This U.S .Navy theme bike built by Dar Holdsworth of Darwin Motorcycles is one of 4 custom motorcycles unveiled at Rolling Thunder’s 25th anniversary on May 26, 2012 in Washington, D.C. Jay Allen managed the tribute build project with each bike built to honor a branch of the military. Dar being a U.S. Air Force […]
Archive for the 'Builders' Category
Rolling Thunder US Navy Tribute Custom Motorcycle
Published by June 4th, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.This one-off street friendly Triumph is based on the factory Scrambler model. To give it a sporty look modifications include: Upside down forks equipped with Magura-Super-Moto braking system with 4-stroke radial callipers, plus a radial master brake cylinder. Öhlins spring elements. Heavy Pirelli studded tires, dimensions of 110/80-19 and 140/80-18, making this bike stands noticeably […]
Washington Post Investigates Dangerous After-Market Motorcycle Parts. How many millions of problem after-market parts not meeting safety and environmental standards and endangering bikers are sold every year is the question that asks the Washington post. The investigation starts with an interview of Rick Doyle founder of now shuttered Hog Farm, a 3-million dollars business selling custom […]
Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield Logo. Did You Know?
Published by May 31st, 2012 in Builders and Editorial.Contrary to popular belief, it’s not in 1903 that the Harley-Davidson “Bar & Shield” logo was created. It’s only in 1910 that the famed “Bar & Shield” logo is used for the first time. It was trademarked at the U.S. Patent office one year later. Recently, the licensing of the Harley-Davidson logo and brand for […]
Custom Bike Building Basics For The Backyard Garage Mechanic.
Published by May 30th, 2012 in Books, Builders, Customs and Editorial.Pro-builders know and use a lot of tricks to get around the difficulties they encounter daily while custom building one-off bikes. If you are a backyard garage mechanic, you want to know as many of these tricks as possible. In this new book, through 3 start-to-finish assemblies (1 Shovelhead, 2 Panheads) built on a working […]
New Mid-Control Kit For Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special
Published by May 30th, 2012 in Builders, Controls, Customs and Editorial.Maybe the Harley Night Rod special should have been sold standard equipped with mid-controls. The new V-Rod® Mid-Control Kit (P/N 50700013, $499.95) from Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Accessories® coverts a V-Rod® Night Rod® Special from its Original Equipment forward foot brake and shift controls to mid-controls, and the rider from a laid-back, foot-forward posture to an […]
Saxon Motorcycles Confirming On Twitter And Facebook It Is Looking For A Buyer
Published by May 30th, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.On April 10, 2012 I broke the news that Saxon Motorcycles was in big trouble and for sale. Until yesterday, Chief Executive Officer Mark Borodkin never officially confirmed the news. Today, in a strange way to do it, Saxon Motorcycles announced on Twitter, in less that 140 characters, that it is for sale and posted […]
Billy Lane Prison Air Force Custom Motorcycle
Published by May 29th, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Videos.Tech Sheet: Frame: Billy Lane, 26-degree rake. Wheels: 23″. Engine: S&S Flathead Power Knucklehead 93″. Transmission: Baker 6-speed. Open Belt Drive System: 2″ Evil Engineering. Engraving: by Heather of New of New Line Engraving. Taillight: VL Tedd Cycle. Seat: Adam Croft from Last Ride Customs. Grips/Pegs: Choppers Inc. 44mag Nickel shell casings. Gas tank, headlight, […]
Motus Motorcycles is seeking a qualified, self-motivated individual to assemble new production motorcycles. The individual will be responsible for multiple aspects of the motorcycle final assembly, from suspension systems, brakes and electrical systems, to engines and fuel systems.
Most custom builders and vendors you have known and appreciated during the last 30 years are entering or already belong to the baby-boomers segment of the population. A few of them have or will have a succession in place when they retire. Here in the US, the most well known example is the Ness family […]
Sailor Jerry Custom Motorcycle Contest
Published by May 26th, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins, the father of classic old-school American tattooing. Sailor Jerry Rum, a premium spiced rum with hints of caramel and vanilla crafted in the traditional Navy way by UK William Grant & Sons, a company supporting all creative individuals who feel just as strongly about their respective crafts…
Tsunami Motorcycle To Be Preserved By Harley-Davidson Museum
Published by May 25th, 2012 in Builders and Editorial.In accordance with the wishes of its owner, Ikuo Yokoyama, the Harley-Davidson(R) motorcycle, recovered on the coast of British Columbia after drifting for more than a year and 4,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean following last year’s tsunami in Japan will be preserved by the Harley-Davidson Museum(TM) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a memorial to the […]
The Harley model FCWC, or Softail Rocker, with its controversial “perched” seat made necessary because the rear fender was moving with the swingarm to which he was mounted, didn’t make it in the 2012 line up. Of course, plenty are around and are always a very good base for those looking for a nice riding […]
2012 Riding Into History Vintage Motorcycle Concours D’Elegance
Published by May 23rd, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Events.The 13th edition of The Riding into History™ (RIH) weekend, a world class Vintage Motorcycle Concours d’Elegance, was held last weekend at the World Golf Village near St. Augustine, Florida. This competition attracted about 350 antique and vintage motorcycles. Collectors from all over America bring their motorcycles to the show, and they are displayed around […]
Fast Motorcycle Industry News.
Published by May 23rd, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Harley-Davidson April-May US Sales Seen As Slowing Down. Dealer checks suggest that retail sales were down between 1 to 3%. The 2 reasons most often mentioned: 1- Unusual excellent sales during the 1st quarter 2012 due to exceptional clement winter weather. 2- a shortage of available new models in many dealerships, something that will benefit […]
The Blade. A Gorgeous Custom Aluminum Sportster.
Published by May 23rd, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Videos.A video Richard Grabbe from Rich Phillips Cycles put together on The Blade, a 1998 Harley Sportster. Beautiful one-off chromemoly frame and aluminum sheet metal. Shot in his shop in Missouri and around his home. Enjoy… (4″ 46″)
No, I am not confused, but you may be just by looking at all these pictures and realizing that they are from 2 different custom Ducatis. These bikes with the overall same appearance and paint job are the work of Yuri Shif, for me Europe’s custom builder with the wildest/most elegant/most beautifully executed ideas. His […]
New Men’s Dust Storm Mesh Jacket From Harley-Davidson
Published by May 20th, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Merchandise.With removable textile outer panels that zip-off to create a mesh jacket, the new men’s Dust Storm Switchback Functional Jacket (starting at $350) delivers versatility for varying temperatures. It’s constructed from water-resistant 600-denier polyester with lightweight, removable body armor at the elbows and shoulders. A removable, full-sleeve waterproof liner accentuates its climate-controllable versatility, while pre-curved […]
Antique Motorcycle Foundation Leadership Forum Set for July 19, 2012
Published by May 17th, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Events.The Antique Motorcycle Foundation will host a leadership forum for organizations whose primary purpose is the promotion and enjoyment of vintage and antique motorcycles in Mansfield, Ohio on July 19. This will be the third year for the meeting. Its purpose is to provide educational opportunities and to give leaders throughout the vintage and antique […]
New Evo Sportster Hardtail Kit By Bare Knuckle Choppers
Published by May 16th, 2012 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Many Sportster owners dream to turn their bikes into a hardtail. Quite a few kits to do so on the market, and a new clean option offered by Bare Knuckle Choppers. The crew started with the idea that the frame should look like it came from the factory as a hardtail, not as a hacked […]
Radical Japanese Electric Motorcycle
Published by May 16th, 2012 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.First generation of electric motorcycles was all about making them work without much consideration about aesthetics. Second generation went into improving performance but still failing at making them visually very attractive. A third generation is now trying to give these e-bikes some custom sex-appeal.
Harley-Davidson India. Facts And Numbers.
Published by May 15th, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Events.In the most populous democracy in the world with over 1.2 billion people (489 million-worker labor force) with one of the fastest-growing economies (6.2% GDP), Harley-Davidson is enthused by the positive response that its motorcycles are getting. Since Harley officially entered the India market in July 2010, the company has sold about 1000 bikes, expects […]
First, let me begin this feature by mentioning that the finish you see on this bike comes by way of acid etching followed by flame treating all steel parts (except tear fender and gas tank kept in raw steel). Result is this iridescent-type “color” that ranges from golds and straw-yellows to deep purples, reds and […]
Victory Motorcycles Grand Opening Of First Dealership In Beijing China
Published by May 12th, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Woke up this Saturday morning at the same time Cory Ness was emailing me from Beijing, China (population of 19.5 million out of 1.3 billion in the country) the very first pictures of the Grand Opening of the first Victory store in China. Arlen and Cory participated to the ceremonies and tell me that they sold all their […]
eBay Motors Launches Motorcycle Parts Compatibility. eBay is launching parts compatibility in select eBay Motors Motorcycle Parts & Accessories categories this month. With the Parts Compatibility feature, sellers can create one listing describing a single part and add a complete list of compatible vehicles. Listing with parts compatibility also helps get your relevant items in […]
New Harley-Davidson Running Boards To Provide Room To Stretch Legs and Move Feet For Long-Ride Comfort
Published by May 10th, 2012 in Builders, Controls, Customs and Editorial.The new Rider Running Boards (P/N 50500158, $199.95) from Harley-Davidson® give owners of many Harley-Davidson FL Softail® and Touring motorcycle models more room to stretch legs and move feet on long runs, which can relieve muscle tension and reduce rider fatigue. These Rider Runner Boards are four inches longer (one inch in forward and three […]
