Legends Motorcycle Group GCV, with headquarters and warehousing in Belgium, will be distributing four of Big Dog’s models in Europe: the chopper-styled K-9; the long-and-low Wolf; the stylized Pitbull; and the high-style Coyote.
For a US motorcycles manufacturer it’s not easy and it takes quite a long time to go through the European legislation maze to get all authorizations and modifications required approved to make your models street legal.
I think that it is now several years ago that Sheldon Coleman, founder and CEO of Big Dog Motorcycles, expressed for the first time the desire to enter the European market. The good news is that the exchange rate between the US dollar & the Euro is still favorable for exportation. While completing the certification process, Legends Motorcycle Group has succeeded signing 7 dealers (Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Portugal, and Luxembourg.)
In the new old school of today, difficult to build cleaner than this, except the cable hanging low below the frame (horrible and dangerous). Of course such a sanitary look is due to the absence of oil tank – the frame tubes playing reservoir instead -and the no front brake choice. Continue reading ‘Ultra Clean Old School Style Chopper’
During Sturgis Bike Week The Horse Backstreet Choppers will bring its 4th annual Bike Show to Michael Ballard’s Full Throttle Saloon on Monday, August 9th. This is a completely free show with no registration or entry fee. The Horse’s mission is to recognize all hard-core and garage-built backstreet choppers to enter this competition. Continue reading ‘Sturgis Horse Backstreet Choppers Bike Show’
You tinker with your bike, perform your own basic maintenance, don’t have much available room in your garage and no budget for a professional lift. You can make your own crate workstand with a piece of wood and 2 dairy crates, or use a pre-made one offering sturdiness, stability and versability.
This “professional” Wheel Crate Workstand is using two heavy-duty dairy crates (not the lightweight department store storage boxes) and a ramp, is easily assembled and disassembled when the job is done. When the job is done, pick it up and lean it vertically against the wall, out of the way until it’s needed again.
It will raise your bike 11″, which is great for display, detailing, cleaning and some repairs (maxi weight is 500 lbs). Includes complete set-up and use instructions. Dimensions (set-up) 116.5″x48″x20″. Zinc plated steel model is 48 lbs ($237). Aluminum model is 25 lbs ($267) Order two Wheel Crates per stand ($12 each) and one set of tie downs ($30). Ships UPS. Order online at Aerostich.
Contact me to tell me that you customized a Yamaha and that it’s called “Chicken Salad” and the probability to be featured in my Blog will be extremely low….until I see the bike and like it very much! Teased by the fact that this custom 1979 XS650 Yamaha was customized by Jeremy Cupp whose work at LC Fabrications is mostly on Harley Sportsters and modern Triumphs, I asked him how he ended up doing this project. Here is the story of “Chicken Salad”. An inspiration to all those, pros or amateurs, who have the urge to customize with a very limited budget. Continue reading ‘Small Bike. Small Budget. Big Result.’
You could not find from any brand a white wall motorcycle tire sold in all popular sizes. Neither could you choose the wall size. And of course your thought of getting a custom color tire to make your bike stand out was only a wish.
For the 1st time you are now able to have any black wall tire from 15″ to 21″ customized with a wall (1/4″ to 2.5″ wide) in white, blue, red or gold. I will not be surprised that custom colors may be available very soon… No, it’s not a sticker or anything like that but a true cold vulcanization process turning your bland tire into something really custom and of high quality. I am also told that a special formulated 3 layer process is preventing a tire white wall to turn yellow. And the price? (of course excluding the tire): Two side single stripes $290. Two side dual stripes – $430. Contact on my behalf Andrei at 818-887-9065 or visit HD Wheels.
Motorcycle personalities Cris Sommer Simmons and Scott Jacobs will hold a joint book signing at Borders Books in Rapid City, South Dakota between 10:00 am and noon on Tuesday August 10rh during the 70th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Cris Sommer Simmons is no novice to the written word. As co-founder of Harley Women, the first women’s motorcycle magazine, and freelance motorcycle writer/photographer, Cris collected scores of images and stories about women riders. In 2009 she authored the best seller The American Motorcycle Girls, 1900-1950, currently the #1 motorcycle pictorial book sold on Amazon. She is also a three-time Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee and is one of two women who will participate next September in the grueling 3320-mile coast-to-coast Cannonball Vintage Run. Continue reading ‘Joint Book Signing By Cris Sommer Simmons And Scott Jacobs During Sturgis Rally’
First, let me be clear. Admiration and respect to all riders/challengers/warriors who participated to the Hoka Hey Challenge, reaching or not the finish line in Homer, Alaska. They have exceptional memories to share for the rest of their lifetime. Prayers for the family who lost one of theirs (at least 2 fatalities have been announced) and for all those injured on the road (6 are reported to be still in hospitals). As of today, some riders are still on the road. Most already in Homer seem mostly satisfied with the Challenge, or I should say, are jazzed up with their own accomplishment.
British manufacturer Vincent Motorcycles (1928-1955) produced some of the world’s fastest production motorcycles. The 1952 Vincent Black Lightning featured here was the racing version of the Black Shadow with every part on it that could be remade refabricated in aluminum for lighter weight (380 lbs or 170kg) powered with a 998 cc air cooled twin cylinder pushrod engine (70 bhp or 52 KW) resultting in a top speed of 150 mph (240 km/h) Only 31 Black Lightnings were ever built before production ended due to Vincent’s financial problems in 1952. It is one of the most desirable classic motorcycles, and today can bring up to $150,000. Continue reading ‘Jeff Decker’s New Sweetheart. A Very Sexy Vincent Black Lightning’
Metalsport Inc. is proud to announce that they have acquired the rights to distribute the Vee Rubber line of Monster motorcycle tires. Vee Rubber long known for their unique sizes such as the 300mm, 360mm wide rears to the 26” and the NEW 30” tall fronts.
Vee Rubber tired bikes have been on many of the award winning bikes in the last few years. Call Metalsport Inc. for you next build is with unusual size tires. Call 562-776-9594. Metalsport Inc.
Talk about a wild ride. Yes, the owner rides it long distance, and recently made the 750 miles round trip from his garage in South of France to the Mecrin Bik Show, surviving all the turns…and being invisible to the cops. Continue reading ‘Long Live The Long Legged Sportster’
You are an EPA exhaust regulations abiding citizen or disagree with the philosophy that “Loud pipes Save Lives”. Either way, as one of my readers commented in my Blog a few days ago, EPA pressure for even stricter motorcycle noise regulations is going to push exhaust manufacturers to be creative.
Know what you are doing if you play with fireworks.
Beware on the roads. This holiday is behind only New Year’s Day with highway fatalities
And remember what 4th of July is all about: the Declaration of Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
As a matter of fact July 2, 1776 is the true date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress with most delegates actually signing the Declaration on August 2, 1776. The date of 4th of July is the most enduring myth about Independence Day…
You saw them a few days ago as prototypes in raw finish just off the CNC machine. Now you see them installed for the 1st time in black contrast against aluminum finish.
And if you didn’t know these Rikki Battistini fork boots are just one more part in his line of “hole” parts. It already includes:
On June 22nd, 2010, I published an article about a company called Motus Motorcycles preparing the launch of an All American Sport Tourer. And for this, they had a new direct injected motorcycle engine called KMV4 prepared for them by Katech. The team (Brian Case and Lee Conn) are all excited to show it to you for the 1st time.
Harley-Davidson Inc. (HOG) shares lost about a quarter of their value in June, victim again of waning consumer confidence. The Milwaukee motorcycle company’s stock has slid 25% to $21.49 over the past month, hurt by poor demand for high-end leisure items and a shaky economic climate, making it one of the worst performers on the Standard & Poor’s 500 index during that period.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may impose huge fines on four of China’s biggest ATV’s makers and withdrew its approval of the import and sale of 200,000 gas-powered off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. This is the first time EPA has voided certificates of conformity for off-road or all-terrain vehicles. The agency alleges that tailpipe emissions information was either incomplete or falsified entirely. It is just the latest action that casts doubt on the quality or safety of Chinese products or the integrity of the firms that produce them. Back in May, EPA fined Pep Boys $5 million for importing non-compliant motorcycles, recreational vehicles and generators manufactured in China. Continue reading ‘Fast Motorcycle Industry News’
Is it because of nostalgia (if you were born before WWII), war tales told by your parents or simply because you consider it the best Classic Harley-Davidson? The WL and the WLA (A stands for Army) produced to US Army specifications from 1940 until the end of the war, continue to fascinate many of us. 90,000 were produced with many sold to US allies, including Canada (named WLC) and the Soviet Union which was sold over 30,000 WLAs. They were not used to fight but were on the front line of action, far ahead of the mechanized units, where US and allied soldiers were learning about enemy positions, spotting mines, traps and ambushes, and speeding back (45 cubic inches or 740 cc) to their lines or headquarters with valuable information. Most WLAs (nicknamed “The Liberator”) in western hands after the war would be sold as surplus and “civilianized”, with Europe still being the largest source of WLs and parts. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson 883 XWL Warboy’
Always the 3rd weekend of July, the 19th edition of the LA Calendar Show is coming on July 18th at the Queen Mary Park of Long Beach, CA.
Fashion and motorsports photographer, event producer Jim Gianatsis has a passion for high performance, an ear for talent, and an eye for beauty. Every year he manages to combine them all together in one exciting mixture of day-long excitement during his Calendar Motorcycle Show & Calendar Girl Music Festival. Continue reading ‘2010 LA Calendar Show. Custom Motorcycles And Kittens To Rock The Scene.’
All kind of inlays, stitching patterns, exotic materials for all seat models are available at Le Pera. From bare solo to the most comfortable touring seats. Let your imagination run wild and order a seat that you will not see again on your buddies’ bikes. Even if you choose a high tech seat, all designs are created the old school way , with no computers, and only all by hand in the USA. Each seat is built on a powder-coated steel base plate with a specially poured density molded foam foundation and upholstered and trimmed for the cleanest possible finish. Le Pera Seats.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has learned that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating the regulation that governs all motorcycle noise emissions. The EPA has sent a letter to various private companies located in the USA, that import or build motorcycle exhausts intended for use in the USA, asking the companies to disclose sensitive financial and business plan information, as well as trade secrets.
The EPA claims that it must update the regulation because of “technical changes that have occurred since the last update of the rule”. Current law has decibels capped at 83 for motorcycles built since 1983. It is not clear from the letter which direction they will pursue, but in the past, any time the EPA “updated” anything it meant that the regulations got stricter. Reading between the lines shows that the EPA will likely lower the decibel limit for motorcycles, not increase it. Continue reading ‘EPA Updating Motorcycle Exhaust Noise Emission Standards’
Most sold solo seat pans are made of steel. Lowbrow Customs now propose a cast aluminum version offering both lightness and durability. It is made in small batches of 10, and shows a great shape with a nice kick up in the rear to keep you from sliding off of your seat.
With measurements of 11.5″ L x 10″ W, it should be a good fit for most Bobbers and Choppers. Bottom of the seat pan features wide cast bosses that you can drill and tap to install your seat pivot and springs and letting you adjust your spring mounting side to side to fit perfectly your frame rails distance. MSRP: $109.00 Lowbrow Customs Cast Solo Seat Pan.
While litigation is still going on between Paul Teutul Sr and his son, and although they no more talk to each other, both will be back together in a new TV show called “Paul Senior Versus Paul Junior” on August 12th on TLC.
So, how is it possible? Separate film crews not exchanging any information between them are shooting Paul Senior at OCC and Paulie at his new design & bike shop. So, father and son are each building a bike and the producer is going to mix 2 shows into one. As everybody already understood, “America Chopper” was never a series about custom motorcycles but a reality show about a family building bikes with trash can throwing and door slamming as supreme forms of entertainment. Since father and son now work a few miles away from each other, what will be now the spicy part of the new TV show? Continue reading ‘American Chopper. New TV Show “Paul Teutul Senior vs. Junior” Debuts August 12th’
The Honda CB350 was a 325cc motorcycle produced between 1968 and 1973. Its reliable motor proved to be a popular design, making it at the time the highest selling motorcycle in American history with 300,000 units sold. It’s still a popular small bike for riding and a good canvas for some custom work. It’s what 20 years old Evan Favaro did on his 1972 model, working hard at giving it the Bobber flair, but for a modest total budget of $2300. Continue reading ‘A Youngster Small Budget Customized Honda CB 350’
I don’t know if the owner/farmer is a biker or not, or if these pigs are born with tattoos.
Let’s do it again. Show your creativity by writing in “comments” you best headline for this picture.
The best one will entitle you to receive one of my tee-shirts for free, including shipping in continental US (check that your email is correct so that we can contact you.) Let’s go…
You all enjoyed looking at the pictures and reading the story of the Krestel, a custom Triumph built by Ian Barry at Falcon Motorcycles. Now, you can see it in action in the desert in this 48-second commercial style video. Directed and shot by Falcon Motorcycles co-founder Amaryllis Knight, with score written and performed by Falcon founder Ian Barry.
Legends Motorcycle Group GCV, with headquarters and warehousing in Belgium, will be distributing four of Big Dog’s models in Europe: the chopper-styled K-9; the long-and-low Wolf; the stylized Pitbull; and the high-style Coyote.
In recognition of Malcolm Smith’s contributions to the success of Husqvarna, the AMA and Husqvarna Motorcycles North America will honor Smith as Grand Marshal at the 19th annual 
