bike Week I observed the return of the very radical custom bikes. And last weekend Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show in Germany also featured a large number of very high tech bikes. No, it’s not the end of the chopper/bobber/vintage trend, but more a fusion of many styles. For example, it’s not rare to […]
Thanks to the multiple reports and amazing photography I receive from Horst Rosler, in the next few days I am going to introduce you to the wildest (and to my preferred) custom bikes of last week “European Custom Chrome Dealer Show”. And to start, let’s look at the beautiful racing lines and amazing details of this custom bike […]
One day Arlen told me “Hard work is as good as talent”. And of course he is right. So if you add his 30+ years of hard work in the motorcycle industry to his natural talent, it’s no surprise that Arlen Ness received from the hands of Holger Mohr, CEO of Custom Chrome, a “Lifetime […]
LA County Chop Rods New Parts
Published by April 3rd, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Electrical and Engines.This “Side Mount” battery box is designed to allow a standard Softail size battery to be mounted on the right side above the transmission. The box mounts in three places and uses rubber isolated mounts for vibration resistant installation and includes mounting provisions to accommodate the Mooneyes 3 quart. “Chopper” oil tank and mounting brackets. […]
I didn’t know it exists. One appeared on eBay, and I learn, like you, that there are only 3 available, that they were used by the French army (for doing what?), sport a Jap 350 cm3 sport engine and a 3-speed gearbox from Soyer. For the price of $22,100.00 you can impress all the worldwide moto press […]
Following your comments, Jennifer Mercaldi Ramella, Marketing Director Of The Broken Spoke Saloon, brings you a complement of information regarding New Orleans Bike Week (May 6 to 10th). “Hi – Jen here with Broken Spoke and Bike Week New Orleans. I wanted to chime in and say that this is a very unique event, in […]
Arlen Ness Big Bags And Rear Fender Kits
Published by April 2nd, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs, Editorial and Electrical.Not really new (I was one of the first to use this Kit on 2 “Road King” in the mid 90’s) but improved and more than ever an easyKit to improve the rear and side look of a lot of baggers. The Arlen Big Bags are high strength fiberglass and accept OEM lids and mounting hardware. You […]
