Custom builders love to install a 21” or 23” front wheel on a Bagger. So, wheel and fender manufacturers catch up very fast to answer our new needs for new parts. Fat Katz, a leader in steel gas tanks and fenders that I use very often just released 2 brand new fenders in these 2 new 21” & 23” sizes. The 21” (reference FL140C) fits like a glove the tire 120/70/21. The 23” is called Philly (reference FL105). Both of these fenders are predrilled for easy mounting and include chrome plated spacers and mounting hardware. They are made of 13 gauge cold rolled steel. Made in the USA. Call Don Baumunk on my behalf at 530-273-2212. Fat Katz
Archive Page 385
New Fat Katz 21″ And 23″ Front Fenders For Baggers
Published by July 11th, 2008 in Chassis, Editorial and Wheels.
In all industries some people and corporations make a living, or try to, by copying the original work of others. In my profession, it’s true with one-off motorcycles, custom parts and now with my Blog. Here the story of a motorcycle website (I will not mention the URL address because I don’t want to artificially boost his poor traffic) who systematically was publishing my daily articles word for word, stealing my pictures (the ones I receive for publication through PR, rework in Photoshop or that I researched, or that I took personally) forgetting, of course, to mention my name and to link back to my Blog. Evidently, his intention were to make his readers think he was the author of my articles, then after building traffic to prospect advertisers for his own benefit. So, the owner of the site in question, like quite a few others who did the same before him, received from me a “cease ad desist” letter asking him to remove immediately, with a deadline of 48 hours, all the copyrighted material from his site.
Continue reading ‘What’s Going To Happen When You Steal My Work’
How To Build a Bobber On A Budget.
Published by July 10th, 2008 in Books, Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Didn’t see Jose De Miguel on the show tour last year. Now, I kow why. He was busy writing this book whose main proposition is not how to Build A Bobber, but how to Build It On A Budget. And he means for less than the price than any “new bobber” offered on a dealer show floor. And Jose don’t ask you first to buy the latest most sophisticated motorcycle shop equipment, which would cost you a few bobbers, but instead show you that you can do it with a set of basic tools. More important ingredient to succeed your project? Continue reading ‘How To Build a Bobber On A Budget.’
A Lot Of Brouhaha In Sturgis
Published by July 10th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
During the rally you can win $15,000 in Trophies & Swag At Bikernet’s Brouhaha! Ride In Bike Show to debut on August 8th for a full day of fun…and brouhaha. The event will be located at Thunder Road in Sturgis and will feature dawn to dusk non-stop entertainment. Headlining the event is a ride-in bike show with skits, giveaways, music and special guests including major builders, magazine editors and rocker Steven Tyler. Continue reading ‘A Lot Of Brouhaha In Sturgis’
Do you think you designed and produced a very cool custom retro looking part but have no money, no structure, or no inclination to market it yourself? Have you ever wondered how custom parts land in catalogs? If you have an out of sight retro part that you are just dying to get to market, I offer you good tip. While in Sturgis, go the “Grease Monkey Mayhem” lot on Lazelle & 8th any day from noon to 5 PM. There you can meet with Ed Martin a.k.a. Mr Lucky, the man behind Jammer Cycle Products producing the yearly Jammer’s Handbook Catalog. Show him what you’ve got and maybe he will feature your retro part in his 2009 edition. You smell dollars? Lucky you.
President Brett Smith About S&S 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Published by July 9th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
Brett Smith, President of S&S Cycle reads this Blog, and of course all the comments you made following my posts about the S&S 50th Anniversary Celebration. Below are his answers to your questions and/or concerns (picture Brett Smith with wife Robin during opening ceremonies)
“Hello All:
Judging from the various posts on this website, we are as passionate and enthusiastic as ever–a great thing. I think many of you know that I typically do not respond to posts on websites, but on occassion, I feel it necessary to try and clear up a few points. Many of these points have already been made, but perhaps hearing them from me might carry some weight–if you can trust me to speak truth. If you can’t there’s not too much I can do about that. Continue reading ‘President Brett Smith About S&S 50th Anniversary Celebration.’
Bike Builders To Appear On Sturgis Rider Live at the Buffalo Chip Campground
Published by July 9th, 2008 in Builders, Editorial and Events.
Producers of the Sturgis Rider Live online show dedicated to showcasing custom motorcycles and all aspects of the American biker lifestyle will be taping live and on stage 4 to 6 p.m. at the Buffalo Chip Campground on Wednesday, August 6, 2008. The public is invited to attend and participate in the show taping. Show host Charlie Brechtel, legendary leader of the Charlie Brechtel Blues Band, will welcome special guests and renown bike builders Paul Cox (formerly of Indian Larry Legacy), Randy Simpson of Milwaukee Iron, and members of the Sucker Punch Sally bike production crew. Other guests will include Rod “Woody” Woodruff, owner of the Buffalo Chip Campground, the beautiful and lively Sturgis Rider Live girls, and others to be announced.
State-Of-The-Art Front End
Published by July 9th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Suspension.
Customizing a motorcycle is an art form. Better start with some artistic designs. Like this Avalon front end that you could see featured in a Soho cotnemprary art gallery celebrating the fusion of form and function. Of course, it’s sculpted from noble solid billet aluminum, is available with different triple tree rake (3, 5, 6 and 7-degree), feature a stainless steel semi-hidden axle. It is available in polish, chrome or all sinister/classy black. Tp personalize it even more, choose among 3 different leg tips. Mean Street Products.
I can talk about it because last year I was invited and had a very good time. It’s Canada’s #1 Custom Bike Building Challenge and this year will be the 4th edition (July 25-27).
Here how it works. Bike builders must be from Canada and can enter only 1 custom bike that never competed before in the same show. The winning Builder and his Bike agree to several appearances including representing Canada during Daytona Bike week (paid travel package). In addition to bragging rights and a cool trophy, he also gets a magazine feature and a TV interview with Heather Ireland from Biker TV. There is only one Canada’s 2008 Champion Custom Bike Builder and his bike is scored and selected by professional judges. 5 other awards (best paint, chrome, theme, design, fabrication) are voted by the public. Continue reading ‘Canadian Biker Build-Off’
Xena Disc-Lock Alarm. Looks And Sounds Good To Me.
Published by July 8th, 2008 in Accessories and Editorial.
Why a lock would not look good on your bike? You must admit that this one is looking cool in its high nickel content stainless steel mono block construction. But I would not talk about it if it would not perform equally well. It incorporates a 110 db shock and motion sensor that you alarm with a single turn of the key (no on-off switch to worry about). And for the technicians reading me, here how it works. When the lock is unlocked by the key: it wakes up an LED arming sensor located in the gap where the brake disc goes. Light is transmitted from an LED source and is reflected by a small mirror and bounced back to a sensor. Continue reading ‘Xena Disc-Lock Alarm. Looks And Sounds Good To Me.’
The 2008 Carlisle Bike Fest is one of the best tickets on the East Coast for fans of everything on two wheels. Stunt shows, bands, vendors, food and drinks and special guests will be packed into one weekend at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on July 25-27. The Carlisle Bike Fest is nicknamed “The Show” because everything that you would find at the largest events will be offered. In addition to enjoying the scenic rides throughout Central PA, the 2008 edition will see new features. Two motorcycles from two different classes will be included in the 2008 Carlisle Bike Fest Give Away on two days Saturday and Sunday. Continue reading ‘2008 Carlisle Bike Fest Is July 25/27’
Sturgis 2008. You Gonna Love Riding Back Home.
Published by July 7th, 2008 in Driveline and Editorial.
It is a pretty good idea coming from the crew at Baker Drivetrain. You ride up to Sturgis with your 5-speed transmission (factory or after-market) bike and ride back home smoothly shifting a new Baker Direct Drive 6-speed. I let them explain to you how to make the switch while you enjoy the Sturgis Rally.
“Make the ride home better than the ride there.
Don’t think about your ride to Sturgis, think about the ride home. Think about how nice it would be to ride back with a few-hundred less – bike rattling, fuel sucking, bolt-loosening, ass-numbing -motor RPM. Forget about the screaming that your engine did on the way out there.
That is, forget about that old 5-speed and return home with the award-winning BAKER Direct Drive 6-Speed to keep up with the new Cruise Drive™ equipped Harley-Davidsons®. Continue reading ‘Sturgis 2008. You Gonna Love Riding Back Home.’
Parisian Designer Jerome Coste was reading a Japanese motorcycle magazine and fell in love with the spirit of the Tokyo biker gangs who expertly mixed street and vintage motorcycling culture. Hence came the idea for a brand of helmets that would incorporate retro design with modern technology. It’s the way Jerome acquired his obsession with helmets with the results you see here. A gorgeous line of Jet Helmets (no chin guard) called “Pavillon” made out of carbon fiber, as you know, a material extremely strong and feather light. It’s kind of funny, because under each helmet I am able to imagine the matching perfect bike…Must be because these helmets are so harmonious that they all deserve a one-off custom made motorcycle. Custom builders I know that reaching the end of this post, you will want to order 1 or 2. Cool, because “Les Ateliers Ruby”, name of the Jerome’s company, is ready to invade the US markets and looking for new distributors and resellers. You can contact Jerome by writing to: contact@ateliersruby.com but not before you visit his both simple and beautiful digital space (in English and French with great music included) by going to Les Ateliers Ruby.
Sucker Punch Sally’s New Taste
Published by July 6th, 2008 in Accessories, Builders, Customs and Editorial.
During Sturgis “Sucker Punch Sally” is going to host a Bike Giveaway at the legendary Buffalo Chip. The reason or the pretext? The Launch of 2 drinks: a “Sucker Punch Original Octane” energy drink and a “Punch Shine” classic 120-proof moonshine! Wow! I would have thought that Sucker Punch Sally would launch first…a Punch drink. Anyway, the launch and celebration will happen from August 4 to 7 at SPS’s trailer located at the infield of the Buffalo Chip. Sturgis attendees can register for a chance to win the SPS Custom Bike that the crew is building. The SPS crew will also be handing out samples of Original Octane at their trailer throughout bike week. The Original Octane Motorcycle will be given away Thursday, Aug. 7 live onstage at the Buffalo Chip, and the winner must be present at the Buffalo Chip Friday, Aug. 8 to claim his or her prize. Sucker Punch Sally.
This front wheel size getting more and more popular, Renegade Wheels is now offering all its designs in 23”diameter x 3.75 for a tall and sleek design. They are offered in chrome, Ebony or powder coated to your liking. The new 23’s are priced at $1595.00. All Renegade rims come with applicable hubs and bearings and carry a Lifetime structural warranty. If you’re looking for unique these very cools wheel have you covered. For complete details visit the entire lineup at Renegade Wheels.
S&S 50th Anniversary Celebration. And The Winners Are…(Part 3)
Published by July 4th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.
Announce in this Blog of the list of winners of the competition held during the S&S 50th Anniversary Celebration provoked a flurry of comments. First, let me say that I love the winner bike but that I don’t know if it would have been my choice because I was not there and didn’t have the opportunity to check the bikes from close. I have been Head judge of the Rat’s Hole Show during many years and judge in many others, and I can tell you for sure that you can’t evaluate the quality of a custom motorcycle without spending time around it. A picture will never tell you/show you all the fabrication, mechanical, paint, etc details and tricks. Continue reading ‘S&S 50th Anniversary Celebration. And The Winners Are…(Part 3)’
Mesinger Racer Seat. You can’t find one. Make one.
Published by July 3rd, 2008 in Editorial and Seats.
With its base in wood, its bicycle look, the Mesinger Seat was standard equipment on race motorcycles during the teens & twenties. And you would love to find an original one for your restoration or new old school bobber or boardtracker project. You could spend years with no success just looking for one. Don’t despair. A good upholstery shop can make a repro for you, patina on cowhide included, but only if you can show him or her a good picture. So, this image is my gift to you to help you get a period correct one and help all the good upholstery shops make a little bit of money.
Tonight Alan Lee On Reality Show Chopper Challenge
Published by July 2nd, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Today Wednesday July 2 at 8.30 PM EST on CMT, the new custom builder featured in this reality show series is Alan Lee building a “Monster Energy” theme motorcycle. Every week, the 10-episode prime-time series presents a different bike builder constructing a custom motorcycle that incorporates a brand into the vehicle design. Previous shows included the Incredible Hulk, insurance company Geico and Time Warner Cable’s RoadRunner broadband service.
Zeel Design New Bolt-On 200 And 240 Wide Tire Kits
Published by July 2nd, 2008 in Chassis, Editorial and Wheels.
Michael Long at Zeel design, a well-known specialist of wide tire kits, is launching 2 new conversion systems for Harley Sportsters that he qualifies as “true bolt-on”, meaning a lot of time and/or money saved. The 240 mm wide tire kit is for your model 2004 and up. Comes with their special offset pulley and bearing support plate, complete swingarm assembly, carbon fiber belt, hidden axle, billet aluminum engine transition block, spacers and all necessary hardware. You can keep all your stock components. Requires 18 X 8.5 wheel, 240 tire and fender. Retail for $2,749.00. Of course, Zeel Design offers the 200 and 240 mm matching fender complete with struts and hardware, with or without cut out for license plate with LED brake and turn signals. From $599.00. Made in America. Zeel Design.
S&S 50th Anniversary Celebration. And The Winners Are…(Part 2)
Published by July 1st, 2008 in Editorial.
From left to right. Nicolas Chauvin from Nicolas Chauvin Design (France), Bertrand Dubet from Odyssey Motorcycles (France), Keiji Kawakta from Hot-Dock Custom Cycles (Japan), Freddy Krugger from Krugger Motorcycles Company (Belgium)
S&S 50th Anniversary Celebration. And The Winner Is…(Part 1)
Published by July 1st, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
As you know 50 builders were competing during last weekend S&S Cycle 50th Anniversary Celebration. Builders were showing S&S engine powered custom bikes classified in 6 series depending of the model of engine used. The overall winner won the $50,000 prize.
Best Of Show: Hot Dock from Japan. Best P-Serie (Panhead): Freddy Krugger from Belgium. Best SH-Serie (Shovelhead): Cook Customs from the USA. Best SB-Serie (Sportster): Odyssey Motorcycle from France. Best T-Serie (Twin-Cam): Bennet’s Performance from the USA. Best V-Serie (Evo): Nicolas Chauvin from France. Best XW-Serie (X-Wedge): Fred Kodlin from Germany.
Hope to get very fast a better picture of the Best Of show winner, Hot Dock bike named Sgt Nautirus built by Keij Kawakita in Tokyo..
The best one will be served at the Broken Spoke Saloon on Lazelle street on Tuesday August 5th at 9 AM. Yes, I am talking about the 3rd Annual Builders Breakfast where you can as the same time have your breakfast (plenty of food), meet with your preferred custom builder, get autographs and photo opportunities, bid on motorcycle memorabilia, but also and more important benefit the Make A Wish Foundation Of south Dakota. Each admission ticket is $25 and I still have 10 for sale. To participate, please email to editor@cyrilhuzeblog.com with your phone number/time zone, and we will call you to get your information.
Starting today July 1st, those who plan to obtain a motorcycle license in Florida regardless of their age and experience, will have to take a basic rider course through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The course must be taken before a rider can have the motorcycle endorsement added to his driver’s license. After the course, the teacher will transmit the results electronically to the state then contact the rider to apply to the nearest driver license office for the endorsement. There is also a number to find a test site (850) 488- 3286 and the Web site is: http://motorcycles.hsmv.state.fl.us. Florida still allows a person, 21 or older, to ride a motorcycle without a helmet if they carry proof of an insurance policy providing for at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash on a motorcycle. Those under 21 operating motorcycles, or riding as a passenger, must wear a Department approved motorcycle helmet. And anyone operating a motorcycle must wear eye protection.
Indian Motorcycle Concept Motorcycle
Published by June 30th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
The return of Indian inspired a lot of comments in my Blog. The debate is not only about the odds of success of the new Indian Motorcycle Company but also about the type of bikes it should produce. The line of divide seems to be between the die-hard fans expecting for a design of the old rugged days and those looking for a brand new motorcycle appealing to a new generation but keeping the loyalty of the current following. A young guy named Carlos Suarez from CS Design Concepts and living just next to me in Palm Beach County, FL has a very precise idea about what the new Indian should do to conquer new large markets. I find his CAD designs quite interesting and would like to know your reactions. Him too…In his website, don’t forget to look at the pages where he shows his ideas through series of sketches for tank, exhaust, gauges, brake system, etc. CS Design Concepts.
New Square Tube Girder Front End.
Published by June 29th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Suspension.
Eager to offer an alternative to “run of the mill” or “foreign made” motorcycle products, Guilty Customs teamed up with Paul Durfee from Durfee Girders to release a new front end with square tubes. This new Girder is state-of-the-art precision built with triangular design, TIG welding and square chromemoly tubing, and in average weights only 29 pounds.
It is able to withstand 58,000 pounds of compression strength. Available from -4” to 12” ove stock at a base retail price of $1795. Powder-Coating and or chroming available upon request. Made in America. Guilty Customs LLC.
