Drifting battle on closed circuit with police car chasing 2 motorcycles. Not like in real life… Shot for commercial purpose (sponsored by Icon brand), but still 8 minutes of pure entertainment.
Archive Page 228
Police Car Against 2 Motorcycles. Drifting Chase.
Published by February 7th, 2012 in Editorial and Videos.Death Of Wendell Smith Owner Of Rampage Motorcycle Wheels.
Published by February 6th, 2012 in Editorial, Events and Wheels.
I am sad to report that Wendell Smith passed away last Saturday February 4, 2012 from a heart attack.
Smith was the owner of Rampage Wheels in Fullerton, CA and before that co-founder of Renegade Wheels. He had 35 years of experience in the Automotive and Motorcycle Wheel Manufacturing Industry and was very proud to continue to offer wheels still made in the USA out of the finest materials, offering a 2-year chrome and a lifetime structural warranty on all his products. My condolences to all his family and friends of the automotive industry.
Services. Friday, February 10th. 11:00 A.M. Services will be held at: 11:00 A.M. Services will be held at: St. James Church Angelican Church. 3209 Via Lido, Newport Beach, Ca. 92663. 12:30 P.M. Reception at: The Ritz, 880 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, Ca. 949-720-1800 in the patio/garden
The Raven. A Brand New Motorcycle Combining Norton, Moto Guzzi, Honda And American Ingenuity.
Published by February 6th, 2012 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Yes, the Raven is a new motorcycle built from the ground up. Built the way motorcycles used to be manufactured, simple, light, fast and easy to handle. No hung decorative piece on this one. True visual pleasure of mechanical parts ready to work…Jeff Gundlach, the man behind this classic and functional creation loves choppers, most of his life rode Nortons and Guzzis, loves the coolness of choppers, bobbers and sport bikes , but didn’t want to build from an existing engine/trans/frame package. His dream bike project started about 15 years ago when he began to contemplate the idea of building a bike using the MG engine and the Norton tranny. Sketches were made but the project never concretized. Until 2 years ago when he felt he owned enough skills (and tools) to actually proceed with his design. Continue reading ‘The Raven. A Brand New Motorcycle Combining Norton, Moto Guzzi, Honda And American Ingenuity.’
2 Motorcycles Worth $1.5 M Stolen From Los Angeles Bel Air Home
Published by February 5th, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
Two home invasion robbers kicked in the front door of a Bel Air Estates home, tied up a husband and threatened his wife, before making off with two rare motorcycles with a combined value of $1.5 million: a very rare 1914 Cyclone, like this one, and a vintage 1952 Honda racer.
Police said the incident occurred around 4:30 a.m on Saturday Feb. 5, 2012. Two males kicked open the victim’s front door. When the husband got up to investigate the noise, the suspects confronted him, took him into another bedroom and tied him up. His wife was ordered to stay in bed and not moved. The bikes were the only thing taken from the home, according to officials. The suspects took the two motorcycles worth more than $1.5 million and fled in a rented van. Continue reading ‘2 Motorcycles Worth $1.5 M Stolen From Los Angeles Bel Air Home’
Jesse authorized me to publish this picture of him taken in 1995, I think the year we met for the 1st time in Daytona during Bike Week. He was 26 yo. Remember this style of bike? Seems to me that Jesse’s fashion was somewhat Seattle Grunge inspired (Kurt Cobain, Nirvana.) Time is flying…
The Revival Of Handy Industries, An American Classic.
Published by February 4th, 2012 in Accessories, Editorial and Events.
On August 18, 2010 I announced that Handy Industries. a well-known name in the motorcycle industry for over 40 years, was closing its doors. At the time, a situation created by the economy in a downward spiral and foreign competition at an all-time high. Not willing to let an opportunity slip through their fingers, within weeks of closing, the owners of Janco Industries, in small-town Sully, IA, jumped at the chance to purchase the company. What started as a specialty metal fabrication shop in 1993, Janco had been manufacturing several components of the Handy products for over ten years. The loss of business would have been a big blow to Janco. Continue reading ‘The Revival Of Handy Industries, An American Classic.’
It is extremely rare that critics are unanimous in describing a book as absolutely magnificent. And because most of you love Steve McQueen as much as a person than as a film character, riding or not a motorcycle, I had to talk about it.
Steve McQueen, The Actor And His Films, tracks his personal journey from juvenile delinquent, to Marine, to an aspiring actor breaking into Hollywood, until he became a global superstar and the highest-paid actor of his era. Each of his movie and TV production is accounted and illustrated with over 1000 color and b&w pictures, some never published before.
A gorgeous and huge (almost 500 pages) book. $43. Steve McQueen. The Actor And His Films.
Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Celebration. Let’s Party In 2013.
Published by February 4th, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
In 2013, in a dozen of cities around the world of course including Milwaukee, Harley-Davidson will celebrate its 110th Anniversary. In Wisconsin, celebrations are set for August 29/September 1, 2013, in Rome Italy June 13-16, 2013 and other dates to be announced. Harley-Davidson also will celebrate globally the 30th anniversary of the Harley Owners Group . Activities will be revealed soon at Harley-Davidson Website.
Corbin Reintroduces The World Famous Gunfighter Seat
Published by February 3rd, 2012 in Customs, Editorial and Seats.
Mike Corbin created this seat in 1982. A timeless design that has been the most recognizable and revolutionary seat design to ever hit the motorcycle industry and probably the most copied. Corbin announced today the re-introduction of the famous Gunfighter, now available for 2006-2012 Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna-Glide, Switchback and 2006-2008 Dyna Wide Glide models.
Its design moves the seating platform closer to the bars to provide an easier reach, has a narrow nose to allow your legs to reach the pavement easier. Simple to install or remove, the Corbin Gunfighter mounts to stock locations with a single bolt. A wide variety of custom materials are available by special order at no extra charge when you order a Gunfighter or any other Corbin saddle.
From seats to fairings to spoilers and more, Corbin innovation has brought the company a total of 84 patents. Corbin Online. 800-538-7035.
Japanese Domestic Motorcycle Sales Up 6.7%. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) released the overall domestic motorcycle sales for 2011 on Tuesday, reporting some positive numbers. For the first time in five years, the number of domestic sales from Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, which consist of the Big Four (Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha) and other smaller companies, was up 6.7 percent. In 2011, JAMA reports that domestic sales (factory shipment) consisted of 405,533 motorcycles. This news arrives after the number of motorcycle produced in Japan was down 3.8 percent from the previous year. In 2011, JAMA reports that 648,987 motorcycles were produced, compared to 664,175 produced in 2010.
Riding Side By Side In The Same Lane. Virginia has still a law since 1968 prohibiting bikers to ride side by side in the same traffic lane. 48 other states either don’t ban the practice, or have specific laws allowing it. There’s no indication those states have more crashes or problems related to two-abreast riding. “We assume it had to do with motorcycle gangs” said motorcycling lobbyist Jim Cannon with the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists. “We don’t have institutional memory going back that far to tell us why this Virginia law was enacted” Cannon said. A proposal to repeal the Virginia law and sponsored by the 26th District Delegate Tony Wilt and 18th District Delegate Michael Webert, sailed through the transportation committee and, overwhelmingly, through the House. Continue reading ‘Fast Motorcycle Industry News’
Confederate X132 Hellcat On The Stand
Published by February 3rd, 2012 in Builders, Customs and Videos.The new evil looking Confederate X132 Hellcat has a big-boned drag racing chassis, unitizes engine, transmission, swing arm pigot and frame into a single core, and is powered by a 132″ square engine (4.4″ bore x 4.4″ stroke.) Watch and hear it running on the lift.
Harley Sportster Seventy-Two. Components.
Published by February 2nd, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
New Harley-Davidson Sportster Seventy-Two
Published by February 1st, 2012 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
The Harley-Davidson® Seventy-Two™ is a New Narrow Sportster in Sparkling Metal Flake Paint. A Sportster® on a trip back to the days when the cool kids rode a Sting-Ray and the big boys parked choppers in a row on the curb. Those motorcycles were long and lean; candy-apple color and gleaming chrome shimmering in hazy summer sunlight. From its Hard Candy Big Red Flake paint and ape bars to its narrow whitewall tires, the Seventy-Two is a respectful nod to that era, and to the influence of the custom culture that still percolates today along Whittier Boulevard, the legendary cruising street in East Los Angeles also known as Route 72. A new generation of custom builder is tapping into that era and making a fresh statement, not just in California but in garages across the country, even around the world.
“In creating the Seventy-Two, we were also inspired by the vibe of the early chopper era,” says Frank Savage, Harley-Davidson Manager of Industrial Design. “Those bikes were colorful and chromed, but also narrow and stripped down to the essentials. You look at period examples and they are almost as simple as a bicycle. It’s a custom style that’s very particular to America and that California scene.” Continue reading ‘New Harley-Davidson Sportster Seventy-Two’
New Harley-Davidson Softail Slim
Published by February 1st, 2012 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
A stripped-down Softail with narrow styling with less chrome and retro details. Pare down a Harley-Davidson® Softail® motorcycle to its essential elements and you have the Slim. From its trimmed front fender to its narrow rear end, the Slim is a a back-to-basics motorcycle. You can call it stripped or old school. What’s left is the elemental Softail profile that recalls classic custom bobbers of the 1950s.
“It’s time to make the engine the focal point of the motorcycle,” says Harley-Davidson Senior Designer Casey Ketterhagen, “so we put a Softail on a diet to get the proportions back in check. Scale down the rear with a narrow tire and chopped fender and the heart of the bike, the motor, once again becomes the focus. We left a gap between the nose of the seat and tank so the rider can see the top of the motor. I like to be able to look down and see what’s moving me.”
To keep the rear of the motorcycle simple and clean, the Slim has combination stop/turn/tail lights and a side-mounted license plate. The rear fender struts are left uncovered, exposing the forged steel and fasteners. A thin formed-leather strap covers the fuel tank seam. The powertrain is finished with polished covers instead of chrome, and the black cylinders are left unhighlighted. The FL front fender is trimmed to expose more of the tire.
“I’d personally like to strip the bike down even further,” says Ketterhagen, “but this is as far as we can go on a production model. The Slim is intended to be a direct interpretation of home-built customs of the 1940s and 50s, and we used a number of components that evoke that era, beginning with a Hollywood handlebar.” Continue reading ‘New Harley-Davidson Softail Slim’
Coming Soon. New Baker Bully Primary For Touring Models.
Published by February 1st, 2012 in Customs, Driveline, Editorial and Events.
For 2012 Baker Drivetrain is launching the Bully Primary to work with Harley FLT’s 2007 and later touring models.
The mechanically potent design combines with a new removable inspection cover will allow for the use of a manual chain adjuster, also coming soon from BAKER.
You get a sneak peek of the product. Stay tuned. In March Baker will have a full tech feature with specs, pricing and availability.
You can see the 1st BAKER DRIVETRAIN Bully Primary up close at the Cincinnati V-Twin Expo (booth 661)
Breaking News. Harley-Davidson Unveils Two New Custom Motorcycles. The Sportster Seventy Two And The Softail Slim.
Published by February 1st, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.As I pre-announced at beginning of the week, Harley-Davidson unveiled two new custom motorcycles. The Harley-Davidson® Seventy-Two™ and the Harley-Davidson Softail Slim.
The Harley Sportster Seventy-Two™ is described by Harley as “a metal flake dream machine, a Sportster® on a trip back to the days when the cool kids rode a Sting-Ray and the big boys parked choppers in a row on the curb.” Visibly inspired by the vibe of the early chopper era when those bikes were colorful and chromed, but also narrow and stripped down to the essentials.
In a news release issued Tuesday evening, Harley-Davidson Manager of Industrial Design Frank Savage said, “In creating the Seventy-Two, we were also inspired You look at period examples and they are almost as simple as a bicycle. It’s a custom style that’s very particular to America and that California scene.”
The Harley-Davidson® Softail® Slim has a trimmed front fender and a narrow rear end. Harley says it has iconic style that recalls classic custom bobbers of the 1950s. “It’s time to make the engine the focal point of the motorcycle,” says Harley-Davidson Senior Designer Casey Ketterhagen, “so we put a Softail on a diet to get the proportions back in check. Scale down the rear with a narrow tire and chopped fender and the heart of the bike, the motor, once again becomes the focus. We left a gap between the nose of the seat and tank so the rider can see the top of the motor.”
These 2 new models are described in details in above articles. Both models arrive this weekend in Harley-Davidson showrooms.
Update About The Rolling Thunder 25th Anniversary Custom Build
Published by February 1st, 2012 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Yesterday Monday January 30, 2012, Billy Lane received a pile of parts for the Rolling Thunder 25th Anniversary commemorative build. Steve Broyles of The Horse Backstreet Choppers Magazine had his first meeting with Billy to go over what else is needed for the build of a lifetime. The prison officials gave a tour to The Horse Mag, Rolling Thunder DC and Jay Allen, too, to see the facilities where the build will take place. The S&S Knuckle motor and Baker transmission put a smile on Billy.
At the New York Motorcycle Show backstage, Dar Holdsworth proudly shared photos of the highly custom skins that will go onto his rolling and riding piece of artwork honoring the Navy. Dar is also still in need of parts for his tribute build, so the mission is on to secure crucial components as this build is extremely near and dear to his heart. Continue reading ‘Update About The Rolling Thunder 25th Anniversary Custom Build’
Harley Sportster New Cafe Racer Style Parts By Steve Storz
Published by February 1st, 2012 in Builders, Chassis, Customs, Editorial and Suspension.
Coming from the business of racing in the 70’s, Steve Storz passion for Harley Sportster racing & performance parts never weakened. Today, Storz Performance has developed a new line of Café Racer style accessories for use on 2004 to current model Harley–Davidson Sportsters.The bike featured here, the Storz SP1200RR, has been constructed to serve as a rolling display case for these parts. A hand formed aluminum gas tank and road race style fiberglass tail section with custom Saddlemen seat pads creates the basis for the look. Specially modified clip-on handlebars by Driven are mounted to the Storz/ Ceriani 55mm Inverted fork tubes above the top triple clamp. Ohlins rear shocks with adjustments for compression & rebound damping, spring preload, and overall length, complete the suspension package. Continue reading ‘Harley Sportster New Cafe Racer Style Parts By Steve Storz’
Crossroads At The Sturgis Buffalo Chip™. A New New Free-Access Vending, Entertainment and Dining Destination.
Published by February 1st, 2012 in Editorial and Events.
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip®, the legendary campground, concert and entertainment venue that has for more than 30 years been a focal point of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, today announced development of a new commercial and entertainment area named the “Crossroads at the Buffalo Chip™”.
The Crossroads development at the Buffalo Chip, located three miles outside of Sturgis, will provide visitors a Free access area at the Chip where visitors will be able to visit friends and vendors, enjoy food, drinks, and music and find a much-needed relief from the traffic in the town of Sturgis. Continue reading ‘Crossroads At The Sturgis Buffalo Chip™. A New New Free-Access Vending, Entertainment and Dining Destination.’
Zach Ness Explains What Inspired Him To Create His Custom Victory Judge
Published by February 1st, 2012 in Builders and Customs.Performance Machine Launches Its Biggest Catalog Ever. Promotes Kelli Murrow As Director Of Sales & Marketing
Published by January 31st, 2012 in Brakes, Controls, Customs, Editorial and Wheels.
For more the 40 years, Performance Machine has been rolling along as the industry leader in brakes, wheels and performance accessories because of passion synonymous with the brand. “Our well-oiled operation is known for both its innovation and attention to details. a direct result of the top-notch people behind the brand” says company President Mark Finnie. “We are proud to recognize Kelli Murrow’s award-winning brand building by promoting her to Performance Machine’s Director of Sales & Marketing.”
Kelli’s promotion comes just in time for all the all the craziness of a new catalog (the biggest in PM history), not to mention the trade shows, the recent expansion of RSD hard parts and the acquisition of Xtreme Machine Wheels. “I love what I do and I am fortunate to work with an organization packed with people who do too!” In nearly two decades since starting as the receptionist with Performance Machine, Murrow has seen the highs and the lows of the Powersports industry. “PM has worked diligently during the tough times and I am very, very lucky to have worked through the lows and happy to be in this position as we see growth once again.” says Kelli.
You can already get a copy of the 2012 Performance Machine catalog. The company will display at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati (booth 401) then at the Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis (Booth #1627)
Harley-Davidson Would Release 2 New 2012 Models. The Sportster Seventy Two And The Softail Slim.
Published by January 31st, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
I don’t publish rumors, but will (almost) always publish leaked information. Problem is that when this leak seems to come from Harley-Davidson headquarters it’s evidently impossible to get anyone to confirm in writing my information. But pictures just began to circulate on the web…During its February Winter Dealers Meeting, Harley-Davidson would announce 2 new 2012 models (instead of one usually unveiled at this time of the year.) Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Would Release 2 New 2012 Models. The Sportster Seventy Two And The Softail Slim.’
Sudco Advertising Campaign. Treated Well Whatever The Size Of Your Order.
Published by January 31st, 2012 in Editorial and Events.
Jim Gianatsis, Creative Director and Photographer at Gianatsis Design Design Associates is proud to have produced this new 2012 marketing campaign for his client Sudco.
And he should be because it is the proof that sometimes not showing the products you sell may be a better marketing strategy to clearly deliver your “unique selling proposition” (USP) In this case, “”Whatever size your order, Sudco always treats you as our most important customer.” Continue reading ‘Sudco Advertising Campaign. Treated Well Whatever The Size Of Your Order.’
The New Fat Daddy Ridewright Wheels
Published by January 31st, 2012 in Customs, Editorial and Wheels.
None of our current wheel manufacturers has re-invented the wheel, but little by little many of them bring their small improvements. Ridewright Wheels (notice that the brand name is now 1 word instead of 2), is pushing to the next level of quality, of compatibility and of customization in introducing by Spring a new concept.
Hub: One-hub-fits-all-wheels means one-brand-fits-all-bikes; an industry first for spokes. Ridewright modular hub ends allow swap-out between rotor configurations, and interface between the bike and the hub. This endless compatibility helps with resale, too. Rim: New technology creates a rolled spun rim out of 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum. This prevents unsightly air-leaking imperfections. They are enhanced with a special silicon designed to handle added abrasion and flex for maximum durability. It also welcomes engraving and contrast designs on the edge of the wheel, which is offered. Spokes & Nipples: Choose from broadest array of style (including the original Fat 50™), color, material and finishes. Ridewright Wheels. 714-632-8297
www.ridewrightWHEELS.com
SMRi Opposes Attempt By “Concerned Citizen” To Seize Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Goodwill
Published by January 30th, 2012 in Editorial and Events.
This press release was sent to me by the press person of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Inc. (SMRI) I publish it as is, mentioning, if necessary, that the statements of opinion it contains are of course those of SMRI, not mine.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Inc. (SMRi), a non-profit with the mission of enhancing and growing the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and providing a charitable return to the greater Sturgis area, today announced it has filed an opposition proceeding with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office against Fresno, California-based Renegade Classics Corp.
Renegade Classics Corp. seeks to establish the exclusive right in the United States to use the terms “Sturgis Rally Week” and “Sturgis Rally Week” with a motorcycle design. SMRi, owner of senior rights to the Sturgis®, Sturgis Bike Week®, Sturgis Rally & Races(TM) and Sturgis Motorcycle Rally(TM) brands, among others, has opposed the California company’s attempt to trade off of SMRi’s goodwill by registering its own confusingly similar trademarks. SMRi already is engaged in an expensive legal battle with Renegade Classics Corp’s ally, Rushmore Photo & Gifts, pertaining to Rushmore Photo’s use of terms “Officially Licensed Sturgis” and “Authentic Sturgis,” among other confusing terms. Kent Mortimer, the owner of Renegade Classics Corp., testified on behalf of Rushmore Photo last summer in a federal court hearing in Rapid City, and Mortimer and the Rushmore Photo owners last year formed a group called “Concerned Citizens for Sturgis” for the purpose of attacking the Sturgis-based non-profit’s intellectual property rights. Continue reading ‘SMRi Opposes Attempt By “Concerned Citizen” To Seize Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Goodwill’
