Thanks to the multiple reports and amazing photography I receive from Horst Rosler, in the next few days I am going to introduce you to the wildest (and to my preferred) custom bikes of last week “European Custom Chrome Dealer Show”. And to start, let’s look at the beautiful racing lines and amazing details of this custom bike built by TGS Motorcycles based in Bavaria, Germany. Builder Tobias Guckel will fly this beauty (no pun intended) to Sturgis to compete in the AMD World Championship Of Bike Building. My opinion, very/very difficult to do a better racing piece of art . TGS Motorcycles.
Chopper Couture is edgy sophistication inspired by a mix of influences and experiences from an art-driven Chopper Culture. All pieces of clothing are manufactured using only eco- friendly fabrications such as luxuriously soft bamboo and certified organic cotton. Sounds good, and looking quite sophisticated when each piece is embellished with studs and when the artisan silk-screened graphics are crystallized. Well, all these beautiful words to tell you that the new “CC Rider” Fall Collection has just arrived, featuring as usual a very up-beat streetwear sensibility. Chopper Couture.
One day Arlen told me “Hard work is as good as talent”. And of course he is right. So if you add his 30+ years of hard work in the motorcycle industry to his natural talent, it’s no surprise that Arlen Ness received from the hands of Holger Mohr, CEO of Custom Chrome, a “Lifetime Achievement Award”. It happened last weekend during the Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show in Mainz, Germany. Then, Arlen Ness went back to “hard work”, signing autographs during hours to his European fans. Arlen Ness is only the third person to receive the Custom Chrome Europe “Lifetime Achievement Award“. The 2 former recipients are in 2006 “Motographer” Horst Rosler (author of these 2 pictures) and in 2008 John Reed. Arlen, please promise not to use the half tank of this award to start a new project! Congratulations. Arlen Ness Enterprises.
This new piece by David Uhl was created to be a window into the past and hang next to the actual plane residing in a museum in Chandler, Arizona. In David’s words: “Ever since I painted “Ruth”, I have a special place in my heart for P-51s. This plane is no exception. It is in perfect condition and was a true pleasure to render out in all of its glory. So continuing with the glory theme I put in a magnificent bank of afternoon clouds, and Lt. Norley reveling in his elements”. This painting was unveiled at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale. To reserve your print, simply call 303-913-4840 or visit UHL Studios.
This “Side Mount” battery box is designed to allow a standard Softail size battery to be mounted on the right side above the transmission. The box mounts in three places and uses rubber isolated mounts for vibration resistant installation and includes mounting provisions to accommodate the Mooneyes 3 quart. “Chopper” oil tank and mounting brackets. Raw steel or Solar Black powder coated with your choice of steel or leather battery strap. Comes with mounts and hardware. 175.00. Continue reading ‘LA County Chop Rods New Parts’
I didn’t know it exists. One appeared on eBay, and I learn, like you, that there are only 3 available, that they were used by the French army (for doing what?), sport a Jap 350 cm3 sport engine and a 3-speed gearbox from Soyer. For the price of $22,100.00 you can impress all the worldwide moto press when you ride it on a Daytona beach during Bike Week. Will also do well in the “Unusual Class” of the Rat’s Hole Show.
Following your comments, Jennifer Mercaldi Ramella, Marketing Director Of The Broken Spoke Saloon, brings you a complement of information regarding New Orleans Bike Week (May 6 to 10th).
“Hi – Jen here with Broken Spoke and Bike Week New Orleans. I wanted to chime in and say that this is a very unique event, in that we have planned most everything to be happening within a 5-city block radius. The event location is concentrated in what is called the “Warehouse and Arts district”, which is where the Convention Center is located. It is a fun area with lots of great bars, restaurants, galleries, etc. Continue reading ‘Bike Week New Orleans Update’
Not really new (I was one of the first to use this Kit on 2 “Road King” in the mid 90’s) but improved and more than ever an easyKit to improve the rear and side look of a lot of baggers. The Arlen Big Bags are high strength fiberglass and accept OEM lids and mounting hardware. You can bolt on or fiberglass the extensions to visually lower your bike and run your exhaust through them. The Bagger-Tail and Duck-Tail fenders are a direct replacement for the OEM fender on 2002-up Touring models. They are pre-drilled bolt-on fenders to give your bike a clean and unique look while filling in the gap between the fender and saddlebags. Fenders fit up to a 200 mm rear tire and supplied with a Ness RWD/Taillight assembly with turn signals plugging directly in the stock Harley harness. In the Custom Chrome eStore Catalog or visit your Dealer.
If you are in the greater New York area on Saturday April 18th, don’t miss the grand opening of this new store which will exclusively focus on American Brands made in the USA and US artists. Founded by Elisa Seeger, partner in Indian Larry Motorcycles, this unique motorcycle merchandise store with an artistic side. The new store will feature lifestyle apparel such as Levi’s, Dickies and Wrangler, vintage helmets, leather jackets by Schott and accessories geared to meet the needs of today’s male riders. Continue reading ‘Genuine Motorworks Store Grand Opening’
Unfortunately, it is in human nature to gossip and launch rumors. Relying on the economic context that we all know, some even try to use the popularity of my Blog (and the freedom I give to comment in it), as an amplifier to give some legitimacy to their “first hand” news. So below is a statement made to me this morning by Paul Hansen, Marketing Director of Big Dog Motorcycles.
“Make no mistake: Big Dog Motorcycles is NOT stopping production. Starting Monday, April 6, we are temporarily halting some areas of production for two weeks due to a combination of temporary parts delays on the newly designed 15th anniversary bikes and the all-new Bulldog, our high performance bagger model. Such delays are common on projects of this large scale due to the engineering releases and testing programs. Continue reading ‘Big Dog Motorcycles Adjusting Its Production. Not Stopping It’
Down Under they are also working very hard to build the custom bike eligible to represent Australia in the AMD World Championship. The winning bike was built by Dylan Robb from Kings Of Kustom and is based on a 1969 XLCH Sportster. Continue reading ‘Down Under And Light Weight’
Give it to a youngster to explain to him he must start saving now for retirement and he will not care. Give it to an over 50 years old and he will be offended.
This clock has been slowed down by 61,320 percent so each minute now represents approximately a year. The clock, of course, has been renumbered for the new setting. Via designboom.
On March 23rd, I reported on a new bill introduced by California State Senator Fran Paveley (D) intendig to require all motorcycles (beginning with model year 2000) to be tested by July 1, 2011 under the California State’s vehicle “smog check” program. Below is a letter from best seller author Tom zimberoff (Art Of The Chopper 1 & 2) challenging the justifications for such a bill.
The Honorable Fran Pavley, State Senator 23rd District, The Capitol, Room Nº 4035
Sacramento, California 95814
Dear Senator Pavley,
My letter pertains to SB 435 and what was characterized on your Web site as a loophole in California law, singling out motorcycles for further emission regulation and enforcement. If this bill passes, well, many motorcycles probably will not. Is that necessary? Practically everyone who rides a motorcycle has an abiding respect for ecological issues. It’s a matter of self interest for us, just as it is for everyone; perhaps more so because one of the joys of riding is to inhale the myriad scents in the air as they change continually with passing landscapes. There is no comparable experience for hermetically cocooned and air-conditioned automobile drivers. But I digress. Continue reading ‘Open Letter From Tom Zimberoff To California Senator Fran Pavley’
Craig Betz of California was a longtime motorcyclist and a new member of the motorcycle group “Hamsters USA”. Last fall, shortly after being inducted into the group at the 2008 Sturgis Rally, Betz lost his battle with cancer. His most beloved possession was arguably his custom Arlen Ness Speed Liner motorcycle, As part of Craig’s legacy, his sister Cecily Betz donated his motorcycle as a fundraiser for the non-profit organization Children’s Care Hospital & School of Rapid City, SD, which serves children with special healthcare and educational needs. Continue reading ‘In Memory Of Craig Betz And To Benefit Children Of South Dakota’
“It was again Custom Motorcycle Mayhem in Mainz/Germany with one of the biggest and most extraordinary bike show and exhibition during the CCE Dealer Show. The event includes the AMD Championship of Custom Bike Building. The 2009 edition of the Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show succeeded to top last year attendance in terms of number of Dealers, of Bike Builders (including Arlen Ness, Marcus Walz, Fred Kodlin, etc) and number of bike show participants (116 competitors registered a total of140 custom motorcycles to get a chance to win 1 of the 3 trips to participate to the Sturgis AMD World Championship). Continue reading ‘Custom Chrome Europe 2009 Dealer Show’
Via your comments I know too well that Indian is a brand every biker is passionate about. In this Blog I read all kind of comments (especially after I reported on my Kings Mountain factory visit and expressed positive feelings regarding the new venture), everything from skeptical comments to unconditional encouragement and support. Now is the time for facts and numbers. The 45 employees North Carolina plant produce about 16 motorcycles a week and Indian Motorcycle is on track for selling 800 Indian Chief motorcycles this year (700 was the initial objective given to me one year ago to break even in the 1st year of business). Plans are currently made to double production in 2010. Continue reading ‘Indian Motorcycle Update’
On March 21, 09 In the New York Times, Susanna Hamner published an interesting article under the title “Harley, You’re Not Getting Any Younger”. Mostly factual, this article is listing the difficulties of Harley dealing with its bad subprime loans and aging clientele (average age is now 49). Jim Ziemer, Harley-Davidson & CEO (who will retire this year) must have felt offended to feel necessary to email his employees a letter in which he states that the New-York Times story is “one-sided and naïve” and that he will run in the same newspaper, as an answer, the ad featured here. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Polemic Ad’
Legendary motorcyclist Malcolm Smith defies the CPSC Federal code signed into law in August 2008 by former President George W. Bush outlawing the sale of motorcycles and related products for use by kids (thank you Mike).
The recession has made 2009 a terror for most print media owners. Higher distribution costs, declining subscription and newsstand sales, reduced advertising budgets and successful competition from the Web 2 medias (Blogs and Interactive Social Networks), has put many of these magazines in the position where owners are unable or unwilling to continue to fund their titles.
Enthusiast print magazines are the most to suffer of this situation and unfortunately it includes motorcycle magazines. Hachette Media USA, a subsidiary of French Media Group Hachette is aggressively looking for a buyer of several of its enthusiast magazines, including Cycle World. Word of the sale effort of the #1 selling motorcycle magazine in the world appeared yesterday in the Delaney Report, a trade newsletter. Since the beginning of the year, ad pages in Cycle World declined 18%.
It’s getting very confusing. Official statements and releases by the company and published during these last 2 weeks are contradicted, corrected or amended in the following days. So, we know that Crane Cams founded in 1953 was acquired at the end of 2006 by Mikronite Technologies Group in New Jersey. That Crane Cams of Daytona closed abruptly on February 24, laying off 280 employees. That Vice President Steve Leva stated last week that the famous Camshafts/Valve Train/Electric Ignition Components company will reopen soon after restructuration. Now, I learn that this week, as Crane Cams officials conducted a tour of their plant for prospective buyers today, a Wisconsin company advertised on the Internet that it plans to auction Crane’s assets during the coming month. Continue reading ‘What’s Going On At Crane Cams?’
Using the technology from Grip Ace, Exile Cycles proposes this hidden switch bar kit. The strip can be mounted anywhere but is shown here inserted into the grip and directly into the handlebar. This little beauty allows one stealthy rubber ‘switch-strip’ to control all your switching needs: turn-signals, horn, Hi/Lo beam – and holding two switches together will even operate the starter! Just one small wire exits the bars and it connects to a tiny module that is easily mounted under the gas-tank. Hidden Switch Bar kit sells for $325. For more information contact Exile Cycles or call 818 255 3330
Chuck Palumbo is a former WWE Super Star Pro-Wrestler and the owner of CP Kustoms. After visiting Walter Reed Hospital in D.C. and learning of Lt. Christopher Palumbo’s (Chuck’s younger brother) heroic efforts in Iraq, in which he was awarded the Silver Star, Chuck was inspired to do something special to thank our troops. From his CP Kustoms bike shop in San Diego, Chuck Palumbo is building “The War Machine”, then he will ride it to the “Horse Smoke Out 10” (May 8-9) in Rockingham, North Carolina. Then, after riding cross-country he will give it away. It’s that simple. Continue reading ‘Chuck Palumbo Building And Riding For Our Soldiers’
In a rally like Daytona it’s quite unusual to see a trike attracting as many people as your typical 2-wheel new “show bike of the year”. Well, I had to check out this one and met with Canadian Fred Vaillancourt (a.k.a.The Rat) from the Rat Shop who explained to me that he loves to build bikes inspired by the comic book heroes of his childhood…and of his adult life. So, all his builds transport you in fantasyland, and the big kids that we all are seem to enjoy this approach. A few years ago he started with the “Mutant” bike, then “The Punisher” and the public asking for more he built the wildest one featured here and called “The Spawn”.Continue reading ‘A Very Wild Trike Out Of A Comic Book’
I didn’t know it exists. One appeared on 
Following your comments, Jennifer Mercaldi Ramella, Marketing Director Of 
Not really new (I was one of the first to use this Kit on 2 “Road King” in the mid 90’s) but improved and more than ever an easyKit to improve the rear and side look of a lot of baggers. The Arlen Big Bags are high strength fiberglass and accept OEM lids and mounting hardware. You can bolt on or fiberglass the extensions to visually lower your bike and run your exhaust through them. The Bagger-Tail and Duck-Tail fenders are a direct replacement for the OEM fender on 2002-up Touring models. They are pre-drilled bolt-on fenders to give your bike a clean and unique look while filling in the gap between the fender and saddlebags. Fenders fit up to a 200 mm rear tire and supplied with a Ness RWD/Taillight assembly with turn signals plugging directly in the stock Harley harness. In the 
If you are in the greater New York area on Saturday April 18th, don’t miss the grand opening of this new store which will exclusively focus on American Brands made in the USA and US artists. Founded by Elisa Seeger, partner in Indian Larry Motorcycles, this unique motorcycle merchandise store with an artistic side. The new store will feature lifestyle apparel such as Levi’s, Dickies and Wrangler, vintage helmets, leather jackets by Schott and accessories geared to meet the needs of today’s male riders. 
The 
Craig Betz of California was a longtime motorcyclist and a new member of the motorcycle group “Hamsters USA”. Last fall, shortly after being inducted into the group at the 2008 Sturgis Rally, Betz lost his battle with cancer. His most beloved possession was arguably his custom Arlen Ness Speed Liner motorcycle, As part of Craig’s legacy, his sister Cecily Betz donated his motorcycle as a fundraiser for the non-profit organization Children’s Care Hospital & School of Rapid City, SD, which serves children with special healthcare and educational needs. 
Industry friend and “Motographer” Horst Rosler reports from last weekend 
Via your comments I know too well that 
(Sent by Stephen Budge)
The recession has made 2009 a terror for most print media owners. Higher distribution costs, declining subscription and newsstand sales, reduced advertising budgets and successful competition from the Web 2 medias (Blogs and Interactive Social Networks), has put many of these magazines in the position where owners are unable or unwilling to continue to fund their titles.
It’s getting very confusing. Official statements and releases by the company and published during these last 2 weeks are contradicted, corrected or amended in the following days. So, we know that 
Using the technology from Grip Ace, 
Chuck Palumbo is a former WWE Super Star Pro-Wrestler and the owner of 
