General Posts

California Highway Patrol officials announced Wednesday they have broken up three Los Angeles County-based motorcycle theft rings, including one in Long Beach. The alleged rings, also in Santa Fe Springs and the San Fernando Valley, focused on stealing sport bikes and parts. The investigation, known as Operation Wheel Spin, resulted in 51 arrests, and the recovery of 110 stolen motorcycles and 29 parts, according to officials from the CHP. “These parts are worth almost $1 million in property value,” said Dan Bower, CHP Southern Division Chief. “Vehicle theft is an increasing problem in California.” After CHP investigators went undercover, they discovered the stolen parts were being sold online to locations out of state and out of the country, Bower said. If someone believes that the CHP may have recovered their stolen motorcycle or parts, they are encouraged to contact the CHP Southern Division’s Investigative Services Unit at 323-644-9550 and ask to speak to an officer. Read more

  RetroMod Rigid Panhead Bars and Risers Text and photos by Doug Coffey Back in the sixties the movie Wild Angels came out shortly followed by a soundtrack album with a great cover. One of the bikes on the cover caught my eye. The one to the right of the lead bike has a set of low rise Zee style handlebars. Try as I might I could never find a manufacturer low rise Zee bars. Everything available was four inch rise or higher and it is still the same today. I decided I would make my own Zee bars for this new bike project….. READ MORE    

    TPG Monarch Jacket for Women MSRP: $499.95 Sizes: XS- 2XL TPG Rainier for Men MSRP: $499.95 Available in Tall sizes and up to 4XL Firstgear is proud to announce the long awaited return of the TPG Rainier and Monarch Jackets! These jackets incorporate the most advanced technological features in motorcycle protective outerwear. Utilizing Cocona® technology, waterproof-breathable laminate for the most effective moisture transfer textile available anywhere. The new TPG features the latest generation of D3O® armor protection, T-5 Evo Pro, and the highest degree of impact protection exceeding all CE Level 2 standards. • Cocona® waterproof breathable shell • D3O® T-5 Evo Pro armor at shoulders, elbows and back • Waterproof zipper treatments throughout • Inner cuff wrist gaiter       Visit www.firstgear-usa.com  for more information or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FirstGearUsa   Advertisement  

  Restoration Guide for older Honda Motorcycles By Doug Mitchel and published by Wolfgang Publications Inc. Yep, I’m reviewing a Honda Motorcycle book on a Harley enthusiast website. I would guess that many of us have owned or ridden at least one of the bikes in this book, whether we would admit it or not. Doug Mitchel has put together a comprehensive collection of photographs and facts to be used as a guide for the average Joe thinking about restoring an old Honda. Enthusiasts Guide, Honda Motorcycles: 144 pages, over 300 color photographs. CLICK TO READ MORE     Click on Logo for website      

We use our smart phones for everything these days. But with the variety of phones (not to mention cases and covers for them), sometimes it’s difficult to know the best way to mount a phone on your motorcycle. It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. We think a video is worth 10,000! In Leader’s newest video, eCaddy Motorcycle Phone Mount Overview, Leader co-owner Tracey Cramer gives a quick demo on four different types of phone mounts: — The eCaddy Tri-Grip is ideal for larger phones, or phones in cases/covers — The eCaddy Deluxe Universal is the most flexible and works with phones both in cases and alone — The eCaddy Diamond is specifically made for Apple iPhones If waterproofing is important to you, the eCaddy Ultra with waterproof cover is just the ticket But perhaps most important, Tracey ‘tells it like it is’ when it comes to manufacturing in the US: “Our products are not cheap. They are machined, polished and chrome plated in the US. But you get what you pay for; why not do it right? And more to the point, you’ll still be using the eCaddy for years to come because that’s how solid they are.” The eCaddy Mounts have been made in the USA since their inception 13+ years ago – and this video shows why we’re committed to keeping production in the USA! Advertisement

The country’s best amateur motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle hillclimbers will head to Bay City, Wis., Aug. 15-17 for the 2014 AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship, hosted this year by the Valley Springs Motorcycle Club. “Who hasn’t sat on their dirtbike or ATV, stared at a long, gnarly hill and said to themselves, ‘I can make that!’” asked AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. “There’s something about hillclimbing that challenges all of us who have a competitive spirit. Hundreds of amateur racers will put that daring spirit on full display this August when the best motorcycle and ATV hillclimbers meet the challenge of the historic hill in Bay City, Wis.” The Bay City, Wis., hillclimb was brought back in 2012 after a 26-year layoff, the last time the location held the AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship. The hosting club, the Valley Springs Motorcycle Club, has put in a lot of effort to revitalize the hill. “The AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship coming to the legendary 500-foot hill at Bay City, Wis., will bring racers from all over the United States,” said Mike Bronk, president of the Valley Springs Motorcycle Club. “Spectators will see classes ranging from kids’ minibikes to open-class monsters with ground-shaking power, racing up the hill for the fastest time.” The best racers in the most-competitive classes will compete for the AMA Hillclimber of the Year Award and the AMA ATV Hillclimber of the Year Award. Other special awards will acknowledge standout riders in other categories. The family-friendly event will feature concessions and souvenirs as well as all-day racing. For more information about the area and specific directions to the hill, see www.valleyspringshillclimb.com. 

  Perfect Christmas Presents!!   WOMEN’S NEW SANTA ROSA VEST • Fully-lined leather vest features a zip front closure • Nubuck accents give this vest a timeless look • Power stretch panels at the waist provide a more    comfortable fit and freedom of movement when  riding • 2 front, on-seam pockets give room for essentials • Includes 2-year manufacturer’s warranty SM/MD/LG/XL $119.95 2XL/3XL $129.95 Click to purchase     WOMEN’S TWIN IRON VINTAGE JACKET   This retro style jacket provides protection and comfort both on and off the bike: • 2 front shoulder intake vents and 2 vertical rear  exhaust vents allow maximum air flow • The removable, insulated, fully-sleeved warm  liner has a built-in pocket for most mobile device • Waist side tabs offer an adjustable fit • Snap closure tab collar provides a secure fit • 1 Zippered placket pocket inside allows easy  access to important contents • Includes 2-year manufacturer’s warranty   MSRP $249.95 Click to purchase   

  Quadruple Bypass Surgery and Grand Openings. Photos and text by Algie Pirrello, Killing Machine Choppers. In October 2008, I had quadruple heart bypass surgery to bypass 6 blockages. If it weren’t for the Hardtail Harlot’s relentless nagging, I wouldn’t be here to share my adventures. After the surgery, we started looking for new digs. Our shop was a split level and pushing bikes up steep inclines was out for me. I also wanted to slow my roll a bit. Hun was in school and my old road dog Snoop and I were alone to deal with everything. We dug in for the winter with the plan to start looking for a new shop in the spring. It was a tough winter. There were vast amounts of snow and I was on strict orders from the doctor to limit my physical activity. To make matters worse, we lost Snoop to cancer which was especially difficult for Hun who had rescued him when he was two weeks old. There was a light at the end of the tunnel though. We rescued an American Bulldog mix named Toby to cheer Hun up and he has been my constant companion since. READ ARTICLE!  

On a mission to ignite more fun, attitude and a little rebellion into the holidays, Harley-Davidson introduces the company’s new online Gift Guide at www.h-d.com/holiday. The guide is packed full of the season’s hottest items that will put more Harley into your holidays– from the latest in cutting-edge motorcycle fashions to apparel that can bring out the “bad-ass” in anyone, including jackets, hats, collectibles and tech and audio toys, with most gifts under $100 and many under $50.   More Holiday “PINspiration” – And a Chance to Win Harley-Davidson also debuted the first-of-its-kind naughty list everyone will want to be on this holiday season: #HDNAUGHTYLIST and new Pinterest pinboard at www.pinterest.com/harleydavidson. The pinboard features hip holiday gifts as well as 2014 bikes, Vintage Harley-Davidson and Dark Custom items, and parts and accessories to customize rides. Starting November 26 and running through December 24, people can create their own #HDNAUGHTYLIST pinboard with items that appeal to their rebellious spirit. Harley-Davidson will pick nine weekly winners at the $25-$200 level and one $10,000 grand prize winner. No purchase necessary, visit www.pinterest.com/harleydavidson for more information and details on how to enter.

One of the most prestigious bike shows on the West Coast is the annual Dave Mann Chopperfest which was held recently at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura California. This show brings out the best of the best in old school chopper builders. Representing IronWorks and charged with picking a bike worthy of receiving the IW Editor’s Choice award at the event was “Kiwi” Mike Tomas. With all the fantastic machines in attendance it had to be difficult but “Kiwi” Mike picked this beautiful 1946 Harley UL Flathead as the winner of the IW Editor’s Choice award. The bike was built by Ron Baldonado at Rock Bottom Motorcycle Co. Ron cited a “need for speed” and board track racers, which were the very best motorcycles that the  companies’ had to offer, as his inspiration behind the build . He says he had been doing the main stream custom bike thing for a while but then got the speed bug again so he built his version of a board track racer. The bike took two years  to finish and is actually a hodgepodge of parts from different eras that Ron found at swap meets and on eBay, plus some in house fabricated or altered parts. The ‘46 UL engine was a hand-me-down which has been bored 20 over to around 80 ci. The frame is from the 1930s but had to have some simple alterations done to it so the engine, transmission and the girder forks (from a British bike) would fit. Ron handcrafted the fuel tank which doubles as both the gas and oil tank. When he was done the tank was sent to Bill Keyes in Oxnard, California who applied the board track era paint scheme. BTW another subtle touch is that the bike has a rear stand like