To Cyril Huze. “I am promoting the Rock N’ Rev Festival at this year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Rock N’ Rev Festival (see video) is a five day concert venue on August 9-13 at Monkey Rock USA Amphitheatre with over 20 rock bands including, Godsmack, Creed, Stone Temple Pilots, 3 Doors Down and Alice in Chains. I am reaching out to you for a few reasons.
First, to inform you that the Rock N’ Rev Festival announced today that Guns N’ Roses has been added to the lineup. Their first US concert in four years. They will be headlining on Friday, August 13 and will be playing with Alice in Chains. In addition, Daughtry has just been announced and will be playing on Thursday, August 12 with Hinder and 3 Doors Down. And second, In the near future we are going to be organizing ticket giveaways, interviewers with the bands and other contests to promote the festival. As the voice of the Rock N’ Rev Festival we are looking to work with you and keep in you in the loop about contest, interviews and any news pertaining to the event.”Kevin Wright, bigMETHOD
After Harley-Davidson posted better-than-expected earnings, boosted by a rebound in its finance unit, the company posted a profit from continuing operations of $139.3 million, or 59 cents a share, beating the 41 cents expected by analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.
Retail sales fell during the quarter, but declines slowed from the prior four quarters. Operating income at Harley’s financial services unit surged to $60.8 million, compared to a loss of $90.5 million in the same period a year ago. Today (Wall Street still not closed) shares of Harley (HOG) jumped $2.70 to $26.31. It was up as much as 15%, at $27.15, before pulling back. Harley shares are higher for 2010, up about 4.5%, and up about 35% for the last 12-month period.
You already know that Harley-Davidson will be nowhere to be seen in Rapid City during this 70th anniversary edition of the Black Hills Rally. To celebrate with Harley-Davidson you will have to go to Sturgis to find Harley in 2 locations.
1- Highway I-90/Exit 30 Lot. Saturday through Friday, August 7th – 13th, 9am-5pm: 2011 Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle Demo Rides. All riders must have a valid motorcycle license and adhere to riding gear requirements and safety rules. Fit Shop: Ever wonder what Mini-Apes feel like? How about adding floor boards or forward controls? Whatever your body type or riding style, you can adjust your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle for maximum comfort, control, style and confidence. Harley-Davidson experts are here to help you find your fit. Continue reading ‘Sturgis Bike Week. Harley-Davidson Schedule Of Events.’
In 2008 I introduced you to a new manufacturer called Roehr Motorcycles and to its new gas powered 1250 SC sportbike. And now Walter Roehrich is making a big jump in the universe of electric bikes with the launch of 3 different superbike models: an entry level called the eSupersport ($16,965), the eSuperbike to raise the bar for electric motorcycle to a whole new level ($27,595) and the eSuperbike RR (for track or street) designed to race in the current e-Power Racing Series ($34,495) Can Ferrari red, European design, American production, speed and performance convince you to ride electric? Continue reading ‘New Roehr Electric American Superbike’
What do you do when you are a Jeweler dealing in diamonds looking for maximum media exposure? If you love motorcycles and have a friend who is a custom builder (Fred Duban), you borrow one of his air cleaners, cover it with 24K gold and write his name by inserting a series of brown and translucent white diamonds. Continue reading ‘World’s Most Expensive Motorcycle Air Cleaner. $10,000.’
The Harley-Davidson® Pink Label Collection was inspired by women who have been affected by breast cancer and designed to provide them support during their difficult ride. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of every Pink Label Collection item helps fund the YourShoes™ 24/7 Support Center, which is administered by the national non-profit Breast Cancer Network of Strength®. Limited to just 2,000 jackets, the new Limited Edition Pink Label 3-in-1 Leather Jacket (retailing for $450) from the Harley-Davidson® MotorClothes® line is a unique way to look great and support an important cause. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Limited Edition Pink Label Leather Jacket To Benefit The Breast Cancer Network Of Strength’
Nothing more retro 70’s than these “Streamliner Bars” (I think a very bad name for this type of design) that you will immediately associate with long cross country rides on a very long chopper where you need to kick back and relax.
Enough room to attach your tool bag, Mexican bedroll and American star studded bandana.
Made in America by Pangea and distributed by a company I didn’t know called 70 Moto
After rumors of festival cancellation at the Glencoe Camp Resort followed by a denial by its owner, an agreement was reached this Monday afternoon to have all the scheduled bands play at another location close by, The Monkey Rock.
The concert promoters, DC3 Global stated that an amphitheater will be built on a 25-acre. It seems that arrangements will be made to help shuttle those staying at the Glencoe Camp Resort to the new concerts location. All music festival acts are confirmed. Headliners include very successful alternative Rock N’ Roll bands like Godsmack, Creed, Stone Temple Pilots, 3 Door Down, etc. Glencoe Camp Resort. (picture Godsmack)
Well, Spanish builder (born Columbian) Jhomba Malicia still didn’t recover from intense partying (the Iberic way…) to celebrate his national team winning the Soccer World Cup, and me without any help coming from him I am trying to find out about the intricacies of his latest radical custom simply named “Chavela”. Continue reading ‘Spanish Custom Motorcycle Scene’
The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum will hold its 2010 Hall of Fame induction breakfast at Rapid City’s Rushmore Plaza Civic Center on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 9 a.m. Breakfast tickets are available for a $35.00 donation, tables of eight for $300.00. Tickets can be purchased through the Museum 605.347.2001 or on line at Sturgis Museum. Six new Hall of Fame Inductees will be honored, along with one Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame inductee. This year’s honorees are: Sonny Bridges – United Bikers of Maine. Nancy Davidson – wife and riding partner of Willie G. Davidson. Betsy Lister – Creator of Bikerbits E-zine. Ron McKinley – Motorcycle safety speaker and teacher. Roger Schieman (Founder’s Award) – Sturgis resident and long-time museum supporter & board member. Stan Simpson – Chairman of the Board of the American Motorcyclist Association. “Kiwi” Mike Tomas – Founder and owner of Kiwi Indian Motorcycles. Lorenzo Lamas of Lorenzo Cycles as will emcee this event. Continue reading ‘Sturgis Motorcycle Museum And Hall Of Fame Induction And Book Signings’
Derick Jones, owner of Hell’s Foundry specializes in designing easy bolt-on parts to improve the appearance of your Harley Touring bike. His new release is a chrome plated Instrument Surround / Switch Cover with a design incorporating the function of the instrument bezel and a switch cover.
It can be installed on all 1998 and newer FLTR Road Glides in less than 10 minutes and the kit is sold complete with chrome hardware and easy installation instructions. MSRP: $249.95. Call 866-999-4355 on my behalf or visit Hells Foundry.
Carl and Matt Olsen (father and son) specialize in restorations that they ride and sell from their South Dakota shop, Carl’s Cycle Supply. All of the bikes that the shop produces are updated internally using state of the art technology, but maintain the charm and character of the original design.
After almost 6 years of work, Matt was very proud to show me this short video clip about his just finished 36 EL 1005, ! It’s the earliest 36 that I will probably work on in his lifetime! This bike will be Carl’s Cycle Supply’s submission for Mike Lichter’s Eternal Combustion Exhibit at the Buffalo Chip in Sturgis. Matt will also display a Sears. The 36 Knucklehead started on the 2nd kick. Watch…
John Reed, who knows a little bit more than you and me about very wild machines (wink), pointed out to me a website featured 30 wild machines (scooters? motorcycles?) from Japan. Is it a big trend in the country of the rising sun? Don’t know. But it is the proof that not all Japanese builders are into the old school style. Can it catch up here in the US? See more by jumping to Damn Amazing Things.
A few companies in the US already offer some conversion kits for the most popular Harley-Davidson models. Because people have less money to spend on a custom built from the ground up and also may prefer to customize an existing Harley to avoid the red tape of registering a “new motorcycle assembled from parts”, many companies see a business opportunity to release such conversion kits. Especially in Europe where legislation for registering a full custom is much tougher than here. Under the name “Rick’s School” well known German wheels manufacturer Rick’s Motorcycles just released several bolt-on chassis parts and accessories to use as a full kit or as individual parts, depending of your taste and available budget. Continue reading ‘New Rick’s Conversion Kits For Harley-Davidson Dyna And Street Bob’
Flash News. Eric Gorges called. Proud to tell me his shop Voodoo Choppers will be featured on the Discovery Channel this coming Monday July 19th at 9pm in a series called Ultimate Car Build Off. Yes, Eric is mainly a custom motorcycle builder, so it means that he can work on anything custom with wheels on it, whatever the number.
I am not authorized to show you in full the Twin Motorcycle Engine Wheelie machine he built with his crew, but I would recommend that you watch. Simply because larger is the audience, more chances we have to get more Kustom Kulture shows on TV. And if you live in the metro Detroit area, the boys throw a viewing party starting at 7.30 pm in Clarkston, at the Union. Voodoo Choppers.
GE is promising that the first curbside chargers should be installed next year. For electric cars, first. Yes, sooner or later, charging stations are going to belong to our cities infrastructure.
But I have questions. 1- Electric cars and motorcycles, are still not considered the ideal solution because energy has to come from somewhere even if the technology beats gas powered vehicles for pollution. 2- If it takes 4 to 6 hours to charge a car, and I don’t know how long for a motorcycle, one will need to park his vehicle for a long time, with others waiting in line? Me, I am impatient just waiting at the car wash.
Not realistic if these watt stations are installed on the curbside like GE is showing on this picture. Well, gas pumps still have a future.
Cool multiple 3D skulls are formed out of soft rubber to give you a good and comfortable grip whaterver the riding conditions (patented design). In multiple colors (green, blue and silver are also available), with different sizes to fit V-Twin, Metric, Sport Bikes and bicycles handlebars. At a price to die for. Only $17.99 per side (throttle sleeve not included). Order online at Moto Grip.
Typically German and very characteristic of Fred Kodlin work, if I show you this bike it’s because I hear that it is Fred’s best selling rigid frame in his country. He imagined it in 2009, built “Loretta” featured here not only to illustrate the kind of look you can achieve, but also to demonstrate his rigid frame sturdiness when the bike is ridden hard (abused?) running a 121″ TP Engineering engine. Performance riding is much more appealing in Europe that in the US where motorcycling taste leans towards cruising. The German autobahns are famous for being some of the few public roads in the world without blanket speed limits for cars and motorcycles. So, if you are a builder your creations must be adapted for the speed at which you know your clients may want and will ride. Continue reading ‘Fred Kodlin Q-Modo Custom Frame’
When she will arrive very soon at the end of her “Road To Sturgis“, independent film maker Alystar McKenneh will have ridden her motorcycle for 26,000 miles during the last three months. Part of her road was between Key West, FL and Homer, AK where she was a participant and a last minute videographer for the Hoka Hey Challenge. About what became a very controversial motorcycle event, I just asked her “Alystar, What’s Going On?”. Although exhausted by the road, she took the time to send me the following long letter expressing her feelings about the Challenge, the way she lived it and also the controversy she got herself into after a TV interview she gave.
I told her about my admiration and respect for her accomplishments, that her point of view was the one of a rider, as emotional as it should be when a biker is doing his (her) thing on a very long road. I also told her that at the same time she was riding and filming, some organizer statements and facts checking by other riders and observers that she may still not be aware of, were from my point of view many other reasons for the intense controversy surrounding the Hoka Hey Challenge. With her authorization I publish her point of view from the road she followed.
Added July 16, 2010. At 1:20:03 PM EDT I received an email from Alystar Mc Kenneh. She writes “When I spoke with the reporter who called me from the Rapid City Journal and I referred to that woman, she said her name is Jeri O’Bbarr. So I see I have maligned that woman. And I need to apologize to her” Continue reading ‘Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. The Point Of View Of Alystar McKenneh.’
A couple of years ago Garage Leathers launched a full line of solo leather bags for Rigid, Softail, Sportster and Dyna style motorcycles.
To answer to the request of riders wanting to keep the cool look of the solo bag but wishing more storage capacity, Robert Camardo has just designed and produced a larger bag for all Dyna models 2000 & up (the smaller Dyna version is still available)
Victory Motorcycles will further expand its presence in Sturgis when, for the first time, the annual Victory Riders Association (VRA) Sturgis Party will be held at the Buffalo Chip on Thursday, August 12, exclusively for Victory riders.
Victory will once again base its VIP motorcycle fleet at the Buffalo Chip during the 2010 Sturgis rally. These motorcycles are loaned exclusively throughout the rally to musicians, celebrities and VIP riders, including several who will take part in the Victory-sponsored Legends Ride on Monday, August 9. The Legends Ride, which raises funds for Sturgis-area non-profit organizations, is celebrating its third consecutive sellout and has raised over $100,000 in just two years. Victory riders can register online for the VRA Sturgis Party by going to the Victory website and clicking on “Victory Community.” Details about the ride from Deadwood to the Buffalo Chip and other Victory activities at Sturgis are available at the same site.
You saw this type of brake system on a few custom motorcycles. And you thought it was beautiful and a good way to show your custom wheel. In single or dual version, front or rear wheel, they are not available as a complete kit from your favorite wheel vendor. Continue reading ‘Perimeter Disc Rotors Installed On Spoke Wheels’
Although there is no such a thing as a Motorcycle Lubricants Company official sponsor of this Sturgis Bike Week, this year Spectro Oils will confirm its growing market share in the motorcycle industry by being present in several locations, helping participants maintain their bikes, helping a custom motorcycle building competition and sponsoring the rally’s most important “art of the motorcycle” exhibition. Continue reading ‘Spectro Lubricating The 2010 Sturgis Rally’
In it, Jim Durham states that the possible winner is William Barclay, pending he passes the polygraph test, and will receive the $500,000 award at the Broken Spoke Saloon on Aug. 11 during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
It will appease some, but I am not sure yet that some of the answers made during the interview will satisfy everybody. I will not say more, let you read and comment.
During Tucker Rocky’s annual Sales Meeting and Dealer Show , V-Twin motorcycle parts distributor Biker’s Choice has announced that the company is sponsoring Paul Jr. Designs (Paul Teutul Junior) for the new TV American Chopper reality show named “Senior vs. Junior” whose 1st episode will be on air August 12th. Below the video of the announcement.
If I didn’t tell you that this chopper was built by an Italian shop you would not guess. Maybe the spaghetti twisted frame down tube would be a hint. Continue reading ‘Italo Sacro Chopper’