Bad News For Billy

Hey,

  Judge Allawais has ruled that the prosecution can have access to Billy Lane’s medical records.This is not good news for Billy. The judge also ruled that these records cannot be made public without her approval.This makes sense if for no other reason than it could taint a jury.

  Well, if Billy could have surpressed these records it would obviously have been a big deal.The prosecution will now have access to everything that happened and was said up to and including the time the accident took place and everything that happened and was said in the hospital.We feel it is BIG because there were people who saw and spoke with Billy during all of this. We previously said that it was reported by emergency personnel that Billy “reeked” of alcohol. There were witnesses as to Bill’s physical and mental state as well as his behavior.It is obviously not good news that the prosecutors will be able to examine the records. We doubt Billy’s lawyers would have challenged the release if there was anything in the records that would help his case.The real question is, Is there a “smoking Gun” in there?

  We are on it and will continue to be on it. We are The Beachcruiser!!

                                                                                    Beach

BREAKING NEWS! Billy Lane’s Medical Records To Be Released

We bring it to you first, folks. Here you go….

 
October 30, 2007

Billy Lane’s medical files may go public

BY KEYONNA SUMMERS
FLORIDA TODAY

Brevard Circuit Judge Meryl Allawas today granted prosecutors’ motion seeking the release of motorcycle builder Billy Lane’s hospital records from the night of a Labor Day 2006 crash that left a Melbourne Beach man dead.

Police say Lane, 37, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.19 – more than twice the legal limit in Florida – when he crossed a double yellow line on State Road A1A south of Melbourne Beach to pass several vehicles. He struck 56-year-old Sebastian Inlet park ranger Gerald Morelock’s Yamaha mini-motorcycle head-on with his Dodge Ram pickup, authorities said.

Lane, charged with DUI manslaughter, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted at his trial, expected to begin in early 2008.

Assistant State Attorney Samantha Barrett said the prosecution and defense agreed that the state was entitled to Lane’s medical records from Holmes Regional Medical Center, where he was transported and treated following the fatal crash.

The defense, however, objected to the records going public.

Circuit Judge Meryl Allawas ordered the attorneys to draw up a stipulation that the state may not turn over the records to any third party without obtaining a court order, Barrett said.

Prosecutors hope the documents shed light any injuries consistent with Lane being the driver, any admissions Lane may have made regarding the crash, observations of Lane’s physical condition and appearance by medical personnel or the results of any blood tests the hospital may have performed.

 

Read more about this story in tomorrow’s FLORIDA TODAY.

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Contact Summers at 242-3642 or ksummers@floridatoday.com.

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Billy Lane Bikers Breakfast(s) NO More

I listened to Rick Fairless’ radio show for the week of Oct 28th and he had Darcy Betlach as his guest. I was surprised to learn that the breakfast(s) that are held in Daytona for bike week and Sturgis for bike week will NO LONGER carry his name. The breakfast’s will carry the name of different people each time on a rolling basis. Darcy Betlach is the woman behind these events and was Billy’s P.R. person.We understand that relationship has also changed. Darcy is a teriffic gal and a very important force in the motorcycle industry. She said she is now doing some work with Russell Mitchell as well as other things. It was interesting to find out that Russell is a lisenced vetinarian(which we knew) and he was also the Marlboro man which we did not know) It seems Russell’s work in modeling and as the Marlboro man built his stake to open Exile Cycles. Darcy also said that Russell is doing a t.v. show with animals( dogs, cats, etc).She said Russell is a fascinating guy,completely different) than his public personna. This we also knew.

  It seems like Billy is really starting to implode.There is no joy in that kind of information.

                                                                            Beach

Billy Lane’s medical records sought

BY KEYONNA SUMMERS
FLORIDA TODAY

A Brevard judge today will hear prosecutors’ motions seeking the release of Billy Lane’s hospital records – documents the motorcycle builder’s attorneys say are protected by confidentiality laws.

Police say Lane, 37, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.19 – more than twice the legal limit in Florida – when he crossed a double yellow line on State Road A1A south of Melbourne Beach to pass several vehicles and struck 56-year-old Sebastian Inlet park ranger Gerald Morelock’s Yamaha mini-motorcycle head-on with his Dodge Ram pickup.

Lane, charged with DUI manslaughter, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted at his trial, expected to begin in early 2008.

Medical records from Holmes Regional Medical Center, where Lane was transported and treated following the fatal crash, are pertinent to prosecutors’ investigation of the accident, said Assistant State Attorney Tom Brown.

According to Brown, the documents may contain information about any injuries consistent with Lane being the driver, any admissions Lane may have made regarding the crash and observations of Lane’s physical condition and appearance by medical personnel.

Brown is also seeking the results of any blood tests the hospital may have performed.

The hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. before Circuit Judge Meryl Allawas in courtroom 4B of the Moore Justice Center in Viera.

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Contact Summers at 242-3642 or ksummers@floridatoday.com

Billy Lane Hearing Today

Hey,

  There will be a hearing today 10/30/2007 on the medical records of Billy Lane. The Assistant D.A. who is prosecuting the case wants to see the records from the medical center Billy was taken to after the accident which Killed Gerry Morelock. The prosecutors are wanting to see the blood alcohol level Billy regsitered from a test that was taken against his will. The prosecutors also want what peope at the scene noticed about Billy’s condition, whether there is physical evidence that he was driving the truck. The prosecutor also wants access to anything Billy may have said at the scene or/and at the hospital about his role in the accident.Mr. Lane was taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center to be treated and subsequently tested for blood alcohol. At the time of the accident there were reports that emt’s on the scene said Mr. Lane” Reeked” of alcohol.The desire for the blood evidence is obvious.

  Mr. Lane’s attorneys are saying that release of these records is protected by the “confidentiality laws” We don’t know if that is a valid arguement but, we do wonder why Mr. Lane’s attorneys would try and block the release of these records if they were not incriminating. It is of course an attorney’s duty to defend his client by all legal means possible but you have to wonder why, if Mr. Lane was innocent of the charges he would not welcome the relase to exhonorate him. The hearing will take place at 3.p.m. est and we will let you know the judges ruling as soon as we see it.

  As always, the beachcruiser is first with the news or damn close!!!

                                                                                         Beach 

Book Review: Biker’s Handbook

10/26/2007
By Bryan Harley

Motorcycle USA recently got a request to peruse the pages of a new book written by American Thunder producer Jay Barbieri, the “Biker’s Handbook.” Turns out, Barbieri is more than just a masthead for a motorcycle TV show. He really is a biker. He’s been making the rally circuit, building and breaking down bikes since his first Harley he bought when he was 19, which gives him more credibility in writing the book than solely as a Hollywood producer just trying to bank on his popularity. His stories and insight into the scene could only be attributed to living the lifestyle, 24/7, come hell or high water.

Barbieri’s publisher, Motorbooks, touts the paperback as “providing a road map to biker culture for anyone new to the experience.” His road map is filled with sage advice and helpful information, supported by humorous anecdotes and personal experience. Through Barbieri’s willingness to expose his past trials and tribulations, people new to the scene can decide for themselves whether or not the two-wheeled way of life is for them.

Readers are provided a sound foundation of do’s and don’ts between vignettes of moto history. When Barbieri states that first-time motorcycle buyers should hold off from buying a bunch of aftermarket parts right after they purchase their bike, people should listen. He’s been there, done that. Just look at his pimped-out 1987 Softail on page 31 and you’ll see that he knows what he’s talking about.

Rally rookies can also learn from the “Biker’s Handbook.” He lists the big three - Daytona, Laconia, Sturgis, and provides a glimpse at what to expect from each. He lets riders know that it’s OK to ship your bike to a rally, helping dispel the myth that if you don’t ride you’re a wuss. His advice to rent a house if you’re going to be attending with a group of buddies also rings true. It’s an economically sound decision if the expense is divided between friends and is much easier to come and go from. And if you plan on partying to the wee hours, you can do so at your discretion more so than at a hotel where the sounds of your revelry would easily travel through thin hotel walls and keep the family with kids next door who actually want to sleep up all night.

Barbieri’s stories about Daytona and Bike Week are by far the best reading in the book. When his buddy Darryl busts his bike up and Barbieri and friends pull an all-nighter to piece his ride back together, the brotherhood of biking is demonstrated at its best. His Sturgis stories are almost as good, like the tale of Ralphie the transvestite, which I guarantee is good for a laugh. Barbieri’s sense of humor is evident throughout the book.

What helps bring Barbieri’s work to life are the abundant black and white photos. It was a smart move to give the reader a visual foundation of the friends and faces and places that have helped shape his past. They add validity to his stories. Toss in tons of cartoons and caricatures of him and his buddies in different predicaments and you’ve got a book that is visually entertaining and fun to read.

But I do have some points of contention. In the early chapters especially, Barbieri establishes an authoritative tone. In respect to that tone, it is imperative that you get your facts straights.

In Chapter 1, ironically entitled “Get it Right,” the incident at Hollister wasn’t solely a “bunch of hardened vets who lived in Hollister, California.” There were a lot more than just locals that converged on Hollister that weekend. If so, then every person that lived in the town would have been considered a biker. The motorcyclists congregating for the annual Gypsy Tour motorcycle races and hill climbs at Veterans Memorial Park were from across California and neighboring states. Though Barbieri points out that it did start the rash of bad PR that bikers received after that, it would have been helpful to let people know more of the incident’s history and how a San Francisco Chronicle reporter staged the infamous photo associated with the event and how the press helped over exaggerate the events of that day.

Another area of discrepancy is when he lists makers of American V-Twin bikes and Arlen Ness is incorrectly associated with Big Dog Motorcycles. While Arlen Ness does have his own production line, Big Dog was started by Sheldon Coleman, of Coleman camping equipment fame. The businesses are separate entities. It looks like they forget to put in a line break after listing Arlen Ness, and Big Dog should have fallen to the next sentence, which places some of the blame on the editors.

And while Barbieri warns against propagating the myth of the stereotypical biker, his repeated use of expletives and the abundance of pictures of him wearing his patch-laden leather jacket contradict his own advice. He recommends that newbies to the culture shouldn’t walk into a restaurant “talking extra loud and using bad language to make everyone think you’re a big bad biker” (page 91), but his repeated use of the f-word in the book makes him guilty of breaking his own rules. I’m not above letting the f-word fly out my own mouth on occasion, but in the book it should have been used more sparingly and only when it emphasized a point in the story.

As far as the jacket goes, he also advises that it’s not necessary to wear your riding jacket to the local store (page 92) so that everyone knows you’re a biker, but then the book is riddled with numerous shots of him wearing his leather everywhere. Granted, the editors most likely had the final say in most of the pictures that were selected for the book and probably steered his word choice toward the rough-edged prose, but it does nothing to contradict the tough guy biker fallacy.

Overall, the book was a light-hearted, humorous read. It has an attractive layout and Barbieri’s immersion in the biker culture is evident. It is a good book for the audience it targets, the person who is new or curious about the whole aura that surrounds being a biker. Motorcyclists that have lived the lifestyle might not get as much out of it, but can definitely relate on a personal level to Barbieri’s exploits. On a scale of one to ten, I’d rate the book a seven. But don’t listen to me. Buy it for yourself and make your own conclusions. After reading his book, I’m sure Barbieri would want it that way.

“Biker’s Handbook”by Jay Barbieri is available in bookstores everywhere or through www.motorbooks.com

Retail: $19.95 U.S., $23.95 Canada

Published by Motorbooks in October 2007

source Motorcycle USA

SEMA 2007:New small block powered quadracycle by Bourget’s Bike Works

Bourget’s Bike Works, manufacturers of highly sought after custom motorcycles and accessories, announced the newest addition to the 2008 model lineup crossing the boundaries into the personal transportation marketplace. On display at SEMA is the 2008 Bourget’s Shredder F-80. The Shredder F-80 is the industry’s first limited production V8 powered quadra-cycle being offered from Bourget’s Bike Works beginning January 2008.

With the look and feel of an open riding position similar to a motorcycle, but the ride,performance, and handling of a high-end sports car, the Shredder bridges the gap of these two types of vehicles appealing to many buyers wanting to ride a bike without the risk and worries of balancing on two wheels. Using many parts from the automotive industry including a small block Chevrolet V8, suspension, and steering components, this vehicle appeals to many consumers in the Hot Rod industry looking for a unique vehicle to customize and enhance. Future options will include a number of engine and transmission choices that allow the end user to achieve gas mileage as high as 50MPG.

“As the personal transportation market continues to grow, I wanted to build a new breed of vehicle that customers can get excited about, feel comfortable about riding, and customize it like the hot rods of the past with relative ease” said Roger Bourget, President of Bourget’s Bike Works, “These machines will appeal to a new breed of open-air rider, and change the future landscape of the performance market.”

SPECIFICATIONS:

- Limited Production of 25 Per Year
- MSRP - Starting at $90,000.00 USD
- 425 Horsepower, 383 Fast Burn Chevrolet Crate Motor
- Turbo 350 Automatic Transmission
- Winters “Quick Change” Rear End
- Porsche 930 CV Joints
- 4-Wheel Independent Suspension
- Power Rack and Pinion Steering
- All Aluminum Body
- Custom 17 x 12 Aluminum Wheels with AVON 330 Tires

[source jalopnik]

Custom Builder: Detroit Bros.

Custom Builder: Detroit Bros.
10/25/2007
By Bart Madson

 

Detroit is world-renowned as the Motor City. Driving down the wide city streets past the towering Art Deco skyscrapers downtown to assembly plants that are still scattered through the suburbs, there’s no doubt that this is a city made and broken by the automotive industry.

But during a visit to Detroit earlier this year, our vehicular industry search was of the two-wheeled variety, with the manufacturing production at a much, much smaller scale. Motoring out of downtown Detroit on Woodward Avenue we crossed the notorious 8 Mile Road and headed North into the suburb of Ferndale. We knew we had found what we were looking for when we spotted shining chrome and obvious aftermarket adornments on a two-wheeled custom creation parked on the sidewalk. We had arrived at the shop doors of Detroit Bros.

Brothers James and Dave Kaye have been running Detroit Bros. since 2002, with the siblings creating some of the more memorable custom bikes we’ve seen. Our first encounter with Detroit Bros. was at the 2007 Easyrider’s Custom Show in Portland, but many readers will no doubt recognize the young brotherly duo from their two performances on the now defunct Discovery Channel Biker Build-Off.

Although in business for five years now, the real beginnings of the Detroit Bros. story stretches back to the Kaye family garage, where the two brothers were instilled with a creative drive and a love of all things industrial from their father.

“We were always kind of influenced by hotrods and stuff like that growing up in Detroit,” says James. “My dad was always into art and building different kinds of cars in the garage and stuff. He got us into sheetmetal and bodywork.”

As for their interest in motorcycles, the boys just fell into it.

“We got into bikes when we got old enough to ride them,” recalls Dave. “I always had a Ducati and he (James) always had a BMW, and we had a Sportster we cut up… so we’ve kind of always been into it.”

While they are brothers, the two Kaye boys have different personas. In their early thirties, Dave is the younger of the two and a graduate of the University of Michigan Business School, except this businessman has traded a three-piece suit for jeans, t-shirt and playful mohawk. With a black goatee, James looks the part of an older brother, although his Misfits t-shirt matches his brother’s punk/alternative look. While both brothers were inspired by their father, their melding of art and industry was further enhanced when each attended the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit.

The Kaye boys took career detours, however, before starting up Detroit Bros. together. Dave’s business degree found him on the floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange as an options trader, while James had headed out to the West Coast to hone his skills as a fabricator. Having trained as a sculptor at CCS, James had hitched up with Russell Mitchell at the California custom builder’s Exile Cycles shop. After a while, however, the Michigan native realized that it just wasn’t for him.

“I feel like I learned a lot and it made me feel like I really wanted to do my own thing,” says James of his experience at Exile. “It was a small shop, so I really got to see how to run a small motorcycle business. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough of a creative outlet for me. I needed to be in control and have some decision-making power.”

Dave also found his profession lacking in fulfillment, so the brothers returned back to Michigan and founded Detroit Bros., building kickstands, gas caps, and anything else they could fabricate out of their own personal garage. From those humble beginnings, the Kaye boys started tinkering with their first ground-up custom build.

“The custom bikes were cool, but when we started we didn’t really have any money,” recalls Dave. “So we just kind of hobbled together our first bike with swap meet parts and an old shovelhead engine, and just stuff we could get for free or on trade or whatever.”

After two years the duo finished their first original and also moved into their current shop location in Ferndale. Just as they were settling in, the brothers’ big break came when they were featured on Discovery’s Biker Build-Off where they faced off against James’ former employer, Russell Mitchell from Exile Cycles.

“We’d built a handful of bikes before and one of our custom bikes, and based off that bike they gave us a spot on that show,” says Dave on their Build-Off success. “So that put us on the map and gave us instant exposure, and the second one just kind of helped our credibility.”

While the exposure on television and in the press are good for business, Dave insists that he tries to steer clear of allowing the industry to determine the DB style.

“I try not to even read the magazines, because I just don’t like to be too influenced by what other people are doing,” says Dave, who does much of the company’s product design. “And I don’t mean that in an elitist kind of way, I just mean that if I got an idea for a front end or something that I’m trying to work through in my head and I see that somebody else did something like it, I’ll be like, ‘now I can’t do that.’ I want to keep all our ideas fresh and unbiased.”

Stylewise, the Kaye brothers are yet another representative of the next generation of custom builders. Like the well-known Roland Sands or less renowned Nash Motorcycles, which have been featured here at MotorcycleUSA.com, Detroit Bros. have their own younger, more contemporary take on the “custom” motorcycle. You won’t see these two rolling up in ass-less chaps and leather jackets sporting H-D logos on them. Instead you’re more apt to find James or Dave crouched down in their low-slung designs in jeans and skate shoes. So just what is the source of their inspiration?

“Probably all the LSD I did as a kid,” deadpans James, before breaking into laughter. “No, I’d say a little bit of Ron Finch, little bit of Russell Mitchell…(both former employers) also some fine artists that I learned about and sculptors at CCS.”

“We’ve always liked the same type of bikes, the Mad Max industrial-style bikes,” adds Dave. “We never had to have a discussion about it. We just started out having the same vision I guess. We disagree here and there but generally speaking we’re really in tune in terms of the vision.”

An example of the Detroit Bros. style can be seen on the green build which we spotted outside their shop. The custom was a bike that one of Dave’s Chicago buddies handed over for the brothers to rebuild. The Sportster had already been built up, but Dave and James obliged their old friend’s request to freshen it up with some Detroit Bros. flair and the finished product sure doesn’t look like any Sporty we’ve ever seen.

Although still a work in progress with an unfinished seat, the bike is a showcase for the Detroit Bros. parts catalog. The polished aluminum Eliminate Wheels are DB originals, with braking components from Roland Sands’ Performance Machine shop. The front end has been modified, keeping the Sportster tubes and sliders but with the Kaye brothers fabricating the fork stop caps, triple trees, headlight, risers and handlebars. The fuel tank also survived from the original Sportster, but DB provides the new gas cap, as well as forward controls and upper engine mount.

The bike’s rolling chassis features Detroit Bros.’s Drop Seat frame, which is the shop’s signature component. Almost every bike leaving the Ferndale garage utilizes some variation of the rigid design and its distinctive lines can be purchased from Detroit Bros. online for as little as $999.99.

As far as engines are concerned, the Kaye brothers keep an open attitude. They’ve built custom bikes around existing motors, but they’ve also tapped out S&S or TP Engineering mills as well, with an S&S Twin powering the bike above.

The brothers also aren’t shy about sourcing vintage components if they like the looks. A prime example of this is the gas tank you’ll see on many DB customs. Although they hold the Detroit Bros. badge, they are in fact from the Harley-Davidson Rapido - a 125cc dirtbike sold by The Motor Co during the late 60s and early 70s. If you can’t find a replacement fuel tank for your old Rapido, blame Dave and James, because they’ve been snatching them up online for years and are now having a difficult time finding the retro tanks themselves. In fact, if you got one handy, you might be able to pick up some quick cash from the Kaye boys.

The future of Detroit Bros. is wide open, with both brothers mentioning the possibility of a production line at some point.

“I want a production line of bikes but where no two are ever exactly the same,” says Dave. “I mean more than just paint job. I mean different exhausts, different components, so we’re not just building the same bike over and over again.”

James has even greater expectations, one where Detroit Bros. is able to transform into one of the old-school original manufacturers from the early days of motorcycles. An operation that casts its own engine, and builds a small run of bikes all in-house. For now Detroit Bros. is dealing with the typical growing pains of a successful small motorcycle shop, balancing high demand for its product with its six-man crew.

“It’s had its up and downs,” admits James, “but when we put ourselves aside and work as a team, I really feel like we’re unstoppable.”

With a successful parts line and plenty of work orders coming in for their one-off builds, the Kaye brothers don’t figure to fall off the custom builder map anytime soon.

For more information about the Detroit Bros. and the shop’s list of available parts check out www.detroitbros.com.

American Road Shop Gives Away New HD Sportster

Contributes to The Children’s Leukemia Foundation 

Highland, MICH. – October 15, 2007 – American Road Shop Bike Night’s recurring theme is “Lifestyle is a choice.” The choice was clear for many bikers to head to 59 West in Highland, Michigan, on Tuesday nights from May to September and take part in weekly bike contests, raffles and the chance to win a brand new Harley-Davidson Sportster from ABC Harley Davidson. They also held a 50/50 drawing for the third year in a row with 50% of the proceeds going to the winner and 50% to the Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan (CLF), which was over $2000 this year.

Thanks to ABC Harley Davidson’s involvement, this marked the third year that American Road Shop gave away a FREE Sportster. Tickets to enter the drawing were free, one per person each Tuesday. A rotating bike contest was held each week, with awards given for the most chrome, the longest bike, the oldest bike driven up and the best amateur custom. Each winner received a $25 gift certificate from American Road Shop and a $25 certificate from 59 West. Also, every Tuesday throughout the summer, names were drawn for door prizes, Bike Night Tee Shirts, vendor giveaways and more. With 100-150 bikes on an average night to 350 bikes and about 500 people on the final night, the third year of American Road Shop’s Bike Night, co-sponsored by ABC Harley-Davidson and Coors Light, was extremely successful. 

59 West is Oakland County’s best kept secret, with a bistro & billiards bar, fine dining restaurant, 7,000 sq. ft. fitness facility and two huge banquet halls. This is the third year they hosted the American Road Shop Bike Night, and also the third year that all the raffle proceeds went to the Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan (CLF).

American Road Shop co-owner Tim Beaubien said, “The last bike night of the year is always a big night for us, we give the bike away and we tally the final count for CLF. This year was particularly gratifying, not only did we have the best year donation for CLF but both Barb and myself had people coming up to us and thanking us for hosting this bike night. That made all the work worth it.”

About American Road Shop

American Road Shop was started by Tim Beaubien and his wife Barb to bring to the motorcycling community unique gifts and accessories that enhance the road trip and our sport in general. Many of the products they offer are manufactured by bikers for bikers. They take pride in selling products that have merit and that they can stand behind in both quality & function. If you are in the Waterford, MI area, stop and visit their 3400 sq ft store at 7554 Highland Road, Waterford, MI 48327, located on Highland Rd. (M-59) just east of Williams Lake Rd. or you can visit them online at www.americanroadshop.com

About the Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan

Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan was founded in Detroit in 1952 by a group of parents who had each suffered the loss of a child due to leukemia. Together, this group resolved to support other families stricken with this devastating illness. Since that time, CLF has helped thousands of families fight life-threatening illnesses, and has grown to a statewide agency that provides information, financial assistance, and support to children and adults affected by leukemia, lymphoma, and related blood disorders.

About 59 West

59 West is by far one of the nicest facilities in our area with a total of 43,000 sq ft. The bike nights are held in the center pool hall and bar where you can get a great meal as well as enjoy 10 tournament sized pool tables, 4 dart boards, many large screen TV’s and much more. The complex also offers a state of the art workout & fitness center, 2 beautiful banquet halls and a night club / fine dining restaurant. They are located at 786 West Highland Road, Highland, MI 48357 and can be reached at 248-889-3004.

 

–
J. Ken Conte
Rise Above Consulting LLC
(970)227-3588
1717 Deweese St.
Ft. Collins, CO 80526

A locally owned full service public relations and marketing company specializing in media relations and brand building.

Harley CEO uses “recession” word to describe woes

Fri Oct 19 17:27:36 UTC 2007
By James B. Kelleher

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The top executive of U.S. motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc <HOG.N> raised the prospect on Friday that the U.S. economy is sliding into recession as he talked about his company’s disappointing third-quarter results.

Jim Ziemer, chief executive of the Milwaukee-based company, in an interview with Reuters following the release of Harley’s latest earnings called the current business climate “tough” as falling house prices have soured consumer sentiment and cut into sales of pricey toys like motorcycles and motorhomes.

“We’ve got a great product and a great company that up until now has been recession-resistant,” Ziemer told Reuters. “But we never said it would be that forever. And at least in the United States we’re feeling some of the impact.”

Ziemer’s comments came on the same day that machinery giant Caterpillar Inc <CAT.N> reported disappointing results and lowered its forecast for full-year earnings, citing, in part, “recessions” in several of its key U.S. end markets, including housing, trucking and non-metals mining.

Harley-Davidson Inc <HOG.N> earlier on Friday said its earnings fell more than 15 percent as a result of what it characterized as “sluggish” sales in the United States, its biggest market.

Ziemer said that in Harley’s case, the weakness was “broad based whether we look at the products or the regions.”

He said Harley’s announcement last month that it was cutting production was a reflection of the more difficult environment it’s operating in and the company’s commitment to protecting the brand. And he seemed to raise the possibility of additional action if the economy continues to deteriorate.

“As we look forward, we just want to be cautious and very prudent about the way we run the business,” he said. “That’s why we made the production cuts we did for the back half of this year. And we’ll continue to look at what the economy brings us.”
 

Tags: Harley+Davidson

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