I never been very much in very wide tires. Less now than ever. But many of you are still in “as wide as possible” tires, often asking me where they can find these monstruous tires they have seen in magazines. If it’s not an Avon or Metzeler tire, and if the size is beyond the “reasonable” it can only come from a company called Vee Rubber. As their slogan says, this tires manufacturer is the pride of Thailand, is stating that it already invaded the Asian market and succeeded to enter the US market just a few years ago by showing off their huge donuts during the Cincinnati & Indianapolis Dealers Shows. Quite interesting, Vee Rubber America also take orders for custom tires in a variety of sizes and widths. Lettering? Color anyone? Contact Vee Rubber Atlanta at 770-745-0999 or go to Vee Rubber Tires.
Archive Page 390
New Monster Tires Are Roaming Our Planet
Published by May 18th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Wheels.To Cyril, Women Motorcyclist.Com and My Motorcycle Family. Thank you!
Published by May 17th, 2008 in Editorial.
Brenda Fox sent me this letter.
‘The support I have received means more to me that words could ever express. I never thought I would be dealing with Breast Cancer. The morning I discovered I needed immediate health attention, I was scared for my life and I never imagined I would have to deal with Breast Cancer issues on my own. My body went into what the doctors called a crisis state. They said dealing with breast cancer and no financial support was too much. My body started shutting down. I then ended up having to deal with unnecessary medical complications.
The panic of dealing with my health was terrifying, There are no words that come close to describing the devastation I felt. Then word got out in the motorcycle community and that I was going thru a hard time and I was going thru it alone. I’ve been embraced by familiar faces and strangers who ride motorcycles with bigger hearts than I’ve ever known. The depth of appreciation I have to the motorcycle community is beyond words.
Thank you to Cyril, thank you to each and every one of you Thank you to womenmotorcyclist.com for setting up the site to support me. You folks have picked me up when my life took a supercharged, fuel injected slam to the ground. I AM here because of your love and support. I AM beyond grateful. Thank you for being my family”. Brenda Fox.
Update 05/20/08: Fellow Custom Builder Roger Goldammer asked me to add the following mention: “Anyone with questions, comments or concerns should be free to call or email me directly as they may have been mislead”.
Erin Derrick, the passenger of Billy Lane on the night of the crash that took the life of Gerald Morelock has filed civil suit against Lane and Chrysler. The complaint states:
1- That at the time of the September 4, 2006 accident, defendant Lane was operating the vehicle even though he knew or should have known that his license was either suspended or should have been suspended by the State Of North Carolina while awaiting sentencing on a driving under the influence charge. 2- That at the time of the accident, Defendant Lane was operating the Dodge truck while intoxicated. 3- That as a result of Defendant Lane’s negligence, Plaintiff suffered bodily injury that is permanent within a reasonable degree of medical probability and resultant pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expensive hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, loss of earnings, loss of ability to earn money and aggravation of a previously existing condition. That the losses are either permanent or continuing and that Plaintiff will suffer losses in the future. 4- Plaintiff demands judgment for damages against William D. Lane and Chrysler LLC. And further requests a trial by jury.
Lane and Dodge reached a civil lawsuit settlement with the family of the victim last year. Billy is still waiting for his trial date to fight a DUI manslaughter charge. Next to her picture in MySpace, Erin wrote these words: “I am so sorry…but I had to do it”. (Article written with the collaboration of Mike Odom at MNO).
Marc Brattin noticed that it was impossible to find anyone who would let you ride or even test ride a motorcycle without actually buying it first. This was particularly evident with a brand new custom chopper. As a result, Marc opened Las Vegas Choppers in 2006 enabling motorcycle enthusiasts and dreamers alike to rent and ride some of the hottest and sexiest custom choppers known, while visiting the most exciting city in the world, Las Vegas! Las Vegas Choppers offers unique custom built motorcycles and choppers for Sale, Rent, Lease or Tour (guided and self-guided). Las Vegas is also renowned for some of the best terrains and amazing locations to ride, so Las Vegas Choppers offers guided and self-guided desert motorcycle tours to places like The Grand Canyon, Red Rock Mountains, and of course wild and glittery cruises down The Las Vegas Strip. Las Vegas Choppers.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally instant scratch game arrived at stores on April 30. The $2 scratch tickets are sold at the South Dakota Lottery’s 620 plus retail locations statewide. The game has more than $467,000 in prizes for players to win, including three top prizes of $10,000. Sales of the South Dakota Lottery’s new Sturgis Motorcycle Rally instant scratch game started on April 30 with a special event in Sturgis. Sturgis Mayor Maury LaRue join ed Lottery director Norm Lingle to scratch the first ticket of the game at the Exxon Common Cents store at 2421 Junction Ave. in Sturgis. Twisted Choppers of Sioux Falls was displaying the custom chopper featured on the lottery tickets. South Dakota Lottery.
On Saturday May 31 2008 Indian Motorcycle will put in auction a new 2009 Chief made to the highest bidder’s specifications. It will happen during the 2nd “Icons Of Music” to be hosted at the Hard Rock Cafe NYC Times Square. The star studded event is a day of rock ‘n roll memorablia to be auctioned to benefit “Music Rising”. a charited co-founded by Producer Bob Ezrin and Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and supported by U2’s The Edge. “Music Rising” replaces musical instruments lost by professional musicians, schools and churches in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. To date, the charity has benefited 30,000 students and parishioners and over 2500 professional musicians. During the 1st “Icons Of Music” sale, a 1966 Fender guitar owned by Jimmy Hendrix raised over 2.5 million for the charity. Music Rising
I think that any great artist like Jasmine Cain entertaining you during years in big motorcycle rallies all over the country deserves to end up being featured in my Blog (you can read much more about her in the June issue of Easyriders & V-Twin Magazine). She is a powerful singer and songwriter. Before you watch her video, Sasha Mullins, also a singer, takes over my keyboard to write a few lines about her dear friend.
“Jasmine Cain is known as the “Pixie with an Axe” (as far as I know a name coined by Dave Nichols, Chief Editor of Easyriders) . Incredible. Plays bass and is a singer, songwriter. She is a beloved entertainer in the motorcycle world because, well, she’s amazing and captivating. Not only does she perform her originals but she’s a walking library of great rock songs including country. High energy! An example of an artist and young businesswoman who has made it all on her own. She waited for no one. This beautiful songstress went through every imaginable challenge and Spinal Tap-type scenario…but she never gave up, never sat waiting for big representation, or labels to come along for opportunities. No, she made things happen and is getting now the recognition she deserves by headlining national acts. All her years of sacrifice and focus are paying off with the release of her new album “Locks & Keys” available at CD Baby or individual tracks you can download on iTunes”. For a full biography, more songs and videos, go to her Website or to MySpace. Stage pictures by going here.
The Uno, an invention of 18 year-old Ben Poss Gulak was the main attraction of the 2008 Toronto National Motorcycle Show. Ben grew up around his grand-father’s basement machine shop and has spent much of his young life making projects like model trains, rockets and other cool stuff. At age 9, Ben entered into a grade nine school science fair with a real simple magnetic car that shot around a track using accelerator coils. Then he move up to the Regionals, then to the Nationals where he represented Canada at an International level. Team Canada consists of 18 people that compete against 54 other countries. The judges carry PHD’s in their respective fields. It’s where he submitted his first Uno powered by electric motors. How does it work? In fact, operation of the 120 lbs machine is simple. So simple that there are no controls at all, except for an on-off switch. To go forward you simply push your body weight forward to tilt the machine. To back up, just lean back on the seat to tilt it backwards. The farther you lean the faster the Uno accelerates. The Uno has 2 gyros, one for forward and backward motion and the other is for turning, while keeping the forward or reverse momentum constant. The gyro tells the ECU (electronic control unit) how much to accelerate and that, in turn, delivers the proper amount of current to the electric motors. I remind you that Ben is only 18-year old. The Uno.
I don’t run many shameless plugs about myself in my own Blog, but today I have a good reason. Only S&S carburetors equipped bikes would accept my Spade Velociy Stack. After letting you whine and scream during one year, I decided to offer it with a CV back plate. I remind you that we don’t do “China Casting” and that this piece is machined from a solid block of 6061 aluminum. You can order it for both S&S E or G and CV carbs in chrome or polished. What about anodizing or painting it? Order online at Cyril Huze Velocity Stack or call 561-392-5557.
Thomas “Criminal” Cavanaugh passed away on Monday morning, May 12, 2008. Criminal was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on a Friday the 13th in 1943. He was 64. Criminal lived in West Palm Beach, Florida for over forty years. Years ago, he owned a motorcycle shop, and later, usually worked out of his garage, continuously wrenching and helping bikers in his South Florida community when he wasn’t on the road. He met Samantha Morgan when she was just a teenager and their lives were spent sharing the thrill and experiences that only the Wall of Death motor dromes could bring. He was deeply loved by his family and enormous amounts of close friends and associates all over the world. He would give you the shirt off his back. He may have died suddenly of a massive heart attack while planning memorial celebrations for his beloved Samantha (as Sam Morgan passed away a week prior). He really died of a broken heart. So lift your eyes to Heaven and give a wink, as he and Samantha look over us now, riding their motorcycles across the twilight sun’s cloud canyons. They are free at last.
Memorial Life Celebrations have been combined and are being held: Saturday, May 24, 2008, VFW Hall # 2007 2:00pm-6:00pm 1126 Clare Ave. West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. (Food donations for this tribute are greatly appreciated. Contact Hank Ware at the VFW # 561-833-0687). Over night reservations, contact: The Holiday Inn 1301 Belvedere Rd. West Palm Beach, Florida. 561-659-3880.
In lieu of flowers: monetary donations are being accepted. Please send letters and cards to: Joanne Cavanaugh Darragh. 4831 Alberta Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 33417.
All builders going to the video format to show how to make a custom bike look cool and do it right the 1st time. Ness just released a DVD Box Set in which Arlen & Cory give you a step by step how-to guide to customize your big twin bike. What to expect? Shots of some of the best Ness bikes, good advice, a few demonstrations of what to do, what not to do, and how to do it. Educative and entertaining, Ness style. $22.95. Arlen Ness Enterprises.
Touring Harley-Davidson Dash Panel Inserts
Published by May 14th, 2008 in Accessories, Builders, Customs and Editorial.
A new look for the dash face of your touring bike. These Dash Inserts are made out of billet aluminum and CNC machined. As you can see, there are many combinations offered to suit your bike and your taste. Chrome with carbon-fiber or black insert. Black with carbon-fiber or black insert. Or Carbon fiber with black insert. For all FLT/touring models from 1884-2007. Installs easily with double-sided adhesive tape. Battistinis Custom Cycles.
Ride The Black Hills Of Sturgis With Custom Builder Rick Fairless.
Published by May 13th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
If you are a custom motorcycles fan, you probably shook the hand, had your picture taken, and got the autograph of quite a few well known builders. But have you ever ridden with one of them? Probably not. Builder Rick Fairless of Strokers Dallas and also in August of Strokers Sturgis is going to give you the chance to join “Ride With Rick” a ride to benefit Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. “I meet thousands of people every year during the Sturgis rally and I never get to spend much time with any of them,” said Fairless. “People travel a long way to come meet me and this is my way of thanking them- by spending my entire afternoon with them out on the road.” “Ride With Rick” will take place during the rally on Sunday, August 3rd. To make this ride an extra special experience, the winner will be provided with a new Big Dog Motorcycle to enjoy for the afternoon, along with a complimentary Big Dog Motorcycles riding jacket. Together the group will tour the beautiful Black Hills, making stops in Lead, Deadwood, and Spearfish before ending the tour back at Rick’s Strokers Sturgis at Thunder Road. The winner will also join him for lunch at Deadwood Gulch Resort and Gaming, located on Hwy 85 in Deadwood. Following lunch, the winner will be treated to an exclusive “Dollar Walk” through the casino, with the ability to win the maximum bet on all dollar slot machines in the house. He or she will also receive a gift package with assorted items from The City of Sturgis, Deadwood Gulch Resort and Gaming, Thunder Road, and Sturgis Bike Week Licensed Merchandise. Raffle tickets for “Ride With Rick” are only $10 each and are available at Strokers Dallas, or can be purchased online at Strokers Dallas
Chopper Motorcycle Challenge On Country Music Television
Published by May 13th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
The first episode of “Chopper Challenge” will air tomorrow night on CMT. The builder featured is Kirk Taylor of Custom Design Studios. I understand that in the show he is building an old school style custom bike for Geico Insurance. Kirk created his shop in 1988, offering the services of a full machine shop, fabrication and motorcycle assembly and even a paint booth. I wonder if during the show the producer let him wear his L-cky F-cker tee-shirt. I doubt. Let’s check tomorrow evening Wednesday May 14 at 8.30 PT, 11.30 ET on CMT. Custom Design Studios.
Airstream trailers, a pickup and a pinup. This picture was taken recently in Las Vegas by “Sheriff”. See his pictures gallery about many motorcycle events he attends in several countries by going to his Picasa Web Albums: http://picasaweb.google.com/sheriffmediagroup
Can Eco-Friendly Motorcycles Be Badass?
Published by May 13th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Alternative-fuel and electric 2-wheelers are proliferating, especially in our big cities Would you ride one of these new greener motorcycles? Don’t say no. One day you will. Maybe not if you belong to my generation of baby boomers. But for sure if you belong to the following X or Y generations because nothing else will be legal and/or available at your dealership. Alternative motorcycles already represent a bigger segment of individual transportation, but looking at their designs I am wondering why almost all of the new bike designs I see still look so high-tech/girlie. It cannot be only because of weight imposing a lighter and more feminine stance. The badass factor is one important element and one of the reasons why many are riding a motorcycle. I have nothing against advanced technology, but don’t you think that the designers of these greener motorcycles should also think about the cool factor? Who, among us, is going to be the 1st to build a very badass eco-friendly motorcycle? If I had the client, I would already have done it. So, who is going to?
Design The Bobber Motorcycle You Can Win
Published by May 12th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Each year, several print magazines ask builders to build a bike that a reader will be able to win under rules established by each magazine. This time, IronWorks Magazine in association with builder Brass Ball Choppers got a very interesting and original idea. Why not ask readers to design the custom Bobber one of them will be able to win? Here how it works. You go to the Brass Ball Bobbers or IronWorks Magazine website. There you can design the bike by choosing the part you like for 21 bike components. The parts with the highest number of votes will be installed on the motorcycle. IronWorks Magazine will update the winning parts in each issue of the magazine until all components are voted on. New subscribers and current subscribers that renew to Ironworks for one year are eligible to win. The winner will be randomly selected on January 31, 2009 and will be presented with the bike at Bike Week in Daytona, Florida in March of 2009. Go to Brass Balls Bobbers & Choppers and start designing your Bobber.
What’s Going On At The Sturgis Hard Rock Roadhouse?
Published by May 12th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
During Sturgis Bike Week 2008 the Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse will once again make its home at Thunder Road. This year’s line-up will feature some of the industry’s best custom bikes, builders and special events. Christian Clayton of Sucker PuchSallys will unveil Sucker Punch Sallys’ Hard Rock Bike, and he and other builders will make appearances throughout the week to meet fans and sign autographs. The Roadhouse will also feature bikes and merchandise from the following: Gard Hollinger, L.A. County Choppers, Paul Cox, Russell Mitchell. Billy Lane. Etc. The Next Great American Builder” TV Show with hosts Billy Lane, Paul Cox with other celebrity builders, will be on location at the Roadhouse filming episodes for the show. Amateur bike builders can apply to be on the show at http://www.greatamericanbuilder.tv, and 13 will be selected to live and work together for about three months in New Orleans. Rick Fairless of Strokers Dallas and Kim Suter of KC Creations will provide motorcycle enthusiasts with an opportunity to hear about the motorcycle world’s hottest topics from some of the industry’s biggest names. The series will feature a syndicate of motorcycle gurus, custom builders and industry leaders, and will let attendees really know how they really feel about timely motorcycle topics. Other events include raffling off 3 Steven Tyler signed Redwing guitar and awards for the custom bike shows. The H2Ocean Art Fusion Experiment will match up several nationally acclaimed tattoo artists who will each draw for three minutes and then switch to complete one another’s drawings. The result will be a truly collaborative piece of art that will be auctioned off to benefit Soldier’s Angels. More details at Roadhouse or Thunder Road Sturgis.
Looking To Buy A Harley-Davidson Panhead And Knucklehead
Published by May 11th, 2008 in Builders and Editorial.
I have 2 clients looking for a Panhead and a Knucklehead. We don’t need bells and whistles. The bikes must be as original as possible. OEM engine and transmission, frame never modified, all matching numbers and good title (we are equipped to check everything). And we know the market prices. Make your best offer with good pictures, phone number and mentioning your location at editor@cyrilhuzeblog.com.
Custom Motorcycle Eastern Europe Style
Published by May 11th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
How they do it in Eastern Europe? Here an example coming from a builder named Roman Bus from a custom shop in Czech Republic called “Wildstyle” (notice that almost all shops in Europe use an English name). Not my style this huge industrial looking belt pulley and this Jap. fender, but it won in the Annual Rod ‘N custom Show held last weekend in Budapest, Hungary. Roman even got 5000 Euros (about $9000) to pay his expenses to bring the bike to Sturgis to compete in the “AMD World Championship Of Custom Bike Building”.
Scott Meyers Or Bill Rucker? Who Will Get Control Of American IronHorse?
Published by May 10th, 2008 in Builders and Editorial.
In a former post I told you that a federal court order approved Meyers’s Rocky Mountain Choppers as the Stalking-Horse Bidder for the bidding process to acquire the assets of American IronHorse Motorcycles. Scott Meyer made a bid of 6.7 million and each competing offer must be at least $200,000 higher. Bill Rucker who operates now Rucker Performance (after being forced out of AIH in 2003) filed a court motion offering 6.9 miilion to get back his former company. At its peak in 2005, American IronHorse had sales of about 100 million dollars. Scott Meyers, a former Defense Industry Executive, states that if he takes control of the company, AIH should produce motorcycles in limited editions and honor warranties on motorcycles on the road, about 750 owned by dealers and an additional 350 to 400 owned by the company’s main lender which are being held in a Kentucky warehouse. American IronHorse Motorcycles.
She was defying death to make a living, zooming defiantly around the Wall Of Death. She was a beautiful woman, always with a big smile, even when riding the Wall. She was the unchallenged Motordrome Queen, the only remaining woman trick rider out of a handful of daredevils still riding the 90-degree walls. She had been crushed many times by her Indian 101, burned doing the double firewall stunt. Samantha Morgan known also as Sam Morgan Storm passed away April 24th at the age of 53 in her West Palm Beach farm due to complications from the numerous back injuries and broken bones she had sustained in her long illustrious career. Sam was mentored by one of the original and most accomplished Drome riders ever, none other then the great Sonny Pelaquin, She was a runaway at age 11 and lived in several foster homes until she first met Sonny at the Dade County Youth Fair. After seeing him in his Wall Of Death Show she asked if girls could do this? At age 15, pretending she was 18, she became one of Sony Pelaquin’s crew members, then Sonny became her mentor and teached her the most dangerous tricks, like riding side saddle (upward split). She loved the taste of G force mixed with adrenaline. She was saying, “When I am on the Wall I feel free and it’s the only time when all my pains and the pains of this world go away”. She was inducted in 2006 in the Sturgis Hall Of Fame. She was a pioneer and will remain forever a role model for all motorcycling women. She will be missed by so many friends inside and outside the motorcycle industry. Sam, you understood French that you learned when immobilized 4 months in an hospital in France after a Wall injury. So, I am telling you: “Au Revoir”.
Life Celebration to be held on Saturday, May 24, at the VFW Hall from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, 1126 Clare Ave. West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. Food donations for this memorial are greatly appreciated.
If anyone would like to send flowers, cards or letters, please address them to: The Fraternal Order of Eagles, Attention: Thomas Cavanaugh, Secretary 2500 North Military Trail Suite 105, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409.
Baker 3 HP Firestarter™
Published by May 9th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial, Electrical and Engines.
As a custom builder I know too well about the problem with performance starters needed when you install or upgrade to a big engine. You pick a new good looking polished or chrome after-market starter with big cranking power. Problem is some of them, sold as new, are rebuilt starters with used cores. Result: a lot of failures. The OE Harley starter is notoriously very reliable but doesn’t have enough cranking power for big cubic inch aftermarket engines. So, Baker addressed the problem and is offering a 100% new 3 HP chrome starter tested on a dynamometer with individual dyno sheet to verify output. At 3 horsepower, it’s the most powerful after-market starter available for your custom project. It is sold with conventional remote start or with push button (check button access with your exhaust installed) for a minimalist look. Available for 93 & Up jackshaft, except FL’smodels. Baker Drivetrain.
First, guys, refrain from making jokes on this headline. It’s a serious post about 2 women educating other women about motorcycle safety, maintenance, riding gear etc. With the help of Kryptonite (the security specialist helping you to put under lock everything on 2,3 & 4 wheels), Jody Perewitz (daughter of Dave Perewitz at Perewitz Cycle Fabrication) and Nicole Hoffman Roesch (a member of Rights For Bikers and a Moto ST Endurance racer) will share their extensive experience and knowledge with women riders who may just be starting out. The series is for women only and starts in June. The first 3 dates and locations for the Women’s Riding Essentials program are at the following Kryptonite partners: Thursday, June 19, 2008 at Perewitz Cycle Fabrication in Bridgewater, Massachusetts; Thursday, June 26, 2008 at Barb’s Harley Davidson in West Collingswood Heights, New Jersey; Thursday, July 10, 2008 at Scuderia West in San Francisco, California; All events will start at 6pm local time
A couple days ago I reported on last weekend “Legend Of The Motorcycle” event and the Bonhams & Butterfields auction of rare motorcycles at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Half Moon Bay, CA. Saturday May 3rd total auction reached close to 2 million dollars, and I am pretty sure you want to know which bikes got the highest bids from a pool of international collectors (calling themselves “Petrol Heads”). A one owner 1975 Ducati 750 SS in perfect condition sold for a whopping $117,000. A gas powered 1929 Harley JDH 74” sold for $67,860 while a 1918 Harlet bicycle was offered $4,050. A 1940 Indian Scout belonging to Mike Corbin and that he bought in 2000 from the Steve McQueen Estate sold for $52,650 Mike Corbin also sold a 1929 Indian-Crocker Conversion 45ci Overhead-Valve for $64,350. $65,500 was getting you a 1955 Black Knight Vincent 998cc, and $69,030 was paid for a 1993 MV Agusta Magni 861cc. Even a 2004 red, white and blue Harley-Davidson 88ci Heritage Softail from the collection of Evel Knievel, sold for $46,800.
Multi-Tasking With All Things Custom Motorcycle.
Published by May 8th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
It’s kind of strange. There is a slow down (at least) of our US economy. Motorcycle and parts manufacturers are bitching. Dealers are worried. Custom builders are depressed of not finding clients with budgets as big as their dreams. At the same time my email box is full of press releases for new shows and exhibitions, for new awesome custom parts and from fellow builders sharing with me via pictures what they are working on. Just an apparent contradiction. If overall volume of motorcycle business has shrunk during the last 2 years, the best of the best are still extremely busy imagining, designing, fabricating and assembling. When I see my computer screen full of so many memos/emails/pictures open at the same time (did you say multi-tasking?) it makes me feel very, very good. The motorcycle industry is ok, alive and still very creative. What has changed is that business is now concentrated where it belongs, with the true professionals of our industry. Time to go. Between 2 posts I have to meet with a client to take care of his gorgeous 1939 Harley Knuckle. Cool
