First, if you wonder about the ‘Fleur-De-Lys” graphic, it’s the traditional symbol for the French throne. But this version used on the “Smet Helmets” is a design derived from the tattoo work of artist Don Ed Hardy. For all those who got a case of pinstripping overdose. Padding is removable, so you can easily clean it. These […]
Archive for the 'Editorial' Category
Myrtle Beach Rally Protest To Eliminate Lousy Politicians
Published by May 22nd, 2009 in Editorial and Events.The Facebook page to “Get Rid Of Mayor John Rhodes And City Council Of Myrtle Beach” is here.
New 69 MM Open Belt Drive System For Late Harley Softails®
Published by May 21st, 2009 in Customs, Driveline and Editorial.Just released by Belt Drives LTD., this new, model specific is designed for use exclusively on 2007- 2009 Softail®. This latest conversion kit incorporates a 52 tooth front pulley and 69 tooth rear pulley. It’s a full 69 mm (2.72”) wide for a perfect combination of performance, strength, reliability and durability. Additionally BDL has developed […]
An Airstream is still one of my “fantasy-on-wheels”. This series, called the Victorinox, is a 125 units limited edition created to celebrate the Swiss Army maker’s 125th anniversary. Gorgeous in & out, it will set you back $59,000. It’s 19-foot long and features solid surface countertops, a retractable awning, modern […]
Texas Hardtail Scooter Show. Jesse James And More…
Published by May 21st, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.“Hey Cyril. I want to let you & your readers know about my latest Texas Hardtails Scooter Show Podcast that’s up on my website. In episode 9 (video & audio), I interviewed Jesse James & talked to him about his new TV show Jesse James is a Dead Man, his appearance on Celebrity Apprentice & […]
Inverted Control Levers Are Back
Published by May 20th, 2009 in Builders, Controls, Customs and Editorial.I don’t need to explain why they are again so popular. But apparently, not many of you know where to buy a set of inverted levers. So, here an address where you can find them in 2 versions, smooth and teardrop finned designs. They are available for 7/8” and 1” handlebars, the levers hooking up […]
Evidently, Designer Steve Soffa uses the symbols and imagery of the biker lifestyle as inspiration for his Hardcore Series Of Watches. If you love the Maltese design (it belongs to public domain as the opposite of what many people think) and are looking for a new (or rally only) timepiece, these 2 watches look pretty […]
Marcus Walz. Hardcore For Life.
Published by May 19th, 2009 in Books, Builders, Customs and Editorial.My first contact with Custom Builder Marcus Walz was in 1993. He wrote an email congratulating me about my James Dean tribute bike called “Deanager”, telling me that he was also a huge Jimmy Dean fan. As a proof he also emailed pictures of his residence in Ockenheim, Germany showing black & white Dean’s pictures adorning most of […]
Building from the ground up, changing wheels and/or a front end/swingarm, and you will need to find the right spacers. Even a Pro Builder doesn’t know (and can’t know) in advance the width (or length) of spacers he (she) will need. Reason why anyone tinkering with bikes should have at all times a full set of […]
In Europe, the 3-wheeler Piaggio MP3 scooter is a huge hit. And now, an English company called “Four Wheeled Motorcycle Compagny Limited” shows the prototype of a 4-wheel motorcycle named 4MC powered by a Yamaha 400 cm3 . But is it a motorcycle? Its designer Nick Schotter insists it is because in a turn it […]
As you know Ethanol is a clean-burning, high-octane motor fuel that is produced from renewable sources. At most gas stations a percentage of ethanol is combined with unleaded gasoline. The federal government arbitrarily limits the use of ethanol in a gallon of gasoline to just 10 percent (E10 = 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline). […]
Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Disappointment And Anger.
Published by May 19th, 2009 in Editorial and Events.The state of the economy and the series of Myrtle Beach ordinances passed last Fall to discourage bikers to come to the May event had a disastrous effect on the rally attendance. Bikers who attended and dared to venture inside the city, alike local residents, were also angered by the multiple road blocks organized by police, […]
Jesse James Demolition Death Race Online Game
Published by May 18th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.As you already know, the new Jesse James TV Show “Jesse James s A Dead Man” will debut May 31 at 10 PM on Spike TV. To boost the show and increase traffic to the Spike Website the show producers launch an online video game named “The Demolition Death Race”. The game challenge is to win the […]
Fix My Hog Releases 2 New Harley-Davidson Maintenance And Performance DVD’s
Published by May 18th, 2009 in Builders and Editorial.When he released the original motorcycle maintenance DVDs six years ago, Dennis Santopietro, President and Founder of Fix My Hog couldn’t have anticipated the overwhelming positive reaction from critics and customers alike. Because there is always more to learn about any motorcycle, because models evolve and because you want to do more yourself, Dennis announced […]
Wire Plus New Shield Wiring System
Published by May 18th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Electrical.Wire Plus Powersports Electronics introduces their newly designed “Shield” wiring system that mounts the power control module and ignition switch together. The power control module features Solid State breakers that never need replacing, is waterproof and has separate circuits for the ignition, accessories, head light, running lights and an isolated compression release circuit. It also […]
Friend of the industry Marc Frantz has all reasons to be excited. He just got an immaculate 1946 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead. This 74” is a low compression “Model F” (only 418 were produced) and it was fully restored from the ground up by the renovation masters at Milestone Restoration in […]
Hand-Porting Motorcycle Engine Cylinder Heads. A Dying Art Form.
Published by May 17th, 2009 in Customs, Editorial and Engines.For those who don’t know, “hand-porting” is modifying the intake and exhaust ports of an internal combustion engine to improve the quality and quantity of the air flow, hence your engine performance. It is a task that today’s generation of techs would rather leave to machines. But there are a handful of rebel-minded innovators left […]
Liability Trial Against Big Bear Choppers
Published by May 16th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Motorcycle are dangerous and potential liability exposure of Builders and Manufacturers is extremely high. A product liability trial arising out of an alleged custom motorcycle defect on a Big Bear Choppers motorcycle began yesterday in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York.
Euro Festival. 15000 Bikers In The St-Tropez Gulf
Published by May 16th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Sometimes I wonder why biker life is sometimes so difficult in some US cities (did I say Myrtle Beach?). Take the French Riviera small historic village of St-Tropez located in the most beautiful landscape you can imagine (have been there many times, done all the St-Tropez crazy stuff…). No place is more protected by environmentalists […]
Should A Motorcycle Always Look Like A Motorcycle?
Published by May 15th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.TSgt Randy Redman, of Public Affairs at USAF Thunderbirds sent me the following letter about a new OCC theme bike. Personally, I don’t challenge the quality of the fab. work or deny the fact that OCC has probably accomplished the mission assigned by its client Norhop Gruman, but I still think that a motorcycle should look like a […]
Steven Tyler and Dirico Motorcycles To Attend Sturgis Bike Week.
Published by May 15th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Dirico Motorcycles USA, the brand of Steven Tyler’s inspiration and Mark Dirico’s innovation, will be appearing at the 2009 Sturgis Bike Week. Tyler himself will be there performing with Aerosmith, the official band of the event. Dirico Motorcycles will be displaying bikes at the 7th Annual Metzeler Bike contest on Tuesday, August 4, at Buffalo […]
Released at the Cincinnati V-twin Expo, these 2 direct plug-in gauges for Harley-Davidson 2004 & up, one for Sporsters & Dynas, the other for Road Kings, Softails and Deuce. Extremely bright LED’s for maximum viewing in direct sunlight. Dakota Digital.
A little boy wanted $100.00 very badly and prayed for weeks, but nothing happened. Then he decided to write God a letter requesting the $100.00. When the postal authorities received the letter to God /USA, they decided to send it to the President. The president was so amused that he instructed his secretary to send the […]
Ice Speed World Record. 148.7 Mph On A Buell 1125R
Published by May 14th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Erik Buell is extremely happy. On one of the frozen Dellen Lakes in Sweden, Craig Jones broke the ice speed world record reaching the speed of 148.7 mph (238 km/h) on a heavily modified Buell 1125R. Craig a Stunt Buell pilot humbly stated that “only fear is limiting speed. “I shifted all my gears, lowered […]
A 1947 Indian Chief Motorcycle restored with a lot of love and passion by Mike Tomas at Indian Kiwi Motorcycles in California. Priceless! Nothing else to add…
Harley-Davidson Considering Closing Its York Assembly Plant
Published by May 14th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Harley-Davidson Inc. is considering closing its main motorcycle assembly facility in Pennsylvania and moving production elsewhere as it aims to lower costs and cope with a sales downturn, a company spokesman said Wednesday. Spokesman Bob Klein said the Milwaukee-based company is exploring ways to reduce costs at its York location. That could include a move, […]
