Whether your’ve riden for years or a newby to the industry of motorcycling we all live with the ever present fact that at some point, we’re going to be in an accident (small or major). It’s not a matter of “IF” you’ll be in one, but a matter of “WHEN”. However we seldom hear the story of those that were passengers and had to live with the affects of their fall. This particular real-life story is wide-open honest and detailed and we give kudo’s to the writer, Brittany Morrow for her desire to share this story with everyone. Regardless of what you ride, how long you’ve been in the saddle or where you ride, read this! And remember-Ride Safe!

With yet another product coming to the marketplace for builders (professionals and otherwise), Guilty is stepping up to be a reliable source for those interested and needing quality American made products that are unique and functional. The Sphere Oil Bag is an 8 inch spun aluminum sphere made from Aerospace Quality Aluminum (.125″ T-6/6061 to be specific) with oil capacity of 3.5 quarts. The sphereicity is within tolerances of +/-.015 and is ultrasonicly tested. The sphere can be polished, powdercoated, engraved, anodized or left raw and will ultimately be available in Copper, Brass or Stainless Steel (304L, 316L & 321). Retail cost for Aluminum Sphere Oil Bag (with filler neck installed). Retail $475.00. You can go to our online store at HERE.

Yeah, we’ve heard them all….the reason why you’ve dropped (or nearly dropped) your new chopper or old faithful. There’s nothing like a stupid spill to set off a good tire kicking, helmet throwing or cursing fit. If i think real hard on this list, i get really bummed as i’m Guilty of a few of them. Which is a clear indication that i’m in either a rush to get somewhere or don’t have the concentration when dismounting my ride. They say a clear mind and focusing on what your doing is important. I’d say taking your time is necessary for avoiding such stupid mistakes. We’ll see. Now check out this list done by motorcycle Blogger “RideitLikeYouStoleit”. Here’s the LIST.

For those of you that follow this BLOG you’ve probably seen a re-occuring theme. We like and embrace the simple old school bikes as well as the days that things such as building and riding a bike to an event were the norm! Granted there are a FEW (Horse SmokeOut comes to mind), but for the most part, they are a fleeting memory. Those days harken us back to a time where we have to say…”I remember when….”. We read a great article on Keith Balls site, BikerNet, which is an awesome entry by a brother we’d like to meet one day. His name, TBear. Anyway enjoy this video diary. Click here.

Alright, it’ got to be said! I’ve had enought… We’ve had various conversations recently (as well as reading through online BLOGS and Magazines) and we constantly hear this bickering in the biking community. LIGHTEN UP GUYS! Goodness!, have fun and live your life! This Yuppie vs Hard core, Harley riders vs import rider, Abate vs Hog and Cruisers vs Sport bike riders is stupid! We’re all on two wheels by choice and that is what makes this a great country. We need to stick together as Motorcyclists and not as single parts of the big picture. All riders no matter what they are riding are……RIDERS! Plus, don’t you have something better to do with our energies than crapping on others?! It’s far better to enjoy life, than be miserable or someone that makes others miserable!

For the last year or so, friends of Warden have encouraged him to participate in the annual Hospice Ride for Angels organized by the Clermont HOG Chapter. So with great weather, an availble chopper from the shop and approval from the significant other, Cj struck out Sunday morning (along with 20 others from our riding party) to support this worthy cause. Under the leadership of Dennis Halloran, the event appeared to go off without any hitches, accidents or major issues. Registration and obtaining poker hands went smooth. The routes were scenic and the stops quaint. Conversations and enjoyment of friends are always the highlight of these types of events and we were not dissapointed as we made new friends and caught up with old ones. An event of this magnitude cannot be successful without the contributions of many different people and organizations. So congrats to the volunteers, Outback Steakhouse, the Mayor and folks at Minneola City Hall, volunteers from Hospice, Stormy Hill HD, the bands, and all those individuals and businesses that donated items for the giveaways and auctions, as you put on a great event. We’ll see ya next year.

The Ten Commandments
1- The one true vehicle is the motorcycle , and thou shalt put no other vehicles before it.
2- Thou shalt not bow down and worship nor serve the God of Chrome; for, lo, he is a false god and will not get thy butt home.
3- Honor thy authorized dealer and the motorcycles they sell, and that thy days may be long and fruitful in the land of Riding.
4- Remember the weekend, and keep it open. For it is written, five days shalt thou labor, and for two days shalt thou ride thy bike, drink beer, and have some FUN.
5- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s bike, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his cute old lady.
6- From the throne of thy two wheeled contrivance, thou shalt hail all thy biker brethren no matter what they are seated upon (….even if it is a Triumph) - let those who ride decide.
7- Thou shalt not pass by nor turn away from thy brother biker who is in mechanical distress.
8- Thou shalt not pose. Verily, I say unto you, it is easier for a poser to pass his gold Visa card through the eye of a needle than to enter into the true fellowship of motorcycle heaven.
9- When riding thy sled on the Road of Life, thou shalt not whine nor snivel, and thou shalt not suffer to ride alongside those who do.
10- Park not thy bike in the darkness of thine garage, that it may collect dust for want of being oft ridden. Ride thy motorcycle with thy biker brethren, and rejoice in the spirit of the road and the wind.

Be honest now. How many of us have that dull ringing in our ears after a ride? Or the necessity to ask people to repeat a question because we couldn’t hear what they said? For those of us that have been riding for a long time, it’s a common situation, and one we need to address. We all know that too much noise – whether it be from our days of standing in front of a speaker at the Stones (or replace with your favorite band) concert or from riding with or without a helmet – is bad for our ears. Helmets, of course, offer some protection from noise, as do earplugs which some riders use. Recently, there was an article in Bike magazine which was a bit of a suprise – it says that riding fast without earplugs definitely damages our hearing, and ultimately, can make us go deaf.
But what’s more, the article goes on to explain that even using earplugs may not necessarily save our hearing. It says, Earplugs give some protection, but a lot of what you’re hearing isn’t arriving via your ear canal. It’s being transmitted through your skull. Essentially, a helmet is a very noisy device attached to your head, so part of the potential damage comes from direct vibration of the cochlea. At least one doctor, Dr Michael Carley, at the Bath University in the UK, is trying to do something about saving bikers’ hearing. He is heading a research project aimed at making motorcycle helmets quieter. But for this, he needs your help – he needs you to complete an online survey, which relates riding patterns to hearing damage. You can complete the survey here.

Granted it may be a bit early for this but you can never be too early for good information. With various events coming up during the next few months or if you’re moving and have to get your bikes to the new homestead there are very few options for you. You can ride it or haul it yourself and risk damage; have some friends haul it out on their truck. Or you can choose one of the best and safest ways, which is to contract out with a reputable hauler. A company such as Allied Special Products Moving comes with not only a lenghty history but a great reputation for timeliness and care taken of your motorcycle. It’s worth looking into as you’ll not be at peace until that ride is back in your garage safe and sound!

For those few people that aren’t familiar with Guilty Customs, the influences for building our custom bikes comes from the era of hot rods and dragsters….specifically the 50’s and 60’s. We call our style Retro-Mod” where we use influences of these hot rods for styling, but use modern technology for dependability and functionality. Well, take a look at one of the influences for us…the 51′ Mercury. Granted, it’s made into a love seat but we think the combination is great. There is even one with an Indian motorcycle styling. And lets not forget the need for having that special bonding time while out with our friends or taking care of business in the bathroom, or getting the latest edition of our favorite magazine. Check out these helmets used in quite a different fashion, (cooler, TP dispenser and mailbox).
Or if you don’t feel the need for all those helmets, try this new H-D inspired toilet paper holder tank. Nothing says “I love you” like getting the significant other one of these for their b’day or christmas.

Before you throw the NRA at me or calling me names, hear me out. I grew up with guns, actually enjoy them. Hunting with my family and friends was a memorable time for me. Have had my share of range time sighting in my rifles. Brother was a Expert Marksman. I was even a card toting NRA member and have endorsed some of the legislation that the NRA promotes (note: some, not all). But due to the hustle and bustle of life haven’t been able to enjoy that sport over the years. So when i read about a company, S&S Sales, making a holster to tote your sidearm around while riding your motorcycle, it made me think about a few things.
We’ve got increases in road rage, violence at bars, pool halls (and schools, churches, our work places etc), spousal abuse and now someone is wanting me to be armed while riding. Riding, for me, is the most relaxing time of my day. Like most folks, i’m wanting/needing the time to clear my head on the way home or relax and see the world around me and enjoy time with friends and make new ones. So, why would I arm myself while enjoying the very thing i get the most relaxation from? Is this good old American capitalism at work? An arms dealer or an over zealous gun advocate? Someone with the belief that we as American’s are losing our freedom thus we need to be armed all the time? I don’t know, and quite frankly, don’t care. I just want to enjoy my ride! Maybe someone can enlighten me on why i should be toting my 357 or Glock on my bike while i’m riding.

One of the greatest events in the southeast that is gaining alot of popularity, is The Horse Backstreet Choppers Smoke-Out. This event (year #8) has brought together some of the best builders we’ll see. If your looking to see some of the best home made and professionally made choppers, you’ve got to get you and your bike to this event. The dates for this year’s event are Friday June 22nd and Saturday June 23rd, 2007. Hours for the event are 10 am to 11pm Friday and Saturday. The event is held at the Rowan County Fairgrounds near Salisbury, North Carolina. Cost to enter the event is $35 per person, which is good for both days. It’s worth the trip, and look for some of the Guilty Guys there!

If your in the motorcycle industry, you get alot of opportunities to ride a variety of motorcycles. Whether they be customs or standard builds from leading manufacturers. One thing is common amoung them all though….the tendency for numb hands. You are gripping the handle bars of the motorcycle for long periods of time which results in hand pain, numbness and tingling resulting from the road and engine vibratiion being transferred to the nerves of the hand through the handle bars. Gripping the handle bars places pressure directly over the nerves of the hand. Nerve injury can result in carpal tunnel syndrome and/or Guyon’s canal syndrome. Standard motorcycle gloves are not specifically designed for nerve protection. Some gloves have no padding while other gloves simply place padding in a random configuration, usually directly over the nerves of the hand. The problem with these gloves is that pressure and vibration is transferred through the pads directly to the underlying median and ulnar nerves of the hand. But then comes along the QwiTM Team with their proven and patented Nerve Protection Motorcycle Gloves. The QwiTM Solution, check them out! Could save your hands!

Guilty Customs new Air Chopper Shox

Hey this is another blatant posting from Guilty about our newest product, the dual seat air shock. “Ridin’ on Air with no Guilt!” These shocks are 4″ eye to eye with aluminum bodies and have the same mounting dimensions as the coil-over and can be used with existing ChopperShox mounts. The rubber cushion is 1″ tall and is made from industrial rubber (Elastomeric). The shrader valve can be filled with air to adjust the ride, if desired.

Guilty already has a reputation for creating dependable, unique and affordable motorcycle parts with prior products such as the single and dual coil over shock systems; the “Leather Do-it-yourself” builders seat kit; seat pans and bolt-on seat brackets. For more information about this shock system or dealer inquiries, contact Guilty Customs at info@guiltycustoms.com or 407.453.0844.