Cyril Huze Post

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The Best Of Italy Verona’s Motor Bike Expo

Published by Cyril Huze January 30th, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.

The Italy Verona’s Motor Bike Expo (January 20-22) is always showcasing a very large contingent of some of the best custom motorcycles in the world. Usually, brand new creations coming from all over Europe and the rest of the world that later you will be able to admire in other US bike shows and print magazines. But this year, in terms of attendance by the public (120,000 visitors during the weekend) and participation of builders (50 builders received awards), the Expo was even bigger. The reason? “The Verona organization approached us to add a competitive and exciting feature to their already popular program”, explains Custom Chrome General Manager Andreas Scholz, “The CCE Bike Show attracted even more builders and allowed them to win more trophies. more recognition from the public and from their peers and to increase their exposure to international medias. You are the first to preview some of the most remarkable bikes of the Verona’s Motor Bike Expo and Show.

Cory Ness debuted “Gold Digger”, a custom motorcycle built from parts belonging exclusively to the Ness and Custom Chrome catalogs. It is based on the new “Ness Digger” frame, a modern re-edition of the old one that Arlen was using in the 70’s/80’s. Arlen and Cory met Andreas Scholz of Custom Chrome Europe to introduce new custom parts like the Ness height and angle adjustable handlebars. “Gold Digger” is now starting a European tour with the CCE display.

The Championship Class Winner was this boardtrack style racer tribute named “Ironborne”. Built by a shop called Borderline, it features a single down tube frame, a Shovelhead engine with reshaped heads and a leaf Spring front end. A “weathered” paint job and a multitude of beautiful details made unanimity among the judges. Continue reading ‘The Best Of Italy Verona’s Motor Bike Expo’

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Harley V-Rod Custom Bodywork

Published by Cyril Huze January 30th, 2012 in Chassis, Customs and Editorial.

The Harley-Davidson V-Rod being a niche model, not many after-market vendors devote time designing custom parts for this model. Bodywork being the most radical way to transform a stock motorcycle in a one-off creation, know that there is a company called GR Customs offering a wide series of fiberglass front and rear fenders. 6 different styles of front fenders mount up directly to the stock V-Rod lower legs (not made for Muscle model and inverted front ends.) They all come with the necessary mounting hardware. Prices starting at MSRP $249.00. Online at GR Customs.

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Daytona Bike Week March 9-18, 2012. There Is An iPhone Application.

Published by Cyril Huze January 29th, 2012 in Editorial and Events.

Motorcycle enthusiasts going to Daytona for Bike Week (March 9 to 18, 2012) will have less difficulties planning their stay. The Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, the official source for all events, released an improved version of their iPhone application.

With it, you can create your own list of favorite events, concerts, restaurants, attractions, bike shows, bars and clubs and of course follow the local news and watch the weather. Daytona Bike Week Application.

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V-Twin Expo. February 4-6, 2012

Published by Cyril Huze January 29th, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.

Many things have already been said about the rivalry between the 12th edition of Cincinnati V-Twin Expo by Easyriders (Feb. 4-6) and the inaugural Indianapolis V-Twin dealer Show by Advanstar (Feb. 17-19) to attract exhibitors and visiting dealers. Continue reading ‘V-Twin Expo. February 4-6, 2012’

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Amal Carburetor Top Covers.

Published by Cyril Huze January 28th, 2012 in Accessories, Customs and Engines.

AMAL, the carburetor manufacturer supplying most of the British motorcycle industry in the 50’s to 60’s still produces spares for the classic market. Many of you working on Triumph, BSA and Norton bikes keep their projects equipped with this carburetor brand, especially with the “Concentric” model

For this specific carb. model Jeremy Cupp at LC Fabrications offers these top covers used when removing the often unneeded choke slide and cables.

Available in polished Brass or Polished Aluminum and like all LC Fabrication products they are designed, manufactured…and packaged right here in the USA. LC Fabrications.

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Wreck The Collection

Published by Cyril Huze January 28th, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Merchandise.

A popular hobby, all eras and types of model cars are being collected all around the world. But where is the rust, are the scratches, the bumps, the dents giving these real rides their authenticity and character? Classic Wrecks ($40-$70) is offering 1/24 scale models of all types of trucks, sport cars, sedans lovingly handcrafted to show the hard life they have lived on the road before aging abandoned inside a barn or outside in the elements. Chose your dilapitaded ride with missing parts, broken windows, rust and swiss cheese everywhere. Who among you will be the first to offer 1/24 scale models of 2-wheel old wrecks? Trust me. Junkyard collecting has never been so hip. Classic Cars.

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Harley-Davidson Built This Custom Street Glide For Daytona MDA Daytona Raffle

Published by Cyril Huze January 27th, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.

Tickets to win start at $5.00 with all proceeds to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA.) This very special customized 2012 Street Glide® motorcycle is the featured prize of the Harley-Davidson 2012 Daytona Bike Week Motorcycle Raffle to benefit MDA. Created just for this event by the Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories® department, the Street Glide has been decked out with a Tango Limited Series Custom Paint Set, Blade Custom Wheels, a Wind Splitter Windshield, a Boom! Audio Premium Speaker Kit, a Bat Wing Ape Handlebar, a Chrome Front End Kit, a Rallyrunner® Seat, a Screamin’ Eagle® Ventilator Air Cleaner Kit, Screamin’ Eagle Nightstick Mufflers and many more accessories. The combined retail value of accessories installed on the bike is more than $14,000. The total customized motorcycle has a fair market value of approximately $35,600 US MSRP. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Built This Custom Street Glide For Daytona MDA Daytona Raffle’

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My Harley Sportster Is A Kicker

Published by Cyril Huze January 27th, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Driveline, Editorial and Videos.

Sportster. Not only one of the hottest selling new models from Harley-Davidson, but also one of the most sought-after used bikes, especially by generation X & Y looking for an affordable base to build their dream bike. And often, they would like to turn this very respectable model into an even more classic bike via what I call a “retro upgrade” kicker kit. Possible, thanks to Pat Patterson from Led Sled Customs, offering a complete bolt-on Kit he designed to work with all 1991-2003 5-speed Sportsters. Continue reading ‘My Harley Sportster Is A Kicker’

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Paul Teutul Sr. In Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice NBC TV Series

Published by Cyril Huze January 27th, 2012 in Editorial and Events.

Paul Sr. is transitioning from the Discovery Channel’s hit reality Series “American Chopper” to Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice.” The TV show new season starts mid February with 2 x 9 = 18 business-savvy celebrity contestants competing for the goal of raising money and awareness for their charity of choice. The last person standing will be “hired” as the Celebrity Apprentice and have the honor of delivering a $250,000 bonus check to its preferred designated charity.

For those interested in watching the show, I bet that you are going to discover a side of Paul Senior’s personality that you can’t imagine if you don’t know him personally and that you never had the opportunity to see before in “American Choppers.”

So, how will Senior behave when facing deadlines, intellectual challenges, personality clashes and intense scrutiny in the boardroom under the careful watch of Donald Trump and of his advisors? Will it be his turn – for a change – to be fired by the Donald? You will know when the Series start February 12, 2012 on NBC (picture courtesy @ NBC)

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Harley-Davidson New Edge Cut Fork Slider Covers

Published by Cyril Huze January 26th, 2012 in Accessories, Customs, Editorial and Suspension.

Did I see these before proposed by others? Harley just released these one-piece Edge Cut Upper Fork Slider Covers (P/N 45600006, $179.95) finished in rich glossy black powdercoat and machined to expose the raw aluminum casting. The resulting contrasting surfaces complement the Original Equipment satin-finished front end, or are a great complement with accessory black fork sliders and other black front-end accessories. For a complete look, these covers can be paired with available Edge Cut wheels, controls, grips, mirrors and saddlebag latches. Fits 1980-later Harley-Davidson Touring and Trike models. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s Web site

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Come In. Rent A Lift And Tools. Repair Your Motorcycle.

Published by Cyril Huze January 26th, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Videos.

During these past 3 years I wrote a few articles about “Self-Repair” shops offering individuals the option to come in, reserve a lift, rent tools and machines and do their own fabrication/repair jobs with or without the supervision and help of on location expert technicians. The only negative, at least in the sue-happy US society, is the shop owner’s liability if anything goes wrong – for ex. injuries – while an individual is working on your premises. Well, it doesn’t seem to discourage those who still think it’s a great business concept in line with bikers brotherhood. Motomethod Community Motorcycle Repair Shop in Vancouver, BC Canada is one those full repair shops allowing the rider to come in and perform his repairs. And it accepts nearly all makes and models of motorcycles, old or new.

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Fast Motorcycle Industry News

Published by Cyril Huze January 26th, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Events.

Myrtle Beach Harley Rally Dates Moved Back For 2012. The Harley Davidson “Cruisin’ the Coast” spring motorcycle rally will happen later in the month of May. New dates are May 18-28th. Reason? To coincide with with the Atlantic Beach bike rally and other events that go on along the Grand Strand.

Hells Angels Plan Annual Convention In Spearfish, South Dakota. About 500 members of the Hells Angels are expected to come to the city in late July, just before the 2012 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally gets started. Police Chief Pat Robert is discussing with the MC about organization, arrangements and security during the event. Continue reading ‘Fast Motorcycle Industry News’

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Polaris Reports Record 2011 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

Published by Cyril Huze January 25th, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Events.

Just after Harley-Davidson, Polaris Industries announced its 4th quarter 2011 and full year results, and they are excellent. As you know, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets ioff-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER® side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, the Victory motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles.

Fourth quarter 2011 earnings per diluted share increased 15% to a record $0.90 with sales increasing 26% from the year earlier period to a record $782.0 million. Full year 2011 earnings per diluted share increased 50% to a record $3.20 with record sales of $2,656.9 million, an increase of 33% from the 2010 full year. All product lines experienced increased sales and market share for the full year 2011. International sales increased 43% in the fourth quarter 2011 and 39% for full year 2011 despite a volatile European economic environment. Continue reading ‘Polaris Reports Record 2011 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results’

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Exclusive. Zach Ness NessCafe. The First Custom Victory Judge.

Published by Cyril Huze January 25th, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.

If last Friday you were not present at the New York International Motorcycle Show, you discovered the 2013 Victory Judge model first in photos in my blog, then in a video where it was shown in action flexing its American muscles. But this new model unveiling is only part of the story. Some of you know that a few hours later the Victory staff was also unveiling to the press and public present at the Manhattan Javits Center the first ever Custom Victory Judge designed and built by Zach Ness.

It must be noted that, as far as I know, Victory Motorcycles seem to be the only major manufacturer to release in simultaneity both a production model and its radical custom version. A great idea that I wish all manufacturers should follow…

I asked Zach to tell me the story of this radical custom Victory Judge named NessCafe, how it got started, his approach in designing it and the mods he had to make with his crew to turn the new production Judge into a pure and original American Cafe Racer. Continue reading ‘Exclusive. Zach Ness NessCafe. The First Custom Victory Judge.’

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Ink Butter For Tattoo Aftercare.

Published by Cyril Huze January 25th, 2012 in Editorial and Merchandise.

You got your tattoo in a reputable shop. Ink pigments are concentrated in a layer just below your epidermis boundary. With time, these pigments tends to migrate deeper into the dermis, accounting for the degraded detail of old tattoos.

Except if you go for the aging sailor appearance, how rich and robust your tattoo will look after a couple of years largely depends on how frequently you nourish your skin.

Ink Butter is a tattoo aftercare lotion containing the essential minerals, vitamins and antioxidants to keep your tattoo in tip-top shape. Non-comedogenic (doesn’t clog pores), fragrance and petroleum free. $18 (2 oz). Ink Butter

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Joke Of The Week

Published by Cyril Huze January 25th, 2012 in Editorial.

An old grizzled biker walks into the barbershop for a shave and a haircut, but he tells the barber he can’t get all his whiskers off because his cheeks are wrinkled from age.

The barber gets a little wooden ball from a cup on the shelf and tells him to put it inside his cheek to spread out the skin.

When he’s finished, the old biker tells the barber that was the cleanest shave he’s had in years, but what if he would have accidentally swallowed that little ball? The barber replied: “You could just bring it back tomorrow like everyone else does.”

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The Art Of The Unfinished Motorcycle Look.

Published by Cyril Huze January 24th, 2012 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.

You are looking at the personal custom motorcycle of David Beckham, the world’s highest-paid footballer (soccer player) when taking into account salary and advertisiing deals. Also famously married to Victoria Adams, dubbed “Posh Spice” of the pop music group Spice Girls.

So, you can push far away the idea that an unfinished look belongs to a non-completed bike. As a matter of fact it can take as much time, if not more, to get the perfect unfinished look to make you appear like a true/authentic/real/vintage loving (add your adjective) biker. Now a member of the Hollywood riding elite (led by Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Tom Cruise) and still a soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy team, he tries hard to escape paparazzi on his “anonymous” bike. Continue reading ‘The Art Of The Unfinished Motorcycle Look.’

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Harley-Davidson 4th Quarter 2011 Earnings Report Shows Continued Strength For Retail Motorcycle Sales

Published by Cyril Huze January 24th, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Events.

Although it was a bumpy ride in 2011 for Harley-Davidson with sour consumer sentiment, the restructuring of its York facility and supply chain disruptions caused the Japan earthquake and tsunami, the company just announced this morning at 8.30 am EST that. 1- Worldwide retail new motorcycle sales climbed 10.9% in fourth quarter 2011 and 5.9% for the full year. 2- Full-year earnings doubled on motorcycle shipment growth 3- Improved motorcycle operating margin and financial services performance

Worldwide: Income from continuing operations was $54.6 million, or $0.24 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to a loss of $42.1 million, or $0.18 per share from continuing operations in the year-ago quarter. For the full year 2011, income from continuing operations more than doubled to $548.1 million, or $2.33 per share, compared to income of $259.7 million, or $1.11 per share, from continuing operations in 2010.

Retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles grew 10.9 percent worldwide in the fourth quarter compared to the prior-year period, including an 11.8 percent increase in the U.S. For the full year 2011, new Harley-Davidson motorcycle retail sales rose 5.9 percent worldwide and 5.8 percent in the U.S. “At retail, we believe the solid improvement in new Harley-Davidson motorcycle sales reflects the strong appeal of our product lineup to a diverse customer base and the great efforts of our dealers, combined with results from our investments in growth opportunities across all regions and improved consumer confidence in the U.S. While we are encouraged by the retail sales trend, we continue to keep a close watch on the marketplace and remain cautious in our expectations for 2012,” President & CEO Keith Wandell said.

Retail Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Sales. On a worldwide basis, dealers sold 40,359 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the fourth quarter of 2011, a 10.9 percent increase compared to 36,390 motorcycles sold in the year-ago period. Dealers sold 23,753 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the U.S., an 11.8 percent increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. In international markets, dealers sold 16,606 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the fourth quarter, an increase of 9.7 percent compared to the year-ago period.

For the full year, worldwide retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles increased 5.9 percent to 235,188 units, compared to sales of 222,110 units in 2010. U.S. retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles increased 5.8 percent to 151,683 units, and in international markets sales increased 6.1 percent to 83,505 units, for the full year compared to 2010. Industry-wide U.S. heavyweight new motorcycle (651cc-plus) retail unit sales increased 4.3 percent for the full year, compared to 2010. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson 4th Quarter 2011 Earnings Report Shows Continued Strength For Retail Motorcycle Sales’

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Launch Of The American International Motorcycle Expo In The Fall Of 2013

Published by Cyril Huze January 24th, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Events.

Marketplace Events announced last week that it intends to launch the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIME) in the fall of 2013. The purpose is to serve as the catalyst to bring together the entire two-wheel industry in a single arena that creates a grand stage for motorcycling in the U.S. and North America, while delivering an efficient and energetic market-timed expo platform for B2B and B2C in the motorcycle industry. Advanstar, the company behind the multi-city Progressive International Motorcycle Shows, is going to have very serious competition. Marketplace Events operates from 12 offices, with a 100-person staff, and produces some of the most successful and longest-running home shows in the U.S. and Canada. Continue reading ‘Launch Of The American International Motorcycle Expo In The Fall Of 2013’

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Asumati Street Tracker

Published by Cyril Huze January 23rd, 2012 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.

Writing about custom bikes of fellow builders teaches me a lot of things that have apparently nothing to do with motorcycles. So, I wondered, like you are, what is the story behind the name of this new creation? It was built by Jim Giuffra at AFT Customs (and of course his crew of girls) for the Jackson Rancheria Casino Hotel. And this establishment wanted the bike to be a tribute to the Native Americans Miwok tribe (also spelled Mi-wuk) from Northern California. And I learned that there is a tale of young brave of the tribe who fought a long and furious struggle with a grizzly bear, finally killing the huge animal with a tree limb. His accomplishment was so remarkable that his tribe called him Chief Yo Semitee (for a full grown grizzly) and this name was passed to his children and eventually to the entire tribe and even the valley they lived in. Like most Native Americans, the Miwuks had no written language until they came into contact with white men. And when they tried to write down the Indians spoke, they gave to the word Yo Semitee different spelling – usuimati, uzumati, oo-soo-ma-te, and the more familiar yosemite, but the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians prefers to use Asumati… Continue reading ‘Asumati Street Tracker’

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Rolling Thunder 25th Anniversary Tribute Bike Build. Questions Answered (Part 2)

Published by Cyril Huze January 22nd, 2012 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.

Regarding my article about the Rolling Thunder 25th Anniversary 4 tribute bikes built by Brigitte Bourget, Billy Lane, Mike Tomas and Dar Holdsworth, you asked: 1- what will be done with them after their unveiling in Washington DC on May 26, 2012 . 2- who will hold title of these motorcycles. Here are the answers. Continue reading ‘Rolling Thunder 25th Anniversary Tribute Bike Build. Questions Answered (Part 2)’

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Animated Engines To See How They Really Work

Published by Cyril Huze January 22nd, 2012 in Editorial and Engines.

Maybe you know about 2 and 4-stroke engines, but most of you don’t know about a Wankel, an Atkinson, a Gnome Rotary or jet propulsion and many others. See them at work in cool graphic animations. May also help you fall asleep at bed time… Animated Engines. (thank you Troy)

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Fast Motorcycle Industry News

Published by Cyril Huze January 21st, 2012 in Builders, Editorial and Events.

Harley-Davidson Program To Reduce The Number Of Its U.S. Dealers. Over the past several years, the economic recession has resulted in slow new bikes sales and in pushing many now unprofitable US dealers in or close to bankruptcy. The traditional option is of course to sell and to reopen with a new owner, which is not necessarily what the Milwaukee company wishes in many areas of the country.

As a matter of fact, Harley-Davidson’s President openly declared his intention to continue to shrink the US dealers network, a way to protect the value of the brand and models, keeping a representation only through very profitable dealers. Practically, if your dealership is somewhat in trouble and H-D Milwaukee doesn’t want it anymore in your locale, the company prefers to “help” you to close it definitively via its “Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s U.S. Dealer Consolidation Program.

I don’t have details about the financial arrangement and how it works, but some dealers seem to prefer this option than looking for a buyer. Most recent example is Harley-Davidson of St Augustine, Florida where co-owners Clark Vitulli and Allen Good have decided that the Harley Program help in closing was a better financial option than accepting offers made to buy their dealership. Part of the package offered by Harley seems to be to let you sell and liquidate your stock of Harley parts and merchandise (not motorcycles) during a couple of months after the dealership closure. Maybe a way for business owners to recover and prevent them to end their business while in deep red. Continue reading ‘Fast Motorcycle Industry News’

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In Memory Of Etta James. 1938-2012

Published by Cyril Huze January 21st, 2012 in Editorial and Videos.

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Picture Of The Week

Published by Cyril Huze January 21st, 2012 in Events.

Yesterday, an 11 y.o. Pomeranian named Moxie, decked out in a denim jacket, chilled out at the New York International Motorcycle Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. (photo NY Daily)

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The 2013 Victory Judge. The New American Muscle Bike (Part 2)

Published by Cyril Huze January 20th, 2012 in Builders, Customs and Videos.

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