When building a custom motorcycle from the ground up one of the first important decisions you have to make is to choose a front end style, probably among 4 styles: Glide or Hydraulic, Springer, Spring Leaf or Girder, with the hydraulic system being the most popular because of the overall perception that it works better. Not necessarily.
At the opposite of the choice spectrum, Girder front ends are perceived as the choice fondly for looks and strength, and it’s not true that a well designed Girder cannot provide excellent performance for handling and front suspension. For example, the Girders developed by Earl Durfee in 1969 and inspired by the one used on the Indian motorcycles of the 1930’s and 40’s which were of very good design, rugged enough to be used by the U.S. Army in the Sahara Desert during World War II. Continue reading ‘Girder Front Ends Are Much More Than For Strength And Looks.’
A lot of reactions & interrogations from you when I published the “
Let’s do my part in trying to boost a little bit the business of Harley-Davidson during this holiday season. In a few words. 1- It’s evidently for Harley enthusiasts and accepted only at all US HD retail locations including the Milwaukee Museum. 2- You can Choose any dollar amount from $25-$250. 3- Can be shipped to you or the recipient 4- There are no dormancy fees and expiration date 5- The national Harley-Davidson Gift Card is only offered online via a secure Internet provider by going to 
MidAmerica Auctions has already conducted more than 80 Vintage, Classic, and Special Interest Motorcycle Auctions in cities across the United States. The one in Las Vegas from January 7th to 9th, 2010 will be the largest with about 500 collector motorcycles expected to change hands. If you want to consign a motorcycle, it’s till time and you can do it online at 
Without touching your engine, if you give it more airflow it will give you more power. As simple as this.
For all those working on their bikes, if you don’t have one, buy one right away to avoid a quite frequent annoying mistake while installing a transmission mainsheet case bearing seal. This simple tool let you set the seal perfectly in place at .050” below the case surface. Good bye transmission oil leaks. Machined from billet aluminum and finished in red anodizing (so that you easily find it in the shop or garage!) this new seal installer is for large seals used on 1987 to 2006 Big Twins (except Dyna models ). $49.95 at 
Today, not surprisingly (
More retro looking than flake paint is mega flake paint. Now available are 5 new colors for Biltwell, Inc. open face helmets. They include Dark Silver, Gang Green, Pacific Blue, Wine Red and Disco Gold. This next generation of Biltwell helmets is the same lightweight and comfortable shell but with a few upgrades. The flake is much bigger and crisper, hence the “Megaflake” name. Vintage style chrome strip around the opening is quite classy and only available on a Biltwell. The new liner has detail stitching and contrasting ventilated panels in the top. The embossed goggle strap has a new shape and an improved snap. $114 at 
The economy sucks and many of you are going through tough times. But there is no way you are going to stop riding. Right? And if you break down, you should not be prevented to ride because you are not in the position to drop $90 an hour to your local dealer. Of course, I support all dealers, but they all prefer see you riding than not because you can’t afford their expertise. I support Dennis Santopietri, founder of “
After my article on the origin of the Mods & Rockers movements, friend of the industry Pepper Massey saw your comments requesting that I write the story of the Sturgis beginnings. Because Pepper is a former Rally Director at the Sturgis Rally Department and Executive Director at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, she jumped at the opportunity to tell you the true story of the way it all began.
Warning: uploading this article this morning, I am not sure that the limited edition I am talking about will still be available. Read to understand why.
If you wonder why we went back so fast to designing motorcycles looking like motorcycles with for inspiration the lines of the 50’s & 60’s, the answer is evident. We all got tired, to not say fed up, with the overgrown, overworked, difficult to ride Choppers of the late 90’s beginning 00’s. 
With some rare exceptions that I can justify, I don’t report about local motorcycle events like Bike Nights because there are too many of them and my readership is international. Sorry, guys. But when a Bike Night becomes one night a year the largest Bike Night in the country, organizers deserve a blurb in my Blog. 
Didn’t know that you could buy “chaps” for your bagger. They are made to protect your bagger’s saddlebag lids and because of their soft backside they are “gentle” to your paint. They are made to be durable, impervious to weather and prevent boot scuffs to your expensive bags. And if you need just a little bit more luggage capacity, attach the handy expandable Lid Storage Bags for an extra few days worth of gear (important if she travels with you…) Easy to install, ten minutes without drilling or modifying bike. Easy on, easy off. Also available as Lid Cover only. $129.95 at 
Fellow custom motorcycle builder Greg Westbury offers few proprietary parts, but they are all always extremely cool. Just off the C.N.C. machine, Greg sent showed me his new “Low Baller” Valve Stem Caps to make this part of your bike less boring and more original than using a 30-year old “8 Ball” or “Skull” cap design. Yes, beauty is in the details and this miniature version of his gas cap has also the advantage to complement nicely most bike styles. And since they will fit almost anything with wheels get some for all your toys on 2, 3 or 4 wheels and above… Also, at $14.95 the pair in beautiful polished aluminum it may be the cheapest/best gift you can offer during this holiday season. Dealers welcome. Call Greg on my behalf at 925-682-9482. 
Yesterday Sunday under a solid blue sky the Appleton Museum Of Art in Ocala, FL was celebrating the “Art Of The Chopper” by throwing a big “Shifting Gears Party”. Fellow builder Vince Doll and myself joined Museum Director John Lofgren and Steve Specht, Marketing Coordinator to welcome bike lovers who traveled from far away during Thanksgiving weekend to visit this amazing exhibition of 30 high end motorcycles curated by “Chief Choppperating Officer” Tom Zimberoff (Hard Cover Books 
She lives faster than you will ever ride. French born, loving the energy of big cities like Paris, London, New York, and Los angeles and trying them all. She rides since the age of 19, right now makes a living as a Hollywood make up artist, can teach you a lot about bikes, has owned more than most of you will ever see in a life time in your garage (from a 1954 BSA to a stroked custom hardball, from an industrial looking Exile to a Honda Cafe Racer and many more between). And when she orders a new one, she knows exactly what she wants and how it should handle her everyday hard riding. For her, no bullshit candy bike. Well it was time for a new machine and she wanted to come back to her first riding experience in the “Rockers” world. Something looking like a modern day Café Racer, synonymous with tight/light/fast/highly manoeuvrable, but one that had a distinctive So Cal feel to fit into her current Hollywood lifestyle. 
As you know, everything old is new again. I know you threw away these fenders 25 years ago because they were looking too stock! Or you are too young to have had a chance to keep a spare set in your garage. So, Paughco is manufacturing again these old style Bobbed fenders right here in the good old US (Nevada to be precise). They come pre-cut with that early style rounded design for an unmistakable Bobbed appearance. They are a simple bolt-on solution for Paughco Bobber frames and fit early OEM springers with brackets repositioned for correct clearance. Chain guard provision on left strut. A matching front fender is available. Rear Fender: $157.95. Front Fender $ 152.95. At 
Before you read and formulate comments, let me mention that this post is not to criticize or to take side with 
Former in-store and online auctions didn’t work very well for Rossmeyer’s Harley- Davidson. Not enough to get rid of all these pre-loved motorcycles. You heavily criticized in my Blog the way these auctions were organized and Rossmeyer’s listened and changed the way they will sell their bikes during the next auction From Friday December 11th to Monday December 14th. Looking for a very good deal? There will be a minimum bid (logical) but no reserve! (great). Here the changes they have made. 