A new website called Warbikes is launching a video mini-series offering viewers an up-close experience as a build team – fellow Builder Ralph Randolph & Crew at Knockout Motorcycles in Mesa, AZ – explores the unique history ad craftsmanship behind American military aircraft and then produce a custom motorcycle worthy of this heritage.
On Warbikes, you can follow the weekly progress, from inception to completion, and engage the team members with questions and recommendations. New Gunfighter episodes will be posted to the site every week. The 1st custom bike built by Ralph Randolph is based on the Air Force’s legendary WWII-era P-51D Mustang fighter plane. For those who don’t know Ralph is a 12-year veteran pilot with a major commercial airline. Fans are also encouraged to join the WarBikes Facebook Fan page for show updates, discussions, contests and additional information. Below the Warbikes show trailer.
Wire Plus Powersports Electronics introduces a new contrast style “Old School” seat post replacement assembly which includes billet housing, power control module and key switch. It is designed with a CNC machined ball-milled design on its teardrop shaped billet assembly and features a much more robust ignition key. The power control module has four separate power circuits, replaceable start relay and diagnostic LED’s, which can be viewed through holes in the face of the housing.
It’s a solution for all riders that want to update their bikes look and performance, but have older style units that originally came on their Big Dog, Ultra, APC and many other custom production bikes. Installation is a breeze…This new assembly plugs right into the existing Wire Plus harness (not included). More info at Wire Plus Powersports Electronics or your local dealer.
Seems like many golfers still love to use or at least collect Harley-Davidson golf carts. It is said (could not verify) that Willy G. Davidson was the man who in 1963 decided to enter the golf cart market with his company offering 2 models in 3 & 4 wheels.
They were very different from what was used on the greens at that time. The colorful golf carts by Harley Davidson took over the golf cart industry by rage. 6 years later, in 1969 the Harley-Davidson golf carts division was sold to AMF (American Machine and Foundry Company) and in 1982 AMF sold the business to Columbia Par Car. The attraction for HD carts started to fade and production stopped. Since then, several companies produce cheap quality Harley-Davidson golf cart replicas. So, if you want an original one, have an expert in golf carts – not in golf – look at it first. And what do you think about this HD pre “bar & shield” logo?
Mike Bauer has a background in drag racing (NHRA series) and engine building. Logically, when he retired he wanted to build something able to go fast and burn rubber. Hence this radical pro-street bike that many have seen last January at the Charlotte Easyriders Show (Best Of Show) and last Saturday at the Daytona Rat’s Hole Show (1st place Radical class) with many more soon to read about it in the April issue of V-Twin Magazine. Due to the unexpected death of his building partner, It took Mike Bauer 20 months to complete this machine featuring some of the most high tech components of the after-market custom motorcycle industry. After electing for a 121 ” TP Engineering motor, and a monster rear rubber, Mike had no choice but to run a right side drive with a RSD Baker 6-speed and chose a sanitary look all over: no rotors, no visible brakes on the wheels but a transmission brake, no controls on the bars, concealed cables and wiring and loud pipes from Seranno Designs. Mike Bauer Customs.
The 23rd annual Donnie Smith Bike Show is scheduled for March 27-28th at the St Paul Minnesota River Centre. This show is the largest custom-bike show in the mid-west and is drawing some of the big guns in the biker world. Fellow builder Donnie Smith, a Minnesota native, is a well-respected Hall of Fame Master Builder who has influenced motorcycle design for more than thirty years. His company, Donnie Smith Custom Cycles, specializes in one-of-a-kind custom-built bikes. Continue reading ‘Annual Donnie Smith Custom Bike Show’
New for 2010, this new beautiful and simple wheel from Performance Machine with overlapping grooves on the rim . A picture being worth thousands of words I don’t have much to say except to remind you that:
PM Forged Aluminum wheels (strong & light) are the flagship of their line, that PM offers eleven sizes to give you most choices, and that this model is available in polish or chrome and Contrast Cut and/or Contrast Cut Platinum finish. Performance Machine.
The North America division of the English based company Avon Tyres, just launched a new motorcycle website. It offers company news, technical information and more including the latest on motorcycle events and contests, featured builders, featured riders and testimonials in a clean, user-friendly design. The site has been optimized for a variety of browser platforms making it simple to access and use by both the Mac and the PC user. Continue reading ‘Avon Motorcycle Tyres North America Launches A New Website’
Two little boys, ages 8 and 10, were excessively mischievous. They were always getting into trouble and their parents knew all about it. If any mischief occurred in their town, the two boys were probably involved.
The boys’ mother heard that a preacher in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys. The preacher agreed, but he asked to see them individually. So the mother sent the 8 year old first, in the morning, with the older boy to see the preacher in the afternoon. Continue reading ‘Joke Of The Week. 2 Mischievous Little Boys…’
If you are looking for a slip-on muffler for your 2010 Street Glide or Road Glide Custom motorcycle, the BUB 7 FL 2-1 slip-on muffler offers dual mounting capabilities (can be mounted with the slash up or down), exceptional finish and quality, and excellent performance gains. This muffler features an aluminum end cap in either chrome finish or black Teflon, a BUB laser engraved collector heat shield, has a tapered body finishing at 4” OD and a 2.5” high flow louver core baffle. $320. You can order direct factory online at Bub Enterprises or call 800-934-9739, 530-477-7490.
Red Bull® describes its energy drink as a functional beverage with a unique combination of ingredients, specially developed for times of increased mental and physical exertion. Can same be said about this motorcycle designed by Barrend Massow Hemmes?
Not in animal theme custom motorcycles, but at least I appreciate the way the bull horns are used as the front end.
To conclude my reports on Daytona Bike Week, a jump into the past.
From its inception in 1937 until the early ’60s, the Daytona 200 was run on the Florida beaten.
In 1948, LIFE covered the 12th annual races and reported in its April 19 issue. Now, with unpublished and rarely seen photos from the meet, LIFE opens a window on a long, loud weekend 60 years ago.
A weekend that thrilled thousands of racing fans, scandalized others, and saw 2 people killed and 30 more injured. See the 22 photos of Joseph Scherschel at Time & Life Pictures.
The Daytona party ended yesterday on a warmer note. Not only because of the weather but also because of the lesson learned from this 69th edition. Yes, for financial reasons, many bikers could not make it to Daytona. Same for many friends of the custom motorcycle industry. Some new bikers come and go, some motorcycle businesses emerge and vanish and some are obliged to interrupt decades of continuous attendance to big rallies like Daytona. During one week, I have talked with many bikers & vendors, not only with those I met in Florida , but also with those I keep in touch with on a regular basis by phone and email. Even if they lost their bike or home because of evil loans and mortgages or put their motorcycle businesses on stand by because financing has dried, I can assure you that they all will be back at the first opportunity. And during this time the custom motorcycle industry adapts, diversify and reshapes itself, exactly like this 69th edition of Daytona Bike Week. Continue reading ‘Daytona Bike Week 2010. Reinventing Itself.’
“Hello Cyril. I have attached a letter from me to the industry that will be going on to my website in a day or two, and if appropriate you can post on your blog. As importantly, I wanted you to know where we are, as you have always been a friend. Best of luck this year with all of your interests”. Dale E. Needleman, 360 Brake
“My name is Dale Needleman, and I am the President of the 360 Brake Company. I am writing to announce that the 360 Brake Company has sold all of its existing inventory and has elected not to order new inventory until the motorcycle industry rebounds. As a result, we will not be accepting orders for new brake sales until further notice, although we will try to continue to fulfill parts orders. Continue reading ‘Breaking News. 360 Brake Closing Its Doors. Looking For Strategic Alliance.’
South of Daytona Beach, by accident I bumped into the booth of “Outside The Box”, a custom seats and seat pans shop that I didn’t know. Bill Shalk Sr. makes very cool hand tooled, hand laced, designed leather seats and motorcycle related leather products (saddlebags, tank bibs, pillion pads, back rest pads, single sided bags, and watch bands). Prices range from $300.00 for base level solo seats and of course way up for custom designs with intricate inlays, sophisticated embossing and lacing. They can make your seat pan or just recover yours. Worth checking at Out Of The Box.
The Love Ride, the legendary motorcycle charity event was cancelled in 2009 because of a challenging economy, is planning to start again in fall 2011. Oliver Shokouh, Love Ride founder and owner of Harley-Davidson of Glendale just confirmed that there would be no “Ride” this year and that it will be replaced by a Biker’s Carnival held at Glendale Harley-Davidson on Sunday, October 24, 2010. Continue reading ‘Motorcycle Charity Event Love Ride Re-Launched in 2011’
While the full Big Dog Motorcycles line up was shown to the Daytona Bike Week participants, back in Wichita, KS the company is using winter weather breaks to rigorously test their new 2010 low cost chopper announced to be released in May.
Big Dog strategy is to acquire part of the $20,000 range production custom motorcycle market by offering a motorcycle loaded with high quality components not always offered by the competition. It includes a 111″ S&S engine, a 6-speed transmission, chrome handlebar controls with a multifunction speedometer, chrome forward controls, billet aluminum wheels, a 250 mm rear tire, a full line of passenger-friendly accessories, etc and optional graphic paint jobs.
For this low cost new model Big Dog Motorcycles is claiming acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and fuel consumption of 42 mpg. Big Dog Motorcycles.
As I predicted and for my greatest pleasure, Triumphs are back. The old and the new ones. The new ones attract a lot of interest at the International Motorcycle Show located inside the Daytona Ocean Center. The old ones are “hard tailed” and turned into cool choppers & bobbers and can be seen looking super dope cruising down main street or raising hell on Ridgewood Avenue. Continue reading ‘Triumph Motorcycles Breathing A New Life’
David Uhl is present at Bike Week, his booth setup at Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona and showing “Rebel Yell”, his 6th commemorative painting of the Florida event. “I wanted to speak to the ’40s again and illustrate the spirit of the rally from the perspective of being young at heart and throwing caution to the wind . Back in the late 1940s, the average motorcycle enthusiast was a veteran returned from the war who was consistently drawn to the rallies for the flat out excitement and balls to the wall insanity of racing down a beach. Of course, everyone on the area would be affected by the sounds and the energy, especially young boys screaming their own echoes of the climate of exhiliration.” Continue reading ‘Daytona Bike Week. David Uhl Releases A New Commemorative Painting.’
Beer. did you tried them all or trying to? Wished you got track of buds adventures? The 33 Bottles of Beer Journal was made for you. Each page gives you the possibility to record the beer’s name, brewer, rating, serving type (like draft, bottle, can, etc.) and the beer taste. To help you define each taste, the Journal includes a “flavor wheel” to describe it. From “toffee” to “sulphury” to “floral”, etc. 3-pack Journal. An affordable gift for your bud-dy. $12.00. Order online at Scoutbooks.
What to say that you don’t already know. That it was much bigger for the same parking square footage, meaning about twice more participating bikes than during the former Bike Week edition . That if you were a spectator driving a car, the Publix parking lot across the show was already full at noon. That this year Willie got the good idea to have girls walking the alleys to offer you some refreshment and guys going to your spot to propose food. Continue reading ‘Willie’s Tattoos Chopper Show. Bigger. Better. Bitching Bikes.’
To steer their bikes, more and more bikers are choosing the “fists in the wind” old school style. Dozens of after-market models of ape handlebars are already available, but of course Harley-Davidson wants to get its market share. So, the fMilwaukee actuary just released 2 ape handlebar kits with included risers in 12″ & 16″ height. They are 1.25-inch diameter, pre-drilled for internal wiring, with the bar that you can be rotate and secured in the clamp at your ideal riding position. The kit includes the matching riser and custom handlebar clamp that conceals the wiring exit. Fitting many Softail®, Touring, and Dyna® models. Installation will require a change in clutch and/or throttle cable and brake lines with components sold separately, and may not fit with some accessories. Offered in chrome or satin black. MSRP. $319.95 at your authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.
On Wednesday, it seems that everybody decided to stop whining about temperatures, adjusted clothing and went walking the vendors for some serious shopping (?). Started my day at the Freeway Magazine lunch party, a traditional gathering of the main builders, personalities & medias present in Daytona. More industry representatives from here and abroad than last year! Joined the next generation of Custom Builders at the Limpnickie Lot whose size now extends on the other side of Ridgewood Avenue. Seems that each builder in this Collective has now his own line of steel & brass parts (no billet aluminum in sight…) Didn’t miss this gorgeous 1931 Excelsior Henderson surrounded by restored Pans, Knuckles & Shovels. After shooting pictures right & left I realized that most of the bike paint jobs were blue! Is there an explanation? A new trend? Have to think about it… Continue reading ‘Daytona Bike Week. Blue Skies. Cold Weather. Warm Atmosphere.’
You are looking at a complete Harley-Davidson crushed by a Honda dealer who didn’t like the Milwaukee brand.
This “sculpture” is exhibited front of the J&P Cycles store at Destination Daytona. It belongs to the company and is permanently exhibited at its National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa.
Don’t know what happened to this Honda dealer…Will I have soon to report “You are looking at a full Honda dealer crushed by…”
Always loved vintage leather jackets and know at least 2 persons collecting the rare ones symbolizing an era, motorcycling or otherwise. Because of the retro looking trend in our industry, expect to see more Jackets whose design and details are copied from the ones that former generations wore to cruise and race. Even Harley is looking in the past for its new leather gear line. By accident, I found out about a site belonging to David & Nancy Himel, a couple traveling the world from Laos to Thailand, from Japan to the US looking for vintage leather accessories, suppliers, fabrics, tanneries, zipper makers, etc. Follow the links in their Website for some cool pictures and visit their eBay Vintage Leather Auction to shop the right gear to look period correct when riding your retro looking or vintage bike.
The 23rd annual 
New for 2010, this new beautiful and simple wheel from Performance Machine with overlapping grooves on the rim . A picture being worth thousands of words I don’t have much to say except to remind you that:
Two little boys, ages 8 and 10, were excessively mischievous. They were always getting into trouble and their parents knew all about it. If any mischief occurred in their town, the two boys were probably involved.
David Uhl 
