Last year, I introduced you to this electric motorcycle prototype. Now that it has been clocked at 150 mph on the Bonneville Salts, the company behind it, Mission Motors in san Francisco, is selling it in limited number for a MSRP price of $68,995. Like most of you, I am not a fanatic of the [...]
Archive for June, 2010
Silent Speed. World’s Fastest Production Electric Motorcycle. 150 MPH.
Published by June 16th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.If you own a bagger, these adjustable 3-position control arms from Supreme Legends USA are an excellent and stylish conversion for Harley-Davidson FLH models. Made out of billet aluminum, sold in pair (brake & shifter sides), they are 1” longer than the factory ones and are easily set to any of 3 positions, stock, and [...]
Allstate Motorcycle Insurance has always produced with its Ad Agency Leo Burnett superb TV commercials. And this one is one of the best, if not the best ever. What I think about motorcycle insurance companies (all) is another story, but I can guarantee you that this commercial is going to get a lot of Addy [...]
Man Moons And Throws Puppy At Hells Angels Bikers
Published by June 16th, 2010 in Editorial and Events.A young man in Bavaria who reportedly forgot to take his medication taunted a group of Hells Angels at their clubhouse over the weekend by dropping his pants, throwing a puppy at the bikers, and then making his getaway in a stolen front loader. The 26-year-old drove onto the biker clubhouse grounds on Sunday afternoon [...]
Ride To Work Day Announced For June 21st, 2010
Published by June 16th, 2010 in Editorial and Events.Ride your motorcycle or scooter on this day to demonstrate the number of motorcyclists to the general public and to politicians, the diversity of those riding them, and that it can reduce traffic and parking congestion in big cities.
Harley-Davidson Dealer Settles Sex Discrimination Lawsuit
Published by June 15th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Despite a 1964 US Federal law prohibiting sex discrimination, breaking into jobs in non-traditional fields, like being a Harley-Davidson mechanic, seems to continue to be a challenge for many women. A lawsuit brought by Bowen Dean alleged that The Dudley Perkins Company, a Harley-davidson dealer in San Francisco since 1914, denied her a job as [...]
Kenji Nagai is another, but less known for now, Japanese motorcycle builder installed in the US (Torrance, California) to practice his art. His latest custom called “One Eyed King” is modern chopper based on a modified after-market rigid frame with no stretch but a 40-degree rake and a modified 93″ S&S engine by Ken’s Factory [...]
The driveline parts business is all about multiplying torque. At Baker, they master the art and science of optimizing the transmission gear sizes to the desired RPM versus-Speed performance. And you? Do you know how to decide and order the right combo motor sprocket, transmission pulley/sprocket gearset, the wheel pulley/sprocket and your rear wheel size [...]
Battistinis New Fork Boots. What Do You Think?
Published by June 14th, 2010 in Chassis, Customs, Editorial and Suspension.Rikki Battistini sent a few pros of the industry, including myself, a few pictures of his new fork boots whose design is conceived to complete its already extended line of “hole” parts. He wants our honest opinion. So why not also ask yours? Keep in mind that these fork boots are raw aluminum prototypes, just off the CNC [...]
Soccer World Cup fever is hitting our shores. You can almost hear from here the ten of thousands of South African Vuvuzelas used by spectators during all matches (straight motorcycle pipes scream less decibels). America is still in the competition after a very lucky 1st round against England! (who paid England’s keeper for letting USA [...]
The main reason I feature this bike is because you rarely see a full custom Harley WLA, and even less one BMX theme inspired. This one was born in 1942 and was rebuilt by a you shop located in Bern, Switzerland, always ranked among the world’s top ten cities for the best quality of life, [...]
Motorcycle Seat Of The Month. Only in Texas
Published by June 13th, 2010 in Customs, Editorial and Seats.Y’all. You must understand Texas. It’s like a whole other country. When you are born there, you are first a Texan and only second an American. Don’t mess with this “Texican” biker. He got the Lone Star State Of Mind. Do I see a bullet hole in the rear fender? By the way, great upholstery [...]
Original Vincent To Headline Bonhams Classic Motorcycles Auction.
Published by June 13th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.This stunningly original 1952 Vincent Rapide in Chinese Red has been untouched for nearly half a century. Discovered in Fresno, California where it had been sold new by the local Fresno Indian dealer, this time capsule machine has 8500 original miles, matching numbers and California black license plate. Its auction estimate is $85,000-$100,000. It will [...]
Second Of Six New Glenndyne Wheel Designs
Published by June 12th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Wheels.As promised, at the scheduled pace of one model every week, this the second new design of Aaron Glenn “conventional” forged wheel line up. The GD-4 model features a modern mesh design with a European feel and speed dashes (As Glenndyne calls them) machined into the rim. Speed Dashes or a machined pinstripe available on [...]
Glad That You Asked. Why Do motorcycles Backfire?
Published by June 12th, 2010 in Editorial, Engines and Exhaust.A backfire is caused by the buildup of un-burned gasoline in the exhaust header and pipe system. Once the gas has built up to the right mixture with air, it explodes, making a loud bang. A visible flame may momentarily shoot out of the exhaust pipe. It can happen when you start your motorcycle, for [...]
Lady Liberty By Sucker Punch Sally’s Can Be Yours
Published by June 11th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Sucker Punch Sally’s teamed up with premium cigar manufacturer CAO International to produce a one-off bike and the new owner will be randomly drawn from the finalists on July 17th at the CAO headquarters in Nashville. The bike named “Lady Liberty” has already made stops all over the United States to numerous cigar shops where a [...]
Klock Werks Kustom Cycles In Muddy Waters
Published by June 11th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.In the early morning hours of June 11, Mitchell, South Dakota had over four inches of rain and the Klock Werks Kustom Cycles motorcycle shop building experienced extensive flooding. At the current time, their phone systems and computer systems are down. So, while they focus on the clean up and drying out, you are more than welcome [...]
Old School 48 Style Conversion For Your Softail Swingarm
Published by June 11th, 2010 in Customs, Editorial and Suspension.I already introduced you to the old school custom rigid frames, casting frame parts and to the Swift-Kick motorcycle kicker arm and pedals made by John Grant at his Hardtail Choppers shop. And now, for those favoring the Softail style but looking for the WWII era look John is introducing 1948 style casting axle plates. John [...]
A new aviation masterpiece by artist David Uhl. Harriet Quimby became the first woman to get a pilot license in the U.S. She followed that up with becoming the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel in the spring of 1912. Later that year, she tragically died during an aviation exhibition in Massachusetts. In David’s words, [...]
Fast Motorcycle Industry News
Published by June 11th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.1- New rumors on Wall Street that private equity firms are eying Harley-Davidson as a takeover target. Last time such rumors surfaced was on March 16, 2010 when private equity firm KKR was named as being interested in buying the company. A growing confidence in a US recovery is feeding a frenzy of many unsubstantiated [...]
New Covington Ignition Switch Cover
Published by June 10th, 2010 in Accessories, Controls, Editorial and Electrical.Now available from Covingtons Customs this Ignition Switch Cover for 05 & earlier and 03 and later international touring models, except Road King. This is a great addition to the Covington line of finned billet parts. Machined from billet aluminum with your choice of finish in chrome, black or black with diamond edged as featured [...]
Custom Motorcycle Builder Shinya Kimura To Ride A 1915 Indian In Motorcycle Cannonball
Published by June 10th, 2010 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Shinya Kimura will participate in the Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Coast to Coast Run from September 10 to 26, 2010. During these last 5 years Shinya Kimura gained fame for his handcrafted motorcycles always featuring vintage or classic engines mounted in one-of-a-kind frames with intricate bodywork often requiring over 1000 of labor hours. Shinya decided to [...]
Between the garage builders and professional custom builders, there is a category of semi-pros whose main business is not to build motorcycles. They all chose their business because they love to ride, and don’t miss an opportunity to wrench their own one-off bikes. With the advantage that they know the latest trends, the newest parts [...]
The Legends Ride is a must do during the Sturgis Rally. Celebrities, the nation’s top bike builders, motorcycle industry personalities and riders looking to ride for charity will converge in Deadwood August 9 to take part in the 3rd annual Legends Ride. The Legends Ride takes riders from Historic Deadwood to the Legendary Buffalo Chip [...]
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