It makes life much easier if not only you do what you love but also if you go to work to a place custom made to feel like a living place, an extension of your home where you can surround yourself with your preferred personal pieces of furniture, objects, books, etc. On the second floor of Roland Sands Design’s new building in Los Alamitos, CA Roland Sands occupies a vast office space with tall windows overlooking his workshop and where working desk, meeting/lunching/dining table and entertainment/music/video production areas all fit within the same walls. .
Roland was only 5 years old when parents Perry & Nancy Sands founded Performance Machine and introduced him to the world of two wheels. Becoming a professional racer competing during 10 years in the AMA Championship, then getting involved in motorcycle parts design and bike building first for PM, then for his own company RSD, at the age of 38 (in August) Roland has already accumulated tons of motorcycle memories and of course many souvenirs, a selection of them being displayed in his office/living space. Continue reading ‘Show Me Your Office. Roland Sands.’
In 2010, you loved to follow in my website the brave riders of the Cannonball Endurance Run who proved that antique motorcycles could be put again to the test of crossing the country from east to west coast. This year, only motorcycles built in 1929 or earlier can compete and of course must be powered by an original engine. Collectors from around the world are currently restoring their machines, ready to prove again their capabilities on long distance runs like they did almost one century ago. Continue reading ‘2012 Cannonball Endurance Run. September 7 To 23, 2012’
As you probably already know, as of today, there is no museum commemorating all those pioneers who raced the Salts of Utah (there was a small one, defunct 14 years ago.) 18 months ago, Wendover, Utah Mayor Mike Crawford and local Bonneville enthusiast John House announced that they had secured a five-acre plot of land on the eastern end of town, right off Interstate 80, where they planned to erect a 25,000-square-foot building that chronicles not just the history of land-speed racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats, but also the story of the Salt Flats and the town of Wendover’s contributions to land-speed racing. Continue reading ‘Bonneville Speed Museum. Update.’
2012 March Revenue Of US Motorcycle Dealers Up 20%. The data comes from ADP Lightspeed, an organism maintaining a database of over 1 billion sales records from motorcycle industry dealers. Every night, over 1400 Lightspeed dealers automatically transmit the day’s Parts, Service and Sales information to a collective database held at the Lightspeed offices Salt Lake City. Sales in March 2012 increased 20% over March 2011. An improving economy, warmer than usual winter temperatures are advanced as the 2 main factors for this surge in revenue. Among the 5 regions studied, the Midwest is where revenue increased the most ($39.5%), the Southern region where sales progressed the less (4.2%) Continue reading ‘Fast Motorcycle Industry News’
Revolution Manufacturing is launching a series of custom control parts aimed directly at the very hot Victory market. For now floorboards, footpegs, shiftter and brake pegs.
Named the V-Knurl, design consists of an array of mini diamond knurling gloss black anodized. “The visual effects are stunning and these parts provides a firm grip while riding” states Michael Kamalian, CEO of Revolution Manufacturing. Available for all models up to and including the new 2012 Victory motorcycles. Existing lineup will be extended to create a complete theme all over your Victory bike. Revolution Manufacturing.
Who doesn’t want to see a pretty woman flying on a pink Ducati and wearing a pink and black body suit to match…. Ok it’s for a commercial. Still, worth watching. Enjoy.
Crocker was created in and shaped by the culture of pre-WWII Los Angeles, California, by former Indian distributor Al Crocker. Known as the “Duesenberg of motorcycles” Crocker is the definitive American motorcycle, handmade, powerful and fast. Very much a Hollywood “hot rod” bike. These 3 Crokers and other exquisite models from Indian, Harley-Davidson from a prominent private collection has been entrusted to Bonhams for their annual Quail Lodge sale held during the famed Pebble Beach Car Week. Bonhams’ 2012 two-day sale will take place Thursday (dedicated to motorcycles) and Friday (dedicated to motorcars), August 16th and 17th at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California. “Having three documented Crockers in one sale is very momentous,” says Malcolm Barber, CEO of Bonhams Group. “Very seldom does a Crocker ever come up for sale, so this is an extremely unique opportunity for collectors and one we are privileged to present.”
As a bespoke machine, each Crocker was made to the specifications of its buyer. This expensive and time-intensive approach meant that quality remained high but production output low. Total Crocker numbers never exceeded more than 125 units before World War II forced the firm’s closure, and today only around 50 of those units are accounted for, making Crocker motorcycles extremely rare.When it debuted in 1936, the upstart founder brazenly challenged world dominators Harley-Davidson, boasting of superior technology, performance, handling and raw power. In fact, Al Crocker famously advertised that if any of his bikes were ever beaten by a stock Harley, he would refund the owner’s money. No refunds were ever requested. Continue reading ‘Three Crocker Motorcycles To Headline Bonhams Auction At Quail Lodge In August’
Proof again that a cool looking exhaust, can dramatically improve the look of your bike.
If you like the drilled/holed design, start with this set of pipes and extend the theme all over the bike with the many after-market parts (controls, air-cleaners, pulleys, mirrors, etc) already available from many manufacturers.
Mid-mount system, available with chrome or black drilled heat shields in color contrast with the pipes. Sold with baffles and necessary hardware. Fits Sportsters from 2004 to 2012. At your Custom Chrome dealer.
In 2011, more than 1.59 million cruiser tires were sold in North America, of which 86% with traditional or diagonal technology. The same year, 227,000 units were sold in Europe, of which 82% diagonal tires.
In the rest of the world (mainly South America, Australia and Japan) approximately 266,000 cruiser tires were sold during the year. In all regions, cruiser riders stand apart by their shared expectations with regard to tires. They’re looking for products with distinctive design that also deliver excellent total mileage and superior safety. Speed and lively responsiveness are not among their priorities. The tire manufacturer’s role is to combine all these different features
Another strange record to enter the Guinness Book Of Records. Supposedly the largest motorcycle in the world, weighting 8818 pounds (4000 kg or 4 tons), measuring 32.81 ft long (10 meters) and 16.4 ft high (5 meters). It is powered by a 5700 GM motor, features cables with an OD of 7.2 ft (2.2 meters) It was built by Regio Design and was able last month to run more than 328 ft (100 meters), the requirement to become a Guinness entry. Continue reading ‘World’s Biggest Motorcycle’
Polaris Industries Inc.(PII) today reported record first quarter net income of $60.1 million (up 27%) with sales climbing 25% to $673.8 million, representing a record for first quarter sales and earnings. Off-Road Vehicle sales increased 30% and On-Road Vehicle sales increased 44% during the 2012 first quarter2012 Business outlook based on Polaris’ performance during the 2012 first quarter and projections for the remainder of the year are now sales up in the range of 10 to 13 percent. Polaris stock (PII) one-year return (as of today) is + 79.34%.
When unveiled on February 1st, 2012 ,many qualified the new Harley Slim as just another Fat Boy. As its name indicates, the Slim is exactly the opposite of Fat. It’s, a stripped-down Softail with narrow styling, pared down to its essential elements, almost no chrome and lots of details inspired from the parts used on 1940’s era Harleys. Powertrain, counter-balanced Twin Cam 103B and 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission are Milwaukee’s latest technology, but all the Slim’s chassis lines and accessories are conceived and chosen to mimic those of a vintage Harley. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Slim. The Naked Softail.’
Ignition switch may get a little bit more “sexier” with these covers the Billet Artisans at Precision Billet Products. These switch covers feature unique 3D designs, exotic inlays and wraps including Mother-of-Pearl and Carbon Fibers inlays. The covers are meticulously milled from 6061 T6 aluminum then hand finished and inlaid. The covers will be available in both Black Anodized or show chrome finishes. MSRP from $ 99.00 to $ 139.00. Call 480-813-1833 or visit Precision Billet Products
Jan, Sue and Mary haven’t seen each other since High School. They rediscover each other via a reunion website and arrange to meet for lunch in a wine bar. Jan arrives first, wearing a beige Versace. She orders a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Sue arrives shortly afterward, in gray Chanel. After the required ritualized kisses she joins Jan in a glass of wine. Then Mary walks in, wearing a faded old tee-shirt, blue jeans and boots. She too shares the wine.
Jan explains that after leaving high school and graduating from Princeton in Classics, she met and married Timothy, with whom she has a beautiful daughter. Timothy is a partner in one of New York ‘s leading law firms. They live in a 4000 sq ft co-op on Fifth Avenue , where Susanna, the daughter, attends drama school. They have a second home in Phoenix.
Sue relates that she graduated from Harvard Med School and became a surgeon. Her husband, Clive, is a leading Wall Street investment banker. They live in Southampton on Long Island and have a second home in Naples , Florida. Continue reading ‘Joke Of The Week’
An agreement was reached for German Volkswagen’s Audi to buy Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati from its owner Investindustrial SpA for about $1.1 billion (860 million euros) including debt of about $260 million (200 million euros.)
Harley-Davidson wants you to personalize your bike only with genuine custom Harley parts, not custom after-market ones.
So, they tell you that a Harley customized with non-Harley parts is not a Harley-Davidson motorcycle anymore. Something that they will never dare to say openly in a US advertising campaign, custom builders being the brand “best friends” to color it positively.
But in Turkey, Harley-Davidson launched a print advertising campaign saying (in small fonts at the bottom of the ad) ” Nothing can replace the real one. Use original Harley-Davidson parts.” And to support this claim, the (ex) Harley rider is transporting…a blow-up doll, not the real thing… Convincing & funny? Turkish humor? Huh…
As most you living in the USA know, last Saturday and Sunday, more than 120 tornadoes were reported in a two-day outbreak in Oklahoma. One of the twisters (classified EF-3 tornado generating speeds of 136 to 165 mph) caught many unaware in Woodward, a town of 12,000 people, when storm sirens failed to sound after lightning apparently disabled the warning system. In this city the death toll rose today Monday Sept, 16 to a 6th victim. Woodward, OK is the city where Custom Builder Jerry Covington, crew and family work and live. So, Kathleen Covington asked me if I would publish the following message. Continue reading ‘Tornado Outbreak. A Message From Jerry And Kathleen Covington At Covingtons Customs.’
Having distributed their radical Softail type and rigid frames in the US during many years I know very well custom builders Peter & Anita Penz from Austrian based shop Penz Custombikes. Evidently, for self promotion of their proprietary frames, they have to use their multiple own chassis as platforms for all their creations, their challenge being to renew the style of each of them to demonstrate to customers all possible customizing options. In the case of this custom named “Revelation” (because the client thought he knew what he wanted until he realized he didn’t know until the bike was revealed to him very different from what he thought and he fell in love with it!) it’s less in the overall shape of the bike that you will find innovations, but in the way it is fabricated to give you the illusion that this rear suspension european style chopper is built on a rigid frame. Continue reading ‘Chopper Revelation By Peter Penz’
A Spanish style home in Springville, Utah is where avant-garde bronze artist, collector and motorcycle historian Jeff Decker lives and works. Passionate about motorcycles, cars and anything mechanical that has endured decades without being “molested”, it will not surprise you that his office is multi-spaces, its expansion being only limited by the number of rooms available and I guess how much privacy wife Kelly and his 4 children want to keep for themselves. Officially, his desk is this little California 1920’s piece you see at the top of my article, made to suit Spanish style homes of that era and whose main purpose is only to remind Jeff where he can find his iPhone and iPad (!) in case he wants to return calls (!!!), or needs to load new art and motorcycle pictures in his iPhoto digital albums. Continue reading ‘Show Me Your Office. Jeff Decker.’
It is supposed to be the oldest unrestored motorcycle made in the US, the only known 1903 Indian. Steve Rinker, who runs Buck’s Indian, an Indian motorcycle restoration firm in Romney, explains: “The handful of 1902 Indian models that were built were deconstructed, their parts used to build the 1.75-horsepower 1903 models. And as far as we know, this is the only unrestored.””Except for a few nuts and bolts used for early repairs, this bike is all original,” added Josh Ruby, the auctioneer entrusted with selling the motorcycle in Western Maryland on April 21 for the Alder Jr.’s estate. Continue reading ‘Oldest Known U.S. Made Motorcycle To Be Auctioned April 21, 2012’
Since January 1959, when Batista was finally ousted and replaced by Castro’s revolutionary government, the Latino riders of Cuba, calling themselves Harlistas, overcome the difficulties of maintaining their Harleys, repairing and re-fabricating the parts that they can’t import because of the U.S. blockade. This weekend, during 3 days, the Cuban Harlistas across the country are gathering in the beach resort of Varadero for their First National Meeting Of Harley-Davidson, showing their motorcycles and experiencing in group the camaraderie of the open road. Continue reading ‘First Cuban National Meeting Of Harley-Davidson’
Michigan Helmet Law Repealed. Since yesterday Friday April 13, 2012, helmets are no longer mandatory for all riders and passengers in Michigan. Gov. Rick Snyder signed the bill, which received bipartisan support, on Thursday and announced the change Friday.T he law has immediate effect but sets conditions to legally ride without a helmet. Motorcyclists must be at least 21 and carry $20,000 in medical insurance. Those who ride without helmets also must pass a safety course or have their motorcycle endorsement for at least two years. Shannon Banner, a spokeswoman for the Michigan State Police, said the law does not require motorcycle operators to carry proof of the medical coverage, proof they have had their motorcycle endorsement for two years or proof they have completed a safety course. “Officers may not stop a motorcycle operator for not wearing a helmet based on the mere possibility the operator or passenger may not be exempt from the requirement to wear a helmet,” the state police said in a an update sent to local police agencies Friday. Michigan, which had required motorcycle helmets for more than 40 years, is the 31st state to make helmets optional. Snyder’s office said Michigan joins the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.
Harley-Davidson Plans To Split Capitol Drive Plant. Harley has submitted plans to the city of Wauwatosa which would pave the way for selling a portion of their manufacturing plant in 117th and Capitol Drive. Wauwatosa Director of Economic Development Paulette Enders said the plan would split the parcel between the north and south end. Twenty-eight acres on the north portion of the plot, which currently has the product development facility, will remain with Harley. The other 21 acres, now the manufacturing facilities, will be sold. Continue reading ‘Fast Motorcycle Industry News’
With summer heat or in traffic your stock pr big inch air cooled engine will heat up with excessive operating temperatures able to dammage your motor. To prevent this issue, JIMS®, is introducing the new patent pending ForceFlow Cylinder Head Cooler forcing the heat away from your engine by pushing high velocity air through the cylinder fin pack in a wide flow pattern, directed at the head gasket surface. Powered by a cooling fan that was designed to cool brakes in NASCAR, the JIMS ForceFlow can lower head temperatures up to 100 degrees! The ForceFlow can either be activated by a thermostat (included), or wired for a manual on/off switch. This unique design also relocates the horn inside the ForceFlow’s streamlined housing, and gives the horn mount or “left side” of the bike a much needed new look. Continue reading ‘JIMS® Forceflow Cylinder Head Cooler’
It makes life much easier if not only you do what you love but also if you go to work to a place custom made to feel like a living place, an extension of your home where you can surround yourself with your preferred personal pieces of furniture, objects, books, etc. On the second floor of Roland Sands Design’s new building in Los Alamitos, CA Roland Sands occupies a vast office space with tall windows overlooking his workshop and where working desk, meeting/lunching/dining table and entertainment/music/video production areas all fit within the same walls. .
Roland was only 5 years old when parents Perry & Nancy Sands founded Performance Machine and introduced him to the world of two wheels. Becoming a professional racer competing during 10 years in the AMA Championship, then getting involved in motorcycle parts design and bike building first for PM, then for his own company RSD, at the age of 38 (in August) Roland has already accumulated tons of motorcycle memories and of course many souvenirs, a selection of them being displayed in his office/living space. Continue reading ‘Show Me Your Office. Roland Sands.’
Polaris Industries Inc
