Avon Venom-R tires were extremely popular. But the company wanted to improve maneuverability at both high and low speeds, dismissing the common belief that wide tires are unable to corner proficiently. With a rapidly evolving performance cruiser market, and heavier motorcycles, Avon looked for a new tire with handling, durability and aesthetics at the top […]
Archive for the 'Customs' Category
Leroy-Thompson Pro Charged Trendkill Custom Bike
Published by February 20th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.More and more custom builders collaborate with parts manufacturers and vice versa. The result? Usually a very cool bike featuring top of the line new parts. As an example, Scott Webster of Leroy-Thompson Choppers and ProCharger collaborated on a brand new bike named "Trendkill" which was recently unveiled to a packed house at the V-Twin […]
Cycle Source Magazine Daytona Bike Show For And With Generation X And Y
Published by February 20th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Chris Callen (he is generation X), publisher of Cycle Source Magazine proved me wrong. There is something to do specifically designed for Generation X and Y during Daytona Bike Week. Baby boomers like me (sometimes I feel like an X or even a Y) will also stop by and enjoy the event. Below is his […]
Attracting New Bikers By Word Of Mouse
Published by February 19th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.It is conventional wisdom that the motorcycle industry is worried about the demographic shift of the oldest baby boomers (born in 1946) hitting the United States legal retirement age of 65. As boomers or boomies retire, their older children called Generation X (born 1965 to 1980) and younger ones called Generation Y (born 1980 to […]
Replacement Engine Parts From Flathead Power By S&S Cycle.
Published by February 19th, 2008 in Customs, Editorial and Engines.Two weeks ago I told you that S&S was about to release FHP components to complete new vinage engines. S&S knows that the demand for quality replacement parts for vintage restorations is at an all time high, reason why last year they bought Flathead Power. The list of new products from Flathead Power by S&S […]
Primary Covers To Match Or Complement Your Wheels Design
Published by February 18th, 2008 in Customs, Driveline, Editorial and Wheels.For a final touch on your primary covers the Canadian boys of Concept & Design Cycle created several sets of covers. Fancier than most of what is available from most after-market vendors, they have the merit to nicely complement the design of many designer billet wheels. And if it […]
Performance Machine Contrast Cut Contour Belt Drive
Published by February 18th, 2008 in Customs, Driveline and Editorial.As promised, I feature the new version of Performance Machine Contour Belt Drive that I admired this weekend at the Indianapolis Dealers Expo . Many “one-off” Contrast Cut versions of the PM primary have been featured on PM custom bikes in the past couple years. So, by popular demand, PM has decided to offer a […]
Half Harley. Half Hayabusa. It’s A Barley.
Published by February 18th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Suspension.I admire people trying “crazy” new stuff, like fusing together the framework of a Harley-Davidson with the world-renowned styling of a Suzuki Hayabusa. The concept of this bike was to develop a motorcycle that was Harley Evo motor based but with the functionality and style of a Suzuki Hayabusa. Never thought about this one. And […]
Can a highly artful motorcycle perform as well or even better than a factory motorcycle? My answer is yes. Can a limited edition custom motorcycle be as reliable and comfortable than the same factory motorcycle? Again, my answer is yes. It’s the challenge we face and must win when building custom machines. Resolving the apparent […]
Revolution. The First Canadian Magazine For Custom Bikes.
Published by February 17th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.We are in a market downturn, and new custom shops are opened, new manufacturers create exciting parts, new production custom bikes are launched and new print and online magazines are created to report on our industry. And it’s great because I am pretty sure that the men behind these new […]
Indianapolis Dealers Expo 2008
Published by February 17th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Driveline, Editorial, Events and Wheels.Since I was close to Indianapolis, between 2 planes, I had to pay a very fast visit to the Dealers Expo, the ultimate extravaganza for the powersports industry. Thanks to Dennis Johnson from Dealers News I got a press pass in less time than it […]
OCC’s 2 New Limited Production Bikes
Published by February 15th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Before the V-twin Expo, I told you that OCC would unveil during the show 2 new productions bikes. Here they are, the way I saw them in Cincinnati. A bagger called the OCC SR Cruiser and a Softail type bike named the OCC Sweet Amber. The OCC SR Cruiser […]
Daytona March 4th. Iron Works Magazine Ride-In-Bike Show
Published by February 15th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Carl Speed Shop is a cool place to hang around during Daytona Bike Week (a lot of parking place and the opportunity to say hello to the Carl Morrow family, holder of not less than 166 national and world speed records). It will even be more exciting March 4th, from 12 to 4 PM when […]
Wiring Harness. Avoid The Madness.
Published by February 15th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Electrical.Each custom builder has his forte and his weaknesses. And me, I have no patience to do electrical work. And I know that many among you, pro or not, feel the same. Anything that can help save time and mistakes is welcome. Like this wiring harness conceived to satisfy all your needs even if you […]
A New Custom Shop Of Love And Hate
Published by February 14th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.A new custom shop? Cool. By beginners? Not really. Love Hate Choppers (LHC) is the association of renowned tattoo artist Ami James (Miami Ink TV show) with master custom builder Marlowe B. They opened shop on Washington Avenue in South Beach Miami (of course), are wrenching their first bikes with hard core styling and finesse […]
It’s getting more and more difficult to find a motorcycle wheel whose design cannot be confused with one of the multiple variations offered by a dozen manufacturers. This one has its own “personality”, reason why I like it. This one-piece “SMUGGLER” wheel is simple, different, and can be ordered in ten interchangeable billet spokes The […]
At the V-Twin Expo I also discovered this new product from Progressive Suspension. Yes, Shock Lights designed to bolt onto the PSI 812 and 412 Series shocks. If, like me, you are minimalist, it’s a pretty cool idea to resolve part of your rear lighting setup. These Shock Lights can be wired into brake or […]
New Monster Exhaust Pipes by Russell Mitchell
Published by February 11th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Exhaust.Russell likes bikes with an industrial look and made his mark building them this way with his own style. Huge exhaust pipes have always been a signature component on every Exile bikes for over a decade. The same style of pipes is now finally available for your 1986 – 2008 Harley-Davidson Softails. Two models are […]
It’s a tradition. Every year, on Saturday evening during the Cincinnati V-Twin Expo, all the industry gathers in the Grand Ballroom of the Duke Energy Center to celebrate the winners of the Excellence Awards given away by Paisano Publications. Great food and drinks, and good camaraderie to congratulate the bling bling winners. And this year’s […]
Roland Sands Hypermotard Ducati
Published by February 10th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.You already know that Roland Sands has a racing background and enjoy working and customizing all kinds of bikes. Here an example of his work on a Ducati platform. The result is called “Hypermotard” and just looking at this picture you can see that not much has been left untouched. I don’t have yet much […]
Scorpio One-Piece Bar/Control System
Published by February 9th, 2008 in Controls, Customs and Editorial.Another very nice after-market product that I admired at the V-twin Expo. Made of billet aluminum, those high quality bars have integrated master cylinders, reservoirs, switches, throttle cable, wires and lines. Everything runs through the supplied stainless steel polished riser bolts. 11/16 bore clutch that works with any style transmission hydraulic cove. 9/16 bore brake […]
Like Phil Korte of “Create A Custom Cycle”, I love bicycles from the 50’s and 60’s. And one of my favorites is this 1957 JC Higgins Flightliner Bicycle. And it just happened that it was Phil’s inspiration to build this white and red custom bike that he qualifies as a Board Track Racer, and me […]
Roland Sands Design (RSD) just released their new design “Diesel” wheel. The Diesel wheel is available in RSD’s exclusive Contrast Cut™ finish and for the first time, a brilliant chrome finish. The rolled rim lip is new for 2008 and features CNC-machined speed dots along the rim, a look unique to RSD. The seven spokes […]
New 2008 Paughco Catalog
Published by February 6th, 2008 in Chassis, Customs, Editorial and Exhaust.This is the time of the year when, like all Dealers, I receive my load of new catalogs. A pain to carry, but a joy to read to find new parts (that usually I will modify for my projects) and get some fresh inspiration. To notice this year is the 2008 Paughco catalog. This is […]
While strolling the 3rd floor of the V-Twin expo, I had a chance to spend some time checking out the bikes from Zero Engineering. Designed in Okazaki City, Japan and built in Las Vegas, Nevada, their choppers are the foremost bikes of the custom motorcycle industry in the land of the rising sun. And it’s […]
Exclusive. American IronHorse Motorcycle Closing Its Doors?
Published by February 4th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Sad news at a time where we are in Cincinnati celebrating our love for the V-Twin industry. American IronHorse was the main competitor of Big Dog Motorcycles in the market segment of "production custom motorcycles". Follow the confirmation I received from one of their employees. " American IronHorse closed its doors officially this past week. Laying […]
