On some motorcycles, the rear fender struts attaching bolts can break allowing the rear fender to unbolt from the bikes concerned. This could occur without prior warning and could result in an injury or a crash. More than 8000 motorcycles have this security issue. The models affected by this recall are: some 2005-2007 Bulldog and […]
Archive for the 'Builders' Category
Recall For Some Big Dog Motorcycles
Published by December 25th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.The reason why I am talking about this custom bike is not because it is already getting a lot of deserved media attention (It won 2nd place at the AMD European Championship), not because the builder is French, nor because his first name is Cyril (Dachstein), but […]
Winners of ‘Get Down To Daytona’ Contest
Published by December 23rd, 2007 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Thousands of women produced a video telling their inspirational stories about how they acceded to the sort of motorcycling. On a Harley, of course. Harley-Davidson chose six finalists on Nov. 28 and posted them online for viewer voting.. At the end of the voting period on Dec. 12, Harley-Davidson decided that all six finalists would […]
The Toy To Die For That You Can’t Afford
Published by December 22nd, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Warning. Reading this post can be very frustrating. Especially if you struggle to pay your mortgage and your Harley loan. This is a very expensive toy (starting at $7500 up to $17,500!!!) conceived more for the eco-conscious Silicon Valley crowd than for us grease monkey gear heads. It’s a traditional pedal pusher, a motor-driven bike […]
Second Annual Arlen Ness Bike Show
Published by December 21st, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.The Arlen Ness show returns to the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California, over the weekend of 26-27 January 2008. The Arlen Ness event will feature a Pro Class and 42 bike categories and will have 25,000 sq.ft of vendor and swap meet space. Registration at 1-800-907-7790 or visit Arlen Ness Bike Show.
Testing The New 2009 Indian Chief
Published by December 19th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.The launching time of the new Indian Chief has been postponed several times. The reason? Indian Motorcycle chairman Stephen Julius explains that he didn’t want to buy an engine from a 3rd party, and no surprisingly it takes longer than anticipated. We all know that without a proprietary engine, the new Indian Motorcycle company would […]
Harley-Davidson Approves Buy Back Of Up to 20 M Shares
Published by December 19th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.Even if you don’t know what is a buy back program, at least understand that in most situations it is a good thing. When a company reduces the amount of shares outstanding by declaring a stock buy back program, each of your shares becomes more valuable and represents a greater percentage of equity in the […]
Indian Larry Legacy’s Paul Cox And Keino Sasaki Go Their Separate Ways
Published by December 18th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.The collaboration known as "Indian Larry Legacy" was formed in 2004 with one goal in mind, keeping Indian Larry’s memory alive. It was an organization composed of 4 friends and partners of Indian Larry: Paul Cox, Keino Sasaki, Bobby & Elisa Seeger. Together they produced custom motorcycles, parts, and apparel. In 2008 all partners will […]
Roger Bourget Introduces The Shredder F-80 Quadracycle
Published by December 17th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.I knew that Roger Bourget was ready to try something new and build something else than 2-wheelers. Not only as a way to diversify his business but also to regenerate excitement in his professional life. Yeah, after a certain time (for him & me it’s already more than 15 years building bikes!) exploring new horizons […]
Ex OCC Vinnie Di Martino And Cody Connelly Start V-Force Customs
Published by December 14th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.First, I wondered if I should mention OCC in the title of this post because in their new V-Force Website none of them mention their former employer by name when each of them write his professional background. For both, it goes like that. Vinnie: "I started a job in a small local bike shop and the company (who?) […]
Ness Guest Speaker At Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum In Daytona Beach
Published by December 13th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.On March 7 in Daytona Beach, FL I will not sit next to Arlen, but front of him to listen to his stories (I hope new ones) from his celebrated career. It will be at 20th annual Hall Of Fame Museum “Friendraising” Breakfast. The event will be open to the public for $49 per person. […]
Ex-Titan Motorcycle Owner Andrew Donald Proudfoot Charged With VIN Fraud
Published by December 12th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Andrew Donald Proudfoot, ex-owner of Titan Motorcycle Co. is charged in a 3rd-degree felony case of VIN fraud (altering or removing an original VIN number). Known as “Donn” Proudfoot, Andrew was arrested March 3rd in Volusia County, Florida during Daytona Bike Week. He was bonded out of custody the same day. He was arraigned August […]
Harley-Davidson Facing The Great Wall Of China
Published by December 11th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.We all know that Harley-Davidson 3rd quarter earnings fell more than 15 percent from last year because of sluggish sales and that the company had to cut production because of the difficult U.S. business environment. More than ever, Harley needs to open and penetrate new foreign markets. China is potentially the most rewarding country. Harley-Davidson officially […]
Color My Spark Plug Wires
Published by December 10th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Electrical.If you relocate your coils centered between your engine cylinders, you need a pair of same length spark plug wires (like was the setup on an original Harley FXR). And if you want the true custom look you will choose spark plug wires in a color matching or complementing your paint job. We sell these […]
A Bobber And Two Women Builders To Fight Breast Cancer
Published by December 9th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Jody Perewitz of Perewitz Cycle Fabrication and Sara Liberte of RT’s North Hills Cycle are teaming up to build a Bobber motorcycle live on stage at 3 of the Northeast Motorcycle Expo shows produced by Kev-Marv Productions. Jody is the daughter of builder Dave Perewitz, Jody and has been surrounded by motorcycles her whole life. Sara Liberte […]
Klock Werks New Flare Windshield
Published by December 7th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Frames.A windshield has never been the sexiest part of a touring motorcycle. But a lot can be done to improve its cosmetics and its efficiency. Here an example called the Flare Windshield. This one was developed in a wind tunnel and proven on the Salt Flats of Bonneville during a bagger speed world record attempt and […]
Barnett Magazine Announces World Championship Of Bike Building Special Edition
Published by December 6th, 2007 in Books, Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Barnett Magazine positions itself as the best looking magazine on the newsstand. And I agree that the layout and the pictures are very nice. A new special issue on the shelves in February may become the prettiest one ever for the magazine. Reason why? It will showcase all the bikes of the 2007 AMD World Championship of […]
Viper Motorcycle Ready To Launch 4 New Models
Published by December 6th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.From his headquarter in Minnesota, Fred Proctor, General Manager of Viper Motorcycle Company sent me the following update on their next production. In the business environment that we know, it is exciting to see a company ready to bring new American made models to the market. I want to add […]
Forge-Tec Wheels In Stock
Published by December 5th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Wheels.13 new models of custom wheels in stock for Harley-Davidson 84 to 08 and all Victory models. The same models available for the very sought after by custom builders 23” front wheel, and up to the size you need when wrapping a rear wheel with a 360 mm […]
Jesse James And His Beautiful Machines
Published by December 4th, 2007 in Books, Builders, Customs and Editorial.A few years ago during a trip together to a bike show in Italy, Jesse James told me that he wanted to be the "new bad boy". It was before his first Motorcycle Mania and Monster Garage TV series. Quite a TV appearances and hard cover books later, Jesse acquired the image he wanted. He builds beautiful […]
I had the pleasure to meet several times with Jay Leno, but since it was not in California, I never had the opportunity to have him show me his collection of hundreds of cars and motorcycles kept and maintained in his Burbank warehouse. Jay just bought an Elvis Presley package (30th anniversary […]
A Message From Street Chopper Magazine
Published by December 1st, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.The following is a letter I received from Jeff Tinnion, publisher of the magazine Street Chopper. By your comments, let him know what you think.. “Dear Industry Partners, Street Chopper magazine has enjoyed a rich history since its inception in 1969. Feedback from our readers and marketing partners over the past year has taken Street Chopper in a […]
New Classic Headlight.
Published by November 29th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Electrical.Well before the retro trend, I always loved the mix or aluminum with copper or brass, not only on bikes but also for my home decoration (will not show you today). But in my own humble opinion, too much copper or brass can be very tacky. And I see this excess on many new vintage […]
All motorcycle builders love cars, and car customizers love bikes. And we all work on our own rides. Some even work professionally on both at the same time. But what are the personal 4-wheel rides of the custom builders you know? I know quite a few of them and today I give you the answer for Arlen Ness. […]
Clymer Introduces Its New Harley-Davidson V-Rod 2002-2007 Manual
Published by November 28th, 2007 in Builders, Editorial and Merchandise.Clymer(R), publisher of the leading family of do-it-yourself repair manuals, announced the addition of its all-new Harley-Davidson VRSC Series 2002-2007 Manual to its extensive line of motorcycle repair manuals. Clymer motorcycle repair manuals provide step-by-step procedures based upon complete disassembly of the motorcycle. This hands-on experience, combined with extensive research, results in a manual that is […]
5,400 Harley-Davidson Workers At Idle Speed
Published by November 27th, 2007 in Builders, Editorial and Events.They will have more time to devote to their families and …to read my Blog. 5,400 Harley-Davidson workers are out of work this week as the company cuts production because of poor sales. The production is halted at plants in Wisconsin, Kansas City, Mo., and York, Pa. This measure was announced in September and workers […]
