The 9th edition of Carlisle Bike Fest, PA a premier motorcycle event with over 40,000 in attendance, is set for July 22-24th, 2011. Men and ladies who intend to be present should enter their chance to win an Ultimate Biker Makeover.
Contestants (both guys and girls) must email by May 10, 2011 to bikermakeover@garage-girls.com a 600 words or less essay explaining why they are most in need of a biker makeover and attach their picture. Submissions will be narrowed down to the final four by selected judges from Garage-Girls and Carlisle Events. Once the final 4 are chosen, the public will then be allowed to vote online at Garage Girls for who they feel most deserves the Ultimate Biker Makeover. Continue reading ‘Win An Ultimate Biker Makeover At Carlisle Bike Fest’
Cicero deGuzman of Godspeed 45/06 sent me this video he shot of Tim Vander from the Death Science Blog riding in Brooklyn.his 1949 Panhead in a 1936 frame. Of course in B&W…
Harley-Davidson, like many competitors, has embraced the look of days long gone promoted by independent custom builders with their one-off machines. The Cross Bones model is a perfect example of a manufacturer trying to recapture the old school look while offering today’s technology and reliability. Put this model in the hands of a reputable custom builder and with a few magic tricks and well chosen parts inspired by the past you get a Cross Bones…the way the factory should sell it. Andreas at Thunderbike Germany is convinced, like me, that the classic and vintage look will remain the hot theme for quite a few more years, an opportunity to market new bolt-on parts with a pre WW2 designs. Continue reading ‘From Harley Cross Bones To Ol’ Bone’
Donnie Smith and American Thunder invite you to join us for the 24th edition of the Donnie Smith Show on Saturday March 26th & Sunday March 27th, 2011 at the prestigious St. Paul RiverCentre. This winter show is the largest custom-bike show in the mid-west. It will draw some of the best custom builders, a lot of vendors of parts/accessories/gear in the 160,000 sq. ft of the state-of-the-art St. Paul River Center, in St. Paul, Minnesota. The bike show will be on Saturday 09:00 am until 7:00 pm. Sunday from 10.00 am to 5 pm. Tickets are $12.00 and kids 12 and under are free.
Vendor spaces are 10’ x 10’ and bike show spaces are 8’ x 10’. Each space includes 2 tickets, per day, per vendor/exhibitor, space. Chairs, tables and electricity are available for an additional cost. Registration along with additional rental items must be paid in advance in order to secure your spot. More info at 952-746-7786 or go to Donnie Smith Bike Show.
From Headwinds, since 1992 one of the leaders in custom headlights, this Gladiator headlight housing is fully machined from billet aluminum with a grill for some retro flair.
Typical of Headwinds production, screw-in bezels and billet brackets with hidden fasteners. No exposed rivets and no bolts.
Large choice of headlamps and brackets. 5 3/4″. Headwinds.
With a father, Perry Sands, who was a well respected custom builder in the late 60’s and who later founded Performance Machine to produce high-performance disc brake systems, Roland Sands grew up around choppers of all kinds, drag, flat-track and road racing machines. Deciding at the age of 15 that a Honda CR 125 would be his first machine, his love for speed while riding it lead him to a 10-year racing career where he got multiple track records in the U.S. and Europe to culminate with the 1998 AMA 250GP Championship.
32 broken bones later, Roland joined Performance Machine as VP Research & Design, first focusing on wheel design, then on custom motorcycles to showcase PM and his own proprietary line of parts and accessories, all work earning him several professional awards, and later acknowledgment by the public at large after he was featured in a Discovery Channel episode of Biker Build Off (Roland Sands versus Jesse Rooke)
In 2005, he created Roland Sands Design (RSD), relying like his father on state-of-the-art equipment to create new parts, enhance their appearance (he is behind the idea of the “Contrast Cut Finishes), taking on new adventures like being the first one to build a custom motorcycle out of a factory MotoGP motor, and keeping his 2-wheel creations in the category of those pushing design while maintaining high performance. Like many of the young generation to which he belongs (he is only 36 years old) he is perfectly aware of the rapid advances made by technology and electronics, and is convinced that it will soon lead the motorcycle industry towards many more innovative and higher performance products offered for much less money.
For a daily video report Rally TV was covering each corner of Daytona Bike Week 2011. Impossible not to bump on Chris Callen, Sara Liberte and the crew all along the week. Made just for you my readers, I was sent this short clip of all clips they produced .
Would it be nice if you could adjust your air suspension on the go from your ape hanger or custom handlebars? Well, Legend Suspension now offers a “plug and play” wiring extension to attach to your current pre-wired handlebar control system. This extends the handlebar control wiring to a total of about 86”, allowing plenty of length for event the tallest or widest of handlebars. Wiring is shrink-wrapped and can be run through the handlebars, so wiring stays neat and clean. The new extension can be added to Legend’s standard black or chrome handlebar control and to any diameter handlebar controls currently offered. This handlebar control wiring extension is sold $20. To learn more about this or any of Legend Air Suspension’s on-road or off-road products, contact, contact Legend Air Suspensions at 605-720-4202.
During its Dealer Show in Santa Clara this weekend, Custom Chrome International shows its commitment to sustain the industry by promoting the education of its future technicians. CCI joins forces with the Sturgis Buffalo Chip and other leading motorcycle businesses for the 2011 Buffalo Chip Challenge. A partnership between business and education was started by the Sturgis Buffalo Chip in 2010, where welding, manufacturing and collision repair students at Western Dakota Technical Institute built, customized and completed a stock Harley-Davidson motorcycle alongside renowned designer and builder Michael Prugh as part of a 16-week bike build program.
This year, in addition to donating world class parts for the program, Custom Chrome International is hosting the Buffalo Chip Challenge at its Dealer Show in Santa Clara this weekend. To highlight the show, Michael Prugh and WDT students will be conducting a live build of the 2011 motorcycle as well as entering the finished 2010 motorcycle entitled “Method” in the North American Championship of CCI’s International Bike Show Series going on this weekend. Continue reading ‘This Weekend. Custom Chrome International Sponsoring Buffalo Chip Challenge At Its Dealer Show.’
A new American motorcycle company designing a modern tourer bike is an event worth all your attention. Even more when this company invested 3 years or research and development to equip its model with a brand new engine, the first tgasoline direct injected V4 engine. With its new model in 2 version (MST & Premium MST-R), Motus is entering an existing market segment of comfortable sport bikes designed for high performance touring but with a uniquely American engine. Designed by Motus, engine was built by Pratt & Miller Engineering in New Hudson, Michigan, one of the world’s most sophisticated engineering firms. The Motus MST’s were revealed last Thursday March 10th in Daytona during the Progressive International Motorcycle Show. I was present, had the opportunity to climb on it, heard it run but didn’t have yet the opportunity to ride it. So, here what I was told. Continue reading ‘Motus Motorcycles Unveils The MST Series American Tourer Bike’
To market it this company states “A collecting first! Custom crafted limited edition with cast metal. Features iconic Elvis artwork by Nate Giorgio”. And the worst part is that some people spend $59.95 on Amazon (or 2 installments of $29.98) to buy this horror. It should be forbidden.
A beautiful high quality billet piece equipped with the best performing K&N filter element to gain an average of 10.21 HP on a stock Harley Davidson. To clean up the look Performance Machine added to the FASTair their proven internal crankcase breather system. This both stylish and agressive intake solution is available in chrome or Contrast Cut and and a hybrid chrome and Contrast Cut. It is sold with an included rain sock to protect your air filter from the elements. It retails for $499.95. For more information contact 714-523-3000 or visit Performance Machine
David Zien, former Wisconsin Senator (from 1993 to 2006), a 2000 inductee in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame who rode more than 1 million miles on a 1991 Harley-Davidson Sport Glide, was seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident on interstate 10 near Tallahassee, Florida.
According to news accounts, an SUV traveling in front of Zien attempted to change lanes, lost control and flipped onto its side. Zien, 59, was unable to avoid the overturned vehicle.
In the crash, he lost part of his left and suffered a broken hip. He was in Florida returning from Daytona Bike Week. My best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Appreciation of a full blown customization job is subjective. But I am not afraid to state publicly that “Big Time” is the most “advanced” and best executed Bagger job I have seen during these last 12 months. It comes from a full fabrication shop called CamTech Customs in Summerville SC, with over 15 years of experience in body work, custom paint, restoration, fabrication and upholstery with street/rod/muscle/drag cars, motorcycles, boats and everything between.
Owner Cameron Jurow owned a 2006 Harley Street Glide that he loved to push all the ways possible to the limit, let’s say abuse, to the point where it was no longer fun to ride it. As a wedding anniversary present, his wife Susan had a brand new 2010 Road Glide delivered to the shop. Solemnly, front of his disappointed crew, Camerone declared that he will never customize it, just ride the hell out of it. You already guessed that the extreme bagger you are looking at is the Road Glide he promised he would never modify… Continue reading ‘Pushing Bagger Customization To The Next Level. Or The Next Two.’
Boomers Versus Generation Y. More than ever, Generation Y, those bikers and builders born in the 1980’s, brings a new face to Daytona Bike Week. Baby-boomers still largely dominate the scene, but Generation Y raw bikes built out of necessity to ride from”recycled parts” are everywhere to be seen, from the Limpnickie Lot to Willie’s to the Broken Spoke Saloon. For the 1st time, they even found their way to the Classic Rat’s Hole Bike Show where the new generation of builders seems to find excitement in challenging high end rollers with their blue collar attitude bikes .
– Harley-Davidson H-D1 Custom Bike Showcase. I understand that the new comprehensive personal customization process offered by Harley-Davidson when you buy a new model needs to be promoted. This year, harley-Davidson canceled its traditional Official Bike Show competition, usually held behind the Ocean Center, and replaced it by an invitation to enter custom bikes in the all-new H-D1 Custom Bike Showcase at the Harley display at Riverfront Park on Beach Street. Bring your custom Harley, have it photographed, and winners are selected daily by a random drawing for a total of eight winners, who each receive two nights lodging at a Best Western Hotel and a $200 H-D gift card. Nice, but I met several frustrated owners of customized Harleys who want to compete in a judged Official Harley Bike Show where they can check others bikes and have a full day of camaraderie under the sun until Willie G. Davidson hands out trophies. Continue reading ‘Boldfaced Events Of The 70th Daytona Bike Week’
Rat’s Hole, Boardwalk, Willie’s, Limpnickie Lot and a few other bike dhows. Crowd of admirers. Loud Music. Not enough or too much light. Shadows of spectators on chrome and paint jobs. People interfering with the camera objective, usually with their feet… Reason why I don’t feature in full all these bikes. Pictures would not give justice to the talent of the custom builders behind these machines. But don’t be frustrated. Many of the detail close ups shown here belong to custom motorcycles that I will present in full during the coming weeks, this time with professional photography.
“Hi, , hope you guys are doing well. As you have seen on the news,, Japan is facing disaster. My hometown where is my family is not affected since they live 700 miles away from the disaster, but I have a few friends living in Sendai city who are experiencing the most horrible time that we can’t even imagine.
One of my friends, ,Souji Abe of Wild Road Choppers, who came all the way to Sturgis to participate to the 2007 AMD Championship is located in Sendai City. It was confirmed that he is alive, safe and evacuated, but since his shop was near the coast where the Tsunami swept the entire area I would imagine that the damage is devastating. It will take years to recover from a disaster of such magnitude. There’s nothing I can do except trying to help via relief funds. I would really appreciate if you have time to post these relief funds information on your media” Continue reading ‘Japan Earthquake. A Message From Custom Builder Keino Sasaki.’
It was nice to see old friends and racers present in Daytona pay tribute yesterday to racing legend Joe Robison by gathering at his Friday party. Robison’s is the oldest motorcycle dealer in Daytona (opened in 1962) and was the official Harley-Davidson dealer until 1993. The shop is still opened all year long, and helped by his grand son, Joe offers one of the best service in Daytona. Stop by for any maintenance or repair and hear old Daytona racing stories by the man himself. Robison’s Motorcycles.
From National Cycle, the premier manufacturer of motorcycle windshields, and conceived to defend you on the unpredictable open road, the Spartan windshield is 20 times more impact resistant and 30 times more scratch resistant than common acrylic shields.
The key is the Quantum™-hardcoated Lexan® polycarbonate, unique to National Cycle and increasingly renowned for unheard-of strength. Combined with a stealth black powdercoated stainless steel frame “the Spartan refuses surrender to any foe”
Patented parallel slotted tabs simplify the fitments and allow for adjustment to different-width forks. Compression limiters create a rubber grommet suspension which maintains optimal strength throughout the shield and tirelessly through time. And, as an added bonus, the Spartan fits on National Cycle’s tried-and-true SwitchBlade® Quick Release Mount Kits, the instantly attachable or removable system that is the popular pinnacle of expediency and execution in Quick Release motorcycle windshields.
Available in 16.25”” or 18.5” heights, the Spartan is designed for comprehensive touring protection from what the open road can blow your way. For most XL, FX, and FL motorcycles. From $199.95 to 249.95 (mount kits sold separately) depending on size and model. Visit your dealer or National Cycle for specific applications. 877-WSCREEN or 708-343-0400
The Limpnickie Lot defines itself as a collaboration of custom bike builders and American parts manufacturers from the next generation of the American V-Twin industry. Comprised of small shops and individuals, it is their mission to ban together to promote their unique blend of culture and style derived from many younger influences including Motocross, skateboarding, heavy music, BMX. In Daytona, their LOT is located on Ridgewood Avenue across Miller’s. Every year I pay them a visit, shooting only a few close ups of their bikes, trying to show you what defines their own style. Enjoy.
Each year in Sturgis, motorcycle photographer, Michael Lichter presents an internationally anticipated exhibition showcasing the works of the most influential master builders and artists in motorcycling, “Motorcycles as Art” has become the prominent exhibition of the annual Sturgis Rally.
Yesterday evening in Daytona at the ‘Biker Fusion” fund raising event, Michael Lichter officially announced that this year exhibition is called “Slant Artist, An Eccentric View on Motorcycles and Art” and will focus on avant-garde bronze artist Jeff Decker.
In addition to Decker’s ten beautiful bronze sculptures, the 7,000 square foot gallery at the Legendary Buffalo Chip will be filled with a large and eclectic display of motorcycles and wall art culled from his personal collection, friends and other artists. Decker will also be working on a new sculpture in the gallery for several hours each day during which time visitors can chat and ask questions from the basics of “lost wax” bronze casting process to motorcycle history or how “Slant Artists” – the incredible motorcycle racers who climb steep inclines against the clock and each other – have impressed him. Continue reading ‘In Daytona Michael Lichter Announces His 2011 Sturgis Motorcycle As Art Exhbition Theme’
Let’s begin by the first question you all ask. What is the attendance of this 70th edition versus last year and other years? After covering all the territory from Smyrna Beach to Ormond Beach to talk to many friends and vendors, big and small, the consensus seems to be for an overall slightly lower attendance. Yes, Main Street and Beach Street are still packed, the exhibit of builders at the Limpnickie Lot and Willie’s Tropical Tattoo Show are both busy, but surprise when I arrived at 3 pm at Rossmeyer’s Haley-Davidson in Ormond Beach and saw an unusual number of vacant spaces in the parking lot…It would not matter much if all Daytona visitors would spend more than in the recent years. Some vendors are doing very well, some poorly, and I have no idea about what it implies in terms of benefit, if any, for the overall motorcycle industry.
Just a few flash news. I learned from Cris Sommer-Simmons that there will be a 2012 edition of the Cannonball with participating bikes up to year 1926. Strangely in these economic times, the number of bike shows has increased. Nobody can “touch” the big bike shows int terms of competitors and spectators. So I wonder why some continue to repeat bike shows with less than 12 competitors. Puzzled, I am. Willie at Tropical Tattoo has never been so relaxed because The Horse Backstreet Choppers Magazine is helping with the event organization. So, like all of us, he enjoys his own show for the 1st time and it’s again a success. Custom bikes in the streets and in shows didn’t evolve much in terms of styling, but as expected between the 2 poles “Old Skool Type Bobber” and “High Tech Bagger” more Cafe Racers can be seen, both restored originals or new created ones with the flair of the past. Continue reading ‘2011 Daytona Bike Week Atmosphere (Part 1)’
Harley-Davidson calls the rubber surface of these new curved grips “tactified”. It means a superior connection of your hands or gloves on the controls in wet or dry weather. Rubber features a comfortable cross-hatched design and there is the “Othicker” in the middle profile is offered in standard or magnum diameter to fit comfortably almost any size hand. Bright idea…Available in chrome or black for 1996-later VRSC™, XL, XR, Dyna®, and Softail® models, and 1997- ater Touring and Trike models. Easy-to-install “glueless” design allows the grips to be removed for service without damage. Harley-Davidson.
Joe Palermo has a full time day job and another one at night. Building each year in his garage, without any help, one radical custom bike to wow the media and judges of all Daytona Bike Week show competitions. Well, here is his 2011 creation whose simplicity (almost all the bike can be completely taken apart by quick pins and 2 allen wrenches) or complexity (mastering complications to make things look simple is an art), is going to please admirers of extreme creations and irritate old school boys. Joe Palermo main motivators are all those pretending that something can’t be done, has not be done or can be done better. Continue reading ‘Extreme Daytona Show Bike’
Going to the races? Having a favorite race track? Looking for a cool gift for a hard to please enthusiast? You can hang in your garage, office or home your favorite track made from Baltic birch plywood and topped with matte black Formica. Each track is precisely cut by a CNC machine to make sure all the hairpins, switchbacks, and straights are in the proper position at the correct scale. The average size is 36″ square depending upon the track shape. This wall art is available for a selection of the most famous tracks with more coming very soon. From $190 to $220. At Griots Garage
The 9th edition of Carlisle Bike Fest, PA a premier motorcycle event with over 40,000 in attendance, is set for July 22-24th, 2011. Men and ladies who intend to be present should enter their chance to win an Ultimate Biker Makeover.
