In these tough economic times motorcycle dealers have extreme difficulties to borrow to finance the purchase of the new motorcycles they feature on the floor of their dealerships. Not having the cash flow to auto finance their flooring many of them have drastically reduced their inventory and some were even obliged to close by lack […]
Archive for the 'Editorial' Category
SBA To Help Motorcycle Dealers Finance Their Showroom Inventory
Published by June 21st, 2009 in Editorial and Events.Thanks to AMA members (American Motorcyclist Association), Senate Bill 435 introduced this year by state Senator Fran Pavley (D-Santa Monica) to impose motorcycles to undergo periodic exhaust emissions testing has backed away from the idea. The bill would have required all models year 2000-and up with engine displacements of more than 280cc to be tested […]
2009 Inductees Into Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall Of Fame
Published by June 20th, 2009 in Editorial.The Hall of Fame inductees for 2009 are: Jack Kirchgesler. J.C. “Pappy” Hoel Outstanding Achievement Award – Jack Kirchgesler owned the Rapid City Harley-Davidson dealership – Mat-Kirk Cycle – from 1941 until 1963. During that time, Jack was a major supporter of motorcycling in the Rapid City area. He sold the first police motorcycle to […]
ElMoto. Half Motorcycle. Half Mountain Bike.
Published by June 20th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.No doubt that ElMoto is cost efficient. It will cost you less than $1.00 for a battery charge letting you ride this electric bike for about 40 miles (65 km). Powered by a 2 KW engine (at what stage are you qualified as a motorcycle?), of course it will please those looking for a clear […]
“Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him Dad…” Happy Father’s Day!
Harley-Davidson used to sell about 1/3 rd of its production during the 3 months of spring. But this year it will not happen. UBS analysts state that in April & May retail sales were down about 35%. So, it’s quite impossible that June will let Harley catch up with the spring average. Worse, low volume […]
This year Buffalo Chip main acts are Aerosmith, Toby Keith and Chuck Berry, But on its four stages many other bands ranging from country music to blues to rock will entertain bikers every day of the rally. The full line up includes: Friday, July 31 – Mark Farner, Peter Rivera, Mike Pinera and Jerry Corbetta. […]
Every day, hundreds of individuals and independent producers try to pitch new TV Show ideas to all networks. The best way to do it after a pre-approval on a concept? Shooting a pilot. Usually quite an expensive venture. At least 99% of concepts proposed are rejected because considered not “large audience” enough to be profitable via advertising […]
Awesome Blastolene Hemi Trike
Published by June 18th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Michael Leeds and Randy Grubb, calling themselves the “Blastolene Brothers”, are originally 2 glass artists turned into motorheads who acquired a lot of notoriety and fame after they built the Jay Leno’s Tank Car. Their style? Oversized monster hot rod automobiles powered by V12 motors and using semi truck drivetrains! For sure nothing you have […]
J&P Cycles 30th Annual Open House Is June 27/28th
Published by June 18th, 2009 in Customs, Editorial and Events.Because so many of you have bought a part from J&P Cycles, its President John Parham has made a yearly tradition to thank you by hosting a big party at his Anamosa Iowa headquarters. Last year attendance was estimated at a whopping 15,000 people (3 times the population of Anamosa). And this year to celebrate […]
As you already know by my former posts, Marc Mazerolle is teaching teenagers how to build custom motorcycles at the Canada’s Only Chopper Class, the Bernice MacNaughton High School in New Brunswick. The Betty Bobber, the teens latest creation, after winning many shows, including the Iron Works Magazine Overall Winner at the Donnie Smith Chopper Challenge is now […]
$4500 Cash To Trade In Your Clunker For A New Efficient Car. And For A New Motorcycle?
Published by June 17th, 2009 in Builders and Editorial.That old gas guzzling car or truck is worth $4500 under the “Cash For Clunkers Bill”. In a few weeks H.B. 2751 provides vouchers up to $4,500 for trading in a vehicle that gets less than 18 miles per gallon and is less than 25 years old for a new vehicle that gets at least […]
Huge Vintage Motorcycles And Parts Auction
Published by June 16th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.I know that a lot of you are chasing vintage motorcycles or basket cases or at least a couple of antique parts. The place to be for a lucky hunt is Columbia, Tennessee on Thursday June 25th (preview on the 24th and bidder registration required). A lot of complete all brands bikes but also complete […]
Exclusive. Jesse James Going Today For The World Record On Pure Hydrogen Gas
Published by June 16th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Jesse James tells me: “Shooked it down yesterday… 140 mph in 3rd gear. On pure Hydrogen Gas (Zero Emissions). Going for the ‘clean” world record today!”.
A lot of new titles at 3700 Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee. Time to change your address book. Matt Levatich, President and COO of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, announces the following Leadership changes. “Our current management structure includes three Senior Vice President positions that report to me. These include Manufacturing, which Karl Eberle holds and will continue to hold; Product Development, […]
Jesse James Hydrogen LSR Car Engine. First Fire.
Published by June 15th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.Last weekend Jesse James sent me the following short movie. West Coast Choppers Monday June 08, 09, 12.45 am. Hydrogen car engine is fired for the 1st time (you need Quicktime installed on your computer). Hear it cough…then scream. What about the body? It’s a teaser. So, if you have questions, go ahead. Ask in “comments’. […]
Deck Of Shame. Financial Crisis Playing Cards.
Published by June 15th, 2009 in Editorial and Merchandise.The economy took a dive. This year, maybe you don’t take any vacation (also called “staycation”), or you cut on the number of rallies you are attending, or during Sturgis you are going to skip one or two concerts and refrain yourself from doing pit stops at all the Deadwood bars and casinos. You can still have fun at night […]
This gorgeous custom bike made a fast apparition at last year’s S&S 50th Anniversary in Wisconsin before returning to its home town in the Netherlands. Built with a boardtracker flair, of course it features a black & polished 93” S&S Shovelhead engine breathing through an S&S Super E carburetor, […]
Justin Barnes Sues OCC, Discovery Channel, Activision Over American Chopper Designs
Published by June 14th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.On May 26, Justin Barnes, a painter artist who created many custom designs for OCC motorcycles and merchandise has filed a lawsuit against OCC, The Discovery Channel and Activision for infringement and copyright violation. Plaintiff alleges that 18 original designs were copied without his authorization and compensation and then incorporated in many types of merchandise tied […]
Floorboard Spacers For 2009 Harley-Davidson Baggers
Published by June 14th, 2009 in Accessories, Customs and Editorial.Of interest to all owners of H-D Baggers, there is a simple way to space out your floorboards to avoid riding with your legs in an awkward and uncomfortable position and even melting your boots or burning your legs on your exhaust. Available only for floorboards, the spacers move them out approximately 1“and are a quick, […]
Clear Polycarbonate Magneto Covers
Published by June 13th, 2009 in Customs, Editorial and Electrical.This brand new magneto cover is clear polycarbonate, which has, as you may know, outstanding impact and heat resistance. This ine won’t melt, warp or crack and leave you stranded on the side of the road like the cheap counterpart made out of cheap plastic. This cover fit any Fairbanks-Morse bodied magneto, such as Morris […]
Since November 08, Erik J. Dunk owner of Iron Block Harley-Davidson in Watertown, NY, has posted several messages critical of President Barack Obama on the Harley electronic sign visible to motorists along Interstate 81. Several messages (some are disputed by Erik Dunk) said “Obama is not a Christian! He is a Muslim!!!” then “”Obama are […]
Custom Carbon Fiber From Down Under
Published by June 12th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.A massaged 900 cc Sportster engine, a Ducati front end, a custom Carbon Fiber body, a multitude of titanium parts, it’s all what I know about this bike built in Australia by Dillan Robb from Robb Handcrafted Cycles. But worth posting.
Cajun boy confession ‘Bless me Father, for I have sinned. I have been with a loose girl’. The priest asks, ‘Is that you, little Tommy Hebert?’ ‘Yes, Father, it is.’ ‘And who was the girl you were with?’ ‘I can’t tell you, Father, I don’t want to ruin her reputation’ ‘Well, Tommy Hebert, I’m sure […]
Worldwide Annual Ride to Work Day is Monday June 15
Published by June 11th, 2009 in Editorial and Events.The objective of the Ride To Work Day (always the 3rd Wenesday of June) is to demonstrate that riding is an efficient, economical form of personal transportation making parking easier and helping traffic flow better. 2009 is the18th edition of this event and each year it involves riders of all ages and occupations, from all […]
During the last 10 years, the number of available air shocks has grown exponentially. Most are extremely good. So, what’s new with the “Shotgunshock“? The company producing it states that their proprietary system has an internal valving with four internal solenoids machined into the body of the shock. A check valve seals the pressurized air supplied […]
