New tattoo designs are created all the time. But always inspired by the past.
This just released book is a compilation of interesting designs inspired by many different cultural sources. Totems, talismans, free-form, repetitive graphics? In this book, you should find all the resources you need to make your choice. And before you commit you can even check on the meaning associated with the attributes of each tattoo. 112 pages. Modern Tribal Tattoo Designs.
Difficult to believe that the Teutels are returning to The Learning Channel for a 6th season of “American Chopper”. Like it or not, it is the proof that they still have a very large audience. Trust me, TV channels are not in the charity business and only go to programming bringing a big audience = commercial advertising money. Personally, I am a little bit surprised, but not completely because I still meet in shows some “bikers” who think that what they see is “real life” and that the OCC bikes are very cool. I thought that the public would be tired of their antics and would have decrypted their scripted fake dramas. Continue reading ‘American Chopper Kicks Off 6th Season’
Hot from the CNC machine and just landing here from Sweden, a new quite good looking jockey shift with integrated lever for hydraulic operation.
The jokey shift comes as a complete kit with a mounting braket utilizing the rear engine mount for big twins(not Twin cam),and steel braided hydraulic clutch line.
You can call Martin in Sweden on my behalf: Tel +46 (0)70 648 87 47. Fax: 46 (0)141 407 36, or visit ICM
Question 1: My dealer says I have to use the OEM lubricant in my motorcycle or my warranty is void.
Answer: This is not true and may, in fact, be illegal. Have the dealer put this in writing on his letterhead. We doubt he will. All you need to do to fulfill your warranty requirements is to use a lubricant that meets or exceeds the OEM specifications. Spectro products meet or exceed all manufacturers performance requirements. Continue reading ‘Spectro Answers Your Motorcycle Oil Questions.’
Got an old “Flatty”? (I am searching for a good one..). Look at what you can do with it when using the new components offered by Paughco to resurrect the 45’s. You can buy from them their new rigid frame and transmission plate (don’t use the 3-speed an replace by the 74 4-speed transmission), tapered leg Springer , wheels, seat, tanks, transmission plate, pipes brakes, etc (you can order the full chassis). It’s a quite simple bike to build in a short time when you know where to source all these parts. The red bike was assembled by Dave Perewitz and this style is the new cool thing to build & ride. Paughco.
Very interesting series of microphone inspired taillights for your retro or vintage project.
They are cast in aluminum and also available in yellow or red brass (my preference). Bolted to a powder coated computer cut bracket they are ready to plug & play day & night. $250. Available at a small shop in Texas called Shade Tree Fabrication
It’s again this time of the year when eggs and other treats are going to be delivered and hidden by the Easter Bunny with children looking for them when they wake up Saturday morning.
So, enjoy your Easter Weekend, indulge yourself with some chocolate stolen from your kids, and ride safe with your friends.
State your riding philosophy (fast!), your preference (me!!) and say to the world what you read for the latest custom motorcycle news (this Blog!!!). Wear them. Gift them. For Guys and Gals with attitude and a taste for the best (of course…). See them in full by jumping to my Online Store.
If it is…read this letter sent to me by Mike Seate, publisher of the Café Racer Magazine.
“Build ‘Em Up, Show ‘Em Off. Got something cool, fast and sleek in your garage? Café Racer magazine, the U.S.-based quarterly, is hosting a trio of Ride-In Bike Shows this summer. The first event jumps off on June 20 at Delilah?s during the annual Mods and Rockers Day sponsored by Ton-Up Chicago with the U.K./European round at Ace Cafe, London during the annual Triton and Cafe Racer Day on Sunday, June 28, 2009 with the final U.S. event at the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course during the American Motorcyclist Association’s Vintage Days celebration, on Saturday July 25, 2009. Continue reading ‘Black Leather, Fast Bike And Greasy Hair. Is It You?’
The “custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show” attracts builders from all over Europe but also custom bikes from all kind of pedigrees.
And only a flamboyant Italian could build such an outrageous Ducati. Did you say speed and style? Worls well with girls of all nationalities. No website, but an email if you want to know more about this Italian recipe. gianni_pellegrino@libero.it. (picture Horst Rosler)
Need to evaluate a new engine? To convince all the custom motorcycle scene to use it? Just ask a couple of well-known Custom Builders to build a custom bike fitted with your new motor and send them speeding around a racetrack. It’s exactly what Custom Chrome did with their brand new RevTech 125”, proposing Builders Fred Kodlin & Marcus Walz to use and abuse it by spinning like mad men on the famous 
German Hockenheim racetrack (home of the German Formula 1 Grand Prix). Fred Kodlin, well known for his extreme motorcycle-creations, created a completely new very low, very compact rigid frame prototype. Marcus Walz implanted the engine into his rigid “Hardcore“ chopper frame, painted after James Dean’s legendary Porsche “Little Bastard“. At the last news, the engine loved the test and the 2 builders appreciate even more the legends that raced on the same track. Retail prices in the US range from $4,799.99 to $5,459.99 with a choice of finishes: Natural, Black Wrinkle and Polished. In standard and 49 states compliant versions. Custom Chrome 125” Rev Tech Engine.(photography HRF Horst Rosler).
Never thought that in the United Arab Emirates they were guys building old school choppers. And you must admit that he looks very good and… very American. One of the most crowd pleasing custom bikes during the “Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show”. And it had nothing to do with the model standing by (pictures by Frank Sander)
Seen on the floor of Indian motorcycle Charlotte this 1947 Indian Chief Sidecar. A rare 74”, with all matching numbers, correct 3-speed transmission and completely rust-free.
As you see, the sidecar is primed, ready for a matching paint job in coral red/cream. And I hear that it is for sale for under appraised value…Indian Motorcycle Of Charlotte.
The plea hearing of this Wednesday morning at 8.45 am ended up with the Judge giving Billy Lane’s attorneys and the State prosecutor at least 1 more week to iron out the details of the written version of the verbal agreement. Attorneys will notify the court of their progress during a docket hearing set for 9 a.m. April 14, and possibly enter the plea that day. If not, the case will be set for trial.
The two parties are trying to come to an agreement on mitigating facts that the defense believes applies to Billy’s case. “Mitigators” are, in legalese, facts related to the defendant’s background that might entitle him or her to have sentencing guidelines lowered (photo Florida Today).
Harley-Davidson Inc. named Keith Wandell of Johnson Controls Inc. as new President and CEO. Wandell, 59, replaces retiring CEO James Ziemer, also 59, on May 1, Milwaukee-based Harley said in a statement yesterday. Wandell represented the auto supply industry in U.S. Senate testimony last year, as chief operating officer and president of Johnson Controls, North America’s largest auto supplier. Harley’s profit fell 58 percent in the fourth quarter on slowing sales. And is cutting 1,100 jobs and closing three factories to save about $60 million a year.
The press release I received states that there is nothing like it. And I believe it. After 3 years of continuous lab and road testing, the people of “Second Face On” have perfected a protective mask for motorcycle riders that prefer not to wear the full helmet. Of course, the idea is to offer protection from the rain, warmth, cold while stopping flying objects like stones and bugs dead in their tracks. So they designed a solid one-piece shatterproof polycarbonate mask that eliminates fluttering and vibration for better visibility and less distortion than looking through a motorcycles windshield at sixty miles an hour. In the making of the mold process, they state that they have perfected the lens area to the quality of a good pair of prescription glasses (number one optical clarity). Continue reading ‘When You Ride, Put On Your Second Best Face.’
During the last days a plea deal has been verbally negotiated and agreed by the defense and the State prosecutor. This morning at a 9 am hearing front of the judge in Viera Court, the prosecution and defense realized that they had different interpretations of what their verbal negotiations meant. Billy’s attorney Greg Eisenmenger stated that “How the plea is written or structured can have impact on legal issues down the road, so we want to make sure that’s right.” The hearing was reset for tomorrow Wednesday at 8.45 am. And if you wonder, yes of course Billy Lane and a few others already know his fate. You will have to wait tomorrow to know (photo Florida Today).
After working in his father’s motorcycle shop, Warren Heir Jr. just started his own company in Milwaukee, and is already offering a few cool retro parts. First, super narrow triple trees available in 35, 39, or 41mm. Sold with hardware and 1” steering stem. Then this Kicker pedal with a vintage look and feel manufactured from 6061-T6 aluminum Two designs are available including Fab-Kevin Spindle for $100.00. And to match, these “Holy Foot Pegs machined out of 2024 aircraft quality aluminum. $125.00 per pair. JRS Cycle Products.
This year the 3rd annual show will be held at a new location and on a new date. This exciting event is Saturday, April 18th from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Sunday April 19th, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, at the San Mateo County Event Center in San Mateo California. This Arlen Ness Event is now one of the best bike shows, parts expo and swap meet in the state of California. In addition to the 3 generations of Ness custom builders, there will be a special appearance by Donnie Smith and other well know custom builders. All makes and models welcome. More info at Arlen Ness Bike Show . And for those asking me all the time if I know a transporter to ship their bikes to and from a show or rally, please go to Motorcycles Shipping. (picture: bike by Zach Ness)
Crane Cams. 1953-2009? As I told you last week, there is a lot of confusion regarding Crane Cams and its future. I continue to receive conflicting reports and press releases and below I reproduce the last one I just received. It comes from Katherine Walls, Vice President of Liquitec. Continue reading ‘Crane Cams. Is It The End?’
It used to be impossible to test ride a new model at your favorite local Harley-Davidson dealer. You had to go to big rallies like Daytona or Sturgis to get a chance to demo ride one of the new bikes. Well, as a new strategy to create more traffic into their dealerships, Harley-Davidson is launching “Super Ride 2009”, a program offered until June 30, letting you test ride the 2009 model of your choice. Not all Harley dealers are participating to this program, so check before getting frustrated when arriving on the show floor. And of course, you need to be above 18, and be able to show a valid motorcycle license endorsement. Theme of this Harley advertising campaign? “Right Now This Country Could Use A Little Joyride”.
Dakota Digital is proud to announce the launch the next generation of their already comprehensive website. The new website was designed to cater to the user by providing all generations of current and discontinued product manuals, dealer locators, in addition to features such as demo vehicles and career opportunities. Dakota Digital was founded in 1986 and continues to be the leader in digital instrumentation and electronic accessories for custom cars, trucks, motorcycles and powersports applications. Dakota Digital.
During Daytona Bike Week I observed the return of the very radical custom bikes. And last weekend Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show in Germany also featured a large number of very high tech bikes. No, it’s not the end of the chopper/bobber/vintage trend, but more a fusion of many styles. For example, it’s not rare to see radical bikes with perimeter discs and skinny rear tires, and new retro bikes slowing with a 360-brake. Why not? Want to create your very own style? Simple: mix several of them. Anyway, I digress. This post to introduce you to one very radical custom bike that the public and show judges liked very much all along Daytona Bike week. Joe Palermo from World Class Customs, builds very few bikes, but always push them to the extreme custom treatment. One sold finance his wildest dreams for the next one, and each of them can keep him busy for a full year. Continue reading ‘Daytona Rocket Ship’
Don’t bitch. If you ride you, from time to time you have to look back and a mirror can be a better and safer alternative than turning your head every time.
So, you want it small? Lick’s Cycles is now offering these bare bones mini mirrors that can do the job without cluttering your bars. They fit to stock lever mirror mount provisions, are fully adjustable, both side to side and up and down.
Lick’s Hard Core Mini Mirrors are offered in chrome or black and priced right at just $19.99 (don’t put these on a Bagger!!!). Lick’s Cycles.
Today I need to make an exception and talk about this car already considered the most desirable car on our Greener Planet. The recession will end, and I hope it will be before 2010, date at which the Tesla Model S is going to be released. Is it the reinvention of the automobile? Tesla says that 520 all-electric S Model have been reserved by customers the first week since it was presented to the press. Each customer must pay a $5,000 reservation fee, refundable if they choose not to buy the car. The base price for the Model S available in 2010 starts at $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. Continue reading ‘A Car Named Desire. 300 Miles For $4.00’
