Published by Cyril Huze February 7th, 2007
in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
So, what was the most amazing new motorcycle exhibited last weekend at the V-Twin Expo of Cincinnati? No doubt for me. It’s this incredible high performance Shelby motorcycle, a collaboration between fellow Texans legendary Carroll Shelby from Shelby Automobiles Inc. and Bill Rucker from Rucker Performance. It’s no secret that if you want to build a high performance automobile or motorcycle you need a powerful engine installed in a strong lightweight chassis. With this new performance motorcycle, the idea was to rival the power to weight ratio of the famed Shelby Cobra 427 S/C. Reading the tech sheet can make your heart beat faster. Powerhouse is the brand new S&S X-Wedge 128” engine with closed loop VFI fuel injection producing 150 HP. The bike is equipped with racing-style front forks and a high performance braking system with ceramic brake rotors. Shifting is made via the Pingel 1-6 electric shifting system and suspension is made comfortable through air ride suspension. To keep the bike light, the upper body and wheels were built from carbon fiber while body panels are formed out of aluminum. Only 25 will be produced with different custom paint jobs to match the owner’s personal taste and all will feature a special edition logo. Carroll Shelby states that this unique pro-stock motorcycle offers the same thrill as driving a Cobra. If you want one, this pro-stock style bike will be available for purchase by the 3rd quarter of this year. And if you don’t have the big bucks a complete line of “Shelby” merchandise including apparel, accessories and limited edition collector’s items will also be available. It’s a very interesting partnership between Shelby Automobiles and Rucker Performance.
Published by Cyril Huze February 7th, 2007
in Accessories and Editorial.
In any trade show, I want to see everything. I orderly walk every alley and methodically check every booth. During the V-Twin Expo, it’s the way I found out about a company called Zeyner. They specialize in motoring theme bags and briefcases, both in leather and ballistic nylon. And as a designer I must say that I am very impressed by the collection they were unveiling. Their carrier goods are truly unique, luxurious and feature handsome details inspired by our custom culture. You will not know for sure with this one picture, but if you visit their beautiful website you will understand what I mean. Since everybody needs a briefcase or bag, I would recommend that you check them out. Zeyner’ Monitoring Collection.
Published by Cyril Huze February 6th, 2007
in Customs and Editorial.
I never been excited by pocket bikes (my 16 years old son is, of course). But when I saw this one in Cincinnati at the V-Twin Expo I imagined I could have it in my garage, just for the fun of spinning around the block without having the homeowners association filing a new noise complaint against me. First, it’s much bigger than a traditional pocket bike with a 15” rear wheel and an 18” in the front. Second, as you can see it’s a very Bobber looking motorcycle with its Springer front end, jockey shift and solo seat. Add to this a nice TIG welded 4130 chrome-moly frame in which you can have a 49 cc or 110 cc 4-speed 4-stroke engine. It was a big relief when I got confirmation that there is no plastic on the Hardknocks, only polished billet aluminum components and chrome plated alloy. You can get one in black primer (my choice) or with a choice of custom paint jobs. Price starts at a reasonable $1489 and you will have the satisfaction of ordering from the only American manufacturer of pocket bikes. Available at Kikker 5150 where you can watch 2 videos of the Hardknocks being ridden..
Published by Cyril Huze February 5th, 2007
in Editorial and Events.
I always liked the posters announcing the Horse Smoke Out event. Because they are artistically good, different from any other event rally posters and also because they express well what the festivities are all about. A very relaxed celebration of home-built choppers and those who build them. It’s all about camaraderie, fun & music around cool bikes. And even if you didn’t build your own bike, it’s a great show to attend to appreciate the creativity of those building their own parts, recycling them or employing unusual objects or materials to make their bikes their owns. It’s going to happen June 22/23 at the Rowan County Fairgrounds in Salisbury, North Carolina. Yes, it’s in the beautiful Smoky Mountains and this year the Horse Magazine does more to help you plan your trip. They offer tent and RV camping facilities and to make a reservation you need to call Gem at (803) 467-4240 or email: smokeoutcamping@aol.com. By the way, a bunch of my fellow pro-builders belonging to the Choppers World will be there and maybe I will make it too. For more info write to Edge at edgehorse@aol.com or visit The Horse Back Street Choppers.
Published by Cyril Huze February 5th, 2007
in Editorial.
9.00 AM. Last breakfast in Cincinnati till’ next year. The 7th edition of the V-Twin Expo is going to open one more time at 10 AM and will close at 1 PM. Omygosh! Outside, perfect blue sky but with a temperature of 0 Fahrenheit! To setup and participate to a trade show is very hard work In addition to the traveling (most exhibitors drive & trail their pride), 500 exhibitors, or about 4000 people are going to be moving out together in sub freezing temperature. Tearing down expensive custom made displays full of chrome gear, moving precious custom motorcycles and loading trailers is a risky business. I have damaged quite a few parts and bike paint jobs at the game of who is going to be 1st on the road back home (very few exhibitors spend 1 more night in Cincinnati). 2006 was a transitional year for the V-Twin industry. The 2007 edition of the show demonstrates that our industry is still very strong, full of creative people with very innovative ideas that bikers are going to adopt, for sure, to make their bikes more reliable and looking better. The human factor (the friendship between manufacturers, dealers, bikers) has always been an important component of our industry. And I must say that I never felt so much friendship coming from the medias, manufacturers and dealers than during this show. Probably because last year was a challenging one and that we needed, more than ever, to show our support to each other. I had a very good time (except when walking the bitterly cold streets), met almost everybody (is it possible?) and come back home feeling professionally energized. And it is what a trade show is all about.
Published by Cyril Huze February 3rd, 2007
in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
I was excited to see and touch it. As soon as the doors of the V-Twin Expo opened I rushed to the Accurate Engineering booth where the 1st new Crocker motorcycle was exhibited. And I am not disappointed. It is visually identical to the original but of course internally fully updated.The1936 Crocker enjoyed the distinction of being the first production motorcycle in the USA to use an overhead valve engine, beating Harley-Davidson to the punch by 4 to 6 months before their launch of the “Knucklehead”. By reverse engineering Michael Schacht restarted parts production in 1997 and has created more than 1300 
Cad-Cam drawings and almost 100 precision castings for their new vintage motorcycle. Crocker motorcycle has signed a contract with master engine builder Accurate Engineering to produce the new engine. Crocker new motorcycles are sold in kit form with each engine bench tested by Accurate. Engine is 61 cubic inch, 45-degree V-Twin, 60 horsepower hemi head. Top speed is 105 mph, with 3-speed transmission. I want to ride this one as soon as it out of the display booth on Monday afternoon. Well, I think I am going to wait for warmer weather. Today it’s 5 F in Cincinnati and maybe even much colder tomorrow. Inquiries about this new vintage by visting Crocker Motorcycle Company
Published by Cyril Huze February 3rd, 2007
in Editorial.
Yesterday evening in Cincinnati I was talking with other V-Twin Expo exhibitors about the Chinese motorcycle parts invasion. For example, last weekend I was in Clearwater Florida making an appearance at the Tampa Bay Motorcycle Expo. The bikes exhibited on the floor were very representative of what people like to build, own & ride. Of course, I checked them out. Since I am able to recognize the brand and the origin of any manufactured parts, I made the sad observation (it was no surprise) that knock off Chinese parts have invaded our industry. They are everywhere, even on cool high dollars bikes and of course in big percentage on bobbers. I talked to many owners asking them why this double stance: proud to be American & riding Chinese bikes. I knew the answer: economic reasons. They don’t have or their clients don’t have enough money to buy genuine American parts. They all know the consequences: very often unreliable parts and impoverishing our industry, financially and creatively. So, what is the solution? Maybe the collective magazine ad campaign running now in motorcycle magazines and regrouping major American manufacturers. In one of them, Phil R. Ray, President of Daytec Frames & Accessories writes a beautiful open letter. In it, he states “All of us who live in the USA are members of Team America. We need to support our team financially and mentally by doing our best to only purchase American Made Products. We may not always feel as if we are winning the game, but we still are all members of the greatest team on earth, Team America” .
Published by Cyril Huze February 2nd, 2007
in Editorial and Events.
Friday February 2. Hey, I am in Cincinnati. And I can prove it with this picture taken 1 hour ago at 6 PM local time. I will enjoy the V-Twin Expo 2007 edition opening tomorrow morning much more than the other ones because this year I am not an exhibitor, just a visitor. So, maybe during the full weekend I will be able to visit the 500 booths and shake hands with thousands of people I know or who know me. Oh my Gosh. It’s so cold here, 10 F and tomorrow will be colder (for those who still don’t know I live and work in South Florida). The Expo is a must for all Dealers. But for me, as a motorcycle builder, parts designer and distributor, it is a lot more than looking at new released parts. I have the privilege to have previewed most of them before traveling to Cincinnati. I even don’t have to pickup and carry (what a pain) all these luxurious heavy new catalogs because they are already at my office. I am here because the V-Twin Expo is the celebration of our V-Twin industry, a time to reflect on the past and predict our future. A rare occasion to meet face to face with some of my dealers that I know only by name and voice over the phone. An opportunity to gather with my industry friends around a good (and very warm) meal, to exchange a few new creative ideas, then to share a few laughs. Also a rare occasion for me to answer questions from foreign journalists who cannot travel to other US biker events. What I also like about the V-Twin Expo is the fact that most of us stay in hotels in a 3 block radius (with 90% staying at the Hilton, Hyatt & Millenium hotels). So, somebody like me (waking up at 5.30 AM and going to sleep very late) can hop from hotel to hotel and from early breakfasts to after midnight dinners meet in 1 day more people than I could ever see in 10 days in Daytona. I have to stop typing. Important people of the industry are waiting for me in the hotel lobby. All year long we all work very hard. So we are going to have some fun tonight. We really deserve it. .
Published by Cyril Huze February 1st, 2007
in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
I was in the confidence, and didn’t say one word until today. The Harley Gray Ghost is back in production! Almost. The bike you are looking at is a hand built, as faithful as possible, new engineered replica of the 1910 Harley-Davidson known as “Silent Gray Ghost”. And it is the brainchild of Mike Hanlon, one of the two brothers heading MeanStreet, the well known company offering high quality front ends equipping the bikes of the best custom builders in the world, including myself. Mike is a mold and a machinist fascinated by the craft of the beginning of the last century. Specifically, I am talking of his admiration for the casting techniques of the past used to produce the authentic beehive shaped single cylinder Harley 440 cc engine. Mike Hannon started to think about this project some 7 years ago. The project required to produce 150 molds and special tooling. It includes molds to produce 1000 pairs of button tread white tires to roll the 1000 replicas that Timeless, the name of his new company, expects to produce in the next 12 months. The first model is being exhibited for the 1st time this weekend at the Dealers V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati. A couple of months ago, Mike & Tim Hanlon asked me my reaction, and I told them that I loved it. And I agree with them: a lot of collectors, dealers, custom builders and true motorcycle lovers will want to have one in their showroom or garage. It is available in the original street or in the board track racing version, fully assembled with paint options, or as kits. Brass & nickel plating (in 1910 chrome was unknown ) are used wherever it was used in the original bike. And guess what? They are rideable (yes, pedal starting) although they are not, for evident reasons, to be ridden on public streets. Retail price seems very reasonable around $12,000. I have the feeling, and I take a bet about this, that we are going to see more and more mass produced replicas. This one is simply superb More info at MeanStreet/Timeless.
Published by Cyril Huze January 31st, 2007
in Customs and Editorial.
Marc Frantz wanted to surprise me. He bought a lot of parts from my catalog (big money), went to work during very long months (so many hours) and secretly built this bike that he dedicates to me (I am speechless). I am extremely flattered. And of course he deserves this post while I am still alive.
“Cyril, Here are all the pictures from the professional photographer of the Cyril Huze tribute bike. There is a very good chance that this bike will be on TV, and it will be named the Cyril Huze tribute bike. I think it is nice to have a tribute to you while you are alive, because one cannot enjoy anything underground. Hey if the Academy Awards can do it, why can’t we? This is as a thank you for your help my friend, which I appreciated so much! I hope you like the pictures. You deserve this accolade. You are a prince among men. Thanks again brother!! Kind Regards. Marc Frantz”
Published by Cyril Huze January 30th, 2007
in Editorial and Engines.
I never liked bulky parts and always thought that small is beautiful. The “Little Breather” conceived by friend Dennis Goodson is, to my knowledge, the smallest air cleaner available on the market. It’s only 6 1/2" x 3.5". It features retro style lines, high polishing, and is available for all new and most old style carburetor models. For S&S carburetors add an adjustable choke device. It includes a Unifilter element (provided in black or red on special request) to provide exceptional filtration and performance. If old school is your style, this is the one. Shown here installed on one of my customs. You can order it in the Air Cleaners Section of my Webstore.
Published by Cyril Huze January 29th, 2007
in Builders and Editorial.
Here a site that I like very much. And you will too if you like Vincent motorcycles. It’s called Harris Vincent Gallery (HVG). The company is owned and operated by Herb Harris who is CEO of an attorney law firm. He has collected Vincent motorcycles for many years and his collection includes most of the legendary Vincent motorcycles still left in the world. His workshop is run by skilled and experienced classic motorcycle mechanics and will repair any of them at their shop or at your location. I know that you probably don’t have one in your garage. But pay a visit to the HVG site to hear the sound of one running (1952 Black shadow with straight pipes and modified engine) and see again the famous image of Rollie Free riding the John Edgar Lightning motorcycle at Bonneville. It has come to symbolize the spirit of overcoming risk with courage. Harris Vincent Gallery. .
Published by Cyril Huze January 29th, 2007
in Editorial and Suspension.
I am obsessed with details. Some parts need to be revealed and some need to disappear to not hurt a line. Let’s take the example of front ends. Stock ones are not very sexy but can be improved by with a new axle without protuberating nuts. After-markets ones are beautiful but not always sold with such a nice front axle. There is a simple way at a reasonable price to give your front end that extra trick touch: a flush-mount axle. Dakota Billet offers many versions for several factory models and aftermarket custom front ends. It’s not new, but many still don’t know about it. Any biker can easily change a front axle in about 15 minutes. Now that I told you, you have no more excuse for keeping on your front end these 2 ready to rust big ugly nuts. Dakota Billet.
Published by Cyril Huze January 28th, 2007
in Builders and Editorial.
People working with passion work all the time. And passionate people still find the time to pursue other passions. In the case of Erik Buell it’s singing, playing in a rock and roll band & designing guitars. Yes, the 70s AMA superbike racer, the 80’s Harley-Davidson engineer and Buell Motorcycles founder is coming to play in a bike rally near you. Remember, the name of his band is Thunderbolts (the name of his first bike model now discontinued). And Erik will play with his own designed guitar (about to be manufactured) named, you guessed it, the Thunderbolt! He states that he found his design inspiration on the internet looking at some Vargas pictures. Hey, the shape of the Vargas pinups inspired also some of my best motorcycle designs. Conclusion, keep your passions alive and for creativity keep looking at beautiful women.
Published by Cyril Huze January 27th, 2007
in Builders, Chassis and Editorial.
The concept motorcycle you are looking at is one of three hybrid motorcycles designed by eCycle and Machineart. Much like hybrid cars that are all the rage, hybrid motorcycles use a combination gas engines and electric power. The electric motor is used for torque demands such as acceleration and passing and the gas or diesel motor for cruising and charging the batteries. Fuel economy is estimated at 150mpg, so riders should be able to go for some serious road trips without having to stop and fill the tank. Zero to sixty in 6 seconds with a top speed of 80 mph. Not bad, except it’s not yet the look I want. Maybe I could help with the design. Machineart.
Published by Cyril Huze January 26th, 2007
in Editorial and Painters.
It must be 12 years that I know internationally renowned painter David Uhl. And when I saw his art for the first time in Sturgis, it was love at first glance. Of course, I immediately became a client. Several spaces of my home are filled with his paintings and I never regretted one second to have invested quite a bit of money in his originals, What is unique about David’s paintings is his very special way to translate the romantic early era of motorcycles. As inspiration, he starts from black & white pictures coming from Harley-Davidson own archives and collections. Then, David’s mastery of oil painting is revealed in his unusual and creative use of lights & shadows. When you look at David’s work, you don’t see a scene, you are in it. You can feel the sun rising or the storm coming. David UHL shares his studio and passion with 2 other great artists: sculptor Jeff Decker and painter Tom Fritz. Three very good reasons to visit their website called Artists Riding Together.
Published by Cyril Huze January 26th, 2007
in Editorial and Engines.
This is a very important announcement for the v-twin industry, including every builder and shop in the US. S&S Cycle, Inc. has successfully procured EPA Certification on all 3 of its V-Series engine families, becoming the first motorcycle engine manufacturer to produce pre-certified EPA compliant engines. Individuals and builders can now build EPA compliant motorcycles without having to go through the complicated and costly emissions testing procedures themselves.Consequently small volume manufacturers are able to build and sell as many custom motorcycles as they want to. Individuals can now own, ride and sell them without prior restrictions. Of course the engine package must not be altered in any way. Under EPA regulations issued in 2003, custom bike builders are limited to building only 24 non-compliant motorcycles per model year, and individuals are allowed to own only one EPA exempt kit bike in their lifetime. But after a year of successful efforts between the EPA and industry and consumer groups, the “Certification Procedure for Highway Motorcycle Engines” EPA letter of guidance dated July 25, 2006 CISD-06-15 (MC), now allows builders of aftermarket engines to provide EPA-compliant engine packages to individuals, dealers and small volume motorcycle manufacturers (<3,000 annual units) excluding California. S&S Cycle
Published by Cyril Huze January 25th, 2007
in Controls and Editorial.
As the opposite of what most people think, Jockey shift and Suicide Clutch were never stock equipment on any Harley-Davidson motorcycles. At the time of the first choppers they were installed by those chopping off everything they could. Gear changing was a jockey shift and foot clutch. The jockey shifter worked off of the transmission (no more shifter linkage & hardware). The suicide clutch replaced the linkage with a simple push-in and let out clutch. Two years ago, it seems that motorcycle controls manufacturers were quite surprised when they saw the big surge of bobbers & choppers equipped with a jockey shift. Result? Even today, not many well known & reputable companies are offering such a setup and our mailbox at the shop is filled with requests for guidance to find such controls. The modern way to do the old setup is to use a hydraulic foot clutch. Most of the time, these foot controls come from small custom builder shops who made them because they needed them for their own bikes. One of them is Grandeur Cycles with forward controls with the left side equipped with a master cylinder. They also offer a choice of shifters & knobs. Of course, you can make yours and it’s not so difficult to create your own cable or hydraulic setup. But this Blog is read by bikers with different levels of expertise. Another good company to help you get started is LaBriola Machine specializing in this setup since 1988.
Published by Cyril Huze January 24th, 2007
in Builders, Chassis and Editorial.
I am telling you right away. I like Mike Tomas from Kiwi Indian Motorcycles. For many reasons: one of the best motorcycle craftsmen alive, a true biker and a gentleman. I never bought anything from him (sometimes I should have had) even his famous Classic Leaf Spring Front End when I needed one. I made mine and Mike was nice enough to give me advice & compliment me on the final result (bike “The Bravest”). Mike, as the name of his company implies, has a passion for everything Indian, produces his own “Kiwi” Flathead engine, engineers high precision motorcycles & replicas, and does full blown restoration out of his 11,000 sq. ft. facility in Riverside, CA. The object of this post is his Indian Kiwi Replica that I like very much. A replica? Yes, that I like much more than any “New Indian” of these last years or even the “New Indian” of tomorrow (Indian is coming back again in September). Engine is new FlatHead, 84 CI, 42 deg V-Twin Carburetor 40mm CV, Ignition Electronic 12V, Transmission: Synchromesh 4 speed overdrive, Frame: Kiwi, Spring Forks: Kiwi polished Hydraulic, Wheels: Kiwi 16" Brakes: Drum. (a rolling chassis is also available). Many other options and Mike Tomas will customize to owners specs. You can even see it being ridden in a short movie at: Kiwi Indian Motorcycles.
Published by Cyril Huze January 24th, 2007
in Editorial.
It was 3 years ago and the story of Bill Janklow, at that time Governor of South Dakota, was a very hot topic in the motorcycle industry. In 2003 Janklow sped through a stop sign and the Cadillac he was driving hit a Harley-Davidson ridden by Randy Scott of Hardwick, Minnesota. The accident killed the motorcyclist and ended his political career. Janklow had long been an unapologetic speeder; in a 1999 speech to the state legislature, he said, "Bill Janklow speeds when he drives — shouldn’t, but he does. When he gets the ticket he pays it." It was a big surprise to many, bikers and non bikers that Bill Janklow had to serve only 100 days in jail, had to pay a small fine of $5,000 and only temporarily had to surrender his law license. He just completed 3 years of probation during which he was forbidden from driving. Now he can drive again…
Published by Cyril Huze January 23rd, 2007
in Editorial and Exhaust.
It’s written in my philosophy of building custom bikes: simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Practically it means that I like symmetry and parallelism. And among things I dislike, I have a total aversion for pipes looking like spaghettis. After the excess of bends found on a lot of mass produced and one-off exhaust systems it seems that fortunately we are coming back to more simplicity & rationality (did you forget that for your system to work properly each pipe should be close to the same length?). Reason why I like these very reasonably priced SS Pipes from WCC. They fit Evo & Twin Cam models without offset, meaning only left side drive bikes. By West Coast Choppers.
Published by Cyril Huze January 23rd, 2007
in Editorial.
Last weekend, John Smolinski from American Iron Magazine was visiting the New York International Motorcycle Show. He just called me with this interesting info. Below is highlighted the official press release from NYC mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. I am glad to see the mayor of such a big city promote our sport.
“Last Year’s New York International Motorcycle Show drew nearly 80,000 attendees, and this installment looks to be even more successful. The city of New York is proud to celebrate a quarter-century of this exciting show, which has become one of the Big Apple’s most anticipated annual events. Now therefore, I, Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York, in recognition of this important event, do hereby proclaim January 19th-21st, 2007 in the city of New York as International Motorcycle Show Days”.
Published by Cyril Huze January 22nd, 2007
in Builders and Editorial.
Touring bikes are not my passion and highly futuristic designs not my cup of tea. So, when I had several pictures of the new Victory Vision stare at me, I became speechless (translate by what am I going to write about this one). Victory Motorcycles presents the new Vision model as the most progressive American luxury-touring bike ever built. This high tech V-Twin cruiser is the result of more than 6 years of research and development and the Vision models will be available in September. Insiders of the industry know that (thanks to the baby boomers) the “Bagger” segment is the fastest growing. The most valued too, in terms of dollars spent. In addition to its very 21st century look that I let you appreciate or hate, the Vision has an impressive list of features. 50-degree Freedom V-Twin (size undisclosed). Exhaust mufflers nestled in slots under the shell saddlebags. Electric windshield and adjustable side wind deflectors. 6-gallon gas tank (minimum 200 miles range) with incorporated stereo controls. Satellite radio. GPS. MP3 support. Heated grips and seat. 65.6 wheelbase. 26.5” seat height. 29-degree rake. 5.4” of trail Front suspension looks to be the same 43mm fork from the Vegas line. Rear shock is said to have some measure of adjustability. 300mm rotors using three-piston calipers. 
Antilock brakes (not confirmed). And of course a price well above 20 K for the 2 versions (Vision Street & Vision Tour with Top Case. Production is supposed to start in June and it’s only at this date that all definitive specifications will be released. My head is spinning. Is the Vision the future of American touring? Maybe. You will tell me what you think. At least I am going to know how many bagger riders read this Blog. But first, go to the special website Polaris/Victory created for its new touring bikes. Victory Vision Experience. It is worth looking at the pictures.
Published by Cyril Huze January 21st, 2007
in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
Here a little Bobber as Harley original as it can be except sheet metal, mid controls, generator and battery. Of course, there is a lot of fabrication work that only a pro can detect. It’s an original VL frame modified to accept a 1974 EL drive train. The amazing part is that this bike is in its 3rd life. Stock, then Chopper in the 70’s and now a Bobber. This is the work of Rick at US Chopper, a relatively new builder in the business but who already made his mark with his board track components, chassis and nostalgic custom bikes (10th place at the AMD World Championship) Difficult to appreciate in this picture is the gold leaf paint job with candy tangerine accents and some signature pinstriping by an artist painter named Harpoon. I love period correct bikes, and this Bobber fits in the family of timeless beauties. More at US Chopper. Nostalgia guaranteed.
Correction: Mike Beland is right. Just reversed the last 2 numbers while typing. It’s a 1947 EL model (telephone was ringing?) Cyril
Published by Cyril Huze January 20th, 2007
in Editorial.
It’s my Blog, and I write what I want about motorcycles or anything else. The presidential election campaign just got started and political crap is already everywhere. Right leaning bikers go to Fox (Faux) News to listen to Bill O’Reilly propaganda. Like this network commercial telling you that you can’t trust a candidate who is a cigarette smoker (or maybe was). Really? Is it written in the Constitution? I am sure some Democrats are also going to inflict us with some ridiculous TV ads. Yes, smoking is a health hazard, but there is no chance the next President is going to hurt you with second hand smoking. Maybe his first action will be to launch a campaign “Let’s all stop together. You & me. Tax credit on your health insurance premiums for those who succeed”. Don’t you think that the political debate should be about real issues? There are so many. And if you wonder for who I vote, here is the answer: not for a party, but for a candidate. And I still don’t know. So, when you see & hear political crap on TV, shut down your LCD screen and go for a ride or stay in the garage. You know, a bike is never finished.
At the V-Twin Expo there is much more than custom motorcycles and parts. Anyone "surfing" the bikers & tattoo culture is also there. For example Peter Mui. He is an Oklahoma native with Chinese blood, an identity breaking all the usual cultural stereotypes. Proud of his heritage and to affirm his identity he decided to be known as the Yellow Man. Understanding the value of tattoo art as a vehicle to represent cross-cultural attitudes, he wanted to start a business of wearable tattoos. But first he traveled for a decade around the world visiting the greatest and hard-to-reach tattoo masters. After assembling a collection of masterpieces Peter Mui engineered technical fabrics (MadKool) to receive the art with vivid clarity, while also providing the quality found in top athletic-wear brands. Result? An amazing men & women collection of wearable tattoo art inspired by Japanese Irezumi, Maori Tribal, American Traditional, New School, Biomechanical, and even the rare work from a remote Buddhist monk in Thailand. Now, when your mood changes, you can change your tattoo. The collection is amazing. See it at the 
