Big Dog Motorcycles just announced that is has cut its work force by 7 percent because of slow sales of its custom motorcycles. In March of 2006, the company stated that it had 320 employees. The company said in a press release that it had overstaffed in anticipated of its normal seasonal increase in demand, […]
Archive for the 'Builders' Category
Pre-Emptive Layoffs At Big Dog Motorcycles
Published by April 1st, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.If “Metricity” is your thing, tomorrow morning Saturday March 31 at 11 AM (EST), ESP2 will air the Metric Revolution’s Motorcycle Build Off. The show features 22 of the nation’s top metric and custom builders in a head-to-head competition with $500,000 in prizes at stake. 22 contestants were selected to compete in three categories – […]
To launch a new model is never easy task. Especially in such an unpredictable V-Twin market. So, I have to applaud when I see an individual like Walter Roerich trying to bring something new and different to our industry. Roehr Motorcycles introduces the V-Roehr 1130 Superbike, a new generation of American motorcycles. Powered by the Harley-Davidson* Revolution* […]
If you are like me, you will never design a motorcycle without immersing yourself in the “atmosphere” of the style of bike you are thinking of. It is especially true if you intend to build, rebuild or restore a vintage bike. Journalist Charlie Lecach from Freeway Magazine pointed out to me an excellent website called Vintage […]
According to industry contacts there are indications of weak sales for Harley-Davidson in January & February. Harley sales may be down 20% in January and 12% in February. The worrisome part is that it can’t be due to the recent strike because during these 2 months dealers had adequate bikes inventory. Since other manufacturers might have lost […]
Motorcycle Mania With Russell Mitchell & John Mellencamp
Published by March 25th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.While you were enjoying Daytona Bike Week, Exile Cycles crew was extremely busy working on Main Street in the middle of Automatic Slims Bar, building in 5 days a bike for singer John Mellencamp. All the build process was filmed by the Discovery Channel to be featured in […]
Sportster Nightster Original Sketch
Published by March 22nd, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.I love motorcycle and part sketches, these quick outlines used to capture the basic elements and structure of an idea to be produced or manufactured. I keep mine (unfortunately, a few disappeared) and love to look at those drawn by others. You are looking at the original sketch made by Rich Cristoph, a 27 year […]
From My Spy In Russia. Custom BMW Chopper.
Published by March 21st, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.About 5 years ago, I got my 1st motorcycle parts orders coming from Russia. I was quite surprised. I even sold to a Moscow dealer all the parts necessary to build 2 bikes to be assembled in Russia and looking like 2 of my customs. Then, Russian magazines […]
Tom Zimberoff, the celebrated author of Art Of The Chopper 1 & 2, forwarded to me an excellent article written by David Edwards in Cycle World Magazine. It’s about the penalty levied by CARB (California Air Resources Board) on Jesse James pursuant to the 98-05 sales of 50 West Coast Choppers motorcycles not in compliance […]
OCC Bike Unveiling. Las Vegas Style.
Published by March 17th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Orange County Choppers, the custom motorcycle shop made popular by the hit series "American Chopper," will unveil their newest bike, the “Go Fast Chopper” this Monday, March 19th on top of the 51st floor at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new chopper will be flown in by Silver State Helicopters and […]
You requested it. So, here it is. The list of the top 3 winners in the main classes of the 35th Daytona Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show. To receive all results of all classes (too long to list here), email to editor@cyrilhuzeblog.com. Over 1000 cc Custom: 1st place: Danny Apla. 2nd place: Michael Lorum. 3rd place: James Newman. Over […]
Daytona Bike Week. Harley-Davidson Raises 150K for MDA
Published by March 16th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.A lot of charity fundraising is done during a big event like Daytona Bike Week. Harley-Davidson’s raised more than $150,000 for MDA and for this sponsored several activities. First the "Bankers Auction" hosted by Harley-Davidson, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Jim Ziemer and Vice President and Treasurer Jim Brostowitz, Second, the Willie G. Davidson pledge ride […]
During rallies, I am so busy talking to everybody that I am always afraid to miss a trick bike deserving to be featured here. During the Daytona Boardwalk Show there is no way I could have missed to notice this wild and gorgeous new bike that I would have liked to imagine and fabricate. Almost […]
Viper Powersports Listed on the NASD
Published by March 15th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Viper Powersports Inc, the Big Lake MN motorcycle manufacturer announced today that it has changed its primary trading venue from Pink Sheets to the NASD Electronic Bulletin Board. (OTCBB: VPWS). Viper Powersports develops, produces and markets a line of premium custom V-Twin cruiser motorcycles, aftermarket engines and other related aftermarket products. Viper cruisers are distributed […]
Guns N’ Roses Statement About Harley-Davidson Commercial Song
Published by March 14th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.The song "Better" has been receiving airplay across the country, but there is no official single release. No one seems to know where the song came from or how it got out. Did Guns N’ Roses purposely leak the track? Keyboardist Dizzy Reed explains in the site Guns N’ Roses "We were doing a commercial with Harley-Davidson. […]
Cyril Huze Daytona Rat’s Hole Show Winner
Published by March 11th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.This beautiful Saturday afternoon under a picture perfect blue sky, 258 bikes, a new record, competed in the Daytona Rat’s Hole Bike Show. Cyril himself doesn’t compete in bike shows, but his clients do. It’s with great pleasure to announce that in the “Bobbers” class, “The Bravest” & “Bombshell” respectively won […]
Donnie Smith & Fred Kodlin Inducted In IMBBA
Published by March 9th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.On Thursday March 8, fellow custom bike builders Donnie Smith & Fred Kodlin were inducted in the Hall Of Fame of the International Master Bike Builders Association (IMBBA) to which I belong. The ceremony was held front of the public and bike show participants at the Daytona International Speedway infield. Donnie Smith out of Minnesota […]
It makes me happy to realize how much interest you all have in the Builders Breakfast Event held in Daytona where participating Builders & Bruce Rossmeyer contributed to raise $34,000 for the Boggy Creek Camp. Not only you commented in this Blog, but you also sent a lot of emails requesting details about the organization and […]
First Daytona Builders Breakfast A Huge Success
Published by March 7th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.The concept of a Builders Breakfast during which bikers can mingle with the best custom builders in the world was created by Billy Lane from Choppers Inc. during the 2006 Sturgis Rally. The objective being to raise money for a great cause. Following the success of Sturgis, the 1st Daytona Builders Breakfast was held this […]
Attending Builders: Billy Lane, Arlen Ness, Kendall Johnson, Cory Ness, Cyril Huze, Eddie Trotta, Matt Hotch, Aaron Greene, Paul Cox, Keino, Russell Mitchell, Russell Marlow, Jesse Rooke, Kim Suter, Jerry Covington, Donnie Smith, Dave Perewitz, Scott Webster, Fred Kodlin, Arlin Fatland, Paul Yaffe, Roland […]
Every day during Bike Week, magazines, manufacturers and custom builders organize parties. The first to start the week (on Tuesday) is the one organized by Freeway Magazine published in France & Italy. The ingredients are: a selection of custom builders impatient to show their new builts, a big pool (in which we didn’t jump because […]
I realize that it is the 1st time I put in words my feelings about doing a big bike rally like Daytona Bike Week. Excitation (the atmosphere, noise, colors & smell), expectation (the bikes, parts, old and new friends), exhaustion (have you ever spent 10 hours a day every day under a tent as hot […]
Last Chance To Have Breakfast With 25 Top Builders.
Published by March 4th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.This post to remind all motorcycle enthusiasts that the 1st Daytona Builders Breakfast is Tuesday March 7th at 9 AM at Destination Daytona (US 1 and I95 in Ormond Beach). A few tickets are still available today directly at the Choppers Inc..booth at Destination Daytona. For $25 you will have breakfast with the most amazing Custom Builders in the world. In […]
New Rat’s Hole Cheese Hauler: 3 Wheels. 2 Engines. 1 Trike
Published by February 28th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.You are looking at the concept drawing of the new Twin Engine Rat’s Hole Trike scheduled to be unveiled this coming week during Daytona Bike Week. Ted Smith, owner/manager of the worldwide famous Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show commissioned Mike Beland from A1 Cycles to build this new “Cheese Hauler”. Mike is the man who […]
Daytona Bike Week. Do Something Meaningful & Powerful
Published by February 24th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.The 1st Daytona Builders Breakfast will be held March 7th at 9 AM at Destination Harley (US 1 and I95 in Ormond Beach). For $25 you will have breakfast with the most amazing Custom Builders in the world. In addition to have a great autograph/photo opportunity with your favorite Builder, your $25 will contribute to […]
Exclusive. Billy Lane New Parts For Baggers.
Published by February 21st, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.More or less, each of us is stereotyped in a certain style of bikes. But the truth is that most of us like motorcycles of different brands, ages and styles. But only if they are well designed. You could be surprised to learn here in my Blog that Billy Lane spent these last […]
