The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California is the best place in the world to see concept cars that will not be produced next year, but also flawlessly restored historic motorcycles. Two that I admire. On the left, a 1953, 500 cc Matchless G45. It was sold as a race bike for privateers. On the right, a 1947 Vincent H.R.D. Series B Rapide Special, at the time considered as the 1st Superbike. Both have lines and details to inspire…
Nothing against electric vehicles, but I am quite annoyed when I hear all these big international companies now claiming in their ads that “Green Is In Our DNA”!. I thought that DNA was acquired at birth, not when the price of oil goes up. Anyway, everybody is riding the Green trend, even OCC with this electric chopper built at the request of German company Siemens. Of course, the “Siemens Smart Chopper” (in 09, you have to be Green to be Smart) will be featured on a new episode of “American Choppers”. Are you still watching? If not, the only thing I can tell you is that the bike is mainly made of recycled materials, runs with an Advanced DC Motors Series Wound 8″ motor (anyone can explain in comments?), has a 60 miles range on a single 110-volt outlet charge with a maximum speed of 100 mph. I have to admit that on the picture this custom bike looks better than many Green bikes I have seen. Zoom, zoom. Orange County Choppers.
Oops, I was about to forget. 360 Brake is offering a Super Post-Sturgis Sale with 10% off all orders (for both dealers and retail clients) until August 31st. So, if you already spent a fortune on your beautiful custom wheels and 75% of them is hidden behind big diameter disc rotors, you may want to consider their braking solution. I just remind you that the 360 Brake is offered for front & rear, in 5″ or 6″ size, in polish, chrome, anodized or powder coated in the color of your choice. 360 Brake.
![triumphmanual[11]](http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/triumphmanual11.jpg "triumphmanual[11]")
At a time when backyard and pro-builders are rediscovering British bikes or at least using again British power plants in their new one-off projects, this DVD will be very useful to prevent from big headaches.
Wes White of “Four Aces Cycle” gives you the 101 and explains everything you need to keep your British bike running great and reliable on the road. A total of 4 hours of teaching divided in easy-to-follow chapters with time between each to have your cup of tea until you become an expert.
All filmed in high definition. $39.95. English 101 DVD.
A gorgeous radical Bagger built by Mike Avila Motorsports finishing 8th in the Free Style class of the AMD World Championship Of Bike Building? Exceptional result. And what a beautiful hand-formed steel body work (made by Greg Westbury, Solis, Mike Avila, Arlen Ness), to admire even more when you discover that the full body has just 2 joints from front to back and that all fasteners are hidden. Continue reading ‘World Class Extreme Bagger’
“Rogue” (Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005) followed the legal process since day one and was in Court on Friday August 14 during the sentencing of Billy Lane. Below he expresses his opinion regarding some important facts that he states have been kept aside and consequently influenced negatively Brevard County Circuit Judge Robert Burger sentencing decision.
On Friday August 14th 2009 Billy Lane was sentenced by newly elected Judge Robert Burger to 6 years in prison. I think Judge Burger is a pussy and should be off the bench at the next election. I say this because he appeared to be taking directions from the Brevard County Prosecutor Tom Brown who is looking to make a name for himself by prosecuting a celebrity bike builder. Continue reading ‘Billy Lane Screwed By Brevard County Kangaroo Court System? One Man’s Opinion.’
The Bonneville BUB Speed Trials are scheduled August 30th to September 3rd. A crew to watch is Team Swiss Performance with an impressive lineup of riders for the premier motorcycle Land Speed Record event: No less than 6 different motorcycles with 4 riders from Switzerland, accompanied by Leslie Porterfield, the formerly fastest female rider on the planet, and Land Speed record legend Sam Wheeler, one of only probably 4 aces in this years race for the ultimate Land Speed Record. Continue reading ‘Bonneville Speed Trials. Swiss Attack.’
Not America, but in India, probably the most dangerous place on earth to ride a motorcycle between cars and cows. If you have been there, you know what I mean. On request of his father 3-year old Azeem Khan has been granted a motorcycle license by a panel of Indian judges. Very optimistic and irresponsible decision. His father Shantanu had just to show to the judges that he equipped the motorcycle with custom made upward foot control extensions. Since when reaching controls makes you able to safely ride a motorcycle? The father feels guilt free because he says that he will not authorize his son to ride on busy roads. “I trust Azeem but I don’t trust other drivers” said his father Shantanu. Right!
As I reported on August 11, the decision was made during the first days of Sturgis. Lorenzo Lamas decided to replace Ralph Randolph (who produced only the first 2 bikes, an FXR & a Board Tracker) with Eddie Trotta to build the new limited edition of custom bikes as well as designing a line of parts. The new Lorenzo Cycles brand intends to be (Lorenzo words) “synonymous with the next great American Motorcycle and the spirit of freedom and expression that goes along with it”. Continue reading ‘Lorenzo Lamas And Eddie Trotta New Team Of Lorenzo Cycles’
Among the participants in the Free Style Class of the 2009 AMD World Championship Of Bike Building, I like very much this bike and I know why.
A somewhat unusual design, a Triumph engine (Bonneville 865 cc) and transmission, a Girder front end, a mini conical drum front brake, Jackshaft mounted drum in the rear, inverted hand control levers, a simple and well detailed 2 in 1 exhaust, copper lines and…no chrome.
Jeremy Cupp got a 6th place trophy and he should be very proud of it. LC Fabrications (pictures HRF).
This Sunday August 16 is Utah’s biggest motorcycle event, the annual “Ride 4 Fallen Officers” organised by Dave Tuomisto, owner of Timpanogos Harley-Davidson in Lindon, Utah, Last year ride attracted some 170 law enforcement officers on their motorcycles and 2500 bikers, parading from the impressive Timpanogos HD Shop (75 % recycled from the ruins of Geneva Steel) to the State Capitol in Salt Lake City. Continue reading ‘Utah Biggest Motorcycle Event’
60 minutes of Fast Bikes, Black leather and Rock’n Roll. I know you want to watch this one. As strange as it may sound, “Cafe Society” is the first, full-length documentary film to chronicle the origins, legacy and rebirth of the Cafe Racer subculture. Two years in the making and shot in Europe (mainly England) and in the US, this documentary is about giving you an intimate view of the first generation of fast street bikes. Continue reading ‘Cafe Society. Rev-Up For This Documentary Film.’
This morning a 9 a.m. Billy Lane was in court in Viera, Florida to hear sentencing regarding the vehicular homicide case in connection with a September 4, 2006 crash that left Gerald Morelock dead. (The Live Video of the full Court proceedings and sentencing was online in my Blog all morning).
As expected, defense lawyer Greg Eisenmenger asked for a non-incarcerating sentence and presented a list of witnesses, including Billy’s mother and father arguing that what happened was an isolated incident, that Billy is very remorseful, has radically changed his lifestyle and reached out to the Morelock’s family since the tragedy happened. Eisenmenger also presented videos of the charity work done by Billy during his motorcycle builder career and argued that the sentence decided must give some punishment but not to the point of incarceration because it would prevent Billy to continue helping others in the community and in the motorcycle industry. Continue reading ‘Breaking News. Billy Lane Sentenced To 6 Years In Prison.’
The Live Video Feed of the full Court proceedings was removed at 11.30 am USA EST after Billy Lane sentencing. These 2 videos are the taped segments of:
1- Billy Lane addressing the Court before sentencing (this page).
2- Circuit Judge Robert Burger announcing sentencing (following page after you make the jump by clicking on blue link under 1st video).
(These 2 videos starting automatically you will have to mute the 1st video to listen to the second one).
Continue reading ‘LIVE VIDEO: Billy Lane Addresses The Court And Sentencing.’
You may have known Russ Wernimont, a long time metal fabricator with 26 years of experience, through his line of fenders that he started to market to our industry in 1992. What you may not know is that Russ also proposes a full line of accessories. He sees his business future in modifying stock Harley-Davidsons with for philosophy that small modifications can make a big difference. Agreed, Russ. Continue reading ‘Russ Wernimont Custom Lower Leg And Axle Covers.’
When you will read that this custom bike built by Kris Krome Customs was rewarded with a 2nd place in “Freestyle Class” and 1st place in “Metric Class” of the World Championship Of Bike Building, I know very well the kind of reactions that some of you are going to have again. It’s not a rider! Look at the rake, the steering, the seat, etc…So, let me explain something to you. The AMD Championship has a “Harley Modified Bike” for daily riders. The “Freestyle Class” admits bikes after it is shown that they crank & roll, even if their main main purpose is not to be ridden every day or for long distances. Continue reading ‘Kris Krome Rolling Piece Of Art’
To reflect your taste and passion for motorcycles, Harley-Davidson offers you the clothing, the gadgets and now the digital gear skins. Via a company called SkinIt using a state-of-the-art digital printing process you can cover your electronics (phone, laptop, notebook, camera, headphones, etc) with a film skin in patterns suggested by the mother factory. But wait, you can also turn your favorite photos (and it’s not necessary about Harley or motorcycles) into Gear Skins. Easy to apply, easy to remove, as the opposite of a skin tattoo. I admit that the quality is very good, with vibrant colors and a very good fit. But, personally I think that it is a little bit childish… Except, of course, if you cover all your digital gear with my company logo (I will provide the artwork for free). Harley-Davidson Skinit Customizer.
When 3 weeks ago I introduced you to the Confederate “P120 Fighter Combat” I reported that it was scheduled to be unveiled for the first time to the press and public this very weekend Friday, August 14th at the Quail Motorsports Gathering during the 2009 Pebble Beach Car Week, and then be offered for auction at the “Mid America” sale the following day. (To register to bid and for more information about the auction this weekend in Carmel, California visit Mid America Auctions).
Now Confederate tells me that the model being unveiled, “Arabic 01”, is the only pre-production P120 Combat edition Fighter in existence and will also be campaigned as a factory machine for a world speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats between August 30th and September 6th in the 2009 BUB Speed Trials. Continue reading ‘Confederate “Fighter Combat” To Be Auctioned And Raced At Bonneville Speed Trials.’
Brough Superior is back with 2 models and will debut August 14-16th at the legendary 2009 Pebble Beach Concours. Their very high quality fabrication, fit and finish gave Brough Superior the deserved titled of “Rolls Royce Of Motorcycles”. Continue reading ‘Brough Superior Motorcycles Are Back. A Fascinating Tale.’
I wish I could mention all the 82 competitors and their bikes, but I can’t. So after mentioning a couple days ago the top 6 of the Free Style Class, here a shot of the runners-up 7 to 10. From left to right and top to bottom. #7- Christian Dotson from Dotson Design (USA). #8 Mike Avila from Mike Avila Motorsports (USA). # 9 Tobias Guckel from TGS Motorcycles (Germany). # 10 Rafik Kaissi from RK Concepts (USA) (pictures HRF)
New from Harley, the Bobber Look ready to bolt-on with no fabrication on your Genuine Sportster. The kit includes a chopped rear fender and distressed brown (I told you before about this new trend) leather solo spring saddle. My first question is, why only a brown seat? I thought that Bobbers and Bobber seats could be any color!The rear fender is provided primed for a MSRP of $419.95 or painted vivid black for MSRP $499.95. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Now Selling The Bobber Look For Your Sportster’
With a Harley Panhead, you go either way. A faithful restoration or a radical make over A shop called “Hot Dreams” of Marbella (gorgeous Spanish city in the Malaga region famous for its wines, but it’s another stoty) went the full custom way to compete in Sturgis in the Modified Harley Class, this ear sponsored for the 1st time by the mother factory. Builder Ferry Clot (doesn’t sound Spanish to me), rebuilt the 74” engine of this 1956 FL to the OEM specs, used a Morris magneto, a Linkert M74 with sidevalve stack, modified the frame by replacing the front tubes (notice the twisted shape), shortened 2 rigid rear 2”, transformed an original 1998 Springer front end into a Girder and massaged a new gas tank and fenders. The new Pan rolls on Dux Industries 23 x 3.5” wheels dressed with Avon Cobra tires. An efficient modern Panhead. Hot Dreams Of Marbella (picture copyright HRF/AMD).
I had the insider information on Tuesday of the Sturgis Rally (thank you GS & MB). Ralph just called yesterday evening and asked me to make it official in my Blog. Ralph Randolph, owner of Knockout Motorcycle Company announces his split from Lorenzo Lamas Cycles. Continue reading ‘Lorenzo Lamas And Ralph Randolph Stop Their Collaboration.’
Behind each custom motorcycle there is more than 1 man to bring his talent to the machine. But at least, I am able to show you the face of the boss of each 5 runners-up in the “Free Style” Category (there are other classes). From left to right and top to bottom. #2 Kris Krome from Kris Krome Customs (USA) # 3 Fred Krugger from Krugger Speedshop (Belgium) # 4 Stellan Egeland from SE Service (Sweden) # 5 Satya Kraus from Kraus Motor Co (USA) #6 Jeremy Cupp from LC Fabrications (USA). To follow…(pictures HRF)
What is dictating what we wear when we ride? Of course the weather and the distance to be ridden. But also the type of motorcycle we ride. After the big chopper/beanie craze, and because most of what goes on the road has a retro feel, welcome to the Bobber/Brown “Distressed Leather” fashion statement. Continue reading ‘Bikers. It’s Official. Distressed Leather Look Is Back.’
