After the return of the solo leather saddlebag, of the leather or tin tool box, what is the accessory to add to your bike to make it look even more period correct? Of course a rear fender luggage rack.
The classic 5-rail stock version was bulky and doesn’t fit well with today’s narrower old style bikes. So, here comes these gorgeous 3-rail rack with a smaller foot print of 10″L x 6″ W featuring chrome rails held in place by chrome or brass supports and wing nuts. Good price at $99.99. Mount easily to rear fenders Made exclusively by Paughco for Mr. Lucky.
Published by Cyril Huze May 20th, 2010
in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Published by Cyril Huze May 19th, 2010
in Chassis, Customs and Editorial.
Hey, when I published an article about Sinister Industries and its PPO/PA plastic material 4″ extended saddlebags, some wondered about the material used on their own stock and after-market motorcycle bags, and others in the industry producing fiberglass bags were not to happy that I ‘advertised” PPO/PA plastic.
First let me mention again that Harley-Davidson abandoned fiberglass about 5 years ago and that all their saddlebags are now made out of PPO/PA. So, for those who want to know more and compare (I had to receive a full briefing). Advantages of PPO Plastic include: High strength, High heat distortion resistance, Outstanding hydrolytic stability, Good creep resistance, Resistance to stress cracking, Resistance to weathering, Excellent chemical resistance, No body work needed, Super light weight, Inside lining not required. Disadvantages of Fiberglass include: Heavy, Stress cracks over time, Inconsistent thickness, Air bubbles, Requires body work, Inside needs to be lined. (yes, picture is my own Harley Road King…still with fiberglass bags)
Published by Cyril Huze May 19th, 2010
in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
Impossible that you didn’t see Johnny Lange’s Strip Club Choppers Roadhouse Tour in a rally near you. You know, the complete lounge with stages, pole dancers, video monitors, live web cams, music, bar tables and a couple of choppers, like the world famous Pole Bike (The only bike with a full size stripper pole through the middle!) Well, Johnny is proud to announce the addition of Michele Smith and Jay Barbieri for the 2010 Roadhouse tour. Michelle and Jay are iconic figures in the motorcycle industry, were the host of “American Thunder” on Speed Channel and will host the new TV show “Two Wheel Thunder” premiering June 7th on Discovery’s HD Theater. To book Street Club Choppers Roadhouse and its entertainers, contact Johnny Lange at 714 465-7103 or visit Strip Club Choppers
Published by Cyril Huze May 19th, 2010
in Accessories, Customs and Editorial.
If you are riding old school you may already carry the road tools in a side solo bag. Keep the bag space for all the other necessities and just carry your tools where they belong. Lick Cycles offers these hand stitched high quality, rugged, kick ass tanned leather tool bags with piped flap edges, and quick release buckles for quick entry and exit without fighting with straps. The bags have a universal fitment and are perfect for Bobbers, Choppers and Stockers alike. Measurements are 10” wide at the bottom and 5” deep. If you already own one of Licks Cycles solo bags, these tool bags are manufactured with the exact same black or distressed leather for a perfect match. Retails for $99.95. Call 413-663-9050 or Licks Cycles.
Published by Cyril Huze May 18th, 2010
in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Published by Cyril Huze May 18th, 2010
in Controls, Customs and Editorial.
A simple and good looking design (always the best attributes) with a good conception to avoid a common problem with many mirrors, especially on very fast sport bikes: the loss of adjustment.
These billet aluminum mirrors feature a stainless steel pivot that rides in a unique nylon bushing adding the advantage of no risk of risk. Available in Show-Chrome or beautiful Black Anodized finish. Billet Mirror Package includes 2 Billet Mirrors, Billet Mounting Bases and all necessary mounting hardware. Fits 1999-06 Suzuki GSXR 600/750/1000 & 1999-09 Hayabusa 1300R, or with a different mounting base, Kawasaki ZX-12 & ZX-14. Sold online at Pro-One Performance Manufacturing
Published by Cyril Huze May 18th, 2010
in Editorial and Events.
Myrtle Beach Bike Week just ended. Unfortunately, 2 years of efforts by the city of Myrtle Beach to curb the rally have left its toll. Attendance was much lower than last year and the economy is not to blame. Based on complaints of some residents regarding traffic and congestion the city passed ordinances to impose riding with a helmet, outlawing parking lot gatherings and limiting the number of vendor permits. Continue reading ‘Myrtle Beach Rally. We Came Anyway. No More…’
Published by Cyril Huze May 17th, 2010
in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Published by Cyril Huze May 17th, 2010
in Builders, Editorial and Events.
Your brand can get media exposure from coast to coast and well beyond. I received this letter from 3-time Motorcycle Hall of Fame Inductee Cris Sommer Simmons.
“Hi, A few months ago I decided to enter the pre-1916 cross country motorcycle race/ride called the Motorcycle Cannonball. This historic 3,320 mile ride leaves Kitty Hawk, NC on Sept. 10, 2010 and arrives 16 days later in Santa Monica, CA on Sept. 26th. I am the only American woman entered in the ride. Of the 70 registered riders, there are only two other woman from Europe entered. (Both riding smaller, single speed, single cylinder motorcycles.) I will be riding my 1915 Harley-Davidson Twin cylinder 3 speed, coincidentally the very same model that Effie and Avis Hotchkiss rode on their record setting journey across the country back in 1915, becoming the first women to cross America by motorcycle. Continue reading ‘Your Motorcycle Brand Has Never Been On A Ride Like This…’
Monitor your engine vital sign with the new Digital Oil Pressure Gauge from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories. Gauge mounts with a bracket to the rear-cylinder rocker box cover, and reads oil pressure in PSI or BAR with a brilliant blue digital display that appears through mirror-coated glass when the ignition is on. The read-out is invisible when the ignition is off. The brightness of the display adjusts automatically to improve visibility in bright sunlight, and to dim the display at night to avoid distraction. The kit includes die-cast, chrome-plated mounting bracket with gauge, pressure sensor, and wiring harness. Fits 1999-later Dyna®, 2000-later Softail®, 1999-later Road King® and 1999-2003 Electra Glide® Standard models. At your preferred Harley-Davidson Dealer
Published by Cyril Huze May 16th, 2010
in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
We all know that in any struggling economy business opportunities still exist, if not abound. And the past is full of examples of new ventures whose successes have been amplified during recession times.
I remember that in October 2009 just before I reported for the 1st time in my Blog on the new California Scooter Company, I called its owner Steve Seidner (also President of Pro One Performance Manufacturing) to tell him that I strongly believed in the success of his small motorcycles inspired by the legendary American Mustang Scooter. Continue reading ‘The California Scooter Co. Booming Small Motorcycle Market’
Published by Cyril Huze May 15th, 2010
in Builders, Editorial and Engines.
Harley-Davidson uses a common crank pin, meaning that both pistons travel up and down together at the same time. So all the weight is being thrown back and forth causing vibrations and the very particular “proprietary” sound or rumble.
The Twin Cam engine has a chain driven counter balancer creating less vibrations. As far as I know, the only other 45-deg. V-Twin bike to use a common crank pin is the Honda Shadow Ace American edition in an attempt to attract buyers by copying the Harley sound…and vibrations.
Published by Cyril Huze May 15th, 2010
in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Wheels.
One more wheel design in the line up. Roland Sands is launching the Turbo forged wheel mixing both modern and hot rod style in the same donut. Lightening pockets are more than just an eye-catching detail, they are also a way to remove mass from the rim, therefore increasing performance. Offered in both chrome and PM trademarked Contrast Cut finish, matching components (discs, pulleys and sprockets) are also available in a variety of sizes to fit most any Harley-Davidson and custom applications. Roland Sands Design.
Published by Cyril Huze May 15th, 2010
in Builders, Editorial and Events.
This week Milwaukee Sergeant Mike Edwards took his mounted police department to the Harley-Davidson Museum where it was received by Willie G. and Bill Davidson to celebrate a century of collaboration on 2 wheels.
I don’t know if the Milwaukee PD has the longest collaboration with Harley-Davidson, but what I know is that the first Harley-Davidson police motorcycle was delivered to the Detroit Police Department in 1908. Police and military organizations have a very long relation with the Milwaukee brand and realized the advantages of using Harley-Davidson motorcycles, a high resale value being one big advantage for all PD’s. The company states that during the last 10 years, Harley-Davidson police sales have more than doubled. Today, just as in the late 1920s, more than 3,400 police departments ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the U.S. alone. Harley-Davidson Police motorcycles are also used in 45 countries. Harley-Davidson (picture copyright Milwaukee JO). Thanks Jay.
Published by Cyril Huze May 14th, 2010
in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.
Designed by Nash Motorcycles and fabricated by John Grant, the creator of the clever Swift Kick this old school style rigid frame is sold in the basic geometry 30-degree rake, 1″ backbone stretch, 1″ up stretch up with a cool seat height of 20″ can also be custom ordered in different configurations. Neck, axle plates, engine mounts, and side car loops are all made from cast steel (or stainless steel), also a John design and fabrication. Your frame engine mounts will be set for the engine family you intend to use. Sportster, Evolution or Shovelhead (same mounts), Knucklehead or Panhead. Two frame widths are available, for 90 to 160 mm series tires or 160-200 mm series. Nash Motorcycles.
Published by Cyril Huze May 14th, 2010
in Chassis, Customs and Editorial.
Since this year Arlen Ness is celebrating his 40th Anniversary in the biz, a short flash back to show the industry younger cats how it was in the 70’s.
No Semi to trail custom bikes and parts to shows around the country. Arlen had this van customized for him for his long, long miles on the road. A Ford 77 E 100 that went to some of the best in the business to get its full customized treatment. Continue reading ‘Flash Back. Arlen Ness 1977 “Harley Hauler”’
Published by Cyril Huze May 13th, 2010
in Customs, Editorial and Electrical.
Very few custom motorcycles keep the front Harley turn signals. Gone somewhere else on the bike… or to the “you never know it can be used later” trash bin. What do you do after you sacrificed the legal stock bike indicators? Now you embellish the place with new billet covers conceived by Jerry Covington. Will fit all Harley-davidson FLH models from 84 to present. Choice of finish in chrome, black anodize with machined fins, or black anodize with diamond edge fins. At Covingtons Customs. 580-256-2939.
Published by Cyril Huze May 13th, 2010
in Builders, Editorial and Events.
Men, what are your dreams? What you would love to do that you never done before? Harley-Davidson is convinced that riding one of their bikes is one of the secret dreams of many men. So they launch a huge campaign to incite all those as young as 18 to 55 to participate in the sport of motorcycling. And to convince them, the campaign features super model and motorcycle enthusiast Marisa Miller whose job, in modeling on a Harley, is to encourage and challenge men to live out their dreams and to start riding this summer. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Summer Of 1st Love’
Published by Cyril Huze May 13th, 2010
in Accessories, Editorial and Wheels.
At the shop or in your garage, this new small footprint wheel balancer is easier to use than a conventional balancer, and more compact to store away between tire changes. With this balancer and a couple of tire irons (plus a bead breaker for tubeless tires) anyone can get a precision balanced tire in a few minutes. Continue reading ‘New Compact Wheel Balancer’
Published by Cyril Huze May 12th, 2010
in Builders, Editorial and Events.
Fans of Orange County Choppers are not reading my Blog. Or are they doing it discreetly and remain silent? They must be somewhere or The Learning Channel will not continue to renew the America Chopper Show and Advent Entertainment (a very successful company in the theme restaurant biz) would not have acquired the exclusive international licensing rights to develop, own and operate Orange County Choppers Roadhouse, a full-service restaurant, bar, microbrewery, gaming, hospitality, retail and entertainment experience. Continue reading ‘Custom OCC Burgers And Chopped Fried Chicken Coming Near You. Really?’
Published by Cyril Huze May 12th, 2010
in Controls, Customs and Editorial.
Whatever your footwear style when you ride, it is not supposed to go in contact with your pipes. Nor your skin… So, a heel guard is the best thing to avoid the big Ouch drama. New for Harley-Davidson 2009 and later Softail Heritage Classic or Softail Cross Bones, heel guards to fit the stock floorboards with a very simple bolt on process (may fit other models). They are fabricated from high grade steel, triple chrome plated for a brilliant, durable, long lasting finish and available in chrome for the Softail Heritage and Black Powder Coat for the Softail Cross Bone. They retail for just $69.95 each (less than your shoes and your pipes), with free shipping in the lower 48 states. You can order caling 406-689-3102 or visit Heel Guard.
Published by Cyril Huze May 12th, 2010
in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
