I publish below a call for action on behalf of ABATE Of California (American Bikers Towards Education) and BOLT (Bikers Of Lesser Tolerance) regarding recently passed legislation, California SB-435.
Vehicles: pollution control devices. SB-435 has passed in the California legislature and the Governor has until September 30th to decide to sign it into law, veto the bill or do nothing in which case the bill becomes law. All motorcyclists in the USA are urged to call, email or fax California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to urge him to use his Power of Veto to stop this bill before the September 30, 2010 deadline. Continue reading ‘Call To Action Regarding Pollution Control Devices In California’
A new model from Darwin Motorcycles introduced last August in Sturgis during the 2010 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. It’s a classic New Bobber style with the lines and features made so popular during these last 5 years. But of course, each builder has his own way to mix and match parts to make the bike both attractive and performant without calling China to make it reasonably priced. Continue reading ‘Rocketeer Bobber’
Nobody can pretend to have started sooner in the motorcycle industry than Cory Ness, except maybe his own son Zach. Raised in the atmosphere of steel shaping, engine tuning, chrome plating and paint spraying, step by step his professional presence grew to the point where he is since a few years the man both in charge of the day to day operations and Chief Designer at Arlen Ness enterprises, designing new parts, accessories and high end motorcycles. Continue reading ‘The Secret Life Of Cory Ness’
A call to all those who have been touched by the magic of the Bonneville Salts as a fan, or part of a pit crew, or as a racer who has competed and supported the land speed record trial events. Via a 501c3 non profit corporation with a 99 year lease, a building has been secured along the highway at the historic Wendover Airfield (the city next to the race tracks.) Continue reading ‘A Bonneville Salts Racing Museum’
If you can’t, like me, stand all the clutter on your handlebars but still want to maintain all the necessary switch controls to keep your bike street legal, there is no system cleaner that that these digital switches that you can incorporate either inside your grips or directly in your bar or even wherever your imagination leads you to install them. Continue reading ‘Grip Ace Digital Motorcycle Switches’
A video of David Thompson (#5) cranking his 1914 Indian Motorcycle Model C before taking the start of a new Cannonball stage. He spent months rebuilding it from spare parts. As of today, he ranks 29.
The European Bike Week at Lake Faak, South Austria located on the border of both Italia & Slovania, is by far the largest biker event and the last outdoor big party before cold weather hits Europe. As usual, the 2010 edition, September 3rd to 12th, started by a parade around the Lake that they call “Carnival On 2 Wheels.” The reason? Most bikers are disguised and everything goes from animal bikers to nuns, to monsters of all types…to Uncle Sam with the locals enjoying berry much this form of entertainment. For custom motorcycles, 2 major events. The Official Harley-Davidson bike show, and the Custom Chrome Europe International competition, the 1st of a series ending up for the finals in the US in San Jose March 19/20, 2011. Continue reading ‘Custom Chrome Championship Of Bike Building At European Bike Week.’
The new web site allows users to search, share and upload the best touring routes for motorcyclists, create a profile, save trips, maps, videos and photos and share adventures with other users who will be able to submit their own comments, reviews and suggestions. Metzeler Maps offers motorcycle enthusiasts the opportunity to search for new trips by location, type of trip, distance, type of bike or also through the use of keywords. Continue reading ‘Metzeler North America Launches Metzeler Maps Interactive Website’
Wabi-Sabi is the most conspicuous and characteristic feature of traditional Japanese beauty. Its aesthetic includes asymmetry, simplicity, modesty, intimacy, and the suggestion of natural processes. In the Japanese pantheon of aesthetic values, this style is equivalent to the Greek ideals of beauty and perfection of the Western World. Examples of Wabi-Sabi aesthetic motorcycles? Look at the work of Japanese born Chica, Keino, Kimura, etc and of American born Chris Flechtner who built this bike and is a fan of Japanese craftsmanship since he apprenticed in the restoration of priceless samurai swords and armor under the supervision of Master restorer Tatsuhiko Konnowho. Continue reading ‘Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic Custom Motorcycle’
It’s confirmed. While Wisconsin workers were debating their new seven-year labor agreement, Harley-Davidson had already secured a 25 million dollars tax credit to keep 2 of its plants in Wisconsin.
The credits, spread out over nine years are linked to keeping jobs in the Milwaukee area and Tomahawk, along with capital investments by Harley and purchases from in-state suppliers.
I was expecting these ones in brass since a long time. Have used Golan fuel valve ad outlet products since a long time because they perform well and offer many options beyond the traditional choices. First, their petcock (polish, chrome, brass and last minute now in black!) delivers a flow of 12 oz per minute, carries a mechanism preventing a frozen valve and providing a secure seal in the “OFF” position with an O-Ring seat securing any leak from the Petcock to the carburetor.
And for all custom builders facing the dilemma of not sufficient space between the fuel tank and the heads for petcock installation, you can use their outlets with their “Fuel Tank Selector” or inline shot off valve. Pretty useful and cool. Golan Products for sale via Custom Chrome.
In 2010 the Love Ride is back with a “Retro” nostalgic ride on November 7, 2010. It is one of the most successful charity events but after last year’s cancellation due to the bad economy, the formula has changed. Oliver Shokouh, and Grand Marshal Jay Leno, will lead riders from Glendale Harley-Davidson back to the same venue where the Love Ride began 26 years ago back in 1984: to the Calamigos Ranch in the Malibu hills. To capture the feeling of the first Love Ride, attendance is limited to only 1,000 riders. Tickets are $100 per person and the event is expected to sell out very fast, reason why I announce it so much in advance. Continue reading ‘Love Ride 2010. It’s Going To Be A Wild One. But For Only 1000 Bikers.’
Most of you heard about the place and many among you have had a good time at the One-Eyed Jack’s Saloon in Sturgis. Due to health reasons, Ray Gold has reluctantly decided to sell his world-renown business complete with all real estate (45,000 sq.ft) boasting a modern and exquisite rustic log décor and prime Main Street location, liquor license, all furnishings, liquor inventory, vendor space and more. Continue reading ‘Sturgis Famous One-Eyed Jack’s Saloon To Be Auctioned’
After exactly 1400 miles (and a little bit more for those who made navigation mistakes), all riders and pre-1916 motorcycles take a well deserved rest day in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For motorcycles, I should say maintenance and repair day for machines not supposed to take this kind of abuse. For riders, well you guess that it is physically and mentally extremely challenging. Have you ridden so long on a rigid frame, spending almost all your nights fixing bugs, machining parts or helping others do it? So, at almost half the Run, what lessons can be drawn about this event that will probably go down in the books as one of the greatest motorcycle events, not only for the required endurance, but also because it exemplifies what motorcycling is all about: freedom, camaraderie, tenacity and courage. Continue reading ‘Motorcycle Cannonball Update. Part 5.’
Classic never goes out of style. So, it’s a great idea from Rivera Primo, years after buying ART – the original manufacturer – to offer again a style of grips and pegs that has been installed in the past on so many factory and custom motorcycles.
But finely knurled grips are not so easy to machine if you want them not only to look good, but to feel easy under your hands while provided sufficient traction when you throttle and clutch, same when you shift & brake, especially on bumpy roads and in wet weather.
Well, Rivera didn’t change anything, and craft them again out of 6061 billet aluminum. And of course, no need to wonder if they will look good with your bike style and paint job. It’s a classic and will fit with anything & everything. Suggestion to Ben Kudon at Rivera Primo. Offer them also in brass. Tel. 800-872-1515
On September 5th, 3 Dallas Police Officers run after Andrew Collins riding his motorcycle. No excuse for running from Police, but on the dash-cam video released yesterday, officers are seen kicking, punching and beating the man with a baton after chasing him at speeds of close to 60 mph through southeast Dallas. While the motorcycle is stopped they also seem to use the squad car to damage the bike.
Collins initially failed to pull over after officers turned on their lights and sirens when they spotted him riding his motorcycle on a sidewalk. In a second video, a police officer is clearly seen adjusting the dash-cam away from the view of the other officers and Andrew Collins. The Dallas Police Department has recommended that the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office charge the 3 officers with felony, tampering with physical evidence. The 2 videos are courtesy of Dallas PD.
During the Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Week, Oklahoma City based Thunder Cycle’s Sam Wills raced a Big Dog Bulldog Model, setting a land speed record of 158.766 mph in the 3000/MPS-PBG class. Thunder Cycle is Big Dog’s OKC dealer as well as an award-winning bike builder.
Sam Wills set out to reach the pinnacle of speed on a bagger by building his Bonneville Bulldog with a 132 cubic inch, turbocharged S&S® X-Wedge engine, Michelin® racing tires and a low slung 22” seat height.
The 2010 factory Bulldog ships standard with a hefty amount of torque and horse power: a 111c.i., fuel-injected, 45 degree S&S® V-Twin engine, coupled with a right-side drive, six-speed Baker® transmission, all cradled in a rubber-mount chassis for a smooth ride. “It’s a spectacular effort by Sam Wills, one of our most outstanding and knowledgeable dealers”, commented Sheldon Coleman, founder and CEO of Big Dog Motorcycles. “We applaud the confidence and vision that Sam has shown by taking our exceptionally well engineered Bulldog into a new arena of performance.” Big Dog Motorcycles
He doesn’t matter if it’s a recent build if I like it and think that most of you didn’t see it. So, let’s give a push to Satya Kraus for a quite amazing custom job stepping outside of what most builders are designing. Quite a few tricks and fabrication innovations grace this machine. Satya started with a custom frame with a radical 46-degree rake and decided to give the bike a rigid look while fabricating a one-off “invisible” rear roller rocker suspension. Continue reading ‘Techno Retro Custom Motorcycle’
California based Exile Cycles is synonymous with tough and minimalist industrial styling. And its founder, Englishman Russell Mitchell, with his full-body tattoo and mohawk (blonde most of the time) is one of the most recognizable Custom Builders of our industry. Backstage, learn a little bit more about the man who continues to preach against over-chromed and over-painted motorcycles (photography copyright Christian Holzknecht)
Cyril. In High School, what your teachers said about you? Russell. That I wasn’t smart enough to become a veterinarian. So I did.
Cyril. Who were your childhood heroes? Russell. Evel Knievel, Tony Alva and Marc Bolan from T-rex.
Cyril. What was your 1st vehicle? Russell. Vespa 50cc scooter.
That you prefer the old Indians to the new ones or both doesn’t matter when it’s time to show your support for a brand you love.
As a matter of fact, all the new Indian clothing line has a retro feel with nice graphics, pictures, layouts, colors that I like very much. I think that the new Fall collection is so far the best one. And since they offer free shipping until September 22nd, I had to tell you. Indian Clothing Fall Collection.
Building a motorcycle by putting a Vincent engine into a Norton wideline frame has been done by the Brits since a long time. It’s called a NORVIN. And now, coming again from England, putting an American Sportster engine in a Norton looking frame will create a NORLEY motorcycle. Continue reading ‘What Is A Norley?’
In little touches on retro looking or vintage bikes, you all know that brass looks bad ass. You can have your own parts highly polished then brass plated and polished again, or hunt for the very few good parts available in solid brass.
Crime Scene Choppers has available a very small quantity of its Rapide Headlight where a mirror polished brass covers not only the housing but also the front grille.
The Rapide headlight uses a standard 4.5″ sealed beam lamp (not included) or their Laser Lamp unit. At Crime Scene Choppers.
As I reported in my former post rider #85 Matt Olsen was injured yesterday durig stage 5. Below the official press release from the Cannonball organization.
Felicia Morgan, Cannonball spokesperson, reports that the weather was riding perfect between Maggie Valley NC & Chattanooga TN (208 miles) and yesterday to Hunstville, AL (204 miles). When possible, flat tires, broken belts, damaged gear sets and many other mechanical issues are fixed on the road with riders and support crews trading parts and helping each other. Continue reading ‘Motorcycle Cannonball Update (Part 3)’
The seventh Annual Indian Larry Mayhem Block party is this Saturday September 18th at the new facility located at 400 Union Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. All his friends and fans will meet again, continuing the tradition of the famous party, New-York and Coney Island style. An opportunity to see again Larry’s bikes and original shop memorabilia, including his famous custom King Of Choppers throne. The event will include 7 bands, well known builders, Sword Swallower “Fredini” of Coney Island Fame, live ice sculpting and food. The street gets shut down for the beginning of the party at 11am and will remain closed to the public until it’s over at 9pm. More info at Indian Larry.
I publish below a call for action on behalf of ABATE Of California (American Bikers Towards Education) and BOLT (Bikers Of Lesser Tolerance) regarding recently passed legislation, California SB-435.
