In an interview with Reuters in his office at the company’s headquarter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Harley CEO Matt Levatich said: – the the company is not exploring a merger with a rival or a private equity buyout, as some investors have speculated. – asked to be patient with his strategy to turn around the slump […]
Archive for the 'Builders' Category
Harley-Davidson CEO Matt Levatich To Investors. Patience As Sales And Stock Slide
Published by February 14th, 2018 in Builders and Editorial.“Passion Built” Custom Motorcycles At 2018 Sturgis Buffalo Chip®’ Exhibit
Published by February 14th, 2018 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.For the 10th year, Custom bikes built from the pure passion and love of the machine will be exhibited at the Buffalo Chip free to the public this August. Curated by Michael Lichter “Passion Built – Garage to Gallery” will bring together a collection of stunning motorcycles “Passion Built” for this exhibition by 40 builders […]
The Jack Ehret Land Speed Record-Setting 1951 Vincent Black Lightning Auctioned For $929,000 In Las Vegas Returns To Collector In Australia
Published by February 13th, 2018 in Builders, Editorial and Events.After setting a top auction price, the 1951 Vincent Black Lightning motorcycle is returning home to Australia where it set a national land speed record 65 years ago. The Vincent became part of Australian motoring history after Jack Ehret rode it into the record books in 1953. Forty years later his son, former sidecar racer […]
I am not a replica fan, for motorcycles, cars or anything else. But I easily admit that the positive feelings of riding a classic or vintage vehicle is most often overwhelmed by the worries and time spent fixing the damages caused by miles and time. In 2017, when Harley reached a continuous 60-year run with […]
Harley-Davidson, Inc. Increases Dividend, Announces Additional Share Repurchase Authorization. The Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) board of directors approved a cash dividend of $0.37 per share (3.2% yield) for the first quarter of 2018 on Feb. 2, 2018. The dividend is payable March 2, 2018 to the shareholders of record of the company’s common stock as of […]
Harley-Davidson Is Recalling Nearly 251,000 Motorcycles Worldwide (175,000 US) Because The Brakes Might Fail
Published by February 7th, 2018 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Under pressure from U.S. safety regulators, Harley-Davidson is recalling nearly 251,000 motorcycles worldwide (175,000 in the US) because the brakes might Fail. The U.S. recall covers more than 30 models from the 2008 through 2011 model years. Harley says deposits can form on brake parts if the fluid isn’t changed every two years as specified […]
Motor Bike Expo 10th Anniversary In Verona, Italy (January 18-21). Custom Chrome Bike Show Winners.
Published by February 5th, 2018 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.It’s my 5th report in 12 days about the famous Italy Motor Bike Expo (160,000 paying visitors, 600 custom bikes on the floor during 4 days…) and you may be confused by some bikes that I am featuring more than one time. No, it’s not a mistake. The reason is that the most interesting customs […]
10 U.S. States Object To EPA Reducing Harley-Davidson Emissions Penalty
Published by February 3rd, 2018 in Builders and Legal.Ten U.S. states and the District of Columbia said Thursday they are challenging a decision by the Trump administration to drop a requirement that Harley-Davidson Inc (HOG) spend $3 million to reduce air pollution under settlement the Obama administration announced. In 2016, the Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer agreed to pay a $12 million civil fine and […]
Ken’s Factory Twin-Cam Powered Mazda
Published by January 31st, 2018 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Ken Nagai, (owner/founder of Ken’s Factory), is a great custom motorcycle builder, and although this project rolls on 4 wheels, it’s a V-Twin powered based on a 60’s Mazda Carol and worth the interest, I guess, of most of my readers. In Japan like in the US, most custom motorcycle lovers are also car buffs. […]
Harley-Davidson Announces Fourth Quarter, Full-Year 2017 Results. Struggling To Reverse A Four-year Sales Decline. Closing Kansas City Plant.
Published by January 30th, 2018 in Builders and Events.Harley-Davidson worldwide retail motorcycle sales were down 6.7% in 2017 compared to 2016. U.S. retail sales decreased 8.5% and international retail sales were down 3.9%. In 2017, Harley shipped 241,498 motorcycles total, down about 8% from a year earlier. Harley-Davidsom is struggling to reverse a four-year sales slide, with growth overseas somewhat helping offset a […]
Polaris Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results. Record Fourth Quarter Sales Up 18%. Expecting A sharper-Than-Expected Slowdown In Growth In 2018.
Published by January 30th, 2018 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Reported sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 increased 18% to a record $1,431 million; adjusted sales were $1,430 million, up 17%, a majority from organic growth. Total 2017 dealer inventory was up 1% year-over-year; ORV dealer inventory was down 6%. “I am proud of the Polaris team and excited to see their dedication and hard […]
Bonhams Hits $2.86 Million At Vegas Motorcycle Auction. Led by the record-setting 1951 Vincent Black Lightning, Bonhams annual Las Vegas motorcycle auction posted $2.86 million in sales and a 75 percent sell-through rate. The Black Lightning sold at the Rio hotel and casino for $929,000, the most ever paid at auction for a collector motorcycle. […]
The Metamorphosis Of The Chief Ambassador
Published by January 29th, 2018 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.You know the saying. “The work of a biker is never done”. What about the work of a Custom Builder? And what about this project from Bryan Fuller that I published “finished” in bare steel for the first time in September 2012? You are now looking at a multi-year metapmorphosis of an old bike into […]
Indian Recalls Some 2015-2017 Roadmaster Motorcycles
Published by January 27th, 2018 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Water has a chance of getting into the Indian Roadmaster’s rear wiring harness causing the brake light to stay illuminated. Owners will be notified and the potential problem will be remedied, free of charge.Indian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trunk wiring harness with an updated harness that contains sealing plugs in the […]
The Jack Ehret Speed Record-Setting 1951 Vincent Black Lightning Auctioned For $929,000 In Las Vegas
Published by January 26th, 2018 in Builders, Editorial and Events.To the sound of cheers and applause in a packed ballroom at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Bonhams – led by auctioneer Malcolm Barber – just sold the rare, original condition, British-made, Australian speed record-setting, 1951 Vincent Black Lightning motorcycle for $929,000, making it the most valuable motorcycle ever sold at auction. […]
2018 Harley-Davidson “Battle of the Kings”
Published by January 25th, 2018 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.The “Battle Of The Kings” is this year a competition between 250 authorized Harley-Davidson dealers from 21 countries wishing to show their skills at customizing a factory Harley with a strictly enforced budget of $7350 (€6,000). The list of models for this year’s contest is limited to the Street 750, Street Rod, Iron 883, Forty-Eight, […]
Motor Bike Expo 10th Anniversary In Verona, Italy (January 18-21) Part 4
Published by January 24th, 2018 in Builders, Customs and Events.Steve McQueen’s classic Pope 61CI Model Motorcycle Auctioned This Thursday January 25th In Las Vegas
Published by January 24th, 2018 in Builders, Editorial and Events.A 1914 Pope 61CI Model bought by the Great Escape star in the late 1970s just a few years before his untimely death, has emerged for sale by the Bonhams Auction House this Thursday, January 25th, at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. McQueen’s purchase of the bike came as the result of long […]
Indian FTR750 Scout Becoming The Bike Of Choice For A Growing List of Privateers In This Year’s AMA Flat Track Championship
Published by January 23rd, 2018 in Builders, Editorial and Racing.After last year’s dominant performance, many privateer riders are turning to Indian and its championship-winner Scout FTR750. The Scout FTR750 captured the 2017 American Flat Track Manufacturer’s Championship and swept the 2017 standings with Indian’s Wrecking Crew Jared Mees, Bryan Smith and Brad Baker finishing first, second and third, respectively (14 total wins, 37 podiums […]
Motor Bike Expo 10th Anniversary In Verona, Italy (January 18-21) Part 3
Published by January 22nd, 2018 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.They traveled from as far as Indonesia to show their work. Brought yo you from builders from all over the world, below is a non-exhaustive selection of the best custom motorcycles exhibited last weekend on the floor of the 2018 Italy Motor Bike Expo (photos @ H. Roesler for C. Huze)
Harley-Davidson Snow Hill Climb Motorcycling Debut at X Games
Published by January 21st, 2018 in Builders, Editorial and Events.In an X Games first, Harley-Davidson® Snow Hill Climb will make its debut at X Games Aspen as a medaled event alongside ski, snowboard and other action-sports competitions. The new medal sport will close out X Games Aspen 2018, which airs January 25-28 on ESPN and ABC. In the Harley-Davidson Snow Hill Climb, riders will […]
Motor Bike Expo 10th Anniversary In Verona, Italy (January 18-21) Part 2
Published by January 20th, 2018 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.It’s one of the biggest motorcycle events of the year and recognized by the custom motorcycle industry of utmost importance for Custom Builders wishing to be introduced to the public or confirmed by the press. A few postcards of the event.
Jesse James Built A President Trump 45-Caliber Pistol
Published by January 19th, 2018 in Accessories, Builders, Customs and Editorial.You know him as a custom motorcycle builder, a show personality and reality star (motorcycle Mania, Monster Garage, etc), maybe also as a participant in 2009 of the NBC show The Apprentice presented by Donald Trump, and now as a gunsmith at JJFU (Jesse James Firearms Unlimited) where he creates gorgeous custom pistols. His latest […]
First Turbo-Charged Indian Scout
Published by January 15th, 2018 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Unless you are a pure drag racer, all of your riding will be off-boost. So, why use forced induction (turbochargers or superchargers) in a new Indian Scout motorcycle? Especially if you consider the legal authorized carbon dioxide limits and the difficulty of fitting a turbocharger in a small bike like the Scout. As a matter […]
New ‘1901’ T-shirt designs from Indian Motorcycle
Published by January 14th, 2018 in Accessories, Builders and Editorial.Indian’s range of T-shirts continue to expand with fresh designs for 2018. The Indian Motorcycle 1901 Fashion Fit tees feature hand painted graphic designs that gives the range a distinctive style, as well as a fit that is closer to the body than other styles in the Indian range. Made in California, these t-shirts use […]
If you attentively follow the custom scene, here in the US and abroad, you know that each year the most admired bikes are those looking the most simple to build. As a matter of fact they are the most difficult to conceive, require handcrafting to perfection and always feature at least a couple of little […]
