Our friend Mike Beland from A-1 Cycles had an interesting speed filled weekend recently, where he took on some fellows in a bike drag race (you may know a few of them….Adam Chandler, Jerry Graves, Billy Lane and others) for bragging rights and “fame” on the hit TV show Pinks (on the Speed Channel). Pinks is a national show that has an incredible following due to it’s format of pitting racers against each other where one walks away with the pink slip (title) of the losers car. Man, i love America!
Now, Mike isn’t just any builder (or racer for that matter) as he’s got not only a great reputation for building unique cycles, but also has a history of racing too. You mix these two and you’ve got a very formatible opponent. So, who won the races (there were 4 out of 5)?, the $8,000 toolbox, the title of the other bike and the “puff your chest our bragging rights”? You’ll have to tune in and watch it on Pinks.

Hey, thanks for coming back! Great to see there are a few of you out there that have taste and style! Seriously, thanks for visiting. If you know of stories you think people would be interested in, shoot us a line C'ya!

Ever wonder where your memories go when they aren’t present in your brain? Tough question, huh? We’ll some old memories were instantly awakened and right in my face this past week when my new pair of Chuck Taylor Converse High Top Tennis Shoes arrived from Rick Fairless!
(BTW, thanks Rick!)
I was like a kid at Christmas when i opened the box, slipped those puppies on and proceeded to lace them up! Nothing could have prepared me for the “memory lane” walk i went down that night. Memories of my most favorite pair of Red Converse High Tops (circa 70’s) that were held together with Duck Tape because hours and hours of skateboarding had proceeded to tear off the front toe. Or the time a friend and I got caught under the window of a certain girls bedroom and we had to book cause her old man arrived and chased us off….and me minus one shoe because i’d not laced them up tight enough. Never did get that other lost shoe back!

Granted, i’m not about to do those types of stunts now, but i could see myself really enjoying them as i slipped the newest Chuck Taylor inspired Converses’ on and headed out on the chopper for a nice evening ride. Yep, even got some comments of “cool shoes, man!”….from the local skateboarders. You too can have some of these by either visiting Rick’s Storefront or going to Converse’s site. There are alot of styles now available and you can even make your own unique styled shoe. Maybe you’ll stur up your own memories! Now where is that old board of mine?!

The Next Great American Builder is supposedly a new take-no-prisoners television program from the creator of MTV’s Fast, Inc. Seems they are looking for amateur motorcycle builders interested in coming on their show to compete for a cash prize. Old school. New school and anywhere in between: if you think you have what it takes, then fill out their application and get your mug on TV. There are some specific qualifications though: Applicant must fall under the definition of “amateur” builder. If applicant has ever competed in other professional events or television series where their work has been featured in the world of custom motorcycle building, then the application will be denied. If application is accepted, applicant will be required, at their own cost, to travel to Los Angeles and participate in a 3 day interview and selection process. This process will be filmed and included in the series. Builders will be competing for 13 spots on the show and participation does not guarantee involvement beyond this selection process. Applicants must be US citizens.

Well, it’s come and gone…..that time when riders from all over the country (and outside) converge in Daytona for an event that over the past 15 years has come to represent the beginning of winter…Biketoberfest! To be frank, i’m not sure if i’m disappointed or relieved the 4 days are over. Seems that after having spent four straight days at various locations around Daytona just hoping for some excitement (beyond an over abundance of beer, topless dancers, strippers and ogling cool bikes), we were all bored to tears! Before we go any further, let it be known we’re a fan of Janet Kersey, (the founder and spokesperson for the event), and would never say anything against her or the history of this event. However, we’re concerned that the signs we’re seeing (or lack thereof) at this event (lack of attendees, unbooked hotel rooms, empty vendor space, “no show” vendors, lack luster events, so-so night time parties) is taking it’s toll on Biketoberfest.

Are people tired of being overcharged by the hotels for rooms? Are they going out of Daytona for accomodations and activities? Tired of pretentious builders or rude vendors? Are the vendors tired of paying inflated prices for small spaces in order to show their products? What about the traffic issues? Over zelous police? We don’t know. The highpoint of Guiltys’ weekend was catching up with friends like Athena at Vagabond, the guys at Redneck Engineering, Darren-Did-It Pinstripping, James at Deviant Designs, Chet and Joff at Wham Bam, Dark Daz Choppers and others!

The Daytona Speedway had plenty of open infield and roadside space available, with alot of “no shows”. All after hyping the event to us and others to participate… we were expecting alot more from this past weekend. Destination Daytona was a let-down. So was Main Street as was the Speedway. Unfortunately, at no time did we experience the excitement, entertainment, truely odd ball participants, crowds and traffic that seemed to represent this event in prior years. Even the ever popular and anticipated Rats Hole show seemed to have less than prior years participation, as well as truly unique bikes represented. One good note is that the event had no “bike related” accidents. Also we can say there is an increase in dog and pet participation at this event. Well, at least we have a few months now to get over our let-down and prepare for Bikeweek in 2008!

Part of every persons life involves issues that at one point or another have to be dealt with in a proactive and positive manner. Be it relationships, money, mental/spiritual health and for some, their physical condition. The press (Paper, TV or Internet) has been telling us for years about the obesity epidemic issue of children AND adults. Of course the motorcycle industry seems to have it’s fair share of “fit challenged” individuals too.
Our friend, Genevieve Schmitt at Women Riders Now has an excellent article written by Betsy Huelskam in her column Backroads with Betsy, discussing weight loss and dietary advice that everyone needs to read. (If your a frequent Sturgis attendee or reader of blogs and magazines-you’ll recognise Betsy). She is both a great spokesperson and example of the motorcycle lifestyle…..plus she’s easy on the eyes! Anyway, take a walk over WRN and read something that can help you take a positive step to a longer and healthier life.

With the purchasing power of the female population reaching over 30+% of HD sales as well as in other areas in the industry, it was inevitable that now the “elite” fashion world would start putting their focus on this highly mobile and affluent community by providing needed(?) fashion for the female rider. Case in point-
Damien Hirst the English artist is branching out into fashion with his new Levi Strauss & Co. collection! Hirst dominated the art scene in Britain during the 1990s and is internationally renowned. He is Britain’s wealthiest artist, with a personal fortune valued at 130 million pounds ($262 million) as stated by the Sunday Times of London. The line Hirst co-designed for the company’s spring 2008 “Warhol Factory X Levi’s X Damien Hirst” collection includes jeans decorated with a skull pattern made of Swarovski crystals—for a mere $4,000 a pair, the jeans are the most expensive items in the collection. The collection includes around 40 styles for women & men and is part of the Warhol Factory X Levi’s label. It uses images from Warhol’s artworks through a licensing agreement with the Andy Warhol Foundation. Clothes in the “Warhol Factory X Levi’s X Damien Hirst” collection will appear at high-end retailers such as Barneys and Fred Segal in Los Angeles. Items will include a $100 T-shirt with overlapping images from Warhol’s and Hirst’s artworks; a $900 waxed-denim motorcycle jacket lined with the dotted fabric, after Hirst’s dot paintings; and jeans based on a design by Hirst in which he cut up two vintage pairs of Levi’s 501s, added extra zippers for a bondage look and reassembled them–this style will go for $375.
Just in case you were wondering-A regular pair of 501 jeans are available for as little as $46 on the Levi’s web site or at Sears.

Granted these jeans aren’t really practical for the female rider. However, it is interesting to note that the elite fashion world as well as industries who have historically focused on the male population (such as Insurance, Banking/Brokerage services, Travel etc) are now changing their tune and aiming towards the one’s that (if your married or in a relationship we’ve known all along), possessed the “power of purchasing” decisions….our female counterparts. Do i get an AMEN here?!
Source: Bloomberg.com

We’ll we’re getting some traction now on the Honda bobber build as more goodies start rolling in to the shop. We’ve just received the powdercoated wheels, tires, gas tank, internal throttle, handlebars and front-end. The biggest challenge to date has been getting the frame completed so that it will accommodate the 1976 Honda 550 motor. With such a major difference from V-twin motors and their engine mounting points, we’ve had to now find another builder that can accommodate our needs (cost factor and timing) for this build. We’ve had some frustrating issue with this build….but we’re getting there! We’re anxious (as we’re sure Damon is too) to get this up on two wheels shortly. More info to come.

Ok, i’m warning you now–this is a rant! So if i insult you, get over it. Don’t know about you, but I’m becoming more and more aware that there seems to be this undertow over the past few years that we’re hearing riders (and people doing motorcycle reviews) bemoaning the lack of “features” on motorcycles. Granted, on one side of the coin you’ve got the manufacturer trying to keep their “life line” full with bike purchases and thus cutting a broad stroke to keep those dollars coming in by 1) giving the consumers what they think we want or 2) the mfg attempting to drive the market to believe we “need” that newest and shinniest feature/gizmo on our bikes. Note: you also have the magazines trying to sell their rags in order to stay in business. (That angle is another point to discuss at a later time) Then on the other side of the coin, you’ve got the riders that for some reason, believe that their two-wheeler should be more like their four-wheeled vehicles or a rolling living room. In the motorcycling stables you’ve got the big interstate cruisers (and yes, i currently have one-BMW r1200CL), in-town cruisers, off road, multi-use and sport bikes, trikes etc, etc. To each, his own.

Here at Guilty Customs we make our living by building “bare bone” bikes and parts; that’s our preference and what we believe choppers should represent. However we are open minded enough to appreciate some of the benefits of larger, heavier long distance capable bikes…(who can really ride a rigid cross country and say their back isn’t killing them when they get off?! If they don’t, their lying through their bug speckled teeth!) Before someone starts lobbing comments over the wall at me “Yes i’ve done a multi-state 1200+ mile ride on one of my rigids-so i speak from experience.” Now, to my point: apparently the very nature of motorcycling is in jeopardy of becoming a “P**sy Past-time”.

Case in point: A recent CycleWorld review of the new Kawasaki Concours. Having been on this bike also, the reviewer did a good job in reviewing the bikes performance, comfort, value and handling. However, and here’s my bone of contention…..they bemoan the absence of a GPS system AND heated grips! All i could think of was “How big of a P**sy has the motorcycling community become to think that features (or lack thereof) such as a GPS should determine the purchasing viability of a specific motorcycle?” Has it really come to this? That we as motorcycle enthusiast make decisions on whether we purchase a motorcycles (of whatever make/model) on it’s GPS or hand warmer (or whatever technology that rolling off the assembly line next) enabled capability to get us to the nearest Starbucks across town or Aunt Maude’s a thousand miles away all toasty and without navigational challenges? A motorcycle that from all accounts may be an outstanding performer, capably of doing all that a motorcycle should do, but has the public thumbing it’s nose at it simply because it doesn’t have a GPS or hand warmers, etc, etc?….It’s a shame.

As mentioned, i’ve got a large touring bike in my garage and i really enjoy the bike for long trips. It’s a bike that has styling, comfort and handling that transports me physically (and mentally) to another place in a way i can’t experience in a car. However, I don’t ride my motorcycle with a GPS for the same reason that I don’t have an intercom or cell phone stuck to my ear: motorcycling is my only escape. Period. Isn’t getting away from the work, kids, family, stresses of life, the very point of why we ride? Getting lost and seeing new places is a bonus. What happened to digging out an ol’ trusty AAA map and looking for the road that has the most curves between point “A” and point “B”?

A map doesn’t require batteries and works great anywhere. Lost? So what! Isn’t that’s part of the adventure. Pull into a gas station or restaurant and, oh-my-God, talk to someone! If folks can’t/won’t ride without a GPS or heated appendages maybe they should sell the bike, start walking or buy a VW. Better yet, hand over those keys to someone that will enjoy the bike for what it was built for, freedom.

If your in the motorcycle community/industry, you’re pretty much adept at determining what exactly it takes to build a chopper as well as how things generally work. SIDE NOTE HERE: Personally rant–I think just because you’ve added some chrome and “bling” or paint job to a bike doesn’t necessarily make it a “chopper”. But rather it has to have been something that is hand-built from the ground up, using old, new or handmade parts which determines whether it’s a chopper. But that’s another point of discussion i’m sure for our readers. Back to our article-seems that while cruzin’ the big “internet air waves” recently, we happened upon this series of informative “snipets” from “Howstuffworks” which gives a novice (or someone just teckie enought to have an interest), some helpful information on thinks like the history of choppers, rake and trail, engines and how they work, etc. So we in our endless efforts to educate and impress those in our community of Guilty Souls, thought we’d share this with you. Enjoy.

Few people in this industry seem to have their act together when it comes to making money, being cool, having a hot wife, producing their own magazine and TV shows and developing an icon of a logo….plus not losing themselve and their passion for building bikes amidst all the swirl of fame/publicity. But Jesse James, owner of West Coast Choppers can say “I HAVE!” Recent news is that Spike TV signed a major talent and production deal with Jesse James. The exclusive two-year deal includes multiple pilots and specials for the network. James, who gained international fame for the hit series, “Monster Garage,” is president of Payupsucker Productions and Payupsucker Publications.

Over the two-year deal, James’ production company, Payupsucker Productions, will produce two specials and two primetime pilots that will air per year. The deal also includes the pilot, “Metal Church,” a do-it-yourself series showcasing James’ vast welding and fabricating talents. The first special is slated to air second quarter 2008. Along with appearing in the shows, James will serve as executive producer.

With typical straightforward candor James states “I am very proud and excited to have a home for everything I have to offer. From day one, Spike has been tailor-made for the nutty stuff I do and for the people who watch it! I look forward to years of busting my a**!”More recently, Jesse established his own production company, Payupsucker Productions, and in 2004, he became publisher of Garage Magazine and launched Payupsucker Publications. In 2006 he opened an eco-friendly burger joint, Cisco Burger.

If your were a young boy growing up in the 70’s and early 80’s, most likely one of your first hero’s was Evel Knievel. Neighborhoods were full of kids jumping everything from make shift wooden ramps to rock quarry ledges trying to imitate this man with seemingly super human abilities. Of course time marches on and Mr. Knievel is now alot older, wiser and racked with pain from broken bones and various diseases he’s fought bravely over the years! His son, Robbie who we’ve had the unique priviledge of knowing, is just like his dad too….but lacking something….his own ROCK MUSICAL!. Seems that Mr. Knievel has sold the stage rights to his life to Mr. Jef Bek a producer based in Chicago. Says Mr. Knievel, “Nobody would put this much time into a rock opera without having a dream. I just took a liking to the guy.”

And because of the liking he took, Bobby Knievel–better know to his thrill seeking fans as “Evel” Knievel–granted Chicago-based composer Jef Bek the stage rights to his life story. The result of that male bonding camaraderie is Bek’s Evel Knievel, the Rock Musical, opening this Friday and settling in for a month long run at the Bootleg Theatre in Beverly Hills. Rob Kendt, host of the Wicked Stage blog, interviewed Bek in the L.A. Times as opening night approaches.

Says Bek of his composing style, “My music, unintentionally, has this built-in drama to it. I don’t know why, but everything I write has this epic quality — everything’s grand.” If your wondering what a “Knievel Musical” would sound like, visit Evel Knievel, the Rock Musical Faced with directing the show on a bare bones budget, director, Keythe Farley (Bat Boy, the Musical) asked himself “If I could have a motorcycle, what would I do with it? I realized, not much. You can’t fire it up onstage. It’s an 800-pound beast that becomes a gargantuan pain in the rear. So I hate to give anything away, but we’re using theater magic, the right lighting and video, to create a representation of flying.”
For those of us still in awe of Evel Knievel and his achievements, we hope this latest adventure has this show landing on two wheels verses plastering itself across the stage at the local theatre.

Anytime we see the opportunity to “jam up” thiefs in this industry, we’re all for it. So while we’re thumbing through some recent articles on theft prevention efforts around the county, we ran across this on Vin etching at BrainBucket. Now if they would only allow us some “ALONE TIME” with these A**holes who steal from us, we’d really be on the right track! Check it out HERE.

What do Motorcycle riders, Greek and Roman soldiers, Spanish Conquistadors and Civil War Officers have in common? Funny you should ask! The availability and use of lower leg protection! The concept of lower leg protections isn’t new as the Romans and Greeks used them to protect their legs from swords and vicious kicking that occurred during battles. Also, they were used later by knights and soldiers during the Middle Ages too! Spanish Conquistadors brought their version, polainas or high top botas, when exploring into South America. The migration into Mexico and adaptation by the Caballeros and Vaqueros soon made its way to the American Cowboys in the southwest (ie. Chaps as we know them). When the Civil War between the states broke out, leather was at a premium and only Calvary Officers were wearing early versions of what now is available as “the Original Waterproof HogGaiters“. So, why bring this up? Having just finished a 3 day 1500 mile ride with regular chaps, i could have used a set of these cool looking (and extremely functional HogGaiters). Wish i’d known about them previously! Seems that Doc didn’t’ reinvent the wheel, he just made it better! So instead of digging out of your chaps everytime you have to get gas or food, suppliment them with something that is both functional and cool looking…..HogGaiters! I’m looking for my set right now! Cost start at $100 and go up from there based on your wallet.