Sorry ladies. You are often responsible for a lot of scuffs and chips on saddlebag painted lid surfaces (I admit, we would not do better if we would ride in the back.)
The new Transparent Paint Guard Kit for Saddlebag Lids (P/N 11100028, $79.95) from Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Accessories is designed to protect saddlebag lids from boot scuffs, road debris, and scratching keys and jacket zippers. Continue reading ‘Clear Paint Guard Kit Protects Your Touring Bike Saddlebag Lids’
The Broken Spoke Saloon Laconia party is less than 2 week away, starting on Friday, June 10th. From then through the next nine days, the world’s biggest biker bar will be a prime destination during Laconia Motorcycle Week.
The Broken spoke will be celebrating in style as they play host to some of the hottest acts including Lex Gray and legendary comedian Gallagher, plus oil wrestling, a mechanical bull and more!
The entertainment calendar will feature nightly entertainment with great music and frequent appearances by the Jagermeister Girls all culminating in a “Smashtastic” show on June 18th with Gallagher who will make a stop at the Broken Spoke Saloon on his “Looking for Intelligent Life Tour.” Fans are sure to get treated to not only the best comedy around, but also have the chance to leave covered with pulp, seeds and fruit!
While the stage is rockin’, you can test your talents on the mechanical bull or take a turn at the corn-hole toss. Don’t miss the Broken Spoke’s female oil wrestling with some of the area’s hottest ladies, a baby pool, oil and a lucky volunteer from the audience to help the ladies get oiled and ready. New this year, there is an outdoor party area and the music has moved indoors – where it will be every weekend, all summer long. And still with no cover! Broken Spoke Saloon Laconia.
Like Harley-Davidson, Coca-Cola is identified with the USA. But except if you are an expert in cola matters you don’t know that the original 1886 patented medicine (supposed to cure many diseases, including morphine addiction, dyspepsia, neurasthenia, headache, and impotence) and sold for 5 cents a glass at soda fountains was not bottled until 1894 with the iconic contoured model released in 1916.
This original Coca-Cola Hutchinson Bottle is reproduced in celebration of Coca–Cola’s 125th year anniversary. Those ordering it will probably never drink the fizzy drink, but will show it with other ancient bottles, a very nice way to decorate your office or kitchen shelves. Sold in a special anniversary box. It’s only £2 (roughly $3), so you can order a few for unusual gifting. Online at Selfridges.
This new LED handlebar display (chrome or black $219.95) from Harley-Davidson® eliminates gear-selection guesswork. Conveniently located on the handlebar for line-of-site viewing, the bright LED display is easy-to-read with a quick glance. When the clutch is out, the display indicates the current gear, or a large “N” when the transmission is in the neutral position. Continue reading ‘New Digital Gear Indicator From Harley-Davidson’
Created by MAD Maps®, this iPhone application ($4.99) is officially Harley-Davidson® licensed and offers riders 975 of the best scenic rides for motorcyclists in the United States. These maps make trips more memorable by taking riders off the interstates and onto two-lane ribbons of pavement. Examples of downloadable ride maps include: Canyon Tour – Winding through the canyons of South Dakota’s Black Hills, this tour is ideal for anyone traveling to Sturgis. To Big Sur, With Love — Explore the best the California Coast has to offer and stop for lunch and an awe-inspiring view at Nepenthe.
Because it’s built with Harley® riders in mind, the app lets customers quickly and easily find the nearest Harley-Davidson® dealership in case they want to stop while on the road. In addition, it has a Best Western® hotels locator so riders can take advantage of the chain’s discounted Harley-Davidson® rate and Rider-Friendly® hotel program, which offers special amenities for motorcycle riders. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Map Application For iPhone Users.’
A couple of sportbike riders enjoy a Sunday ride in Bracken County, Kentucky. One of them is passing a slow moving red F-150 truck. Yes, to do this he crosses a double yellow line. But the worst part is the truck driver, as retaliation, trying to swerve sharply on his left to run the biker off the road. Then a 5-minute chase. Finally the lead motorcyclist stops and there is a verbal confrontation between the 2 bikers and the truck driver armed with a pipe who states that he can drive the way he wants because he grew up on these roads! One of the bikers call police but apparently no officer will ever shows up.
A few of you like but the majority of you hate theme bikes. But did you notice that the vast majority of those built abroad have American inspired themes. Although the Tennessee whiskey Jack Daniel’s (the company disavows the classification of Straight Bourbon) has been the inspiration of a multitude of custom bikes in the US, very rarely in the rest of the world. So, I was surprised that this one was born in Germany whose national drink is of different color with a much lower proof… Continue reading ‘Jack Daniel’s Black Label. 80″ Proof.’
I guess those who dress in Ed Hardy from socks to caps – if they really ride a motorcycle – will want to complete their gear with these riding fashion helmets. Supposedly they are very hot…It’s the result of the partnership between Christian Audigier (he created the Von Dutch clothing and accessories line, now defunct) and the graphic and tattoo art of Ed Hardy. Not my fashion statement, but I must admit they have cool names like Koi Fish, Death Or Glory, Dead Or Alive, Love Kills Slowly, Orange Tiger, Grenade, etc.
When I learned yesterday that Harley-Davidson Motor Company is launching the Summer Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown with 25 dates across the country to promote its Dark Custom Motorcycles line, I was very surprised. Nothing against Willie Nelson. He is an iconic American country singer-songwriter, author, poet, actor, and activist. But he is 78!
In the press release regarding this event Amanda Lee, Communications Manager at Harley-Davidson justifies the tour alliance by stating that “The rebel spirit burns across generations and is one of the reasons why Harley-Davidson is the number one selling on-street motorcycle among Young Adults age 18-34 in the U.S”
Willie Nelson, the best “role model” to transmit and fuel the rebel spirit to our youth to sell Dark Series motorcycles? Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Hits The Road With Willie Nelson’s Tour. To Attract Youth?’
While riding at night your visual footprint is how much of the road you can see front of you. Of course, longer and wider is this footprint, greater is your chance to see but also to be seen by others.
A pair of additional spotlights helping your headlight to do its job is the way to go, especially if you opt for halogen lights. Headwinds®, one of the leader in custom headlights, is launching their new fork mounted Spotlight kit for Harley FLH models.
Easy to install, it features two 2”, 35 W halogen spotlights, brackets and hardware, and an EZ Plug™ wiring for a quick hook-up. Spotlights are made to match Headwinds bezels and turn signals but will compliment other stock or after market trim rings. Made by Headwinds® in the USA, They are available in all finishes. Visit Headwinds or call 626-359-8044 .
No factory bike responds to simple intake and exhaust upgrades like a Harley®! When customizing, improving performance is one of the favorite plays . But many are still scared at the idea of modifying an EFI bike. No worries with the Thundermax Zip Kit, a package including an AutoTune ECM, a MaxFlow air filter and an exhaust of your choice. Watch the dramatic Dyno results in this short video.
While at the Cannes Festival in France to promote a new documentary named “The Big Fix” about the BP Gulf oil spill, Peter Fonda made comments that could be construed as threats against President Obama. And because there is a federal law prohibiting to threaten the President, will he face legal trouble?
Peter Fonda “I’m training my grandchildren to use long-range rifles” the actor told a Daily Telegraph at the international film festival. “For what purpose?” Well, I’m not going to say the words ‘Barack Obama,but …” Later Peter Fonda added: “We are heading for a major conflict between the haves and the have nots,” Fonda said. “I came here many years ago with a biker movie and we stopped a war. Now, it’s about starting the world.” Then again“ There’s no room any more for a sissy and, like I said, don’t forget that I’ve got grandsons who I’ve trained with long-distance rifles” Continue reading ‘Did Peter Fonda Threaten President Obama?’
Riding and customizing are not the only 2 ways to express your love affair with motorcycles. For example, you can express it through illustrations and paintings. And very few in the world do it with such artistic ability and sincerity than David Uhl. If at the age of 3 you stunned your family and friends with your drawings, does it mean that you are going to become an artist? Not necessarily. And if you win the only art scholarship in The US for an Institute Of Art? Probably. But what makes you become a master at your art? Nobody knows for sure and David will tell you humbly that after over one hundred paintings and many more illustrations, all sought after by collectors all around the world, he is still working hard every day at improving his fine art and feels that he is still in the infancy of his career.
When David witnessed for the 1st time motorcycle culture in 1983 in Sturgis, he was already a celebrated commercial illustrator with his company servicing many prominent clients such as FedEx, IBM, Coca-Cola and Time magazine. In South Dakota, David observed first hand the motorcycle enthusiasts and their culture…
He entered the world of Harley-Davidson® by creating many tee-shirt designs for the company. His apparel line designs became so popular with bikers that Harley decided to apply his creativity to a much wider range of merchandise. Yet, after a time, David felt there was something artistically missing to narrate our culture. For this reason, in 1996 and after 20 years of producing drawings for commercial clients, David entered the world of oil painting. Continue reading ‘The Secret Life Of David Uhl’
Roland Sands Design Grand Opening. RSD has moved to a new location in Los Alamitos, California. The 5,900 sq.ft. headquarters is a design and development center, a custom motorcycles shop and for the 1st time a retail store. Roland Sands was founded in 2005 and since then, Roland has built many ground breaking customs and designed a full line of parts. Address is 10571 Los Alamitos Blvd. Los Alamitos, CA 90720 USA 562-493-5297
Fred Fox To Join Motorcycle Hall Of Fame. Many of you have bought at least one motorcycle part or accessory or piece of riding gear supplied through your dealer by Parts Unlimited or Drag Specialties. Fox founded Parts Unlimited in 1967 to distribute motorcycle parts and accessories to dealers. Today his parent company, LeMans Corporation, is based in Janesville, Wisc. and employs around 1,200 people in operations the U.S., Canada and in Europe. Drag Specialties serves the American V-twin industry while Parts Unlimited serves the “metric” side. Company’s own brands include Thor Motocross, Moose Off-Road, Icon and Z1R helmets and apparel. Fox joins previously announced magazine pioneer Phil Schilling in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2011. The remaining 2011 inductees will be announced in random order over the next few weeks. The Class of 2011 will officially be inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame on November 18, 2011 as part of the AMA Legends & Champions Weekend. Continue reading ‘Fast Motorcycle Industry News’
The Annual Riding Into History is a superb event held in May in St. Augustine, Florida featuring each year about 300 to 400 antique, vintage, race and custom bikes from all over America and Europe. Faithful reader and photographer great John Adams was on location and shot hundreds of pictures. I picked some close-ups showing the incredible details of these machines. Models and years at bottom. Enjoy. (If interested, John sells his art at Adams Views…)
1- Henderson 1925 Deluxe. 2- Pierce Arrow 1911. 3- Marsh 1905. 4- Triumph 1938 Speed Twin. 5- Indian 1952 Chief. 6- BSA 1958 A-10 Golden Flash. 7- Nelson Citta 38 Special. 8- Indian 1940 Four Cylinders. 9- Triumph Unknown. 10- Henderson 1925 Deluxe.
A brand new offering in Lowbrow Customs’ line of DIY fabricator parts are these filler caps and weld-in mild steel bungs. They are available in both Rippled or Smooth style and feature a gas and oil resistant O-ring and vertical knurling for a non-slip grip. Continue reading ‘Gas And Oil Tank Filler Caps. Do It Yourself.’
Wherever our President travels, a fleet of armored limos is being shipped for transportation. Yesterday Obama was in Dublin where his limo, a vehicle that can withstand everything except a nuclear bomb attack, breached itself on a tiny ramp. His security staff didn’t know what to do to free the limo…Did you say vulnerable?
Sometimes only pictures can get our attention. Her last call was from a new cell phone… The Honda crotch rocket rider was traveling at approximately 85 mph. The VW driver was talking on a cell phone when she pulled out from a side street, apparently not seeing the motorcycle. The riders reaction time was not sufficient enough to avoid this accident. The car had two passengers and the bike rider was found INSIDE the car with them. The Volkswagen actually flipped over from the force of impact and landed 20 feet from where the collision took place. Stop talking on Cell phones and Texting while driving. The life you save may be your own, or mine…
Southern Rock icons Lynyrd Skynyrd will join Alice Cooper, Pop Evil, STYX, Bachman & Turner, Def Leppard, Toby Keith, George Thorogood and Leon Russell to celebrate on stage the Legendary Buffalo Chip’s 30th party on August 10 during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
“Southern rock has always been an important component of what has made the Buffalo Chip successful for all these years,” said Rod Woodruff, campground owner. “Bikers love the freedom-loving lyrics and boogie riffs that define the genre. And, Lynyrd Skynyrd themselves and the music they play helped invent that genre.” The band was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and is among Rolling Stone magazine’s and VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. In 2008, Guitar World magazine .named the Free Bird solo, the third greatest of all time. Reservations may be made at The Buffalo Chip or by calling 605-347-9000
A fast digital trip to Europe where this last weekend custom bikes were competing in the 3rd Euro Bike Fest in Czech Republic, just 45 miles north of Vienna, Austria. Sponsored by CustomChrome Europe, the event is held in parallel to the European “Flat Track Cup” and attracts builders and public from all over eastern Europe, a very fast growing market for everything custom. Continue reading ‘Two Bikes From The 2011 Euro Bike Fest’
Changing your bars for the position and look you like the most will almost always require that you replace them to adjust their respective lengths. You may be refrained to do it because you are worried that your Harley Touring ABS model will make it difficult to find the proper new cables for the job.
One company offering new ABS Specific Cable kits for Harley Davidson touring models with ABS Brakes is LA Choppers. Kits are available from stock length all the way to a kit to fit those 20” ape hangers looking good on Road Kings. This custom kit is designed specifically to save you the tremendous time and hassle of figuring out what cable and line lengths you need for your handlebars. The company provides everything you’ll need in one kit for a complete and proper installation on your specific motorcycle. Continue reading ‘Cable kits For Harley Davidson Touring Models With ABS Brakes’
Independence, not only on 4th of July day. Harley-Davidson Motorclothes launch a men and women collection with star-spangled colors and styles to evoke pure American pride to celebrate Ride-Free independence. The collection includes hats, shirts and tees, a total of 12 men’s and 11 women’s sportswear items that are either Made in the USA or Made in the USA of imported materials. On left the 100 percent cotton S/S Knit Tee with Eagle Graphic (for men features a scoop neck with rib-knit trim and printed graphics on the front, back and sleeves. Available in S – 3XL sizes. On right, the women’s S/S Raglan Tee with color blocked Sleeves (P/N 96156-11VW, $50) is made of 100 percent cotton with printed graphics and embellishments on the front. Available in XS – 3W sizes. At your Harley dealer or visit Harley-Davidson.
Laconia, “America’s Original Rally” and a hotbed of riding heritage offers a lot of breathtaking rides through winding roads, stunning lake vistas and riding on historic roads like the Kangamangus Trail. The 88th edition, named Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Rally will also offer this year a larger number of attractions. Below a few of them.
Riding – Racing. The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, bike climbs up Mt. Washington, the Hill Climb/Drag Races at Gunstock Mountain Resort and Laconia’s own Gypsy Tours add riding or day trips. And for spectators, The New Hampshire Motor Speedway offers racing action from USCRA’s Vintage Races to Short track Races and of course, the 88th Loudon Classic Super Bike Race. Continue reading ‘Laconia Motorcycle Rally. June 11-19th, 2011.’
A new weekend. Relax far from our daily news. Watch or re-watch “Cry Baby”. The usual theme of breaking the taboos of subculture and falling in love. The plot: a group of delinquents called “The Drapes” create upheaval and turmoil in their little town. Johny Depp (girls are melting) and Tracy Lords (boys gone crazy), motorcycles, black leather jackets, creepers, bowling shirts and Rockabilly. 50’s nostalgia. Pleasures were so simple. Happiest juveniles in Baltimore.
Black is the new chrome to the point where black is about to be be as much a standard offering as was chrome in the past. Headwinds®, one of the leaders in custom headlights, puts a modern spin on a vintage look by introducing their newest headlight, the 5-3/4” Black Metal & Solid Brass Standard Bullet.
This hi-gloss black anodized, spun aluminum headlight housing is fully machined, and features a solid brass classic-style clamp ring and bracket. Add a convex lamp, also available from Headwinds®, to add an old school look and feel. Made in the USA by Headwinds®. Headwinds® can brass and anodize any and all of their housings. Headwinds® 626-359-8044
David Uhl is pleased to announce the release of a piece he has worked on since December of last year. It was conceived in conjunction with the Shelby American Museum in Boulder, Colorado and has taken countless hours of historical photo referencing along with the obvious time spent at the easel. “Snake Oil” features legends Carroll Shelby and Bob Bondurant and the timeless Shelby Cobra celebrating the peak of the Ferrari Wars.
This is the Cobra, the Ferrari GTO in the background is correct. Bondo beat it up the Hill by seconds, setting new hill climb records again by nearly 3 seconds. It took a Ferrari LM a year later to match it. The Cobra was running on 7 cylinders crossing the the timing lights! Bondo said the car was never straight even on the short straightways… Continue reading ‘Snake Oil. Carroll Shelby. Bob Bondurant. The Shelby Cobra.’
