>This barber’s knuckles bear the words “Outa Luck” in block letters and his tattooed neck pegs him as “Cuthroat.” But Brian Schwartz says he’s no Sweeney Todd wannabe or some Demon Barber of Main Street. Rather, the owner of Chopper’s Old School Barbershop at the corner of Main and Mine streets (in Flemington NJ) says his business, with its throwback style, is a way for him to resurrect the dying art form of barbering while giving local men a place to congregate and freely talk politics, sports or anything else. “I’m old fashioned. I’m not politically correct. Anything goes in here – speak your mind,” Schwartz said recently. “I think the American public has gotten soft. Guys need a place like this to come and voice their opinions.” There’s nothing soft about Chopper’s.

No appointments. No coloring. Just cuts and shaves. And that’s it. A large photo in the shop captures Johnny Cash flashing a middle finger and others showcase hot rods and motorcycles. One print, by the comic artist Tyson McAdoo, features a buxom woman standing in knee-deep mud as she clutches a shotgun and whiskey bottle. The drawing is appropriate for a guy who isn’t shy about announcing that he could close the shop on a whim to fly-fish for trout, and who welcomes conversations about hunting deer or shooting guns.

The shop’s tag line, “The way your grandfather intended,” is also fitting for Schwartz, whose own grandfather made his life’s work as a barber in Philadelphia. And the name Chopper’s, in a single word, blends barbering, the popular term for custom motorcycles and a longtime nickname Schwartz has held. Schwartz, 34, switched from styling women’s hair to start Chopper’s, which took the place of a tobacco shop and opened in late 2006 after months of renovation. He has generally shunned advertising, and one attempt to get the word out through a local church flier ended when a mother complained that his shop contained a copy of Playboy. So instead of paying for exposure, Schwartz said he has built a diverse client base through word of mouth, solid techniques and a welcome atmosphere.

Schwartz serves men only and can generally zip through a cut in 10 minutes. He also promotes haircutting as a family affair by offering the trifecta price special for fathers who also have two sons in need of a trim. Tonic treatments and hot shaves also are available, as are a variety of traditional grooming supplies. The conversation, of course, doesn’t carry a price tag.

“The banter. The friendships you make. I like to talk to people,” Schwartz said when asked to explain the favorite part of his solo business venture. “It stops becoming a job after a while. It’s a lifestyle. This is my social life.”

Source: Brandon Lausch at blausch@mycentraljersey.com.

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With all the ups and DOWNS with the economy, it’s great to get this news about the guys at SPS. Today SPS announced they are taking the old-school style to Scandinavia by partnered with Tailormade V-Twins Corporation, a Denmark-based company that will serve as the SPS distributor in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. To celebrate the international launch, SPS has built a custom motorcycle exclusively for Tailormade that sports an 80-inch Harley-Davidson Evolution motor. The SPS original will be on display in Tailormade’s booth at the Scandinavian Custom Show 2008 held October 31 through November 2, 2008 at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Scandinavian Custom Show will feature Tailormade’s 1400-square-foot booth which will showcase the SPS custom. The SPS custom will also be on display throughout Sweden at Tailormade events promoting their partnership with SPS and the launch of the SPS product line. SPS’s full line of bikes will be available through Tailormade soon.

For more information about SPS, please visit www.suckerpunchsallys.com or call 480-778-9500. For more information on Tailormade V-Twins Corporation, please visit www.tailormade-v-twins.com or call +46 410 33 23 80. Congrats SPS!

There will always be a need for quality craftsmanship. Regardless of the industry and fortunately in the motorcycle industry there are those that can truly be classified as such. (We know a few first hand but won’t tell them so since we want to keep’em ‘focused’). Our friends at E’ville Twins, Miles and Lorrie Brown (see their ad on our Blog) sent us this update about their “go-to-guy-for-leather-work“, Josh Ellingson. Looks like Josh has some very well developed skills in leather work so we thought our readers would be interested in seeing his work. He is currently taking commissioned bookings for 2009 spring deliveries. Josh can be contacted directly at dr.skinstitchers@hotmail.com or by telephone at 403-748-3909. Thanks Lorrie and Miles for keeping us updated on talented craftsman/women like Josh.

Update. For those that follow this blog, you probably remember one build going on at the garage that involved a little 76 Honda 550. Well it’s done and on the road..sort of. Seems that darn regulator/rectifier is going to be the death of us until we get it fixed! Damon’s little monster Honda looks, sounds and runs great and overall, we’re happy. So, now we’re onto finishing up that darn 84 Ironhead Sporty. Pic’s will come shortly.

We’ve used WCC’s product before and have to say they do pretty well on their stuff. Recently WCC released this cool, 2 into 2 exhaust system dubbed “Nomad 2 Into 2″ that is certain to set any machine apart from the hoards. These unique pipes feature stepped head pipes with 3-chamber, low restriction baffles and a functional, race bred, slip fit tension spring design. Mufflers are joined by a “3-Dimple” crossover plate. The new pipes are available in either Polished 16 gauge Stainless or Chrome mild steel to fit SFT models with or without oxygen sensors. The stainless goes for $1089.00 and the Chrome version sells at $989.00. So, if you’ve been looking for a set of pipes with an edge these are the ones! For complete details visit www.westcoastchoppers or call 562-983-6666.

So, what is it? The maker doesn’t want; the buyer doesn’t use and the user doesn’t see?. A coffin. So if you have (or need to “go” in style), might as well be this way. Fire Captain Corey Parks has started a company that is appropriately called “Hot Rod Caskets,” which designs and constructs their own custom coffins. There are four models so far; Black Betty, Hot Rod Classic, the Smoke Eater and the Lead Sled. Granted, we’ve got a few people that would anti up the costs to put us in the ground, but i’d pay this myself to have a cool ride into the next life.

Need a place on your bike for a jacket, your registration and/or some tools? Nash Motorcycle has released their “Nashty Ol’ Bag” which may fit the bill. The bags are made in the USA of high quality leather and feature a one of a kind look you can’t get from any other bag. High quality brass buckles give them that old style look while the small distinct shape of the bag keeps all the other features on your bike exposed. These bags measure 14 inches high by 10 inches wide and 3 ½ inches deep. They come available in left and right side. Available in a black or natural leather finish, these bags are sure to give your bike some style as well as give you a little space! Notice the small pocket on the inside of the bag that you can hide little goodies in.

Whenever the words “motorcycle” and “custom” and “tools” come together it can only spell one thing…expensive. Apparently it is one of the rules of the universe that if a builder is needing a tool they are supposed to spend major bucks. Which in turn makes it’s way to the consumer. Having tired of this “universal law” many shops have resorted to finding alternative sources. Whether it be the auto industry, farming or equipment industry. One company helping to ease the pain is Williams Lowbuck Tools. They seems to be gaining popularity and after looking through their site you can see why. Having been around since 1978 providing low cost metal fabricating tools to the racer/builder these guys know what they are doing. Their tools address a lot of the needs a custom motorcycle builder could/would use yet at a reasonable price. Which we all can appreciate. AND they are made in the good ole’ USA! Check them out!

S&S® Cycle announces the first ever opportunity to pre-order the all new Flathead Power™ by S&S Cycle KN-Series engines. During calendar year 2008 there will be only 100 of these beautiful vintage engines produced—available in generator (PN 106-2161 MSRP $8575.00) alternator/generator (PN 106-2560 MSRP $8750.00) styles—with serial numbers that identify them as the first 100 produced. Considered one of the most desirable engines ever, this is a great opportunity to lock one in for your next build.The Flathead Power by S&S KN-Series engine features the aesthetic looks of classic iron, but benefit from significant upgrades. For starters, displacement is 93 cubic inches, because you can’t go wrong with more power. One big improvement is the use of a 1958-’65 style flywheel assembly with a splined sprocket shaft and Timken sprocket shaft bearing. This change necessitates the use of a 1954-’65 tin primary cover and primary chain sprocket—but the increased flywheel stability, strength and power capacity are worth the stock departure. Flathead Power rocker arm cover “tins” are another modern improvement. The lower covers are actually made of die-cast aluminum, and instead of being held in place by the valve guide, they are held down by valve spring pressure. A special gasket on the bottom of the lower “tin” provides a positive seal, and is much easier to service if needed, since the valve guides do not have to be pressed out in order to remove the lower covers. Also instead of the steel brazed-in hard oil return lines used on stock tins, S&S has improved the design of the oil line for better reliability and easier assembly and maintenance.

Motorcycle riders like things that make us different! Take for instance helmets. If you live in a state that requires wearing them, (or you attend ANY rallies) then you’ve seen interestingly adorned or painted ones. However the one area that seems to be lacking some TLC is the inside. That dirty and sometime smelly part that gets upclose and personal with your jug. Well, Rene Chaves has taken to solving that problem for us. Rene will reline your lid by adding new foam and also covering the inside of your helmet with new fabric for that true “one-of-a-kind” look. Even if you have a certain logo or fabric you want him to use, he is ready for you. Rene will also install new vinyl at the ear pieces. So instead of not wearing or tossing that old lid send it to Primo Helmets. And the price-$70.00 (plus shipping) ain’t bad. Rene can be reached at 562-217-2859 or email him at primoshelmets@hotmail.com. His Myspace is: www.myspace.com/primoshelmetdesign.

Well, it seems that silicon valley has jumped on the band wagon in trying to make some bucks off (and out of) the biker community. A new game, “Ride to Hell” is to hit the markets sometime in 09′. Hmmm…..yeah…right….just what we needed.

Global video game developer and publisher, Deep Silver today released the first teaser video for Ride to Hell. Set to the classic ’60s track “Born to be Wild,” the video highlights all of the basic elements of the game: the vast open road of the West circa 1969, the iconic music of the ’60s and the guttural roar of motorcycles. Due out in 2009, Ride to Hell is being developed for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and PC.

Ride to Hell is an action-packed, free form-style video game set in the “sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll” era of the 1960s. Players take on the role of a biker in a motorcycle gang, riding full throttle through the west coast. As they motor through deserts, coastal roads and urban environments, they’ll need to protect the gang’s turf, their brothers, babes and choppers from rival gangs.

The game captures the bare-knuckled, gritty, untamed lifestyle of the biker gang culture in its heyday – featuring ’60s style art, licensed and original rock music, tattooed, denim-clad bikers and their babes, customizcustomizable choppers, and, of course, a bad-to-the-bone attitude.

Whether your a fan of OCC or not (or the Teutul’s), you have to admit that they have a lot of talented guys bouncing around in the hallways while Paul Sr and Jr hurl insults and threats at each other. Vinnie figured he could do better without that distraction. Jason Pohl on the other hand, gets to keep his head in the monitor designing some cool one-off wheels, parts and other toys while developing his technical talent for that “day” when he too decides to strike out on his own. Anyway, in an article featured at Product Design and Development you can get a glimpse of what he’s thinking and working on as well as the technical toy’s he gets to play with.

Kirk Taylor and the guys at the Custom Design Studio have hit upon a cool product that will surely get some action from those builders that just want something unique! It’s the velocity stack called, “Dicks Cool Unit” which is machined from aircraft grade aluminum and CNC cut for precision. AND this unit will bolt directly onto a Mikuni Carb (CV and S&S Carbs and Factory EFI units will have to use adapter). MSRP is $204.99 (adapters for $102.99). You can contact them at 415.382.6662.

From simple and humble beginnings you can start a land swell. Such is the case with the group of builders involved with the “Limpnicki Lot”. The gang will be set up again at Stone Edge Skate Park. Come and check it out. You might learn something new!
LIMPNICKIE LOT (Daytona 2008)