If you really belong to the custom scene you know that Bill Dodge was during 8 years the shop foreman at Jesse James WCC. At the end of 2005, Bill moved from California to New-Jersey to open Blings Cycles. His style? His own. Not the $100,000 trophy bikes he used to build in his former professional […]
Archive for the 'Customs' Category
Gerard (a.k.a.GG) is a familiar face in the industry. One that you can see only during big US events because his headquarters are in France where through his company called MAG he distributes our US parts to the countries of the European Community. So, GG knows everybody and every custom V-Twin part sold in this […]
Stock Harley FL-series bikes use an exhaust system with a scavenge pipe connecting the front and rear exhaust. Doesn’t look too good, creates extra heat and slightly lowers performance. Samson Motorcycle Products offers a full line of true dual systems to correct this problem. In addition, you have the option to dress your pipes in […]
Custom Chrome Bike Kits Under DMV Investigation
Published by June 23rd, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.This is the story of Dain Gingerelli, editor of Iron Works Magazine. Gingerelli built for himself a bike from bike kit parts bought from Custom Chrome Inc. In April, he locked up a sure sale of his motorcycle but California DMV blocked the sale by refusing to issue a title. DMV has refused to give […]
Rick fairless Extends His Dallas Biker Empire
Published by June 22nd, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Riding through Texas or just living in the Dallas/Fort worth area, Strokers Dallas has always been a favorite destination for bikers because it’s not only a custom motorcycles shop, but also a bar/restaurant called Ice-House with free live music from Friday night to Sunday all day. You know, bikes, beer & babes. But owner and […]
It’s nice to discover a company producing cool custom parts and which is not yet very well known by my peers in the industry. These 2 interesting velocity stacks (among a full line too wide to show it here with pictures) were designed by Kevin Renaldi from a company called […]
I bet with you that we are going to see a return to the enclosed primary system.Why? Because the open belt system is over used in all the new customs, and because of the uncertainties with the EPA new rules many will prefer now to customize a Harley. Most of these "stock bike" […]
I like spoke wheels, and I must admit that on my most recent customs 40-spoke was my choice. But my choice of parts can be very eclectic and I could use these over spoked wheels from Pat Kennedy in Bisbee, Arizona. I think – I am retty sure – that it’s the only place in […]
For the fifth consecutive year, Metzeler’s wildly popular Custom Bike Contest is returning to Sturgis. Amateur and professional builders will compete in a variety of judging classes, including Consumer Class, Custom Builder/Custom Chopper and Bobber/Old School. This year’s prizes include: An all-expense paid trip to Metzeler’s headquarters in Milan and factory in Germany with American […]
In 8 weeks, about 120 bikes are going to compete in Sturgis in the World Championship Of Bike Building. It will be the 4th edition and a deserving builder is going to receive some Bling Bling (see picture) from the hands of AMD publisher Robin Bradley. You can still register a bike by filling out […]
Roland Sands has been in the industry basically since he was born. He grew up around bikes and bike people his entire life. (His father Perry Sands started Performance Machine in 1970). Roland built his first custom bike when he was 16, He was inspired to film this video to show people what went into […]
It’s not a true full custom if you don’t fabricate your very own set of exhaust. But how do you get started? Like most pros, you need a Builder Exhaust Kit which is basically, as the name implies, a selection of pre-fabbed tubing, header flanges and exhaust tips. In other words, everything you need to […]
Advanced Custom Motorcycle Chassis
Published by June 9th, 2007 in Books, Customs, Editorial and Frames.Whether you are building a bike from the ground up, adding a 300 mm rear tire to a stock Harley or just tinkering with a few chrome parts, you must read this new how-to book. I did, and in my opinion, it’s one of the best written (meaning explained in plain language) book to understand […]
Frames By Wild West in Texas introduces the Dusold Designs "Double Down" frame. It features a single sided swingarm with a very comfortable 5 1/2" rear wheel travel, accepts a 300 or 360 mm rear tire. Completely Tig welded, it is available in many different rakes and stretches. A wild frame for a very wild project. […]
Close Up On Sweden Bike Show Winner
Published by June 7th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.This bike just won a trip to Sturgis to compete in August in the 2007 AMD World Championship. Stellan Egeland, owner & builder of this show winner in Sweden, sent to me the following information: (Pictures by Sheriff […]
Indian Larry Legacy Transmission Plate
Published by June 6th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Driveline and Editorial.For reasons of looks and to make our bikes lighter, it seems that during these last 5 years we drilled holes everywhere we could. Frame, exhaust, fender, struts, battery box, grips, headlight, floorboards, multitude of brackets and even in oil bags & gas tanks. I must admit my share of responsibility for this trend. This […]
Arlen Ness Million Dollar Ride
Published by June 5th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.It will happen in Spearfish during the Sturgis Bike Rally. Arlen Ness and about 20 well known builders will gather to raise money for the Shriner’s Transportation Division, in Rapid City. Arlen Ness, in partnership with Maverick Publishing and Black Hills Choppers, will hold the "Million Dollar Ride" on Tuesday, Aug. 7. Black Hills Choppers […]
On a custom bike I like to have matching caps on gas tank & oil bag. In the new retro style, a young company called Nash Motorcycle offers this brass caps sold with weld-on vent fittings for venting tank into frame. Cap bung are machined out of mild steel for easy welding. You can order […]
Swedish Bike Show Winner. Ulster 8 Valve
Published by June 2nd, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Chris a.k.a. Sheriff, Swedish reporter/photographer and Hamsters Club member, sent me this awesome black & white picture of the winner of the 2007 Swedish Bike Show in Stockholm. I don’t have many details to give you, but I know that it was built by Stellan for […]
After a hiatus of almost 15 years, baggers are again attracting customizers and small volume bike manufacturers.They are all busy at designing very creative touring bikes. A good example is Big Bear Choppers with their new Grand Touring C-Wedge (GTX) which will be offered for sale in November as part of the 2008 fleet. You will […]
Long time that the Martin Brothers (Joe & Jason) didn’t release new parts and specifically new exhaust systems. July 1st, you will be able to order from them these new pipes to fit all Softails models (including customs, of course) with standard left side drive. These exhausts will come with removable baffles […]
You change your front end or your wheel (s), or build a bike from the ground up. Nothing you can do without the right spacers. And don’t expect that the front end or wheel manufacturer is going to tell you or provide the right spacers setup. Why? Because it’s impossible due to the multitude of […]
From Sgt David P. Willer "This letter is well over due. I would like to take the time to thank each and everyone one of you that had something to do with the building of my bike. To refresh your memory I am the Marine that while in Iraq had 3/4 of my bike sold out […]
For those putting riding comfort as their number one priority, Billy Lane of Choppers Inc introduces new Six Gun Rubber Grips. These grips are the logical evolution of his Six Gun line-up of parts and accessories (heel/toes shifter, shifter pegs, fold-up pegs, gas cap, chopper aluminum grips & pegs). Billy intends to release new products […]
I can’t distinguish Hiragana, Katakana or Kanji Japanese alphabets. But I know a couple of things about Japanese design. First, it’s all about pure lines and uncluttered spaces. Second, Japanese design is asymmetry because symmetry is stagnant and asymmetry is creative. Since I share the […]
A Pro-Street Frame Engineered To Endure
Published by May 21st, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Frames.Mike Beland of A1 Cycles in Florida builds unusual bikes with a tendency to go to the extreme by putting in the same frame 2 engines and of course 2 drivelines (and making them work). From this experience Mike has a taste for frames with fat tubes and extra heavy wall thickness. So, no surprise […]
