28 independently owned Harley Dealers closed in 2009 with another 15 Dealers expected to close in the next three months of this year. Some dealers have opted to merge their operations with another dealer in the same county – Lynn Ashcroft, with Joe Miller, is the owner of Ashcroft Motorcycles in Salem, Oregon, but also a Circuit judge. […]
Archive for the 'Editorial' Category
Ok, it’s not about women or motorcycles, but curves are curves, and curves are always sensuous. Got this book in my hands and I absolutely loved it. And these car designs – gas tanks, fenders and louvers – could be a great inspiration for your next bike project. Photography is superb and writers for each […]
Going to the 10th Anniversary Cincinnati V-Twin Expo
Published by February 5th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Still a place to see (the new custom parts) and be seen (all the Big Cats of the industry), the 10th V-Twin Expo will open its doors in Cincinnati from tomorrow February 6th until the 8th. As usual I will be there to report on how our motorcycle industry is doing in this fast changing economy. […]
Watch a Walt Disney test footage of 3D visual effects for a sequel of the classic movie ” Tron”. Take a sneak peek at the “Light Cycles” sequence with a pair of bikes dueling, leaving those signature light trails in their wake. Tron 2 is heading to a theater near you.
Textron Financial Still Trying To Sell American IronHorse Motorcycles Intellectual Property
Published by February 4th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.As I announced on November 9, 2009, Streambank LLC, an intellectual property advisory firm, has been retained by Textron Financial Corporation to find a buyer for the intangible assets of American IronHorse. American IronHorse filed a petition for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings on April 30, 2009. It had assets of $1 million and liabilities […]
1/8 Scale Harley Knucklehead Engine. Complete Running Model Coming soon…
Published by February 4th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.His name is Jerry Kieffer. He is not a professional machinist, but a retired field representative for a Wisconsin power company who turned his home shop into the finest and smallest examples of model engineering to be found anywhere in the world. He has been building a number of incredible projects, including two miniature Harley […]
Of course you don’t need to ride a carbon fiber custom built motorcycle to wear one like that. The advantage? Made of super light-weight ABS construction with a durable, high gloss finish (UV protected) to show off your carbon fiber helmet. Other features: plush and absorbent interior liner, includes a removable visor (face-shield compatible), stainless […]
A husband left this note on the fridge. “My Dear Wife. You will surely understand that I have certain needs that you, being 54 years old, can no longer satisfy. I am very happy with you and I value you as a good wife. Therefore, after reading this letter, I hope that you will not wrongly […]
Fat Katz Non Vented Pop Up Gas Cap
Published by February 4th, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.What is the remedy to some pop-up gas caps leaking gas by the vent? Simply, a non vented gas cap to use with a vented gas tank. Fat Katz, a leader in custom gas tanks and fenders, like many builders and owners of their custom built bikes, decided that it was time to end the problem […]
A very interesting article written by Carol J. Loomis, senior editor-at-large at Fortune Magazine and reproduced today via CNN Money. The author of this article is both a friend of Warren Buffett and a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder. “Today is an anniversary for motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson that it would just as soon not remember. On February […]
Discreetly and in just a few years, Avon Grips succeeded to enter the V-Twin motorcycle industry with a line of premium Kraton rubber grips and pegs. Avon launched these air cushioned anodized and chrome grips. “Air Ride for Your Hands” states the company.
The Limpnickie Garage At The V-Twin Expo
Published by February 3rd, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.I wrote many posts about the “Limpnickie Lot“, an informal group of young (and some a little bit older…) custom motorcycle builders and part vendors traveling together, enjoying to show their bikes and have fun together in a series of events all year long.
A Market Report About The Chinese Motorcycle Industry
Published by February 3rd, 2010 in Builders and Editorial.Well, we all talk about China. But what do we know about their motorcycle industry? A Chinese Market Report was just released and you will, like me, learn a few interesting things. Below are some highlights (FYI, CNY or internationally RMB are the symbols for the Chinese Yuan also called Renminbi, literally the currency of the […]
Daytona Bike Week Giveaway Motorcycle Built By Klock Werks
Published by February 2nd, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.During this coming Daytona Bike Week, the Daytona Beach Community Foundation will hold a drawing for a chance to win the official Daytona Bike Week motorcycle. This year, Klock Werks was in charge to build a custom bagger. The bike specs include a new 2009 Daytec Dagger bagger frame, a polished S&S 124-cubic inch engine, […]
Harley-Davidson Donating Motorcycles For Haiti Relief Efforts
Published by February 2nd, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Harley-Davidson announced that it will donate 28 new Buell and Harley-Davidson motorcycles to assist with earthquake disaster relief and stabilization efforts in Haiti. The motorcycles will remain in Haiti as a permanent donation to the government. The motorcycles are being shipped from the Motor Company facilities to the Dominican Republic, where Harley-Davidson dealership organization MagnaMotors […]
Beringer To Launch Brand New Line Of Brakes For Harley-Davidson And Buell Models
Published by February 1st, 2010 in Builders, Controls, Customs, Editorial and Events.Beringer, since 1984 the French based company specialist of high performance and innovative braking systems (motorcycles, cars & aircrafts) has now a US distributor and will be present at the V-Twin Expo from February 6th to 8th (booth 2435) and at the Indianapolis Dealer Expo February 12th to 14th (booth 5229) to introduce its brand […]
Motorcycle Picture Of The Week. Stretched Vespa.
Published by February 1st, 2010 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Having experienced as a teenager how awkward it is to do fast turns with a Vespa (due to the engine position and weird center of gravity), it doesn’t make much sense to me to stretch a Vespa. Except if you maintain, transport and want to exhibit 3 of your girl friends who like each other. Or, […]
Custom Chrome Europe Introduces Euro 3 Compliant Sportster Exhaust System
Published by February 1st, 2010 in Customs, Editorial and Exhaust.All European builders and bikers know what Euro 3 means. For the others, especially for those US manufacturers who want to export their models, Euro 3 is a European Emission Standard progressively introduced since 2000 and defining the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are […]
Limited Production Custom Triumph Scrambler
Published by February 1st, 2010 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.If If you didn’t know yet, I love all old Triumphs of the 60’s and quite a few of their new models like the Scrambler inspired by the off-road sport motorcycles that were stripped down for racing. A perfect cute and fun light motorcycle for urban or countryside escapes. Like me, an Italian custom builder named […]
Rivera Primo Open Belt Brute IV For Touring Motorcycles
Published by January 31st, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Driveline and Editorial.Rivera Primo Inc. will be at the Cincinnati V-twin Expo (Feb 6-8, booth 489) with this open belt system called Brute IV designed to hold big power on touring bikes. The special 8mm Kevlar corded belt included with this kit was specifically designed to hold in excess of 150 HP. At just 2″ wide, so […]
To make me regret not traveling this year to the 16th edition of the Italian Padova Biker Expo, fellow publisher Moreno Persello from Bikers Life Magazine sent me these pictures of local pinup girls shot during his magazine organized Hot Rod Show. Sorry guys. It’s Italy. No blondes…
Buell Factory Liquidation. Everything Must Go Now.
Published by January 30th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Last Thursday January 28th was the first day for the liquidation of all Buell assets and equipments at their East Troy, Wisconsin factory. A couple of friends of mine were there waiting in line with other 350 people for an opportunity to visit the ex-Buell plant and in their case maybe get a few cheap […]
BUB 1st Manufacturer To Get California Approved Catalytic Exhaust Systems For Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
Published by January 30th, 2010 in Customs, Editorial, Events and Exhaust.BUB Enterprises has just informed me that by executive Order k-002, the CARB (California Air Resource Board) has approved the sale in California of their catalytic converter equipped exhausts for Harley Davidson motorcycles. This is a milestone in the aftermarket industry as the executive order process for motorcycle critical emission components was approved in October […]
Triumph Motorcycles Old Factory Film
Published by January 30th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Videos.Triumphs have a lot of soul…Although this old black & white movie would be better without a quite “cheesy” intro, watch how machining and assembly was done at the old Triumph factory (part 1 of 3).
New Storz Performance Custom Harley-Davidson XR 1200
Published by January 29th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.The trade show season starts in a few days with the Cincinnati V-Twin Expo followed by the Indianapolis Dealer Expo. And trade shows bring a lot of show bikes on the show floor. There are no better way for part manufacturers and distributors to show their new products. And Steve Storz from Storz Performance is […]
Fast Motorcycle Industry News
Published by January 29th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Strong rumors continue to reach my desk about Roger Penske still very interested in buying some (or all?) Rossmeyer’s Harley Dealerships. As a matter of fact, Mr. Penske made an apparition in a couple of dealerships very close to me in South Florida. Sources wishing to remain anonymous tell me that an agreement would have […]
