30/09/2008 by info.

American IronHorse (AIH), which was acquired three months ago by Scott Meyers, is undergoing a range of changes aimed at re-establishing the brand.

The new management at the company has rehired key staff to support warranty, parts, paint, and technical departments. Changes to the production facility are also underway, streamlining the plant’s overall footprint from 224,000 sq. ft. to 90,000 sq. ft.

A new dealer program is being put into place, with key markets in the US being targeted. Talking about the dealer program, Meyers said: “In addition to our loyal IronHorse riders, our dealer network has shown terrific support and proved their dedication to the survival of the brand.”

More significantly, new models are nearing completion. A Pro Street-styled prototype was debuted in Sturgis, and a second will be shown at Biketoberfest in Daytona, October 16-19. Both prototypes utilize the S&S X-Wedge 117ci engine. Commenting on AIH’s product development, Jeff Long, Vice President of Design, said: “We are committed to the progressive design, performance and heritage that makes American IronHorse a premium brand in the market.”

The last few weeks have seen excess and obsolete inventory not purchased by Scott Meyers liquidated by the former ownership group.

The new models will join the existing bike line, which is made up of four models: the Texas Chopper, Slammer, Bandera and Judge.

www.americanironhorse.com

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25/09/2008 by info.

MEDIA, PA (AP) — John McCain picked up a surprise gift Tuesday, an Orange County Chopper motorcycle, courtesy of the stars of the “American Chopper” reality TV series who roared in to present it to the Republican presidential hopeful.

Father and son co-stars Paul and Paulie “Junior” Teutul, whose show about building custom bikes together is a popular Learning Channel staple, appeared at McCain’s rally in this Philadelphia suburb to honor him with a special bike they’d built to recognize Vietnam-era prisoners of war.

McCain, a former Navy pilot, spent five and a half years in a Vietnam prison camp after being shot down in 1967.

His running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, introduced the Teutuls and noted that Paul Sr., like McCain, is a Vietnam veteran.

The elder Teutul briefly addressed the crowd. “How many people out there love their country and the military?” he asked to loud cheers.

McCain clearly was pleased with the gesture.

“Sarah and I are going to get on that chopper and ride it straight to Washington!” he said.

Staffers to the Arizona senator later said the chopper would remain with the Teutuls and continue to serve as a tribute to all POWs.

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24/09/2008 by info.

Came across this great video of David Mann Easyrider Centerfolds and featuring music from Bob Seger.  David Mann was THE best biker lifestyle artist of all time….. for me his images captured the very essence of what being a biker is all about!  R.I.P. dude!

Roll Me Away

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17/09/2008 by info.

Take a look at the video and let us know what you think!

Italian Police Display!

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17/09/2008 by info.

TRICKY Air & Billet has reworked its stainless steel shocks used in its air-ride suspension systems.

The company is now producing the shocks for Harley and custom application as two separate units instead of a single one-piece unit.

The change has been made in response to the company’s research into the variations in frame design around the shock mount area. Arnie Gonzalez, Owner and President of Tricky Air & Billet, said of the redesign: “Since we made this separation change to our shocks we have noticed a huge improvement in the wear factor between the shaft and bushing seals. Splitting of our once ‘tied together’ unit lets our shocks find their individual location more freely in the bike while still delivering true center hole to center hole precise measurements.”

Additionally, the company is beginning work on a line of triple trees to allow its Hayabusa front forks to be fitted to Road Kings and other Harleys.

TRICKY AIR & BILLET
Finger, Tennessee, USA
Tel: 866 922 3533
Fax: 731 934 9473
E-mail: arnie@trickyair.com
www.trickyair.com

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17/09/2008 by info.

“A landmark event in the company’s 15-year history” is what CEO Sheldon Coleman calls this year’s Big Dog Motorcycles dealer meeting. Currently being held at the firm’s home in Wichita, KS, the motorcycle manufacturer’s dealer meeting is the springboard for launching three new models.

Met with the most excitement by dealers was the all-new 2009 Bulldog bagger. Shown initially without a fairing, after many hours in wind tunnel testing, Big Dog is in the final design stages of a proprietary fairing that will include a Sirius satellite radio and iPod docking. The Bulldog will come complete with lockable hardbags, a rubber-mounted 117ci fuel injected S&S motor, Baker 6-speed transmission, floorboards, nitrogen gas Works shocks and a 5 gallon gas tank. The bike will also run on a 250mm rear tire with 21″ rubber up front.

Also introduced was the new 2009 Coyote. While sharing the same basic platform as the highly successful Mutt, the new Coyote will include many upgrades along with a lower MSRP.

Also shown for the first time was the first production run model of the company’s flagship bike, the Wolf. The Wolf will be driven by a 121″ S&S X-Wedge motor and comes with a full chrome package.

As part of the company’s year-long 15th Anniversary celebration, Big Dog Motorcycles is also planning to release a number of highly limited edition bikes based on current models in the line.

BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES
Wichita, Kansas, USA
Tel: 316 267 9121
Fax: 316 267 2597
www.bigdogmotorcycles.com

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09/09/2008 by info.

Gold Coast Bike Week, August 30th 2008

JOE Schembri, a drag racer and custom drag race car fabricator and parts machinist from Glenmore Park, New South Wales, scooped top honors with his first ever custom bike build at the 10th Anniversary Gold Coast Bike Week event, an hour south of Brisbane on Australia’s East Coast.

This was the first year that the Australian custom industry had staged a World Championship Affiliate event. AMD would like to express its thanks to the event organizers, their sponsors, the Championship program’s Official Partners and the Australian custom bike building community itself for helping to make this latest extension of the Affiliate network a success.

The warm welcome with which integration of the Australian custom industry into the World Championship network was received is greatly appreciated and we are delighted to be able to help provide a global showcase opportunity for the outstanding craftsmanship and practical design and engineering thinking that Australia’s builders are already noted for.

The win scores Schembri an AU $10,000.00 expenses contribution towards competing at the 2009 Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building at next year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (Champions Park, Lazelle/3trd, Sturgis, August 2nd through 5th 2009) from Championship Affiliate sponsor and Official Partner Australian Motorcycle Imports.

Event judging was conducted under Official World Championship rules with the competitors themselves choosing their winner. Independent scrutiny of the judging process and results oversight was provided for AMD and the event organizers by visiting VIP guest Paul Yaffe and representatives from Heavy Duty and Ozbike, two of Australia’s internationally recognized custom bike magazines.

Called ‘Hide & Seek’, Schembri’s Ultima 100 inch engined rigid features an advanced one-off own design and made front end and a level of finish and attention to detail that is characteristic of the standards that Australian customizers seek.

Schembri’s win was by the narrowest of margins (one point!) from Dylan Goldfinch (DG Design, www.dgdesigninc.com) whose 125 inch Patrick engined, modified Independent Cycle ‘LowLife’ framed softail called ‘Spank’ won many admirers.

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