On Thursday March 8, fellow custom bike builders Donnie Smith & Fred Kodlin were inducted in the Hall Of Fame of the International Master Bike Builders Association (IMBBA) to which I belong. The ceremony was held front of the public and bike show participants at the Daytona International Speedway infield. Donnie Smith out of Minnesota […]
Archive for the 'Editorial' Category
Donnie Smith & Fred Kodlin Inducted In IMBBA
Published by March 9th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.It makes me happy to realize how much interest you all have in the Builders Breakfast Event held in Daytona where participating Builders & Bruce Rossmeyer contributed to raise $34,000 for the Boggy Creek Camp. Not only you commented in this Blog, but you also sent a lot of emails requesting details about the organization and […]
The Berlin Wall, this iconic symbol of the cold war, was built in 1961 and dismantled in 1989. The infamous wall separated Germany and its families and became a propaganda disaster for East Germany and the communist bloc. On a less tragic note many East Germany Harleys “disappeared” from the motorcycle world. So, when I […]
First Daytona Builders Breakfast A Huge Success
Published by March 7th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.The concept of a Builders Breakfast during which bikers can mingle with the best custom builders in the world was created by Billy Lane from Choppers Inc. during the 2006 Sturgis Rally. The objective being to raise money for a great cause. Following the success of Sturgis, the 1st Daytona Builders Breakfast was held this […]
Attending Builders: Billy Lane, Arlen Ness, Kendall Johnson, Cory Ness, Cyril Huze, Eddie Trotta, Matt Hotch, Aaron Greene, Paul Cox, Keino, Russell Mitchell, Russell Marlow, Jesse Rooke, Kim Suter, Jerry Covington, Donnie Smith, Dave Perewitz, Scott Webster, Fred Kodlin, Arlin Fatland, Paul Yaffe, Roland […]
Every day during Bike Week, magazines, manufacturers and custom builders organize parties. The first to start the week (on Tuesday) is the one organized by Freeway Magazine published in France & Italy. The ingredients are: a selection of custom builders impatient to show their new builts, a big pool (in which we didn’t jump because […]
His name is Matthew Willoughby. He is one of the best artist painters in the country. And yes, his work is featured on some of my customs (picture from my bike Silverado). Although Matt doesn’t really need to be in Daytona to find new clients, during the 10 days of Bike Week, 10 hours a […]
I realize that it is the 1st time I put in words my feelings about doing a big bike rally like Daytona Bike Week. Excitation (the atmosphere, noise, colors & smell), expectation (the bikes, parts, old and new friends), exhaustion (have you ever spent 10 hours a day every day under a tent as hot […]
Last Chance To Have Breakfast With 25 Top Builders.
Published by March 4th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.This post to remind all motorcycle enthusiasts that the 1st Daytona Builders Breakfast is Tuesday March 7th at 9 AM at Destination Daytona (US 1 and I95 in Ormond Beach). A few tickets are still available today directly at the Choppers Inc..booth at Destination Daytona. For $25 you will have breakfast with the most amazing Custom Builders in the world. In […]
For me, there is nothing sexier than an attractive woman riding her own motorcycle. And since I love fashion, women clothing should also be motorcycle sexy. Yes, I love to look at your bike, at you and the way you are dressed (yes, I said dressed). In the eyes of a designer, everything should always […]
The dark side of Daytona Bike Week is when, almost every day, it is reported to our booths that another biker has been killed. Last year’s event saw a record number of biker deaths, and too often many drivers don’t see the motorcycles coming until it’s too late. Of the 21 motorcycle riders who died […]
SAS Simplified Air Suspension 2007 Innovation Product Winner.
Published by March 2nd, 2007 in Editorial and Frames.CCCS Inc. (the company creator of the original Concealed Hand Controls Systems) has just finished the first round of production of the very innovative “Simplified Air Suspension” (SAS). As you can see the design is extremely clean, and the new features offered are going to ease installation and improve the riding experience. The SAS doesn’t […]
Deland, Florida is located 15 minutes west of Daytona Beach. It is a small very nice city that I know pretty well. As a matter of fact I was invited to the 1st and 2nd edition of the Deland Bike Rally, and enjoyed it. The historic downtown area has many museums, including the National Museum […]
Yes, you can improve the riding experience on your Chopper or Bobber. A company in Nevada offers a patented Chopper “Air-Shox” system that has the look of an air bag but is a rubber cushion shock with an air reserve without the hassle of on-board compressor. This “Air Shox” system features an aluminum body that is 4" eye […]
New Rat’s Hole Cheese Hauler: 3 Wheels. 2 Engines. 1 Trike
Published by February 28th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.You are looking at the concept drawing of the new Twin Engine Rat’s Hole Trike scheduled to be unveiled this coming week during Daytona Bike Week. Ted Smith, owner/manager of the worldwide famous Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show commissioned Mike Beland from A1 Cycles to build this new “Cheese Hauler”. Mike is the man who […]
Advanstar Responds to Alleged Intellectual Property Rights Violations
Published by February 28th, 2007 in Editorial and Events.On February 18th, I reported here that on the floor of the Dealer Expo 07, US Marshals were serving papers to companies exhibiting counterfeit motorcycle parts. Dave Scott, from Advanstar and Show Manager/Publisher of Big Twin West/Big Twin Dealer sent me the following info. Santa Ana, CA-February 28, 2007- News of alleged counterfeiters at the […]
Harley-Davidson announced that it will manufacture 14,000 fewer motorcycles in 2007, the consequence of the 3 weeks strike at the plant in York, PA. A lot has been written about the reason of the strike, the consequences for vendors, workers and shareholders. If I write this post it is because today at lunch some friends […]
Last month I wrote a post about the art of David Uhl. In this article that you can read again by clicking HERE I stated that I was a collector of his paintings (in the limit of my financial means) because of his talent at expressing motorcycle nostalgia with a very creative use of lights and shadows. […]
Good bye big rotors. Good bye brake calipers. Here the brand new 360 Brake, a completely contained brake system in a 5-inch hub spacer around the axle. It looks like no brake at all. How does it work? The circular piston and pads are activated by hydraulic […]
Say the truth. In any rally around the country you and your friends lose a lot of time asking for directions to find the “hot spots” for custom builders, vendors, races, concerts, bars, restaurants, etc. And you always end up getting lost. If you want to get the most of a motorcycles event, you need […]
It is amazing and uplifting to see all the time new companies joining our custom motorcycle scene. I discovered Pickard Wheels in Cincinnati during the V-Twin expo. Had no time to talk to them because they were video shooting a segment for Speed Channel. But I took a close look at their wheels, especially their […]
How did you do these fenders? With some imagination and working from blanks to be able to cut our own wild ideas into metal. A company called B’COOL Products manufactures cut or uncut fenders for all popular large tire applications up to and including the 330 mm Avon as well the new 280/40-20 and also […]
Daytona Bike Week. Do Something Meaningful & Powerful
Published by February 24th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.The 1st Daytona Builders Breakfast will be held March 7th at 9 AM at Destination Harley (US 1 and I95 in Ormond Beach). For $25 you will have breakfast with the most amazing Custom Builders in the world. In addition to have a great autograph/photo opportunity with your favorite Builder, your $25 will contribute to […]
Official Harley-Davidson Bike Show Is March 7th
Published by February 24th, 2007 in Customs, Editorial and Events.A lot of motorcycle shops and garage builders will participate to the upcoming 66th Daytona Bike Week with only one objective in mind: to win as many trophies & plaques during the 3 main Bike Shows: Rat’s Hole, Boardwalk & Harley-Davidson Ride-In Show. This last one is the only Bike Show organized by the factory […]
Since many of you have a weakness for skulls & bones, here the right way to start your day. Look attentively at the picture. The slice of bread out of this toaster has skull and crossbones grilled on it. I am sure that skulled toasts are going to be the start of very interesting conversations. […]
If I say Liverpool England (and you are a baby boomer) you automatically think Beatles. But it is also where Davida Helmets are produced. And no helmet brand has ever captured more the spirit of motorcycling, tradition, freedom & adventure than Davida. With old classic and vintage motorcycles being the new rage Davida Helmets are […]
