Own an Evo Sportster and want to turn it into a rigid chopper? Paughco has 2 new options to help you make the metamorphosis. The Single Loop Rigid Bobber frame is designed for 1986-2003 Sportster engines and features a distinctive 1 1/2” single loop downtube and 1 1/8” lower frame rails. A variety of rake, [...]
Archive for the 'Chassis' Category
Paughco Sportster Rubber Mounted Rigid Chopper Frames
Published by March 13th, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.
Klock Werks New Downforce Harley-Davidson Windshields
Published by February 20th, 2010 in Accessories, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.At this year’s V-Twin Expo Klock Werks proposed its FLARE Windshield in a new 8.5″ high size, in 3 versions: tint, dark smoke and black (3.5″, 8.5″ and 11.5″ FLARE Windshields are also available for different touring models). The company was also showing for the 1st time a FLARE version for Harley Softails and Road Kings.
The [...]
Fat Katz Non Vented Pop Up Gas Cap
Published by February 4th, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.What is the remedy to some pop-up gas caps leaking gas by the vent? Simply, a non vented gas cap to use with a vented gas tank.
Fat Katz, a leader in custom gas tanks and fenders, like many builders and owners of their custom built bikes, decided that it was time to end the problem of [...]
New from Heartland USA, a specialist of design solutions to improve the look of many stock Haley-Davidson models, this new set of bags fitting their wide tire conversion kits.
These bags were conceived for those who have the occasional need to carry more, for example for a weekend out of town or a little bit longer.
Soft [...]
How To Scotch Brite Your Motorcycle Chrome Parts
Published by January 12th, 2010 in Builders, Chassis and Customs.A lesson in “Scotch Briting” your chrome motorcycle parts for an aged/stainless look, By Dar Holdswoth at Darwin Motorcycles (Brass Balls Bobbers).
New Pandemonium Gas Tank
Published by January 7th, 2010 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Evidently for custom applications, this new steel gas tank is setup for the petcock to be installed in the bottom rear to let you run till’ the last drop of gas. A clear fuel hose is used as a gauge and the 2 line fittings are in brass. Capacity is 2.2 gallon and it will [...]
Most Simple Frame. No Chain. Ouch.
Published by December 30th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.When, like me, you obsessively research all new design ideas on 2 wheels you find everything from the best function with the poorest design to the ultimate design, which is always simplicity, with the poorest ergonomic factor, and of course everything between.
A New Type Of Motorcycle Front Suspension. No Forks!
Published by December 26th, 2009 in Chassis, Customs, Editorial and Suspension.James Parker tells you that he invented a motorcycle front suspension much better than the traditional forks. It’s called the RADD system. Below is the video demonstration at the shop and on the track…(sent to me from Canada by Arlene The Biker Queen).
Cafe Fairing For Harley-Davidson Road King
Published by December 18th, 2009 in Accessories, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.I never liked traditional windshields or fairings because, while useful, they never contribute, quite the opposite, to the lines of a motorcycle. With a few exceptions in the after-market industry like this very interesting “Cafe Fairing” offered by Glide-Pro.
Mounts directly via the Harley factory installed grommets on all Road King models. A specific fairing soon to be [...]
Arlen Ness Redesigned Big Bags For Touring Bikes
Published by December 14th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.The Big Bags of Arlen Ness have always been a popular choice for a bagger customization or built from the ground up. There is a newly redesigned version sold without lids but accepting your OEM lids and mounting hardware. Constructed from hi-strength fiberglass with a smooth finish inside and out, offered ready to prime and paint [...]
Vanillazilla Fairings For Harley-Davidson Sportster And Dyna Models
Published by December 9th, 2009 in Accessories, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Because of proportion, narrow Harley-Davidson models like Sportsters and Dynas equipped with 39 mm front ends can be disfigured by the installation of a traditional fairing. Who wants to look like a Giant-Bat-On-Tiny-Wheels running down the highway or worse, your city streets.
At the same time, many riders of these models would like some wind protection [...]
Saddlebag Chaps With Storage Bags for Harley-Davidson FLH
Published by December 1st, 2009 in Accessories, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Didn’t know that you could buy “chaps” for your bagger. They are made to protect your bagger’s saddlebag lids and because of their soft backside they are “gentle” to your paint. They are made to be durable, impervious to weather and prevent boot scuffs to your expensive bags. And if you need just a little [...]
As you know, everything old is new again. I know you threw away these fenders 25 years ago because they were looking too stock! Or you are too young to have had a chance to keep a spare set in your garage. So, Paughco is manufacturing again these old style Bobbed fenders right here in [...]
New Harley-Davidson Low Profile Razor-Pak Luggage
Published by November 23rd, 2009 in Accessories, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.I like everything you can imagine with a low profile. So, I like this new lean profile “Razor-Pack” luggage with a slim profile that won’t detract from the look of a custom bagger. To be precise it has a 1,900-cubic-inch capacity with dimensions of 22 inches wide by 16 inches long by 5.5 inches high. [...]
Aluminum Finned Oil tank For sale. The Patent.
Published by November 19th, 2009 in Chassis, Customs and Editorial.“Cyril. You don’t know me, I talked to you several times at shows but never really introduced my self. I am the guy who was building the finned aluminum oil bags for Softail bikes. I would like to sell the patents and patterns and was hoping you could direct me in the right direction to [...]
True Swedish Chopper Frame From HogTech
Published by November 13th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.For all my readers in Europe but also for all of you (if you are not afraid of a sticker shock because of the non-favorable Euro/dollar exchange rate), HogTech Swedish true chopper frames are now available through Custom Chrome Europe (and direct if you are in the US). HogTech has been manufacturing Swedish Style Custom [...]
Reproduction Harley-Davidson Cast And Stainless Steel Frame Necks And Axle Plates
Published by November 10th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis and Editorial.Here a good address you may need if you work on a vintage Harley-Davidson and you are stuck with a damaged cast frame or want to turn it into something more radical. This shop offers reproduction Harley cast steel frame necks, side car loops for wishbone frames, and rear rigid frame axle plates for years [...]
Universal Low Tunnel Gas Tanks
Published by November 6th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Ron Paugh, the Bossman of Paughco calls them “Universal”, hence my headline. But as a Custom Builder I have to warn all of you who are not professionals that any gas tank may need some tweaking, at least at the bolting points, to sit perfectly (meaning the way you like it) on your backbone frame.
In this [...]
New Bobber Gas Tank With A Modern Twist
Published by October 17th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis and Customs.From Fat Katz this new “rejuvenated” Bobber gas tank. I loved it at first sight because it’s exactly in the line of what I have done as one-off tanks on my latest customs. It’s called the Ridgeback because of the ridge running on top (just an idea: why not request for same on rear fender…) and [...]
Fat Katz Gas Tankz And Fenderz Is For Sale
Published by October 7th, 2009 in Chassis, Customs and Editorial.I was a little bit in shock when Don Baumunk, Founder and President of Fat Katz sent me this evening the following email. Most of you have a tendency to think that all businesses for sale are the consequence of our economic recession. Not so. A lot of us are close to or reaching retirement age…And like anyone, [...]
Ribbed Aluminum Fenders
Published by September 26th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Personally, I love aluminum body work in either form, raw, wirebrushed, mirror polished, anodized, partially painted. Not only because it’s a noble and beautiful material that will never rust but also because it will make your bike much lighter. There are a few available bolt-on gas tanks and fenders on the after-market scene, but sometimes [...]
New Paughco Chopper Or Pro-Street 300 MM Drop Seat Frame.
Published by September 9th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.On a bike built with this Paughco frame you will sit low at 23” 1/2 and you will be able to slide a 300 mm rear tire. The bike will be balanced because it’s a Right Side Drive driveline setup. This Softail type frame has a 1 ¾ backbone stretch, 2” diameter single front leg [...]
New Berseker Foot Controls
Published by August 28th, 2009 in Chassis, Controls, Customs and Editorial.Some will qualify them as retro looking. Others as techno-industrial. Doesn’t matter. They are minimalists and look pretty good in black anodizing and brass plating (yes, you can get them in boring polish or chrome). These new Berseker controls are offered in forward or mid-control versions, with models for Softail Evo & Twin Cam, FXR & [...]
All Trikes Need To Lose Weight
Published by August 19th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Essential part to go from 2 to 3 wheels, a trike rear axle is a big weight handicap for its road velocity. If you didn’t know, the average weight of a trike rear axle is about 155 pounds. Santiago Choppers decided to conceive a new model whose shell being in aluminum weights only 82 pounds, [...]
Harley-Davidson Now Selling The Bobber Look For Your Sportster
Published by August 11th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.New from Harley, the Bobber Look ready to bolt-on with no fabrication on your Genuine Sportster. The kit includes a chopped rear fender and distressed brown (I told you before about this new trend) leather solo spring saddle. My first question is, why only a brown seat? I thought that Bobbers and Bobber seats could [...]
Progressive Suspension Touring Chassis Stabilizer Install
Published by August 6th, 2009 in Chassis, Customs and Editorial.David Zemla, Marketing Director, is at it again…Must be because he is better looking than all technicians and engineers at Progressive Suspension.
Recently I got the question. Where can I find a nice custom rubbermount frame for Sportster? So, I thought that some of you would like to know that Rolling Thunder Frames has a Drop Seat Rubbermounted Sportster frame accepting the latest Sportster motors. Like all Rolling Thunder frames it accepts most stock parts and is [...]
Ligthning Rod Retro-Racer Rolling Chassis
Published by July 21st, 2009 in Builders, Chassis and Customs.
There are quite a few board-track style frames available on the market. And each manufacturer does its own interpretation trying to improve what was used in the old racing days. With a greater design freedom since these frames are not destined to be waved by the checkered flag. In this spirit here is a new [...]
Build Something New. Like A Modern Triumph Bonneville.
Published by July 17th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Like Triumph’s marketing strategy of exploiting demand for retro motorcycles with modern engineering. More than one time, attracted by their look and sound I turned around the new Triumph Bonneville and Thruxton thinking that maybe…I should get one of them and give it my own cosmetic/mechanical treatment.
Randy Simpson Closing Milwaukee Iron
Published by July 11th, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.When I started my business in 1992, Randy Simpson was one of the first major professional builders of the time that I met. It was during an Easyriders Bike Show in Charlotte, NC. I was displaying one of my bikes on a “James Dean” theme next to him exhibiting his vintage racing looking custom bikes (it [...]
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