In India Harley-Davidson Launches Its Locally Assembled Fat Bob Model. It’s the 6th Harley model assembled in Indian under the completely knockdown (CKD) program. Bikes are imported in parts and assembled in India at the company’s facility at Bawal province of State of Haryana. This method of importation with local assembly allows for a more attractive price point for the buyers. Harley Davidson India started its operations in 2009 and till today is offering 13 models available at its 9 authorized dealers in the country. Apart from the US, India and Brazil are the only two countries where the company has assembling facilities. Harley-Davidson sold around 1000 units in the year 2011 and it expects to close 2012 at 2000 sold motorcycles.
Europe Enacts 3 Motorcycle-Related Laws. 1- After many protests and great efforts in lobbying, the European parliament has finally voted, rectified and added a few laws that affects the European motorcycle world in general, and the French one in particular.1- Since 1985, motorcycles bought and registered in France have been limited to 100 HP. Over the years it has become obvious to everyone that less HP didn’t translate in less fatalities. So a law has been voted that disallows European member countries (ergo France) from imposing power limitations on motorcycle sold. 2- Starting on the 1st of January 2016, all motorcycles sold & registered in Europe above and and including 125 cc will be required to have ABS. Bikes between 51 and 125 cc will be required to have a combined/linked braking system. 3- To make our world cleaner and to fight global warming, the Euro4 norm for motorcycle will become active on January 1st 2016, in 2017 it will be applicable to mopeds and in 2020. Continue reading ‘Fast Motorcycle Industry News’
Accurate website coding, visual design appeal and quality of items cross referencing are a must to give users a satisfying online experience and to get a chance to turn web surfers into customers. Today, if they want to remain competitive in the digital world, most website owners have to revamp their websites at least every 2 or 3 years… Continue reading ‘Zipper’s Performance Products Launches A New Website’
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Student Build Challenge™ kicked off it’s 4th annual motorcycle build educational at Brown High School in Sturgis South Dakota. As part of the program, students will transform a 2012 Harley-Davison® Road King donated by Black Hills-Harley Davidson, into a one of a kind, show quality custom bike. The new custom bagger will feature hand fabrication and world high end aftermarket parts and accessories from industry leading brands making it an instant classic ready to compete in world class bike shows or long haul riding. Continue reading ‘The Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Student Build Challenge Kicks Off It’s 4th Annual Motorcycle Build Educational Program.’
The pre 30’s boardtrack motorcycle continues to inspire custom builders. Of course, the objective is not to race on motordromes – or murderdromes – with 45-degree pitch corners. It’s all about nostalgia and a naked style where a motorcycle is a 2-wheel powerful machine that doesn’t need any add-ons or embelishment to go fast down the track. Continue reading ‘Just Another New Hand-Built Boardtrack Racer…’
See custom builders prepare their hand built new machines before competing in last October 2012 Las Vegas BikeFest “Artistry In Iron” competition. The winner was Yaniv Evans with the bike I featured HERE.
Actor Larry Hagman, who created one of television’s iconic villains with the treacherous J.R. Ewing of “Dallas,” died Friday November 24. He was 81.
Larry was back in his beloved Dallas series, re-enacting the iconic role of J.R. Ewing he loved most. Hagman died at a Dallas hospital of complications from cancer..
Larry loved motorcycles, reason why I had the opportunity to meet with him several times during these last years.
Question: I’ve had a new quart in a never opened plastic quart bottle in my shed for about 6 or 7 years. The shed is in a location with hot summers and cold winters. Can I use it? Does engine have a shelf life?
Answer: As long as the bottle is sealed, the oil shelf life will be 10+ years. It won’t be affected by changes in temperature while in storage
Question: My dealer says I have to use the OEM lubricant in my motorcycle or my warranty is void.
Answer: This is not true and may, in fact, be illegal. Have the dealer put this in writing on his letterhead. We doubt he will. All you need to do to fulfill your warranty requirements is to use a lubricant that meets or exceeds the OEM specifications. Spectro products meet or exceed all manufacturers performance requirements. Spectro Performance Oils.
The little detail that will make a set of pipes go from nice to cool. These tips just slide inside your 1″ 3/4 pipes, then you secure them using the supplied 6-32 stainless steel screws and nuts (drilling required.) Made out of aluminum with a black hi-temperature black powdercoated ring. Made in America. Sold by pair. MSRP $84.99. At LC Fabrications.
Bonhams, the premiere auction house most closely associated with all things Steve McQueen, will be offering the Hollywood icon’s very own ‘Husky’ at its 3rd annual Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction in January 2013 at the Bally’s Hotel & Casino
Through best friend Bud Ekins, McQueen became associated with Triumph in the 1960s. But when the lightweight, powerful and nimble Swedish-made Husqvarna was introduced to America in 1970, it quickly became McQueen’s preferred mount. Subsequently, it was this brand of motorcycle McQueen rode on numerous, highly publicized occasions. Continue reading ‘Steve McQueen’s Husqvarna To Headline Bonhams Las Vegas Auction’
The new Stealth Tour-Pak® Luggage Rack (P/N 53000242 Chrome, P/N 53000247 Gloss Black; $239.95) from Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Accessories® adds flowing style and protects the lid of Harley-Davidson Tour-Pak luggage. Its six cantilevered aerodynamic rails appear to float above the center spar, imparting a lighter-than-air profile.
Hidden mounting hardware adds to the clean design. The Stealth Rack fits King, Chopped and Razor-Pak Tour-Pak® lids, and mounts in the same position as the Original Equipment rack on the Ultra Limited model and the accessory Premium and Air Wing Tour-Pak luggage racks. So no additional drilling is required to replace those racks.
Bungee Cord Soft-Hook Extensions (P/N 52300140, $12.95) can be used to secure luggage on the rack. The kit includes all mounting hardware. This rack does not fit CVO models or those with the Color-Matched Tour-Pak® Spoiler kits. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s Website
A maven is a trusted expert in a particular field who seeks to pass knowledge on to others. It also proved to be the perfect name for the first women’s leather jacket from Roland Sands Design. The team at RSD has taken all the knowledge gained from producing instant classics for the men’s market with their 2012 Main Set collection and translated it into the new Maven jacket for women.
“We took classic Café racer styling cues and created a jacket that is form-fitted to the female body shape,” explains Roland Sands. “Functionality first, but classic good looks are a very close second place,” says the former racer turned-designer. An adjustable zip waist and comfort flex panels under the arms at the chest enable women riders to further tailor the Maven to their form. “Even though it looks great off the bike and will be worn as a fashion accessory, the Maven is meant to be worn on a motorcycle,” Roland is quick to add. Pre-curved sleeves, relaxed “racer” collar and a dropped back are part of the performance riding fit designed into the jacket. Continue reading ‘New RSD Maven Women’s Leather Jacket’
Norton Motorcycles Prepares For Production Of U.S. Models With Receipt of EPA Certificate of Conformity.Norton Motorcycles reached its most important U.S. milestone this week with receipt the EPA’s Certificate of Conformity for its model year 2013 Commando 961 series of motorcycles. With the approval in hand, the EPA’s certification process for the U.S. of the Norton Commando 961 Cafe Racer, 961 Sport and 961 SE models is complete. It is a major hurdle for a small specialty manufacturer, and the first approval sought by the new Norton Motorcycles for the USA. Finally, and critically important to Norton is the California Air Resources Board review and approval, which typically follows EPA certification by two or three months.
Erik Buell Racing Could Be Developing 250 cc Motorcycle For Hero Motocorp, the world’s largest two wheeler maker by volumes. Hero MotoCorp is working on a very exciting new product with one of its new technical partner, Erik Buell Racing. This motorcycle could hit the Indian motorcycle market in the later half of 2014, with a global unveil scheduled to happen at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo. The 250cc motorcycle from Hero MotoCorp is expected to be loaded with cutting edge technology and could come with a brand new design philosophy. Given that Hero MotoCorp is entering a segment that has competitors like the Honda CBR250R, the KTM Duke 200 and the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, the sports motorcycle from Hero will face stiff competition right from word go. Apart from the cubic capacity of 250cc, other details about the new sports motorcycle from Hero MotoCorp remains sketchy at this point in time. The new motorcycle is expected to showcase Hero MotoCorp’s technological prowess to the world. Continue reading ‘Fast Motorcycle Industry News’
In the US, the last 5 tough economic years have changed our collective psyche and the way we live, work and spend. The American custom motorcycle industry, now on a slow recovery, has changed its way to do business with many builders disappearing and the remaining forced to build from the ground up much more practical bikes or to apply their skills to the customization of road legal factory motorcycles.
In Europe, where the economy was much better, at least until 2012, and where legislation has always been much tougher than in the US regarding what builders cam modify, several large Harley-Davidson dealers have very prolific custom Departments, Divisions or sister companies, producing “Legal Custom Harleys.” One of them is East Sussex, England based Shaw Harley-Davidson, an official Harley-Davidson dealer with 7 technicians working on 10 bays under the supervision of Steven Willis, always extremely busy at producing cool customs on all possible Harley platforms. To inspire you, I picked in their portfolio 10 of their most recent creations.
We doesn’t need, at least, to lift, service or clean a motorcycle? And if you tinker with yours or build one in your garage you cam’t do serious work without a scissor jack. This new one from Drag Specialties is sturdy, with a large footprint design making it stable yet strong enough to lift an entire motorcycle and quite affordable. The scissor jack features a durable rubber top pad protecting the motorcycle and preventing risk of slipping when raising or lowering the jack. The heat-treated hex drive turns robust worm gear for precise height adjustment.
The lowered height is 3 1/2″ with a maximum raised height of 14 1/2″. The narrow center jack is 15″ long, 5″ wide with a total capacity is 1,000 lb. The suggested retail price is $139.95. At your Drag Specialties Dealer.
The 2013 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Breakout™ motorcycle is a limited-production Softail® model from Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations™. Powered by the Twin Cam 110B™ engine with a level of custom detailing unmatched on a Harley production motorcycle. Lots of chrome. She rides one…
A simple and classic shape CV air cleaner to fit the style of many bikes. The basket design greatly minimizes air restriction and with the addition of the ™”vortex cone” you get increased and properly directed air flow. The high percentage open area stainless cage allows more air flow to pass through quickly and easily. Machined from 6061 aluminum and sold with stainless mounting hardware. Dimensions 1 1/4” x 4”. Made in the USA. MSRP: $200. At Boyle Custom Moto.
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip® is giving people a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a custom Epiphone Coronet™ collectible guitar signed by members of the 2012 Sturgis Buffalo Chip concert series lineup. Music-lovers and motorcyclists have a special opportunity to make the holiday season truly rock by registering to win the Rock the Holidays Guitar Sweepstakes and receive the ultimate one-of-a-kind custom Buffalo Chip guitar. Register right now at Buffalo Chip Website or or at Buffalo Chip Facebook.
What really sets this Limited Edition custom Epiphone guitar sweepstakes apart and makes it a collectors dream are the signatures on the body of the guitar from famous rock stars that performed in 2012 at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling. Sturgis Buffalo Chip featured some of the biggest names in music during their annual 9 days and nights music festival each August. Continue reading ‘Sturgis Buffalo Chip Rocks The Holidays Guitar Sweepstakes. A Rare Collectible Under Your Christmas Tree.’
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced it has finalized an agreement to purchase the International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS), the racing trade show that has been held annually in Indianapolis since 2009. The IMIS will be consolidated with the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, which returns to Indianapolis for 2013 and beyond. The 2013 PRI Trade Show will occupy the entire Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, with Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Show days, December 12-14, 2013. The acquisition unifies the racing industry’s two trade shows into one, creating the opportunity for exhibitors and buyers to do business in a single location.
“The racing industry needed to have just one motorsports trade show in the U.S. I’m proud to say we’ve accomplished that,” said Scooter Brothers, SEMA chairman of the Board of Directors. “We have all worked toward a common goal, and have succeeded on behalf of the industry. To have a single home for the racing trade show is clearly the best thing for the industry, and working together with Chris Paulsen (co-founder of IMIS), we got it done.” Both the PRI and IMIS trade shows will take place as scheduled for 2012. The PRI Trade Show will be held November 29–December 1, in Orlando. The IMIS will be held December 6–8, in Indianapolis. The IMIS transaction is set to close in December 2012. Continue reading ‘SEMA Has Acquired The International Motorsports Industry Show.’
I already featured this bike in its 1st version, but some modifications and refinements having been done, it’s worth mentioning it again because of its excellence in terms of minimalistic and high tech design. And this, although some will detect some old school boardtrack racing inspiration behind the conception of “Morsus.”
It is the promo motorcycle of Akrapovic, formerly known as Skorpion, the Slovanian company that has made its mark at the highest level of the motorcycle road racing world (Moto GP, super bike, supermoto, motocross, endure and rally raid) and now producing exhausts for American bikes and cars. Former racer Igor Akrapovic, owner/chief design engineer, excels in producing the absolute cutting edge in exhaust technology, not using steel, but using only Titanium or Carbon Fiber technology in each of his products. Continue reading ‘Akrapovic Cutting Edge Promo Custom Motorcycle’
They look cool, but a big warning. I think your feet will not feel comfortable and may very easily slip out of these ones. So, use good judgment…or use these inserts on stock early Harley floorboards only when exhibiting your sled in a bike show.
You can also use them alone if you make your own custom support brackets.
They are 1/4″ thick and the skull is raised. Sold as pair….at your own risk. Limited quantity. At Infernal Combustion Design.
Last week, on the El Mirage Dry Lake Bed, after years of trying to get the A-PG 3000 speed record, formally 175 mph, Jay Allen was able to pass the timer at 177.479 mph, setting a new land speed record for this class.
Jay wants to thank the “gear Grinders”, Jeff Lange, Tony Mathews, S&S Cycle, Baker Drivetrain, Protos Food and One Source Nutrition.
El Mirage Dry Lake bed has been home to Land Speed Racing (LSR) for more than half a century. It is located just 30 miles east of a growing high desert community known as the Antelope Valley. Racing events are supervised by the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), in 2012 celebrating its 61 th year of LSR activities at the El Mirage dry lake
Harley-Davidson would love that your local dealer become your holiday wish list headquarters. And to incite you to shop Harley gifts, with a $300 Purchase they offer a Limited Edition 110th Anniversary Tin with a membership to the Hatley-Davidson Museum. Inside each Limited Edition 110th Anniversary Tin is a collectible dog tag and keychain, a welcome letter from Bill Davidson and a guide to the H-D Museum. The H-D Museum membership includes V.I.P. benefits, a members-only newsletter and access to exclusive members-only content on its website. This special holiday offer has a $75 value and is only valid at participating dealerships. Continue reading ‘Shopping Harley-Davidson Holiday Gifts’
In India Harley-Davidson Launches Its Locally Assembled Fat Bob Model. It’s the 6th Harley model assembled in Indian under the completely knockdown (CKD) program. Bikes are imported in parts and assembled in India at the company’s facility at Bawal province of State of Haryana. This method of importation with local assembly allows for a more attractive price point for the buyers. Harley Davidson India started its operations in 2009 and till today is offering 13 models available at its 9 authorized dealers in the country. Apart from the US, India and Brazil are the only two countries where the company has assembling facilities. Harley-Davidson sold around 1000 units in the year 2011 and it expects to close 2012 at 2000 sold motorcycles.
