It is one of the best movies ever made about motorcycle road racing. And even, if like me, you are not in racing, you must see it. Filmed on location at the tracks and races of the SBK World Superbike Championship, High Speed stars beautiful British actress Sienna Miller in an action packed, thrilling romance drama love triangle where her two boy friends are on the same factory team fighting for the SBK World Superbike Championship. Stunt director Jeff Jensen delivers some of the most exciting on bike camera race action and crash scenes that have ever been created. High Speed definitely needs to be in any motorcycle enthusiast’s home movie library. DVD Running Time 108 minutes. High Speed DVD.
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This picture forwarded to me by reader "Sarco". I don’t want to be the rider or one of the passengers on this Harley-Davidson limo. Even going to a wedding, a party or the airport (no enough bags for the luggages of 8 persons). Maybe the guy has a big family or many wives. We have freedom of choive when we customize our bikes, but it’s not an example of what I mean when I say to people that they need to stretch their imagination.
A mother of a killed biker wrote to me.
“Saw your article on Bike Week, this is what I do 24/7 –God Bless. Since the death of my son Gene in May of 2005, I have become a Mother on a Mission for Motorcycle Awareness in Florida. I have turned a negative situation into one that will benefit others. I try to help educate the public that motorcycles deserve the same respect as other vehicles. To share the roads safely and to remember to LOOK TWICE-SAVE A LIFE MOTORCYCLES ARE EVERYWHERE.“
I have 15 Yellow Cabs riding around with the Look Twice-Save a Life message. 14 Bus Benches located in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough Counties have the purple/white message. 3 Billboards donated by Clear Channel and CBS have been up alerting motorist to LOOK TWICE. 1340AM Tan Talk Radio Station airs my Public Safety Message to LOOK TWICE-SAVE A LIFE throughout their daily programs.
A Public Safety Commercial that was produced for me and is shown 400 times a week by Knology Cable TV, can be viewed on my web site. 14 Bus Shelters have been donated by Clear Channel and have the LOOK TWICE-SAVE A LIFE message in Pinellas County for the next 4 years on a rotation basis. Hartline Bus Company has donated 10 Buses with the bumper sticker message 30in high x 80in long side of their buses. To be kept on indefinitely.
I give bumper stickers away free and with the help of local DMV and Tax Collector’s Offices in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. Full Throttle magazine also distributes them state wide as they deliver their magazines. As of date 33,000 have been distributed. In less than a year I have started the Gene Pearson Motorcycle Awareness Foundation, where you can view most of my donated awareness items. The website is www.genepearson.org. All of the above items are up and running at this time.
I am constantly looking for ways to keep motorists aware of motorcycles as they travel our roads, if you can help me in any way, I would welcome your assistance.
Thank you for your time’. Respectfully, Diane/Mother on a Mission. 202 Timberview Drive. Safety Harbor, Florida 34695
Insane Motorcycle Chains
Published by March 14th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Driveline and Editorial.
During years it was one of my professional fantasies. Perfectly matching the chain color to my custom motorcycle paint jobs. And I did it. And you can, too. You can also get your chain with laser engraved lettering (name of your bike or shop, profound statement?) or even your logo! Polished, painted, powder coated, engraved, Insane Chains does chains the way you want them. Another part of your bike where you can show how creative you are and getting you a few extra points if you compete in bike shows. Insane Chains.
“Well, you can’t say he’s exploiting cheap labor”.
Henrik Hertzberg, New Yorker writer, joking about New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s involvement with a "high-class" prostitution ring.
New Dakota Digital Instrumentation For Harley-Davidson Dressers
Published by March 14th, 2008 in Editorial and Electrical.
Dakota Digital just introduced the new MCL-3000-OT and MCL-3006-OT digital instrumentation systems for all 96-08 Harley-Davidson Dressers. Complete 6 gauge set plugs directly into your stock wiring! Applications available for all 96’-UP fairing models including Road Glide. Set includes Speedometer with odometer and dual trip meters, Tachometer, Oil Pressure, Oil Temperature, Voltage, and Fuel level gauges. Additional features include clock, gear position, 0-60 time, ¼ mile time, ¼ mile per hour, 0-60 mile per hour, and high speed and RPM recall. Includes cruise engaged indicator as well as security,check engine, and ABS light. Extremely bright blue LED displays are highly viewable in sunlight! Two packages available: MCL-3000-OT is a direct plug-in 6 gauge set for 1996-2003 models. MCL-3006-OT is a direct plug-in 6 gauge set for 2004-2008 models. More info at Dakota Digital or see your distributor.
New And Legal Vintage License Plates
Published by March 14th, 2008 in Accessories, Editorial and Merchandise.
Your bobber or chopper is from another time or you built a new-retro one. There is an accessory on your retro looking bike that is never going to look right. Your license plate. A company called CR8-APL8 (of course, it stands for “create a plate”) offers legal vintage looking plates for motorcycle and car enthusiasts. They can use the font of your State, create a 3D effect around each number and letter (it is forbidden to reproduce plates with raised numbers and letters) and promise that it is perfectly legal if you use what was already attributed to you by your state DMV. Worth checking at Create A Plate.
Eco-Fabulous In Chopper Couture
Published by March 13th, 2008 in Accessories, Editorial and Merchandise.
I wrote before about Chopper Couture, a brand committed to green living designing and manufacturing a line of edgy women fashion tops, pants, jackets and hoodies, all made with eco-friendly bamboo, lyocell and organic cotton. All the clothing line is individually artisan silkscreen printed by hand and embellished with Swarovski crystals. Ladies, now Chopper Couture has an online store open 24/7 to avoid you to spend a fortune in gas. Commit yourself to green living and become eco-fabulous. Chopper Couture Store.
I love Keith Richards, a true rock n’ roll star. Elegantly wasted, he poses front of the camera of star photographer Annie Leibovitz for the next ad campaign of Louis Vuitton (I remind you that 15 years ago I created a custom bike called "Harley DavidStones". Guess why?). The selected shot can be seen HERE. As Keith states at the end, his picture is very Rembrandt…ish.
Rat’s Hole Old School Bobber Show Winners
Published by March 12th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
For the first time this year in Daytona the Rat’s Hole organized on Friday the Old School Rat’s Fest Bike Show where vintage and retro looking bikes were competing for a trophy and bragging rights. Below the 1st place winners.
1cc to 150 cc: Cody Cihak (St Pete, FL). 251 cc to 650 cc: Joey Cihak (St Pete, FL). 651 cc to 1000 cc: Dan Drexel (Rochester, NY). Old School Rat Bobber: Jeffrey King (Zanesville, OH). Old School Sporster Bobber: Mike Perry (Sanford, FL). Old School Flathead Bobber: Sean Sharrow (Sanford, FL). Old School Evo Bobber: Michael Catalano (Boca Raton, FL). Old School Shovelhead Bobber: Deadwood Choppers (Shirley, NY). Old School Panhead Bobber: Brian Thompson (Anderson, IN). Old School Knucklehead Bobber: Jason Landrum (Houston, TX). Bobber: Ronald Fleming (Perry, FL). Bobber Class: Preston Landers (Weatherford, TX). Extreme Bobber: Victor Rivera, Central Florida Choppers (Oviedo, FL).
Legend Of The Motorcycle International Concours D’Elegance
Published by March 12th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
Legend Of The Motorcycle International Concours D;Elegance is a celebration of the art of motorcycling, its past, present and future. The event will happen Saturday May 3rd at the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, CA (just south of San Francisco). It’s the 3rd edition and this year MV Agusta & Norton are the featured brands. Over 30 MV’s of various models will be presented, including an Agostini TT winner and a 2004 Bonneville speed record holder. Special Norton models featured to include a JPN, a Cosworth Challenge, a Ron Wood, a Monocoque, a Rotary, etc. More than 200 vintage bikes will be exhibited including the only known 1914 Ixion, U-frame Merkel racer, and oldest production 1902 Indian in existence. Among other attractions, there will be a special photo exhibit of Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman’s “Long Way Down” trek curated by celeb photographer Timothy White exclusively for Legend of the Motorcycle. Also an exhibit of artwork by renowned graphic artist Conrad Leach.
Info and tickets ($50) at Legend Of The Motorcycle.
If I ride more than 50 miles on the highway at above 70 mph I know I need to wear goggle eyewear, or I begin to cry like a baby. And trust me, I have tried, and lost, many regular biker sunglasses. Nothing else works for me. Oh! you ride a Bobber and stay mostly inside the city limit?. Without being a “fashionista”, you know that bobbers and goggles go together. This aerodynamic “Piston Goggle” is available in 4 different lens colors. Ventilation slits on each side as well as along the top and bottom of the frame prevents lens fogging. The shatter- resistant, polycarbonate lenses are optically correct to eliminate distortion. The adjustable strap and flexible frame material create a versatile fit while open cell foam cushions the face and absorbs sweat. Included with the goggle is a micro fiber pouch that also functions as a cleaning. Ride. Don’t cry. Bobster Eyewear.
Detroit Bros New Instigator Peanut Gas Tanks
Published by March 12th, 2008 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.
After many hours stamping, tweaking, welding and swearing, the Bros from Detroit have finally gotten it right! This is their new Instigator Gas Tank, modeled after the vintage Wassel tanks, but made right in their very own shop. These silly little jerks hold about 2.2 gallons if you fancy the Frisco style (shown), or 2 gallons if you go for the deep tunnel. All tanks have a late style 74+ screw in gas cap bung, along with a female 3/8 NPT petcock bung. The tunnel has 1.75" of clearance. Price is $239.99 plus shipping. Detroit Bros.
Breaking News. Baker Drivetrain To Launch A 7-Speed Transmission
Published by March 11th, 2008 in Editorial.
I was in the confidence during Daytona Bike week. One of the bikes riding around the city and on the I95 was test-equipped with a prototype 7-speed transmission. The Baker DD7 is being developed as a direct replacement of the Cruise Drive Harley-Davidson factory 6-speed to improve it in many ways. 1- Factory 1st gear ratio is too tall (numerically too small). The DD7 has a shorter (numerically larger) 1st gear for easier launches. 2- Shift clunk. In transmission design, be it automotive or motorcycle, low mainshaft weight is always desirable for smooth and quiet shifts. Audible shift clunk in the factory 6-speed is caused by the heavy weight and resultant high inertia of the 1-piece forged mainshaft. That mainshaft is a one-piece design that includes1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears. The DD7 mainshaft is light weight and only includes the small 1st gear as an integral part. 3- Shift smoothness. Shift smoothness in the factory 6-speed is a definite improvement over the 5-speed. The DD7 is a big improvement over the factory 6-speed because it incorporates a new linear roller ball detent as part of the supplied Billet Top Cover. This linear roller ball detent is similar to the type first used in Baker TorqueBox transmissions. 4- Gear noise. The factory 6-speed has straight cut 1st and 5th gears. This yields gear noise in 1st and 5th.The Baker DD7 has a full set of helical gears for quiet operation in every gear.
The Harley-Davidson factory 6-speed ratios are: 1st (3.34), 2nd (2.30), 3rd (1.71), 4th (1.41), 5th (1.18), 6th (1.00). The Baker DD7 transmission will have the following ratios : 1st (3.76), 2nd (2.75), 3rd (2.06), 4th (1.55), 5th (1.27), 6th (1.10), 7th (1.00).
In this new Baker DD7, Shift Drum is designed to help the rider find Neutral every time, like with all other Baker Transmissions. Testers tell me that the bike felt like motor work has been done to it and that it shifts like a dream. Baker Drivetrain.
Penz Wild And Gorgeous Rigid Frames
Published by March 11th, 2008 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.
The frame plays a major role in the design of a custom bike. Body work fabrication (gas tank and fenders), are guided by the shape of your frame. Custom builders don’t hesitate to build their frames from scratch or heavily torture and modify an existing one to look like no other frame. Very labor intensive. Not everybody can or even wants to do this. Right? But a few frame manufacturers want to help you by producing fancy frames with all the right setup in place for a correct alignment of your driveline (the weakness of many cheap frames who are incorrectly welded). Penz Frames has always offered very high quality frames made in Austria. They released new rigid frame designs to satisfy the fancy in all of us. They are beautiful, strong (TUV approved, the toughest legislation in the world), and can be chosen and ordered in a variety of stretches and rakes. Warning. They are not cheap (for good reasons) and the high Euro versus the US dollar makes them even more expensive when imported here in the US. But if you want high quality and have the budget, don’t hesitate. You can order direct from them or from us since Cyril Huze Custom Inc. is the official distributor here. We handle the exchange rate , the shipping, customs, taxes, fees…(it’s another long story). Penz Frames. Or contact us at info@cyrilhuze.com.
Daytona Black Bike Week Is Booming
Published by March 11th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
Daytona Black Bike Week is getting bigger and bigger. Maybe you didn’t notice because the event is centered on Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard. But Harley-Davidson did. For the first time, the company had parked at proximity one of its big-rig trailers. The black biker scene has been congregating in Daytona since the 1970s, According to a recent survey, 7.9 percent of those who buy new Harleys are minorities and that percentage has been inching up slowly during the past several years. A recent convert to motorcycles, hip-hop artist DMC aka Darryl McDaniels, just learned how to ride last year. He is now the owner of a Fat Boy, loves the motorcycle scene and participated for the 1st time to Daytona Black Bike Week. The scene looks much like Bike Week on Main Street, with rows of Harleys, Gold Wings and Ninjas. The standard code is the same: bandannas, leather vests, and denim jeans. Black biker rallies such as California’s West Coast Roundup or the Myrtle Beach Black Bike Week in South Carolina have been booming too. Black bikers are spending a lot of money on their bikes and all motorcycle and part manufacturers are paying attention.
Investors Pushing American IronHorse Motorcycle Into Involuntary Bankruptcy
Published by March 11th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Tree Dallas investors seeking $120,000 are trying to push American IronHorse into Bankruptcy. The Chapter 11 filing could force American IronHorse Motorcycle to reorganize or liquidize its assets to pay its debtors. The company ceased production in early February, fired most of its employees and Chairman Dwayne Moyers said at the time that American IronHorse planned to sell its assets to new investors before continuing with operations. Founded in 1985, the company has undergone several management changes since its founder Bill Rucker was removed by investors in 2003.
At my request you helped Sasha, a true biker, to qualify as a finalist of the Miss Sturgis competition. Below what she wrote.
"Cyril. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I am a finalist in the Miss Sturgis contest. The Sturgis Bike Week committee will make the final selection for Miss Sturgis at the end of the fourth round. I’m encouraging folks to leave comments on my voting page since the voting is closed. But it is wonderful to read the support from your readers. The passion for riding is beautiful. I’m very grateful to you my dear friend, for your support. It is so great to know that one of us has been selected as a finalist. We are a big family of riders and I am doing this to celebrate the rider, to recognize the female motorcycle enthusiast, and to give honor to the greatest motorcycle rally in the world including the founders of the rally. God bless you, dear friend. It was great to see you at Daytona, too. xoxoxoxox Your windsister", Sasha.
You already know through this Blog that Battistinis Custom Cycles offers an impressive lineup of quality components following the same theme of drilled holes for style and lightness. Rikki Battistini didn’t forget FLT/Touring bike owners and just added this new brake lever. It is machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum for strength and beauty, Available in chrome or the now trademarked black anodize/machined finish, this brake lever perfectly complements the other products offered for touring in the Battistinis line: grips, floorboards, wheels, dashes, saddlebag latches, fender brackets, etc. Battistinis Custom Cycles LLC
Skate, Bobber And Rock ‘N Roll
Published by March 10th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
During Bike Week, most of the next generation of Bike Builders set up their displays at the Limp Nickie Lot. And Chris Callen, publisher and editor of fast growing Cycle Source Magazine had the pretty smart idea to mix these creative builders with some pro-skateboarding exhibitions (on the adjacent Stone Edge Skate park) with an Old School Bike Show running from 12 to 5 Pm on Friday. Although we were warned that conditions were favorable for tornadoes to form above Daytona (one landed south of the city), it didn’t stop the crowd from checking machines ranging from vintage to renovations to new old school. I should add "Crazy School" to qualify the style of a couple of bikes being exhibited in this show. Public got a chance to check the bikes and parts of the following builders: Nash Motorcycle Company, Led Sled Customs, French Kiss Kustoms, Blings Cycles, Detroit Bros, Keino Cycles, Lucky Charm Choppers, Street Smart Cycles, Guilty Customs, Rich Phillips Cycles, Bare Knuckle Choppers., etc.
Trick Hot Rod Trike Seen In Daytona
Published by March 9th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Watch out baby boomers intending to add a 3rd wheel to your ride, and trike lovers, whatever your age . The retro trend is overflowing to the world of trikes. While leaving the ‘Builders Breakfast Event’ I stumbled on this cool trike built by Santiago Chopper. Evidently, it has a Hot Rod feel (Copper and black paint with white wall tires will always scream retro) and seems to me to be the transition look until we, custom builders, invent or re-invent the Bobber trike. It’s a Santiago Chopper frame wrapping a 110" Rev Tech engine and carrying in the front a finned Crime Scene oil tank. Notice the cool one-off air-cleaner designed and fabricated by Alan Bernard himself. Santiago Chopper.
Raising Money In Daytona For Iraq Soldiers
Published by March 8th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
It’s quite difficult to have all major custom builders together for a group shot. Except when it’s for a charity event like the “Builders Breakfast” or the “Biker Fusion” party during which we raised money for “Soldiers Angels”. This event’s proceeds will go to fund a Convoy Support Center in Iraq. The general public was able to purchase tickets and got an opportunity to mingle with us and take a rare group picture. I let you play the game of identifying each custom builder who is present on stage. (picture Horst Roesler).
Big night Thursday March 7 in Daytona for Bert and Lisa Baker, co-founders of Baker Drivetrain. Their collaborators, friends, custom builders and medias present in Daytona gathered at the Broken Spoke Saloon to celebrate the most talented couple of the V-Twin industry. Both former engineers at GM they have revolutionized the motorcycle driveline by bringing to us every year and even several times each year since 1998 very high quality innovative Drivetrain products, systems and components all made in the USA. From their 5 & 6-speed left and right side drive transmissions for Harley-Davidson motorcycles and custom applications, to the Drop-starter slammed Clutch, to the Function Formed Primary to Clutches and many other premium upgrades for baggers and metric bikes, the Baker family (Bert, Lisa & Crew), has become the Worldwide Drivetrain Authority.
After being treated to a buffet, the industry watched videos of the Baker’s children and employees congratulating Bert & Lisa for being such good parents and such good and loved employers. Although not the type of man to cry on stage, Bert was extremely moved and hid his emotions behind a few jokes. Lisa didn’t even try to hide her tears when confronted with such testimony of affection from their kids, employees and clients. And it was a total surprise for them when was unveiled a bike secretly built to celebrate these last 10 years of continuous success. A truly beautiful and memorable evening for them and all of us. Baker Drivetrain.
Willie’s Ol’ Skool Daytona Bike Show
Published by March 7th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
The second Thursday of Daytona Bike Week (yes Bike week is 10 days), everything Rad, Rod, genuinely old or looking like it, converge to Willie’s Tropical Tattoo for an Ol’ Skool bike show. The little show of a few years ago is getting very big, overflowing outside the tattoo shop parking lot. Sign of success, no journalist will miss this one and you also will meet a lot of well-known builders checking the creativity of the show participants. If this event is an Ol’ Skool visual dream, shooting bikes is extremely difficult due to the fact that it is almost impossible to walk between them. The counterpart of a very fast success. So, don’t bitch at me because I don’t show you any bike in full. I prefer no picture than a bad picture.
Chet “OEP” Burozski passed away in Daytona last week. Follow the information regarding a memorial ride in Daytona Sunday, March 9, 2008 at noon. Starting from the Battlegrounds! In Loving Memory of Chet “OEP” Burozski. (Chester Anthony Burozski, Jr.) August 20, 1963 – February 29, 2008.
Donations will help the family with the funeral arrangements. Raffle tickets will be available with all proceeds going to a trust fund for Chet’s 17 year old son, Adam. “Adam Burozski Trust Fund”, PO Box 162, 1358 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08735. www.OEPburozski.org. For more information or to make donations,please contact: Doreen Sledzik: 732-904-6685 or 732-904-6714.
Another financially motivated decision in a fast changing market. Mid-USA Motorcycle Parts has been sold to John Stdko and a consortium of St Louis-based businessmen. The company was owned and operated by Sandi Morrison, whose family started the company, and whose husband Les Morrison died of a long-term illness eighteen months ago. The new owner is a former long-time senior buyer at rival Midwest Motorcycle Supply. Johnny Stdko left Midwest a year ago and has since been operating his own custom motorcycle business.
