Cyril Huze Post

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Doobie Brothers’ Patrick Simmons And Wife Cris to Ride Again Coast to Coast In 2016 Cannonball Endurance Run

Published by Cyril Huze August 31st, 2016 in Editorial and Events.

Patrick Simmons, founding member of The Doobie Brothers and longtime motorcycle enthusiast, will ride coast to coast with his wife Cris Sommer Simmons, in the Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run 2016 in September. The duo will journey more than 3,300 miles from Atlantic City, NJ to Carlsbad, CA on their 1914 and 1915 Harley-Davidsons with stops in PA, WV, OH, IN, MO, KS, CO, AZ and CA, while raising money for for Stand Up To Cancer, in honor of their son, Pat Jr., who battled testicular cancer and now is cancer free. Cris Sommer Simmons is a well-known author and member of the National Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Anamosa Iowa, the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Westerville, Ohio, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Patrick previously participated in the 2014 Cannonball Run, and Cris in 2010 and 2014. The duo will be partnering with artist Scott Jacobs and his wife Sharon on their 1915 Harleys, calling their group “The Honeymooners.” Scott Jacobs is a widely celebrated artist that has arrived into mainstream American fine art culture from his roots as Harley-Davidson’s first officially licensed motorcycle artist. Patrick Simmons has spent the summer on tour with The Doobie Brothers. The band is currently co-headlining the San Francisco Fest 2016 Tour with Journey and special guest Dave Mason. After Patrick’s participation in the Cannonball Endurance Run, The Doobie Brothers will continue to tour throughout the fall. Full list of dates are HERE. Continue reading ‘Doobie Brothers’ Patrick Simmons And Wife Cris to Ride Again Coast to Coast In 2016 Cannonball Endurance Run’

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Rear Axle Mounted License Plate Holder By Heartland USA

Published by Cyril Huze August 30th, 2016 in Customs, Editorial and Electrical.

This axle mounted license plate holder comes in 2 versions. The horizontal or vertical version with or without a red, cat-eye run/brake LED light.

They fit all Harley-Davidson® Softail® models from 2008 to present, including the Breakout® and the Rocker®. They install by removing the wheel assembly.

The axle plate holder installs as you reinstall the wheel. This type of mount has functions that will keep it in place. The plate holder is machined from billet, aircraft grade aluminum. The bracket is machined from high grade steel and then powder coated black. MSRP $399. Available through your local dealer or from Heartland USA. Tel 310-822-2697.

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AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Published by Cyril Huze August 30th, 2016 in Editorial and Events.

Fans, friends and supporters of motorcycling’s best and brightest are invited to reserve their seats now for the Class of 2016 AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Ceremony, October 13 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. For the third year, the induction ceremony will be held in conjunction with the American International Motorcycle Expo, an event that brings together consumers, dealers, manufacturers and the world press in one location for global product launches, demo rides, motorcycling seminars and more.

For 2016, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony includes a formal sit-down dinner. Tickets are $130 per person. AMA Life Members pay $120. AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers can attend for no charge. Reservations can be made at AMA Induction.

This October, eight individuals will join the ranks of motorcycling’s greatest advocates and champions when they are enshrined during the ceremony. They are:

• Jeff Cole, race frame designer and builder • Miguel Duhamel, championship road racer • Charles Franklin, designer and creator of the Indian Scout • Chris Haines, racer, tuner and mechanic • Ronnie Jones, professional dirt-track racer • Jack Johnson, desert racer • Dennis Mahan, team manager for several Hall of Famers • Gloria Struck, pioneering woman rider

In addition to the new class of Hall of Famers, the AMA honors an existing inductee each year as an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend — members of the Hall of Fame whose accomplishments have transcended motorcycling and achieved legendary heights. The 2016 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend will be announced in the coming weeks.

“We are pleased to return to AIMExpo, where the world of motorcycling is invited to join us as we shine a bright spotlight on our legends through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “The Hall of Fame not only showcases its members, but the grand scope of motorcycling itself, and we feel it is important to give the motorcycle industry an opportunity to join us as we honor these influential racers, designers, advocates and pioneers.”

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is funded through efforts of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. Sponsoring the event supports the inductees, honors their achievements, recognizes the impact of their accomplishments and spotlights motorcycling’s deep roots in America. Contact Steve Gotoski at (951) 491-1910 or sgotoski@ama-cycle.org to learn about sponsorship opportunities. For updates on the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, go HERE.

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New Saddlemen 1WR Gripper Seat

Published by Cyril Huze August 30th, 2016 in Customs, Editorial and Seats.

Loving to do some off-road riding, to do wheelies and burnouts, drifting on your widely modified Sportster? For your adrenaline filled performances, the new Saddlemen 1 WR Gripper Seat will deliver. It was co-developed with V-twin stunt rider Rob Carpenter to specifically meet the grueling demands of the professional stunt scene and is now available for the HD Sportster A single screw installs the hi-tech seat that fits the rider, their style and the motorcycle.

Based on 30 years of street and track testing, the designers at Saddlemen know how important the interface between the body and seating surface are to motorcycle control, especially during aggressive conditions. This new seat utilizes a unique Tri-Gripper cover with diamond waffle pattern developed after years of studying frictional contact mechanics under real world conditions. Underneath, Saddlemen’s UltraFOAM provides a perfect balance of rigidity, user compliance, durability and comfort. Continue reading ‘New Saddlemen 1WR Gripper Seat’

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Clyde. An All Steel Custom Bagger With Athletic Aesthetics.

Published by Cyril Huze August 29th, 2016 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.

Fortunately, not all custom builders working on Baggers are obsessed with creating the one with the tallest front wheel, the loudest and most show off sound system and the craziest cartoonish paint job, sadly often screaming tacky 1 mile away.

These customization rules don’t belong and will never belong to T.D. Ward’s code of design at Rods & Rides. All the creations rolling out of his small west St Louis, MO shop, either Bobbers, Board Trackers, Choppers and now Baggers share the same finesse for lines and superb attention in the tiniest details.

The most celebrated custom motorcycles are rarely improvised as you build them and I am pretty certain that T.D. spends a lot of time thinking about what he wants to achieve before opening the first tools drawer. Simply because good design works wonders well before fab work.

This lean and elegant Bagger was built for Charlie, a commercial painter, T.D’s best friend for these last 25 years. Long friendship is probably the best foundation for a clear client to builder briefing. Not much talking during the build because they understand each other so well, except about naming the project. Charlie asked if it would look like somewhat like a Glide, to which question T.D. answered that it will be far apart from a Harley tourer the way everybody imagine it. Charlie laughed and replied, so it will be a “Clyde”…

The crew of Rods And Rides started with a good clean platform. Their own chassis straight bent and welded from mild steel tubing. In it they craddled a rubber mounted 120″ El Bruto motor and a Delkron 6 speed FXR style transmission. Once the chassis was complete and liking to mix new and old school styles in all his builds, T.D. Ward asked Mark Evans at American Suspension to machine for him a custom air adjustable Springer type front end. Continue reading ‘Clyde. An All Steel Custom Bagger With Athletic Aesthetics.’

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A Nickname For The New Milwaukee-Eight Engine?

Published by Cyril Huze August 28th, 2016 in Builders, Editorial and Engines.

Flatty, Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead, Evo.

Most Harley motors have nicknames, most often because of their shapes.

Are you able to find one for the new 107” & 114” Milwaukee-Eight?

I have seen a few nicknames already mentioned in “comments” of my previous features on this new H-D engine.

Find the one that will stick and you can get famous in the motorcycle world for being its creator. Be creative…

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Sacred Steel Bikes. A New TV Motorcycle Series To Debut On Discovery On September 12.

Published by Cyril Huze August 28th, 2016 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Engines.

On Monday, September 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, Discovery will debut “Sacred Steel Bikes”, a series about an unusual bike club that produces one-of-a-kind pieces of art motorcycles. Rather than the stereotypical rough and tough biker crew one might expect, Sacred Steel Bikes follows a diverse group of elite individuals who come from a multitude of careers. From an Automotive Engineer to a Metal Fabricator to a high-end Beverly Hills Retail Associate, artisans from all spectrums of life are united in their passion for bike building and riding. This is the ultimate anti-bike gang – full of self-proclaimed “motorcycle dorks” who jokingly call themselves the “12 percenters” (far from the 1 percenters out there) Continue reading ‘Sacred Steel Bikes. A New TV Motorcycle Series To Debut On Discovery On September 12.’

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The 2016 Coast To Coast Race Of The Century Cannonball On 1916 Or Earlier Motorcycles

Published by Cyril Huze August 27th, 2016 in Builders, Editorial and Events.

3304 miles in 15 stages from Atlantic City to Carlsbad , California. This 2016 coast to coast Race Of The Century Cannonball run will probably be the most difficult ride since the inaugural event in 2010.

Isam, Jr., owner of Jurassic Racing in Sturgis, South Dakota, and founder of the Motorcycle Cannonball Run announced today that the historic transcontinental event scheduled for 17 days in September has its roster full and the route is set.

Though held on U.S. soil, the 2016 iteration is for all intents and purposes, a worldwide event. With 95 entries from 25 states, 9 countries and 4 continents, this extraordinary event will indeed be watched by the world as motorcycles of all marques tackle an arduous coast-to-coast route across America.

The entire route will include less that 100-miles of interstate roadways. A week into travel, riders will have a day of rest, repairs, and some festivities in the well-known Western era cattle town of Dodge City, Kansas on September 18. After a total of some 3,304 miles, the ride is slated to conclude on Sunday, September 25 in Carlsbad, CA. The machines such as Henderson, Indian, Triumph, Harley-Davidson, JAP, Excelsior, BSA, Thor, etc must be powered by an original engine. Many things could be changed and updates made for safety sake. But the core of the machine must be 1916 or earlier. Continue reading ‘The 2016 Coast To Coast Race Of The Century Cannonball On 1916 Or Earlier Motorcycles’

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Hunter Klee Joins S&S Cycle As Director Of Exhaust Development

Published by Cyril Huze August 27th, 2016 in Editorial, Events and Exhaust.

S&S Cycle of Viola, Wisconsin welcomes Hunter Klee to its Exhaust Design/ Manufacturing team in the role of Director of Exhaust Development. Hunter brings a decade of powersports exhaust design and manufacturing expertise and will help manage the recently created state of the art facility in the La Crosse, Wisconsin facility.

Most recently Klee was hands-on in the exhaust development group at Vance & Hines and before that at White Bros. Both were California based companies and time spent there has given him a unique perspective on emissions compliance regulations. Hunter is also an active racer in the Hooligan flat track series and will continue doing so from his new base in Wisconsin.

“Hunter brings years of experience and a well rounded understanding of the performance as well as emissions compliance aspects of the exhaust space. We are more than excited to have him join our team” explains S&S Vice President David Zemla. Klee relocated from California and is currently dividing his time between secret exhaust development projects and designing his next Hooligan race machine.

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2016 Bike And Music Weekend In Germany

Published by Cyril Huze August 26th, 2016 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.

While many of you were enjoying the 2016 Sturgis Rally, many others on the other side of the Atlantic were participating to the Germany Bike And Music Weekend, a wild event combining crazy and insane vehicles on 2. 3 and 4 wheels, drag racing open to all, around the clock heavy metal music on 2 stages, a custom bike show and all kind of contest involving bare chest ladies…The “Knight Riders” started the event 20 years ago and developed an event concept with no equivalent in the US, from a “Top Gas Super Twins” to an ”All Harley Drags” to a Bike Show competition followed by burnouts stopping only when the tire is gone. Below the pictures of the top winners. (photos @ H. Roesler for C. Huze)
Best of Show. Christopher Marschka
Best Radical. Christopher Marschka
V2 Custom. Bodo Marschka
V2 Harley-Davidson. Müller Motorcycles
V-Rod. Heiko Hoffmann
Buell. Bernie Weiß
Sportster. Manuel Schnelle
V2 General. Berd Forderung
Old School/Bobber Marco Heil
Streetfighter. Rene Lippmann
Streetbike. Camillo
Tourer Kay Landgraf
Oldtimer. Markus Friedrich
Café Racer. Jochen Ritter
Tatbike. Thomas Müchel

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The Rogue Rear Fender. A Bolt-On Replacement For Custom Harley Panhead And Shovelhead Motorcycles

Published by Cyril Huze August 26th, 2016 in Chassis, Customs and Editorial.

The Rogue rear fender is a heavy-gauge steel fender that is bolt-on fitment to 1958 – 1984 Harley-Davidson Big Twins using the included chrome plated fender struts and mounting hardware. Instead of the typical choice to run a stock rear fender or a repop, it is a great custom alternative.

“Built right! The UPS man handed me a heavy box which had me thinking I ordered the wrong item. Negative!! It was the right thing. This fender is no lightweight POS fender. Very thick and substantial. For the people still dedicated to these old gems, this is the perfect fender upgrade.” – Packrat

“Fit and finish of the fender and brackets is top quality. There was no half way here. Quality is excellent. You definitely get what you paid for.” – B. Dub. More info at toll-free 1-855-456-9276. Order online at Lowbrow Customs (Panhead featured by The Gasbox)

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Milwaukee-Eight™ 107” And 114” Engines. Images and Sound.

Published by Cyril Huze August 25th, 2016 in Builders, Editorial, Engines and Videos.

The MilwaukeeEight 10&” and 114” V-Twin Engines are equipping the 2017 Touring line. For sure, they are stronger, offer a crisper throttle response and truer, cleaner sound. Four valves per cylinder, single chain-driven cam, dual spark plugs, counterbalanced and rubber-mounted. Below, 2 videos introductions about the engine itself and its styling.

• More Power – Larger displacement, 4-valve heads and higher compression ratio produce 10% more torque
• Quicker Acceleration – 2-3 bike lengths faster from 0-60 mph; 1-2 bike lengths faster from 60-80 mph in top gear
• Heat Management – Improved rider and passenger comfort, thanks to reduced heat absorption, increased heat rejection and redesigned exhaust system
• Improved Fit – Thanks to a narrow primary and optimized air cleaner shape
• Reduced Vibration – New internal single counter-balancer, provides a smoother, more refined feel at idle
• Richer Exhaust Note – Less mechanical powertrain noise allows more iconic V-Twin rumble due to lighter valves, optimized cover designs and driveline improvements
• Lower Idle Speed – Creates a better sound and less heat
• Improved Charging – 50% more output to meet increased touring accessory needs

Milwaukee-Eight Engine

Milwaukee-Eight Styling

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Sons Of Speed” Vintage Motorcycle Racing To Debut At 2016 Daytona Biketoberfest

Published by Cyril Huze August 25th, 2016 in Builders, Editorial and Events.

Eight daring riders will put everything on the Line at Sons Of Speed inaugural race Saturday, October 15, 2016, during Biketoberfest at the New Smyrna Speedway half-mile, banked racetrack just south of Daytona Beach. Imagined by Custom Builder Billy Lane and Inspired by early 20th-century board-track racers, the Sons of Speed races hearkens back to a stripped down, wide-open approach to motorcycle riding. “There has been so much enthusiasm from sponsors, fans and potential participants since we first announced the concept,” said Billy Lane, renowned bike builder and founder of Sons of Speed. “Now the date’s set, tickets are selling fast, we have a full slate of riders and we can’t wait for October.” Continue reading ‘Sons Of Speed” Vintage Motorcycle Racing To Debut At 2016 Daytona Biketoberfest’

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Harley-Davidson 2017 Touring Motorcycles Lineup. All-New Milwaukee Eight Engine. All New Front And Rear Suspension

Published by Cyril Huze August 24th, 2016 in Builders and Events.

More power. More comfort. More control. Today, Harley-Davidson redefined its touring lineup by unveiling the all-new Milwaukee-Eight™ engine, the ninth Big Twin in its history, plus all-new front and rear suspension.
“These are the most powerful, most responsive and most comfortable Touring motorcycles ever offered by Harley-Davidson,” said Scott Miller, Vice-President of Styling and Product Development Strategy. “The unmistakable look, sound and feel of Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycles rise to even greater heights with the improvements we’ve made this year. You truly have to ride it to feel it – so we’re inviting all riders to go to their local dealer and take a test ride.”

New Milwaukee-Eight Engine. The new Milwaukee-Eight engine, the ninth Big Twin design in the company’s storied lineage, is a clean-sheet design that combines the classic look, sound and feel of Harley-Davidson Big Twin engines with improvements in every aspect of engine performance. “The Milwaukee-Eight engine carries the legacy of Harley-Davidson Big Twins into the future,” said Chief Powertrain Engineer Alex Bozmoski. “While respecting the essential Big Twin character, we’ve created an all-new motor. Every aspect of performance, durability and styling has been improved as a direct response to the voice of Harley-Davidson customers around the world.”

Retaining the classic 45-degree V-Twin cylinder angle, the Milwaukee-Eight engine produces 10 percent more torque than previous year models and features four-valve cylinder heads that offer 50 percent more intake and exhaust flow capacity. The Milwaukee-Eight engine is counter-balanced to cancel 75 percent of primary vibration at idle, retaining the classic feel of a Harley® V-Twin while being very smooth at highway speeds. A new heat management strategy for all Milwaukee-Eight engines improves rider and passenger comfort.

Milwaukee-Eight engines are offered in two displacements: the Milwaukee-Eight 107 (107 CID/1750cc) and Twin-Cooled™ Milwaukee-Eight 107 (107 CID/1750cc) for standard motorcycle models and the Twin-Cooled™ Milwaukee-Eight 114 (114 CID/1870cc) for Harley-Davidson® Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO)™ motorcycle models. Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson 2017 Touring Motorcycles Lineup. All-New Milwaukee Eight Engine. All New Front And Rear Suspension’

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Fast Motorcycle Industry News

Published by Cyril Huze August 24th, 2016 in Builders and Events.

Internet Expansion Reaches The Powersports Industry With Launch of .Motorcycles Domain Names. Dominion Registries opens registration for new .Motorcycles domain names exclusively for the powersports industry. Only verified entities in the powersports community can register these industry defining domain names, making the online space safe and highly relevant for consumers seeking reliable information about Motorcycles. The .Motorcycles top-level domain (TLD) is open exclusively to entities in the powersports industry, providing better naming options and more defining web addresses to accelerate their online presence. More info or questions at Domains Motorcycles

Lawsuit Accuses Skully Founders Of Looting The Company. A lawsuit filed by a former bookkeeper at Skully helmets accuses the company co-founders of using Skully corporate accounts as their personal ‘piggy banks'” to rent an apartment, visit a strip club, rent a Lamborghini and buy two Dodge Vipers and four motorcycles, among other personal expenses. Skully raised nearly $2.4 million in an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, mostly from supporters who hoped to be among the first to get the company’s high-tech helmets. It appears likely none of those investors will get their money back as the company has shut down. The lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of California in San Francisco County by Isabelle Faithhauer. The lawsuit says she worked as an assistant to Skully co-founders Marcus and Mitchell Weller and was fired when she objected to fraudulent accounting practices. The company has shut down. It’s unlikely unsecured creditors like those who ordered helmets will get anything.

Bombardier Recreational Products & Vehicles (BRP), Maker of Ski-Doos, Personal Watercraft and Three-wheel Spyder Evaluating Entry Into Motorcycle Business. “We are in an ongoing process of evaluating the market, looking at different possibilities, trends,” BRP spokesman Sylvain Morissette said after an industry analyst suggested motorcycles could be the Quebec-based company’s next driver of growth. BRP Inc. which was spun off from Bombardier Inc. sold Can-Am motocross bikes in the 1970s. “This market is supported by strong fundamentals for the foreseeable future, and we think BRP has the key pieces in place to enter the segment either organically or through an acquisition,” he wrote in a report” Morissette said. BRP has a global distribution network with more than 4,200 dealers in some 100 countries.

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Breaking News. Harley-Davidson Unveiled The All-New Harley-Davidson Milwaukee Eight Engine 107’ And 114”.

Published by Cyril Huze August 23rd, 2016 in Builders, Editorial, Engines and Events.

The all-new Harley-Davidson® Milwaukee-Eight™ engine, ninth in the lineage of the company’s iconic Big Twin engines, delivers more power and an improved motorcycling experience for riders and passengers while retaining the iconic look, sound and feel of its predecessors.

An all-new design, the Milwaukee-Eight engine offers quicker throttle response, more passing power, purer sound, a smoother ride and more of the feeling riders want from a Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle engine. 10% more torque. higher compression ratio. 50% more untake and exhaust flow.

“The guiding principle behind the Milwaukee-Eight engine was our voice of customer research from every region of the world,” said Scott Miller, Harley-Davidson Vice-President of Styling and Product Development Strategy. “Riders asked us to create a new engine designed to enhance their motorcycle touring experience in every way. Those same voices also demanded that we stay true to our legacy and respect the defining elements of a Harley-Davidson V-Twin. It was a big challenge, but one we’ve met. With the Milwaukee-Eight, a new era of Harley-Davidson power, performance and innovation has been forged.”

New Milwaukee-Eight engines will power every 2017 Harley-Davidson Touring and Trike motorcycle model. Milwaukee-Eight engines will be offered in two displacements and three variations: Milwaukee-Eight 107 (107 CID, 1750cc) featuring precision oil-cooled cylinder heads for the Street Glide®/Street Glide® Special, Road Glide®/Road Glide Special®, Electra Glide® Ultra Classic®, Road King® and Freewheeler® models. Twin-Cooled™ Milwaukee-Eight 107 (107 CID, 1750cc) featuring liquid-cooled cylinder heads for the Ultra Limited/Ultra Limited Low, Road Glide® Ultra and Tri Glide® Ultra models. Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114 (114 CID,1870cc) featuring liquid-cooled cylinder heads for the CVO™ Limited and CVO™ Street Glide® models.

More Power.

Each Milwaukee-Eight engine produces 10 percent more torque than the engine it replaces in Touring models. In addition to increased displacement, the Milwaukee-Eight engine features a higher compression ratio and four-valve cylinder heads with 50 percent more intake and exhaust flow capacity. The valve train requires no adjustment as the design of the rocker arms enables valve lash to be set at the factory for life. Dual spark plugs for each cylinder contribute to more-efficient combustion. A single chain-driven camshaft is lighter, mechanically less complex and creates less friction and noise.

“The Milwaukee-Eight engine retains the classic Harley-Davidson 45-degree V-Twin design,” said Alex Bozmoski, Harley-Davidson Chief Powertrain Engineer, who led the development team. “It also retains the power characteristic that is the real legacy of the Harley-Davidson Big Twin: strong low-end torque with a broad, flat power curve through the mid-range that’s ideal for the Touring motorcycle rider.”

Quicker Acceleration The Milwaukee-Eight engine weighs the same as the engines it replaces, so all of its extra power contributes directly to improved acceleration performance.

• The Milwaukee-Eight 107 accelerates 11 percent quicker 0-60 mph, equal to a two to three bike length improvement, and 11 percent quicker from 60-80 mph in top gear, equal to a one to two bike length improvement, compared to the Twin Cam High Output 103.
• The Milwaukee-Eight 114 accelerates 8 percent quicker 0-60 and 12 percent quicker 60-80 than the Twin Cam 110™. Continue reading ‘Breaking News. Harley-Davidson Unveiled The All-New Harley-Davidson Milwaukee Eight Engine 107’ And 114”.’

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BMW Titan Motorcycle Concept For Breaking Land Speed Records

Published by Cyril Huze August 23rd, 2016 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.

Never to reach a BMW dealer and only a concept motorcycle to inspire the final design of a machine intended to break land speed records, it was designed by Turkey based designer Mehmet Doruk Erdem. Although the Titan looks like a the 2-wheel version of a Batmobile, some features hint at its true purpose. Of course the lie-flat riding position, a shark inspired very sleek body with fins, an airtight encased front end wheel for ideal aerodynamics and an exposed rear wheel held on a long and beefy swingarm yo add a powerful and menacing appearance. Of course, turbo-powered but with no metrics unveiled to this day. A 2-wheel predator that I would like to watch sliding on the Salts of Bonneville (if any salts left…)

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2016 European Bike Week At Lake Faak, Austria. September 6-11 (Part 1)

Published by Cyril Huze August 23rd, 2016 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.

120,000 participants in 2016, 13,000 v-twins parading around Lake Faak and riding the narrow Alpine mountain roads, a complete language confusion due to the fact that many european countries are represented, an official Harley Bike Show and another big one organized by Custom Chrome Europe, plethora of custom bikes shown for the 1st time by their builders to win coveted trophies and gifts, a long weekend filled with parties, with vendors showing their ware, with concerts, etc. It’s European Bike Week, September 6-11. A glimpse of the relaxed atmosphere.

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Alta Motors Launched Production Of Its “Redshift” All-electric $15,000 Motorcycles

Published by Cyril Huze August 23rd, 2016 in Builders and Videos.

Alta Motors, formerly known as BRD Motorcycles, is a small electric motorcycle startup based in Silicon Valley that managed to raise over $17 million in funding, including from Tesla co-founders Marc Trapanning and Martin Eberhard
This week, the startup started the full production of its 2 motocross models, both with a 2 hour range, the Redshift SM and Redshift MX, A time-lapse video of the assembly line.

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Speedster. A Drag Style Sportster.

Published by Cyril Huze August 22nd, 2016 in Builders and Customs.

To look like a full blown custom when you do a bolt-on job is not easy task and most fail at this customization exercise. The merit is even greater when your platform is a Sportster, Harley-Davidson longest continuously manufactured model whose signature styling has remain almost the same since its introduction in 1957. Close to 60 years during which the Sporty has been customized or rebuilt in all possible ways and under the pretext of so many themes.

With its very appealing price and being for many the motorcycle to access the Harley lineup (now, with the addition of the Street), all official Harley dealers know that showing a custom version of the Sportster will sell more Sporties, but at only one condition. That the budget involved in creating your own doesn’t exceed 1/3rd of the paid stock version, or 1/2 for the most fortunate buyers.

As the factory claims in its advertising the Iron 883 is for for those who want their first taste of that ride-hard-lifestyle, tearing up asphalt and backroads instead of polishing paint and chrome. For the project featured here, Baechli Harley-Davidson – the largest official dealer in Switzerland – wanted to reinforce the Sporty racing heritage and went for the full blown drag styling for an authentic, throwback riding experience that should please many youngsters and less young. Continue reading ‘Speedster. A Drag Style Sportster.’

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Majestic Series Floorboards From RC Components

Published by Cyril Huze August 21st, 2016 in Controls, Customs and Editorial.

These Majestic floorboards by RC Components fit 1986-2015 Harley Touring & FL Softail models and bolt on the factory mounting brackets. They are shipped pre-assembled with the pivot mounting blocks attached to each floorboard. Set screws can be used to adjust the angle of each floorboard for proper clearance and comfort. Available in chrome or black with machine cut accents. Sold online at At RC Components Store.

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Picture Of The Week

Published by Cyril Huze August 21st, 2016 in Builders and Editorial.

He was the first to be riding the streets of defeated Germany on a Harley-Davidson at the end of WWI. His name was Roy Holtz from Wisconsin, a corporal with the US army entering Germany through Belgium on November 12, 1918. This picture was published first in American magazines and newspapers, then much later in February 1944 in the Enthusiast, the official Harley magazine.

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Do You Really Know The Story Of Indian Motorcycle?

Published by Cyril Huze August 20th, 2016 in Books, Builders and Editorial.

Yes, you probably know that the original Indian nameplate died in 1953, that many devoted enthusiasts worked hard at maintaining the old bikes, that several companies tried to resurrect the brand (the most serious have been CNC in Gilroy, CA and Stellican Limited in Kings Mountain, NC) and that in 2011 Polaris Industries took over bringing the new Indian models to modern standards while still keeping the original mindset.

But do you know the full story from the start in 1901 as a bicycle manufacturer? How Indian got its worldwide reputation on the racetracks for performance and superb reliability? What provoked the brand post-war decline and demise? What is Polaris current engineering philosophy to create the new generation of Indians?

About 70% of this new hardcover book simply titled Indian Motorcycle: America’s First Motorcycle Company is devoted to the rise and fall of the company, then to the tale of all the efforts to resurrect the brand until Polaris succeeded in writing new pages of its history with modern models. The company’s storied heritage was written by respected journalist Darwin Holstrom, and boasts 227 quality color and 76 black and white photos and drawings. 3.8 pounds. 10.2 x 1 x 12.2”. 224 pages. $32.72. Order at Indian Motorcycle: America’s First Motorcycle Company.

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California Just Became The First US State To Legalize Lane-Splitting

Published by Cyril Huze August 20th, 2016 in Editorial and Legal.

Lane Splitting, the maneuver to cut between cars, became legal yesterday Friday August 18 after California governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 51 into law . Until now lane splitting was not legal or illegal, just a tolerated riding practice. Since 2013, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) just had relatively vague guidelines for lane-splitting. They said that bikers should not lane-split when traffic is going faster than 30 mph and should stay within 10 mph of the speed of traffic while between lanes.

The CHP has now to develop precise guidelines for the motorcyclists who delight in waving between cars to go ahead of traffic. The new guidelines will take away the past subjectivity of police officers deciding if lane-slotting was or not reckless driving.

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Rick’s Harley-Davidson Roadster

Published by Cyril Huze August 19th, 2016 in Chassis, Editorial and Electrical.

A brand new Harley Roadster by South Germany dealer Rick’s Motorcycles featuring many new cool propriatary bolt-on parts to do a complete rubbermount Sporty makeover. Rick’s billet aluminium Y-Wheels, a speedometer Housing (special version for the Roadster Model) a rear Fender kit, a high tech air cleaner (available in many designs), custom foot pegs and grips, adjustable brake and clutch lever and much more cool stuff.

Lowering The Headlight. A new speedo bracket and more compact CNC machined speedo cup let you lower the headlight for a radical change of appearance. You keep the factory speedo and indicator lights. The headlight is now 2” lower, hinged under the speedo housing, offering, creating a more integrated look.
Stylish fork tubes. They cover the full distance between upper and lower triple tree plates. Smoot out the front end appearance et a perfect complement to rubber fork boots.

Dirt Track Style Tailend. The dirt track look in an easy bolt-on. All the job was done for you. Cut short and strong out of GFK /glass fiber. Of course, will require your own custom seat. These 3 all-new parts at Rick’s Motorcycles.

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Getting The Custom Parts You Imagined From An Online Machine Shop

Published by Cyril Huze August 19th, 2016 in Customs, Editorial and Wheels.

eMachineShop is a leading online machine shop that enables any company, or individual to design, price, and instantly order custom parts via the web. You can use your favorite CAD program or ask for the support of eMachineShop’s own CAD software system. The company offers Laser cutting, CNC milling, CNC Plasma Cutting, Waterjet Cutting, Metal Fabrication, 3D Printing and much more.

For those rebuilding old bikes and can’t find the right original parts and for those creating one-off parts for full blown custom projects the following feature tells the story of Christian Newman modifying his 1940 Harley Davidson Knucklehead. He knew, right off the bat, that he would soon be facing some interesting engineering challenges. After all, the final product he was imagining would only retain the motor and transmission from the original motorcycle, with the frame and almost everything else being completely custom. Among other challenges, he needed help for building custom wheels hubs…

As a skilled machinist and being proficient in CAD, Christian is quite capable of designing and making most of the needed custom parts himself. But due to equipment limitations, he wasn’t willing or able to machine some. The question of how to get them manufactured was lingering. Could they be made using an additive process like 3D printing? Or did their physical requirements require that they be machined from a solid piece of metal?

For most people, taking on just one big shop project like this in their lifetime would be enough, but not for Christian. And that’s because Christian is one of those people who really likes to make head turning, road worthy engineering marvels. Whether he’s building a Nissan Skyline powered BMW 3 Series, or a turbocharged Harley Davidson Shovelhead, Christian always seems to have his hands in something amazingly cool. And as a trained and seasoned mechanical engineer currently working at a sizable petroleum company, and just a generally creative person, he’s very well suited to come up with good, creative solutions to just about any problem. Continue reading ‘Getting The Custom Parts You Imagined From An Online Machine Shop’

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