Last Saturday at the V-Twin Expo, photographer Michael Lichter announced the theme of his next art exhibition in Sturgis at the Buffalo Chip. The exhibit will focus on the explosion of interest and the passion for custom motorcycles seen over the last 30-years.
Named “Eternal Combustion – 30 in the Wind”, it poses the question, “How is this passion passed on through time?” by displaying 30 recently built custom motorcycles by 15 pairs of builders tied together by family, respect, friendship or apprenticeship.
Ilmor announced that they have successfully run the first prototype Ilmor Viper Motorcycle Company engine on the dyno ahead of schedule and are already seeing promising results.
Ilmor have been working on the design and development of the updated Viper Motorcycle 152 cubic inch V-Twin engine since October 2009, as part of the manufacturing agreement between Viper Motorcycle Company, a subsidiary of Viper Powersports, Inc., and Ilmor Engineering announced on January 8, 2010.
Two girls, apparently good friends at the start of the video, engage in a serious fight immediately after barely hearing the exhaust noise of the Indian Bajaj latest model, the DTS-i. Which one is going the enjoy the ride behind? (never happened to me!)
As you noticed by the number of posts I already published, open belt drive systems find their place in more and more bike models, in many widths and designs.
As I told you before I don’t run motorcycle classified, but when some rare ones are available, I make exceptions. You are looking at a very rare 1964 BSA DBD34 Gold Star Competition kept in the same family since its original purchase. Rarer than a BSA Gold Star Catalina. It has been used for trail riding, scramble racing, 1/4 mile flat track racing and even won the 500 cc class at the 1964 at the “Great American Championship Of Motorcycle Hill Climbing in Billings, Montana. In 1985 this bike undergone a complete restoration, not a concourse restoration, with the engine completely rebuilt top to bottom by a British bike mechanic. Since 1985, it was only test ridden down to the end of the block & back a couple of times, with no problems. Auctioned right now on eBay. BSA Gold Star Competition.
Symbol of rebellion, passion, heroism, and good ol’ American rock ‘n’ roll Hollywood loves to associate its heroes and heartthrobs with motorcycles. The Wild One, starring Marlon Brando, cemented the public’s fascination with the biker rebel image and put the motorcycle on the map when it came to Hollywood films. Beginning this friday February 12 until March 14 the Harley-Davidson Museum is rolling out the red carpet for some very special guest appearances as it showcases “Harleys & Hollywood,” an exclusive, limited-time exhibit. On stage, some of the famous Hollywood motorcycles that have defined pop culture over the years. Bikes on display include those seen in the films G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Star Trek, and Wild Hogs, as well as some owned by stars Clark Gable, Steve McQueen, Ludacris, and Jesse James. More info at Harley-Davidson Museum.
Sign of the times, customization gets a little bit cheaper. Renegade Wheels offers a new line-up of motorcycle wheels starting at a very appealing price of $899.00. And as you can see by looking at the Racine model, affordable doesn’t mean looking cheap.
The Racine looks very good to me with its 9 fluted spokes, cross cut rim and mirror like chrome finish.The slender spoke pattern provides a significant weight reduction and less rotating mass. Rims are available in sizes for any taste and style including diameters 16” to 26” and widths from 2.15” up to a massive 14”. While the standard finish is chrome you can special order yours (more money, of course) in Ebony Chrome, Black Powder-Coat or Renegade’s New Phantom Cut and a wide variety of custom colors. Call 714-998-7241 or visit Renegade Wheels.
Each year during the V-Twin Expo, Easyriders Magazine announces its V-Twin Awards. Below the list of the 2010 winners.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Bruce Rossmeyer. Industry Leader Of The Year: Holger Mohr, Custom Chrome Inc. Bike Of The Year: Victory Crossroads. Metric Bike Of The Year: Honda Fury. Cruiser Of The Year: Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide. Custom Bike Of The Year: Harley-Davidson Street Glide CVO. Performance Product Of The Year: Bassani 2 into 1 Exhaust. Teresi Award Of The Year: RC Components RCX-Haust. Motorcycle. Frame Of The Year: Rolling Thunder Frames. Motorcycle Design Of The Year: Lehman Trikes Victory Kingpin. Valve Product Of The Year: Vance & Hines VO2 Air Filter. Wheel Of The Year: Roland Sands Mission Wheel. Accessory Of The Year: Hog Tunes Tweeter Bar. New Product Of The Year. Baker Drivetrain 4-Speed Vintage Transmissions. Tech Product Of The Year: S&S Cycle Easy Start Cams.
The “dysfunctional” Teutul family had a fabulous TV series run. And now it’s over. The Learning Channel just announced that it has canceled the show with the season finale started last Thursday and the last episode airing February 11 at 9pm (8pm central).
You are looking at the latest very exclusive motorcycle released by small manufacturer Vyrus from Rimini, Italy. Named the 987 C3 4V this very light weight bike (only 339 pounds) is able to produce 211 hp from its Ducati-sourced 1198cc V-twin engine, boosted by the presence of a supercharger and proudly carries the title of the Most Powerful Production Motorcycle in the World. Continue reading ‘World’s Most Powerful Production Motorcycle’
Just released by Belt Drives LTD. this new black 2″ open belt drive kit is specifically designed for owners of 1970 to 1978 Shovelheads. It’s sold complete with a new guard, complete clutch assembly with a bearing lock-up pressure plate, proprietary Kevlar clutch, rear clutch cover and mini-starter housing, Suggested retail price for the complete kit runs around $1630.00. For additional information contact Belt Drives LTD at 714-685-3333 or visit Belt Drive Ltd.
This is Glenndyne Design’s newest release featured at the V-Twin Expo this weekend (booth 2424). It’s called the “SET UP” and is a direct bolt-on rear wheel for Harley-Davidson touring models to match their line of internal brake front wheels. The company built a solid rear wheel, hub , pulley and rotor then drilled it for hardware so everything matches the front internal brake wheel. Pictured here with a tungsten silver ceramic lip and black faces. Any finish/color combo is available. Beautiful and exclusive, but only if money is no issue. A complete set 18″ rear and 21″ internal brake front wheel will set you back $5800.00. Glenndyne Design
Although snow and ice created difficulties for some Dealers to access Cincinnati, this 1st day of attendance at the V-Twin Expo was pretty good. I will report in the next days about what I have seen, and for now will just make the remark that I was surprised by the number of new wheels (designs & sizes) introduced this year. And of course, I met most of my professional friends of the industry. Below a few pictures about the V-Twin Expo atmosphere. From left to right, top to bottom. 1- Icy Cincinnati 2- Performance Machine Rig. 3- 10 am. Doors open. Let’s get busy 4- Arlen Ness 5- Ron Finch, Rogue. 6- Ness Tattoo Wheel 7- 30″ Bagger Front Wheell 8-Jil & John Parham (J&P Cycles), Kody Wisner 9- Mike Tomas & wife (Kiwi Indian) 10- Arnie (Tricky Air & Billet) with Sukoshi Fahey (Avon) 11-Internal Brake Wheel 12- Vee Rubber 30″ Prototype Tire 13- Cool Racing Rear Fender.
I always say that a client should select his Custom Builder like he would select any top expert, like deciding on a Surgeon. After thoroughly checking his references and spending a lot of time talking to him. After that, trust him at 100%. Let him do his work and never challenge him. He is the expert. Not you. It’s exactly what Daryl did when he selected Mike Tomas as his Custom Builder. After several years checking on many builders’ work, when he saw the custom Indian bike built by Mike for the S&S 50th Anniversary Celebration, Daryl knew right away that “Kiwi Indian” had to build his dream bike. Continue reading ‘New Retro 30’s Kiwi Indian Custom Motorcycle’
28 independently owned Harley Dealers closed in 2009 with another 15 Dealers expected to close in the next three months of this year. Some dealers have opted to merge their operations with another dealer in the same county – Lynn Ashcroft, with Joe Miller, is the owner of Ashcroft Motorcycles in Salem, Oregon, but also a Circuit judge. Or was until yesterday when he resigned from the Marion County Bench following allegations of misconduct. Lynn Ashcroft was the subject of an investigation by the Department Of Justice regarding claims of official misconduct related to Ashcroft’s handling of a defendant case. This defendant would have been denied a court-appointed counsel. Ashcroft declined to discuss details of the case. Lynn Ashcroft will now work full time at his shop. Continue reading ‘Fast Motorcycle Industry News’
Ok, it’s not about women or motorcycles, but curves are curves, and curves are always sensuous. Got this book in my hands and I absolutely loved it. And these car designs – gas tanks, fenders and louvers – could be a great inspiration for your next bike project.
Photography is superb and writers for each featured classical car really know what they are talking about. Ranked as one the most beautiful books of automobile photography, I just hope that the author next book will be dedicated to our finest curvy sleds. Hardcover, 192 pages, 12.2 x 9.9 x 0.8″. Curves Of Steel.
Still a place to see (the new custom parts) and be seen (all the Big Cats of the industry), the 10th V-Twin Expo will open its doors in Cincinnati from tomorrow February 6th until the 8th.
As usual I will be there to report on how our motorcycle industry is doing in this fast changing economy. Being more interested by quality than quantity, I will try to orient you on those who are present with true innovative products and solutions, and of course these companies will be the ones on which I will blog in priority. Continue reading ‘Going to the 10th Anniversary Cincinnati V-Twin Expo’
Watch a Walt Disney test footage of 3D visual effects for a sequel of the classic movie ” Tron”. Take a sneak peek at the “Light Cycles” sequence with a pair of bikes dueling, leaving those signature light trails in their wake. Tron 2 is heading to a theater near you.
As I announced on November 9, 2009, Streambank LLC, an intellectual property advisory firm, has been retained by Textron Financial Corporation to find a buyer for the intangible assets of American IronHorse. American IronHorse filed a petition for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings on April 30, 2009. It had assets of $1 million and liabilities of $10 million.
Intangible assets include the following: The American IronHorse name, Trademarks, Patents and Certifications, Engineering documents, URL’s, Customer data, Motorcycle designs, Proprietary parts. A total Over 14,000 AIH motorcycles have been manufactured during the life of the company under different ownerships. Interested parties must contact Magaret Birlem at Streambank 207-669-2249 mbirlem@streanmankllc.com
His name is Jerry Kieffer. He is not a professional machinist, but a retired field representative for a Wisconsin power company who turned his home shop into the finest and smallest examples of model engineering to be found anywhere in the world. He has been building a number of incredible projects, including two miniature Harley Davidson motorcycles, a 1/8 scale John Deere tractor, several other steam and gas engines, clocks, etc. He owns a 1947 Knucklehead Harley Davidson that he completely restored. So he measured each and every part of the his bike to make the scaled down parts for his model. Yes, the full motorcycle is in process with the motor running and all the systems working. Continue reading ‘1/8 Scale Harley Knucklehead Engine. Complete Running Model Coming soon…’
Of course you don’t need to ride a carbon fiber custom built motorcycle to wear one like that. The advantage? Made of super light-weight ABS construction with a durable, high gloss finish (UV protected) to show off your carbon fiber helmet. Other features: plush and absorbent interior liner, includes a removable visor (face-shield compatible), stainless steel dual D-rings, a DOT approved helmet sticker displayed on the back of the helmet under the clear coat so you should be protected from tickets (words of the manufacturer), and comes with a free helmet bag. For sale online at Moto Direct.
A husband left this note on the fridge. “My Dear Wife. You will surely understand that I have certain needs that you, being 54 years old, can no longer satisfy. I am very happy with you and I value you as a good wife. Therefore, after reading this letter, I hope that you will not wrongly interpret the fact that I will be spending the evening with my 18 year old secretary at the Comfort Inn Hotel. Please don’t be upset—-I shall be home before midnight”.
What is the remedy to some pop-up gas caps leaking gas by the vent? Simply, a non vented gas cap to use with a vented gas tank.
Fat Katz, a leader in custom gas tanks and fenders, like many builders and owners of their custom built bikes, decided that it was time to end the problem of fuel and fumes escaping through the gas cap vent and ruining many paint jobs. So, the safe approach would be to order you custom gas tank from Fat Katz as vented and to ask them to weld their own proprietary non-ventedpop-up gas cap. The cap top is stainless steel so it can be polished or painted. It is available with a steel or aluminum bung. Retail price is $200.00. Fat Katz. or call 877-432-8528
A very interesting article written by Carol J. Loomis, senior editor-at-large at Fortune Magazine and reproduced today via CNN Money. The author of this article is both a friend of Warren Buffett and a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder.
“Today is an anniversary for motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson that it would just as soon not remember. On February 3rd a year ago, with the stock market hurtling toward its March lows, Harley (HOG, Fortune 500) announced it had sold $600 million in five-year notes at a nosebleed interest rate of 15%. Yes, 15%, because the company needed the money to fund its finance company and had to pay what the market demanded. The market, in this case, included Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire-Hathaway (BRK.B) had been husbanding cash for years, and who was pleased to give $300 million of that money to Harley at 15%. The other $300 million was put up by Davis Advisors, a mutual fund company whose Chris Davis saw Harley notes as a fine investment for his funds (which, by the way, also own Harley stock). Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Amazing Downhill Ride’
I wrote many posts about the “Limpnickie Lot“, an informal group of young (and some a little bit older…) custom motorcycle builders and part vendors traveling together, enjoying to show their bikes and have fun together in a series of events all year long. Continue reading ‘The Limpnickie Garage At The V-Twin Expo’
Last Saturday at the V-Twin Expo, photographer Michael Lichter announced the theme of his next art exhibition in Sturgis at the Buffalo Chip. The exhibit will focus on the explosion of interest and the passion for custom motorcycles seen over the last 30-years.
Ilmor![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=a56db513-9b40-4fa1-831d-f993d0e72331)
As you noticed by the number of posts I already published, open belt drive systems find their place in more and more bike models, in many widths and designs.
As I told you before I don’t run motorcycle classified, but when some rare ones are available, I make exceptions. You are looking at a very rare 1964 BSA DBD34 Gold Star Competition kept in the same family since its original purchase. Rarer than a BSA Gold Star Catalina. It has been used for trail riding, scramble racing, 1/4 mile flat track racing and even won the 500 cc class at the 1964 at the “Great American Championship Of Motorcycle Hill Climbing in Billings, Montana. In 1985 this bike undergone a complete restoration, not a concourse restoration, with the engine completely rebuilt top to bottom by a British bike mechanic. Since 1985, it was only test ridden down to the end of the block & back a couple of times, with no problems. Auctioned right now on eBay
Symbol of rebellion, passion, heroism, and good ol’ American rock ‘n’ roll Hollywood loves to associate its heroes and heartthrobs with motorcycles. The Wild One, starring Marlon Brando, cemented the public’s fascination with the biker rebel image and put the motorcycle on the map when it came to Hollywood films. Beginning this friday February 12 until March 14 the 
Sign of the times, customization gets a little bit cheaper. 
Each year during the V-Twin Expo, Easyriders Magazine announces its V-Twin Awards. Below the list of the 2010 winners.
The “dysfunctional” Teutul family had a fabulous TV series run. And now it’s over. The Learning Channel just announced that it has canceled the show with the season finale started last Thursday and the last episode airing February 11 at 9pm (8pm central).
You are looking at the latest very exclusive motorcycle released by small manufacturer 
Just released by 
This is Glenndyne Design’s newest release featured at the V-Twin Expo this weekend (booth 2424). It’s called the “SET UP” and is a direct bolt-on rear wheel for Harley-Davidson touring models to match their line of internal brake front wheels. The company built a solid rear wheel, hub , pulley and rotor then drilled it for hardware so everything matches the front internal brake wheel. Pictured here with a tungsten silver ceramic lip and black faces. Any finish/color combo is available. Beautiful and exclusive, but only if money is no issue. A complete set 18″ rear and 21″ internal brake front wheel will set you back $5800.00. 
Although snow and ice created difficulties for some Dealers to access Cincinnati, this 1st day of attendance at the V-Twin Expo was pretty good. I will report in the next days about what I have seen, and for now will just make the remark that I was surprised by the number of new wheels (designs & sizes) introduced this year. And of course, I met most of my professional friends of the industry. Below a few pictures about the V-Twin Expo atmosphere. From left to right, top to bottom. 1- Icy Cincinnati 2- Performance Machine Rig. 3- 10 am. Doors open. Let’s get busy 4- Arlen Ness 5- Ron Finch, Rogue. 6- Ness Tattoo Wheel 7- 30″ Bagger Front Wheell 8-Jil & John Parham (J&P Cycles), Kody Wisner 9- Mike Tomas & wife (Kiwi Indian) 10- Arnie (Tricky Air & Billet) with Sukoshi Fahey (Avon) 11-Internal Brake Wheel 12- Vee Rubber 30″ Prototype Tire 13- Cool Racing Rear Fender.
I always say that a client should select his Custom Builder like he would select any top expert, like deciding on a Surgeon. After thoroughly checking his references and spending a lot of time talking to him. After that, trust him at 100%. Let him do his work and never challenge him. He is the expert. Not you. It’s exactly what Daryl did when he selected Mike Tomas as his Custom Builder. After several years checking on many builders’ work, when he saw the custom Indian bike built by Mike for the S&S 50th Anniversary Celebration, Daryl knew right away that “![fastnewscyrilhuzeblog311[1]](http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/fastnewscyrilhuzeblog3111.jpg "fastnewscyrilhuzeblog311[1]")
28 independently owned Harley Dealers closed in 2009 with another 15 Dealers expected to close in the next three months of this year. Some dealers have opted to merge their operations with another dealer in the same county – Lynn Ashcroft, with Joe Miller, is the owner of 
Still a place to see (the new custom parts) and be seen (all the Big Cats of the industry), the 
As I announced on 
Of course you don’t need to ride a carbon fiber custom built motorcycle to wear one like that. The advantage? Made of super light-weight ABS construction with a durable, high gloss finish (UV protected) to show off your carbon fiber helmet. Other features: plush and absorbent interior liner, includes a removable visor (face-shield compatible), stainless steel dual D-rings, a DOT approved helmet sticker displayed on the back of the helmet under the clear coat so you should be protected from tickets (words of the manufacturer), and comes with a free helmet bag. For sale online at ![joke112[1]](http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/joke11212.jpg "joke112[1]")
A husband left this note on the fridge. “My Dear Wife. You will surely understand that I have certain needs that you, being 54 years old, can no longer satisfy. I am very happy with you and I value you as a good wife. Therefore, after reading this letter, I hope that you will not wrongly interpret the fact that I will be spending the evening with my 18 year old secretary at the Comfort Inn Hotel. Please don’t be upset—-I shall be home before midnight”.
What is the remedy to some pop-up gas caps leaking gas by the vent? Simply, a non vented gas cap to use with a vented gas tank.
A very interesting article written by Carol J. Loomis, senior editor-at-large at Fortune Magazine and reproduced today via 
Discreetly and in just a few years, 
I wrote many posts about the “