Who doesn’t want more power? Coming from Zippers Performance is this “ Muscle 103 Kit” package for your Twin Cam® 96” engine. Smooth, linear power is extracted from the Twin Cam® with the installation of this complete kit. This performance package includes precision cylinder boring, forged big bore pistons, Zipper’s CNC ported heads with oversize valves, Red Shift cams, adjustable pushrods, and all gaskets. Also included are the ThunderMax ECM with AutoTune, ThunderMax 54mm throttle body, high flow injectors and high flow air cleaner assembly. Easy to order with a single part number. Good news, Zippers keeps exchange heads and cylinders in stock already modified for a super quick turnaround (not legal for use on California public roads). Zippers Performance.
Archive Page 379
Myrtle Beach City Council Passes 15 ordinances To Limit Bikers
Published by September 11th, 2008 in Editorial and Events.
From Freedom Fighter Rogue, I received the following info.
“Myrtle Beach City Council passed 15 city-wide ordinances that they hope will limit bike rallies. These ordinances will apply year-round, but are aimed to limit May’s bike rallies. The ordinances that were passed ranged from a 1 a.m. curfew for underage teenagers to requiring photo identification for anyone checking into a hotel or motel. Continue reading ‘Myrtle Beach City Council Passes 15 ordinances To Limit Bikers’
Cyril Huze Blog is a huge success and its audience grew by more than 35% during the last 12 months while most motorcycle print magazines saw their readership shrink during the same period. This Blog is by far the # 1 traffic ranked (source Alexa) among its direct digital competitors September 30, date of my Blog second anniversary, I will publish all numbers: readers, ranking versus digital competitors, number of pages visited per visitor, number of comments, sources of visits, visitor countries, etc. Makes me pretty happy. I would like all of you to help me expand further my readership by placing an incoming link to the Blog. You can link to the home page http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com or directly to the page where one of your products or services was featured. It’s an added value for your business to make your potential clients read about you in an indepedent media like my Blog. To link in, you can find 6 simple different banners by going to: Banners . Thank you in advance.
Post Scriptum: Some print magazines wish that I publish their readership numbers. I will do so as soon as I have these titles latest ABC controlled data.
Leather Custom Wallets By Duane Ballard
Published by September 11th, 2008 in Accessories and Merchandise.
Duane is known for producing some of the finest leather motorcycle seats in the industry, and now he is expanding his leather product line to include custom wallets. Ballard handcrafts each wallet using seven ounce, 100 % Grade A cowhide for the exterior and Kangaroo leather, prized for its durability, strength and flexibility, for the lining. The wallets are all hand-stitched using calfskin binding. Holiday season is always coming faster than we think. So, maybe you should already think about your stocking stuffers. Duane Ballard
Paper Shampoo For The Road
Published by September 11th, 2008 in Accessories, Editorial and Merchandise.
Since I am always on the look out for anything helping your life on the road, it includes more than parts & tools for your bike. For example if you are going to camp, you know that your toilet bag is always too heavy and your shampoo bottle too big for your bike bags. Dissolving Paper Shampoo will free you from carrying heavy bottles and from wasting the tons of shampoo you always spill when trying to pour just enough for a 10 day trip into a tiny bottle. This unique shampoo will even suds-up with salt water. Each unit is a total of 30 single use sheets in a convenient plastic container of 2”W x 3”H and weights practically nothing. $12 at Dissolving Paper Shampoo.
MAG Acquires Forge-Tec Motorcycle Wheels
Published by September 10th, 2008 in Customs, Editorial and Wheels.
Motorsport Aftermarket Group, Inc (“MAG”), just announced the acquisition of Forge-Tec Motorcycle Wheels and Accessories. Forge-Tec was launched in 2006 to enhance Advanced Metal Technologies (“AMT”) position in the finished motorcycle wheel business. Forge-Tec’s complete product line includes 17 different wheel styles, with matching rotors and pulleys. Forge-Tec supplies a Private Proprietary Program of finished wheels to numerous motorcycle manufactures. Forge-Tec will continue to be marketed and sold under the Forge-Tec brand name. The MAG family of companies includes Vance & Hines, Kuryakyn, Mustang Motorcycle Products, Performance Machine, Renthal, Progressive Suspension, MAG Europe, and J&P Cycles.
Swedish ISR Available At LA County Choprods
Published by September 10th, 2008 in Brakes, Controls and Editorial.
LA County Choprods has long been a fan of ISR race bred design and now offers a complete line of ISR parts for stock Harley-Davidson or custom projects. Continue reading ‘Swedish ISR Available At LA County Choprods’
In a former post I featured this trike (formely called the Cosmo) at a time it was still at the prototype stage. Now, Olmax Fabrication LLC, the parent company of Speed & Custom Cycles, has finished all testing, renamed it The SS Trike, and licensed its production to Precision Cycle Works (PCW) of Caro, MI. The first production SS Trikes will roll out of the PCW manufacturing facility in December of 2008. Continue reading ‘SS Trike going In Production’
The Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group (CVMG) has posted an amazing gallery of old motorcycles shot by photographer Brian Lawrence. The pictures were taken during a swap meet in New York earlier this year. A lot of them are push bikes. Check out the pedals. Go to the CVMG Gallery.
Custom Chrome® has announced the immediate addition of Kurt Peterson in the position of Media & Events Manager. Peterson’s initial focus will be on public and media relations, advertising, event and market presence and market research. Peterson brings with him over 14 years of experience in the v-twin industry. His most recent tenure with S&S Cycle as Sales Manager began in 2004. Continue reading ‘Custom Chrome® Hires Industry Veteran Kurt Peterson’
East Coast Choppers Of Thailand
Published by September 9th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
If I would not tell you, you would probably ignore that there is an East Coast Choppers Shop in Thailand. And yes, they customize (and rent) Harleys. In this Buddhist country called the “Land Of smiles” because of the Thai friendliness and hospitality I wonder if his Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej rides a custom Harley-Davidson. I bet with you that soon I will report on Bangkok Bike Week.
Indian Motorcycle Flagship Dealership Grand Opening
Published by September 8th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
I had the opportunity to see the Indian Charlotte Flagship Dealership while it was still in construction. Great location and superb building that I want to see again now that it’s completed. The Grand Opening Celebration is October 4 and the program includes factory tours (Indian headquarter is close by) starting at 11 AM, a ride from the factory to the dealership at 12.30 PM, and live entertainment starting at 1 PM till’ …. And I am even authorized to invite all of you to come to Charlotte for partying in the New Indian World. Indian Motorcycle.
Shares Of Harley-Davidson Tumble
Published by September 8th, 2008 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
Stock market analysts state that Harley-Davidson’s sales have slowed in the first two months of the third quarter. The company could post a sales decline percentage for July and August in the “mid-teens,” which would follow an 8.7 percent drop in the second quarter. Of course it is due to a weak consumer environment, which has been impacting other leisure vehicle manufacturers. Most analysts also think that the Harley-Davidson’s 2009 models will not be able to boost the company’s sales much.
Sexy Models Building A Custom Metric V-Twin Motorcycle
Published by September 8th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Usually, beautiful and sexy models show up only when our custom bikes are completed, tested, cleaned and ready for photo shoots. It’s gonna change. The models of “AFT Girls”, a model agency division of a “AFT Customs”, a well known custom motorcycle shop specializing in Metrics bikes, are going to get dirty building their own custom metric V-Twin. “This bike will be built by all the models but it will be my daily ride when it is done,” said Sukhee, one of AFT Customs’ newest models. Continue reading ‘Sexy Models Building A Custom Metric V-Twin Motorcycle’
Jesse James is facing 2 lawsuits. The 1st one, filed in July by Michael Jones, alleges that he commissioned Jesse James “West Coast Choppers” to build him a 1949 Cadillac Sedanette for somewhere between $250,000 and $350,000. But, according to Jones, after James requested more money to complete the project and shelling out a total of $422,680 , the car wasn’t completed after a 2-year wait, James tellig him now that the car would cost between $600-700k! Jones is suing for breach of verbal and written contracts and for fraud and asking for the $422,680 he eventually sunk into the car as well as interest, damages and court costs. The second lawsuit filed September 3, 08 by his former lawyer is asking Jesse James to pay $327,533 + interests in unpaid fees for agreed services rendered regarding intellectual property rights, oversight of trademark use and protection, retention of foreign-based counsel, etc.
Big Dog Motorcycles Cuts One-Third Of Workforce
Published by September 6th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Paul Hansen, Marketing Director of Big Dog Motorcycles announces another round of job cuts, laying off one-third of its workers. The company has laid off 22 employees, with 27 more layoffs expected within the next 2 months. The objective is to readjust the workforce to the weak consumer environment, which has been impacting other motorcycle manufacturers. It is the 3rd round of layoffs in the last 12 months for the Wichita based company. At its peak in 2004, Big Dog had 340 employees and now about 100. Sales of high-end custom motorcycles have declined during the last 3 years and Big Dog wants to be a viable company when the economy rebounds.
Chopper Chicks And Garage Girls
Published by September 6th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
During the 105th Harley-Davidson Anniversary celebration, while everybody was partying, some women where wrenching for good causes: the art of custom motorcycles and both the RAACE and the Wisconsin Breast Cancer foundations. Continue reading ‘Chopper Chicks And Garage Girls’
Black is beautiful. Softbrake is offering a complete line of accessories and replacement parts, finished in a matt black powder coat. This new finish provides a rugged, durable, strictly business finishing touch to any Bagger or Chopper. The line includes their foot movement reducing extended brake arms to precision machined direct replacement billet master cylinders, shift linkage, shift arms, license plate relocators and LED license plate. Aluminum pieces feature machined bare aluminum highlights. All Softbrake accessories are sold exclusively through North County Customs at 714-680-0911
Cliff Gullett Killed At The Bonneville Salt Flats
Published by September 5th, 2008 in Editorial and Events.
Cliff Gullett, rider of the Costella-Gullett Motorcycle Streamliner was killed Wednesday afternoon at the Bonneville Salt Flats, after completing his return run. Cliff had 2 runs which qualified for the record in the 500 cc class, but the record will have to be ratified by the governing racing bodies for the event. Cliff Gullett died after he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed while traveling at 239 mph. Just a little over a week ago, he set 3 World Land Speed Records, one of which broke a 50 year old record set in 1958. He wanted to be the first to reach 400 mph on a two-wheeled Streamliner. Gullett owned Team Bozeman Motorsports, a motorcycle and snowmobile dealership.
Kobalt 53″ Tool Chest. Sound System and Fridge Included.
Published by September 5th, 2008 in Accessories, Customs and Editorial.
You must know now that I love toolboxes. From inside to outside. They are the daily companions of our lives and the big helpers in our custom motorcycle ventures. I work better with a well organized and beautiful tool chest by my side. And toolboxes can provide more options that keeping our tools. Like this Kobalt 53-inch Chest featuring a Pioneer sound system and integrated 1.6 cubic inch fridge in addition to features like LED lighting, flush mounted hanging hooks, 4-plug power strips, heavy duty casters supporting up to 4000 pounds of equipment. If it were a bike, the Kobalt toolbox would be a very customized touring bike with a cool sound system. Kobalt Tools.
US Choppers is producing a chassis named “Factory Race Platform” reminiscent of motorcycles from the mid teens. Using it as a base you can build a vintage looking bike or a modern custom showing its heritage. Of course this chassis is hand crafted for precision fit, with in mind strength and durability on the road . Available with matching 1915 combo gas /oil tanks as well as a battery/stash box behind the seat post. The frame fit any big twin motor and transmission back to 1936, except Shovelheads. Offered by US Choppers
Harley-Davidson Doing Social Networking On Facebook
Published by September 4th, 2008 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
Facebook, the famous social networking website founded in 2004 has more than 90 million active users worldwide. And of course, Harley-Davidson noticed. The Harley Facebook pages will be updated frequently with exclusive content and official news directly from Harley-Davidson. Visitors can check out national events like Harley-Davidson’s 105th Anniversary Celebration. They can also get the scoop on local events that are sponsored by dealerships across the country. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Doing Social Networking On Facebook’
Saxon Motorcycles Europe Launches The Henchman
Published by September 4th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
My European readers will soon have a new bike to choose from to ride legally the EEC roads. During Austria Bike week, Saxon Motorcycles Europe presented their new model named the “Henchman”. This new old school style bike is a hardtail in the bobber-style, equipped with a 96” (1566cc) S&S engine, a 200 rear tire, 6-speed transmission, Brembo brakes and a spring seat. Optionally the Henchman can be equipped with a Springer front end and the dealer can provide the seat with shocks or even a pneumatic seating system. Saxon aims to obtain the European Type Approval for the Henchman this year, so the bikes should be available in Europe and Switzerland before we transit to 2009. All Saxon bikes have a 2-year factory warranty. Saxon Motorcycles Europe.
Will We Ever See New American IronHorse Motorcycles?
Published by September 3rd, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Fast summary. 1- A U.S. bankruptcy judge in Fort Worth agreed to the sale of American IronHorse Motorcycles to Scott Meyers for $6.7 million. The total cost of the acquisition by Scott Meyers is in excess of $8 million because it includes liabilities in the form of warranties on existing bikes. 2- As announced first in my Blog, Scott Meyers confirms that IronHorse will honor all existing warranties. 3- On August 15, Scott Meyers closes its own Dealership “BlackWater Choppers” in MN apparently giving only a 1 week notice to its employees. Scott Meyers justifies his decision because of a conflict of interest with the New AIH. Why? 4- A liquidation of $10 million of parts is announced and handled by Liquid Asset Partners LLC. with bulk sales beginning August 25. But now the sales appear to be on hold. Why? 5- It seems that no new American IronHorse motorcycles are being built at the Fort Worth, TX. facility 7- Scott Meyers rumored stating that there is no market for a New AIH. 8- Scott Meyers changing his mind and regretting his purchase of the former bankrupt American IronHorse Company? What does he know now that he didn’t know when bidding on the assets of the defunct company? 9- Called Scott Meyers in Texas on 09/02/08. My call not yet returned… What’s going on, New AIH?
Renegade 3D Aspen Wheel
Published by September 3rd, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Wheels.
This wheel is called “Aspen” but I would have called it “Airfoil” because of it’s 3D 9-spoke layout design. As with all Renegade wheels, the “aspen” is precision machined from a single block of the highest grade billet aluminum. Each wheel is then polished to a mirror finish and dipped in brilliant show quality chrome. All Wheels are shipped complete with applicable hubs and bearings and are available in diameters from 16”-23” and widths from 2.25” to 14”. Additionally, all Renegade custom wheels carry a Lifetime Structural Warranty! See the Renegade Lineup
Dear Mr. Huze:
“I do not own a motorcycle but have been an envious admirer of custom motorcycles since I was in my twenties. I have been looking at your website for years, although I don’t recall how I found it, and have referred many friends and acquaintances so that they too could view your amazing artwork and customizing.
For years I have been on the edge of getting a tattoo – sometimes secretly admiring some that I saw or sometimes openly asking if they would stop and let me really take in the art they had on their bodies. My interest has drawn me to learn about various techniques in other countries, such as Polynesia and Japan, as well as tattoos that are sewn into the skin. I knew that what was holding me back was never seeing anything that I could imagine being that proud of for the rest of my life. Continue reading ‘Letter Of The week. Body Art.’
