Today at 9 AM PST Steve Jobs is going to make his annual keynote address at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. Some of you, Apple fans (you are supposed to represent 8% of the computing population, so 8% of my readers!) are getting very excited and will enclose themselves in their office watching live on internet […]
Archive for the 'Editorial' Category
Motorcycling Memories From Stars Of screen, Sports, Music
Published by January 15th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the country’s premier showcase of motorcycling heritage and history, will spotlight over a hundred of the world’s most recognizable enthusiasts in its new exhibit, "MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles." Scheduled to open in late March 2008, the 8,000-square-foot exhibit will feature many priceless machines, exclusive memorabilia and tales from celebrities’ […]
Anita Kohler Builds A Chopper. Tiki Pretty.
Published by January 14th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Frames.Anita Kohler and Peter Penz are life and business partners at Penz Custombikes in Austria. They specialize in fancy & rock solid frames that I have used on my customs and also sold with success in the United States. One year ago they sent me the 1st pictures of their Tiki […]
Dale Needleman Launches A New And Improved 360 Brake
Published by January 13th, 2008 in Brakes, Customs, Editorial and Wheels.You remember that when it was launched the revolutionary 360 Brake was unanimously acclaimed by the motorcycle industry and got the original inventor, the Baldwin Wilson Development Corporation, quite a few professional awards. Then, some controversy started when the company had difficulties to assume its success by filling orders on time, then when it was […]
V-Force Customs To Unveil First Custom Bike During Daytona Bike Week
Published by January 12th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Vinnie DiMartino and Cody Connelly, founders of V-Force Customs, will introduce their first custom bike since leaving the popular television series “American Chopper” when they appear at Daytona bike week February 29, 2008. DiMartino and Connelly will begin a year-long 12-rally tour when they join Rob Hassay’s ProTour on February 2nd in Cincinnati, Ohio at […]
Republican Carlos Lopez-Cantera, from Miami, has proposed a measure that could lead to the forfeiture of motorcycles if riders exceed the speed limit by 50 mph or more, or are charged with reckless driving. The measure also could lead to them losing their licenses to ride motorcycles for 10 years, if convicted. The proposal is designed […]
Last September I stated that the US was already in a recession (our economists disagreeing on the definition of a recession, they always announce it a minimum of 6 months after it was started). Look at the Harley-Davidson stock. On Friday, the stock closed at a 52-week low of $39.84. The 52-week high was $74.03 in January 2007. […]
Bonneville World’s Fastest Motorcycles
Published by January 11th, 2008 in Books, Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Based in Germany, chief editor for High Performance, contributor of many US magazines, book author, crossing the Atlantic many times a year to document all 2-wheel events, Horst Roesler is a very hardworking famous photographer “motographer” that I count among my good friends of the industry (he is also the only one to be able […]
Hulster 8-Valve Voted Bike Of The Year By MCM Magazine
Published by January 11th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.I In addition to bringing news to its readers and featuring new motorcycle parts, the mission of a magazine is to support custom builders. Without them, no motorcycle magazine is viable. So, MCM Scandinavia, the leading custom bike magazine since 23 years in this part of the world has decided […]
Is it possible? Ask the engineers and designers of BMW. They filed for a patent with series of sketches showing a motorcycle supposed to “correct “ itself in case of imminent crash. How? Apparently, first by building a chassis with a system of multiple pivots where each part can be moved independently. Even the handlebars […]
From a custom motorcycle wheels manufacturer called Sinuous Inc., a new wheel with no sinuous lines at all. It’s called Summer and is a new interpretation of the spoke wheel with a pattern reminiscent of sunrays (huh). It is available, like their other designs, in 18", 21" and 23" diameter. For the rear they go up […]
My Chopper called "Peacemaker" is featured in the current issue of Easyriders Magazine (dated February). I am not going to tell you here the full story of this custom bike and list the tech sheet. Just read Easyriders! The only thing I want you to know is that this bike was built for charity in the memory of Mattie Stepanek the child poet, friend of […]
Old Ford Inspired Air Cleaner
Published by January 9th, 2008 in Accessories, Customs, Editorial and Engines.If you didn’t know, Hank Young was born and raised in a Rodder family. Hank has worked on (and still do) and owned (and still do) quite a few Hot Rods. So, no surprise that his proprietary parts have all this old cars feel. Like this air cleaner which incorporates a vintage Ford style horn […]
S&S Announces Emissions Certification Lab
Published by January 9th, 2008 in Editorial, Engines and Exhaust.S&S® Cycle announces its new in-house emissions certification laboratory located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. With this lab, S&S has the capability to complete motorcycle exhaust and evaporative emissions testing in accordance with requirements set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and CARB (California Air Resources Board). S&S will use this lab to help expand the number of […]
From Stock Harley To Harley Bobber
Published by January 8th, 2008 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Conversion kits where you know exactly what to buy to go from stock to where you want to go, are quite popular. This one to transform your factory Harley Twin-Cam in a machine with design clues from the past but keeping its modern technology and reliability. Yes, it looks like a Bobber but with a 250 mm […]
The oldest known dice were excavated as part of a 5000-year-old backgammon set, at an archeological site in south-eastern Iran. The newest ones come from Jaxon 5 from Wild Card Customs (817-831-9700) and will fit any valve stem. Offered in 4 different styles: Lucky 13, Starz, Skull, and The 5. By the way, Jaxon will […]
Touring Bikes Heel-Toe Control Set
Published by January 7th, 2008 in Controls, Customs and Editorial.No surprise. I receive more and more requests for cool touring motorcycles custom parts. This Heel-Toe Shifter extends 1" over stock on each end for ease of shifting with the advantage for the rider’s feet to use the whole floor board. Of course the same design is available for the brake side. Made out of […]
It’s too cool. A rare quality footage of early American board track racing. Indian rules! Add to My Profile | More Videos
I guess that when you are a celebrity, you must, or should, set the example. Jay Leno worked with Mobil and S&S to develop a cruiser bike which meets the tough 2008 California Tier II emissions standards but can still perform almost with the agility of a sport bike. Both legal and practical even on […]
It happened to me. Without warning my welding supply shop moved to nowhere. Panic, I need today some replacement parts. I wished that I could have had the help of an online source to locate who would be my new vendor. Now it exists. The Welding Supply Guide is one of the most comprehensive directories on […]
As Harley-Davidson states in its website, only the Motor Company can build the 105th Anniversary Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. Seems very evident to me. And to you? Each one of the 14 different models offered is serialized and numbered. They all come in copper pearl and vivid black paint job, with chrome and copper detailing. And if you buy one before February […]
Sigh Of Relief. Harley Announces Its 105th Anniversary Concert Acts
Published by January 5th, 2008 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Bikers remember Harley-Davidson catastrophic 100th anniversary HOG concert. The event was hyped during months with Harley announcing a secret headliner. The buzz was that the Rolling Stones would be playing and nothing was done by the Milwaukee Factory to stop these rumors. The opening act was country singer Tim McGraw, counting mainly young women as […]
Dynojet Fined $1,000.000 By CARB For Its Power Commander
Published by January 5th, 2008 in Editorial and Engines.The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced recently that it concluded an investigation against Dynojet Research, Inc. At issue was the company’s "Power Commander" that can be used to alter the air-fuel mixture and engine timing of on- and off-road motorcycles. CARB said that the installation of these devices would adversely affect the emissions control […]
The Way Big Dog Motorcycles Sees It In 2008.
Published by January 5th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.It’s a tough time for everybody in the motorcycle industry. The market is hurt by aging demographics, market saturation and the real estate crisis in the US spreading outside our borders through the loss in value of mortgage backed securities. In an interview, Big Dog’s president Nick Messer, explains how his company intends to face the […]
Converse Is A Century Old. Yippee. New Shoes For Me.
Published by January 4th, 2008 in Accessories, Editorial and Merchandise.Like many of you I am a Converse addict. From low top to high top and everything between, in canvas, suede and leather (ok, from time to time I cheat with a couple of other brands). And if you didn’t know, Converse is celebrating its 1st century. 100 years of basketball, music and cultural rebellion. Their shoes have helped grow […]
Lot Of News From S&S Cycle
Published by January 4th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.First, S&S Cycle ® will be presenting several seminars at the 2008 Cincinnati V-Twin Expo (reserved to motorcycle dealers) and an opportunity to meet NHRA Pro-Stock Motorcycle Champion Matt Smith. Seminars will cover their exciting 2008 product line with topics including Flathead Power vintage engines and components, the S&S X-Wedge, S&S EPA Certified Engines, fuel […]
