Well, we all talk about China. But what do we know about their motorcycle industry? A Chinese Market Report was just released and you will, like me, learn a few interesting things. Below are some highlights (FYI, CNY or internationally RMB are the symbols for the Chinese Yuan also called Renminbi, literally the currency of the “People’s Republic Of China”). As of today, 1 US dollar = 6.8268 CNY.
Overall Chinese Motorcycle Industry: consists of the manufacturing of whole motorcycles, motorcycle parts and accessories. 1- From January to May, 2009, the sales revenue of Chinese motorcycle industry totaled RMB 78.785 billion, dropping by 1.01% YOY (year over year, same period) Continue reading ‘A Market Report About The Chinese Motorcycle Industry’
During this coming Daytona Bike Week, the Daytona Beach Community Foundation will hold a drawing for a chance to win the official Daytona Bike Week motorcycle. This year, Klock Werks was in charge to build a custom bagger. The bike specs include a new 2009 Daytec Dagger bagger frame, a polished S&S 124-cubic inch engine, a polished Baker six-speed transmission, a Rivera Primo chain primary system and clutch, RC Components Czar Eclipse front and rear wheels, a Klock Werks Kaffeine fairing, an Arlen Ness Big Bags, HHI brake calipers, Avon Cobra front and rear tires, Jaybrake controls, etc. Klock Werks parts including Double Back Headers, Super Saver Mufflers, Benchmark Rear Fender, Spade Taillight, Illuminated License Plate Frame, Curvaceous Lids, Relief Saddlebag Latch Covers, and Flush Mount Axle. To enter the drawing there are 4500 tickets being sold for $50 each. The drawing will occur on March 6, 2010, no matter how many tickets are sold. The bike fabrication will be featured the February issue and on the cover in the March issue of American Iron Magazine. Daytona Chamber Of Commerce.
Harley-Davidson announced that it will donate 28 new Buell and Harley-Davidson motorcycles to assist with earthquake disaster relief and stabilization efforts in Haiti. The motorcycles will remain in Haiti as a permanent donation to the government. The motorcycles are being shipped from the Motor Company facilities to the Dominican Republic, where Harley-Davidson dealership organization MagnaMotors will facilitate direct delivery to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. Harley-Davidson.
Beringer, since 1984 the French based company specialist of high performance and innovative braking systems (motorcycles, cars & aircrafts) has now a US distributor and will be present at the V-Twin Expo from February 6th to 8th (booth 2435) and at the Indianapolis Dealer Expo February 12th to 14th (booth 5229) to introduce its brand new line of brakes (2, 4 and 6-piston), radial master cylinders, floating discs, cable and hydraulic clutch for Harley-davidson & Buell models. Beringer is a multi-time Supermotard, AMA, Endurance World Champion. Expect to see a lot of red, gold and black anodizing to add a lot of style to your brakes. Beringer Brake Systems (website in French & English)
Having experienced as a teenager how awkward it is to do fast turns with a Vespa (due to the engine position and weird center of gravity), it doesn’t make much sense to me to stretch a Vespa. Except if you maintain, transport and want to exhibit 3 of your girl friends who like each other. Or, like in this case you are a Vespa importer trying to get some attention and free publicity in your country and among my Blog readers. Vespa South Africa.
All European builders and bikers know what Euro 3 means. For the others, especially for those US manufacturers who want to export their models, Euro 3 is a European Emission Standard progressively introduced since 2000 and defining the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives. To help its Dealers, Custom Chrome Europe offers in exclusivity the BSL Rainbow Hot Shot Pipes for Harley Sportsters 04 and up in 3 different finishes. They come with bung for the OEM O2-sensor. (Open loop systems should use part #685615 to close the 02 sensor bung). Made in Austria. Custom Chrome Europe.
If If you didn’t know yet, I love all old Triumphs of the 60’s and quite a few of their new models like the Scrambler inspired by the off-road sport motorcycles that were stripped down for racing. A perfect cute and fun light motorcycle for urban or countryside escapes. Like me, an Italian custom builder named Pietro Figini from a shop called TPR Italian Factory in Milan has fell in love with the new Triumph Scrambler and decided that he could give it more soul by exaggerating its retro look without touching the Triumph legendary air cooled 865 cc twin engine. You see the result here and I think it’s one of the best custom work done on this model. There are a bunch of very cool details, the most evident at first glance being the polished aluminum body, the dual exhaust, the drilled rotors and covers, the contrast seat piping, etc… Perfect to beat traffic on the very narrow streets of European big city streets or play the great escape like Steve McQueen. TPR Italian Factory.
Rivera Primo Inc. will be at the Cincinnati V-twin Expo (Feb 6-8, booth 489) with this open belt system called Brute IV designed to hold big power on touring bikes. The special 8mm Kevlar corded belt included with this kit was specifically designed to hold in excess of 150 HP. At just 2″ wide, so with less weight to carry than with some larger kits, this system will not “un-balance” your ride. Continue reading ‘Rivera Primo Open Belt Brute IV For Touring Motorcycles’
To make me regret not traveling this year to the 16th edition of the Italian Padova Biker Expo, fellow publisher Moreno Persello from Bikers Life Magazine sent me these pictures of local pinup girls shot during his magazine organized Hot Rod Show. Sorry guys. It’s Italy. No blondes…
Last Thursday January 28th was the first day for the liquidation of all Buell assets and equipments at their East Troy, Wisconsin factory. A couple of friends of mine were there waiting in line with other 350 people for an opportunity to visit the ex-Buell plant and in their case maybe get a few cheap tools and a piece of memorabilia. This liquidation organized by Liquid Asset Partners is scheduled to last until February 28th or until the last bolt is sold, whichever comes first. Not surprisingly, like for all auctions lasting several days, they tell me that on this 1st day nothing was really cheap. Continue reading ‘Buell Factory Liquidation. Everything Must Go Now.’
Triumphs have a lot of soul…Although this old black & white movie would be better without a quite “cheesy” intro, watch how machining and assembly was done at the old Triumph factory (part 1 of 3).
The trade show season starts in a few days with the Cincinnati V-Twin Expo followed by the Indianapolis Dealer Expo. And trade shows bring a lot of show bikes on the show floor. There are no better way for part manufacturers and distributors to show their new products. And Steve Storz from Storz Performance is very proud to be on his way to Cincinnati with this just completed very clean custom Harley XR 1200, featuring most of his new 2010 parts. Continue reading ‘New Storz Performance Custom Harley-Davidson XR 1200’
Strong rumors continue to reach my desk about Roger Penske still very interested in buying some (or all?) Rossmeyer’s Harley Dealerships. As a matter of fact, Mr. Penske made an apparition in a couple of dealerships very close to me in South Florida. Sources wishing to remain anonymous tell me that an agreement would have already been signed for the acquisition of 3 stores. And these 3 ones are those that Bruce described to me before his death as non performing. The Rossmeyer family remains silent. I continue to investigate… Continue reading ‘Fast Motorcycle Industry News’
Last weekend artist David Uhl just completed a new painting called “Stella”. Below he describes the reasons why he created this new masterpiece.
“It has been 2 years since the introduction of Evelyn, the last piece in my “Women of Harley Series.” The Evelyn painting was a portrait of a seasoned rider on her way to a hill climb in the early thirties. She was composed of big bold strokes with expressive paint and colors. I got to thinking of how women first climbed astride the iron horse in the first place and did a little research. It appears that the decade before, “The Roaring Twenties”, was the culprit for a paradigm shift of attitudes. Now I wanted to do an accurate rendering with all the details of this slice of American history. Continue reading ‘How Women First Climbed Astride A Motorcycle’
New from New York City Choppers for Harley-Davidson Dyna & Sportster models. Will fit 2006 and later Dyna® 2004 to 2006 and 2010 Sportsters. Installation requires separate purchase of the model-specific seat installation kit P/N 54075-10 (Dyna) or 54074-10 (Sportster) also available from New York City Choppers.
Illusion Motorsports, a California custom motorcycle shop in Orange County with 30 years of experience, stated to me that as an EPA/CARB certified motorcycle manufacturer they can build for you a custom bike legal in California and all US States.
For example, if you like this cool Chopper called “Razorhell”, they can turn it into a road legal, insurable custom bike, of course after doing some modifications like change of exhaust, addition of turn signals, etc. (you know the drill…) Continue reading ‘Illusion Motorcycles Razorhell Chopper’
I have no idea when this film was shot. But I love black & white pictures and movies, and it shows you that biker cops around the world (these guys are Italians) know how to display their riding kills (thanks Troy).
Will retro American car design influences the design of Japanese scooters?. This stretched concept Yamaha Maxam 3000 is 9-foot long and is supposed to make you feel like riding a 60’s smooth Cadillac Coupe Deville.
For my UK readers a good show just around the corner. The Ace Cafe Motorcycle & Custom Show is scheduled February 26th-28th at the Alexandra Palace, an iconic landmark venue in London (with its Palace built in 1873 overlooking England Capital. Been there…). The bike show is affiliated with the AMD European Championship Of Bike Building and the winner will receive £5,000.00 (aboutUS 8,000/5.000,00 euro) to travel to Sturgis for a chance to compete in the World Championship.
Another choice to replace your faiting factory mirrors and go from a “Mickey Mouse Ears” look to a lot of style. These touring mirrors are offered by Wicked Image and let you see “what you have been missing”.
The mirror is designed to come out further than stock Harley placement but still stay tucked into the contour of the fairing for a sleek appearance (notice the machined edge). Made out of billet aluminum in the USA. Sold in pairs and retailing for $149.99. All mirrors line-up and more at Wicked Image
At the recent and somewhat dull New York Motorcycle Show, Polaris unveiled a new 2010 Victory Vegas Limited Edition, the 1st of the line with a 106″/6 speed setup.
Only 100 Vegas LE will be produced this year at a price of $15,999. On this model the Victory’s Freedom V-Twin was fitted with Stage 2 cams to push output to 97 HP and torque to 113 lbs/foot. Continue reading ‘The New Victory Vegas Limited Edition’
For your greatest pleasure, enjoy this video demonstrating how to look absolutely stupid riding with a vacuum canister plugged to you. Even the music is ridiculous. I can already predict your jokes….
Coming from a 2nd generation family of builders, young Jeff Cochran always built stuff in his garage and logically ended up starting his own custom motorcycle business. Jeff opened Sucker Punch Sally in Cincinnati, OH in 2002 and very fast took as partner Donnie Loos, another local long time builder with who I was intensively show touring in the 90’s,. Without hesitation I can say that both were the 1st to successfully produce and sell a line of very cool looking custom bikes at a very reasonable budget. And all this at a time when most of us were building “sky is the limit” budget bikes… Continue reading ‘Where Are They Now? Jeff Cochran.’
A V-Twin engine running on your desk? Why not. Sure to impress your visitors at the office. No risk to attract the attention of EPA or CARB. This one runs using butane and a full load of it will make it run during 10 minutes during which time I promise you will not be able to accomplish any desk tasks
It is stated to be balanced to keep the vibrations to a minimum and the noise it produces is no louder than a blender! Not running it’s a beautiful piece conceived by a German engineering company, built using 2 x 1 1/2 cc cylinders and stainless steel exhaust system. Continue reading ‘Desktop V-Twin Engine’
Since 1989 you have known RC Components as one of the leading manufacturers of motorcycle wheels for Harley and Metric bikes. New for 2010 the company is launching a line of exhausts branded udder the name of RCX-haust. As a start, RC Components proposes slip on mufflers for baggers and 6 different billet aluminum cap designs. Mufflers & tips can be sold together or separately. RC Components.
Well, we all talk about China. But what do we know about their motorcycle industry? A Chinese Market Report was just released and you will, like me, learn a few interesting things. Below are some highlights (FYI, CNY or internationally RMB are the symbols for the Chinese Yuan also called Renminbi, literally the currency of the “People’s Republic Of China”). As of today, 1 US dollar = 6.8268 CNY.
During this coming Daytona Bike Week, the Daytona Beach Community Foundation will hold a drawing for a chance to win the official Daytona Bike Week motorcycle. This year, 
Harley-Davidson announced that it will donate 28 new Buell and Harley-Davidson motorcycles to assist with earthquake disaster relief and stabilization efforts in Haiti. The motorcycles will remain in Haiti as a permanent donation to the government. The motorcycles are being shipped from the Motor Company facilities to the Dominican Republic, where Harley-Davidson dealership organization MagnaMotors will facilitate direct delivery to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.
Beringer![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=3b290dd9-28c9-48b9-bb5f-9226a409ae37)
All European builders and bikers know what Euro 3 means. For the others, especially for those US manufacturers who want to export their models, Euro 3 is a European Emission Standard progressively introduced since 2000 and defining the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives. To help its Dealers, ![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=2eb64e39-062c-45d8-9d96-bded90864289)
If If you didn’t know yet, I love all old Triumphs of the 60’s and quite a few of their new models like the Scrambler inspired by the off-road sport motorcycles that were stripped down for racing. A perfect cute and fun light motorcycle for urban or countryside escapes. Like me, an Italian custom builder named Pietro Figini from a shop called 
Rivera Primo Inc
To make me regret not traveling this year to the 16th edition of the Italian Padova Biker Expo, fellow publisher Moreno Persello from ![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=4d2dd535-b6e8-433c-a8a3-1b17f7629e4a)
Last Thursday January 28th was the first day for the liquidation of all Buell assets and equipments at their East Troy, Wisconsin factory. A couple of friends of mine were there waiting in line with other 350 people for an opportunity to visit the ex-Buell plant and in their case maybe get a few cheap tools and a piece of memorabilia. This liquidation organized by
BUB Enterprises 
The trade show season starts in a few days with the Cincinnati V-Twin Expo followed by the Indianapolis Dealer Expo. And trade shows bring a lot of show bikes on the show floor. There are no better way for part manufacturers and distributors to show their new products. And Steve Storz from ![fastnewscyrilhuzeblog31[1]](http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/fastnewscyrilhuzeblog311.jpg "fastnewscyrilhuzeblog31[1]")
Strong rumors continue to reach my desk about Roger Penske still very interested in buying some (or all?) Rossmeyer’s Harley Dealerships. As a matter of fact, Mr. Penske made an apparition in a couple of dealerships very close to me in South Florida. Sources wishing to remain anonymous tell me that an agreement would have already been signed for the acquisition of 3 stores. And these 3 ones are those that Bruce described to me before his death as non performing. The Rossmeyer family remains silent. I continue to investigate… 
Last weekend artist 
New from New York City Choppers for Harley-Davidson Dyna & Sportster models. Will fit 2006 and later Dyna® 2004 to 2006 and 2010 Sportsters. Installation requires separate purchase of the model-specific seat installation kit P/N 54075-10 (Dyna) or 54074-10 (Sportster) also available from 
Illusion Motorsports
Will retro American car design influences the design of Japanese scooters?. This stretched concept Yamaha Maxam 3000 is 9-foot long and is supposed to make you feel like riding a 60’s smooth Cadillac Coupe Deville.
For my UK readers a good show just around the corner. The Ace Cafe Motorcycle & Custom Show is scheduled February 26th-28th at the Alexandra Palace, an iconic landmark venue in London (with its Palace built in 1873 overlooking England Capital. Been there…). The bike show is affiliated with the AMD European Championship Of Bike Building and the winner will receive £5,000.00 (aboutUS 8,000/5.000,00 euro) to travel to Sturgis for a chance to compete in the World Championship.
Another choice to replace your faiting factory mirrors and go from a “Mickey Mouse Ears” look to a lot of style. These touring mirrors are offered by Wicked Image and let you see “what you have been missing”.![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=3a6dab1a-e267-42ba-a84c-952e87009dfd)
At the recent and somewhat dull New York Motorcycle Show, Polaris unveiled a new 2010 
Coming from a 2nd generation family of builders, young Jeff Cochran always built stuff in his garage and logically ended up starting his own custom motorcycle business. Jeff opened Sucker Punch Sally in Cincinnati, OH in 2002 and very fast took as partner Donnie Loos, another local long time builder with who I was intensively show touring in the 90’s,. Without hesitation I can say that both were the 1st to successfully produce and sell a line of very cool looking custom bikes at a very reasonable budget. And all this at a time when most of us were building “sky is the limit” budget bikes… 
Since 1989 you have known RC Components as one of the leading manufacturers of motorcycle wheels for Harley and Metric bikes. New for 2010 the company is launching a line of exhausts branded udder the name of RCX-haust. As a start, RC Components proposes slip on mufflers for baggers and 6 different billet aluminum cap designs. Mufflers & tips can be sold together or separately. 