Saxon Motorcycles

‘We rode Vespas for about four years because we thought we could get around riding on Scooters without getting any tickets. He confessed that he didn’t want to make Easy Rider initially. His favorite pastime? Painting - Harley-Davidson Japan is converting its domestic dealerships for the Buell bikes which it discontinued at the end of October, into service centers that will repair the motorcycles. Harley-Davidson is legally mandated to offer repair parts for seven years but says it plans to continue parts repair services for the next 10 years. By continuing to service Buell bikes, Harley-Davidson hopes to hold down any negative impact on its brand image – Wimmer Custom Cycle has recently decided to end their distribution relationship with Drag Specialties. Lee Wimmer, President of Wimmer Custom Cycle stated, “Now, more than ever, the consumer is shopping for the best price and we have found that having a distribution price level makes the MSRP too high”.

The Indian Larry Issue, “Five Long Years” will be packed full of special content that has for the most part never been seen before. Their will be commentary from people out of Larry’s past that haven’t been heard from, stories of his life that haven’t been shared and additional industry insights into the man they called the Chopper Shaman. This issue will become available at the beginning of 2010 through an exclusive national deal with Barnes & Nobel stores and through a regional south deal with Books A Million. For more information on advertising in this issue or for advanced copy sales go to Cycle Source.

Showcasing the custom parts that you sell on a custom bike is efficient marketing strategy if the bike is extremely cool. Independent Custom Builders do it very well. Few large part distributors do as well, except when one of their in-house collaborators is also a talented builder. Rich Fulk, Custom Chrome’s Product Line Manager, knows quite a few things about mixing and matching the custom parts that he sells to make a factory bike look like a true custom. And since he also got the design and fabrication/assembly abilities he built this very “fast, black and furious” 2009 Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide featuring the “Custom Chrome New Dark products”. For the fast and furious parts of the equation ‘La Muerta Negra’ was modified with an S&S 106″ kit, some Zippers Cams and Thundermax ECM. For the dark part, Rich used the complete line of the ‘King Knurl’ accessories from Revolution and made this FXD-I rolls on RevTech® Midnight Series. Looks to me like the Milwaukee factory should sell it! Inspired and ready to do your own? All these parts and more are available in the CCI Catalog Update that you can see by jumping to Custom Chrome.

Attached is a pic of it. Thanks” Greg Shickle gregs@tech-alloy.com

The Mods. Post WWorld War II England saw the end of rationing, military service had been abolished, economy was booming, people had money to spend on clothes and bikes. The Mods were essentially from London and the South East and were complete followers of the latest fashion. They were discovering new sounds, rhythm and blues,  new jazz, rich exotic sounds like Ska brought over with the Caribbean immigrants (while mainstream England was listening to the Beatles). They were ultra hip subterranean night club dwellers. Mods held down well paid office jobs (whereas Rockers tended to be more rural and manual workers), were arrogant, strutting kids and loving to create confrontation in nightclubs. The green shapeless army surplus Parka coat became the uniform. It was adopted to protect their expensive weekend suits from the damp London climate and to keep warm when riding their scooters, predominantly Italian brands like Vespa and Lambretta. Because police was harassing them for insufficient lighting and size of mirrors, in derision they decided to install numerous headlights, crash bars, white wall tires and high backrest seats, each Mod competing to have the chicest ride and the hottest chick riding behind. Amphetamine was the Mods drug of choice, pot not fitting their ideology (Pot was slowing you down, amphetamine kept you hyperactive for days without need to sleep between office hours and nightclubbing). Their influence on the London music scene was such that the Mod subculture resulted in the creation of new bands like the Small Faces, the Yardbirds and the High Numbers, known later as The Who, the band who defined the Mods with the song “My Generation”. Mods hated Rockers that they saw as out of touch and grubby. Rockers saw Mods as arrogant and young effeminate snobs. Scuffles occurred wherever they happened upon each other. To protect themselves some Mods went to sew fish hooks into the backs of their lapels to shred the fingers of Rockers assailants.

The Rockers. The Rockers movement started sooner in Liverpool during the late fifties. Illegal import of rare rock and roll vinyl albums coming from the sea trade with the US created a scene of teen agers in black leather jackets be bopping in night clubs. They rode motorcycles, listened to Elvis ad Gene Vincent. and were rebellious. To the uninitiated, a Rocker looked like trouble, Typical rocker outfit was black leather, a white scarf tightly wound around mouth and neck when riding, a pair of Levi’s jeans or black leather pants and sometimes wool white socks folded over the top of their boots (a look borrowed from the World War I aviation pilots). They are credited for influencing rock stars of the mid sixties in wearing leather. It is also believed that it is at this time that the gay community adopted leather to copy the image of the manly Rockers. New ring roads were built around cities and for Rockers they became tracks to race their machines. Trucker cafés on these roads were meeting places, the most famous of them being the London Ace Cafe still in existence (although in a different location). Rockers main love affair was speeding on their bikes, something that they thought was very glamourous and a way to defy a very puritan and rigid English society. Rockers were a very tight group extremely supportive of each other. The rivalry with the Mods came to a culminant point in May 1964 during the Bank Holiday weekend. Traditionally, Londoners head for the seaside resorts of Margate, Broadstairs and Brighton. A large number of Rockers and Mods had the same holiday plan. Inevitably fights between the 2 groups started all along England south coast resorts, the most serious acts of violence happening in Brighton. Many protagonists on both sides were arrested and heavily fined. These serious riots were later immortalized in the cult film “Quadrophenia” (in it, a very young and next to be famous musician and singer called Sting, playing a Mod character)

The Rocker movement vanished in the 70’s. Then in the early eighties a few remaining Rockers organized meetings that would progressively become again very popular. The reunions include many too young to have been around in the early days. The lifestyle is still very appealing with groups all over Europe, in Japan and to a marginal degree in the US. At the end of the 60’s the Mod scene also disappeared. During these last years, as a consequence of the high price of gas, many have rediscovered the Scooter as  primary mode of transportation. White collar Baby boomers just remembered the Mods and their children are looking for reference codes. For the 1st time in 4 decades it is not uncommon to see in Europe and America Scooter Clubs organizing meetings where members wear the traditional green Mod Parka and ride Italian Vespa decked out with multiple oversized headlights. At the same the Cafe Racer culture is alive again and attracting a new generation of bikers with the number of participating Rockers growing more at each London Ace Cafe reunion. Could it be that we are seeing the beginning of a revival of both subcultures? Not sure, yet. But at least one thing is certain. The respective lifestyles are now based on nostalgia more than on rebellion and consequently both movements could grow again without any risk of confrontation. The potential benefit? More motorcycling and more customizing.

Standard in the complete kit are: two Legend Air shocks that install in the stock location, so NO modification is necessary, an on board air compressor, rider friendly black handlebar mounted control for on the go adjustability, all necessary mounting hardware, solenoid valve, and a full color instruction guide to navigate the user through everything from the simple color coded plug and play wiring to the basic hand tools needed for this easy installation. The system is made in the USA and backed by a limited lifetime warranty. To learn more about the Legend XL786 air suspension system, or any of Legend Air Suspension’s on-road or off-road products, call at 605.737.4200 or visit their new website Legend Suspensions.

“Hi Cyril. Let me say again how much I enjoy your blog. I rise, brew a coffee and sit down to enjoy what is happening in the custom bike world. It must be a lot of work for you but I am sure you have many thousands of happy fans. Cyril, I am hunting around for some type of covers for Harley Tourers that allow the removal of the bags and cover up the ugly underside as does this one-off custom made one in the attached picture. It was fabricated at Klock Werks and made from aluminum, but I imagine that someone, somewhere makes something like this from fiberglass or some composite material. If no-one does, there’s a business opportunity going begging for sure! Hope you can help. Cheers”. Doc Robinson

But where do I hide my battery, my relays, my wiring, etc? n my saddlebag, of course. It has been done before by many builders, including this writer. Now Nash Motorcycle company offers what they call the “Juice Bag”. Not only find a place to hold all your electrical essentials (your rain gear will go on the other bag if you run duo saddlebags), but save a lot of time on the tedious process of hiding, soldering, connecting your wiring.

The “Juice Bag” includes an EtX 14 Deka Battery pumping out 200 cold cranking amps. The battery measures 5 7/8″ Long X 3 7/16″ Wide X 5 3/4″ Long. 3.5 feet of both positive and negative battery cable is included so you can cut it to whatever length is needed. A water proof key start is mounted on the outside of the bag.

Water resistant starter relay, circuit breakers, quick disconnect Deutsch connector, and high quality water resistant wiring is all mounted inside, along with the battery.  You can choose between 3 different style of bags: The Nashty Ol Bag, The Sancho Bag, or The Half & Half Bag. Each bag is universal to fit either Hardtail or Softail applications. You can decide to have it mounted on the right or left side ($857) and to buy the other side with the set of 2 bags, “Juice Bag” and regular bag for $1036. Choice of Brass or Nickel buckles & rivets. More at Nash Motorcycle Company.

HogTech Peder Johansson and Andreas Jarledal tested Hogtech`s frames on a grueling 45.000 km (30.000 miles) around the world.  They are TÜV approved in Germany to meet the highest standard of welding and strength and a certificate of approval comes with every frame. Custom Chrome Europe is offering the frame featured here in 2 versions. The popular “Northern Spirit” rigid frame with the classic sweden style geometry (3” up-stretch in front tubes, 46° rake. I80/200 rear tire/ with a rear tail section ½” shorter than stock rigid frames. Weighting only 21 kg. The second option is having a „Custom Northern Spirit“ frame built to specifications, with rakes ranging from 30 to 50°, down tube stretch 0-4’’, rear tail length from stock to + 2’’ and wide end tire options of 245 and 260. Custom Chrome Europe (picture HRF. CCE General Manager Andreas Scholz, CCE Marketing Manager Axel Scherer with HogTech Peder Johansson and Andreas Jarledal).

Zippers Performance offers a kit to help you turn your “Sleepy” 96 Inch engine Into a 103 Incher. New cylinders are supplied on an exchange basis, are precision bored and honed on torque plates from 3-3/4″ to 3-7/8″ and fitted with forged pistons. Red Shift cams and adjustable pushrods let the engine breathe for a substantial increase in useable torque and horsepower. A complete top end and cam change gasket set included. Two versions are available. One for lighter FX-style bikes (Dynas® and Softails®), and one for heavier Touring applications. Only $1,029.95 with exchange cylinders. Expert installation of this kit is available at Zipper’s facility in Elkridge, Maryland. Transportation of your motorcycle to and from Zipper’s can be arranged if desired. Please contact Zipper’s Performance Products for details

So, follow the deadlines you must meet to show your custom work . Pomona, CA January 9-10, Sacramento, CA January 16-17, Charlotte, NC January 23-24 (a very big one),  Knoxville, TN February 6, Columbus, OH (Invitational where the top winner for the year will be crowned) February 12, 13, 14. More info/registration by calling 800-962-9857.

When they arrive at your doorstep they’re ready to bolt on with hubs, bearings, and rotors completely installed and ready go.  The package includes a 21 x 3.5” front wheel, two matching Front Rotors with Billet Centers, and an 18 x 4.25” Rear Wheel for all models up to 2008, or an 18 x 5.5” Rear Wheel for 2009 and later Models. ABS brakes are no problem as Pro-One provides the proper hub and bearing applications for ABS bikes. The front tire will be a 120/70-21 Avon, while the rear tire will be either a 150/70-18 or 180/55-18 depending on your application.  Packages for Softails and other popular models are also available at factory-direct savings.  Choose between chrome, black with machined accents or totally blacked out.  For more information, give them a call toll-free at 800-884-4173. Or visit Pro-One.

They will start at Fort Lauderdale Harley-Davidson by a Bikers Bash benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County. One of the highlight of this year’s Biker Bash VIP event includes a drawing for a FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide donated by Bruce Rossmeyer Harley Davidson. Tickets are $20/piece or 6 for $100 with all proceeds to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County. On Friday evening, December 4 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino there will be a VIP event culminating at the South Florida President’s Council 22nd Annual Christmas Toys in the Sun Run. There will be a police-escorted ride from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to the Admirals club Marine Academy and then along beautiful A1A to the Quarterdeck Restaurant on Las Olas. The kick-off party at the Quarterdeck will include lunch, cocktails and VIP motorcycle parking. Attendees will also have the chance to see a number of great bikes from an impressive line-up of builders. Industry giants Paul Yaffe, Eddie Trotta with Lorenzo Lamas, Rick Fairless, and Athena Ransom will have motorcycles on display at the Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse as the last stop for 2009. Also featured will be the last bike that the late Jerry Graves built before his death. Entertainment will be provided by the Purrfect Angelz and Jake and Elwood Blues Revue- the #1 Blues Brothers act in the world and the only Blues Brothers act sanctioned by the Belushi estate and Dan Aykroyd

The weekend will culminate early Sunday morning the 6th of December with the world’s longest motorcycle parade, all proceeds going to benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation. Riders will meet at the Aero Toy Store for a continental breakfast then line up for a Bikers Bash police-escort to the Pompano Race Track in Pompano Beach where tens of thousands of riders will gather for the parade ending at Markham Park in Sunrise, Florida. The event cost is $10 and one unwrapped toy per person. Those arriving at Markham Park without a toy will be charged an additional $10 entry fee. However, riders will be able to purchase toys at Markham Park before entering the event. No preregistration is required unless you wish to be a VIP rider.  A VIP catered tent will provide home-base for Bikers Bash participants to park and enjoy the catered lunch, concert, vendors, bike show and much more. Info on the ride at . Info on the Bash at Biker Bash and on the run at Toys In The Sun Run

It will happen at the Phoenix-Hall at Mainz in Germany where CCE will feature “Bolt On And Ride” new Harley-Davidson models customized with their catalog parts. Both March 27th and 28th are Dealer Days for registered authorized CCE dealers. Only Sunday 28th is general public day. Doors open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Phoenix-Hall is located in the northern part of Mainz, Autobahn (Motorway) A 643, Ausfahrt (Exit). The latest updated show-information is available at Custom Chrome Europe. AMD Bike Show competitors can register at AMD Championship or email to Neil “Showmaster” at neil@amdchampionship.com (pictures Horst Roesler)

In this case, “Universal” means a gas tank model fitting a wide range of machines and styles, from choppers to open road cruisers. As a matter of fact they are designed for use on bikes with stretched top tubes and have an unmistakable “teardrop” shape. Each tank has stock style screw-in filler and vent and standard 22 mm external thread petcock fitting for use with OEM and aftermarket left side mounted petcocks.

Available in 3.4, 3.8 and 4.8 gallon capacities. Tunnel depth is just 3 ½”, overall length measures 21” and center hole-to-hole mounting bracket dimensions are 21” for the 3.4 tank and 22” for the 2 larger versions. All 3 sizes are just $314.95. Call   775-246-5738 or visit Paughco.

Should I say that these deep CNC machined cuts are cutting edge? (pun intended). The multi-faceted billet design features see-thru windows and a tapered outside diameter, making the “Deep Cut” family a truly unique design. Available in chrome or black anodizing. Perfect for the V-Twin biker who wants a full new and coherent design without asking himself too many questions about what’s going to look good on his ride. At Arlen Ness Store.