24/01/2007 by info.

The “R-Bike” is billed as a Robotic Shape-Shifting MotorCycle. It adjusts it’s wheel base longer or shorter, causing the seat height and rake shorten or lengthen. Here’s a quote from the website…

Imagine leaving the house on your MotorCycle in “Standard” mode. As you leave the side streets and enter the open highway, you shape-shift into a Cruiser and take the highway out of town. The ride gets long and so for comfort you switch to Touring mode. After many miles, you take an exit onto rural two-lane twisty roads and see a dirt and gravel road on your left, so you shape-shift into an Enduro and take the turn ….

Here are some specifications…

1. Regular, Hemi or Diesel (750cc and 1000cc)
2. No rusting materials anywhere …. inside or out.
3. Extremely over-engineered to last as long as possible.
4. Variable length intake
5. Variable length exhaust
6. Multi-link suspension ON BOTH ENDS!
7. No chain tensioner needed
8. Center of mass retained by shifting the engine
9. Mimics shapes of each bike style precisely, from Chopper, Cruiser, Tourer, Enduro, Deep Woods

The design is in concept form, but according to the designer, the next stage is to look for investors, and then actually put it into production. Visit the website for more info… http://erikbrinkman.com/rbike/

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23/01/2007 by info.

The current crop of custom bike builders is a lot like rock stars. They have to come up with a bike that is on the cutting edge to make people notice but also keep its design within the conventions of contemporary design so that it will appeal to a greater market. They’re much like musicians who have to think up songs that are similar to their original sound so they can keep their current listeners happy. On the other hand, the tune has to be different enough to be considered fresh and new. As with some of the great independent/unsigned bands, builders can be extremely knowledgeable about their craft and receive little or no recognition.It’s easy to see the parallels between popular music and builders. For example, Hank Young could be a musician who likes songs from the ’30s to the ’50s and relates them to contemporary sounds, the way his bikes incorporate old ’30s car parts with a newer-style Evo motor. El Pitts, owner of Vegas City Choppers, would be something like blues fused with rock and a little funk. Johnny Chop was punk rock and old country-western; his minimalist themes and old technology would fit into that category perfectly. Arlen Ness through the ’70s and ’80s would be experimental, testing the range of building much like the rock and roll of the Beatles in the early ’70s. Dave Perewitz and Donnie Smith fall in with good ol’ classic rock with their classic custom-bike lines and paint.

A bike can be built that is technically perfect and runs great, but if the builder lacks imagination (or great marketing), the public won’t pay attention. Manufacturers and shops know how much marketing it takes to get a shop or manufacturer noticed—and some of the most talented shops aren’t interested in making a name for themselves; they just want to build good-looking bikes that run well. The same goes for musicians. A band that only performs covers of other bands’ music will never make it because its members aren’t thinking up anything new—even if they’re playing the songs better than the originals did.Good or bad, each shop and manufacturer is fighting for exposure by building a bike that the media and public can’t resist. Just like a song or an album that puts a band on the map, the same can happen for a shop and a style of bike. Look at Russell Mitchell’s sanitary, black-only bike style, or Matt Hotch’s smooth, flowing sheetmetal and hidden lines. Even Orange County choppers have a distinct style that the informed can easily pick out from a crowd.

So just because your local shop hasn’t been on TV or in any magazines doesn’t mean that they’re doing bad work. Keep in mind that some of the best music is played by unknown musicians, and in the end the good local mechanic that can tune your bike to sound like music to your ears is just as important as all the rock stars out there.

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23/01/2007 by info.

Rucker Performance has unveiled a customer program that redefines the benchmark for customer satisfaction—from the time of the sale to the ride. The FLY-N-BUY program will include a complete round-trip ticket, one night’s stay in Fort Worth, and a factory visit for customers interested in purchasing the new Assassin model.Included in the visit are airport service to the Rucker Performance factory; lunch with founder Bill Rucker; a factory tour; a test ride on the Assassin; custom fitting for handlebars, controls, and seat; and a design consultation to choose the bike’s signature colors along with graphics and paint scheme.

The Assassin is the first OEM-produced motorcycle to run the all-new S&S 124 Twin Cam VFI closed-loop, fuel-injected compression motor as a standard feature. The Assassin also features the new Rucker Performance air-adjustable Air Cushion suspension, an all-billet swingarm, 300 rear tire, and Goldammer front suspension. To find out more about this program and Rucker Performance, contact Rucker Performance at (817) 838-3200, or visit www.ruckerperformance.com.

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23/01/2007 by info.

Tom Zimberoff, author of Art of the Chopper, has a special treat for you: He’s making all his images of your favorite builders available for you to decorate your garage, shop, or rumpus room. Many exclusive items of the highest-quality motorcycle merchandise will ultimately be available at www.ArtoftheChopper.com, with the first offerings including two high-quality, 24×36-inch lithographs of Billy Lane and the late, great Indian Larry. These images can’t be found anywhere else and will be joined by autographed copies of Art of the Chopper, as well as limited and signed editions of Zimberoff’s original photographs.

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23/01/2007 by info.

American IronHorse has completely redesigned its ‘07 Slammer model. The new bike features a crazy split gas tank that exposes the frame’s backbone, a 300mm rear tire, dual PM six-piston differential-bore calipers, and up to a 124ci S&S motor.

For more information, visit your local IronHorse dealer, or visit the company’s website at www.americanironhorse.com

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22/01/2007 by info.

Hardbikes is pleased to announce the introduction of its RC 200, an easy-on-the-pocketbook chopper with looks, value, and power to burn. Designed as an introductory custom motorcycle, its components include parts from Weld Wheels, Hawg Halters, and Tech Starters, along with a Torian exhaust pipe by D&D Performance, Primo beltdrives, and a Rivera clutch for a base price of $22,500.

The base unit comes with an old-school single-downtube rigid frame, 4-inch backbone stretch, 6-inch downtube stretch, and 38 degrees of rake. A brilliant 96-inch S&S engine with IST ignition transfers power to an LSD five-speed tranny that smokes the 200mm meat in the back. The chopper’s retro design signifies a combination of ’60s looks and 21st-century technology, providing a ride that not only looks good but also turns, stops, and accelerates like a cruiser.

Hardbikes buyers build their own bike by logging on to the Hardbikes website and selecting parts from a huge list in a program called the Design Wizard. After the design is complete, owners then sit down with their local dealer/designer to be *** for the bike according to their physical dimensions and riding style.

For more information, contact Hardbikes at (724) 981-7000, or visit www.hardbikes.com.

Article courtesy of Hot Bike Magazine.

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22/01/2007 by info.

You’re in Texas. You want a cool party and a hot bike to gawk at. Where do you go? Rick Fairless’ Strokers Dallas and Strokers Ice House, naturally.

Taking up 35,000 square feet in Dallas, the Strokers compound is home to Rick Fairless’ award-winning dealership and service department, along with a fabrication shop, parts and apparel shop, and of course the Strokers Ice House bar and grill. Whether you’re planning to buy a bike, get some new gear, or just relax and have a beer, Strokers is the place to be. Every Sunday thousands of bikers come together for the “Sunday Tradition” to enjoy cold beer, hot babes, and cool bikes while listening to great live music.

Even if you can’t make it on Sunday, there are events going on every night at Strokers Ice House, including lingerie night, Texas Hold ’Em poker, and bikini night. And don’t forget to stop by for the 11th Anniversary Party, which will be held October 6-8, 2006. It’s sure to be a good time for all.

For more information, contact Strokers Dallas at (214) 357-0707, or visit www.strokersdallas.com

Article courtesy of Hot Bike Magazine.

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22/01/2007 by info.

If cool is the look you’re going for, then old-school motorcycles were the way to go in 2006—and AMC1902 believes this trend will continue. Nimble, lightweight, and fast, the new ’06-’07 “Ol’ School Bobber” will be offered to customers in either the 96ci S&S or the 110ci RevTech motor. All Ol’ School bikes are rigids with a left-side chain drive utilizing a standard six-speed transmission. The Ol’ School Bobber comes with a killer Springer frontend that stands out in a crowd.

For more information, contact American Motorcycle 1902 at (714) 289-4792, or visit www.amc1902.com

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22/01/2007 by info.

Uniquely designed by Cyril, this Spade velocity stack will look extremely cool on choppers & bobbers, and will increase air flow. It includes a non restrictive screen and mounting hardware to the carb.

Machined from a solid block of 6061 aluminum, highly polished, then beautifully chrome plated. Fits S&S E & G and most custom applications.

The perfect complement to Cyril’s Spade sidemount tag light. Visit Pro-Street Cycles for more info.

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22/01/2007 by info.

D&D Performance Enterprises helped Bikernet.com celebrate its 10-year anniversary by sponsoring Bikernet’s world’s-fastest panhead sportbike, called the “Salt Shaker.” Bikernet’s pilot, Valerie Thompson, set a new national record of 141.465 mph during the Bonneville Speed Trials by BUB. As the week progressed, the team ran as fast as 145 mph, putting the Salt Shaker in the record books.

To support Bikernet and the 5 Ball Racing team, D&D Performance Exhaust produced a stepped pipe design that starts out at 1-3/4 inch and increases to 1-7/8 to 2 inches and flares into a 2-1/8-inch outlet pipe diameter. The design of the land-speed racing pipe was integral to the performance of the Accurate Engineering panhead high-performance engine.

“We couldn’t have done it without D&D,” explained Keith “Bandit“ Ball, owner of Bikernet.com. “Dave Rash, president of D&D Performance Enterprises, consulted with Berry Wardlaw of Accurate on the design and flow of the heads to come up with the best possible formula.”

The Salt Shaker racebike is a John Reed–designed Custom Chrome sportbike chassis, powered by an Accurate Engineering 120-inch panhead engine, D&D Performance Exhaust LSR pipes, Baker six-speed transmission, and BDL beltdrive. The world’s first and fastest panhead sportbike was constructed by Bandit and John VanTrump in the Bikernet Headquarters. The entire chassis is Custom Chrome with the exception of a La Pera seat.

For 2007, Bandit is optimistic, saying, “We want a open-chassis panhead to slip through the traps at over 200 mph.”

Article courtesy of Hot Bike Magazine.

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