In January 2007 Titan Motorcycles Cie (TMC) had filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101, et seq. (the "Bankruptcy Code") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona to continue to manage its property as debtor and debtor-in possession. On August 6, 2007 an asset purchase agreement was signed between TMC (Titan Motorcycle Cie) debtor in-possession and Arizona Motorcycle Works as buyer where all assets of Titan were sold for about $300,000. Arizona Motorcycle Works is a built bike specialist already specializing in Titan motorcycle repairs & service and is located behind the ex-Titan Motorcycles factory. Are we seeing the end of the "Harley Clones" industry which started to boom in the mid 90’s? Tell me what you think.
Archive Page 413
Titan Motorcycles Assets Sold To Arizona Motorcycle Works
Published by August 8th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.AMD World Championship In Sturgis
Published by August 8th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
In Sturgis, 70 builders from a total of 11 countries displaying 77 bikes were competing in the 4th annual AMD World Championship. Nationalities represented were USA, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Spain and Sweden. Stellan Egeland, of Sweden’s SE Service was picked as the 2007 World Champion of Custom Bike Building. His speedway inspired board tracker that you see here, features hand made cylinders and heads on a Knucklehead bottom end. The one-off, three-valve cylinder heads had the cooling fins filed by hand and the ports manually cut, drilled and then filed to shape. He was joined on stage by Chicara Nagata of Chicara Motorcycles, Japan, last year champion and this year’s second placed builder. Chicara was presenting a bike around a Flathead motor. Keiji Kawakita of Hot-Dock Custom Cycles, also of Japan, placed third used an engineered HR4V engine, which takes a H-D motor and adds four-valve heads and custom fuel injection. The final results of the event were decided by the competitors themselves, with each builder voting for the bikes they feel should win. AMDChampionship.com
Youngest Bike Builders Competing In Sturgis.
Published by August 7th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
I met Joey & Cody Cihak about 2 years ago. It was during a bike show in Florida. They were introduced to me and first, I thought that they were just young fans wanting a picture & signature. They were really my fans like they are fans of all professional custom builders. For a simple reason: at their very young age (now respectively 16 and 12 years old) they were already building bikes in their backyard and have the ultimate dream to make it their profession. Then 1 month ago in Orlando I met them again, this time with their parents Joe & Dina. Around a cup of coffee we talked about their first trip to Sturgis. I saw the excitation in the eyes of Joey & Cody at the idea of participating to the 7 South Dakota bike shows. And today I just learned that they are the most talked after builders in Sturgis. They have the total support of their parents and it’s what makes beautiful this little story. So, next time you are visiting a bike show, look for them, check out their work and encourage them. More we have good builders, better is our industry. .
RevoPower. From Bicycle To Motorcycle And Back. $600.00
Published by August 7th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Wheels.
The inventor is Steve Katsaros, and it’s probably the best 2-wheel invention in a long time. Is it possible to design a bicycle wheel with a gasoline engine built right into the wheel?" The trick being to have the entire engine, gear train, starter, and starter be so thin that the whole assembly could spin between the forks of a standard bicycle. Is it possible to offer a solution that would allow anyone to install it on most bicycles and be easy to use? After a lot experimentation, Steve discovered the way to convert your bicycle to horsepower by changing only the front wheel and for a cost of about $600.00 (available in 2008). The wheel, called RevoPower, is a brand new patented technology incorporating the engine and gear train entirely within the front wheel. It weighs in at under 15 pounds and is designed to fit most bikes, contains a 25cc 2 stroke motor that gets over 100mpg and goes around 17mph on flat terrain. The kit is preassembled in a 26" rim and tire. It includes one fuel tank that fits in a standard water bottle cage, one throttle control that clips to the handlebars and no extra items are necessary for installation. Your bicycle can now be ridden like a regular bicycle or with motor assistance when desired. The wheel is driven by a series of sprocket and chains which drive the engine (and the wheel) around the front axle. And guess what? It’s ARB and EPA approved! RevoPower.
Counterfeit Harley-Davidson Merchandise In Sturgis
Published by August 6th, 2007 in Builders, Editorial and Merchandise.
You know this one "If it seems too good to be true, it is”. A Harley-Davidson pair of boots at $50? A belt buckle at $5? Come on! It is sure to be a counterfeit. Harley-Davidson merchandise has become enormously popular over the past 20 years. Licensed dealers sell everything from coffee to pool tables, all marked with the famous bar-and-shield Harley logo. As a result, a lot of people are trying to cash in on the Harley-Davidson name by selling copies of Harley clothing, jewelry and other items. Unwitting shoppers looking for bargains at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally may be duped into buying something they think is genuine, only to find out it’s a cheap copy. Motorcycle events like Sturgis, Daytona, Laconia, etc are perfect times to sell counterfeit merchandise. So Harley-Davidson sends trademark enforcement people to a lot of bike rallies. Harley-Davidson wants you to buy only from an authorized Harley dealer. Some pretend that price gouging by the factory makes a lot of people want to buy counterfeits. But in addition to the loss of income and deterioration of image due to the inferior quality of counterfeit goods, a company who knows about trademark and copyright violations but doesn’t do anything about them runs the risk of losing legal ownership of the brand. In other words, "Harley-Davidson" could become a generic term. Trafficking in counterfeit goods carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Copyright infringement is punishable by one year in prison and a $100,000 fine
Sturgis Bike Week. Be There Without Being There.
Published by August 6th, 2007 in Editorial and Events.
Like me you could not make it to Sturgis 2007. You are at work and frustrated not to be able to stroll down main street, ride again the Badlands and the Black Hills, visit the bike shows and check all the vendors. Here a small compensation. At least you can see what’s happening downtown Sturgis via 4 live webcams. Watch the crowd get bigger by the hour, and your best friends entering a bar to have a cold one. Live 24/7 on Main Street at Sturgis Web Cams.
Sturgis Metzeler Tires Bike Show
Published by August 5th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
For the fifth consecutive year, Metzeler’s wildly popular Custom Bike Contest is returning to Sturgis. This year, the show offers unprecedented opportunities for amateurs seeking exposure as well as broad media coverage. Amateur and professional builders will compete in a variety of judging classes, including Consumer Class, Custom Builder/Custom Chopper and Bobber/Old School. The People’s Choice Award is back and many special guests – Orange County Choppers, Indian Larry Legacies, and more will be on hand to display their own creations, sign autographs, and offer some professional insight for participants. This year’s prizes include: An all-expense paid trip to Metzeler’s headquarters in Milan and factory in Germany with American Iron editor Chris Maida, where you’ll be interviewed as the subject of an American Iron feature story. Inclusion in the upcoming Metzeler ad and poster series A seat at the Annual Metzeler Round Table at the 2008 V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati. High-quality apparel, hardware from top manufacturers and of course Metzeler Motorcycle Tires. The Show is Tuesday August 7th at Thunder Road in Sturgis..
1938 Participants to Reunite at Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame
Published by August 4th, 2007 in Editorial.
Al Nelson, Don Vodden, and Bill Fenton will get together on Wednesday, August 8th at 4:00 pm in the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame to reminisce about the event that kicked off the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Nelson and Vodden were two of the nine motorcyclists who participated in the races, with Nelson taking second place. Fenton entertained the crowd with his stunt riding. The public is encouraged to attend this “living exhibit” from motorcycling history. Via Sturgis Bike Week Website
World Tracker GPS For Your Motorcycle
Published by August 4th, 2007 in Accessories, Customs and Editorial.
This new generation GPS is a completely self-contained tracking device small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. It’s a "plug & play"device with a geofence feature to alert you if the target (your motorcycle) moves from a pre-defined area. Practically, it means that the parking and anti-theft function notifies you if your motorcycle moves. Installation is simple through a12-volt adapter connecting to the vehicle power. It’s the smallest Global Positioning device via a 16 satellite real-time tracking system. It can be accessed and programmed via a computer and SMS messages sent from any cell phone. Hope GPS
Women’s Day At Sturgis Top 50 Rally Park
Published by August 4th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
The Top 50 Rally Park Women’s Day will celebrate the adrenaline freedom and independence biking can bring to women riders. Along with showcasing women leaders in the motorcycle industry, the women’s day events are dedicated to awareness, safety, and fun. The planned events for Friday August 10th are as follows: 1) Registration for "Bike for Breast Cancer" and Seminars (10AM-12PM). 2) The Charity Ride (12PM Noon) to benefit the American Cancer Society. The thrill, the rush and the exhilaration of the Black Hills. 3) Ride-In Bike Show/ Awards/ Reception (6PM-8PM). Best of Show and Best Paint. Two other trophies will be given: the Sandy Leone Memorial Award and the Industry Female Leader Award. The Reception will include the following female speakers: Laura Ellifson, Jody Perewitz, Sara Liberte, Gina Woods, Leslie Prevish, Athena "Chickie" Ransom and Jessi Combs. The Top 50 Rally Park is located near Sturgis on the edge of I-90 at exit 46
Silverado. The Shape Of Things To Come?
Published by August 3rd, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
This headline was not written by me but by Alex Scott, American Iron Magazine journalist about the customized Fat Boy named Silverado that I built for a client in England. European laws are still tougher than the US legislation, and are enforced to the letter. I was a little bit scared (and a little bit more than that) to customize a Harley able to please both me and my client, the european customs agents and the cops of the UK. The solution? Get the most stock and ugliest used Evo Harley-Davidson you can find, but with low miles, trash (better recycle) most of it, smooth the welds to glass, fab a new body work, don’t change the engine & transmission but give them the beauty treatment, polishing and, in the case of this bike, a coat of 1-stage black lacquer. Voila, like the Harleys I customized 15 years ago it’s a legal custom ridden every day with no violation ticket or fine in its pedigree. If you are tired to play mouse & cat with the legislation, I think it’s one safe way to go. It’s the reason why, in my eyes of Custom Builder, it’s so exciting to know that the new 2008 Harley line is not perfect. A lot of work to do. Is Silverado the shape of things to come? This custom is the cover story of the current issue of American Iron Magazine.
Sturgis Bike Week Thunder Road Activities
Published by August 3rd, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
There will be 6 shows from Sunday August 5 through Friday August 10. All shows are open entry with registration beginning at 7am at the east entrance to the Thunderdome. The doors open at 9. Awards are 5 or 6 pm. Glencoe campers get in free. Sunday the premiere of the Feel The Thunder® Race Bike Show. You’ll see ‘60s street racers to the ultra-slick drags, enough to make the most hardened race enthusiast drool. Monday the Sturgis Invasion Show brought to you by THE HORSE Backstreet Choppers. Radical choppers, crazy women, burn-outs Tuesday the 5th annual Metzeler Sturgis Custom Bike Contest. With head judge Eddie Trotta and a contingent of master builders from across the country, Metzeler brings in the best of the best. Wednesday the debut of Sculptures in Steel Sturgis. With an emphasis on rideability and appearance, head judge Chica will have his hands full. Thursday the return of the granddaddy of all bike shows, Rat’s Hole. With more classes, more trophies and more variety, Rat’s Hole is the biggest show in Sturgis that will exceed the space in the Thunderdome. Friday The Battle Of Three Trike Show promises to showcase everything from the conventional and practical to the powerful and outrageous.
Mean Street New Sponsor Of Cyril Huze Blog
Published by August 2nd, 2007 in Customs, Editorial and Suspension.
If, like me, you buy American quality parts, you know about Mean Street line of high tech and retro front ends, of triple trees in a multitude of configurations (translate by rakes) with or without internal brake lines, in a choice of polish, chrome or black anodizing. Behind the brand, there are 2 brothers named Mike & Tim Hanlon who grew up on bikes (and raced them), who decided more than 15 years ago that they would offer exceptional quality forks with a cutting edge design at an affordable price. Result? You will not find a top custom builder who never used one of their front suspension systems in one of the many designs they propose. When the streets are mean, and they are, you are better off having forks doing their job over and over. Mean Street supports us. Support a high quality American brand. Mean Street Products.
During rallies we are all behaving correctly. Right? Just in case, for your education and amusement, here a short list of the most common fines that the Sturgis cops would like to levy. Deposit of Filth – $86.00. Dog Running at Large – $56.00. Indecent Exposure – $111.00. Furnish Alcohol to Minor – Court Appearance Required – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – $244.00. Like me, you noticed that 2 dogs running at large are as indecent, but less attractive than a half naked woman!
Mike (Kiwi) Tomas New Nostalgic Bike
Published by August 1st, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
Yesterday, Mike just finished his new bike built for Michael Lichter’s "One World Choppers Exhibit" in Sturgis. This exhibition celebrates all custom builders born outside the US, living or not here, but whose contribution to the custom world need to be acknowledged. I was also invited to build a bike, but cannot make it to South Dakota this year. So, as I am typing, Mike Tomas from Kiwi Indian is on his way to Sturgis with his new custom called "Arrow Space". But before he left, Mike was gracious enough to send me in exclusivity a couple of shots of his new bike. Of course, Mike built something nostalgic and period correct except the updated rear brakes. Mike Tomas did pretty much everything in house, (engine, frame, forks, tank, controls, steering dampener, etc) and the only parts he bought were the wheels and brakes with Chica kindly donating one of his rear fenders to the project. Kiwi Indian Motorcycles.
Daytona Bike Week On National Geographic
Published by August 1st, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
Among the numerous TV networks present at Daytona Bike Week this year there was a National Geographic crew shooting a documentary (one more) on the most covered biker event on the planet. Under the name "Daytona Biker Rally", it will run Sunday August 5 at 8 PM. Since a lot of shot film end up on the editing floor (we have to find another expression for movies shot in digital), I have no way to tell you for sure who is going to be featured. But it seems that in addition to the usual suspects, the Rat’s Hole Show and Mike Beland of A1 Cycles are in it. .
Canadian Biker Build-Off. Biggest And Baddest In Canada.
Published by July 31st, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
Due to geographical location, participants, type of scheduled activities, each bike show, rally or exhibition has its own flavor. It was my 1st time at the 3rd edition of the Canadian Biker Build-Off held in Ontario last weekend. Not only is the area beautiful (visit Niagara Falls and the wineries), the people extremely friendly, but the bikes produced in Canada are of extremely high level. It was quite surprising to see the best shops present custom bikes with a legally obtained license tag in a country where legislation is tougher than in the US (FYI the French & English sides have different regulations with the French side having the tougher laws). Concept & Design Cycle won the bragging rights of being the 2008 Canadian Biker Build-Off Champion and although I was not judging it was right away my favorite. It was a big family affair with visitors, builders & vendors all mixing together in after show parties improvised in local restaurants or private homes. I want to thank the Canadian Customs for letting me zoom several times through the border without even checking my US passport, the organizers Vern & Randy Savage from Savage Production for their hard work and dedication to the custom world, to Elizabeth Fritshaw for her 
Swiss precision at timing all the events (and to her mother for cooking cookies for me), to Radical Randy for his talent at entertaining crowds, to Heather Ireland of Biker TV for asking me the right questions front of the camera, to Jeff Starke & crew of IMBBA (International Master Bike Builders Association) for perfectly judging the bike show, to all Canadian professional builders for being good friends and bringing me chocolate ice creams all day long (it was 85 F), to Lisa Tache from Clare’s Harley-Davidson of Niagara for being my improvised assistant, to Jodee Fine from The Tattoo Academy for telling me hours of very funny true stories and jokes, to all visitors who came to me to say hi and buy a tee. Canadian Biker Build-Off is really the biggest and baddest show in Canada. I recommend that you participate or visit next year during the last weekend of July. Only one thumb down to the US airport security guy who at 6.30 in the morning asked me if I would prefer to drink (fast) my bottle of Canadian wine front of him or have it confiscated. Of course I don’t drink red wine at breakfast..
Harley Serialized 105th Anniversary Limited Edition
Published by July 31st, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
For the 105th Anniversary Harley-Davidson will offer 14 models with a special package of Anniversary features, including exclusive paint and accessories. Production of these motorcycles will be limited and serialized. They will have an exclusive, two-tone paint scheme in shimmering Anniversary Copper and Vivid Black, traced with orange and pale gold pin striping. Some models will feature cast aluminum wheels painted in Gloss Black. Seats and pillions on these bikes will be finished with a special copper-colored vinyl insert. The 105th Anniversary motorcycles will be identified with a copper Bar and Shield tank cloisonné and 105th Anniversary badges on the air cleaner and timing cover inserts.
In the News-Tribune, Editor/Publisher Rebecca Tudley writes this true story. “The way my friend told it, this guy pushed his motorcycle from the patio into his living room where he began to clean the engine with some rags and a bowl of gasoline. When he finished, he sat on the motorcycle and decided to start it to make sure everything was still Ok. Unfortunately the bike started in gear and crashed through the glass patio door with him still clinging to the handlebars. His wife came running at the noise and found him crumpled on the patio badly cut from shards of broken glass. She called 911 and the paramedics transported the guy to the emergency room.
Later that afternoon after many stitches had pulled her husband back together, the wife brought him home and put him to bed. She cleaned up the mess in the living room and dumped the bowl of gasoline in the toilet. Shortly thereafter, her husband woke up, lit a cigarette and went into the bathroom. He sat down and tossed the cigarette into the toilet which promptly exploded because the wife had not flushed the gasoline away. The explosion blew the man through the bathroom door. The wife heard the explosion and her husband screams. She ran into the hall and found him lying on the floor with his trousers blown away and burns on his buttocks. The wife again ran to the phone and called for an ambulance.
The same 2 paramedics were dispatched to the scene. They loaded the husband on the stretcher and began carrying him to the street. One of them asked the wife how the injury had occurred. When told them, they began laughing so hard that they dropped the stretcher and broke the guy’s collarbone”. Talk about instant Karma….
Battistinis Brake Arms For Touring Bikes
Published by July 29th, 2007 in Brakes, Controls, Customs and Editorial.
Braking in style. Adding to the impressive lineup of quality components from Battistinis Custom Cycles, their new brake lever for FLT/touring models sets a higher standard. Machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum for strength and drilled for lightness and style, Battistinis new brake lever stands apart from the rest. Available in chrome or the now trademark black anodize/machined finish, this brake lever matches perfectly with the products in the Battistinis line. From Battistinis Custom Cycles.
Canadian Biker Build-Off And Niagara Falls
Published by July 29th, 2007 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
This weekend I have the best of both worlds. A motorcycle event surrounded by Canadian friends and the possibility, with these same friends, to ride the gorgeous Niagara region both on the Canadian & American side. During these 3 days I am going to take pictures and tell you about this 3rd edition of the Canadian Biker Build-Off to which I am invited. But today I was in a vacation mood and I want to tell you about the most surprising thing that I just learned while visiting Niagara Falls. Due to erosion, about 12,000 years ago, Niagara Falls was 7 miles downstream from its present location. Until the early 1950s, the Falls eroded at the average rate of one foot per year. Since then, major water diversions have spread out the flow more evenly, slowing the rate of erosion at the Falls. Now the erosion is only 1 foot every 10 years. It was my educative post. Talk to you tomorrow from the show.
Billy Lane Civil Lawsuit Settled Out Of Court
Published by July 27th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
After a long mediation between the family of Gerald Morelock Family with Billy Lane and attorneys for DaimlerChrysler, an out of court settlement has been negotiated and agreed. The civil action was filed in October of 2006 by June Morelock, the mother of Gerald Morelock against William D. Lane and Daimler Chrysler for the wrongful death of her son. Attorneys for all parties met with a mediator for hours on Monday with Billy Lane and the Morelock family all present. The case is now closed and a settlement for a undisclosed amount has been reached between the parties. Billy Lane is still facing criminal charges for DUI Manslaughter but the civil action against him and Dodge has ended in agreement. Lane’s criminal charges for DUI Manslaughter are still pending with the next scheduled hearing date of August 17 at the Brevard county court house in Viera Florida.
On My Way To The Canadian Biker Build-Off
Published by July 27th, 2007 in Customs, Editorial and Events.
Thanks to Wi-Fi, I am uploading this post from JFK New York airport where I am in transit boarding a plane to Canada where I am the guest of this weekend 3rd edition of the Canadian Biker Build-Off. The 3-day event is located on the Niagara Exhibition Grounds in Welland Ontario and attracts a huge crowd of bikers from both sides of the border. Of course, the best of the Canadian bike builders will be there to show their most recent work and compete for the Canadian BBO Winner bragging rights. Of course, I will report in this Blog, but the most exciting part for me will be, as always, to meet for the 1st time all those fans & dealers who are buying my custom parts (Canada represents 5% of all my sales). Time to board. My next post will be from Ontario. Canadian Biker Build Off Website.
Harley-Davidson 2008 Screamin’ Eagle Softail Springer
Published by July 26th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
For 2008 Harley-Davidson rolls out a nostalgic CVO Eagle Softail Springer. This creation from Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) takes a timeless Harley-Davidson motorcycle to a more powerful level with a Twin Cam 110B engine. The Harley-Davidson CVO group creates limited-production, exclusive motorcycles produced by a team of highly skilled technicians in a special assembly area at the Harley-Davidson plants in York, Pa., and Kansas City. Thanks to the free flowing Heavy Breather intake, with this 110B engine torque is increased by five percent to an impressive 110 ft. lbs. at 3000 rpm. The Screamin’ Eagle Softail Springer will be offered in three exclusive color combinations with two new graphic schemes: The scalloped flame metal grind scheme will feature Inferno Orange with Fireburst Flames and Black Diamond with Smoked Candy Flames. The 105th Anniversary scheme of Crystal Copper and Black Onyx will include gold leafing graphics and a serialized 105th Anniversary cloisonné. Frame and swingarm are color-matched with each paint pattern.
I got the news last week from a journalist in Sweden via another journalist in Japan. But S&S refused to confirm until the deal was closed today July 25th. S&S is right now “on the ground” of Flathead Power in Louisiana to package and load all the assets for shipment to the S&S facility in Viola, A longstanding customer-vendor relationship between S&S and Flathead Power helped facilitate this transaction. Since the fall of last year, S&S has been researching and pursuing opportunities to expand their product line and their overall market penetration. Flathead Power, a company that services classic/vintage engine lines and components dating back to 1936, was a perfect compliment for the S&S product line and brand. Flathead Power manufactures high-quality, high performance parts, designed to lift Knuckleheads, Big Twin Flatheads and Indians out of the antique category and into the 21st century. The weaknesses inherent in the old designs have been eliminated through the use of better materials and by strengthening critical areas. In addition to their famous Cylinders and Heads, Flathead Power offers a complete Single and Dual Carb Knuckle Engine assemblies up to 120" and Custom-built bikes, including the World’s First 1947-type FL Replica, "The Time Bandit. The acquisition of this Flathead Power’s assets and trade-name will allow S&S to sell complete engine assemblies and aftermarket components from 1936 year groups through 2007. The reasoning is that the classic/vintage market has been underserved, with pent up demand. S&S is committed to servicing this demand while producing quality Proven Performance products with a high level of customer service.
When Joe McGlynn from Crime Scene Choppers imagined these radical exhaust tips he didn’t even see the movie Lord Of The Rings. But when he showed his new creation to a couple of friends around him, they all said (add me) that they look like something evil built in Mordor. So, the name stuck. Since a couple of years I repeat that if you cannot come up with something original with exhausts shape, work on the tips. These Mordor babies are hand made in steel, high strength silver brazed, hand polished and chromed. They slip into standard 1.75" exhaust pipes, the most common size exhaust tube size used for bike exhaust. A single stainless screw holds them in place from behind. Mordor Exhaust Tips
