I have 2 clients looking for a Panhead and a Knucklehead. We don’t need bells and whistles. The bikes must be as original as possible. OEM engine and transmission, frame never modified, all matching numbers and good title (we are equipped to check everything). And we know the market prices. Make your best offer with good pictures, phone number and mentioning your location at editor@cyrilhuzeblog.com.
Looking To Buy A Harley-Davidson Panhead And Knucklehead
Published by May 11th, 2008 in Builders and Editorial.Custom Motorcycle Eastern Europe Style
Published by May 11th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
How they do it in Eastern Europe? Here an example coming from a builder named Roman Bus from a custom shop in Czech Republic called “Wildstyle” (notice that almost all shops in Europe use an English name). Not my style this huge industrial looking belt pulley and this Jap. fender, but it won in the Annual Rod ‘N custom Show held last weekend in Budapest, Hungary. Roman even got 5000 Euros (about $9000) to pay his expenses to bring the bike to Sturgis to compete in the “AMD World Championship Of Custom Bike Building”.
Scott Meyers Or Bill Rucker? Who Will Get Control Of American IronHorse?
Published by May 10th, 2008 in Builders and Editorial.
In a former post I told you that a federal court order approved Meyers’s Rocky Mountain Choppers as the Stalking-Horse Bidder for the bidding process to acquire the assets of American IronHorse Motorcycles. Scott Meyer made a bid of 6.7 million and each competing offer must be at least $200,000 higher. Bill Rucker who operates now Rucker Performance (after being forced out of AIH in 2003) filed a court motion offering 6.9 miilion to get back his former company. At its peak in 2005, American IronHorse had sales of about 100 million dollars. Scott Meyers, a former Defense Industry Executive, states that if he takes control of the company, AIH should produce motorcycles in limited editions and honor warranties on motorcycles on the road, about 750 owned by dealers and an additional 350 to 400 owned by the company’s main lender which are being held in a Kentucky warehouse. American IronHorse Motorcycles.
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She was defying death to make a living, zooming defiantly around the Wall Of Death. She was a beautiful woman, always with a big smile, even when riding the Wall. She was the unchallenged Motordrome Queen, the only remaining woman trick rider out of a handful of daredevils still riding the 90-degree walls. She had been crushed many times by her Indian 101, burned doing the double firewall stunt. Samantha Morgan known also as Sam Morgan Storm passed away April 24th at the age of 53 in her West Palm Beach farm due to complications from the numerous back injuries and broken bones she had sustained in her long illustrious career. Sam was mentored by one of the original and most accomplished Drome riders ever, none other then the great Sonny Pelaquin, She was a runaway at age 11 and lived in several foster homes until she first met Sonny at the Dade County Youth Fair. After seeing him in his Wall Of Death Show she asked if girls could do this? At age 15, pretending she was 18, she became one of Sony Pelaquin’s crew members, then Sonny became her mentor and teached her the most dangerous tricks, like riding side saddle (upward split). She loved the taste of G force mixed with adrenaline. She was saying, “When I am on the Wall I feel free and it’s the only time when all my pains and the pains of this world go away”. She was inducted in 2006 in the Sturgis Hall Of Fame. She was a pioneer and will remain forever a role model for all motorcycling women. She will be missed by so many friends inside and outside the motorcycle industry. Sam, you understood French that you learned when immobilized 4 months in an hospital in France after a Wall injury. So, I am telling you: “Au Revoir”.
Her oldest, and close friend, Thomas “Criminal” Cavanaugh (561-236-6235) is handling all of the arrangements for a Life Celebration to be held on Saturday, May 24, at the VFW Hall from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, 1126 Clare Ave. West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. Food donations for this memorial are greatly appreciated.
If anyone would like to send flowers, cards or letters, please address them to: The Fraternal Order of Eagles, Attention: Thomas Cavanaugh, Secretary 2500 North Military Trail Suite 105, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409.
Baker 3 HP Firestarter™
Published by May 9th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial, Electrical and Engines.
As a custom builder I know too well about the problem with performance starters needed when you install or upgrade to a big engine. You pick a new good looking polished or chrome after-market starter with big cranking power. Problem is some of them, sold as new, are rebuilt starters with used cores. Result: a lot of failures. The OE Harley starter is notoriously very reliable but doesn’t have enough cranking power for big cubic inch aftermarket engines. So, Baker addressed the problem and is offering a 100% new 3 HP chrome starter tested on a dynamometer with individual dyno sheet to verify output. At 3 horsepower, it’s the most powerful after-market starter available for your custom project. It is sold with conventional remote start or with push button (check button access with your exhaust installed) for a minimalist look. Available for 93 & Up jackshaft, except FL’smodels. Baker Drivetrain.
First, guys, refrain from making jokes on this headline. It’s a serious post about 2 women educating other women about motorcycle safety, maintenance, riding gear etc. With the help of Kryptonite (the security specialist helping you to put under lock everything on 2,3 & 4 wheels), Jody Perewitz (daughter of Dave Perewitz at Perewitz Cycle Fabrication) and Nicole Hoffman Roesch (a member of Rights For Bikers and a Moto ST Endurance racer) will share their extensive experience and knowledge with women riders who may just be starting out. The series is for women only and starts in June. The first 3 dates and locations for the Women’s Riding Essentials program are at the following Kryptonite partners: Thursday, June 19, 2008 at Perewitz Cycle Fabrication in Bridgewater, Massachusetts; Thursday, June 26, 2008 at Barb’s Harley Davidson in West Collingswood Heights, New Jersey; Thursday, July 10, 2008 at Scuderia West in San Francisco, California; All events will start at 6pm local time
A couple days ago I reported on last weekend “Legend Of The Motorcycle” event and the Bonhams & Butterfields auction of rare motorcycles at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Half Moon Bay, CA. Saturday May 3rd total auction reached close to 2 million dollars, and I am pretty sure you want to know which bikes got the highest bids from a pool of international collectors (calling themselves “Petrol Heads”). A one owner 1975 Ducati 750 SS in perfect condition sold for a whopping $117,000. A gas powered 1929 Harley JDH 74” sold for $67,860 while a 1918 Harlet bicycle was offered $4,050. A 1940 Indian Scout belonging to Mike Corbin and that he bought in 2000 from the Steve McQueen Estate sold for $52,650 Mike Corbin also sold a 1929 Indian-Crocker Conversion 45ci Overhead-Valve for $64,350. $65,500 was getting you a 1955 Black Knight Vincent 998cc, and $69,030 was paid for a 1993 MV Agusta Magni 861cc. Even a 2004 red, white and blue Harley-Davidson 88ci Heritage Softail from the collection of Evel Knievel, sold for $46,800.
Multi-Tasking With All Things Custom Motorcycle.
Published by May 8th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
It’s kind of strange. There is a slow down (at least) of our US economy. Motorcycle and parts manufacturers are bitching. Dealers are worried. Custom builders are depressed of not finding clients with budgets as big as their dreams. At the same time my email box is full of press releases for new shows and exhibitions, for new awesome custom parts and from fellow builders sharing with me via pictures what they are working on. Just an apparent contradiction. If overall volume of motorcycle business has shrunk during the last 2 years, the best of the best are still extremely busy imagining, designing, fabricating and assembling. When I see my computer screen full of so many memos/emails/pictures open at the same time (did you say multi-tasking?) it makes me feel very, very good. The motorcycle industry is ok, alive and still very creative. What has changed is that business is now concentrated where it belongs, with the true professionals of our industry. Time to go. Between 2 posts I have to meet with a client to take care of his gorgeous 1939 Harley Knuckle. Cool
First Official Pictures Of The New 2009 Indian Motorcycle Chief
Published by May 7th, 2008 in Builders and Editorial.
After my visit to new Indian Motorcycle headquarters I told you here that the Stellican company has a very qualitative approach and that they would not announce a launch before being 100% ready with a 100% reliable motorcycle. Chairman Stephen Julius also wrote in my Blog the very legitimate reasons why his company remained silent. But when I was with the executive staff in Kings Point, NC I had the opportunity to observe the effervescence of the pre-launch, see the assembly line being in place, watch ultimate tests being done on engines and transmissions, see the all-new components Powerplus 105” being assembled by their engine builders… and touch the new Indian Chief. No official launch date is communicated to me, but now I am authorized to publish the 1st official pictures of what will be the 2009 Chief in its “Standard” configuration (I remind you that there are 4 models: “Standard”, “Deluxe”, “Roadmaster” & “Vintage”). Price is now set at $30,999 for the Standard Chief. Should I tell you that this Indian Chief will be introduced in time to be stuffed into some very, very large Christmas stockings? Or maybe much sooner? Hum, not yet. But today, Indian Motorcycle advised me that they just updated their site with pictures, specifications and prices for each Chief model. Just go to Indian Motorcycle Models.
Legend Of The Motorcycle Weekend Event
Published by May 7th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
Last weekend was the third annual Legend of the Motorcycle event, which includes a concours d’élégance and a classic bike auction, held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel near Half Moon Bay, California, about 30 miles south of San Francisco. It’s a gorgeous seaside location reminiscent of the famed Pebble Beach collector-car event held each August down the coast near Monterey. Although a recent event, Legend Of The Motorcycle is rapidly becoming one of motorcycling most prestigious showcases. There was about 100 rare and classic motorcycles on the block at a Bonhams & Butterfields auction. Among them a 1906 Indian called a Camel Back model because of its distinctive rear hump which was the fluid reservoir. As a matter of fact it’s a bicycle powered by a single-cylinder 260 cc engine producing 2 horsepower. Original Indians have become highly prized by collectors and although Indians were the big sellers at the auction, the event was also about honoring motorcycles made by Norton of Britain and MV Agusta of Italy. Each year, the event honors different motorcycle manufacturers with exhibits, artworks and presentations. The auction also featured bikes previously owned by Steve McQueen, by the late Evel Knievel and by Bud Ekins, the stuntman and racer who died last October. Racer Giacomo Agostini received a lifetime achievement award at this year’s Legends event and appeared with some of his winning racing motorcycles. Legend Of The Motorcycle Concours D’Elegance.
Motorcycle Madness In Santa Maria, California
Published by May 7th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
The Santa Maria Fairpark, CA will be on fire with tons of new stuff happening in 1 week, May 16th, 17th, and 18th. Pipes will be hot as bikers put their scooters to the test on the Thunderdrags Dyno Shootout. Race for bragging rights and get a performance printout for free on the mobile dyno. So. Cal’s hottest boxers will battle it out in the Bikernet Boxing Madness ring. Rock to non-stop live music on the Budweiser main stage and wash down some Santa Maria style B-B-Q with a cold Bud. Santa Maria Harley-Davidson is sponsoring MDA rides on Saturday and Sunday starting at the dealership. This will be a great way to checkout some of the best riding in the central coast. 3 custom bike shows with 17 classes end up with the top 15 on Sunday all hoping to take home one of the 58 custom billet trophies by Ego Tripp wheels. Speaking of HOT ! The first lady of motorcycling Michele Smith will be back for your viewing pleasure. The 36 acre Fairpark will be filled with more vendors and bikes than ever before. $65.00 weekend package is a bargain and a $130.00 value with tons of free stuff and the only way to win the Interstate enclosed bike trailer. If you are a day tripper Madness has a ride in special for 20.00 that includes a free t-shirt. Don’t forget to sign up to win the US ARMY BMC Chopper at the show. More at Horse Power Promotions.
California Customs Retail And Dealer Programs
Published by May 6th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.
California Customs is announcing two new programs to better aid customers in obtaining their own custom built motorcycle or custom unassembled kit. First, they bring back a Fly & Buy program that they offered in 1997. If you fly to see them s in person they will pick you up at the airport, put you up in a hotel for the night and let you see their shop in person while they put together some designs for you custom bike or kit. They will credit you for the price of the airfare and hotel once you place your order for your bike. Additionally they are also accepting dealer applications from select custom shops throughout the country. Their dealers will be able to sell their line of custom bikes as well as their line of unassembled custom kits. California Customs offers 26 models in their built bike line and 24 models in their unassembled kit line. More info by calling 888-707- CUSTOM or at California Customs.
Will it become one of the nation’s major attractions like the Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Atlanta’s Coca-Cola Museum. Probably. Harley-Davidson has set the opening date for its motorcycle museum as July 12, the same weekend as Milwaukee’s Bastille Days festival. Museum tickets will go on sale starting May 20 at Harley Museum Tickets. Most opening-weekend tickets will be sold in advance online. They’re not available for the week of Aug. 28-31 during the Harley’s 105th Anniversary celebration . Among other exhbitins to long to list here, you will be able to see one bike from each of Harley’s 105 years, and also Harley bicycles, snowmobiles and golf carts the company made years ago. Harley Museum Tickets.
Terry O’Brien sent me the following email: “We’re growing over here at TAM Communications and I’m looking to find and hire 2 more solid individuals for the advertising sales department to make sure we’re in contact with, and doing all we can to help, each and every business that makes up our great industry. I’m looking for independent sales reps, so it’s not important where they live, but I am looking for riders, folks that know the motorcycle industry, and above all, folks that will live up to the high standards of our magazines and the high standards of our advertisers. Our titles: American Iron Magazine, American Iron Retailer, Road Bike Magazine, If someone you know is interested in representing the strongest motorcycle publications available today, please pass along my contact info. Thanks and see you all again soon” Terry O’Brien, Vice President of Sales - TAM Communications. Tel. 203-425-8777 x 112 or Fax 203-325-2254 fax
Keith Ball Tells You How to Build A Bonneville Salt Flats Motorcycle
Published by May 6th, 2008 in Books, Builders, Customs and Editorial.
I met Keith Ball for the 1st time 16 years ago in one of the Easyriders Bike Shows in Charlotte, NC. As editor of Easyriders (he served in that position during 20 years), he picked one of my bikes to be featured in his magazine. He is now the Internet publisher of Bikernet and also build bikes featured in his website. Last year, he challenged himself to build the fastest Panhead on the Bonneville Salt Flats, and now shares his experience, his ups and downs, his setbacks and successes. In his new book Keith walks the reader through all the steps involved in the creation of a true Bonneville Salt Flats motorcycle. From choosing a racing class to picking a frame, from finding an engine builder to minimizing the aerodynamic drag at 200 miles per hour, Keith and a select band of H-D gear heads including engine guru Berry Wardlaw at Accurate Engineering, grind their teeth and lots of steel throughout the entire process. It includes “how to make guess-work fly,” Ball says”. Available from Wolfgang Publications (651-275-0194) or order through Amazon. How To Build A Bonneville Salt Flats Motorcycle.
Tech Cycle now manufactures one of their Contour Series open primary belt drive systems for your ‘07-Up Softail or FL and ‘06-Up Dyna. Engineered with the same high quality, bullet proof design that you have come to expect from Tech Cycle, this unit shares the same features that you’ll find standard in most of their open primary packages. The contoured lines of Tech’s primary plate will compliment any Softail, FL or Dyna, and kits are available in 2″ and 3″ belt widths. An optional contoured, modular belt guard is also available along with a high torque gear reduction starter designed specifically for ‘07 models with the new 96″ motor. This system is available for immediate delivery. Tech Cycle is one of the leading manufacturers of High Performance H-D starters as well as open primary electric start kits for Pan/Knucklehead, Shovelhead and Evo/Twin cam applications. Made in the USA! Visit Tech Cycle or call Jason on my behalf at (215) 702-TECH
Cyril Huze Blog Traffic Rank Up 44% During The Last 3 months.
Published by May 5th, 2008 in Editorial.
Not only this Blog is by far the most visited Custom Motorcycles News Blog in the world, but our traffic jumped an amazing 44% during the last 3 months (source Alexa). It’s an amazing result in an uncertain US economy where you could think that interest for custom motorcycles has faded. Almost all our competitior’s traffic fell during the same 3 months, some very sharply. Check their traffic rank numbers by entering their URL addresses on top of this Page. We also rank #1 for the average number of pages visited by reader (22) showing how faithful our readers are. Among an estimated 85 million websites in the world, Cyril Huze Blog ranked 149,448 for the last 3 months and 102,046 for last week (#1 visited website in the world is Yahoo followed by Google and YouTube). During this period, Cyril Huze Blog passed the traffic of 43,908 websites in all industries. Thanks to all of you for reading me and commenting every day, and for the 7 sponsors who joined this Blog during the last 2 months. (Alexa doesn’t give the number of visitors but ranks all websites by volume of traffic. It is a good reference for observing the amount and evolution of traffic of websites versus each other. For number of real human visitors, we use Google Analytics. Data above as of May 2, 2008).
“Awesome-Ness” A New Exhibit Honoring Arlen Ness.
Published by May 5th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum announces the grand opening of “Awesome-Ness.” at the Museum in Pickerington, Ohio, on July 24, 2008. Arlen Ness will join prominent colleagues and friends for the fifth in a series of Legends exhibits at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. “Awesome-Ness” will feature machines and memorabilia from Ness personal collection. Curated by photographer Michael Lichter, the exhibit will do more than simply display Ness’ significant creations; it will delve into the stories behind his influential career. Lichter, author of “Arlen Ness: The King of Choppers,” will use his unique perspective on Ness to provide visitors an in-depth look at the celebrated customizer. The exhibit will feature 11 of Ness’ significant creations, including “Untouchable,” the 1947 Knucklehead that launched Ness’ career. Motorcycle Hall Of Fame. (picture “Smoothness”)
From May 5th to 20th, Motorcycle Industry Jobs (MIJ) is hosting the 4th annual online Moto Job Fair. This is the ideal time for seekers and employers of the Motorcycle Industry to come together. Job seekers can view hundreds of open positions in the motorcycle industry and find that perfect Job. MIJ encourages everyone interested in working in the Motorcycle Industry to create and/or update their resumes. MIJ has partnered up with Lonski and Associates the top recruiter for the Motorcycle Industry, and they can now view all your resumes and see if you fit the many jobs offered. To get started go to Motorcycle Industry Jobs.
Wimmer Machine Down Under
Published by May 4th, 2008 in Accessories, Builders, Editorial and Engines.
Of interest to my Aussie readers, Wimmer Machine is now distributed in Australia by Rollies Speed Shop. Rollies already carries products from many other world renowned companies and will now represent Wimmer Machine. The Australian company services approximately 250 different dealers located in Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Indonesia and the South Pacific Rim. Peter “Rollie” Callow, started his career in the motorcycle industry after graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree at Queensland University. Wimmer’s velocity stacks are designed to fit any stock or custom bike application and all carburetors. Rollies Speed Shop can be reached at: rollie@rollies.com.au
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