Cyril Huze Post

Archive Page 421

F.B.I. As Fat Baggers Inc.

Published by Cyril Huze March 23rd, 2007 in Customs, Editorial and Wheels.

You already know. Baggers are big again. And Baggers owners like it fat with a rear wheel up to 300 mm. Yes, it’s possible. Gary Chipp, founder of Fat Baggers Inc, and his family have been in the motorcycle industry since 1973 and a franchise Harley Davidson dealer since 1984. Fat Baggers Inc evolved from customer request as they were looking for a way to get more rubber under their baggers. Gary fabricated the parts needed to install a wide tire on a friend’s bagger. As soon as the bike hit the road the requests started pouring in. It soon became evident that there was a market for a new business, and Fat Baggers Inc was born. Very interesting, F.B.I. has a mobile installation trailer for rallies and they will install a fat tire kit while you wait. By the way, a 21” front wheel looks very good on a touring bike. Next, they will be at the Laughlin River Run (April 25/29) and Myrtle Beach Bike Week (May 11/20). But you must reserve your spot by going to their website. Fat Baggers Inc.

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Sportster Nightster Original Sketch

Published by Cyril Huze March 22nd, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.

I love motorcycle and part sketches, these quick outlines used to capture the basic elements and structure of an idea to be produced or manufactured. I keep mine (unfortunately, a few disappeared) and love to look at those drawn by others. You are looking at the original sketch made by Rich Cristoph, a 27 year old Harley-Davidson industrial designer, which was the basis for the 2007 Sportster Nightster model. Willie G. Davidson, Harley-Davidson’s Chief Styling Officer wanted a no-frills, bare-bones bike to lure younger riders. With Willie G. literally looking over his shoulder, Rich captured in a few lines the bobber attitude of post world war 2. One of the most frequent questions asked to a custom builder is “how do you get and show your ideas to a client”. For ideas, for all of us, it still remains a mystery. It happens anywhere, anytime. For convincing a client, the best is one or several sketches charged with the main emotions that the final bike should express. Add to your sketches hours of verbal argumentation to explain your vision to your client (or to your boss Willie G. in the case of Rich Cristoph).Easy? Of course not. .

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The Deep Idea Of DeepFinish

Published by Cyril Huze March 22nd, 2007 in Accessories and Editorial.

Polishing, shining, waxing and detailing. Everybody is claiming to be the best. You tried (almost) all products available from a very saturated “appearance product market” and now you believe no one. Well, wait 1 minute. If you, like me, have been disappointed it’s probably because too many products pretend to be the all in one miracle solution to both treat & polish different materials like aluminum and chrome, or wax and detail at the same time. Like an individual no product can excel at everything it does. It’s the deep idea behind all 4 “DeepFinish” products: do only one thing and be the best at it. So, each product specializes in 1 material and 1 purpose only. To perform to the point that you can see the difference with your own eyes. Maybe “DeepFinish” is the brand you will be faithful to when shining your motorcycle, car, SUV or boat. Worth a try by ordering online at DeepFinish Products .

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From My Spy In Russia. Custom BMW Chopper.

Published by Cyril Huze March 21st, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.

About 5 years ago, I got my 1st motorcycle parts orders coming from Russia. I was quite surprised. I even sold to a Moscow dealer all the parts necessary to build 2 bikes to be assembled in Russia and looking like 2 of my customs. Then, Russian magazines started to feature my work and I became friend with journalist Dmitry Khitrov. He is now my legitimate Russian spy and I enjoy exchanging with him motorcycle pictures and news from our respective countries. Russian bikers are somewhat influenced by what they see published in their Russian magazines (a lot of European bikes and a few American ones, including mine), but they have their own way (a very good thing) to customize and use parts. For example this BMW chopper based on a 1939 R 35 BMW engine, a very fast engine at the time, used on bikes of the German army during World War 2. The bike is the work of a custom shop called “Orehovo Custom Art”, and the 2 owners Sergey Kusakov & Aleksandr Shiraev had to find 3 baskets cases to get all the engine original parts. All the rest of the bike is hand made and they explained, through my translator, that all components are made small because the engine is small. They even decided to lace the wheels with only 36 spokes to make the bike look lighter. I like very much this BMW chopper. And you? You can see more Russian bikes by going to http://www.ruriders.com/

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Have You Heard Of Dubai Bike Week?

Published by Cyril Huze March 20th, 2007 in Editorial and Events.

Daytona Bike Week was ending when I met old friend Chris a.k.a. Sheriff (Sheriff Media Group). To my knowledge he is the only Swedish reporter covering the main motorcycle rallies in the US. I asked him where he was going next. He said:”Dubai”. “Dubai to do what?” I answered. “To cover Dubai Bike Week”. Well, I didn’t know about this one. Nor you I guess. Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates in the south eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. I was intrigued, so Sheriff put me in touch with Sara who is in charge of the organization. A few emails back and forth later I learned a few interesting things. It’s going to be the 3^rd edition, from April 5 to 7 (it’s not 1 week!). It’s full of rich German bikers because Dubai is one of their favorite tourist destinations. They expect about 10,000 people (but of course no beer tub girls in bikinis). They are going to do a few rides (it can be only in the desert but gas, as you can imagine, is widely available). They have a bike show (no, it’s not called the Rat’s Oil Show), and the rest of the time they are going to party in the luxury hotels of Dubai City. Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) and Puddle Of Mudd (great band) do the trip to entertain the crowds. Only negative, helmet is mandatory. Despite of this, I would really like to go to taste the difference with our rallies. Maybe next year if the God of customs is with me during the next 12 months. Dubai Bike Week .

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Death Of The Chopper?

Published by Cyril Huze March 19th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.

Tom Zimberoff, the celebrated author of Art Of The Chopper 1 & 2, forwarded to me an excellent article written by David Edwards in Cycle World Magazine. It’s about the penalty levied by CARB (California Air Resources Board) on Jesse James pursuant to the 98-05 sales of 50 West Coast Choppers motorcycles not in compliance with the state’s emissions standards (namely fitment of non-certified exhausts and the lack of fuel-evaporation recovery systems). As Zimberoff writes in Art Of The Chopper 2: “There is little about art that complies with motor vehicle codes. Pass an emissions-control test? I don’t think so. But neither will a city bus. Neither will your barbecue! And there are more barbecues and buses fouling the air than all the motorcycles on the planet”. According to James, CARB was more interested in making headlines than in maintaining ozone levels. He states “they revoke the DMV registrations on the bikes you build, telling you that they pollute, and then you are forced to go to a Settlement Conference and meet with a legal council. Let the haggling begin, and once you agree on an amount to pay, the bikes that had their registrations revoked are magically reinstated and deemed California legal! I am not saying that I did nothing wrong, but I am saying that when it comes to the environment, the environment should come first, not the cash! Somebody needs to hold CARB accountable for their methods and practices”. Is it the end of the Chopper World the way we know it? Tell me what you think…

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New Demonizer Open Belt Cover

Published by Cyril Huze March 18th, 2007 in Driveline and Editorial.

Although the retro/nostalgia trend is in full swing for custom bikes and parts, some continue to favor the high tech/barbaric/aggressive stance. So, Jason Tauer machined a new cover called the Demonizer. Not only it will fit his own branded belt systems but can also be used on other brands. In some cases, you will need an adaptor. Better check with them.They will tell you which one. An opportunity to visit their new website at Tauer Machine (you should also check their new cool retro Split Belt System).

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Luxury Chopper Chair. No Helmet Required.

Published by Cyril Huze March 17th, 2007 in Accessories and Editorial.

Chopper culture is invading our homes. It’s not the 1^st time I see home decoration inspired by our lifestyle, but when CJ Hanlon of Guilty Customs sent me this picture of this chopper chair, I realize one more time how much our art is influencing our society. But first a warning: this chair is going to furnish no more than 50 homes because it’s a limited edition. Also because the price is the one of a nice motorcycle. It is conceived as a collectible, an object of design art and desire. But it’s worth it. Look at the craftsmanship of the “GothRod” chair (great name). As good as what you can see on the top custom bikes Traditional Springer suspension allows the pivoting seat and back saddles to move seamlessly with the “rider”. CNC machined chrome custom parts. Skull-topped shifter drops down. Folding out foot pegs for that laid back cruiser feel. TIG welded steel frame to with custom paint. Wet Black urethane paint, hand pin-striped in red and ivory. Hand-carved leather saddles. Etc. This masterpiece was designed by Gene Gordon and you can admire the pictures at Chopper Chairs..

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OCC Bike Unveiling. Las Vegas Style.

Published by Cyril Huze March 17th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.

Orange County Choppers, the custom motorcycle shop made popular by the hit series "American Chopper," will unveil their newest bike, the “Go Fast Chopper” this Monday, March 19th on top of the 51st floor at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new chopper will be flown in by Silver State Helicopters and dropped into the Voodoo Cafe & Lounge located on the roof top of the Rio Hotel. Once the bike has landed onto the roof, the Go Fast Jet Pack Man will christen the bike by flying off the roof, around the bike, and back onto the roof. Very Las Vegas. I wonder why they don’t use Elvis to Christen this chopper. Of course this unusual bike unveiling will be filmed for an upcoming episode of "American Chopper".

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Daytona Rat’s Hole Show Winners

Published by Cyril Huze March 17th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.

You requested it. So, here it is. The list of the top 3 winners in the main classes of the 35th Daytona Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show. To receive all results of all classes (too long to list here), email to editor@cyrilhuzeblog.com.

Over 1000 cc Custom: 1st place: Danny Apla. 2nd place: Michael Lorum. 3rd place: James Newman. Over 1000 cc Custom Metric: Brian Dady. 2nd place: Kevin Kuiper. 3rd place: Rafael Estrada. Over 1000 cc Radical:Sam Nehme 2nd place: Jaxon Fiffe. 3rd place: South Florida Choppers. Over 1000 cc Radical Metric: 1st place: Tommy Graves 2nd place: Scott Britt. 3rd place Adam Canni. Bobber Class: 1st place: Lynnco (Cyril Huze Builder) 2nd place: Lynnco (Cyril Huze Builder) 3rd place Vicent Migliano. Extreme Bobber Class:1st place: Chopper City 2nd place: Joe Palermo 3rd place: Chop Shop customs. Sportster Radical Class: 1st place: weston Darera, 2nd place: Dan Rusk, 3rd place: Todds Cycles. Most Unusual Class: 1st place: Mike Beland, 2nd place: Michael londo, 3rd place: Benny Ohrman. Full Dresser & TouringClass: 1st place: James Doyle, 2nd place: Roy Chamberlin, 3rd place: Don Becker. Antique Classics Restored: 1st place: Don Hart. 2nd place: Tim Richey , 3rd place: David Clark.

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Daytona Harley Ride-In-Show Winners

Published by Cyril Huze March 17th, 2007 in Customs and Editorial.

On Wednesday, March 7, custom Harleys filled the streets outside the Daytona Ocean Center for the annual Ride-In Show. Owners of Harley-Davidson motorcycles from around the world entered into this contest to prove their bike is the best in class. The Ride-In show winners are:

Antique: Don Hart, Napanee, Ontario, Canada, 1936 EL. VRSC: Allen “Otis” Young, Danville, Va., 2004 V-Rod. Sidecar: Thomas Schoetzler, Sarasota, Fla., 2004 Road Glide. Custom Trike: Larry Werkmeister, Gowanda, N.Y., 2007 Road Glide. Full Dresser: Scott Kessler, Bradenton, Fla., 2001 Road Glide.Street Custom Sportster: Roxanne McNeil, Blainville, Quebec, Canada, 2000 Sportster.Buell: Michael Weckmann, Palm Bay, Fla., 1999 M2 Cyclone. Street Custom Big Twin: Jeffrey A. Wright, Orlando, Fla., 2005 Road King Custom. Show Custom Big Twin: Phil Blackmer, Port Orange, Fla., 2002 Softail Deuce. Sport Touring Street: Dave & Sheni Coke, Chuluota, Fla., 2006 Road King. Sport Touring Show: Margaret R. Nicastr, Bowie, Md., 2005 Electra Glide Standard. Radical Custom: Bill Dodge, Howell, N.J., 1941 Knucklehead. Best Use of Motor Accessories: Sportster: Jodi Milner, Salem, Ill., 2007 Sportster. Best Use of Motor Accessories: Big Twin: Dave & Sheni Coke, Chuluota, Fla., 2006 Road King

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Custom Baggers Are Hot. So, Read Hot Bike Baggers.

Published by Cyril Huze March 16th, 2007 in Customs and Editorial.

The wide choice of motorcycle media (print or digital like this Blog) available to you says a lot about our V-Twin industry, its health, its size and also its trends. The same way, the magazine(s) that you read says a lot about your particular taste in motorcycles. In good marketing strategy, each magazine tries to find its niche by pursuing readers who share a specific common interest. So, when a new motorcycle magazine called “Hot Bike Baggers” appears on the newsstand, pay attention. It means what you may not know yet. The touring bikes segment is getting bigger & bigger and Harley-Davidson sales numbers are there to prove it. During Daytona Bike Week, just one week ago, I was joking at the number of Baggers parked at Destination Daytona. It was waves and waves of touring bikes and it made me think of the amount of work available to us, custom builders, to improve their looks and performance. I have customized quite a few dressers and loved it (see them in my Website at the page "Custom Harleys"). Brian Klock works on more Baggers than Choppers and even fellow builder Billy Lane just launched a few cool bagger parts, joking that under a bagger there is always a chopper. And it’s true that there was no magazine dedicated only to baggers and their specific needs and parts. In addition to the usual custom baggers features and tech articles Hot Bike Baggers incorporates some more rider-centric stuff like suggested roads to ride, product reviews, bike comparisons, personality profiles, and tour stories. The number 2 was just released and its very cool. It is available strictly on the newsstand, usually where you buy Hot Bike.

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Daytona Bike Week. Harley-Davidson Raises 150K for MDA

Published by Cyril Huze March 16th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.

A lot of charity fundraising is done during a big event like Daytona Bike Week. Harley-Davidson’s raised more than $150,000 for MDA and for this sponsored several activities. First the "Bankers Auction" hosted by Harley-Davidson, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Jim Ziemer and Vice President and Treasurer Jim Brostowitz, Second, the Willie G. Davidson pledge ride to Daytona, the Harley-Davidson Ride-in Show and the MDA public auction held at the Daytona Beach Ocean Center. Harley-Davidson and MDA volunteers also sold event pins and raffle tickets for a 2007 Fat Boy motorcycle customized by Willie G. Davidson with special Daytona graphics. Jimmie Gore of Pleasantville, LA won this one-of-a-kind motorcycle. The funds raised support life-saving research, comprehensive medical care for children and adults with neuromuscular disease and MDA summer camps.

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To All My Female Readers And Riders

Published by Cyril Huze March 16th, 2007 in Accessories and Editorial.

Hey, ladies. I know you are quite a few enjoying reading my Custom Motorcycles Blog. So I thought I should write a post especially for you. Riding your own bike or just on the back seat, there is a new way to continue your experience. Here a very special chair where you are going to sit on an 18 inch subwoofer for a feast of sensation. You know what I mean. Yes, you can rely on the powerful lows and exhilarating highs emanating from this calcium carbonate poly-coned woofer seated in the belly of the chair. Choose your beat, sit down and enjoy the ride. I know for sure that it’s going to be your favorite chair. Musical Chair.

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Best New Board Track Style Bike

Published by Cyril Huze March 15th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.

During rallies, I am so busy talking to everybody that I am always afraid to miss a trick bike deserving to be featured here. During the Daytona Boardwalk Show there is no way I could have missed to notice this wild and gorgeous new bike that I would have liked to imagine and fabricate. Almost every part but the tires and engine are hand made. It was built by Jaxon Fyffe of Wild Card Customs. Here what he told me. It’s worth reading.

“I wanted to keep the theme of an early 1900’s board track racer but then use the build as an engineering exercise for me. The look of the bike would remind people of the early days of motorcycle racing on the board tracks around the country but to modern builders it would bring the taste of today’s engineering. A very special feature is the brake system. The brake discs are all stainless steel that are on each corner of the rim itself and the brakes are machined into the side of the front forks. We have twin piston in each leg with our own pad on all four corners of the bike. They work very well. Forks are of my design, just wanted to work out some issues with rake and trail though out the travel of the forks and got that all worked out with the style and brake issues all in a one-off custom billet fork. Both wheels are 23" that were both carved from solid 400Lbs bricks of 6061 billet aluminum. The spool hubs are ours with some special features. The spokes are laced in a radial pattern in the front and the spokes are "hung" in the wheel up side down compared to all motorcycles. The nipples are inside the hub. The frame is another design that I drew up worked out some details and then proceeded to build. The Yamaha motor is a dry sump motor and I have the oil tank in the top tube. The tank is really a two-piece tank that does about 4 duties all at 1 time. It is the gas tank on the right front corner, and then the left side is the fuel injection equipment & Battery. In the middle of the tank is the air box that is mated to our Venturi air intake. The rear of the tank has the master switch and engine start button” What’s next for Wild Card Customs? Many new ideas and parts that are in the process of being introduced to the motorcycle market place. Jaxon Fyffe is a very friendly guy full of talent who loves to explain his work. You can reach talk to him at 817-831-9700 and check his other bikes at Wild Card Customs

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Viper Powersports Listed on the NASD

Published by Cyril Huze March 15th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.

Viper Powersports Inc, the Big Lake MN motorcycle manufacturer announced today that it has changed its primary trading venue from Pink Sheets to the NASD Electronic Bulletin Board. (OTCBB: VPWS). Viper Powersports develops, produces and markets a line of premium custom V-Twin cruiser motorcycles, aftermarket engines and other related aftermarket products. Viper cruisers are distributed and sold under the Viper brand name through a nationwide independent dealer network. The Company designs and manufactures custom motorcycles, accessories and motorcycle engine component parts with patented technology using Computer Aided Design (CAD). Many of the motorcycle and motorcycle engine component parts are machined from solid billets of aluminum utilizing Computer-Numerical-Control (CNC) machines. Viper Motorcycle.

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Guns N’ Roses Statement About Harley-Davidson Commercial Song

Published by Cyril Huze March 14th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.

The song "Better" has been receiving airplay across the country, but there is no official single release. No one seems to know where the song came from or how it got out. Did Guns N’ Roses purposely leak the track? Keyboardist Dizzy Reed explains in the site Guns N’ Roses "We were doing a commercial with Harley-Davidson. Harley was going to do a version using ‘Paradise City’ and another version using ‘Better. Their Web site even had a version up for like one day with ‘Better,’ but the version of ‘Better’ that they had was an unfinished, unapproved demo. That’s why it was removed. The version that’s getting airplay is that same demo. Our understanding of how that happened is that an experimental edit using ‘Better’ in place of ‘Paradise City’ was somehow accidentally mislabeled as the ‘Paradise City’ Harley-Davidson video/commercial and was inadvertently released on the internet. We believe the leak came from this source tape and someone with access to it. For the record, absolutely none of the songs that have been leaked have come from the band or our organization. None of the songs that have been leaked are anything more than demo versions, works in progress. No final mixes. It’s really frustrating working on something as hard as we have and then having it wind up on the Internet before it’s finished. Hearing a demo on the radio really sucks." Source: Guns N’ Roses

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Moon Chopper Oil Tank

Published by Cyril Huze March 14th, 2007 in Editorial and Engines.

Dean Moon left us in 1987. His passion was for cars. Since the mid 40’s, from his first aluminum fuel block to his worldwide famous spun aluminum wheel discs his products have equipped most racers and hot-rodders . Under the name “Mooneyes” his family is continuing the tradition of innovation and even expands the parts line into the motorcycle business. Custom builders already use this 3 or 4 quart capacity metal spun aluminum oil tank It is 10”or 12” long, 5” diameter with ¼ NPT fittings and filler on the side. Brackets are available separately. Order directly online from Mooneyes. By the way, check also the Moon finned remote oil filter.

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New Daytona Police Strategy. GPS Bait Bikes

Published by Cyril Huze March 14th, 2007 in Editorial.

We all know that theft rings are working hard during an event like Bike Week. First stealing bikes, then disassembling them as fast as possible to resell the parts on the black market. But the Daytona Beach Police Department is getting very high tech. For the 1^st time during Bike Week GPS devices were attached to high end bait motorcycles. The system is internet based and by going online police officers are able to track the precise location of the stolen bikes. GPS devices have been installed on Harleys, custom choppers and Japanese sport bikes. During Bike Week 46 bikes disappeared in Volusia County instead of 70 last year. 16 of them were recovered during the week. But no word from the DBPD if some of these stolen bikes were recovered because of GPS tracking..

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Jeff Decker Sculptures. Vintage Riding.

Published by Cyril Huze March 13th, 2007 in Editorial.

While in Daytona, one of my favorite visits is the booth of motorcycle artist Jeff Decker. Jeff is a passionate of vintage racing, a serious rider and avid motorcycle collector (he owns a Crocker that he sometimes exhibit in bike shows). He has a truly special understanding of motorcycles and it shows in any of his sculptures. When I stopped by his booth Jeff was working on molding the 1^st of 30 pieces showcasing Elvis Presley on his bike. Each sculpture will be given to the 30 lucky owners of the special edition Elvis Harley-Davidson built by Bruce Rossmeyer’s team to celebrate the singer/actor 30^th death anniversary in Memphis in August. Jeff promised to send me a picture of the bike casting when it is completed. I can’t wait. Read about the "Decker Process" and admire 3D images of his work by going to his Website. .

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I Tested The New 360 Brake

Published by Cyril Huze March 13th, 2007 in Brakes and Editorial.

When I posted about the 360 Brake system, your first reaction was: "Cyril, test it and tell us what you think". So, when I arrived in Daytona 10 days ago my first visit was for the booth of Baldwin-Wilson, the company creator of this revolutionary brake. Hey, the President was waiting for me with a bike ready to endure the test. First, I had to find my way riding through the bikers crowd heading to or leaving Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona. It means that during half an hour I had to front brake every 15 seconds or so. When everything was clear front of me, I didn’t twist the throttle. Instead I stopped to check by hand if the friction caused by repetitive braking was making the 360 Brake abnormally hot. After such an exercise, temperature feel was the same as with any other classic brake. Then I straddled again the bike and before I cranked I told the cops who were observing me since I stopped that I was testing a new brake. They told me: “where is it?”. I pointed to it and got afraid that they would think that I was making fun of them. So, I explained to them the brake principle. They enjoyed my technival explanations. Then, with what seemed to be their approval, I decided to go for some short distance repetitive speeding & braking with front, then with rear, then with both brakes. My immediate impression: very quick to react, progressive and intense braking (360-degree pressure at all time) without the clung noise usually heard when brake pads find their position on a rotor (a lot of rotors sold on the market are not quite perfectly flat). I repeated my speeding/braking session quite a few times before returning to the Baldwin-Wilson booth. I waited to arrive to put again my hand on the front & rear brake. My fear of an over heated brake system disappeared. It seems that the 360 Brake, with the help of slots in the housing, dissipates heat as much as any other brake. It was not a several hours test and I didn’t really torture the 360 Brake System, but I know enough to agree with magazines who gave Baldwin-Wilson awards for best/most innovative product of the year. To the President I made the following recommendation: make sure that major wheel manufacturers provide their best wheel designs already equipped with your brake. I know for sure that bikers & dealers want simplicity of installation. More info at Baldwin-Wilson.

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Your Bike Will Last Forever.

Published by Cyril Huze March 12th, 2007 in Accessories and Editorial.

Your custom bike is your pride and it has been recognized by your peers in the industry. Now your bike is featured in a motorcycle magazine. How are you going to preserve and display it?. Here a good address used by professional builders who want their print features to be protected from deterioration due to moisture. The company is called Headlines In Time and they specialize in floating displays. They are fantastic looking and extremely durable. They use laser technology for a precise cut and special treatments for vacuum sealing ensuring your keepsake will be safe and last for generations. A typical order is shipped in about 10 days. Headlines In Time

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New Cheese Hauler Trike Unveiled

Published by Cyril Huze March 12th, 2007 in Editorial.

The new Cheese Hauler trike was unveiled at the 35th annual Rats Hole Show in Daytona this past weekend. Ted Smith, the owner and son of the late Karl Smith (a.k.a. Big Daddy) received delivery from builder A 1 Cycles out of Wellington Florida. The bike was painted as loudly (Gold metal flake paint with a 3-day pinstriping job) as it sounded with twin 121" t.p. motors side by side, with the left one running in reverse. Ted Smith stated "that’s exactly what my Dad would have driven around". It was a great day for A 1 Cycles also winner of the Trike Class and being chosen to participate to the Essen German Motorshow. Mike Beland owner of A 1 Cycles thanks the following people for their contributions project, Gardner Wescott (Hardware), Jim at Pro Tube Frame Works (Frame), Frankenstein Trikes (Custom Rear End), Canni (Design), Flea (Paint), Leatherman (Seats), Chuck Lewellyn (Pinstriping).

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Cyril Huze Daytona Rat’s Hole Show Winner

Published by Cyril Huze March 11th, 2007 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.

This beautiful Saturday afternoon under a picture perfect blue sky, 258 bikes, a new record, competed in the Daytona Rat’s Hole Bike Show. Cyril himself doesn’t compete in bike shows, but his clients do. It’s with great pleasure to announce that in the “Bobbers” class, “The Bravest” & “Bombshell” respectively won 1st & 2nd place. Kudos to Cyril & crew. “The Bravest” is featured on his Website. “Bombshell” is featured on Bikernet right now with a great write up by Johnny Humble. – Damien

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Daytona Knucklehead Rat Bike

Published by Cyril Huze March 11th, 2007 in Customs and Editorial.

You see them in rallies and competing for trophies in bike shows. I love rat bikes and count several owners among my friends. On this picture you can see Smitty posing on his 1944 Harley Knucklehead participating to its 29^th Daytona Bike Week! Smitty and I know each other since 10 years, traveled the European tour together, and as you can see we went in very different directions to express our love for motorcycles. So, what is the definition of a rat bike? A motorcycle that over time has fallen apart but been kept on the road and maintained for next to nothing. They appeared in the 70’s and the name rat bike was invented by motorcycle magazines. You don’t build a rat bike (there is a trend to customize bikes into rat bikes, but in this case they are classified as “survival bikes”). Smitty states that a pure rat bike is a motorcycle that you let evolve. What you see decorating them is most often souvenirs from the road (yes, they run and are used for long trips) and little gifts of friendship given to the owner. Rat bike owners are always very interesting characters and talking to them about the road is a very enriching experience. I asked Smitty how cops react when they see one down the street. He told me that he never gets a ticket because they don’t know how to handle such bikes. And if you wonder how these rat bikes are judged in bike shows, I can tell you that extra points are given per junk part and oil stain under them while standing still for the public to admire. They are part of our motorcycle history and as such deserve our respect..

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Donnie Smith & Fred Kodlin Inducted In IMBBA

Published by Cyril Huze March 9th, 2007 in Builders and Editorial.

On Thursday March 8, fellow custom bike builders Donnie Smith & Fred Kodlin were inducted in the Hall Of Fame of the International Master Bike Builders Association (IMBBA) to which I belong. The ceremony was held front of the public and bike show participants at the Daytona International Speedway infield. Donnie Smith out of Minnesota is a one-of-a-kind builder who has influenced motorcycle design for over 30 years. Fred Kodlin out of Germany and soon of California started building bike as the same time I did 15 years ago and built outrageous bikes. The get more acquainted with their recent works, visit their respective websites. Donnie Smith and Fred Kodlin

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