CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP OF BIKE BUILDING
June 30, 2007
Rick is in Canada this weekend for a kick ass show. You can get the full details by visiting the website or clicking on the graphic below. Our friend and master builder Roger Goldammer is among the many featured builder. We also understand that our field reporter Merrill will be in attendance. Hopefully, we will see some of his usual fantastic pics and stories when he gets back.
Here are a few words from Rick’s web site as well: Rick is going International! Join him up north for this AMD Pro Show, along with other builders such as Roger Goldammer and Mike Long. Visit the official website 
Burning Rubber Should Be A Choice
June 30, 2007
Introducing Heel Guard products for your review and coverage consideration
Stop burning the rubber on your boots. Using Heel Guard products on your American V-Twin or Metric Cruiser allows you to burn rubber by choice.
Wisdom, MT— Heel Guard, the world leader in preventing heel burns caused by your exhaust, brings you and your passenger new Heel Guard styles that look great on the bike and even better, protect your boots. Burning rubber is now your choice.
Heel Guard products were designed and created with the rider in mind. Heel Guard product is patent protected and produced using the best quality products for both American V-Twin motorcycles and metric cruiser market. Heel Guard designs and manufactures the Heel Guard product line in over a half dozen styles along with metric options, E-Z brake products and other products all making the ride just a bit better every time. Check out www.heelguard.com to see the full range of products offered by Heel Guard including adjustable Highway bars, motorcycle luggage, E-Z shift and Brake systems and more. Enjoy free shipping on all Heel Guards and Heel Shift products now, just in time for hot summer riding.
Heel Guard founder, Carl Miles created the Heel guard product line after spending thousands and thousands of miles on the road and wrecking a few heels along the way. “I looked for product that would protect my heels, but not be an eyesore on my bike. I couldn’t find anything that did both, so created my own. Based on reaction and sales, I think I succeeded. People love the product because it looks great and saves the boots of both driver and passenger” explained Miles.
Heel Guard, INC is the proud sponsor of the Builders Breakfast in
Tiny Motorcycles, Made From Watches
June 30, 2007
Okay, so this is a little off topic. It’s just so darned neat I knew you would be intrigued. Gizmodo wouldn’t allow me to show all the pictures, so please visit the site for the full photo gallery. It’s amazing how tiny and detailed these creations are!
An advertising agent out of Brazil is the master craftsman behind these awesome miniature motorcycles. Assembled from watch parts and bits of other accessories such as eyeglasses, these motorcycles challenge the ideas of identity and representation, while putting us in the mood to BS about philosophy instead of just calling them “neat”. These motorcycles aren’t for sale—which is all the better since my wife is convinced that despite their small stature, I’d manage to both ride one and be flattened by a car.
City Of Gettysburg recognizes two Leading Ladies in Motorcycling.
June 29, 2007
During the 15th annual Mid-Atlantic Women’s Motorcycle rally held in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Mayor William Troxell presented a Key to The City Of Gettysburg to Jennifer Levan and Sara Liberte. Jennifer Levan is co-owner of Battelfield Harley Davidson in Gettysburg, PA and Sara Liberte is co-owner of RT’s North Hills Cycle Inc. In Pittsburgh, PA. The two ladies were recognized for their dedication to the Motorcycling community and continuous effort to better the community.
The practice of bestowing a ceremonial “key to the city” dates back to medieval times. Today, cities give their keys to esteemed visitors, prominent locals, and worthy organizations.
For three days in July of 1863, a costly civil war battle raged between the Union and Confederate armies in and around the Borough of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The two armies met here in battle as the Confederate army sought to take the war to the north through the crossroads of Gettysburg. The Union army made their stand here. Strategies by both armies were sometimes grave miscalculations, the culmination of which resulted in a decisive victory for the Union. Over 51,000 Americans died during this battle. Although the Civil War continued two years following the battle of Gettysburg, the battle is viewed as the turning point of the war.
Today, hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world visit the Gettysburg battlefield, which is operated and maintained by the National Park Service. The battlefield has become a memorial to brave Americans who fought here attempting to preserve their individual beliefs. As you stand on the ground where they fought, one can visualize the terrible skirmishes that pitted American against American.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this sacred land during the 2007 Gettysburg Bike week July 12-15th. Tour the battlefields and enjoy the South Eastern Pennsylvania scenic roads. Activities to include the Dale Earnhardt NASCAR Experience, Harley-Davidson Demo Fleet and new product display, The Budweiser Clydesdales, Poker runs, Bike shows, great food Live music and more.
For more info please visit www.gettysburgbikeweek.com
Guilty Customs Poll
June 29, 2007
CJ Hanlon “Warden” over at Guilty Customs has asked for your participation in a poll he is conducting. It’s a pretty interesting subject, one we all seem to be interested in, so why not head on over and put in your two cents’ worth? CJ has promised an interesting surprise for us when the poll is complete. He wouldn’t even tell me what it is, so we will have to wait and see! Go ahead, it will take 30 seconds…
Here is the URL for the poll:
http://www.polldaddy.com/poll.asp?p=44703
Also, check out CJ’s blog:
http://guiltycustoms.com/blog/
Tommy Graves WINS BIG!!!!!
June 29, 2007
We would like to extend our congratulations to builder Tommy Graves who won the Metric Revolution competition last Friday night. Tommy is a terrific guy and, obviously, a talented builder.
While we’re not wanting to steal Tommy’s thunder, we’re also including some pics from our sponsor, Doug Keim, who also built a kick ass back. Everyone in this competition worked his or her ass off and deserves a lot of praise for their commitment, creativity and craftsmanship. You are all winners!
It’s official!!!!
Tommy Graves of Jeffersonville, Vermont has won the Metric Revolution Motorcycle Build Off as featured on ESPN2!!!
Last Friday night, celebrations were on there way at the University Mall in South Burlington, VT where fans gathered to
view the ESPN2 TV series season finale announcing the winners in each class and get a chance to meet Tommy and his
lovely wife/building partner Julie Graves. Tommy Graves’ build off bike “SMACKDOWN” was on display as people lined up to
get autographed posters and congratulate the winner.
Not only did Tommy take home the first place prize of $10,000 and a scholarship, it was revealed on the series finale that
Tommy was invited back for season two of the show to compete in the Pro-Cruiser class!!!
If you missed the finale last Friday, you have another chance to see Tommy on “SMACKDOWN” tearing up over 100 miles
in Las Vegas and winning the competition during ESPN2 re-air this Thursday, 6/28 at 5:30pm eastern!
Doug Keim Bike and Spec Sheet
Full Specs
“The Rising”
Year/Make/Model: 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Rogue
Fabrication: Doug Keim, Matt Sagan Milan Uhlir, J. Johnson
Assembly: Doug Keim, Drew Houseworth
Engine Year/Type/Size: 2000 cc OR 125 cubic inches
Electronics: Drew Houseworth
Computer: OEM ECU with Power Commander
Builder: Kawasaki
Cases: Kawasaki
Flywheels: Kawasaki
Rods: Kawasaki
Pistons: Kawasaki
Cylinders: Kawasaki
Heads: Kawasaki
Valves: Kawasaki
Rockers: Kawasaki
Rocker boxes: Kawasaki
Pushrods: Kawasaki
Pushrod Tubes: Kawasaki
Cam: (2 cam engine) Kawasaki
Lifters: Kawasaki
Carburetor: dual venturi electronic fuel injection
Air cleaner: Hand Made ‘Old School’ SCOOPS by DKCC (Doug Keim Creative Cycles)
Ignition: Kawasaki
Exhaust: Hand Made 2 into 1 by DKCC
Transmission Year/Type: (unitized case!) awasaki
Case: Kawasaki
Gears: Kawasaki
Clutch: Kawasaki
Primary Drive: ??? it’s a metric bike!
Final Drive: 530 chain in DKCC hand made sprockets
Insuring Your Bike
June 29, 2007
While this article from The Wall Street Journal is a bit lengthy, we thought it might be of interest to some of our readers. When Beach bought his first bike (in a few years…;-) about 5 years back, we were the target of some serious gouging by insurance carriers. We had to change around about three times before we finally found one who didn’t charge an arm and a leg in premiums. It would seem that the changing demographic is helping to reverse this phenomenon, as this article suggests. As always, comments and questions are welcome.
Rebels With a Clause
Insuring Your Motorcycle
Gets Easier as Carriers Woo
A Surge of Older Bikers
By M.P. MCQUEEN
June 26, 2007; Page D1
Rich DiFalco, clad in a dark suit and tie, stepped into a Manhattan motorcycle dealership one recent afternoon to take delivery of a blazing-red Kawasaki Vulcan 900 that he plans to take on mountain road trips with his father in upstate New York.
 |
| Rich DiFalco, on his new Kawasaki Vulcan 900, plans road trips in upstate New York. |
Although state law requires him only to carry liability insurance, Mr. DiFalco, a 39-year-old TV-ad salesman, wanted full protection: liability, fire and theft, and collision. “I want to err on the side of coverage, safeness,” he says.
Fortunately for Mr. DiFalco, rising motorcycle sales have drawn many new insurers into the market, allowing him to get a better deal by shopping around. At the same time, however, motorcycle premiums at some insurers have been rising about twice as fast as auto premiums, in part because accidents involving fancier machines are driving up insurance losses.
“One troubling trend is the aging baby boomers who are finding themselves with empty nests and a little disposable income. Many of them are going out and buying bikes — and wrecking them,” says Mary E. Peters, 58, the U.S. Transportation secretary and an avid rider from Arizona who owns two Harley-Davidsons. Deaths among motorcycle operators in their 40s jumped 230% from 1997 to 2005, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For riders over 50, fatalities soared 400%.
That hasn’t dented sales. Driven by the lure of easy commuting and the trend to extreme sports, sales of motorbikes have risen sharply in recent years, ranging from small, zippy machines to custom-made Bourget Pythons and imported Ducati Desmosedicis, which can sell for more than $70,000.
Saxon Completes Steps to put Mad Jack into Production
June 28, 2007
Saxon Completes Steps to put Mad Jack into Production
CASA GRANDE, ARIZ
– June 26, 2007 – After much critical acclaim at the unveiling of the prototype in Cincinnati, Saxon Motorcycle Company has released the Mad Jack into full production. The Mad Jack is an aggressive V-Twin Streetfighter designed by master builder Gard Hollinger of L.A.
County Choprods. The Mad Jack is the second production motorcycle that Gard has designed for Saxon. It will arrive at dealers in September as a
2008 model.
In 2005, Saxon unveiled the Black Crown, which quickly became one of Saxon’s best sellers. Based on its success, Saxon partnered with Gard to create a bike that would look like no other production motorcycle and be incredibly fun to ride. The result is a true statement in modern motorcycle design. Gard’s knowledge and respect for motorcycle history makes the Mad Jack a true American original.
Saxon uses a highly structured production line for final assembly of its motorcycles. In addition, numerous quality control checks and procedures are utilized and tracked in order to monitor performance trends and ensure continuous improvement.
The Mad Jack features numerous, unique “old-school modernistic” styling elements, unlike those found on any other production motorcycle. These components include: a proprietary frame, gas tank, fenders, machined aluminum strut system, LACC beehive side mounted oil filter, Moon Eyes barrel type oil tank and LACC hydraulic seat shock dampening system. In addition, each Mad Jack will be numbered and signed.
About Saxon Motorcycle Company
Saxon Motorcycle Company was created to produce great looking production custom motorcycles at a more reasonable price point than currently available, and to apply professional management and production processes to a segment that is dominated by fragmented manufacturing practices.
Saxon operates out of a modern 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility on 9 acres in Casa Grande, ARIZ. Saxon Motorcycles are available through an elite group of dealers worldwide. Saxon Motorcycle Company is a subsidiary of RPM Holdings Group, LLC.
You can visit Saxon online at
Further details and media inquiries contact:
Ken Conte
Rise Above Consulting
kcontepr@saxonmotorcycles.com
Tel (970) 227-3588
Myrtle Beach Hooters Bike Nights Are Back
June 28, 2007
BIKE NIGHT AT HOOTERS
(Murrells Inlet location at 852 Mall Drive next to Inlet Square Drive)
Every Thursday night starting THIS THURSDAY, June 28 at 6pm Hooters Restaurant in Murrells Inlet will host bike nights to include food and drink specials, biker games, giveaways, contests, bike shows, demos, group rides, and of course, the Hooters girls. All bikes are welcome. Patio seating and reserved parking for all riders and their guests. Expect something a little different each week. See our event calendar for details.
Redhead Gadgets Update
June 28, 2007
We wanted to remind everyone of the good looking and functional clips we have available in our catalog. These clips are made by the budding company Redhead Gadgets. The principles are two really great gals who love to ride. Please check out our inventory and also visit their website. We received this email from them last week and wanted to share it with you.
Just checking in here! We had a good time at the Jackson Wheels of Thunder, didn’t sell much as our vendor spot was less than desirable, but would go back next year…we’ll just have to voice our opinion about our vendor spot in advance!! LOL!!
We’re headed to Galena Ill for Biker Ally Rally this weekend, and as it turns out we’ve been speaking with a purchasing agent from J & P Cycles, looks like we’ll get the clips in the catalog as soon as we work a few legalities out:) Anyway, he invited us out to their open house on Saturday and since it’s only an hour away from Galena, how could we refuse!! LOL!!
We’ve gotten our shipping rates down to $2.30 first class rather than the $5.00 click and ship 2-3 day, so we changed up our pricing to $13.00 ea with free shipping. We’ll see if that helps the net sales a bit….Also, the first week in July we’ll be ordering more emblems with different art work, those should be ready to go by mid July.
Take care,
