20/04/2011 by info.

Unknown Choppers’ newest frame is the X-Line, which features an arched backbone that goes through the down tubes to the bottom of the neck.

The frames, which are made in-house from 1.25in DOM seamless tubing, can be ordered for rigid or rubber mount Sportster drivetrains and with custom rake, stretch, rear tire size and many more options.

The X-line is also available from Unknown Choppers as a roller, complete with front end and wheel package. The frames and rollers are supplied with an MSO.

UNKNOWN CHOPPERS, INC.
Garland, Texas, USA
Tel: 469 274 1802

E-mail: sales@unknownchoppers.com
www.unknownchoppers.com

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20/04/2011 by info.

Press release follows:

Polaris Industries Inc. today announced the acquisition of Indian Motorcycle. The business was acquired from Indian Motorcycle Limited (“IML”), a company advised by Stellican Limited and Novator Partners LLP, U.K. Private Equity firms. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“We are excited to be part of the revitalization of a quintessentially American brand,” said Scott Wine, CEO of Polaris Industries Inc. “Indian built America’s first motorcycle. With our technology and vision, we are confident we will deliver the classic Indian motorcycle, enhanced by the quality and performance for which Polaris and Victory are known.”

With this acquisition, Polaris adds one of motorcycling’s legendary brands to its strong stable of Victory cruiser and touring bikes. Indian will operate as an autonomous business unit, building upon the potent combination of Polaris’ engineering acumen and innovative technology with Indian’s premium brand, iconic design and rich American heritage.

“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Polaris. Polaris will utilize its well-known strengths in engineering, manufacturing, and distribution to complete the mission we undertook upon re-launching the brand in 2006: harness the enormous potential of the Indian brand,” said Stephen Julius, chairman of Indian and managing director of Stellican. “Polaris is the most logical owner of Indian Motorcycle. Indian’s heritage brand will allow Polaris to aggressively compete across an expanded spectrum of the motorcycle market.”

Novator Partners LLP is a London based alternative investment firm founded and led by the investor Mr. Thor Bjorgolfsson. An avid motorcycle enthusiast, Mr. Bjorgolfsson said “After a troubled past, our goal was to bring the legendary Indian bikes back on the roads. The initial phase of that project is done and now our great partners at Polaris will carry on the work to realize the full potential of this classic American brand.”

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19/04/2011 by info.

Staged at Russia’s largest motorcycle expo, Motopark, held in the Crocus Expo Centre, this year’s Moscow Custom & Tuning Show (April 1-3) attracted a record turnout of 41 entries spread across the widest geographical area yet. Motopark itself maintained the same number of exhibitors as last year, this year featuring booths from Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles, and attracted an increased number of visitors.

After making a huge impact on the international stage last year, as Affiliate winners Yuri Shif and Fine Custom Mechanics achieved third and ninth place respectively at the World Championship in Sturgis, Russia will have a new representative in 2011 as the Best in Show title and ticket to Sturgis was won by local authorized dealer Moscow Harley-Davidson’s Aleksander ‘Fitil’ Fitisov.

His bike, ‘V-Glide’, started life as a V-Rod but now features a hand-made one-off steel frame with variable rake and constant trail. The unique steering system operates via an on-board computer and activates by four actuators with feedback. All the aluminium bodywork is also by Fitil.

Runner-up was Sergey Levsha of Night Wolves MC with ‘Nazgul’, a skeleton-themed radical custom with sidecar, with T&V Custom third. Winner of the Modified Harley-Davidson class was Orekhovo Custom Art.

A second builder travelling to Sturgis (without his bike) will be Oleg Skvortsov of Demons of Calm, who won MOTO Magazine’s sponsored travel expenses prize for the best ‘budget’ bike.

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05/04/2011 by info.

Whether internet speculation or just a sad fact, the different reports of Big Dog Motorcycles taking its final ride is certainly a sign of the motorcycle times.

The reason behind the news, a report from the motorcycle manufacturer’s hometown of Wichita, Kansas and a post on a high profile blog.

Big Dog Motorcycles was founded in 1994 and produces custom style choppers carrying names like Bulldog, Pitbull and Ridgeback. In 2006, Big Dog manufactured its 20,000th motorcycle.

The official word of Big Dog’s recent trouble came from a report in the Wichita Eagle stating the company cut 10 production workers and now has 22 employees. Reportedly, Big Dog hasn’t produced any motorcycles since last year and the company was filling orders for parts and other supplies.

But the popular custom motorcycle blog Cyril Huze wrote of a much darker picture for the small independent motorcycle company on Monday claiming they had called different dealerships carrying the line of bikes to tell them ‘that they are done.’

Big Dog’s President Mike Simmons claims that’s not the case.

“We’re still open just like we were last week,” Simmons told the Wichita Business Journal. He did however defer any discussion of the future of the company to its owner Sheldon Coleman.

We all wait further developments….

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