Bikernet Banner

January 21, 2008

COAST TO COAST INSANITY–CALIFORNIA CAMERA TICKETS IN PARKS, NORWAY ATTEMPTS TO BAN BIKES, PHILIPPINE BANS BIKES ON MAJOR ROADS, UK FINDS ACCIDENTS DOWN, ATV LAWS COMING, MILITARY SNUBS BIKER OFFSPRING, FOREIGN TANNING CHEMICALS HARMFUL–WATCH OUT!

COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

Accident

EUROPE QUESTIONS THE ROLE FOR MOTORCYCLE ?TOYS? ON PUBLIC ROADS

A leading EU transport “expert” has questioned whether there is any place for motorcycles on Europe’s roads. In an official report from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), Norwegian Rune Elvik says: “In Norway, I believe all the most cost effective measures have been implemented – mandatory helmet use, strict licensing, engine tuning ban, daytime running lights for motorbikes. The question that needs to be raised now is whether there should be any place for these motorized toys in the transport system at all.”

On December 21, 2007 the Flemish Parliament in Belgium was presented with the ETSC report as a basis for legislation on motorcycle safety. However the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) Belgium, with the support of Members of Parliament, defended the riders’ position by using the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations’ (FEMA), European Agenda for Motorcycle Safety, which highlights the importance of finding real solutions to improve the casualty rates for motorcyclists.

As a direct result of MAG Belgium’s action, the ETSC report was rejected and instead, MAG Belgium’s motorcycle-friendly program was adopted.

Motorcycle Action Group (MAG-UK) General Secretary, Trevor Baird, said, “Motorcycling is under constant threat from the European safety agenda. The introduction of this agenda has been thwarted in Belgium before it spreads further like a rash across Europe. MAG will continue to protect motorcycling and defend riders’ rights from whatever quarter the threat comes.”

international motorcycle shows banner

MOTORCYCLE BAN ON PHILIPPINE ROADWAYS

Philippine lawmakers want motorcycles banned on main roads and highways, despite being the being the most common means of transportation in the island nation.

House Bill No. 3080 filed by Reps. Narciso D. Santiago III (Party-list, ARC) and Marcelino R. Teodoro (1st Dist., Marikina City, Lakas-CMD) seeks to prohibit motorcyclists from using major public thoroughfares.

According to Santiago, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that in many countries in Asia including the Philippines, deaths and injuries from motorcycle accidents are now considered a ?Public Health Epidemic.?

Dr. Soe Nyunt-U, WHO Representative to the Philippines also told a forum of the Department of Health on Road Safety that a helmet law would be the most effective way to reduce head injuries and fatalities from motorcycle and bicycle crashes. ?Road traffic crashes are the second leading cause of injury and death for all ages such that motorcyclists should wear helmets while on the road.?

Health Undersecretary for Health Operations Dr. Ethelyn Nieto supported the statementof Nyunt-U that helmet usage is vital to road safety. ?Road safety is a must with 3.5 million motorcycles in the country,? said Nieto. Records showed that motorcycles are now the third most registered vehicles next to cars at 66.3 percent.

ACCURATE ENG. BANNER WHITE

SAFER CYCLING, REPORTS GOVERNMENT STUDY

According to the Compendium of Motorcycle Statistics, released by the UK Department of Transport in December 2007 ? an annual set of figures released by the British government – motorcycle traffic rose by 37% from 1996-2006 while the number of killed or seriously injured (KSI) accidents increased by just 8% (from 5,717 in 1996 to 6,151 in 2006).

The report also noted that speeding was only a minor cause of motorcycle crashes, repeating earlier findings showing that exceeding the speed limit is put down as a contributory factor ? and even then not necessarily as the main cause ? of just four percent of bike crashes where some blame is put on the rider.

The biggest factor is ?failure to look properly?, a contributory factor in 15 percent of motorcycle crashes, followed by ?loss of control? at 14 percent and ?failed to judge other persons path or speed? at 11 percent. ?Careless, reckless or in a hurry? also rates at 11 percent, but this doesn?t mean actually breaking the speed limit.

Despite UK Government figures showing as many as 25 percent of riders go more than 10mph over posted speed limits, ?Exceeding the speed limit? was jointly rated as the bottom contributory factor, alongside ?following too close?, also at four percent.

Other information in the report includes the fact that motorcycle riders are less likely than other road users to drink and drive, with just 1.5 percent of those tested failing breath tests, against an average of 1.9 percent for all road users.

sidecar

INJURY REPORT SHOWS ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES NOT CHILD?S PLAY

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) pose a serious risk of injury and even death, according to the largest study ever conducted of ATV injuries in children. The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

“Our experience shows that children’s use of ATVs is dangerous and should be restricted,” said Chetan C. Shah, M.D., radiology fellow at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of 16 be prohibited from operating ATVs, no laws are in place in most states. ATV accidents are seldom reported because the vehicles are unlicensed and typically operated off-road or on private land.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ATV-related injuries in children under the age of 16 more than doubled from 1995 to 2005 with 40,400 children treated in hospital emergency rooms nationwide in 2005. This figure represents nearly one-third of all ATV-related injuries treated that year. Child fatalities resulting from ATV accidents have also nearly doubled since 1995 with 120 reported deaths in 2005.

ATV-associated injuries can be caused by crashes, rollovers, ejections or even disregard of simple safety precautions. But according to Dr. Shah, ATV use by children is intrinsically dangerous because of the instability of the vehicles and the small size of children. While reducing the size and power of the vehicles and wearing helmets and protective clothing might limit some of the injuries, there still remains the issue of whether children should be riding ATVs at all.

“The question is a little like asking, ‘How can we make motorcycle use safer for five-year-olds?'” Dr. Shah said. “The problem is that five-year-olds should not be using motorcycles under any circumstances.”

WOLFGANG BANNER

CALIFORNIA INSTALLS FIRST-EVER STOP SIGN CAMERAS

While red light and speed cameras are creeping into our traffic system, California has installed the first-ever automated camera in the U.S. designed to ticket drivers who make “boulevard stops” or slow to a crawl at a stop sign without fully ceasing forward motion. The little-known Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority has begun issuing $100 fines long Franklin Canyon in the heart of Los Angeles, located off of Mulholland Drive, and another at the top of Topanga.

The cameras are being installed as a prelude to the park agency’s expected installation of speed cameras on popular canyon roads, despite state law specifically prohibiting their use. In 2000, the California legislature banned photo radar (CVC 21455.6) and per-ticket photo enforcement contract provisions (CVC 21455.5), but the MRCA believes the law does not apply to them. ?Our Park Rangers are California peace officers and will always have traffic enforcement as part of their duty,” MRCA Director of Public Affairs Dash Stolarz said in a statement.

Australian camera vendor Redflex will operate every aspect of the program in return for a $20 cut from every ticket the company is able to issue.

The stop sign devices are based on red light camera platforms, but they differ greatly in use. The more familiar stoplight cameras typically photograph a vehicle entering an intersection if a signal light changes to red between 0.1 and 0.3 seconds after the car crosses a stop bar line. With the new stop sign cameras, a machine will make calculations to determine whether a vehicle did not stop for a long enough period and deserves a fine.

IRONHORSE TRIKE BANNER WHITE

BIKER?S SON SNUBBED BY MILITARY

When Jessi Lenti was 8 years old, his father took him to Canada’s Wonderland where he dressed up like a little soldier and posed with a toy gun. “Dad, this is what I want to do,” his father, Frank Lenti, recalls him saying at the amusement park north of Toronto. Now 23, Jessi has been rejected from joining the Canadian military because of his father’s long-time association with outlaw biker clubs.

“I’m the criminal, so why punish him?” asked his 60-year-old father, formerly of the Bandidos, Loners, Outlaws, Rebels, Diablos and Satan’s Choice motorcycle clubs. Frank Lenti made his comments from the maximum-security wing of a Toronto-area jail.

Jessi’s application for the military was supported by strong references from teachers. He also has a black belt in karate — and no criminal record. “This is me,” he said in an interview with the Toronto Star newspaper. “I’m myself. I’m not my father. Judge me for who I am.”

He said he was shocked this summer when an officer in the Canadian Forces told him that he couldn’t enlist because the Canadian Security Intelligence Service had concluded he was affiliated with organized crime. York Regional police Chief Armand La Barge said his force has never considered the young Lenti to have a criminal profile. “To the best of our knowledge, he has never been a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang and to the best of our knowledge, he has never been a member of an organized crime group or entity either,” La Barge said.

Jessi, who has a black belt in karate — and no criminal record — is appealing his rejection to the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Canadian military historian Jack Granatstein said he has never heard of a case in which the son of a motorcycle gang member has been denied membership in the military because of his family ties.

Frank Lenti had always tried to shield his son from his business; “I had a lot of fun but in the end you end up in a place like this,” he said Frank Lenti, gesturing at the cinder-block jail walls.

Ironically, Frank Lenti said he opposes the war in Afghanistan, and shudders at the thought of his son risking his life there, should he win his appeal and get into the military. “Why should we fight their war?” the senior Lenti asked.

Jessi said that he had planned since grade school to enter the military. “I’ve always wanted to do it, to serve my country. It was going to be a lifetime plan.”

calling card

WEIRD NEWS: VIETNAMESE BIKERS TERRORIZED BY ELEPHANTS

And you thought your local commute was bad? Three wild elephants that escaped from a wildlife preserve terrorized bikers in Vietnam, where motorcycles outnumber cars 9-1. The elephants crushed motorbikes in their path and stormed into residential houses.

In one reported attack, a biker transporting chickens had to abandon his motorcycle to escape, returning later to the carnage. “It was a frightening spectacle,” said Nguyen Van Phong. “The motorbike was a pile of scrap iron and 20 birds were completely crushed in their cages. Nothing could prevent these animals from doing that.”

Local authorities in Ha Tinh province said the wild elephants wandered out of Vu Quang national park during their mating season.

“We have not yet found out an effective preventative method,” said chairman Phan Duc Cung. “Killing the animals is not possible. People must be cautious of elephants, taking the initiative to avoid them.”

LIL JOES LOGO
Leathers made in America.

TOXIC TANNING

Imported leather products may be hazardous to your health, claims a December 29 report in the News Journal. With the reality of a global economy and different countries’ approaches to regulation, cowboys, bikers and other leather consumers need to be more aware of practices overseas and the journeys their exotic hides have made.

“Most of the leather that’s for motorcyclists is from Pakistan,” said Barney McCarthy, owner of Barney’s Leather on North Beach Street in Daytona Beach, Florida. In Pakistan, the leather is tanned with lead-based chromium, which can be an environmental concern. “Overseas in Pakistan or China, people are getting really sick; they just pour all the chemicals in the water and people drink it,” he said.

Tanning is the process that turns skin, which can decompose, into leather. It’s done using natural or chemical additives, or a combination of the two. Most American leather is tanned overseas, so even if a product says “Made in the USA,” that may just mean assembled here with leather treated elsewhere.

“The (Environmental Protection Agency) governs how we treat leather here, but not what comes in,” he said. “That’s why China can make toys with lead paint and they can come in here, but we could never make (the toys) like that.”

America produces “the best cowhide in the world,” but it’s generally sent overseas to tan because domestic tanneries couldn’t stay open — a few still work for shoe companies but that’s all he knows of, McCarthy said. “People buying boots from China, I’m wondering if it’s like putting on toxic shoes,” he said.

BAKER BANNER

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”

–Plato (429-347 BC) Greek Philosopher, student of Socrates

saxon banner
Read More

December 22, 2007

NCOM NEWS BYTES FOR DECEMBER 2007–BRITNEY SPEARS HITS BIKERS, ABSOLUTE PROOF THAT LOUD PIPES SAVES LIVES, WARNING ABOUT LETTERS TO TROOPS, MRF DISPUTES FEDS AND AUSTRALIA BANS CLUBS

39Bob
Old shots from the Bob T. Collection.

THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. For more information, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit us on our website at http://www.ON-A-BIKE.com.

NCOM NEWS BYTES
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

Doherty banner

BIKER LOBBYISTS MEET WITH NTSB

A meeting was arranged with the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board on November 28, 2007 by James D. ?Doc? Reichenbach II, State President of ABATE of Florida, Inc. and Chairman of the Board of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists. NCOM and ABATE invited the Motorcycle Riders Foundation?s lobbyist and Vice-President of Government Relations Jeff Hennie to attend the meeting also to discuss the NTSB?s recent recommendations that all states enact mandatory helmet laws, as well as future and past developments in motorcycle safety.

The lobbying team met with Mark V. Rosenker, NTSB Chairman, and Robert Sumwalt, NTSB Vice Chairman. ?NCOM, ABATE and the MRF explained our views on this subject with extreme prejudice that helmets are not saving lives,? said Reichenbach. ?Facts and figures were presented to the board for their review.?

The gist of the 3-hour summit is that the NTSB will look into the discrepancies that NHTSA has been putting out in their statistics and will report their findings to the motorcycling community. While there was agreement on certain issues, the helmet issue is very far apart and no headway was made on either point of view.

?The fact remains that the NTSB stands behind their recommendations and supports them entirely,? reported Hennie. ?The MRF, NCOM and ABATE of Florida made it clear that we would continue to oppose any recommendations that call for personal protective equipment laws and crash mitigation.?

ABATE of Florida, Inc. and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists want to thank the MRF and Jeff Hennie for accepting our invitation to attend this meeting and work together on a united front.

international motorcycle shows banner

LETTERS TO TROOPS RETURNED OR DESTROYED

Hundreds of thousands of holiday cards and letters thanking American troops for their sacrifice and wishing them well never reach their destination. They are returned to sender or thrown away unopened.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks and the anthrax scare, the Pentagon and the Postal Service have refused to deliver mail addressed simply to “Any Wounded Soldier” for fear terrorists or opponents of the war might send toxic substances or demoralizing messages.

Mail must be addressed to a specific member of the armed forces – a rule that pains many well-meaning Americans this Holiday season.

Last season, despite the rule, officials say as many as 450,000 pieces of mail not addressed to anyone in particular managed to reach Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. But they were returned or, if they had no return address, were thrown out altogether, because the hospital lacked the manpower to open and screen all the unsolicited mail.

USO spokesman John Hanson said that like the military, the nonprofit service organization does not deliver unopened mail to unspecified recipients. He said the USO worries about security as well as hateful messages from war critics.

The USO is one of the organizations the military is encouraging people to support with donations as an alternative to sending cards to unspecified soldiers. The military is also referring people to the American Red Cross and a Defense Department Web site where supporters have posted thousands of messages to troops.

547Bob

IS YOUR MOTORCYCLE GIVING YOU CANCER?

Author Randall Dale Chipkar has published a book called ?Motorcycle Cancer?? in which he speculates that radiation from motorcycle engines could be a modern day “Black Plague”.

Saying that the prostate is one of the closest delicate glands invaded by the radiation along with the colon and neighboring organs, Chipkar a few years ago was going to buy his dream cycle, but he placed his extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic field (EMF) Guass meter over one of the seats of an idling bike and was shocked to see the extremely high radiation readings.

“It’s a paradox that thousands of motorcycle riders participate in fundraiser rides for cancer awareness when the event itself may be causing cancer…I have met countless avid motorcycle riders diagnosed with similar forms of cancers and disorders. All of these riders had a type of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field radiation shooting up from their motorcycle seats…The motorcycle industry needs to further investigate this EM danger and implement protective measures to minimize rider radiation exposure…People should not have to gamble with their health because they love riding motorcycles…Historically, organizations claimed ‘inconclusive proof’ concerning electromagnetic health issues. However, inconclusive proof does not mean that something is safe,” says Chipkar.

But critics of people such as Chipkar claim that these doom-and-gloom concepts regarding radiation have been heard before and have been conjured up since the 1950s, when atomic energy had firmly become embedded in Americans’ psyches, and they never amount to anything other than conspiracy theories.

The critics say that it is too easy to scare people about exposure to radiation because those who can gain from the fear mongering fail to make distinctions between different kinds and levels of radiation exposure.

Knockout Banner

FLORIDA BILL TARGETS ?THRILL RIDERS?

After an eye opening ride-along with the Florida Highway Patrol and witnessing motorcyclists pop wheelies, race along over 100 mph and dangerously disregard road rules, State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera filed a bill in Tallahassee that would toughen penalties on speeding, stunt driving and hiding or flipping license plates.

“They’re just blatantly riding in excessive speeds, putting themselves in danger and putting other motorists in danger,” Lopez-Cantera said. “It’s just too much.”

Law enforcement officers said they are powerless to pursue them and are frustrated as they watch their tactics, like flipping the bike’s license plates so they can’t be traced. “That tag needs to be permanently attached to that motorcycle,” one FHP trooper said. “The problem has gotten worse. The laws need to be changed. The penalties need to be stiffer.”

Rep. Lopez-Cantera is trying to do that. “Something has to be done. They have to actually fear the law because right now they don’t,” he said, explaining that if his bill becomes law “They’ll lose their bike. Their motorcycle license will be revoked for 10 years, and it’s a mandatory arrest so they will go to jail.” The bill could come up for a vote next year.

LIL JOES LOGO

UNEASY RIDERS: HORSES RISKIER THAN MOTORCYCLESHour-per-hour in the saddle, more riders are seriously injured riding horses than motorcycles. That is the surprising revelation of a new study from researchers at the University of Calgary, Canada.

The hospital admission rate associated with horse-riding injuries is 0.49 per 1,000 hours, compared to a rate of 0.14 per 1,000 hours of motorcycle riding, according to the study published in the American Journal of Surgery.

From 1995 to 2005, there were 7,941 trauma patients at Foothills, including 151 who were severely injured while horseback riding. Seven per cent of the riders died of their injuries and 45 per cent required surgery, the study said. Almost half of all riders who were seriously injured (48 per cent) suffered head injuries, and 54 per cent suffered chest injuries. Most riders were hurt by falling or being thrown from the horse, followed by being stomped or kicked.

The reason this happens, said Rob Mulloy, an assistant professor at the University of Calgary and co-author of the study, is that “horses are independent beings with their own agenda.” Not to mention that horses weigh up to 500 kilograms, move at a speed of up to 65 kilometers an hour, elevate riders up to three meters above ground and kick with a force of nearly one ton.

Dr. Mulloy, who is also a trauma surgeon, said he does not want to discourage people from riding, but hopes the study will serve as a wake-up call about the need to use protective equipment, especially helmets. “You know, cowboy hats are pretty useless,? he said, adding that he takes comfort in the fact that about half of rodeo riders now wear helmets and a large number of cowboys who drive cattle out of the hills are also helmeted.

547Boba

AUSTRALIAN STATE OUTLAWS ?BIKIE GANGS?South Australia announced intentions to ban so-called ?bikie gangs? such as the Hells Angels and the Bandidos in what the government said would be the world’s toughest crackdown on ?terrorists within our community.?

South Australian Premier Mike Rann named eight motorcycle clubs he said were involved in murder, drug trafficking, prostitution, extortion and weapons smuggling. ?This is an evil within our nation and we in South Australia intend to lead Australia in the fight against bikie gangs,? he recently told reporters.

The Australian Crime Commission’s 2006 report found there were 35 outlaw motorcycle gangs in Australia, with 3,500 members in all six states last year. Rann said the ban would involve around 200 club members, as well as associates. Outlawed bikers would be prohibited from meeting or communicating, or risk five-year jail terms. ?We cannot find anywhere in the world where this level of response to bikie gangs has been taken,? he said.

Police would also be empowered to dismantle club headquarters and force members to account for any unexplained wealth or income. ?We are coming after them and we will hit them where it hurts by taking away their ill-gotten gains, their Harley-Davidsons and their liberty,? said state Attorney-General Michael Atkinson.

WEIRD NEWS: BLIND PEDESTRIANS FIGHT AGAINST ?SILENT? DEADLY HYBRIDS

Can hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles be dangerous? To blind pedestrians, the answer is ?Yes,? because they can be silent killers.

As manufacturers look for ways to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles, alternatives to relying solely on gasoline engines are being adopted for both cars and motorcycles. Companies are looking to gasoline-electric hybrids, diesel engines, all-electric vehicles and fuel cells.

But one negative impact of such vehicles is in regards to their near-silent operation in city driving. Since most hybrids turn off their gasoline engine during low-speed city driving and rely on electric motors for propulsion, the most noise that many people may hear from the vehicles are a slight electric wine and a hint of tire noise. Deemed too quiet, some electric and fuel cell motorbikes now even come equipped with an artificial audio ?vroom? with adjustable volume control.

Blind pedestrians have taken this issue to heart and are going after hybrids as they feel the silent vehicles pose a serious safety threat, and the U.S. National Federation of the Blind (NFoB) is putting the issue back to the forefront.

The NFoB has worked with the Association of International Auto Manufacturers (AIAM) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to look into the possibility of forcing automobiles to emit recognizable sound at all time. The AIAM is even looking into “the possibility of setting a minimum noise level standard for hybrid vehicles,” according to safety director Mike Camissa.

The Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have expressed little interest in the idea.

1.3 million people in the United States (out of a total population of 303,036,973 people) are legally blind.

Prostreet Banner2

BRITNEY SPEARS HITS MOTORCYCLIST

On Tuesday evening, November 13th, troubled entertainer Britney Spears hit and hospitalized a motorcycle-riding member of the paparazzi as she was trying to evade photographers at a Beverly Hills Hotel. The rider sustained serious injuries and was taken to Ceder-Sinai Medical Center.

?This came as Spears is already facing hit-and-run charges as well as claims that she ran a red light with her kids in the car while on a cell phone,? said a news report by Entertainment Hollywood. Britney’s driving has taken a bad turn ? the 25-year old singer has run over people three times in nearly a month, one of whom was a sheriffs deputy and two were paparazzi.

Spears appeared in court the following day at an emergency custody hearing with Kevin Federline. K-Fed?s attorney convinced LA Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon to ban Spears from driving with their kids. Federline has temporary custody of Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, because Spears has defied court orders.

Lepera Banner

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “It’s the constant and determined effort that breaks down all resistance, sweeps away all obstacles.”

–Claude M. Bristol (1891-1951) American Author

9409

Read More

Paul Cox “Berserker”

PAUL NEXT TO BIKE
A true Viking Warrior on two wheels. That's an accurate way to describe Master Leather Smith, Paul Cox's BERSERKER Panhead. Sporting enough hand carved leather armor and dangerous sharp edges to make Odin and Thor proud, The Berserker blends various Paul Cox talents together. Hell, any Viking would be elated to ride it into Valhalla.

Paul Cox is a born artist. Drawing and sculpture have always been in his blood. Paul started working with leather when he was a kid. He got his hands on a bundle of scrap leather pulled from a dumpster when he was about 12 years-old and immediately put his talents to good use making himself a pair of home made hockey gloves.

He was pleased with his results from the beginning so he kept working with leather and soon had a shop in his home.

In the early '90s Paul hooked up with bike shops Psycho Cycles and 6TH ST. Specials in New York City. The blend of leather and custom motorcycles was a natural for this talented artisan. Paul also met with master builder Indian Larry back then and fostered an active working relationship. Currently they both share space at the Brooklyn, NY. North 14st shop.

GAS CAP CLOSE

The BERSERKER was a labor of love, a work in progress for over seven years. Paul is quick to say, “It's NOT a theme bike!!!!! It's just what I felt in my heart. The only thing it represents is ME!!”

LEFT SIDE TANK CLOSE

The BERSERKER has seen a ton of exploration creativity and massaging. The leather-covered monster began with extensive Viking rune research.

The hand carving on the rear fender, seat and gas tank symbolize Strength, Protection, Journey and the Viking Warrior Code.

He carved 6 oz. American cowhide leather and took upwards of 200 hours to complete the sheet metal padding. The leather was then painstakingly hand fitted to the modified Sportster gas tank and hand made rear fender.

REAR RIGHT ENGINE SHOT

The bike is a 1958 modified 88-inch Panhead. Indian Larry worked his magic on the engine and it roars like a dragon. It's lower end is an H-D Evo, static balanced featuring Andrews cams and JIMS solid lifters. The engine is made up of H-D cases, STD heads and S&S pistons. It features a Morris Magneto and a S&S Super B carb fitted with a brass candy dish air cleaner cover to round out the look and home made pipes that snort fire.

TOP VIEW

The tranny is a true jockey shifter with a tank shifter lid. The frame is an old cut up Paughco that Paul pieced together. It's, of course, a rigid with a 31-degree rake and 2-inch up stretch. Painter Robert Pradke shot it with semi flat black and handled the detailed pinstriping on the frame.

FRAME NECK DETAIL

The front end is radical as well. Paul and long time friend Knucklehead Steve had a blast putting it together. It's a “girdraulic” front end. Basically a custom girder with a custom built-in shock absorber to make it ride and handle like a Caddy. The legs, trees and rockers were E.D.M.ed and the articulated rockers have a double row of precision bushings. The dampening is sweet.

TAILIGHT CLOSE

The fun doesn't stop there. The narrowed drag bars are held in place by 6-inch glide risers and both are drilled for internal controls. The taillight is a one of a kind brass creation and the front and rear pegs were also made by Paul Cox out of a combination of stainless steel and brass. The gas tank is a modified Sportster tank, covered in leather set off by a hand made brass gas cap. The oil tank is also a custom design by Paul and Indian Larry with an S&S oil pump sending life through custom coiled hard copper oil lines. The jockey shift handle is a pistol grip style stag antler giving it a battle-axe feel.

KICKER CLOSE

The rear wheel also fits into the Viking style with a sharp stainless steel rear fender bracket is reminiscent of a warrior's broad sword.

“The rear wheel also fits into the Viking style with a sharpened stainlesssteel rear fender bracket,” Paul said, “that is reminiscent of a Nordic inspired broadsword used for ceremonial knightings.”

REAR FENDER STRUT

The front 21 x 2 1/4-inch wheel has a modified H-D dual flange hub inside of an Akron Aluminum rim. The rear wheel is a 160/60 x 17 on an Excel Aluminum rim.

FRONT MOTOR

Looking at the BERSERKER in all its glory, it's no wonder that Paul Cox Leather is in such high demand. Having made seats for the likes of Indian Larry, Jesse James, Exile Cycles, and Billy Lanes Choppers Inc. as well as a host of others. Paul's work continues to be sought after final polished detail for any old school chopper.

a.berserker.seat.2b1

You'd think with all the great work Paul puts out for the master builders, he'd have a huge shop with a bunch of workers like Le Pera or some of the other high-end shops. Not Paul. He wants to keep his hands on every job that comes through his shop. He feels that it's not a Paul Cox seat unless Paul Cox makes it himself. Each and every seat is totally hand made directly by Paul himself, from the shaping of the seat pan, the fitting of the padding, the hand tooling and stitching of the leather and the final assembly and shipping.

Paul wants to keep his business totally hands on and not expand too much. “I like to specialize and work with builders I respect.”

“Physically and psychologically it's a lot of work for one person,” Paul said. “Endless hours in the shop can burn you out, if you're not doing something your really into. I could do black leather seats with the Iron Cross or flames on them all my life and make more money, but I'm not into that. I want to do work that excites me and turns me on.”

PAUL RIDING SHOT

ann

“It helps having an understanding wife at home when the work constantly keeps you in the shop till the wee small hours,” Paul said as he put the finishing touches on a custom seat for Russell at Exile Cycles.

Anne, Paul's wife, is a clothing and jewelry designer and quite talented in her own right. They both share a passion for the arts and work as a well-oiled mutual support system for each other. Paul plans to keep putting out quality leather work for many years to come. Don't let the big reputation scare you off. Paul Cox Leather will always welcome commissions from individual builders like you and me. It's the guy whose butt is in the seat that Paul wants to do work for. Turn around time is fairly respectable and you just can't match the quality of a seat that's custom built for you.

Paul has recently developed and is selling his RIGIDAIRE ADJUSTABLE PNEUMATIC SEATING SYSTEM. In kit form for you do-it-yourselfers.

The Universal kit includes everything you need to set-up your air-ride seating system:

Airspring assembly with mounting bracket
Seat adapter bracket
All fittings, check valve and air lines
Solenoid valve for emptying the springs
All wiring , terminals and two way switch
Heavy-duty, compact compressor with mounting bracket
Stainless steel nose mount with oil-light bushings
Complete, illustrated instruction sheet
Tech support from beginning to end, if needed
The kit retails for $1,200.

So whether it's a new seat or a complete air ride system that you're interested in, Contact Paul at:

PAUL IN HAWAII

PAUL COX LEATHER
151 N. 14 STREET
BROOKLYN, NY.11211
PHONE 718 609-9067
EMAIL: PAULCOXLEATHER@AOL.COM
OR CHECK OUT HIS WEB SITE:HTTP://WWW.PAULCOXLEATHER.COM
And be sure to tell em TBear and Bikernet sent you.

FULL RIGHT

Berserker Tech Sheet

GENERAL

Fabrication: by Paul Cox
Year and Make: modified 1958 Panhead
Model: PANHEAD
Assembly by: PAUL COX
Time: 7 YEARS +
Chroming: VARIOUS

LEFT SIDE CLOSE UP

ENGINE

Year: 1958
Model: PANHEAD
Rebuilder: INDIAN LARRY
Ignition: MORRIS MAGNETO
Displacement: 88″
Lower end: H-D EVO
Balancing: STATIC
Pistons: S&S
Cases: H-D
Heads: STD
Cams: ANDREWS
Lifters: JIMS SOLIDS
Carb: S&S SUPER B
Air cleaner: BRASS CANDY DISH
Pipes: HOME MADE

a.berserker.belt.drive.1b1

TRANSMISSION

Modifications:
Year: MIXED
Shifting: TRUE JOCKEY,TANK SHIFT LID-SELECTOR TOP
Engine Sprocket: BELT
Trans sprocket: 24
Wheel sprocket: 48

a.berserker.leather.detail.1b

PAINTING

Molding: PINSTRIPING BY ROBERT PRADKE
Painter:
Color: SEMI FLAT BLACK FRAME
Type: FIEBERLINGS LEATHER DYE

FRAME

Year: CUT UP OLD PAUGHCO
Builder: PAUL COX
Type: RIGID
Rake: 31 DEGREES
Stretch: 2 UP

PAUL SITTING ON BIKE

ACCESSORIES

Bars: NARROWED DRAG, INTERNAL CABLES
Risers: 6-inch GLIDE DRILLED FOR INTERNAL CABLES
Fenders: ONE REAR
Headlight: 5 3/4-inch PAUGHCO
Taillight: CUSTOM BY PAUL COX
Speedo: WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' SPEEDO
Front Pegs: STAINLESS AND BRASS MADE BY PAUL C
Electrics: LEFT SIDE CASE ALTERNATOR
Gas Tank: MODIFIED SPORTY
Oil Tank: INDIAN LARRY, PAUL COX CUSTOM
Oil System: S&S PUMP & COPPER HARD LINES
Seat: YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING

a.berserker.left.2

FORKS

Type: CUSTOM GIRDER,GIRDROLIC..SHOCK IN GIRDER
Extension: 2 inches OVER
Builder: KNUCKLEHEAD STEVE AND PAUL COX

a.paul.kickin.1b

WHEELS

Front
Size: 21X2.25
Hub: MODIFIED H-D DUAL FLANGE
Rim: AKRON ALUMINUM

Rear
Size: 160/60X17
Hub: MODIFIED H-D DUAL FLANGE
Rim: EXCEL ALUMINUM

Read More

Steed Sintaur

SKULL_LOGO_white_solo14

riding_AAA14

The industry is nuts with production bikes, new manufacturers andone-off custom builders popping up daily. It's terrific for the guylooking for a particular machine. The sky's the limit, and here's astrong example of a custom line bent on performance. John Covingtonhas more than a 15 year history of building bikes. His goal is to build 150bikes a year but with a commendable twist. He builds performance, asin Muscle Cars and Hot Rod motorcycles.

lt_front_3.411

“It's not about being radical,”John said during a recent show in Los Angeles, “It's all about performance, style and the pride we design and build into each machine.”

AAA press release LAYERS w lo 14

His configuration calls for mild rakes and no raked tripletrees on his one-off designed hefty, mono-shock 'Monoglide'chassis. He's usingthe ultimate in performance handling CGB Italian front ends, and an adjustabledampening Progressive Suspension Monoshock. He has designed the first bike onthe market to offer exclusively 300mm Avon rear tires, and a completelybalanced driveline, no offset, with the top of the line Baker (6-Speed)Overdrive transmission coupled to S&S motors ranging from 111-inch on their High-End bikes or 124cubic inches of pure power in their Maximum line of Steeds.

AAA Rt R PR LAYERS w logos an 14

Steeds don't end their performance formula with suspensionor even with the driveline. John pays particular attention to details withelectronics including a hearty ignition switch built into the top billetmotor mount, the custom designed internal wiring handlebars and “heads-up”digital mirrors that include speedometer, tach, turn signals,high/low indicators and more. They're incredible.

AAA_Center_spread_rt_profile14

I rode one of his choppers through our Wilmington ghetto andfelt immediately comfortable with the handling and weight of themotorcycle. Although his new Phoenix production facility allows hisSteed team to build over three bikes a week, each bike has the detailelements hard to find in custom shops. From the stylish grips to the Kury-Akynfoot pegs, the adjustable positioning of the controls and the customcovered and protected Rivera Brute IV belt drive system; these bikes are set to rock across the country reliably.

Melody_on_da_floor_close_up14

This was the first bike produced at Steeds new expandedproduction facility. The bike was special ordered and built to thespecifications of Rick Peruse. MSRP for the bike is $39,995 andended up at $42,500 with the addition of the 2-up seat support, dualcarbs, IST ignition and chromed wheels. Build time for this machine,6 weeks. “But what about the girl, John?” I groused and John explained that he set up his own photo studio in the Steeds Motorcycles Facility.

fox_hunt_booty_shot14

“You can't have this one, Bandit,” he said, “but I'm going to send you titty bar girl layouts for Bikernet readers monthly.”

left_profile14

“I'll hold you to it, goddamnit,” I snapped and sipped a margarita while pondering her lovely lines.”

top_rear14

Accessory components stick with the top-of-the-lineperformance status, including: all Danny Gray seats, Steeds handfabricated exhaust systems, Steeds hand stretched and modified tanksand fenders, Headwinds headlights and Mikuni carburetors. I rode achopper, not this machine, but their Dyna Glide drive-train configuration with theoil bag under the Baker transmission allows for a lighter moreintegrated driveline which affords overall increased cooling.

Top_rt_3.4_rear_high14

John's new facility is a state of the art production andassembly facility, so when you order a bike, you can bet it will bedelivered on time.

Lt_side_knees_n_hands.jpg_14

Check it out, if you're ever flying throughArizona. Check his bikes, his knowledge of the industry and hispassion for creating a line of bikes that stand up to “Muscle Car”fame, and his constant desire to raise the bar in quality and performance.–Bandit

Rt_front_3.4.jpg_14

Specifications

Owner

Rick Perusse
Connecticut
2005 Steed Sintaur 300-LM MAXIMUM

Gas_Cap_detail14

Human Factor

Designer: John Covington
Fabrication: Steed Motorcycle Company
Assembly: John Covington & Steed Motorcycle Company

tank_paint_mtr_mt_detail14

Painter: Steeds/Larry Vela
Graphics: Vela

Engine Rt side 14

Engine

Year/Model: 2005 S&S
Displacement: 124 Cubic Inches
Ignition: S&S, IST Intelligent Spark
Cases: S&S
Heads: S&S
Cylinders: S&S
Cam Cover: S&S

l_side_motor_detail14

Rocker Boxes: S&S Billet
Cam : S&S
Carburetor: Dual Mikuni HSR45
Air Cleaner: Steed Hypercharger
Exhaust: Steed Dusters
Transmission: Baker RSD 6-SpeedPrimary Cover: H-D

     _Catcher_detail14

Body Work

Gas Tank: Steed LM
Front Fender: Steed LM
Headlight : Headwinds Mariah Rocket
Rear Fender: Steed LM
Taillight: Steed LED

Neck_VIN_location_w_trees14

Frame

Year/Model : 2005 Steed 300 Monoglide Platform
Swingarm: Steed 300 Cobra Swingarm
Rake : 40 degrees
Stretch: 5 inches out 1 inch down

Turn_signal_Solo_Seat_Detail14

Bars cool top rt side shot14

Coil Cover detail 14

Misc.

Oil Tank: Integral in Dyna Transmission
Seat: Danny Gray/Steeds

solo_seat_detail14

Mirrors: Digital Heads up instruments in Mirrors

Mirror_gauges_RT14

Mirror_gauges_LEFT14

Controls (foot) Steed-UMI-Kury Akyn pegs

shift_control_detail14

Controls (hand) Mustang 96+
Speedometer Heads-up Integral in Mirrors
Handlebar Fatty SteedbarT

H_lite_detail14

Trees_and_Bars14

Forks

Type: Steed 54mm trees with CGB(Italy) inverted legs

Shock_detail14

Wheels, Tires & Brakes

Front Wheel: 21-inch by 3-inch Steed
Rear Wheel : 18-inch by 10.5-inch Steed
Front Brake: Wilwood 4-Piston Chromed Billet
Rear Brake: Wilwood 4-Piston Chromed Billet
Front Tire: Avon 120/70 x 21-inch
Rear Tire: Avon 300/35 x 18-inch

2 up seat top detail14
This demonstrates the two-up seat addition in place.

2 up support only14
Here's the frame support for the two-up accessory.

Additional Information:

Photos: © J.Covington June 20, 2004
Model: Melody Harris AKA Diamond'

rt_profile_2_UP_seat14

rt_rear_2_up_seat_close14

steed banner final

Read More

First High School Semester Build-Off

FRONT RIGHT RIDING

I grew up around old skool bikes. My dad has a policespecial Pan and a high bar chopper Pan, as well as astroked Shovel, a flathead, and two Ironhead Sportsters. It'sbeen in my blood way before the yuppies decidedDiscovery Channel made it cool. I always wanted tobuild a Pan after years of riding on my Pa's as alittle kid. In '96 Pa found me a basket case K modelthat we rebuilt with an ironhead motor. I rode thatbike for the last eight years, but definitely had myeyes open for a Pan, Knuck or Shovel to build.

CLASS SHOT FRAME

I am aschool teacher but in the summers work with my buddiesat HEAVY METAL CUSTOM in Faribault, MN. Throughworking there I met a guy they knew who happen to have a basket case Pan for sale. He originally wanted 11grand for it, due to the fact that it came with a newSantee raked hardtail frame as well as the original,new sheet metal and tires and the motor had the 84-inch, S&S hot kit stroker put in and had brand new .060pistons ready to be put in the jugs. I couldn'tafford that so I told him if he would ever drop below8 grand to call me. Two years later, this lastDecember he called, and I picked up the basket case for$7,500.00.

ftfoilbracket

After realizing that my unheated garagewas a shitty place to work on a bike, I decidedto bring the entire bike to my high school metal shopclasses. I could teach a class-project-bike-build.

bike on stand

Ishowed the students all the components and explainedwhat everything represented and how to properly installeach item. We then set up weekly goals, where we wantedthe bike to be. We spent each week working toachieve that goal. One week we talked about machiningand used the school lathe to machine axle spacers. Anotherweek we used our CNC plasma cutting machine to makethe “FTF” '57 Pan remote oil filter bracket as wellas the custom “OLD SKOOL” skull side mount licenseplate bracket. Every aspect of the bike build wasincorporated into my classes to help the studentsbetter understand the old skool way of chopperbuilding.

oilfilter

None of this yuppie, buy a Texas choppershit!

LEFT SIDE PREPAINT

We then contacted PAUL COX from Gasoline Alley abouthaving a custom seat made, (we watch the biker buildoff episodes in class to show fabrication techniques). Paul thought what we were doing was cool, and he bumpedus up into the front of his waiting list to get acustom seat made for the project.

KEVINS GARAGE SIGN

I must say THANKS toPaul Cox, that was way cool of him to do. He is a genuine and a gooddude!

Paulcoxseat

We even made him some cool shop signsthat are hanging at gasoline alley as we speak.

GROUP SHOT

My students had a blast with the project as it became a roller. With the help ofNOAH, from Heavy Metal Customs, who took the day off ofwork, unpaid to instruct my class room. He workedwith the students TIG welding, then aligned the motor and trans for the 3-inchBDL belt drive, they sold us at cost. THANKS FOR THATHMC!!!

MOCK UP PREPAINT

About one week before school was over Paul Coxgot finished the seat, and we finally took the last groupshots of the bike and all the anxious students who were involvedin the bike build.

CLASS PIC 2

The bike is a great running oldPan and will be a part of me until the day Idie. Since I paid for everything on it, I do get tokeep it and will someday pass it on to one of my sons. The other one gets the '52 K model.

WORKING ON MOTOR

This summer I'll ride the old rigid chop to”THE BOOGIE” in Indiana, the 3rd week of July, and willit to Sturgis. I hope to hook up with Paul Coxand Indian Larry.

mock up right

My plan, for next year, is to build abike every year with my students and eventually sellthem, as a fund raisers, to find another old skool basketcase to rebuild.

–KB

 RIGHT RIDING SHOT

Specifications

Frame: Santee frame
Wheels: 16 rear, 21 front
Tranny: suicide shift 4-speed,
Cam:Andrews “B” grind cam
Lower End: S&S stroker kit with .060pistons…86 incher

LICENSE PLATE FRAME

Primary Drive: 3 inch BDL belt drive
Rear Sprocket: 48 tooth
Tranny Sprocket: 26 front
Electrics: 12 volt electrics

FULL RIGHT SIDE SHOT

Oil System: Custommade remote oil filter bracket and side mount licenseplate holder.
Seat: Paul Cox
Finish: Semi flat-black paint
Pipes:Custom made “Fuck the neighbors” loud as hell pipes.

BAAS METAL CRAFT
Custom made steel signs, art, furniture and fabricated parts
www.baasmetalcraft.com
952-215-1252
“When in doubt, burn out!”

TEACHER RIDING MIDDLE FINGER- end

BDL

REAR RIGHT RIDING SHOT

Yes, we know some of the photos are reversed. Just making sure ya'll are paying attention.

Read More

Graffiti By Cyril Huze

full right

“Here is a Bobber that nobody expected me to build,” said Cyril Huze, “Except me and my client, Paul Gren, from Orlando.

Graffiti is the first form of Hip Hop. It pre-dates Rap and all the other forms!!! Graffiti is still the only art form where the life span of a work can be as brief as hours… Like it's often the case with other non-conventional art forms. Some people have a negative point of view on graffiti based on limited or erroneous information. Same about custom motorcycles.

“When I immigrated in the US in '86, I lived in NYC,” Cyril said. “The city had a big impact on me. Here's proof.”

left close

Both graffiti and choppers are innovative and truly original art forms because they allow people to express ideas and share in each other's feelings via the artwork. They are created by artists doing their art for the sake of doing their art. And nobody can seriously challenge the historical relevance of any form of art, tagging walls or customizing bikes. This Graffiti Bobber was built to be reminiscent of the late '60s when aerosol culture was exploding in New-York City and when at the same time bikers began to turn their bikes into their own pieces of art.

“The bike draws a crowd,” Cyril said. “And it's not illegal to spray can your own ride with graffiti.” Graffiti is Cyril showing his respect to street art, on walls and on wheels.

front right angle

“I had a lot of fun building this,” Cyril said, “And I guess everybody will know about my wild side.”

This bike demonstrates Cyril's bike building flexibility, while based in Florida. His two-wheeled artistry fluctuates from art deco creations, to stretched choppers and flowing masterpieces. Check his site or some of the other Cyril Huze Creations on Bikernet.

–Wilburn Roach

lower controls

GRAFFITI SPECIFICATIONS


Designer & Builder: Cyril Huze
Owner: Paul Gren

General:
Fabrication: Cyril Huze Customs (Rick Taylor)
Assembly: Cyril Huze Customs (Rick Taylor)
Year/Make: 2004 Cyril Huze Very Special Construction
Chroming: Chromemasters.

Frame:
Builder: Chica modified Huze
Type: Rigid Gooseneck
Rake: 38-degrees

engine exhaust closeup

Engine:
Year/Model: 2004 Pan/Evo TP Eng.
Displacement: 107 CI
Compression: 10.4: 1
Pistons: TP
Cases: TP polished
Heads: TP polished
Cylinders: TP Polished
Cam: Crane H4
Lifters: TP
Oil Pump: TP Pro-Series
Pushrods: TP
Motor Mount: Huze
Rocker Boxes: Pan Style
Cam Cover: Huze.
Carb: S&S G DaVinci
Air Cleaner: Goodson painted.
Pipes: MGS/Huze Black Coated..
Transmission: Year 04, 6-speed, close ratio, polished & chrome..

top tank

Painter:
Inspiration: Cyril in NYC.
Paint & Graffiti: Chris Cruz
Special paint: Yo, from the Bronx.

tailight

Accessories:
Mirrors: Cyril Huze
Handlebars: Shorty Beach Bars, painted.
Risers: Cyril Huze
Grips: Cyril Huze
Hand controls & Grips: OMP/Huze
Foot Controls & Pegs: OMP/Huze
Clutch: Hydraulic, inside frame
Coil Bracket: Huze
Front Fender: Stolen in the Bronx.
Rear Fender: Huze, welded to frame, so it won't be stolen..
Gas Tank: Huze.
Oil Tank: Killer Chopper
Headlight: Huze painted
Turn signals: Stolen in the Bronx
Taillight: Cyril Huze L.E.D.
Primary Drive: Chain BDL
Primary Cover: Jay Brake.
Seat: Jeff Phipps (Shark with logo tooling).
Forks: Paughco Narrow Springer.

front end left

Wheels:

Front:
Type: Hallcraft 80-spoke, painted.
Size: 21-inch
Tire: Avon Venom MH80/90
Brake: 4-pistons PM

rear tire close

Rear:
Type: Hallcraft 80-spoke, painted
Size: 18 x 7-inch
Tire: Avon 230 mm
Brake: Exile Chain Sprocket Brake 4-piston

seat

Cyril Huze Customs
http://www.cyrilhuze.com
Tel: 561-392-5557
Fax: 561-392-9923

huze calendar
Click here to order a Huze Calendar.

Read More

Monster Garage Tool Bike

riding shot

Walter riding the machine.

Y'know, reality T.V. is a kooky business. It's a relatively new gig and folks are just now startin' to get 'er figured out. Now, all of us know that SOME bikers and hot rodders are fucking CRAZY, and the Hollywood types have discovered this in a BIG way. Personally I don't know what to make of it, but I did an episode of Monster Garage and came away feelin' like that unknown guy on Star Trek. You know the one. He beams down, but he ain't beamin'‚ BACK.

I've built a couple of bikes and laid out a hundred or so paint jobs, and for the past few years I've been locked in mortal combat with God and the Devil. (www.armageddontopfuel.com) So when my wife told me she sent in an application for Monster Garage I thought hmmmmm, more HIGH ADVENTURE. This was all before the show even aired, and we had NO idea what we were getting into.

tank closeup

My wife and I flew down to Long Beach where she met up with friends and lounged by the hotel swimming pool while I was introduced to a hellish project called the Grim Ripper. The crew was made up of a pot smoking Jesus freak, a member of the Sinners MC, A hearse driving artist, a Bobcat employee, and me. Oh and George Barris was on the design team and brought the damn batmobile (HOLY CRAP!). Jesse was busy that week getting some bike ready for Sturgis, but he came around now and then to throw sparks, smile for cameras, and joke around with us. In the end we set the car on fire and became the first ever monster garage failures.

I told them to keep their tools, but through some crazy mix up, they showed up one by one at my door, anyway. So I gave them to my wife, who used the toolbox as a side table, and that was that.

Next thing you know the show airs, and all of the hard work we did must have made nice padding on the cutting room floor, because they made us look like a bunch of first class heels.

Then they called me up and asked me to be on another show.

right rear angle

So I thought about it for a while. Then they told me that my audition video was the best ever and had me send them a copy of it to use on their best of MG show. So I did, and they edited that all screwy. The thing that kept runnin around in my head was, “I like making cool shit, and I like the crew, we had fun, and cars on fire was interesting. But I was sick of them editing the video to make me look bad, what the fuck?”

One good thing about agreeing to take MORE time away from my shop, and spend MORE time being made to look like a fool was that it would give me the chance to return the tools. But the wife had a better idea, “Look, they can't edit your work. Take those stupid tools, build a chopper out of them, and ride it there.”

left side

That's right boys, I didn't marry her for her money.

I was trying to run a business, and didn't have all the time in the world for this project, so I put the word out that we needed parts. Lucky for me, folks thought it was downright diabolical and couldn't wait to be a part of it. My good friends Walter and Sarah came through in a big way. Sarah donated her Chopper Guys frame and Walter lent me his 80-inch Evo and 4-speed out of his Pat Kennedy project. From there great people donated time and odds and ends. Soon we had enough parts to start the thing.

front right angle

I gave myself ONE WEEK to build the bike.

When I say I built the whole bike, I actually mean I built about 85 percent of it. My friends did the rest. It went down like this: It had to be a true chopper, and to me that means a kick-start, rigid, no front brake, suicide clutch, hand shift freak show. From there I figured it'd be cool to make it look like it launched forward so hard the tank exploded and all the tools came flyin' out. I even built a special wheel hub out of a '57 Chevy axle so I could run a 5-spoke E-T. My job was all the design, welding, fabrication and paint plus some of the assembly. The able boys at Lucky's Choppers in Georgetown did the plumbing and wiring with lots of friends chipping in on everything from parts runs, to bodywork, to detailing. After a quick 3-minute test ride, we loaded 'er in the van for an 18-hour drive to Long Beach.

I had the time of my life riding the “Economizer” up to that garage, and whether or not it made the point, we all had fun riding it and posing for pictures by it, and all of us monkeys signed it. Second time around we spanked that ol' hearse BUT GOOD and everybody parted friends. After it was all said and done Walter bought my share of the bike for a nice chunk o' green and he's been puttin' the miles on 'er ever since. Conder Customs is now relocated to Sonoma, CA. If you have some tools you don't need, look us up, my wife is still short one end table.

full right

TECH CHART

OWNER: Walter and Sarah McQuillen

CITY: Port Townsend, Washington

GENERAL

YEAR/MAKE: 2003 Everybody loves a theme bike. I bet those tools 'ill hurt if you crash into that seat. I bet he don't ride it. CONDER CUSTOM
MODEL: Snap together, no competency needed
ASSEMBLY: Tim Conder, Chris Montes, Walter McQuillen, Speed Merchant, Lucky's Choppers, and Sean Walker
TIME: 7 days
CHROMING: I wish I had time for ART BRASS to do it.
POLISHING: Walter

ENGINE
YEAR: 2000
BUILDER: Harley
DISPLACEMENT: 80 inches
CAM: H-D
CARB: S&S
IGNITION: Crane
PIPES: Lucky's Choppers

TRANSMISSION
YEAR/MAKE: Rev-Tech 4-Speed
SHIFTING: wrong way for resale, right way for Walter

rear shot up tank

PAINTING
PAINTER: Tim Conder
MOLDING: Chris Shimke
COLOR: Straight red toner
TYPE: PPG Single stage
SPECIAL PAINT: Autographed by impressive famous people

FRAME
MAKER: Chopper Guys
TYPE: Der Swedish
OTHER ALTERATIONS: Tim Conder

top view of seat

ACCESSORIES
HANDLEBARS: Drag
RISERS: Choppers Inc.
HANDLEBAR CONTROLS: PM
FENDER: Tools
HEADLIGHT: 4 3/4
TAILLIGHT: Cat-eye
SPEEDO: No
PEGS: Tools
FOOT CONTROLS: Tools
GAS TANK: Tool box/tweaked Sportster
OIL TANK: Tool box/Heartland
AIR CLEANER: Choppers Inc.
SEAT: Tools
MIRRORS: No
GRIPS: PM

skull shifter

FRONT END
TYPE: Wide glide
EXTENSION: 10 over
Builder: CCI

WHEELS

FRONT
SIZE: 21×2.5
Builder: V-Twin
TIRES: Avon
BRAKES: No

BACK
SIZE: 16×7
BUILDER: E-T
TIRES: Avon
BRAKES: ISR

SPECIAL THANKS: Alyssa, Walter and Sarah, Chris, Chris, Lucky‚s Choppers, Scott/Speed Merchant, Sean, Vidal, Dave, Jason, Sam and The Central Tavern Consortium, George Barris and ROCKIN‚ EDDIE MUNSTER.

ThisWalter guy is a close friend of mine, and he puts THOUSANDS of miles a yearon a suicide/jockey shift rigid evo. His wife Sarah rides an old FLH andthey are some of the COOLEST people I know. NOT cooler than ME…..but coolall the same. Make 'em famous, I owe 'em money…….

Tim Conder
The Conderosa

http://www.armageddontopfuel.com

Conder Custom
P.O. Box 565
Boyes Hot Springs, CA
(707) 935-7764
theconderosa@hotmail.com

kennedy illo small

Read More

KingJesí Saoirse Bhinn Chopper

lead shot

One of my earliest memories is my pop shouting “Hold on, Jes” over the potato-potato-potato of his chopped '57 Pan as he gave my first H-D ride. Much older I remembered pictures of this classic bike. It was bright orange with at least a 16-over front end (sixteen feet that is).

One of the old skool choppers that we young guys respect so much these days.

bare frame w oiltank

This was taken 27 or 28 April, when my Frame came in.

Another early memory was my father telling me, “If you want to ride a chopper, you have to build it yourself to understand what it's all about.” So from a young age I dreamed of building and riding my own orange chop like my father's. Some 20 years later I have reached my goal, and I have to admit the journey has been as fun as actually riding my finished bike.

engine in box

My 100 cubic inch RevTech Motor came in today. Woo Hoo. I was so excited to get my motor! It's paint time now.

Coming up I have heard several superstitions about bikes. One that comes to mind is that you shouldn't paint your bike green. It's supposed to be bad luck or something. Another is that your bike has to have her own name. So, I named my bike “Saoirse Bhinn”, which comes from the Irish Gaelic term for Sweet Freedom.

fender, bars

rear fender bare metal

This was taken 28 April, 2003 when my sheet metal, tank fenders, bars, etc. came in via UPS dude.

In order to fund this build, I had to sacrifice my “Citrus Belle” bike. I built her from a CCI Hard Core Kit over the past year and was pretty sad to see her go. It was torture not having a bike to wrench on while I was waiting on my new build. From December of 2002, it took 12 weeks for parts to start rolling in from Redneck Engineering in Liberty South Carolina. The 10-up five-out Gettin' High frame was the first to arrive in March 2003. Shortly after, the sheet metal came in.

It was like Christmas!

Every few days, a new box of parts was ready to be cracked open. Once the 100 ci RevTech motor, RevTech 6 speed transmission and BDL 3-inch open belt primary came in, I started mocking it up. Before long, she was ready for paint.

forward controls

Here is a shot of my new forward controls. Pretty sick huh? Still waiting on hand controls but they look the same as the forward controls.

The House of Kolor Tangelo Pearl base was done by Rich's Auto Body in Merced, CA. The House of Kolor Candy apple red graphics were created by Rico's Pin Striping and Graphics, also in Merced. Rico used my flame and clover designs as a base for his artwork. His talent and skill are evident in the pin striping over the ignition and at the base of the stretched King Sporty tank.

front fender bare metal

friends drinking beer

Here's Spunky and Skyler. We are all three sheets to the wind, talkin' crap about my new bike build, chicks and what not.

While the sheet metal was dressed, I sent the same basic flame/clover design along with my seat pan to Gasoline Alley in New York City. Paul Cox worked his magic and turned a simple piece of leather into an instant family heirloom. A photo of the seat is even featured on his section of Indian Larry's web site.

parts

This is just a shot of the misc. parts that have started to roll in. Still nothing like when I got all my parts for the Citrus Belle. Man, I had parts all over the place. This doesn't seem like anything. Sure no front end yet and brakes etc. but most of the parts are here. Still need the primary drive too.

rear shot of tank bare metal

rear tire dollar bill

Avon Venom 250 rear tire. As put the dollar on it just to give you an idea how wide the fukker is. Sick huh. the dollar bill is 6 inches wide so you should see what I mean! This wrapped around a solid billiet smoothy rear rim is going to look sick as hell!

The Whiskey bars, Six Gun Risers and Grips came from the man, Billy Lane of Choppers Inc. in Melbourne Florida. I added these pieces to the final assembly while the local bike shop, Road Dog Cycles in Denair, CA, mounted my Avon rubber.

I was getting antsy as hell to feel her slice the asphalt ribbon.

tank on frame primer side view

Here's the frame and sheet metal at Rich's Autobody.

base paint

Man this is going to look sweet when Mr. Rich's is all finished. I wish I could have been a part of it, but I'd only slow them down! I cannot wait to see the paint on her!

My first ride took place June 30th, 2003 without the seat. It wasn't back from New York, yet, so I wrapped a red shirt around an old sheet and taped it to my frame. At every stop light and corner someone gave me a thumbs-up or a wave. I was on cloud nine. After 20 years of day dreaming and six months of waiting on parts, paint and everything else, I finally rode my orange chopper. I'm sure my Pops was looking down from that big cantina in the sky, smacking his bros backs while sayin', “That's my boy!.”

rico holding fender before graphics copy

Here is Rico, the graphics painter, and my rear fender. Next time I see the fender it will be flamed out!

19 Apr 03, I got a close look at the sheet metal today also. When the paint is on and everything is finished you will never know this had that big ol' bead in it to stretch it. looks like it was pressed from a million dollar machine, but it was not. Now that's somebody work!

-jes
“Jesse Kilgore – cvwebsolutions.com”
jkilgore@cvwebsolutions.com
KingJes.com

final paint with text

Here is a paint job that is really close to the paint job I am shooting for. I want to over lap the flames with a drop shadow on them and then add a four leaf clover with flames at the base of the tank in white or the same color as the yellowish pin around the flames. It's not long now folks!

If you want to build a similar Redneck Engineering kit, check Jesse's web site. There's over a 100 shots of the bike coming together with captions. We picked the cream of the crop.

funky ign. shot with key

TECH SHEET

GENERAL
Fabrication: Redneck Engineering/Owner
Year and Make: 2003 Redneck Engineering
Model: Getting High Rigid
Assembly by: Owner
Time: 6 Months

tranny in frame left side

ENGINE
Year: 2003
Model: RevTech
Ignition: Nology
Displacement: 100CI
Carb: Mukiuni HRS 42
Pipes: Grumpys Hell Bent

engine tranny in frame right side

TRANSMISSION
Year: 2003 RevTech
Shifting: 6 SPEED
Primary: BDL 3″ OPEN Belt

painted sheetmetal

30 May 2003 – Driving from Rico's shop to Mr. Rich's must have been the longest 1/2 mile I have ever driven! I would have KILLED anyone that hit my truck on the way over, if my sheet metal was damaged at all!

30 May 2003 – Mr Rich and the Rocket Chopper frame! Mr Rich is a great guy! I have heard people say he is tuff on them, but wouldn't you be if your name was on the sign out from of the shop?

3 June 2003 – Mr. Rich's shop got the clear coat all finished up! I got the e-mail and when I looked at the paint I got short of breath and tiny goose bumps! How the hell is that for a paint job! Man, I am so pleased with this paint job!

PAINTING
Molding: Richís Auto Body
Painter: Richís Auto Body/Ricoís Pin Striping
Color: Tangelo Pearl/Candy Apple Red
Type: HOUSE OF KOLOR

BikeWires

BikeWiresFinal

WTF? Haha, I hate wiring! I am going to try to figure it out tonight! I hope my other parts came in. Six months later! Suggestion, don't get a bike kit from Redneck Engineering, this is BS…

FRAME
Year: 2003
Builder: Redneck Engineering
Type: Gettingí High Rigid
Stretch: 5″ STR/ 10″ UP
other: 1.5″ Dia. Tubing

old handled bars

Below is a shot of the new 6-gun risers and bars I got from Choppers Inc. I also have the 6-gun grips. Should look pretty cool when I mount them on my bike..

The risers and bars turned out nice. I like 'em alot.

new bars and risers

ACCESSORIES
Bars: Choppers Inc. Whiskey Bars
Risers: Choppers Inc 6î Six Gun
Grips: Choppers Inc SCALLOPED Six Gun
Fenders: D&D Front/Redneck Rear
Headlight: Head Winds
Taillight: Cat Eye
Speedo: N/A
Front Pegs: Legends
Rear Pegs: N/A
Electrics: RedNeck Engineering/Owner
Gas Tank: Stretched King Sporty
Oil Tank: Redneck Engineering
Seat: Paul Cox Custom Leather

seat on bike finished

I mailed out the seatpan and design some time later in the week. I asked that Paul do whatever he thinks will look best on the seat. Since he is the professional, I'll let him change the flames, however he thinks is best. I cannot wait for this seat man! BAD ARSS!

July 10th my custom Paul Cox seat came in! I have to say – I have never seen this kind of quality in a seat, ever! All the Corbins and the other big guys all look like they were mass produced in some big machine.. This looks hand crafted. Paul took the time and cut every little peice of leather and hand tooled a custom design I sent to him. This seat is my favorite part of this bike. I am really liking the pin striping on the tank, but the seat is so custom you don't see it very often at all!

front end on painted frame

May 31 thru June 1 – Got the front triple tress and forks on the bike. I had to drimmle out the inside of the lower trees cause they were skuffing my fork tubes. Nothing a buffer and polish won't fix, but it's still a pain! You would think that since this was my 2nd build I would know this shit by now. Oh well, 3rd time is the charm! Haha.

FORKS
Type: Deuce
Extension: 16 OVER
Builder: Hawg Halters
Special Features: 3 DEGREES IN TREES

polishing front wheel

These were taken 22 May 2003 – I tapped the hub 'cause it had some shit clogged up in the threads. I didn't want to fuck it up, so I cleaned them out real fast.

WHEELS
Front
Size: 21×2.5
Rim: CCI
Tires: Avon Venom
Brakes: Hawg Halters
Rear
Size: 18×8.5
Rim: CCI Smoothie
Tires: Avon Venom 250
Brakes: Hawg Halters

rear shot finished bike

riding shot

30 June 03 – here it is the first ride. It was powerful, loud and snappy. I'm very happy. This 100 ci motor from RevTech is nice. I hope this one is as solid as the last one. I rode all over, after I made sure nothing was loose or falling off. I adjusted the clutch cable and gave the fuel idle adjusting screw a few twists to get her all lined up, and off I went! Woo hoo!

right rear angle finished

Took the choppa out for a few pictures the other day. Here is what I came up with. Sucky thing is I lost the Von Dutch buckle/air cleaner I made. That sucks. Guess JB weld isn't that great after all. Next time I'll make sure I bolt it on. Lesson Learned.

Avon Banner

BIKERNET QUIZZED JESSE

BN:How did you pick a Redneck Engineering kit bike?

JK:I saw the Redneck Engineering axle covers on a bike I saw at a show. I cant remember what show. Anyway, when I got the chance I got on-line and started looking for there frames and found there site. When I got to looking around the site I saw that they had “bike kits” for sale but I could totally customize the kit, frame dimensions, open primary, front end etc. When I found out they offered this I was sold.

BK:How many models do they offer?

JK:They are not “kits” persay because they'll alter it to your liking while you talk to one of the reps (Michael was mine and a great help too). It's not like the CCI Hard-core or Hard-core II type bike in a box, they are pretty much kits you pick and choose.

BK:How are your feeling about a kit bike?

JK:For me a bike kit is a great place to start. I don't have a bunch of tools for fabricating tanks and fenders as well as everything else that goes into the hi-end bikes like WCC or Choppers Inc. level bikes, but because of places like Redneck Engineering, Big Bear Choppers, CCI and the like, a normal guy can get a really nice bike together because they can knock out all the stuff that takes $10k worth of tools.

engine in painted frame

BK:What would be your suggestions for young builders?

JK:Is this a trick question? I don't consider myself a builder. I think of myself as more of an assembly guy. I didn't bend the tubes for the frame, didn't bust out a hammer and leather bag and pound out a tank or anything like that. I just took a bunch of nice parts an put 'em together. Any Joe can order a “bike Kit” and put it together. It will be 10 years before I would even consider myself a builder. I have to much respect for the guys who are the real builders, to even try to call myself one.

So to really answer your question, the main thing I learned from this bike tech wise is to take an old water hose, cut it to length for your tubes then slice it long ways and slide that over the frame to protect it better. Tape doesn't work worth a shit if your puttin' the motor in by yourself you are less likely to scratch the frame if the motor hits it..

CCI

Click to order Catalog!

BRAND NEW CUSTOM CHROME CATALOG RELEASED–

Custom Chrome's new offering for 2004. The California based distributor brings you the most comprehensive product offering in the Harley-Davidson aftermarket! At over 1,200 pages and over 22,000 part numbers, their 2004 Catalog features the new RevTech 110 Motor, Hard Core II, Ares bikekits and noumious frames and forks–everything from nuts & bolts to performance products. It's the Custom Bike Bible for the year.

ONLY $9.95 + 6.95 Shipping**

Read More

Muscle Steed 300 Sintuar

Avon Banner

steed logo on riser

What's in a name? Even a vivid description of the mythological half-horse, half-man, the Centaur leaves something to the imagination. You might have a Centaur picture in your mind, recalling a panting or drawing published in a old high school textbook. But, no one has really witnessed the mechanical version, in the metallic-flesh, until now.

300_logo

There's only one of these Steed Sintaur's (that's how John Covington, Muscle President, spell it) in existence, and I saw it in the pearlescent-flesh at Steed Musclebike motorcycles in Scottsdale, Arizona. Almost a year ago, John Covington, heard the myth of a 300 Avon Tyre, an English subsidiary of Cooper Tires. The Brits have a habit of spelling things funny, too.

left side pre 300
Initially fashioned chassis with 280 Metzler.

John created Steed motorcycles in Scottsdale in '92. His Cobra inspired bike was inducted into the motorcycle hall of fame last year. His reputation with the guys at AVON garnered him the hot new 300-tire dimensional specifications last summer. He immediately went to work re-designing his 7-year-old proprietary Monoglide Chassis (single shock under the seat), so it would accept this behemoth-sized chunk of rubber. Avon shipped an advance, pre-production tire directly to Steeds in mid-December.

What you see here is the first 300-tire bike built in America.

right frame shot pre 300

Covington's individually crafted bikes are known for performance and styling aspects, but for some reason he never jumped into putting giant tire realm onto. “I felt that a 180/200 tire fitment on my Monoglide chassis would offer optimum handling,” John said. “So I didn't want to get into the Fat-Tire race, especially since there seemed to be a new, bigger, fatter tire coming out every other month. When will it end, you know? Then I got wind of the AVON 300. I found out that it was not only going to be substantially wider, it was going to be about an inch taller than every other rear motorcycle tire. That means it has more of a hump in the center so you'll still have cornering performance, and that's what it's all about to me: riding. Who wants a bike that won't lean into a corner?”

swingarm w 300 pre paint

To propel the new fat-tire Steed bikes into the twisties, he's introduced an entirely new engine in their 2004 Muscle model. The revolutionary Powerhouse 114 Musclebike motor, made in the USA, now powers all 2004 Steed bikes. This engine isn't like anything you've ever experienced in an American V-Twin bike. Its design is different right down to the two separate connecting rods and “Pork chop” flywheels, like those found in car engines. This motor redlines way up at 7300 rpm and delivers 135 horsepower with 130 foot-pounds of torque. Its polished billet heads and cylinders are also very eye-catching.

They let me test ride this new Sintaur beast and it was the smoothest running big-inch motor I've ever twisted the wick on.

It has incredible power that doesn't ever quit. I don't even know why they put the Baker 6 speed in it, because before I knew it I was doing 80 in fourth gear. Just amazing.

right 3 4 driveline pre 300

What's even more amazing is that Covington is going to offer copies of this Sintaur model with an MSRP of only $39,995. Instead of building one of these for some testosterone charged athlete for $80k a pop, he's enlisted the help of Patrick Coval. Pat worked at Titan Motorcycle as their General Manager and led their recent recovery. Coval is working on expanding and operating a lean production facility at Steeds to reproduce Covington's innovative motorcycle designs, at a price closer to reality.

baker banner

No myths about it, the Steed Sintaur exists. The Sintaur is agile, meaty, powerful and stunning. This machine is a beast and produced with individual style. To find out more, check out their web site, http://www.musclebikes.com, or ask a dealer near you.

–H.J.

surg. steeds banner

full left

rear shot

rear top no seat

Questions For John From Bikernet

shock detail

BN: What's with the design of that swingarm?

JC: It's design was inspired by the Right Side drive swingarm. I like the ideaof a tri-angulated swingarm so the bike will look like a rigid frame,traditional bike. But, Unless you make the swingarm an extra 5 inches wider,wider seat etc…Which will just look silly, we bent the tubing to thecenter, and used the same billet axle blocks that we make for the 200Monoglide. Form following function, for a reason…

right rear tire detail

BN: If someone orders this model can the frame dimensions be adjusted,more rake, longer stretch, etc?

JC: We do them any rake stretch, all it takes is a little $$$

right rear 3 4

BN:This is not a two-up bike. What's the deal?

JC: We have plans to make a two up version. If you look closely at the supportbehind the single seat, it bolts up to the chassis. All you'll have to dois bolt up the support for a two up seat. We've kept the dimensions underthe seat to fit a stock Softail seat, pre-99. That way you don't have to order a custom seat pans to swap out seats.

full right

BN: Tell me about the transmission?

JC: The best of the best, from the innovator of the 6-Speed, Bert Baker. Rightside drive, Dyna style, so the motor oil is in the sump pan which is part ofthe tranny case.

text axle adjusters

left side primary

BN: Tell me about the driveline design, how far is it offset, how will ithandle, where's the center of gravity?

JC: The drivetrain has no extra spacers whatsoever and is positioned right oncenter of the bike. Pretty cool huh? I been working on this design since lastApril, and we've run this single shock trademark Monoglide typechassis since '97. So this was the next logical progression. It's allZen…

text rear details

BN: How much travel in the frame? What type of monster brakes does the Muscle bike sport?

JC:Wilwood, 4 piston chrome billet. We did all our DOT testing with these andfound them to be outstanding performers. The shock has a little over an1.5 inches of travel before the rubber bump stops. The rear wheel travels almost 3 inches. You can see the full travel in thebike shots, plus about a quarter of an inch. It's the distance between thefender and the concave seat back support.

BN:What makes a muscle Steed bike different from a Big Dog or American Ironhorse?

JC: We build pedigreed custom bikes, and I build them with a purpose in mind–TO PERFORM. We spend a bunch of time building bikes that have realengineering and thought put into them. We're not just selling tires andpaint jobs here.

left rear angle

BN:What about the exhaust system?

JC:That's a one off for the prototype 300. I like 'em. We may end upproducing them for a production run. I just got back from the LA NAMM show (music oriented dealer show), and the pipes went over well.

We're headed to Ohio for the V-Twin Expo. Our Sintuar model is book listed, EPA/CARB and DOT certified, insurable and financeable by most lenders. The MSRP is only $39, 995.

left rear angle light on

The 300 Appaloosa Chopper and 300 Clydesdale Pro-Street versions are coming soon. Limited quantities are available due to the exclusive nature of the proprietary STEED design.

Click to the Steed Musclebike web site for dealers or contacts.

right front angle

surg. steeds banner

front left

Tech Sheet

Owner: Rick Allen, Scottsdale, AZ
Make/Model: 2004 Steed Sintaur
Designer: John Covington
Fabrication: Steed Musclebike Motorcycles
Painter: Steeds and G-Dawg, Art by T-Step

engine detail carb side

engine shot

Engine: Powerhouse Steed Musclebike, USA V-Twin
Displacement:114 Cubic Inches
Power:135 horsepower, 130 Ft. Lbs. Torque
Heads:Powerhouse Billet Dual Plug, polished
Cylinders:Steel sleeved billet aluminum, polished
Cam Cover:Powerhouse chromed billet
Rocker Boxes:2 piece polished billet, O-ring type
Cam:Andrews Powerhouse
Air Cleaner:Hyper Charger / K&N
Exhaust: Steeds Custom, Perf-Temp wrapped

front right angle engine detail

Transmission:Baker RSD 6-Speed Polished Dyna Style

text instruments and shock

Sheet Metal
Gas Tank:Steed Stretch
Front Fender:Wernimont/Steeds
Rear Fender:Wernimont/Steeds
Tail light:Steeds

Frame: Steed 300 Monoglide Platform
Rake, Stretch:40 degree neck, 5î out, 1î under
Swingarm:Steed 300 Cobra Venom Style
Oil Tank:Integral in the Dyna Transmission

bars close up

Accessories
Saddle:Danny Gray, Steed Leather
Mirrors: Digital Heads-up instruments
Handlebars:Steed Fatties
Speedo:Digital, integral in left mirror
Tach:Digital, integral in right mirror
Foot Controls:Steed/UMI chrome billet
Handlebar Controls:Ergo Style, Chrome

Forks:Steed / GCB (Italy) Inverted 54mm

brake close up

Wheels and Brakes
Front Wheel:Steed 3.5×18 w/ AVON 130 Super Venom Tire
Rear Wheel:Steed 10.5×18 w/AVON 300 Super Venom Tire
Brakes:Wilwood 4-piston Chromed Billet
Rotors:Steed Tri-spoke polished

rear tire detail

Read More

Savage On The Streets

rear fender 500

Each month we try to bring you an example of the finest custom choppers we can find. Granted December isn't exactly the best time of year to find sweet street machines roaming free in the snowy Northeast, but a deadline is a deadline.

I ran into Dave, Mouse and all the boys from EAST SIDE CUSTOM CHOPPERS at a bike show in their home town of Newburgh, NY last spring. Again, we hooked up at the Brok'n Spoke Saloon in Laconia in June, where they set up shop for the event. I was extremely impressed with their work. I asked them to keep me posted on their progress.

front right three q

You see, in the Neuvo Television Chopper World, you need the Discovery Channel to get any attention at major events. Especially if your shop happens to be in the same town as the infamous knuckleheads from O.C.C. Well, EAST SIDE CUSTOM CHOPPERS has the dubious distinction of NOT having a TV show and being in the same area as the O.C.C. masters of disaster. That being said, Dave, Mouse and da boyz gathered throngs of admirers, and on-lookers lined up to see the dazzling display of their one-of-a-kind custom. yet very rideable, hard core bikes. It did my jaded heart good to see that a small shop, manned by guys, who still keep their day jobs and devote every spare moment to the “ART OF THE CHOPPER”, received the attention they so richly deserved.

They call this beauty the SAVAGE. The name fits when you consider what makes it roar. Yeah, it's a beautiful work of art, but it has the heart and soul of a savage jungle beast. It took E.C.C. 6 weeks of afterhours wrenching to get this baby ready to tear up the road. The engine is a 113 cubic inch 2004 ULTIMA El Bruto, balanced and blue printed by the factory with a few in house tricks tossed in for good measure. A Crane Hi-4 ignition helps the beast leap to life. Ultima forged pistons pump life through her and an S&S Super G Carb with a custom E.C.C. air cleaner keeps the blood flowing.

over the top

A 2004 REVTECH 6-speed transmission hooked up to the HITECH OUTLAW 4-inch open primary, delivers the power to the RC COMPETITION slashed rotor pulley for an unbelievable torque of 120 ft.lb from 120 RW HP. The beast belches its exhaust through a set of Martin Brothers Medusa pipes.

The power plant nestles comfortably in a brand new RC COMPONENTS Softail frame. It was remolded by Sammy and Phil Iannolo of NSI ENTERPRISES, with a single down tube, a 40 degree raked neck stretched out 5 inches and raised 6 inches.

full right

The forks are fully inverted, 12 inches over stock and raked 6 degrees in the neck. They were built especially for the bike by American Suspension. The handlebars are 1 1/4-inch low drag style. The fenders are custom shaped by Russ Wernimont of E.C.C. Lighting the way is an ADJURE 5 3/4-inch Flame with Ice Lamp and a TAYLER ENGINEERING vertical side mounting LED rear light lets you know you've just been blown by. The rest of the electrics are E.C.C. custom featuring green LED's. The fuel tank is an INDEPENDENT TORMENTER with hidden mounts and a pop up cap. The oil tank is from RACING INNOVATIONS also customized by E.C.C. as is the oil delivery system.

The meticulous paint job is House of Kolor Candy Green featuring shaded ghosting. Splatter House Painting did an outstanding job placing a gargoyle perched atop a skull on the rear fender. The work on the front fender and tanks has to be seen to be appreciated.

All of this engineering rests on some sweet rims. RC Components hubs attach the Slash Chrome rims to 21-inch x2.5-inch front and 18-inch x 8.5-inch Metzler tires.

logo use

East Side Custom Choppers

446 South Plank Road ( Rte 52)

Newburg, NY 12550

845 566-0436

http://www.eastsidecustomchoppers.com

The guys told me they just acquired 3 acres on Route 52 and are going to develop a strip mall dedicated to choppers. They'll develop their shop, a paint shop and a few other fulltime stores dedicated solely to motorcycling. “One stop chopper shopping” This is definitely an idea whose time has come.

And hey, ya never know. You just might be seeing Dave, Mouse and the rest of the crew on their own television show in the near future, if talent and tenacity have anything to do with it.

–TBear

primary drive

TECH SHEET

GENERAL Fabrication: EAST SIDE CUSTOM CHOPPERS(ECC)
Year and Make: 2004 ECC
Model: SAVAGE
Assembly by: ECC
Time: SIX WEEKS
Chroming: ECC

ENGINE
Year: 2004
Model: ULTIMA (EL BRUTO)
Rebuilder: ULTIMA
Ignition: CRANE HI-4
Displacement: 113CI
Lower end: ULTIMA
Balancing: ULTIMA
Pistons: ULTIMA – FORGED
Rated Power: 120 RW HP/ 120 FT. LB TORQUE
Cases: ULTIMA
Heads: ULTIMA
Cams: ULTIMA
Lifters: ULTIMA
Carb: S&S SUPER G
Air cleaner: ECC CUSTOM
Pipes: MARTIN BROTHERS MEDUSTA

TRANSMISSION
Modifications: N/A, REVTECH
Year: 2004
Shifting: 6 SPEED
Engine Sprocket: HITECH OUTLAW 4″ OPEN
Trans sprocket: REVTECH
Wheel sprocket: RC COMP ROTOR PULLEY – SLASH

PAINTING
Molding: NSI ENT. (SAMMY AND PHIL IANNOLO)
Painter: SPLATTER HOUSE
Color: CANDY GREEN
Type: HOUSE OF COLORS

FRAME
Year: 2004
Builder: RC COMP
Type: SOFTAIL
Rake: 40 DEGREES
Stretch: 5″ STR/ 6″ UP
Other: SINGLE DOWN TUBE

ACCESSORIES
Bars: 1 1/4 LOW DRAG
Risers: N/A
Fenders: ECC CUSTOM / RUSS WERNIMONT
Headlight: ADJURE 5 3/4 FLAME WITH ICE LAMP
Taillight: TAYLER ENGINEERING – VERTICAL SIDE – LED
Speedo: N/A
Front Pegs: BILLET CHROME WITH BANDS (2 1/2 EXTENSION)
Rear Pegs: CHROME HORSE
Electrics: ECC / GREEN LEDs
Gas Tank: INDEPENDENT TORMENTOR (HIDDEN MOUNTS, POP-UP CAP)
Oil Tank: ECC CUSTOM / RACING INNOVATIONS
Oil System: ECC
Seat: ECC CUSTOM / DANNY GRAY

FORKS
Type: FULLY – INVERTED
Extension: 12 OVER
Builder: AMERICAN SUSPENSION
Special Features: 6 DEGREES IN TREES

WHEELS

Front
Size: 21×2.5
Hub: RC COMPONENTS
Rim: SLASH CHROME

Rear
Size: 18×8.5
Hub: RC COMPNENTS
Rim: SLASH CHROME
Tires: METZELER
Brakes: F. HHI / R. RC COMP

Read More
Scroll to Top