Not for motorcycles, but interesting. Loopwheels is a system integrating a suspension system to your bicycle wheels.
Better comfort on bumps and potholes? Less vibrations on rough terrain? As safe as spokes? I don’t know, but it’s worth watching the video of this young inventor looking to raise money to take his project further.
Jump to Loopwheels Video.
Hand made fenders for a perfect fit when using Avon MKII tires on 16″ rims (5.00/16″ tires) on rigid frames. They follow the tire profile hug it while still providing adequate clearance for tire expansion, debris needing to go through.
These strong 15 gauge steel rear fenders have a bit more sidewall than many fenders allowing you to do something a bit different with your fender struts or sissy bar. 5-1/2″ internal width, 27-3/8″ diameter measured straight across tip to tip.
In stock and ready to ship. Made in Cleveland, Ohio by the Gasbox. At the Gasbox.
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip is pleased to announce Daredevil Day, a one of a kind event with multiple world record breaking attempts and a nationwide call out to daredevils to submit stunts for consideration of inclusion in this memorable day. All info at Daredevil Day. Submit Your Stunt or Unique Crowd Pleaser, Big or Small, at info@buffalochip.com before June 30.
Küryakyn Holdings LLC, a leader in the aftermarket parts industry, is proud to announce the release of the new TC-24D cam. This bolt-in performance cam fits all 2007 to 2013 Harley-Davidson® Twin Cam models (2006 to 2013 Dynas). The cam is an extension of Küryakyn’s “Wild Things” performance line, and a component of the new Perfect StormTM Plus system.
“The TC-24D cams were designed exclusively for the late model Twin Cam bikes and perform beyond expectations,” says Mike Roland, Küryakyn’s Performance Division Manager. “When combined with the Perfect StormTM intake, Crusher Duals exhaust and Power Cell, the TC-24D rivals the output of a lot of ‘built’ engines. It truly is the biggest bang for your buck out there.” Continue reading ‘Küryakyn Releases Wild New Cam’
The most predictable Harley-Davidson Anniversary co-branded products are of course special-edition tool storage chests. These ones by Craftsman, the official hand and power tool sponsor of the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Celebration, and already available in Sears stores nationwide and online at Craftsman. craftsman.com. All units feature a black frame, official Harley-Davidson “vintage orange” drawer fronts and official Harley-Davidson decaling, including the Harley-Davidson bar and shield.
Three-Drawer Portable Tool Storage Chest (Model #38081): Easily transport this everyday chest from one site to another. Includes all-steel construction with full-extension drawers and heavy-duty drawbolt latches. Retails for $79.99. Continue reading ‘Craftsman® And Harley-Davidson Team Up For Special Edition 110th Anniversary Tool Storage Products’
Following on the heels of the reveal of the all-new Thunder Stroke 111™ engine on March 9 at Daytona Bike Week, Indian Motorcycle just announced this morning additional details as it accelerates toward the historic upcoming launch at the Sturgis Rally, the world’s largest motorcycle event
Staying true to its heritage, the revival of the Indian Motorcycle brand will debut with the introduction of the 2014 Indian Chief. First introduced in 1922, the legendary Indian Chief is historically the brand’s most popular selling model and is widely recognized by motorcycling enthusiasts around the world as one of the most iconic motorcycles ever produced. The Indian Chief is the flagship of the brand’s 112-year product lineup, and it has come to proudly represent the spirit of the Indian Motorcycle brand.
Highly anticipated reveals include the 2014 Indian Chief silhouette and a starting MSRP price of $18,999. With this, Indian Motorcycle wants to demonstrate that authentic, affordable choice is coming to American Motorcycles. Inventory is expected to be available at Indian Motorcycle dealerships throughout North America later in the year. Additional Indian Motorcycle dealerships will be opening across the country this summer to accommodate bike demand and service needs.
“We are honored to make today’s important announcements at this time, as it was roughly 112 years ago that the very first Indian Motorcycle prototype was demonstrated to the press on the streets in Springfield, Massachusetts,” said Vice President of Polaris Motorcycles Steve Menneto. “We’re especially proud to reveal that our inaugural model will be the iconic Indian Chief. Riders around the world will be thrilled to know their choice in American motorcycles will now come in the form of an all-new Indian Chief.”
“When Polaris Industries acquired this brand two years ago, our goal from the outset was to leverage our engineering, manufacturing and operational prowess as a market leader in powersports to design and build a truly exceptional motorcycle that represents the perfect balance of legendary heritage and brilliant, state-of-the-art engineering and technology,” continued Menneto. “All of us at Indian Motorcycle are very proud to offer the 2014 Indian Chief at a starting price of $18,999. We set out to make the power and heritage of this beautiful new bike available at a price point that is competitive and more accessible to people who are looking for authenticity and choice in American motorcycles.” Continue reading ‘New 2014 Indian Chief To Be Revealed In Sturgis. Price Starting At $18,999.’
Last weekend, May 10-12th, for its 10th anniversary, the World Championship of Custom Bike Building was held for the first time in Europe, at the Big Bike Europe Expo in Essen, Germany. 105 competitors from 23 countries presented a total of 122 machines ranging from American V-twins, to Italian singles and V-twins, to Japanese multis and singles, a diesel, an engine from a Honda generator and even a 1920’s boat engine!
Trophies were decided in 5 categories. 1- Freestyle (One-off, ground-up built custom bikes, on all or any chassis platforms or drivetrains). 2- Modified Harley-Davidson (Any Harley-Davidson model where the stock frame/Harley platform geometry is maintained. Frames and cases can be from two different Harley-Davidsons) 3- Production Manufacturer (Stock or specialised versions of EU homologated / street legal low volume-produced models) 4- Retro/Modified (Any modified bike, with any drive train on any chassis configuration manufactured prior to 1984. Use of some contemporary parts/design elements is permitted) 5- Street Performance (A class designed to showcase customs where the primary intention of the customizer is to improve the street-use performance of a motorcycle)
And the 2013 winners are (photography courtesy AMD Frank sander & Onno Wieringa)
2013 World Champion Of Custom Bike Building. Medaza Cycles wild custom called “Rondine” Don Cronin and Michael O’Shea, the two Irish men responsible for the build created a one-off frame to carry the single-cylinder, 1971 Moto Guzzi Nuovo Falcone 500 engine. They were also responsible for hand-forming the aluminium bodywork and the heavily modified V-Rod swingarm, which is used as a girder style front fork, on a bike which previously took top honors at the 2013 Irish Motorcycle and Scooter show in Dublin
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Freestyle Class. 2nd Place. French Laurent Dutruel originally built his tribute bike Hagakure to race in Bonneville. It’s a fully rigid bike.
Freestyle Class. 3rd Place. Pete Pearson, of Rocket Bobs in the UK, describes his custom “Gas’d Rat” as: “A rocket bobber built from a Shovel powered, fully redesigned, re-engineered and fabricated FXS.”
Modified Harley-Davidson Class. 1st Place. In a first for the Championship, a Taiwanese builder took a class win when Winston Yeh, of Rough Crafts, lifted the trophy in the Modified Harley class for his all black, Sportster-based “Stealth Bullet”, which featured a carbon gas tank and an oil-in-frame conversion.
Retro Modified Class. 1st Place. Italian builder Inglourious Basterds Cycles won this category with “Bastarda Senza Gloria” a ‘48/’79 Pan/FX Shovel special fitted with the company’s own adjustable Springer front end.
Street Performance Class. 1st Place. Laurent Dutruel was called to the stage a second time when his turbo charged XR1200 was named the winner of the Street Performance class. Laurent now plans to ship the bike to the US in the summer so that he can ride from San Francisco to the Bonneville Salt Flats and once again attempts to set a record on the bike in the 1350 M-PBG class.
Production Manufacturer Class. 1st Place. UK based shop Second City Customs whose bike “The Naughty Gentleman” took S&S Cycle’s recognition award in the Production Manufacturer class.
Tire repair has always been a nasty job. To repair your punctured tubeless tires Dynaplug proposes a very simple and quick procedure. . The Dynaplug repairs any tubeless tire in minutes without dismounting the wheel from your bike. Simply extract the puncture object and then insert the Dynaplug viscoelastic rubber Repair Plug in the puncture path and you’re done. Yes it is that simple.
The Dynaplug is available in the 6061 Aluminum “Ultralite” model or in the Dynaplug “Pro” model Manufactured in Stainless steel. The Dynaplug is 100% made in the U.S.A. to the highest aerospace standards. Riding season got started and the next puncture is just down the road. Weekend warriors, long distance, dual sport or adventure riders should all carry this very small, lightweight and efficient tire repair kit. A “No Brainer” MSRP: Dynaplug Ultralite $29.95, Dynaplug Pro Aluminum $59.95, Dynaplug Pro Stainless Steel $69.95. More info at Dynaplug 530-345-8000
Mothers Day celebrations are first said to have taken place in the time of ancient Greeks and Romans hundreds of years ago. It is neither a recent phenomenon as many people believe it to be. Nor it is the creation of card and gift marketers as assumed by cynics of Mothers Day.
The story of Mothers Day in US began with the efforts of a dynamic writer and poetess, Julia Ward Howe in 1872. An activist to the core Julia utilized her potentials to further the cause of Mothers Day. She wrote a powerful Mothers Day Proclamation in Boston in 1870 and demanded declaration of official holiday and celebrations on Mothers Day. Her idea gained popularity but she could not get the idea implemented. Julia is also credited for penning words for Civil War song, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”.
Today Mothers Day is celebrated in more than 46 countries around the world though at different times in the month of May and in some countries it is celebrated in entirely different times of the year. In the present time Mothers Day has come to be internationally recognized as the day to honor all mothers and thank them for the services they impart for the benefit of their individual child and consequently to the development of mankind.
All riders from around the world are invited to join the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) in celebrating 110 Years of great riding and the 30th Anniversary of H.O.G.. as they enjoy the freedom of the open road during the 2013 Harley-Davidson World Ride on June 23-24. “Harley-Davidson is celebrating two big anniversaries this year, and the World Ride is a great way for riders around the world to celebrate them with us,” said Harley Owners Group Director Ken Knuteson. “For these two days in June, our members will join together to celebrate 110 years of great riding and share the special bond that unites all Harley riders.” Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson World Ride Is June 23-24’
Already well known for making seats for most cruisers on the market since 1980, Mustang Seats is introducing saddles for the Victory Cross Roads, Cross Country and Hard-Ball baggers.
“Mustang’s mantra has been ‘it’s all about the Ride,’ and we’re proud to have expanded our offerings for the new Victory baggers,” says Mustang Director of Sales Steve Veltri. He notes that Mustang already offers seats for Victory’s Vegas, Kingpin and 8-Balls. According to Victory, the new bikes bring bad ass style and attitude to the bagger niche. “However, being a bad ass doesn’t mean you can’t have a comfortable seat,” quips Veltri. Continue reading ‘Mustang Introduces Seats For Victory Baggers’
They will fit all 39 mm narrow glide forks and will clean up the overall look of your front end. With the hardware provided they are an easy bolt-on installation. You just need to remove your front fender and you may want not to re-install it for an even better appearance. Shrouds measure 14 inch long. Lowbrow Customs.
William was both the first African American Harley-Davidson dealer and the first African American licensed to compete in national motorcycle racing events. Johnson signed on with Harley-Davidson sometime in the 1920s, managing during nearly 60 years Johnson’s Harley-Davidson out of a converted blacksmith shop.
Because African Americans were not allowed into the American Motorcyclist Association, the organization that hosted the events, it is said that Johnson was only allowed to join and enter the competitions after he and die-hard fans declared that he was an American Indian.
Some of the first men of color to bond over Harley-Davidson motorcycles were soldiers riding in the name of their country. Some of the first Black bikers in post-war America were soldiers who were assigned to military police positions where they were responsible for monitoring the “colored” sections of segregated bases during World War II. They patrolled on bikes, officials at Harley-Davidson say.
This year, as Harley-Davidson celebrates 110 years, the contributions of African Americans to biking culture are being recognized. Tributes to Johnson, who died at age 95 in 1985, are displayed in Milwaukee at the Harley-Davidson Museum, where other notable African-American bikers are enshrined.
Lots of riders, and even some “in-the-know” magazine journalists, say all oils are the same. The FACTS are: engines, drivetrains and demands on motorcycles are different and so are the lubricants required.
Take power: maximum engine output per liter for motorcycles is typically 1.5 to 1.8 times that of automobile engines. Similarly, R.P.M.’s at maximum output are 1.3 to 2 times that of most automobiles. Further, motorcycle engines, being small and lightweight, have a smaller thermal capacity – the result is that motorcycle engine oils can reach temperatures as high as 320° F. Continue reading ‘Spectro Explains Motorcycle Versus Automotive Oils.’
One of the preferred gas tank shapes by those wishing to give your bike an old school look to their bikes. Narrow and available in a single- or dual-cap version for any custom build (looks very good on a Sportster.)
This wasp-style gas tank is constructed from precision steel stampings and holds 2.2 gallon of fuel. You can count on a simple install with universal brackets that make it easy to mount it to any stock or custom frame.
The tank uses 73-81 style cam lock caps. On the dual-cap version, the left filler is non-functional. Measures 17.75″ L x 9″ W x 9” D) with a tunnel that measures 2.5″ W x 3.5″ D. The tank also features a right side 3/8″ NPT and left side 1/4″ NPT petcock bung. Retail starting at $139.95. At your Drag Specialties Dealer.
Not a typo. European custom builder Paul Funk bet he could build a custom bike with a parts budget of only 600 Euros (US $780.) Not only he won his bet but by the same token is showing youngsters that they can get a nice ride for less than the money they can make working a summer job for 2 weeks. Continue reading ‘Euro Bomber. $780.’
Motorcycle manufacturers, dealer groups and individual dealers hire the company Pied Piper to measure and help improve the effectiveness of a dealership’s sales process by conducting anonymous “mystery shop” evaluations using their Prospect Satisfaction Index® (PSI®). Objectives are: •Measure their own sales process. • Compare their own sales process to that of same-brand dealers nationwide • Identify sales process areas in need of improvement • Improve their sales effectiveness and retail incremental units
The 2013 PSI study conducted between July 2012 and April 2013 using 2,503 hired anonymous mystery shoppers at dealerships representing all major brands, located throughout the U.S. Using data collected Harley-Davidson dealerships led all brands in 18 different sales activities, such as encouraging shoppers to sit on a motorcycle, asking for contact information and helping the shopper overcome obstacles to the purchase. Pied Piper has found a direct correlation between the mystery shopping scores and dealership sales. On average, when motorcycle dealerships are ranked by their PSI score, dealerships in the top quarter sell 22 percent more motorcycles than dealerships in the bottom quarter.
Salesperson behaviors more likely in 2013 than 2012 include the following: • More of them are offering demo rides (now 19 percent of the time) • More of them discuss features unique from competitors (now 49 percent of the time) • More of them encourage going through the numbers or writing up a deal (now 33 percent of the time) Continue reading ‘Effectiveness Of Dealership Sales Process. Harley-Davidson Leading All Other Motorcycle Manufacturers.’
2013 will see the revival of The Hollister Rally, California “The Birthplace Of The American Biker.” The word Hollister has been synonymous with California motorcycle rallies for decades. It secured its place in pop culture from the 1954 film “The Wild One” with Marlon Brando, which is based on the 1947 rally. The free motorcycle and street music festival (30 bands on 4 stages) will feature demo rides, vendors, a food festival, a vintage and Cafe Racer ride-in show, poker runs, bike games, the Ace Cafe Beer Garden, etc. Continue reading ‘Hollister Rally. July 5-6, 2013.’
On January 9th, a group of Illinois bikers were riding west on I-74 when they saw a girl about to jump off the Murray Baker Bridge. So they stopped. George, their leader, a big burly man of 53, gets off his Harley, walks through a group of gawkers, past the State Trooper, and says, “What are you doing?” She says, “I’m going to commit suicide.”
While he didn’t want to appear “sensitive,” he didn’t want to miss a be-a-legend opportunity either so he asked … “Well, before you jump, why don’t you give me a kiss?” So, with no hesitation at all, she leaned back over the railing and did just that … and it was a long, deep, lingering kiss followed immediately by another one.
After they finished, George gets approval from his biker-buddies, the onlookers, and even the State Trooper, and says, “Wow! That was the best kiss I have ever had Honey! That’s a real talent you’re wasting Sugar Shorts. You could be famous if you rode with me. Why are you committing suicide?” “My parents don’t like me dressing up like a girl.”
It’s still unclear whether she jumped or was pushed.
An air suspension system to hide at the bottom of your saddlebags is the new offering from Misfit Baggers. Called the Torpedo for evident reason, the air tank has 200 psi, 4 1/8″ NPT female ports and will perfectly tuck inside your bag. It features high domed caps, seamless tubing, and no square edges (square edges are more susceptible to pressure vessel failure.) The Torpedo T2 can also be hard mounted under your saddlebags to the bag rails. The shop states that every unit is pressure tested. Made in the USA. More info at 877-647-3489 or visit Misfit Baggers.
The 27th edition of Italy Biker Fest (this extended weekend May 9-12) is expected to draw 50,000 bikers from all over Europe.
It is held in Lignano, one of Italy’s main summer resorts located in Northern Italy. It’s a bike event with so many activities that it is already nicknamed the European Daytona Bike Week.
Like in Florida, it’s all about partying (just the add Italian spirit!), checking vendor new offerings, showing your bike in the Italian Championship Of Bike Building, etc, but contrary to Daytona, also spending a lot of time riding from downtown to the extremely beautiful roads in the Dolomite mountains, visiting or re-visiting Venice or Trieste, discovering many historical sites abounding at less than 1 hour ride from the host beach city of Lignano.
Each year, over 100 custom bikes compete in the Terrazza Mare” wonderful location overlooking the Adriatic sea. Top 3 winners will get a free trip to the 2014 Daytona Bike Week. For the 1st time, event organizer Biker’s Life Magazine is presenting the official 2013 Biker Fest Bike. It is a modern Triumph built in association with 3 Italian builders. Design by Steven Flier, Marcello from Free Spirits and “Hups” of American Cycles. Italy Biker Fest.
A “bio-mechanical” graphic design mixing elements of 2 engines (a 1946 Indian” Chief and a 1940 Harley Flathead) with a human heart is the original idea of a young guy printing a few tee-shirts at his small neighboring screen printer, then selling them on eBay. Interesting enough to deserve a mention in my website. If your heart is V-Twin engines, you may want to buy one and I bet your friends will ask you where you got such a cool tee. Very few still available. Motorheart Tee On eBay.
Aeromach USA released two new shift linkages to fit many Harley-Davidson models (except the XL and FX series), the Flaming Skull and Knuckle linkages both machined from billet aluminum, then hand polished and either chrome plated or black anodized. The pivot points are stainless steel bearings and hardware included is stainless steel as well. MSRP is $129.95. At your dealer or visit Aeromach USA.
Harley-Davidson would have advised some of its dealers that shipment of the 2013 FXSBE Breakout is being stopped until further notice. A couple of hundred units seem concerned. At this date no official reason has been given to them. It has happened before with all motorcycle manufacturers, often the reason being a problem with a part or paint or… To follow…
Her name is Merry Michau. She wrote 2 times from the UK where is her permanent residence. Her second email below is about her passion for motorcycles, her admiration for custom builders and her love for photographing the lifestyle. In them, she is also frank about the fact that a feature in my website would help…She just did a photographic report on Jesse James and is preparing her latest project. “Shed Life”, for a new exhibition later this year. Her story and a couple of recent shots from her portfolio.
“Firstly I’m a woman in a mens world and I wouldn’t have it any other way. At 7 my dad brought my brother a monkey bike and me a pony.. All I remember thinking was I want the bike not the pony and the rest is history. I am from a long line of bikers in my family. My grandfather and father both rode trials bikes, my grandfather being among the first to do this sport. So you could say it’s in the blood. After owing a few dirt bikes, breaking them, fixing them up with my brother and breaking them again I hit 18 where I took and passed my road test. There was no stopping me then and I somehow managed to persuade my father to invest in a Harley Sportster. Continue reading ‘Merry Michau. Female Photographer Of The Motorcycle Lifestyle’
Ticketing for the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary music concert series is now open. During the extended Labor Day Weekend party more than 60 acts have been scheduled to perform with Aerosmith, Kid Rock and Toby Keith stated as the headliners. Tickets for event and concerts (starting at $24.50) can be ordered online at: Milwaukee 110th Anniversary Concerts.
