During one of the toughest economic times in the history of this fine land, Lorenzo Lamas and Ralph Randolph, of Knockout Motorcycles, are kicking off a motorcycle company, Lorenzo Lamas Cycles. It just goes to demonstrate the true entrepreneurial American, never-say-die, spirit. I joke that we're not building toasters here. Our market is severely limited by innumerable factors including the weather, but if you love motorcycles, that's what you're gonna build, goddamnit, and nobody or nothin' will stop you.
On the other hand, if a crew gets together and pours their heart and soul into the effort, they have a snowball's chance in hell of success. If they roll the dice with the luck I have with women, they're getting closer. If they muster the intelligence of airline captains and the engineering savvy of IBM, their odds are improving. Then they just need the business acumen of Donald Trump and the marketing genius of Verizon. Throw in a pot full of gold coins and a the luck of a mega-million dollar lottery winner and they've got it made–that is, if all the partners get along for over three years without blowing up and tearing the notion to shreds and splitting the staff and resources like cutting a pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving.
Don't get me wrong; we've all seen motorcycle companies come and go. We've watched Harley-Davidson teeter on the edge of extinction. Indian came and went several times. In the '40s we lost over a hundred motorcycle manufacturers. Most of the smiling companies from the hot-to-trot '90s are gone, from Illusion, to Excelsior-Henderson and Titan. But the correct, careful, hard-working formula can still succeed. Some might say this is as foolish, as a wino panhandling in a blizzard, to embark on such a fantasy during troubled times. On the other hand, building during tight economic weather eliminates false hopes and over-confidence.
I know Ralph Randolph is a tough, hardworking fighter. He's intelligent, has a day job as an airline captain, and he's ridden and built some of the best bikes around. He has a longtime staff, including Kenny, his master machinist and his mom at his side. He's married, has a family, and knows the wrong side of the tracks. This isn't a couple of kids wrapped in a silver lining cloud.
Lorenzo Lamas has been a rider since he was a kid. He's ridden old Panhead choppers, and Softails. He's been through as many marriages as I have, and fame as the riding Renegade. His TV partner, Branscomb Richmond, owned a motorcycle company effort called American Motorcycle 1902, and gave it hell for a decade.
These aren't kids with pockets fulla cash and bellies fulla whiskey running at a motorcycle company without experience. These are men and artists, ready to fulfill a dream of building world-class motorcycles using Lorenzo's name and proven production through Knockout Motorcycle Company and Ralph Randolph.
They are kicking off this effort in Sturgis this year with a television producer CEO Chad Greulach, and two limited edition models, the Reno Rocket, based on the U.S. Chopper- designed, Paughco-built board track racer, and an FXR-based touring motorcycle, the Badlands Bomber.
“We plan to build only 40 limited edition customs a year with a Southwestern Wild West vibe,” Lorenzo said. “We will use only S&S Twin Cam motors in our bikes.”
This bike was originally built as the Rat Rocket to celebrate the Rat's Hole show in Daytona, which was initiated by Big Daddy Rat in 1952. Ralph worked with Rick Krost of U.S. Choppers and Paughco to add his wide tire (220mm) touch to the famous board track platform. “It's still old school,” Ralph said, “with modern shit added including my billet front end. Then we painted it with the Rat's strange show colors.”
The Lorenzo name will also be applied to a 124-inch FXR platform. “It's still one of the all-time favorite H-Ds,” Lorenzo said. “And we're going to bring it back, better than ever with a Twin Cam configuration hot rod motor.”
Here's the Lorenzo Lamas Cycles mission statement:
International celebrity and motorcycle enthusiast, Lorenzo Lamas, and world-class custom motorcycle designer, Ralph Randolph, have joined forces to launch Lorenzo Lamas Cycles, a new international lifestyle brand that will include motorcycles, motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel.
“Since building my first chopper back in '79, I've wanted to put my stamp on custom motorcycle designs. The rubber has finally met the road with Lorenzo Lamas Cycles. While filming all over the country for my show 'Renegade', I rapped with a lot of folks from all walks of life.
“Everyone loves the spirit of the open road and embraces individuality. My motorcycle company will embody this ideal. We will combine unique but timeless designs with a 'wild west vibe' and the reliability and workmanship that only my partner, master builder Ralph Randolph, can deliver.
“I've waited a long time for this perfect storm of creative forces to come together and I've seen a lot of styles and fads come and go. What's here to stay is, “'build quality'” and timeless design, and I'm stoked to be able to share that with all of you on our rides and at our events.
“Till then, keep the shiny side up!”
–Lorenzo Lamas
Lamas and Randolph will unveil the new brand, inspired by the spirit of the southwest, and Lamas’ character on the hit television series, “Renegade,” to the public at the 69th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, August 3-9, 2009.
Lorenzo Lamas Cycles (and Lorenzo Lamas) will make fall 2009 appearances at Myrtle Beach Bike Week, Biketoberfest in Daytona, and California Bike Week with the radical Patron Bike (commissioned by Patron Spirits Company) and the 2009 Love Ride Raffle Bike on hand at each stop.
As you can see by their concept illustrations LLC is also planning and working with Ralph on a Knockout Bobber and a touring Power Sled configuration. We will bring you more reports as each concept model takes form and we begin to see LLC bikes hit the streets. May all their dreams come true.
For additional information, please contact:
Chad Greulach
Lorenzo Lamas Cycles
greulach1@mac.com
310-403-8289
Bikernet.com Extreme Rat Rocket Tech Chart
Regular Stuff
Owner:Ted Smith
Bike Name:Rat Rocket
City/State:FL.
Builder:Ralph Randolph Knockout Motorcycle Co.
City/state: Mesa AZ 85210
Company Info:
Address: 624w Broadway #202
Phone:480-279-1734
Web site:www.ralphrandolph.com
E-mail: ralph@ralphrandolph.com
Fabrication:RR
Manufacturing:RR
Welding:RR
Machining:John Harvey Head Water Jet
EngineS&S
Year:2007
Make:S&S modified By Kenny Lucas
Model:EVO
Displacement:96 Built
Builder or Rebuilder:Kenny Lucas
Cases:S&S
Case finish:Polished
Barrels:S&S
Bore:10 over
Pistons:S&S
Barrel finish:Polished
Lower end:S&S
Heads:S&S
Head finish:Polished
Lifters:S&S
Carburetion:S&S
Air cleaner:Ralph Randolph Designs
Exhaust:Ralph Randolph Designs
Transmission
Year:2008
Make: Baker
Gear configuration:6spd TBox
Final drive:Chain
Primary:Evil
Clutch:Evil
FrameRalph Randolph Designs
Year:2008
Make: U.S. Choppers/Paughco
Style or Model:Board Tracker
Stretch:2in.
Rake:34 degrees
Front End
Make:Knockout by Ralph Randolph
Model:Boardtracker
Year: 2008
Sheet metalRR
Tanks:R2
Fenders:None
Panels:RRD
Oil tank:RRD
Paint
Base coat: AJ's Customs
Graphics: AJ's Customs
Type: PPG
Graphics or art:Crash/Leon
Pinstriping:Crash
Wheels
FrontRRD by Ego Tripp
Make:AV8R
Size:23 front
Brake calipers:Sprotor
Tire:AVON
Rear
Make: Ego Tripp
Size: 20 by 280
Controls
Foot controls:RRD Mids
Finish:Stainless
Master cylinder:HD
Brake lines:Custom
Handlebar controls:
Finish:
Clutch Cable:HYD
Brake Lines
Shifting:
Kickstand: Ted's
Electrical
Ignition:Custom
Ignition switch:Hidden
Wiring: Knockout Kenny
Taillight:Cat eye RRD plate Mount
What’s Left
Seat:Knockout
Mirror(s): Its a race bike never look back.
Gas caps:CCI
Handlebars:RRD
Grips:
Pegs:RRD Bear Traps
Throttle:Stream line
Fasteners:Chrome Hardware supplies
Specialty items:RRD Billet front end by John Harvey
Credits:Greg Ego Tripp, John Harvey, AVON, AJ's, Adam Canni
