General Posts

  Just in time for the holiday season, and only for a limited time, the Harley-Davidson Museum is releasing 10 new images from its archives and making them available for purchase on harley-davidsonimages.com. These limited prints are a mix of photographs and vintage advertisements and are available for purchase for the first time ever. On Dec. 31, 2012, the images will return to the vault. “These authentic Harley-Davidson images make the perfect gift for any motorcycle enthusiast, or for anyone who enjoys American history and heritage,” said Bill Davidson, Vice President of the Harley-Davidson Museum. “Since launching the new harley-davidsonimages.com site, more people have the opportunity to choose and own their very own piece of H-D history.” On Monday, Nov. 26, also known as “Cyber Monday,” all custom framed prints purchased on harley-davidsonimages.com will be 25 percent off. Earlier this year the Harley-Davidson Museum launched harley-davidsonimages.com. More than 500 different images are available via the new site, many of which have never before been seen by the public. The site also provides several print options, allowing customers to find photos they want and have them printed on various media, including stretched canvas, wooden signs, archival paper and more. Visit www.harley-davidsonimages.com for more information.

Lightning Motorcycles brought its superbike to the 1.3-mile course that runs downs the El Mirage dry lake bed.  In an effort sponsored by solar technology company SMA, and with LSR veteran Jim Hoogerhyde gripping the handlebars (tightly, we imagine), Lightning flashed down the dusty trail at 189.086 mph. That speed gives the company the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) record for production motorcycles – electric or gas-powered – for that venue. There two significant things about this achievement. First, the energy for the three runs was supplied courtesy of the sun. Its rays fed a 48-kWh battery pack attached to a mobile solar array, which in turn, fueled the bike's on-board batteries. This is no coal-powered motorcycle. Second, though wearing a streamlined fairing, the bike is essentially the same machine that the first handful of customers will begin receiving within the next 60 days or so. Yes, Lightning Motorcycles is turning that hard corner from race team and technology developer to actual manufacturer. And that is no small feat.

  California is home to more than 1.3 million licensed motorcyclists and some of the best riding weather year round.  Unfortunately, the state has also experienced an increase in the number of people killed in motorcycle-involved collisions.  The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is preparing to address the problem with the help of a federal grant that will fund a yearlong, lifesaving effort. “Motorcycle awareness is a priority for the California Highway Patrol and a key to saving lives on the roadway,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.  “Education combined with enforcement will help reinforce the concept that all motorists need to safely share the road.” Each year hundreds of motorcyclists are killed in collisions and thousands are injured.  According to preliminary data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there has been nearly a 20 percent increase in the number of motorcyclists killed from 2010 to 2011.  The recent increase follows a two-year decline (2008-2010) in motorcycle-involved collisions.   To reverse the trend and reduce motorcycle-involved collisions resulting in injury or death, the CHP has begun an intensive public awareness campaign which will run through September 30, 2013.  In addition to enforcement, the campaign includes an education component which will be achieved through public service announcements, social media, public outreach events, and motorcycle safety and road-sharing presentations throughout California. “Without a continued focus on motorcycle safety education for all motorists, the number of motorcycle-involved collisions may continue to rise, especially as more Californians are turning to motorcycles as a means of transportation,” added Commissioner Farrow. Funding for the California Motorcycle Safety Enforcement and Education II was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows steers the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Competition, an elite-level custom motorcycle builder competition, into the San Mateo County Event Center, Friday November 16 to Sunday, November 18. Bay Area bike builders are encouraged to enter custom motorcycle creations for a chance to win a piece of the $90,000 cash purse, more than any builder competition in the world. Five cash prize winners will be chosen in San Mateo, leading up to the United States Championship finale set to take place at the end of the tour. With more than 500 custom-built bikes on display across the country, the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Competition sets itself apart as the world’s largest traveling custom bike competition.  The J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Competition will host five competitive classes, including Freestyle, Modified Harley, Retro Mod, Performance Custom and, new this year, Modified Street. The custom bikes will be judged by the competitors themselves, as well as industry veterans, with the top builders in each class receiving awards. A ceremony will take place at each show where winners will receive cash prizes and trophies followed by a short interview so attendees can learn the story behind the award-winning bikes. New this year, the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows will also host a J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Photo Booth where builders will pose for photos in a professional studio with their competition bikes. Space at each J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Competition is limited. Interested custom builders should log on to www.ultimatebikebuilder.com or call 919/450-5060 for more details.  

  What do you get when you mix a motorcycle cop with a motorcycle rally? A. Several biker gals asking to take photos on the Omaha police officer's motorcycle. B. Two of the women pulling down their tops and exposing their breasts, one while wearing the officer's helmet, as cameras flash. C. A seven-day, no-pay suspension for the officer, plus a one-way ticket off a motorcycle. Continue reading

I ran into Ross Suderno at the Grand National Roadster show a couple of years ago. His bike was a standout for several reasons. As it turns out, we share a lot of biker- linked history. He built a bike for a giant Los Angeles black weight-lifter in the early '70s and I featured two of Tree's wild choppers in Easyriders, back in the day, when we ducked publishing shots of black folks on the pages of our white bible. Tree was a helluva good guy, and I will never forget him. He still works in Los Angeles driving trucks and hangs with Ross from time to time. Continue Reading

Don’t miss this excellent example of a chopper from another time, not so long ago. Choppers forever.