At least 5 years that the rumor comes and go. But this time the rumor that Harley-Davidson would release very soon a liquid cooled line up, or at least a few models, is stronger than ever. Some even speculate that the 2012 models year could be Harley-Davidson historic switch from air to liquid cooled motorcycles.
All rumors have an origin and this one comes from the fact that years ago the entire motorcycle industry already knew that future emissions regulations would get more stringent and that air cooled motorcycle engines, sooner or later, would not be able to meet the new standards established by the government. Change in engine design to meet these standards while providing the extra horsepower that bikers want has already created a generation of air cooled bikes running hotter and hotter. And of course, all manufacturers are concerned by the risk of an overheating engine with the damage which could result. Continue reading ‘2012 Harley-Davidson Liquid Cooled Engines?’
There is a model ($209.95) to fit many Sportster®, Dyna®, and Softail® models equipped with detachable or rigid-mount Sideplates. Features inlaid rubber runners for added grip, and dedicated bungee mounting points to simplify luggage tie-downs. The low-profile, aerodynamic styling incorporates elegant round tubes and a die-cast rear air foil with a Bar & Shield logo insert. Available in chrome or gloss black, the kit includes all necessary mounting hardware. For added visibility, the rack is designed to incorporate the internal wiring of the Air Foil Rack LED Light Kit ($44.95) Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson New Premium Luggage Rack With Rubber Grip Strips’
When in 2007 Bert Baker rode a FL Harley-Davidson he noticed how hot was running the damn thing. In traffic have you also noticed the little heat wave coming off the motor? The Harley factory oil pan is the of the same capacity (4-qt) on all Harleys since year 1993 (when motor was 80″ making 49 hp) until 2008. Did you say inadequate for the latest 88″ motors? Bert Baker thinks so and designed a 5 qt capacity oil pan simply by going wider, not deeper. Taking a closer look at the stock pan he also discovered the stock pan has the oil pickup and return in the front of the pan within 2″ of each other. So he put the pickup in the rear and the return in the front for better oil circulation. Hence the Baker Plus One Oil Pan (Baler +1) reducing oil temperature by 10-30 degrees. (see temperatures readings after the jump) Continue reading ‘Your FL Harley-Davidson Can Run 10 To 30 Degrees Fahrenheit Cooler’
Despite the fact that the Hollister Official Rally no more exists, we are just a a couple weeks away of the Second Annual Corbin’s Rider Appreciation Day, an event initiated by Mike Corbin and quickly becoming a motorcycle rally of its own. Proof of it, the “Independence Day Corbin Welcome Party” July 1-3, is already attracting many new businesses of the industry jumping on board and scheduling Hollister events.
Centerpiece of the Corbin gathering and bike show this year is none other than Burt Munro’s Bonneville bike more commonly referred to as “The World’s Fastest Indian”. Rumor has it the bike will even be fired up at some point during the day to keep the crowd entertained. The home built Indian Scout motorcycle that New Zealander Burt Munro used to set land speed records in the 1960’s will be on display Saturday July 2nd. In 1967, Munro coaxed his Indian to 183.58 mph. That set a record in the category of “streamlined motorcycles under 1,000cc.” To qualify, he made a one-way run of 190.07 mph, the fastest ever officially recorded speed on an Indian. Read about other Hollister happenings after the jump. Continue reading ‘Hollister. Corbin’s Rider Appreciation Weekend. July 1-3, 2011.’
I love Harley-Davidson dealers with a true custom department. UK based Shaw Harley-Davidson is one of them with a division called Shaw Speed & Custom producing road legal custom motorcycles evidently based on recent Harley factory chassis. Dealer Principal & Sales Director Steve Willis was very proud to show me this new creation, a 2009 XL 883L turned into a hardtail and featuring a pair of 21″ wheels, enough to make it look really custom. The fellow who commissioned it is a 28 year old ex sport bike rider who was ready to cross over to the Harley world but wanted something different that a grey beard would probably not ride… Continue reading ‘Custom Harley-Davidson Sportster 21.’
Two individual exhaust pipes running on the right side of Bagger is not a common thing to see. Samson USA recently introduced the Legend Series for dressers and most other Harley-Davidson models. The Legend Series offers a show quality finish with Samson’s exclusive Quad Chrome plating that provides ultimate adhesion and corrosion protection. (Sinister black ceramic finish available upon request) Dyno tested before going into mass production, this high performance exhaust system has been designed and tuned to produce maximum horsepower, torque and awesome sound.The removable heat shields are pre-installed and the system is ready to bolt on right out of the box. Continue reading ‘Samson Legend Series Exhaust’
Editor Genevieve Schmitt animates several niche Web magazines in the powersports industry. She just revamped one of them, Trike Riders Now, and celebrates its new look and content (new user-focused features including Trike Classified and Trike Forum) by giving you the opportunity to win one unbelievable grand prize—a set of custom trike wheels valued at $3,000 – offered by Performance Machine, a leader in aftermarket wheels and accessories. Continue reading ‘Performance Machine Trike Wheels For Free’
You ask me all the time what’s going on regarding the lawsuit and counter-lawsuit between OCC/Paul Teutul Sr and PJD/Paul Teutul Jr. and the status of the Orange County Choppers headquarters’ building.
First, all lawsuits between the parties have been settled. The settlement being confidential with no parties able to disclose the terms, you will never get any details regarding its content. It seems that the famous Black Widow bike was part of the negotiated package and went from OCC to Paul Jr.
Another resource to get the leather solo bag you need for overnight trips. or just to look old school on your rigid, Sportster, Dyna or Softail type bike. Manufactured in the U.S.A., these bags are made of hand selected heavyweight leathers with close attention to hardware details. The standard left side bag attaches with four straps directly to your rigid or Softail frame. Also available in brown. Continue reading ‘Solo Bags’
First, let me state that the pictures you are looking at are not issued from a CAD program. It’s the real thing shot with creative photography lighting. The Morsus is a one-off custom built by the crew of Dream Machine Motorcycles based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, a small central europe country of 2.05 million bordering Italy on the west, Croatia on the south and east, Hungary on the northeast, and Austria on the north. Very few custom motorcycle shops, but very good ones. Continue reading ‘With Kisses From Slovenia’
The Milwaukee Harley-Davidson Museum is a wonderful place to visit. Even more now with this new exhibit of crazy cool stuff that Harley stored during 108 years away from the public eye. Named “Collection X: Weird, Wild Wonders of the Harley-Davidson Museum”, this unique exhibition offers all Summer long a peek at wild stuff and oddities that Harley-Davidson has produced for over a century. The exhibit opens with a collection of Harley-Davidson prototypes and concept vehicles showing a side of the Harley-Davidson creativity that this exhibit is all about. It includes prototypes that eventually made it to production (the original V-Rod prototypes) and concepts that didn’t make it past the prototype phase, for example a vehicle with two front wheels and one rear wheel from the early 2000s. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Museum New Exhibit. 108 Years Of Artifacts And Oddities Revealed.’
Last April, as you all know,, Intrust Bank foreclosed on Big Dog Motorcycles and founder Sheldon Coleman Jr. dissolved the corporation. At the same time it was announced that Coleman would keep 20 ex-collaborators to start a new company called BDM Performance Parts to assist and supply accessories and parts to the estimated 25,000 Big Dog owners. At the time, many of you commented that these owners would probably order replacement parts directly from the original manufacturers and that it was not realistic to imagine that BDM Performance Products could support so many collaborators, only a handful, at best, and probably not before a few more months. Continue reading ‘From Big Dog Motorcycles To Big Dog Performance Products’
It’s not a bicycle you are looking at. The Hoverbike is a motorcycle-like ultralight aircraft that’s powered by a flat twin 4-stroke of 1170 cc with a 12:1 compression ratio that you kind of ride like a motorcycle to go up (estimated 10,000 ft) then at a speed of (?) to do what? Inventor’s suggestion: Aerial Cattle mustering, Search and Rescue, Aerial Survey, Wildlife and Parks Observation, Powerine Inspection, Film Shooting, Impressing your friends, etc. Continue reading ‘Motorcycle-Like Ultralight Aircraft’
Avon Grips is already well known for the quality or their air cushioned ergonomic grips. I think the first company to have offered such a concept on several of their models. Then, Avon proposed a version adding a throttle assist to their grips. And now you can buy the trottle assist as an add-on that will be very useful and relaxing for these long rides. Cap is adjustable, just loosen screw inside throttle and move cap to your most comfortable position. Complete pair of Air Cushion Chrome or Black Grips with Throttle Assist $78.00. Throttle Assist $19.00. Avon Grips.
In Sturgis every year, the international motorcycle group Hamsters USA sponsors an event to benefit the non-profit organization Children’s Care Hospital in Rapid City. This year, the group organizes a raffle with a custom Roland Sands Design Harley- Davidson Nightster as the grand prize. Justyn Amstutz and Eagle Rider San Diego donated the bike to the cause. Proceeds will fund Children’s Care, an organization serving children with special needs. Continue reading ‘Hamsters USA Raffling Roland Sands Customized Harley-Davidson Sportster To Benefit Kids Hospital’
For evident reason of style coherence thee vast majority of bikers buy both their grips and pegs (including shifter and brake pegs) together. So, Deville Cycles rushed to add these hourglass pegs to their existing hourglass grips. Same choice, in solid brass or aluminum with a contoured shape and fine satin machined finish. 3 rows of knurling for improved grip. Foot pegs and toe pegs sold in pair with your choice of male or female peg mounts. Pair is $109 in aluminum, $129 in brass. Call Dave Mizur on my behalf at 610-570-5744 or visit Deville Cycles
Rare Video Of Motorcycle Hall of Famer “Shrimp” Burns at 1921 Board Track Racing In Beverly Hills, Calif. A tribute to his racing skills and also to the Indian Powerplus engine, first stock motor to do more than 100 mph in competition…
The Republic Of Texas Rally (ROT) in Austin, Texas debuted today June 9, 2011 and will last all weekend. The epicenter of the event is at the Travis County Expo, east of the city but spreads all over the Austin area.
This year, a big warning by the Austin Police Department, It will be a “non refusal” weekend, meaning that Police officers can obtain a court order to take a blood sample on the spot if they suspect a driver is intoxicated. APD officers are working with rally organizers to make sure participants know drinking and driving won’t be tolerated. The no refusal initiative runs between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Continue reading ‘Rally Of Texas. A Non Refusal Weekend.’
Not a big product announcement, but something very useful for all those tinkering in their garage on their stock Harley. Changing your handlebars and/or the position of your hand controls? Confused about which wire is which one before soldering extensions?
This kit avoids the hassle of possible confusion by providing color coded wires matching Harley factory colors.
Wiring let you do up to 20″ extensions, for example if you install tall Ape Hangers. For all Harley-Davidson models 1996 & up (including baggers). $34.95 – $59.95. At Barons Custom Accessories.
To help with your shopping for Father’s Day on June 19, 2011 I discovered this wide selection of iPhone3 and iPhone4 cases with multiple graphics of many motorcycle themes and models. Order online at Zazzle.
No School Choppers collaborated with a company called Death Science to create this very limited edition of tag lights featuring lenses like you never saw before.
Strong axle mount plate (for 3/4″ or 1″ rear axle with mounting for left or right side on the bike) is 3/16″ steel with TIG welded fabrication.
I know quite a few shops and individuals who recently fell under the charm of old Triumphs and who for the first time are experimenting at rebuilding them into cool choppers and bobbers. From their small shop in Watertown, New York Josh and Rob Hartz are not beginners at doing this, and this custom 1965 chop is a good example of what can be done without spending a fortune. From 1963 all Triumph engines were of unit construction (engine and gearbox components share a single casing), something helping simplify the customization process. After the jump, a tech sheet as a guide to all those working at giving back life to an old Triumph. Hartz Bros Custom Cycle. Continue reading ‘Custom 1965 Triumph Chopper’
Since several years, the company Target Logistics is sharing with Jay Allen ownership in all Broken Spoke establishments (Sturgis Broken Spoke Campground, Daytona FL Broken Spoke, Laconia NH Broken Spoke) with the exception of the original Broken Spoke Saloon in downtown Sturgis on Lazelle Street still fully owned by Jay.
I was quite surprised when I was informed that due to a different between Jay Allen and Target Logistics about the way to manage these establisments, Jay has decided to step away from his role as manager and entertainer.
For people of the industry and for all those who faithfully attend the different Broken Spoke Saloons and stay at the Sturgis Campground during rallies, Jay is synonymous with Broken Spoke and vice versa. Will his absence affect the success and compromise the future of the Broken Spoke establishments? Below is Jay’s letter announcing the change of leadership and his new activities for the coming months.
In regards to the Broken Spoke Saloons in Daytona Beach, FL; Laconia, NH and the Broken Spoke Campground in Sturgis, SD:
“After 18 years, I, Jay Allen, am stepping away from my leadership role. Brian Lash of Target Logistics, a shareholder, deems it’s his turn to serve the finest people known to man: the riders of the world. Accolades like creating a campground for Harley Davidson’s 100th anniversary, providing services for the Olympics in Greece and Canada, and working with the Bonnaroo Music Festival speak to Brian’s and the Target Company’s ability to get the job done. I wish them well, as I still own a large stake in the company, and only want the best for it, but I am anxious to move forward personally in the motorcycle industry. Continue reading ‘Breaking News. Broken Relation At The Broken Spoke. Jay Allen Steps Away.’
At least 5 years that the rumor comes and go. But this time the rumor that Harley-Davidson would release very soon a liquid cooled line up, or at least a few models, is stronger than ever. Some even speculate that the 2012 models year could be Harley-Davidson historic switch from air to liquid cooled motorcycles.
Avon Grips 
