Keinosuke Sasaki a.k.a. Keino , self proclaimed “Master Manipulator of Motor And Metal” and acclaimed Custom Builder, former right hand of Indian Larry and former partner of Paul Cox, is launching a new rigid frame. It’s called “Red Hook” (name of neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY where Keino is installed)), features a straight line from neck to axle […]
Archive for the 'Builders' Category
Keino Introduces The “Red Hook” Frame.
Published by January 9th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Indian Motorcycle Launches Factory Delivery Program
Published by January 8th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Indian Motorcycle announced today its new Factory Delivery Program which allows customers to order a motorcycle through an authorized dealership and pick it up at the factory. All 2009 Indian Chiefs are eligible for the new delivery program. Factory Delivery offers a personal VIP tour of the factory and bike delivery in the customer delivery […]
Easyriders V-Twin Show Tour
Published by January 8th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.You just built a new cool bike, want to get a chance to have it featured in one of the Easyriders Group magazines. No better place than to show it in one (or several) of the 6 Easyriders V-Twin Bike Shows. Show time starts in Pomona, CA (January 10-11), then Sacramento, CA (January 17-18), Charlotte, NC […]
Baby Boomers Aggravate The Motorcycle Industry Crisis
Published by January 8th, 2009 in Builders and Editorial.Did you know that in occidental countries, the peak spending age is around 47 years old and that the baby boomers median age (50% below, 50% above) is now 51 years old? Practically, the number of baby boomers going down and the median age going up, it means that baby boomers are less and less […]
Additional Felony Charge Filed Against Billy Lane
Published by January 7th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.As you know, I only report and never make any personal judgments in any private legal case. Two years ago, Billy Lane was charged with one count of DUI manslaughter in connection with a Labor Day 2006 traffic accident in which 56-year-old Sebastian Gerald Morelock died. Courts records show that prosecutors have filed an additional […]
Want to read about an on going design study to develop a motorcycle that gets 100 mpg at 70 mph, into a 20 mph wind while carrying 4 bags of groceries? Craig Vetter is an American inventor & designer loving all things with wheels, wings and engines. His lifetime goal is to “do more with […]
2009 Indian Chief Motorcycles Delivered To Dealer Network
Published by January 6th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.After almost five years of investment, product development, testing, and dealer development, Indian Motorcycle announced that the first shipment of limited production 2009 Indian Chiefs has been shipped to 7 dealerships across the nation. Production of the 2009 Indian Chief is limited to 750 units. The key people responsible for the re-launch of Indian are […]
Obama Inaugural Parade Harley-Davidson Motorcycles.
Published by January 5th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.January 20 is inauguration day for President-Elect Barack Obama. The week of festivities will include the Presidential Swearing-in Ceremony, Inaugural Address and of course the Inaugural Parade. The Frederick, MD Harley-Davidson dealership competed with others across the nation to win the honor to provide the 12 Harleys leading this inaugural parade through the streets of […]
Another Lightning Rod Custom Motorcycle
Published by January 5th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.It has only be seen in Daytona this past Biketoberfest for one day, and it was displayed with the Renegade wheels display at Destination Daytona, personally invited by Chuck Frederick owner of Renegade wheels. It features a rigid US Choppers frame with 35-degree rake, 23” front and rear wheels by Renegade, 113” Ultima engine equipped with […]
Billy Lane Limited Edition Six Gun Ring
Published by January 4th, 2009 in Accessories, Builders and Editorial.One was given by Billy Lane to an Iraq Vet during the “Blood, Sweat & Gears Tour”. Many others wanted one, so Billy produced a very limited edition made out of .925 sterling silver. The first 100 sold are numbered. But did you notice? I counted several times and it seems to me that with this six gun […]
Close to 50% of motorcycle accidents happen when a car pulls out in front of an oncoming motorcycle. You know the story. “Officer, I didn’t see it”. What about a system where cars could “see” motorcycles and vice versa. New for 2009, Honda is installing short-range wireless devices on its Goldwing models sold in Europe. […]
Registration Open for Harley-Davidson Daytona Women’s Ride
Published by January 2nd, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.This event’s objectives are both to raise money for MDA and to celebrate women riders. Last year in Daytona, hundreds of women riders joined together on the Harley-Davidson Daytona Women’s Day Ride and raised $67,000 for MDA. Registration for the 2009 ride on Tuesday, March 3, is now open with a limited 500 female Harley-Davidson […]
Win On Sunday. Sell On Monday. No More…
Published by January 2nd, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.It used to be that manufacturers justified their big dollar investments in sponsoring and races by the sales that competition was generating. But in one month 2 major manufacturers have pulled their factory teams from the 2009 racing season. This week, Kawasaki is scheduled to make an announcement confirming its withdrawal from Moto GP. Early […]
Harley-Davidson Sold 80 motorcycles Last Year In Romania.
Published by January 1st, 2009 in Builders and Editorial.Harley-Davidson reported a 37% decline in third-quarter sales this year, after a generalized sale dive in US market. So, the company continues to intensify its marketing efforts in Europe, taking advantage of a very low dollar versus the euro ($1 = 0. 71 euro) and of a milder recession in the old continent, to prospect […]
To all of you Gringos & Gringas, a little bit of history. Folklore says that the name Gringo was generated when the US invaded Mexico wearing green uniforms and people were shouting at them “Green Go Home”. With time it lost all derogatory status and was turned into the most common word to refer to […]
Keeping The Custom Motorcycle Industry Free And Vibrant
Published by December 31st, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.You probably already know that the Las Vegas SEMA Show (Specialty Equipment Market Association) is one of the most exciting events for the aftermarket hot Rod and automotive industry. SEMA is an Association offering a ton of services, studies, Government advocacy/legislative Programs too long to list here. During the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati, friend and […]
By direct emails and also via the comments section of this Blog, many of you ask me my opinion about what’s going to happen in 2009 in the motorcycle industry. I reproduce below a short summary of what I think and already wrote to answer the question of one of these readers. “Regarding the motorcycle industry, […]
One-of-a-kind G2 Motorsports S&S Custom Motorcycle
Published by December 29th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.One year ago, Wyoming Technical Institute (WyoTech) contacted G2 Motorsports (George Smith and George Bryce) with the concept of its students assembling a motorcycle around the 126-cubic inch, 150 horsepower S&S Cycle V-Twin engine that is exclusively distributed by G2. Smith and Bryce agreed, and Bryce and Derek Churchwell of G2 served as instructors for […]
Grand Opening Of Indian Motorcycle Of Kentucky
Published by December 29th, 2008 in Builders and Events.Indian has made clear its intention to have 50 dealerships in the US within the next 3 years, a dozen of which have already been announced. The first one to open up since the flagship store in Lowell, North Carolina, was Mike Smith Indian Motorcycle Dealership of Paducah, KY. “The initial excitement here has been […]
Ace Motorcycle Rare Drawings from 1919 Found in Dumpster!
Published by December 28th, 2008 in Builders, Editorial and Events.In 1919, at the end of the World War One, a significant set of motorcycle drawings was created. They would be lost for the next 90 years, until discovered in a trash bin. They will be sold at the Mid-America Auction, which will be held at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas on January […]
Every 5 years the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) tracks biker trends, and this year for the first time did the survey online. Below some numbers to crunch. 1- the primary reason for riding is pleasure, followed by commuting and errands. In 2003, commuting and errand riding was in third place. 2- The average age for […]
Harley-Davidson Guarantees Trade-In Value For Sportsters
Published by December 26th, 2008 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Motorcycle sales are slipping as consumers worldwide pull back on spending. So, to stay in business you have to be creative. Harley-Davidson Inc. says it will guarantee the trade-in value of newer Sportsters for customers considering upgrading their motorcycles. Practically, bikers who trade in their 2007 Sportsters between Dec. 26 and March 31 will receive the […]
The V-Twin Expo, the largest Dealers only event devoted exclusively to the V-Twin industry, will happen again at the Cincinnati Duke energy Center from February 7th to 9th. Of course I will be there to report the highlights of this event. It is recommended that dealers who intend to visit the show pre-register HERE to avoid […]
American Motorcycle Riders Don’t Rock! Yes, They Do.
Published by December 24th, 2008 in Builders, Editorial and Events.“Without music, life would be a mistake” (Friedrich Nietzsche). Bikers roll but they also rock. MIC (motorcycle Industry Council) launched a social networking website (one more…). branded RockMoto connecting young people sharing the same passion for motorcycles and music. Although still in beta test, I loved the site offering cutting-edge internet features to help young […]
It’s catalog season. Parts & motorcycle manufacturers rush to print their new 2009 catalog or brochure. But for economic reasons and because of the “will never stop to grow” power of internet, more and more are choosing to publish an e-catalog. And yes, even online, you can turn the pages, zoom-in or zoom-out. The 2009 […]
Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse Finale Raises Money and Toys for Children
Published by December 22nd, 2008 in Builders, Editorial and Events.The Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse made it’s final stop for 2008 at the Fort Lauderdale Harley-Davidson “Bikers Bash” on Friday, December 12th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The “Bikers Bash” celebration on Friday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino featured an intimate performance by Big Kenny from Big and […]
