I read a beautiful and very intelligent editorial written by Chris Callen from Cycle Source Magazine. Like him I am irritated by those who attribute the slow down of our industry to the disappearance of TV shows glorifying our work. Ok, OCC is still on our screens, but the majority of those watching their show […]
Archive for the 'Editorial' Category
Custom Motorcycle Builders Made Television Cool. Not The Opposite.
Published by October 25th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Not only you need a strong taillight to show that you are braking, but maybe you also need to say it. “Stop” is engraved all over the glass of this taillight inspired by the Model A Ford. It features a stainless steel housing, a chrome frame with a powdercoated backing plate (I don’t know why?). […]
When Peter Fonda needs money, he brings some memorabilia to the auction block. For example, his American Flag Patch from His "Easy Rider" Jacket or his gold Rolex worn in the same movie. A surprise mega-hit during its 1969 theatrical run, Easy Rider is one of those rare movies that changed the way motion pictures […]
Jims USA has just released a line of race engines beginning with the 131ci Twin Cam race engine. The 131ci fits into all stock and after market frames and is featuring a 4- 1⁄2 stroke with a bore diameter of 4-5⁄16in. The CNC-ported heads were developed specifically to flow maximum air and the oil pump […]
SilverTrek Trailers announces the introduction of a limited edition Arlen Ness signature trailer. Ok, Arlen is a pioneer widely known all over the motorcycle universe. And of course SilverTrek wants to position itself in the same echelon of precision craftsmanship. Some of the most recognizable attributes to the Arlen Ness edition trailers are the smooth […]
The New One From Westbury Hot Rods
Published by October 23rd, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Ok, you want to know more about the new one of Greg Westbury. Me too. But he still didn’t send me the tech sheet. He must have crashed his computer. But why wait to show you this bobber best profile. Consider it a preview. Westbury Hot Rods
Domestic buyers are seeing oil prices rising and the home market crumbling, so they’re being cautious about spending, even when it comes to the iconic brand’s bikes. A continued sluggish U.S. market for motorcycles pushed Harley-Davidson Inc.’s third-quarter profit down 15.3 percent, and the motorcycle maker said it expects next year to be difficult, too. […]
Own A Steve Mc Queen Or Clark Gable Motorcycle
Published by October 22nd, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.To get a chance to get one of those,or both, you will have to participate to the "Bonhams And Butterfields" auction running November 10th at the Peterson Museum in conjunction with the Love Ride And California Bike Week. The Steve Mc Queen Kawasaki was hand painted by one of […]
The Next Great American Motorcycle Builder Is….
Published by October 21st, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.A new TV show about custom motorcycles? Yes, but this one will only feature amateur motorcycle builders. The Next Great American Builder is a new “take no prisoners” television program from the creator of MTV’s Fast, Inc. They are looking for amateur builders interested in coming to the show to compete for a cash prize. […]
J&P Cycles Daytona Store grand Opening
Published by October 20th, 2007 in Accessories, Builders, Editorial, Events and Merchandise.The success story of John Parham (and of hs lovely wife Jill) is one that one day I will tell you in this Blog. In a continued sluggish motorcycle market it is very uplifting to see J&P Cycles continue to expand and remain, by far, the world’s largest catalog retailer […]
40th Anniversary Corbin Party
Published by October 19th, 2007 in Accessories, Builders, Customs, Editorial, Events and Merchandise.No better way to start a rally than by going to a big party with your friends of the custom motorcycle scene. Mike Corbin has always offered the motorcycle industry some of the best parties you can imagine. And you can translate by very good food (even my favorite sushis), champagne, margaritas and of course gorgeous women. And it […]
Biketoberfest 2007. Stopping By Disney Harley.
Published by October 17th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.It is Biketoberfest downtown. It’s Destination Harley in Ormond Beach. The place, where, in addition of visiting again & again the largest Harley-Davidson dealer in the world (make me think of a department store), you can also meet with the major vendors and builders of the industry. Of course, I don’t go to buy. I […]
Breaking News. California Dealers can Sell and Install Aftermarket Parts on New Bikes
Published by October 17th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Just received from DealerNews this very important info for Califormians… California dealerships will be able to sell and install approved aftermarket parts on new motorcycles at the time of purchase, before the bikes are delivered to customers, starting Jan. 1. The new law signed in early October by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger changes existing anti-tampering rules ordering that […]
15th Annual Rat’s Hole Biketoberest Show Is October 20
Published by October 17th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.What’s new, what’s cool, what’s weird will be once again on display during the 15th annual Biketoberfest Rat’s Hole Show this Saturday October 20. If you are a show participant you already know that you are going to line up starting at 7 AM. If you are a spectator, arrive soon (I recommend at 10.30 AM) because […]
A Chopper To Raise Money For MDA
Published by October 16th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.This chopper was built in memory of Mattie Stepanek, the child poet whose messages of peace & hope was spread around the world through his prime time TV appearances on Larry king, Oprah and several poetry books. The bike, signed by celebrities, will be auctioned with the proceeds going to the Mattie Fund. The funds […]
You can show your dark side with these new wheels from RC Components. They are called Eclipse because during one….everything is pinch black. Striking visual effect is created by the use of black powder coating contrasting with raw metal. They are available in the most common sizes. Black powdercoating is now available for all the […]
All your switches can be right under your fingers..Grip Ace™ is a revolutionary new patented motorcycle grip switching system with electronic module. The Grip Ace™ allows the rider to clean up the handle bars and maintain positive control of their motorcycle, while activating turn signals, headlights, starter and accessories. Works on all types of motorcycles; […]
Brittown. A New British Motorcycle Documentary
Published by October 14th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.You are now familiar with Scott Di Lala & Zach Coffman, the duo I introduced to you when they directed and produced the acclaimed documentary called Choppertown. They just shot a new film called Brittown featuring vintage Triumph & BSA motorcycles (oh, yeah) and master English bikes racer and master mechanic Jeff "Meatball" Tulinius from the shop Hell On […]
Puerto Rico Passes The Strictest Motorcyclist Laws
Published by October 13th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.From Rogue, our ‘Freedom Fighter’, this A.M.A. information regarding motorcycling in the US territory of Puerto Rico. “A measure recently signed into law by the governor of Puerto Rico will require riders to wear not only a helmet, but also gloves, boots, and long pants. After dark, riders must wear a reflective vest, and the […]
Killer Style Pedals
Published by October 12th, 2007 in Accessories, Controls, Customs and Editorial.I fell in love with these classic Primo BMX pedals that I see very well on a next project. They are specially constructed to still allow platform rotation. Excellent support to replace your tiny pegs and very cool as a kicker pedal. Adaptors are6061 aluminum with 3/8" or 1/2" […]
Harley’s product development center is located in a steel-and-glass building tucked behind the company’s manufacturing plant in Wauwatosa. Company executives review designs and prototypes in a large conference room called "the bunker" The bunker’s tall glass windows have motorized shades to keep prying eyes from getting even a glimpse of bikes that might not be […]
Nobody needs one more shirt. Right? But maybe you will want this one because it’s mine, and it’s printed with my cool tribal logo in the back and a small version of it above the left front pocket. At work or at play, this short sleeves shirt with 2 front pockets is very comfortable to […]
Motorcycle Accidents. Sport Bikes Versus Cruisers
Published by October 10th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Sport bikes have the highest death rates among all types of motorcycles, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute. Drivers of these high-performance racing motorcycles are being killed nearly four times as often as people who drive standard models, a new insurance study shows. Motorcycle deaths in general have skyrocketed from 2,116 in 1997 to […]
S&S Cycle 50th Anniversary Celebration With 50 Bike Builders.
Published by October 9th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.On June 26-29, 2008 motorcycle industry history will be made as 50 of the best-known custom bike builders in the world come together in La Crosse Wisconsin, to support the S&S 50th Anniversary celebration. And while they will be there to support S&S, every builder has plans to with the $50,000 Grand Prize by taking […]
Bad To The Bones Arlen Ness Wheels
Published by October 9th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Wheels.Like a conventional wire spoke wheel these new billet spoke wheels consist of a rim, center hub and spokes but that¹s where the similarities end. Every component is machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum and bolt together similarly to an automotive 3-piece wheel. In order to put up with the abuse many riders place on their […]
Sara Liberte sent me an email to direct my attention to an interesting video showing how a 4 stroke engine works. In this film you get a very slow motion inside look. The plug is firing about roughly 250 times per minute at idle speed. So imagine at 1,000 rpms, then at 7,000 rpm. As […]
