Editor’s Note: Buster is a social media master, who works full time for Saddlemen seats. He’s also helping around the Bikernet/5-Ball nerve center and he’s a major motorcycle enthusiast. He’s going to bring some of his connections to the Bikernet family. The first is Mario from MB leathers in San Pedro.

Buster interviewed the leather master about his history and leather learning experience.

B: Tell us a little about yourself

MB: I was born in 1972, in Germany, raised in South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and moved to Switzerland in 1999. I have a master’s degree in construction, no kids.

B: how did you get interested in motorcycles?

MB: I got my first motorcycle when I was 8, a Honda Z 50, from there on I was sold. First Harley when I was 18, a swingarm Shovel. I bought it from a guy in nor cal and had it shipped to Germany in five wooden crates and a frame. Built it in a winter and rode it all over Europe. I prospected into a club when I was 19, member for 13 years, out in good standing

B: When did you start leather work?

MB: I started leatherwork because I saw Indian Larry’s Grease Monkey bike in the Easyriders magazine. That was about 21 years ago. Larry’s seat was hand tooled seat by Paul Cox. I always played guitar and drew – so I was creative. But when I saw the leather seat, I was sold.

I asked a friend of mine who was a knife maker to give me some tools. I tried it and I HATED it, it was the hardest thing to do, so I gave him the tools back and was done with it for a brief second. I couldn’t forget about it, so I borrowed the tools again and tried again and never looked back.

I became friends with Paul Cox in NYC. He showed me a bit and progress was made. Slowly started a side business and one day quite my daytime job in Switzerland to do full-time leather.

B. How long have you been in the States and what drew you here?

MB: I’ve been in Cali since June 6th, 2016. I was hired by a “famous” jewelry and leather designer located in Malibu to work for him. Turned out that it was all smoke and mirrors, and I left after 1 year to do my own thing.

B: What is your favorite thing you’ve recently worked on and can you share pics?

MB: I don’t have any favorites. Every project is my favorite and I put 110 percent into it.

Hold on, there are some rad saddlebag rebuilds coming – FXR convertible bags in LV material and in brown heavy grain buffalo

B: Do you currently own a bike?

MB: Yes I do, a clubbed out 2018 Sport Glide with 16-inch West Coast t bars,
mid controls. I can pass any road rage with my LR rear fender, T-sport fairing, Saddleman seat, and
Ultra Glide lowers.

B: Who are your customers?

MB: All walks of life, mostly motorcycle related folks.

B: Is there a typical customer?

MB: No.

B: What is the one project you’ve always wanted to tackle but haven’t got to yet?

MB: A woman’s handbag. I designed one but did not have the customer for it. It’s super far out there, which would hugely impact the fashion industry.

I also have a concept chopper on my mind. I’ve dream about it since I sold my ‘46 Knucklehead in Switzerland.

B: If you weren’t doing leatherwork what would you be doing?

MB: That’s what I do. I cannot imagine doin’ anything else.

B: What does 2020 hold for MB Leathers?

MB: For the summer of 2020, I’ll release some murdered-out, super high-end and unusual garments. They are all for the motorcycle scene. No-one has ever made that stuff like I do.

I will continue with my custom work. I want to concentrate more on larger projects, like MBLeathers from head-to-toe including seat, saddlebag, vest, belt and so on.

https://mbleathers.com/

We are going to have a HUGE presence in Tulsa on Saturday.

–Jack Dunn

 As a result of continuing concerns/restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the HighPipe Motorcycle Festival presented by GEICO Motorcycle, originally scheduled for July 17-19 at Mountain High Resort in Wrightwood, CA, has been rescheduled and moved to Stagecoach Trails in Julian, CA. The new dates are Friday, November 6—Sunday, November 8.

Stagecoach Trails is part of the scenic Laguna Mountains, Anza Borrego Desert and Cleveland National Forest.

All of the same exciting features and activities that were originally scheduled will still be part of the HighPipe Motorcycle Festival. Camping and activities/events will now take place at the same location, benefitting riders and participants.

Participants who have already registered will automatically have their registrations transferred to the new dates and can use their original registration confirmation to pick up credentials on-site in November.

If a registered participant cannot make it to the rescheduled dates and needs to request a refund, they will have to contact the Box Office via email at ParticipantRegistration@bonniercorp.com or reply to the email they received from the Box Office Staff. All requests for refunds must be received no later than Sunday, July 19, 2020.

The staff of the HighPipe Motorcycle Festival appreciates your patience and support during this unprecedented situation as we look to protect the health and safety of our attendees, participants, exhibitors and staff.

For more information on the HighPipe Motorcycle Festival presented by GEICO Motorcycle, visit www.highpipemoto.com and follow our social media channels.

It’s Crazy but We Will Survive

Hey,

Another wonderful day in paradise. I joke about the adage from the India-based movie “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.” Great flick: Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end. Think about that anytime you’re in a jam. Think about it, when strange shit is happening in your hood, in the country or in the industry.

Harley seems to be struggling, but I look at it as a transition. And everything will be cool, when they come out of it. I’ve spoken to shop owners all over the country about the times. Here’s a good one. “We had a slow week when the Covid hit,” said Randy Aron of Cycle Visions in San Diego. “Ever since then we’ve been cooking.”

So, keep smiling, riding free and rockin’ the world. Let’s hit the news.

Get ready to ride and never stop, goddammit!

–Bandit

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

In the second month of 2020, Italian bike maker Ducati announced the launch of the Superleggera V4, a bike for street use so fast it is borderline a MotoGP two-wheeler. Production of the motorcycle began this week, meaning there isn’t that long until we get to see it on the tarmac, where it belongs.

The first Superleggera V4 already rolled off assembly line, and work is ongoing on the other 499 that will make up the limited production run. Once ready, the world would have 500 examples of the only motorcycle “approved for road use with a carbon fiber frame, swingarm and rims.”

So, what’s so special about it?

First, the engine. Packing a 998 cm3 Desmosedici Stradale R powerplant that is usually good for 224 hp, the bike produces even more than that, 234 hp, thanks to the racing kit all will be offered with. That’s enough power to make it nearly as fast as the Panigale V4 R SBK, a race bike that won the 2019 Italian Motorspeed Championship – the V4 went around the Mugello circuit in 1:52:45 minutes, just a couple a seconds slower than the racer.

Then, the extensive use of carbon. The material is at the core of important hardware fitted on the motorcycle, including the frame, swingarm and rims. And it has also been incorporated in other related parts, like the helmet specifically created for this model.

Last, but not least, the many kits available. They comprise an Akrapovi exhaust system, headlamp and light replacement, license plate holder removal, side stand removal, mirror replacement aluminum caps from billet, Data Analyzer and GPS, racing fuel cap, brake lever protection, motorcycle cover, and front and rear stand and battery charger.

Prices for the Ducati Superleggera V4 are available upon request. Customers will also receive a track test on the factory Panigale V4 R, and the chance to ride for a brief time a Desmosedici GP20.

by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

The garage behind this Harley-Davidson Fat Boy conversion calls its creation “one of the elegant custom conversions.” They also call it Prison Break, despite it having nothing to do with the TV series, nor the actual act of breaking out of a prison.

The custom motorcycle is German in conception, being the work of a shop called Thunderbike. On the market customizing Harleys for the past 20 years or so, Thunderbike is one of the most active such garages outside the United States, and one we’ve become quite accustomed to as part of our Two-Wheeler Month coverage.

Generally, the shop goes out of its way to create unique interpretations of Milwaukee-made machines as a means to advertise the long list of custom parts it makes. The Prison Break is an advertising tool as well, and it was gifted with the name just to attract attention. And it succeeded, bringing the build before our eyes in a “simple and elegant” form.

Thunderbike based this build on the Fat Boy from 2018, making it a relatively recent creation. It sports the usual complement of custom parts that range from tiny elements like the license plate frame and turn signals to the more prominent wheels and the functional air ride suspension.

The wheels, which have always been the highlight of Thunderbike builds, are in this case of equal size front and rear, at 21-inches each. They’re not the most spectacular we’ve seen, yet they do seem to get the job done on this particular Fat Boy.

Mechanically, a Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde exhaust system, a pulley brake kit, and a fork lowering kit are all on deck to make the Prison Break look, feel and drive like an unchained Fat Boy, a tad different from what Harley usually spits out its factory doors.

The motorcycle is not for sale, but the parts used on it are. You can see them all at this link.

from https://motorcycles.einnews.com

BIRMINGHAM, AL, USA, June 18, 2020 /EINPresswire.com/ — Confederate Motorcycles LLC announces a change of its name to Combat Motors LLC to better reflect the spirit and the values of our team, manufacturing partners and clients. We stand with those fighting for change in the United States and are very happy to contribute an overdue but small part of that change.

Confederate Motorcycles was established in 1991 as an international brand. “Our motorcycles are realized through a partnership with our various members of our team who design, build and distribute these one of a kind masterpieces. We feel that the new name better exemplifies the spirit and values of that team.”

“We stand with those peaceably fighting for change in the United States and are very happy to contribute an overdue but small part of that change.”

The F-117 Combat Fighter, P-51 Combat Fighter, FA-13 Combat Bomber and the Combat Wraith are each built upon the CX-4 frame, feature an S&S X-Wedge 117 or 132 cubic inch engine, BST wheels, RaceTech suspension, Beringer Brakes, Motogadget electronics, a Bandit clutch and have a frame carved entirely from solid billet blocks of aircraft-grade 6061 and 7075 aluminum built by 3D Systems, resulting in the most robust, fatigue-resistant motorcycle possible.

“Each of our manufacturing partners makes doing what we do possible.”

The Combat Hellcat and Speedster are based on Harley Davidson Frames with CNC Aluminum tanks and other body parts, an upgraded Screaming Eagle 117 cubic inch engine which is homologated for worldwide delivery.

True to his passion as “curator of the brand”, Ernest Lee, owner of Combat Motors, has hired many of the design, assembly, sales, service and support team from the company’s past, Jay Etheridge, Jason Reddick, Landers Sevier, Andrew Reuther, and Dave Hargreaves to name a few. “Our manufacturing vendors, our clients and our team are each integral to not only our current successes but also to determining our success in the future.”

Combat Motors makes a ritual of consulting with clients and those previously involved with the company while deciding on the appropriate path for the brand and have received overwhelming support for this change.

“Our brand needed to be something that would match the values of the company and the feeling that people get when they see our motorcycles for the first time. As long as we have motorcycles on the road, we want our brand will shine through their owners.”

Combat Motors will continue to support Confederate branded motorcycles and is offering re-branding with any service at its Birmingham location for any Confederate Motorcycle owner interested in an update.

Today’s announcement signals to the world that Combat Motors will be built for many years to come.

Look for them on the road.

Combat Motors
www.combatmotorcycles.com
844-448-7132

by Bill Roberson from https://www.forbes.com/

Iconic American motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson [HOG] continues to struggle. The company will move off the S&P 500 in the next week and will land on Standard and Poor’s MidCap 400 list of stocks instead, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Clothier Nordstrom Inc. and Alliance Data Systems Corp. will also fall off the S&P 500.

With a two-month work stoppage (since resumed) due to the pandemic coupled with an expected deep dive in sales due to the general halt in economic activity, the near future could be a rough ride. The most recent report on sales from the company show the numbers were down close to 18% year over year as of late April.

The S&P 500 delisting, set for June 22, comes while Harley-Davidson continues to navigate rough waters, including a personnel shuffle that included the CEO and a stock price that has hung in the $25 range during the pandemic but was as high as $73 in 2014 and over $40 per share in the last year. In the depths of virus-fueled market turmoil in April of this year, the share price dipped to nearly $15 but has since rebounded, almost reaching $30 just about a week ago. The drop from the index could hurt the stock price since many investors include companies in the S&P 500 as part of their portfolios.

Before the coronavirus and COVID-19 outbreak, the Milwaukee,Wisconsin-based maker of heavyweight cruisers – and a fully electric model – had been on a sales and stock price slide for several years as the company searched for new buyers. Their core – and highly loyal – customer base has slowly eroded due to age and competition, notably from a resurgent Indian, which was once Harley’s main sales and racing competitor before shuttering post-WWII. The brand was recently revived by outdoor recreation equipment Polaris and has targeted Harley’s market while also attracting new riders with their Scout and FTR models.

Under the tenure of now-departed CEO Mark Levatich, Harley embarked on a risky tangent into the world of electric vehicles and debuted the all-electric LiveWire motorcycle two years ago. While the bike has received favorable reviews, a price tag near $30,000 has been a tough sell while pioneers in the electric motorcycle space like Zero sell models with similar performance for nearly a third less. Before Levatich left the Motor Company, as Harley is also known, the CEO said more electric models, including bicycles, were on the way. New CEO Jochen Zeitz, a longtime board member known as a turnaround specialist, hasn’t yet laid out the specifics for Harley’s future, saying he plans to “rewire” the company with a 5-year plan for growth.

Part of Harley’s current conundrum is a perfect storm of a waning traditional customer base, expensive motorcycles, and young people who have high debt, myriad transportation options and little brand loyalty. Harley-Davidson has been working to build their international markets over the years and growth there has been a strong point along with their finance arm, but slumping overall sales have driven the company’s market cap to under $4 billion, or nearly half of what the S&P 500 regards as a minimum to make the list.

Tyler Technologies Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. and Teledyne Technologies Inc. will all join the index, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.