You already know that I am one of the many admirers of David Uhl’s work. With “Wild Mustangs” our “Norman Rockwell Of Motorcycles” demonstrates once again that nobody better than him can capture on canvas the true spirit and romance of motorcycling. Continue reading ‘Wild Mustangs By Artist David Uhl’
Archive Page 291
Viper Motorcycle Company To Produce His Diamondback Super Cruiser In Alabama
Published by August 21st, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
The Viper Motorcycle Company (OTCBB: VPWI) announced its plans to begin manufacturing motorcycles in Auburn, Alabama. The Company will move its operation from Minnesota to Auburn, Alabama with full production beginning in 2011.
A brand new facility will become the new headquarters and production facility for Viper Motorcycle Company. Company executives state they expect the creation of 100 new jobs over the next two years. Continue reading ‘Viper Motorcycle Company To Produce His Diamondback Super Cruiser In Alabama’
Quantum Leap. Four Years To Master The Art Of Motorcycle Rear Steering.
Published by August 20th, 2010 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Whatever your thoughts and mine on a specific custom motorcycle, they all end up contributing, in one way or the other, to the evolution of the custom motorcycle industry. Even if they will never be produced, for reason of cost or functionality, in large or very limited number. As a matter of fact, most builders of high end custom motorcycles don’t care one second about marketing when they start a very wild project. Just pushed by the passion to try to do something different, to be the first, to be the one who dared, the one who had enough imagination, technology knowledge and tenacity to make their dream happen. They just want to do their thing and “Quantum Leap” is a pure example of a Custom Builder devoting 4 years of his life on the objective of making a rideable rear steering motorcycle. Continue reading ‘Quantum Leap. Four Years To Master The Art Of Motorcycle Rear Steering.’
Zipper’s ThunderMax EFI Throttle Body For Performance Engines
Published by August 20th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.
You all know. Big engines require big air flow. Zipper’s Thundermax offers Throttle Body, Manifold and High Flow Air Cleaner assemblies for large displacement performance engines For example, for Harley-Davidson 2006 and up Thundermax provides a one-piece throttle body/manifold with oversize CNC-machined castings to replace the factory H-D® designs used on Delphi®-equippe models.
They are designed to accept the original factory electronic components for easy assembly. Available in 54 and 60mm; high flow design requires ThunderMax Air Filter Kit with spread bolt pattern. Manifold width available for most popular engine kits from 95” up to 124” with oversize (1.780” ID) intake port opening. Includes our billet intake flanges and seals. Thundermax Throttle Body. (Mention my Blog and get free ground freight in the lower 48 states within the USA when ordering together any ThunderMax Throttle Body, Manifold and Air Cleaner)
Carolina Harley-Davidson Closing. The End Of The Baldwin’s Era.
Published by August 19th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
We are all saddened when we hear another industry business closing its doors. Even more in this case because I have known its owners during so many years. After the tragic death of Clifton Baldwin (1954-2008) known by us as Click Baldwin in a motorcycle accident in Montana, his wife Diane kept the Carolina dealership open during 2 years. Continue reading ‘Carolina Harley-Davidson Closing. The End Of The Baldwin’s Era.’
Sturgis 3rd Annual Legends Ride Raised $53,000 for Charity
Published by August 19th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
Sponsored by the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce and hosted by the Buffalo Chip, on August 9th the third Annual Legends Ride included more than 300 riders, Custom Builders and a host of celebrities like MTV’s Riki Rachman, actors Lorenzo Lamas & Paul Reubens a.k.a. Pee Wee Herman, former Guns and Roses guitarist Gilby Clark, Survivor star Rupert Boneham, etc.) The event raised $52,650 donated to the Sky Ranch for Boys and the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Museum. Bikers each contributed $150 to participate. The group assembled on the street in front of Deadwoods Historic Franklin Hotel, then took the 50-mile, escorted ride through the Black Hills past Nemo and Sturgis. The ride ended at the Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground east of Sturgis. At the Chip, they were treated to a private reception and Monday night’s concert lineup that included ZZ Top. (L. Lamas picture courtesy WRN)
The Story Of Custom Builder Jim Giuffra And Of His AFT Custom Girls
Published by August 19th, 2010 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
While touring the show circuit most custom builders (not me!) and vendors, at one time or the other, have employed one pretty lady or two to greet, promote, distribute catalogs, pose for professional and amateur photographers… And if you are a familiar to the big rallies you may think that Metric Custom Builder Jim Giuffra from AFT Customs is the largest employer of these ladies. Wrong! Yes, Jim is probably the most female accompanied man on the show tour, (never with less than 3 to 7 ladies with him) but only during professional hours and for a very good reason: they are his professional mechanic helpers, responsible for most of what was done under his supervision on some of his custom motorcycles like the one featured here. Continue reading ‘The Story Of Custom Builder Jim Giuffra And Of His AFT Custom Girls’
Harley-Davidson Has A New Promotion Girl
Published by August 19th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
23-year old beauty Lyna Rengifo, the only blonde of the five finalists, was picked as this year’s promo girl to promote everything Harley-Davidson throughout the South America country of Columbia. Phew! Wo cares? Nobody, except if you live in Columbia and you think it’s important to have your picture taken with her during a rally. But please don’t deny that all of you have enjoyed looking at this picture. Next post…
Handy Industries Closed Its Doors. Looking For A Buyer.
Published by August 18th, 2010 in Accessories and Editorial.
Although the motorcycle industry seems to bottom out, there are still a number of good companies unable to make it through the US economic recession.
For over 40 years Handy® Industries has been manufacturing professional shop equipment and also truck accessory products and many of us in the industry use their products, especially their great bike lifts. Continue reading ‘Handy Industries Closed Its Doors. Looking For A Buyer.’
Saxon Motorcycles Support To Our US Troops
Published by August 18th, 2010 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Saxon Motorcycles, USA is launching a “Support Our Troops” incentive program to thank all those who serve in all US branches of the military active or retired for allowing us all the freedoms we enjoy and often take for granted. Saxon will contribute $1500 towards the purchase of any new motorcycle build and will include a warranty upgrade at no cost. Saxon will also contribute $750 towards the purchase of any factory demo motorcycle and will also include a warranty upgrade at no cost. Special military financing is also provided with proof of service. Saxon Motorcycle USA.
Metalsmithing A Harley-Davidson Sportster
Published by August 18th, 2010 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
You can tell a lot about a motorcycle builder forte just by looking at his work. When I saw this bike in Sturgis, I knew right away that Joe Cooper, that I never met before, was a pure metalsmith mastering the art of metal annealing and soldering. This modified 19999 Sportster 1200 is not born from sheet metal bought out of a catalog or even from modifying any existing sheet metal pieces. All body work is done from scratch and is a great example of the beauty and purity that can be attained when you master the art of metal heat treatment and forming. Continue reading ‘Metalsmithing A Harley-Davidson Sportster’
Motorcycle Pod For Bikers Who Have Been Drinking Too Much
Published by August 18th, 2010 in Editorial, Events and Videos.If feeling impaired most bikers would not leave their motorcycle alone by fear it would be stolen. But if they know that they can leave it in a safe place overnight, then pick it up in the morning, it is believed that they will not take chances by riding it. The Biker Pod was created first in Wisconsin and Colorado is also experimenting it to reduce fatalities due to a biker drinking too much. There is no charge for using it. If the concept is successful, it may be expanded to many popular biker bars around the country. A video about it on local Fox News in Colorado.
Fast Motorcycle Industry News
Published by August 17th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
1- Mark H. Borodkin, new CEO of Saxon Motorcycles USA informed me that his motorcycles will now use industry leaders Baker Drivetrain for the transmissions and Daytec Center for frames. These changes reflect Saxon’s commitment to excellence and to provide only the best possible products to the industry. 2- Sturgis. While the two latest fatalities bring the official number of deaths related the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to eight at least 10 other deaths in South Dakota and Iowa are believed related to the rally. 3- Noise Free America, a New-York based nonprofit organization that fights noise pollution, named South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds as a recipient of its “Noisy Dozen Award” for promoting “the spirit of noisy lawlessness that permeates the rally through illegally modified exhaust systems.” Rounds took part in the annual Mayor’s Ride in Sturgis. The award raised the governor’s stature in the eyes of bikers and rally fans. 4- Credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings raised its outlook on Harley-Davidson Inc. saying that the market for heavyweight motorcycles is showing signs of stability. The rating of Harley debt is “BBB-plus,” an relatively good investment-grade rating, and affect $600 million in debt –
For All Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Nuts.
Published by August 17th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.
Knucklehead owners from years 1936 to 1947 can rejoice. The pretty Knuckle engine will look even prettier with these “jewelry” forged brass rocker shaft nuts available in polished brass, in satin brass, in chrome and satin chrome.
Available in 2 styles, finned and grooved, you just need a wrench (1″ for finned, 7/16″ for grooved) for fitting and removal. Made in Italy by the fine designers of Kustom Tech. Check out the air cleaner, too.
Left picture. Seeing this hole, you would probably slow down… Right picture. It’s only a piece of urban art moved around each day. A speed control technique supposedly used in Eastern Canada. Pretty clever or dangerous? (thank you Mike Chadwick)
Hoka Hey Update August 17, 2010. Skepticism To The End. Is It The End?
Published by August 16th, 2010 in Editorial.
On Wednesday August 11th, 2010 in a ceremony at the Sturgis Broken Spoke Campground front of a small group of Hoka Hey participants present in Sturgis and a few curious, organizers Jim & Beth Durham confirmed that Will Barclay is the winner and “the toughest motorcycle rider on the planet at the moment” and handed him out a cardboard check of $500,000. Jim Durham promised a second Hoka Hey next year, from San Diego to Nova Scotia, this time with a $1 million prize for the winner.
As a matter of fact in a press release dated July 29th, John White of Crazy Horse Motorcycles – who has previously stated that he is the owner of the Hoka Hey 2011- had already sent a press release stating that “During a polygraph test where Mr. Barclay was subjected to a drug test for sedatives and then was questioned about the safe operation of his motorcycle, the prescribed route, navigation and drug use during the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. After 3 hours of questions – he had passed” and that “The winner of the Hoka Hey Challenge William Barclay has declared that the prize money has been wired to his account.” Is it the end of the controversy surrounding the Hoka Hey cross country challenge, about its legality, its disorganization, its rules changed at the start and while the event was progressing, the way the winner was decided, the charities supposed to benefit from it, etc? Continue reading ‘Hoka Hey Update August 17, 2010. Skepticism To The End. Is It The End?’
2010 Metric World Champion Of Custom Bike Building. Born To Be Raced.
Published by August 16th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
The custom motorcycle scene is one world and if you would need any proof of it, look at the country of origin of a lot of machines competing this year in the AMD World Championship Of Bike Building. The show includes competitors coming from countries that at best we very occasionally hear about, but that most of us here in the US would never be able to locate on a map. This kinetic custom was dreamed and fabricated in Belarus, a small east european country bordered by Latvia on the north, Lithuania to the northwest, Poland to the west, Russia to the north and east and Ukraine to the south. This year, in addition to all competitors who vote for each bike in the show except their own, I was asked to bring my input to rank all the masterpieces competing in Sturgis for a World Champion title. So, I know quite well this custom bike and got a chance, overcoming a language barrier, to meet with its builder Yuri Shif. Continue reading ‘2010 Metric World Champion Of Custom Bike Building. Born To Be Raced.’
Harley-Davidson Sold Back MV Agusta To Its Previous Owners For 3 Euros.
Published by August 15th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
When 2 years ago Harley-Davidson bought Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta for $109 million the US was already in a deep recession, Harley sales were sagging with a management extremely worried about its core baby-boomer customers getting older and losing their will to ride a motorcycle. MV Agusta was also in financial trouble. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Sold Back MV Agusta To Its Previous Owners For 3 Euros.’
Seeing The Sturgis Rally Like You Never Saw It Before
Published by August 14th, 2010 in Editorial and Events.
I wish I would have known about Bill Groethe at least 10 days ago, posted about him and his work hopefully sending many of you to his photo studio in Rapid City. How many among you know somebody who has known the Black Hills Rally still in its infancy, kept a sharp memory of all its history, main events, ups and downs? Do you know a place where you can find and buy superb images immortalizing the rally during the last 70 years? Now 87 years old, photographer Bill Groethe has documented all what was going on around Rapid City during the last 7 decades, and of course it includes all years the Black Hills rally was held. Continue reading ‘Seeing The Sturgis Rally Like You Never Saw It Before’
2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150. Most Powerful Ever.
Published by August 14th, 2010 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
While Harley-Davidson was showing its 2011 motorcycle lineup in Sturgis on Lazelle Street, Ford chose the Buffalo Chip campground to unveil its new Harley-Davidson F150 model. The successful collaboration between these two icons of the open road has produced nine F-150 models, as well as six Super Duty F-250 and F-350 models, and in 2009, the first Harley-Davidson F-450 edition truck. Continue reading ‘2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150. Most Powerful Ever.’
2010 Sturgis Bike Week. The Best In Many Years.
Published by August 13th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
I used to measure the success of any big rally by my level of exhaustion. And it must be 5 years that I have never been so much exhausted by all the action, things to do , friends to meet, motorcycle and parts to look at and contagious excitement of all those like me waking up with the sun to ride the gorgeous roads of the Black Hills, Badlands, Custer Park, Devil Tower, Bear Butte, etc. Arrived a couple of days before the official start of the largest mass dedicated to the motorcycle God, I was nicely surprised by the intense traffic still flowing freely at the time from east and west on the I90 towards Sturgis and surrounding hotels and campgrounds.
I don’t care about the different “official” numbers that different administrations are going to publish on Monday. I would just refer to unofficial rally evaluations like the city of Sturgis declaring that the amount of trash removed every day is 3 times last year, that the Mount Rushmore memorial had Tuesday the most ever visitors in a single day (17,600), that the traffic around Deadwood, Lead, Speafish, Sturgis and towards the campgrounds of Glencoe, Broken Spoke, Buffalo Chip is unbelievable. Rod Woodruff owner of the 30 years old Buffalo Chip told me that he had 3 times more campers last weekend than the year before and declared to the Rapid City Journal that his business still growing he may need to move it to another location! Although some trips are “painful” in terms of time spent idling in mid 90’s F temperatures, I kept a smile inside thinking about all what it means for “my” motorcycle industry…. Continue reading ‘2010 Sturgis Bike Week. The Best In Many Years.’
2011 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide®
Published by August 13th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
At a MSRP of $32,499, the new CVO Street Glide Twin-Cam 110″ (1803 cc) ESPFI is equipped with a 19-inch Agitator front wheel the largest-diameter wheel ever offered on a Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle (Rear wheel is 18″) Ventilated fairing lowers house two of the six speakers that are part of a high-output audio system boosted by a new high-efficiency, 100-watt-per-channel amplifier. The audio system also incorporates an 8GB iPod nano with dock and holder located in the right saddlebag. Continue reading ‘2011 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide®’
Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall Of Fame 2010 Inductees
Published by August 12th, 2010 in Editorial and Events.
Yesterday morning went to the Sturgis Hall Of Fame Museum breakfast held at the Rapid City Rushmore Plaza Civic Center for the induction of 6 new members. The museum mission statement is “to collect, preserve, honor those who have made a positive and significant impact on the sport and lifestyle, and pay tribute to the heritage of the Sturgis Rally.” Lorenzo Lamas was the Emcee. A few words about the new members.
Nancy Davidson. Nancy Davidson, wife of Willie G. Davidson, is recognized throughout the motorcycling community as a passionate and devoted ambassador for the sport of motorcycling. While she doesn’t ride her own motorcycle, she’s been an inspiration to her children (Bill, Karen and Michael Davidson) and countless women riders as she shared her passion and support for the sport of motorcycling.
Betsy E. Lister. Betsy Lister has been working to keep bikers informed for over twenty years. She is the founder of two websites – gypsypashn.com and bikerbits.info – that give bikers from all over the country information about rides, rallies, vendor opportunities, biker rights and more. She also operates a third website providing bikers with lessons on insurance coverage. Over the years she has volunteered numerous hours to raising awareness for motorcycle safety and motorcycle insurance issues. Continue reading ‘Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall Of Fame 2010 Inductees’
Krugger Motorcycles Is 2010 AMD World Champion OF Custom Bike Building
Published by August 11th, 2010 in Builders, Customs and Events.
Freestyle Class:1- Krugger Motorcycles (World Champion). 2- Thunderstruck Custom Bikes Inc. 3- Yuri Shif Custom (YSC). 4- Garage 65. 5- Speed Shop Design. 6- Blech & Drueber. 7-Hardly Civilized. 8- Cook Customs. 9- Fine Custom Mechanics. 10- Speed Dept & Mayhem Kustomz. 11- Headbanger Motorcycles. 12- Kris Willems. 13- TPJ Customs. 14- Speed Shop Design. 15 – Mücechoppers. 16- Chopper Kultcha. 17- Unique Custom Cycles. 18- Eagle Installers Inc. 19- Andersons Custom Cycles. 20- Roquechop Design. 21- Bugs Custom. 22- Kootenay Motorcycle Art. 23- Pro1Cycle. 24- AT American Cycles. 25- Puro Chingon Custom Choppers. 26- Odyssey Motorcycles. 27. Defiant Studio Inc. 28- Glenndyne Design. 29- Deadline Customs. 30- Boyd Motor Company.
Modified Harley Davidson Class
1- Shaw Harley-Davidson UK Strike True II. 2 -Cooper Smithing Co USA The Jefferson 182. 3- Hardninechoppers Switzerland D’MX. 4 Freddie Arnold Designs USA Lil Red Hot Rod. 5- Empire Engineering, USA
Production Manufacturer Class.
1- Sbay Motor Co Spain Flying. 2- Darwin Motorcycles USA Brawler GTR. 3- Kiwi Indian MotorCycle Co USA Kiwi Indian Factory Board Tracker. 4- Darwin Motorcycles USA Rocketeer. 5- Dan Gurney’s Alligator Motorcycles USA Instigator.
Metric World Championsip.
1- Yuri Shif Custom (YSC) Belarus The Machine. 2- Speed Shop Design USA Beezerker 3- Blech & Drueber Austria Walton
Live Video From Sturgis. Awards Ceremony Of 2010 World Championship Of Bike Building At 5PM EST.
Published by August 11th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial, Events and Videos.
Awards Ceremony is finished.
Live video feed was removed.
Fred Krugger is the new 2010 World Champion Of Bike Building.
See results and his motorcycle in post above.
Michael Lichter’s Eternal Combustion Exhibit At The Sturgis Buffalo Chip
Published by August 11th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
Yesterday evening huge motorcycle industry crowd for the 10th annual “Motorcycles As Art” exhibition entitled “Eternal Combustion- 30 In The Wind”. During all the rally, 30 custom motorcycles from top builders are on display alongside the largest single exhibit of Michael’s photography (from 1979 to 2010.) If you are in Sturgis, take time to visit the Lichter Exhibition Hall at the Legendary Buffalo Chip until August 13th from 10 am to 10 pm every day. Admission is free.
From left to right and from top to bottom. 1- Michael Lichter. 2- Arlen Ness, Ron Finch, Sugar Bear. 3- Chris Sommers-Simmons with Laura Klock. 4- Lisa, Bert Baker, Cyril Huze . 5- Jesse Rooke. 6- Holger Mohr, Fred Kodlin & Friend. 7- Chris Callen. 8- Bean’re. 9- Mr. Mrs Sugar Bear. Photographer Shootout. I declared Rogue on the left the winner by 1 flash…
