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Archive Page 356
2 Rat’s Hole Shows This Weekend At Florida Leesburg Bikefest
Published by April 20th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
As you can see The Rat from the Rat’s Hole Show is well and alive and never looked so euphoric. Must be because the Rat’s Mates are much prettier than at the time, many years ago, when I was the Head Judge of the Bike Shows. This intro (I had to find one) to remind you that the 13th Leesburg Florida Bikefest, one of the most important 3-day Show in the US, is this weekend April 24/25/26th. Continue reading ‘2 Rat’s Hole Shows This Weekend At Florida Leesburg Bikefest’
In case you didn’t know, Performance Machine releases only 2 new wheel models every year, each provided with the corresponding matching discs and sprockets, sprockets in 3 versions:- polish, chrome and the very sought after ÒContrast CutÓ. This year the 2 new designs are called the ÒRivieraÓ (left) and the ÒRival (right). All the PM Forged Aluminum wheels are the flagship of their wheels line and some of the finest wheels in the market today. Performance Machine
Best Production Bobber Of 2009. Only $15,995.
Published by April 20th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
When in February Dar Holdsworth from Brass Balls Bobbers gave me a preview on his new production Bobber called Model 1, it immediately pleased my designer eyes. But having seen so many Bobbers marketed with the over-used and not so accurate slogan “Just Under $20,000 For The Blue Collar Guy!” my question was “what is the price tag?” $15,995 replied Dar and during 5 minutes I thought that it was the price of the full rolling chassis & non-assembled parts. No, it’s the way you see it here, girl not included, ready to ride, financeable & insurable because Brass Balls Bobbers is a registered & licensed NHTSA Manufaturer and listed with Kelley Blue Book and N.A.D.A. services. Continue reading ‘Best Production Bobber Of 2009. Only $15,995.’
Made in Japan, this mini switch is for blinkers or horn. There are 20 different versions, combination, finishes to fit your needs and the look of your bike. These people have a Website and Online Catalog. And if you are not reticent/afraid to order in Japan, they accept payment via PayPal, wire transfer and credit card. Contact Yutaka Nishida on my behalf.
If you are in vintage, retro, old or new school, you owe to your bike to equip it with the period correct spark plugs wiring. Low Brow Customs is now offering vintage-style braided cotton wire sets. They are cotton-braided and lacquered, but have a modern stranded copper conductor with pvc insulation for top performance. Five different color combinations are currently available. Each set consists of a full 48″ of 7mm plug wire with the rajah clips for your spark plugs installed, a pair of rubber boots and a pair of high tension terminals for the wire ends. Simply clip the wire to the needed length, put the boots and terminals on the end and install on your coil or magneto! Also available is 16 gauge cloth covered wire, sold by the foot or in 25’, 50’ and 100’ rolls. Low Brow Customs
Should Motorcycle Part Manufacturers State Where Their Parts Are Made?
Published by April 18th, 2009 in Driveline and Editorial.
It s my point of view that there are both good and bad motorcycle parts made here in the US …and in Europe, China, Korea and of course all over the world. It is also my daily professional observation that there is a lot of hypocrisy from those in the US, manufacturers, distributors, dealers and buyers of parts pretending to support the national economy. How many US companies in our industry silence the fact that they subcontract abroad, distribute foreign parts, sell them in their dealerships with a final user knowing or not the origin of what is installed on his motorcycle. At the same time most of these US corporations and people feel obliged to state the politically and economically correct statement “Support your country. Buy American”. Buy what you want, but be an informed consumer, know what you buy, American or not, and face the consequences of your choices is my philosophy. And all this ranting because this morning I am in copy of a mass e-mailing sent by “Accessories Unlimited” a manufacturer and distributor of both American & Korean made motorcycle parts, reporting that “Rivera Primo” has its transmission made in Korea, that both companies propose exactly the same product made with the same parts, in the same Korean factory, the difference being only the brand name stamped on them… and a big difference of price. Continue reading ‘Should Motorcycle Part Manufacturers State Where Their Parts Are Made?’
Battistinis New Air Filter And Horn.
Published by April 18th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Electrical and Engines.
This new contemporary air filter from Battistinis is a straight bolt-on. The unique three part kit includes a patented Arlen Ness Stage 1 Big Sucker kit to fit all Harley Davidson® EVO big twins, Twin Cams and Sportster models. Continue reading ‘Battistinis New Air Filter And Horn.’
Thanks To AMA, Lead Law Not Enforced For At Least 1 Year….
Published by April 18th, 2009 in Builders and Editorial.
Did you have any doubt about the hard work and power of AMA, our American Motorcyclist Association?
Since 1924, the AMA has promoted and protected the motorcycling lifestyle. And the Association succeeded again to convince Acting Chairman of the Federal Safety Commission to hold off for a year the enforcing of new LEAD LAW that has forced Dealers to remove their youth off-road motorcycles & ATV’s off of their showroom floors. The law, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) that took effect in February, has stopped the sale of dirt bikes and ATVs to children 12 years old and under. Continue reading ‘Thanks To AMA, Lead Law Not Enforced For At Least 1 Year….’
I like them simple, always looking ready for new spins. Coolness without going overboard. A bike that many could build in their garage, reason why I show it to you. Seen in Germany during the recent Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show, this little chopper was built by USM Motorcycles near Hannover, a long time importer and distributor of Arlen Ness parts. Sorry, no picture of the Lady. (photo Horst Rosler) USM Motorcycles.
Indian Motorcycle Launches Women’s Apparel
Published by April 17th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Merchandise.
Did you notice? Until now the new Indian Motorcycle had only a men’s apparel collection. Women must have done some magical dances around the Kings Mountain headquarter, praying the staff to provide for some feminine clothing. Indian Motorcycle just released its first collection of women’s apparel, and as expected from any motorcycle manufacturer, is made up of leather jackets, tops, belts and caps. To notice, “The Ranger” leather jacket featured here is patterned after a jacket produced over half a century ago. Indian Motorcycle apparel is available for purchase through their dealerships or at the Indian Motorcycle Website. For wholesale inquiries on apparel and gifts, call 877-380-8686.
Maybe it’s because of taste, of age, or because she told you so. Ready for a conversion by adding 1 more wheel to your ride? Santiago Chopper, out of Tampa, builds a lot of custom trikes, turns a lot of stock Harleys into 3-wheelers, and even produces some of his own propriatery parts to do it or let you do it in style. Several 2-wheeler brands can now be converted into a rigid trike thanks to this new tig-welded frame that Santiago Chopper just released. For example, in addition to Harley models, this frame can be adapted to welcome a Kawasaki Vulcan or Honda Shadow. More info by contacting Alan on my behalf at Santiago Chopper.
Harley-Davidson First Quarter Profit Falls.
Published by April 16th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
After the market close this Thursday April 16, 2009 Harley-Davidson said that its first-quarter profit was $117.3 million, or 50 cents per share, compared with $187.6 million, or 79 cents per share for same quarter 1 year-ago Revenue fell 2% to $1.29 billion. However, the company said its earnings were negatively impacted by a few one-time items, including restructuring costs and a tax law change in Wisconsin. Harley said that worldwide sales of its products dropped 12% year over year, while U.S. sales fell 9.7%. Despite the environment remaining challenging throughout 2009, the company reaffirmed its estimates to ship 264,000 and 273,000 motorcycles to dealers worldwide this year, which is 10%-13% lower than 2008 levels.
Harley-Davidson’s new chief executive officer Keith Wandell will receive a base salary of $975,000 plus other compensation. He will replace Harley CEO James Ziemer on May 1 – Rumor is that American Ironhorse Motorcycles is idling, meaning not building bikes, just doing administrative work. They can contact me for any precision – I am supporting Easyriders Events, the Broken Spoke Saloon & the Hard Rock Roadhouse. So, I support New-Orleans Bike Week and will be there from May 6th to 8th. It’s possible that while I stay there I will team up with a New-Orleans Chef for some cooking. “Grand Marnier Souffle” anyone? Terry Nesbitt, Viper Motorcycle Company President, will introduce a new model, the 2010 Mamba Super Cruiser later this summer. Of course, it will be EPA and DOT compliant. – During the Laughlin rally, Custom Cycle Control Systems will do free installations of their Air Ride System – MeanStreet is going to release a very cool brand new Avalon front end for Baggers – Spectro Oils will reward the top 3 winners of the Big Losers Contest with a case of 20w50 motorcycle oil! And of course, keep all of this for you and only you…
Rising unemployment and falling business activity have caused consumer confidence and spending to tumble. At the same time it has never been a better time to buy anything…including motorcycles. Every company is proposing incentives, including Big Dog motorcycles. The manufacturer just launched its “Wind Chill” program, a retail incentive which provides new buyers cash allowances of up to $4,000 on remaining new 2008 and 2007 models . It includes: $4,000: 2008 Pitbull™. $3,000: 2007 Bulldog™, Chopper™, Mastiff®, Pitbull™. $2,000: 2008 Mutt™, Mastiff®, Ridgeback and 2007 K-9™. $1,500: 2008 K-9. For complete information and program restrictions, visit an authorized Big Dog Motorcycles dealer or go to Big Dog Motorcycles.
As I reported in former posts under the title “What Some Website Owners Don’t Want You To Know”, few really understand website traffic analysis. In part, it is due to the use of free “website traffic analysis programs” compiling number of logs hitting a server (where the website is hosted), but without being able to distinguish real human visits from web robot visits (also known as web wanderers, crawlers & spiders) which are automatic computer programs that traverse the web 24/7 all day long to help all search engines index sites content, spammers to scan and steal email addresses, and many other uses like malware spying. These Robots hit servers but don’t load pages, don’t read articles, don’t click on banners and are wrongly counted by some, voluntarely or not, as human visits. For the reasons I just mentioned these free programs (the most well known are “Webalizer” and “Webtrends”) warn against using and publishing their data as human visits and to use them to compare to other websites…In addition in correct internet language a website HIT has never been a human visit or even an extra-terrestre visit!!! We check our real human traffic using “Google Analytics” and we know that since more than 1 year you made this Blog the # 1 “Custom Motorcycle News Website” in the world. Cyril Huze Blog last 3-month-average is 194,745 human visits per month, another progression of 9.2% versus 2008 last quarter. But of course all websites using different programs, and many refusing to publish their data and/or name their sources, it was interesting to see how competitors rank in traffic popularity versus each other using the same source for data analysis, a source that anyone can access at anytime via their computer, and a tool used by most advertisers for a fast evaluation of website popularity. Continue reading ‘Custom Motorcycle News Websites. Popularity Ranking.’
Roland Sands Design introduces their new Tracker Grips. Wrapped with Renthal™ rubber to ensure that your hand never slips off, no matter how hard you twist the throttle. These grips feature RSD speed-dots to compliment the RSD Venturi Speed 7 air cleaner and RSD wheels. They are also CNC- Machined from billet aluminum and are available in Contrast Cut™ or Chrome with an RSD laser engraved logo to cap it off. To order contact your local Drag Specialties dealer. Or if you are ordering internationally visit Roland Sands Design to find your closest dealer.
A Letter From Matt Levatich New President And COO Of Harley-Davidson To The US Dealers Network
Published by April 15th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
After being responsible for overseeing the European launch of Buell in 1997, then coordinating Harley’s suppliers with its 5 US factories, then being appointed Managing Director of MV Augusta when Harley-Davidson bought the Italian brand in August 2008, Matt Levatich will become May 1st the new Harley-Davidson President and COO. Below is a letter he just sent to all US dealers. A good opportunity to learn about his strategy that he calls “Creating Silence”… Continue reading ‘A Letter From Matt Levatich New President And COO Of Harley-Davidson To The US Dealers Network’
Evidently, Cyclesmiths™ Banana boards have a distinct look with their long shape and curved front & rear tips. They feature a high-grip rubber surface that is riveted to the footboard for a very cool look. Continue reading ‘Banana Look For Your Floorboards’
The Biggest Boyz & Girlz Loserz Of The Motorcycle Industry
Published by April 15th, 2009 in Editorial.
The contest is set. There are 19 contestants in all with a combined weight of 4,775 pounds. Whew! That’s over two tons. They have a lot of work ahead of them. The hard work to lose weight will last until October where during Biketoberfest they will have the finally at the Broken Spoke. There is a website Wicked Big Losers where updates will be posted We are looking for sponsors to put prize packages for the top three places of losers so if anyone would like to pass along any leads we would appreciate it. iEmail to me at editor@cyrilhuzeblog.com. And the contestants are: Continue reading ‘The Biggest Boyz & Girlz Loserz Of The Motorcycle Industry’
Jesse James Is A Dead Man. Exclusive Interview.
Published by April 14th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Videos.
With its very high gas tank, all its hand made parts and and fancy details, what a better name for this 3-wheeler than “High Roller”. Built by british shop “Destiny Cycles”, I can imagine it rolling down London West End financial district, scaring the hell out of these ex High Rollers previously called hedge fund bankers. You know, just before their Madoff invested hedge funds went bust. I tell you, Custom Builders are the new high rollers.
Billy Lane Plea Deal Reaches An Impasse
Published by April 14th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Billy Lane’s DUI manslaughter case went again before a Brevard County, FL circuit judge this morning at 9 am. Attorneys were expected to notify the court of their progress on plea negotiations. It was expected that Billy Lane would enter a plea deal this morning. But Billy’s attorney Eisenmenger stated again that he disagrees with the State Prosecutor written interpretations of their verbal negotiations. So, legal wrangling is continuing around this plea deal. A June 9 pretrial conference has been set by the judge, and if no plea deal would be reached by then, Lane’s trial will get under way June 15. Billy Lane was no present at this Court hearing.
Harley-Davidson Celebrates Harlistas
Published by April 13th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
It’s called market segmentation or the strategy consisting of dividing the market into distinct groups who have distinct needs, wants and behavior and to communicate to each segment with a specific message . And if you already know that in 2025 half of the US population will have a Hispanic origin, no wonder that Harley-Davidson decided to celebrate Latino riders or Harlistas. Harley-Davidson Motor Company is celebrating the dedication and pride of Hispanic riders and enthusiasts by launching a new Latino section on its Website. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Celebrates Harlistas’
The VAIL (left picture) is a non-directional, split, 5-spoke design developed to maximize light effect created by ever-changing angles on the individual spokes. Vail’s sophisticated simplicity provides a sleek universal style for Baggers and Choppers alike. The SIOUX is a perfect match for any tribal, flame, or wildly painted bike style. Continue reading ‘Renegade Wheels Latest Releases’
In the series Best Of the “Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show”, this cute both simple and sophisticated little chopper named “Build A Billy”.
It won the title in the category “Modified Harley-Davidson”. It was built by famous German builder Thunderbike, a shop whose custom bikes received a lot of gold during these last 3 years. Thunderbike Germany (photo HRF Horst Rosler)
