As you can see The Rat from the Rat’s Hole Show is well and alive and never looked so euphoric. Must be because the Rat’s Mates are much prettier than at the time, many years ago, when I was the Head Judge of the Bike Shows. This intro (I had […]
Archive for the 'Events' Category
2 Rat’s Hole Shows This Weekend At Florida Leesburg Bikefest
Published by April 20th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Harley-Davidson First Quarter Profit Falls.
Published by April 16th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.After the market close this Thursday April 16, 2009 Harley-Davidson said that its first-quarter profit was $117.3 million, or 50 cents per share, compared with $187.6 million, or 79 cents per share for same quarter 1 year-ago Revenue fell 2% to $1.29 billion. However, the company said its earnings were negatively impacted by a few […]
Rising unemployment and falling business activity have caused consumer confidence and spending to tumble. At the same time it has never been a better time to buy anything…including motorcycles. Every company is proposing incentives, including Big Dog motorcycles. The manufacturer just launched its “Wind Chill” program, a retail incentive which provides new buyers cash allowances […]
A Letter From Matt Levatich New President And COO Of Harley-Davidson To The US Dealers Network
Published by April 15th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.After being responsible for overseeing the European launch of Buell in 1997, then coordinating Harley’s suppliers with its 5 US factories, then being appointed Managing Director of MV Augusta when Harley-Davidson bought the Italian brand in August 2008, Matt Levatich will become May 1st the new Harley-Davidson President and COO. Below is a letter he just […]
Harley-Davidson Celebrates Harlistas
Published by April 13th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.It’s called market segmentation or the strategy consisting of dividing the market into distinct groups who have distinct needs, wants and behavior and to communicate to each segment with a specific message . And if you already know that in 2025 half of the US population will have a Hispanic origin, no wonder that Harley-Davidson […]
Black Leather, Fast Bike And Greasy Hair. Is It You?
Published by April 9th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Events.If it is…read this letter sent to me by Mike Seate, publisher of the Café Racer Magazine. “Build ‘Em Up, Show ‘Em Off. Got something cool, fast and sleek in your garage? Café Racer magazine, the U.S.-based quarterly, is hosting a trio of Ride-In Bike Shows this summer. The first event jumps off on June […]
Billy Lane Plea Delayed One More Week
Published by April 8th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.The plea hearing of this Wednesday morning at 8.45 am ended up with the Judge giving Billy Lane’s attorneys and the State prosecutor at least 1 more week to iron out the details of the written version of the verbal agreement. Attorneys will notify the court of their progress during a docket hearing set for […]
Billy Lane Plea Deal Postponed 24 Hours
Published by April 7th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Events.During the last days a plea deal has been verbally negotiated and agreed by the defense and the State prosecutor. This morning at a 9 am hearing front of the judge in Viera Court, the prosecution and defense realized that they had different interpretations of what their verbal negotiations meant. Billy’s attorney Greg Eisenmenger stated […]
3rd Annual Arlen Ness Bike Show Is April 18/19Th
Published by April 7th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Events.This year the 3rd annual show will be held at a new location and on a new date. This exciting event is Saturday, April 18th from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Sunday April 19th, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, at the San Mateo County Event Center in San Mateo California. This Arlen Ness […]
Crane Cams. 1953-2009? As I told you last week, there is a lot of confusion regarding Crane Cams and its future. I continue to receive conflicting reports and press releases and below I reproduce the last one I just received. It comes from Katherine Walls, Vice President of Liquitec.
It used to be impossible to test ride a new model at your favorite local Harley-Davidson dealer. You had to go to big rallies like Daytona or Sturgis to get a chance to demo ride one of the new bikes. Well, as a new strategy to create more traffic into their dealerships, Harley-Davidson is launching […]
One day Arlen told me “Hard work is as good as talent”. And of course he is right. So if you add his 30+ years of hard work in the motorcycle industry to his natural talent, it’s no surprise that Arlen Ness received from the hands of Holger Mohr, CEO of Custom Chrome, a “Lifetime […]
Following your comments, Jennifer Mercaldi Ramella, Marketing Director Of The Broken Spoke Saloon, brings you a complement of information regarding New Orleans Bike Week (May 6 to 10th). “Hi – Jen here with Broken Spoke and Bike Week New Orleans. I wanted to chime in and say that this is a very unique event, in […]
Open Letter From Tom Zimberoff To California Senator Fran Pavley
Published by March 31st, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.On March 23rd, I reported on a new bill introduced by California State Senator Fran Paveley (D) intendig to require all motorcycles (beginning with model year 2000) to be tested by July 1, 2011 under the California State’s vehicle “smog check” program. Below is a letter from best seller author Tom zimberoff (Art Of The […]
Custom Chrome Europe 2009 Dealer Show
Published by March 30th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Events.Industry friend and “Motographer” Horst Rosler reports from last weekend Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show in Mainz, Germany. “It was again Custom Motorcycle Mayhem in Mainz/Germany with one of the biggest and most extraordinary bike show and exhibition during the CCE Dealer Show. The event includes the AMD Championship of Custom Bike Building. The 2009 […]
Chuck Palumbo Building And Riding For Our Soldiers
Published by March 27th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Chuck Palumbo is a former WWE Super Star Pro-Wrestler and the owner of CP Kustoms. After visiting Walter Reed Hospital in D.C. and learning of Lt. Christopher Palumbo’s (Chuck’s younger brother) heroic efforts in Iraq, in which he was awarded the Silver Star, Chuck was inspired to do something special to thank our troops. From […]
Michael Lichter Sturgis Exhibit At The Legendary Buffalo Chip
Published by March 25th, 2009 in Editorial and Events.This year’s exhibition will be held at the Legendary Buffalo Chip, located four miles east of Sturgis on Highway 34, and will explore motorcycle culture through a thematic presentation of motorcycles and graphic arts. World famous motorcycle photographer Michael Lichter has chronicled the Sturgis Rally through his photography since 1979, and has served as curator […]
Do You Need And Deserve A Full Biker Makeover?
Published by March 24th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Events.And I mean a full bike and gear makeover. Like your bike is still desperately stock 5 years after you wrote a check to your dealer or is aging faster than a rat bike. Like your riding gear, leather jacket, jeans , boots etc were bought new before I even started in this business, meaning […]
All Harley-Davidson Raffles In One Place
Published by March 23rd, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Having a lot of time available, temporarily jobless, or simply feeling lucky? Now there is a way to know of and participate in all Harley-Davidson raffles around the country. The site is called Harley Davidson Raffles. And if you win because I told you, you owe me to send me your Harley for customization.
Crane Cams To Restructure And Reopen
Published by March 23rd, 2009 in Editorial, Engines and Events.Due to the global economic recession, the 56-year old Crane Cams shut down its doors Feb. 24 after laying off 280 employees but keeping 25 workers to work on military contracts. Vice president Steve Leva states that the famous Camshafts/Valve Train/Electric Ignition Components company will reopen soon after restructuration. Crane was acquired at the end […]
New Senate Bill Threatening Again California Bikers
Published by March 23rd, 2009 in Editorial and Events.California already has the strictest CARB emission standard in the nation, and a new bill by California State Senator Fran Paveley (D) intends to require all motorcycles (beginning with model year 2000) to be tested in 2012 under the California State’s vehicle “smog check” program. According to standing state California state law, the “smog check” […]
Custom Chrome Europe® Partners with Performance Machine® & Cycle Visions
Published by March 18th, 2009 in Editorial and Events.Performance Machine has partnered with Custom Chrome Europe to bring their premiere line of motorcycle products to an expanded European customer base. “A distributor like Custom Chrome Europe is an ideal fit for our plans to continue our success in the motorcycle industry,” said Mark Finnie, President of Performance Machine. “The reputation of Performance Machine […]
Legend Of The Motorcycle 2009 Is Canceled
Published by March 18th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Industry insiders consider this “Concours D’Elegance” as one of the best events of the year, and I agree with them. Sadly, I learn that because of the effect of the world economy, which you can translate by “due to difficulty getting sponsors”, this event is postponed to 2010. This show taking place at the gorgeous Ritz […]
Mike Garrison Named Midwest Vice-President of Manufacturing.
Published by March 18th, 2009 in Customs, Editorial, Engines and Events.Mike Garrison is best known as the former owner & senior designer of “Engenuity Motors” which were known for their flawlessly smooth appearance & top of the line quality. Mike has over 30 years experience in all aspects of high performance motor manufacturing. Utilizing decades of knowledge he will continue to channel his expertise to […]
Indian Motorcycle Expands In France, Monaco, Luxembourg And Belgium
Published by March 17th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Indian Motorcycle announced the appointment of its first exclusive importer/distributor in Europe. The well known Paul Chedid Automotive Group has formed Indian Motorcycle France to promote the selling of the Indian Chiefs, Indian Motorcycle Accessories and Indian Motorcycle Apparel in France, Monaco, Luxembourg and Belgium. For over twenty years, the Chedid Automotive Group has imported […]
