[1] 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….