If your a woman (or man) that rides or is involved in the motorcycle industry, you’ve either met, read about, seen, read articles written by or heard people talk about “Katmandu” Palmer. She’s one of those true “Mid-Century Motorcycling Women”. We wanted to acknowledge her birthday (howbeit belated 28th of February). Part of the “litmus test” for the motorcycling industry is passion, commitment and longevity (as well as having to be a rider). Kat has these in spades. If your one of the very few that hasn’t read her articles in magazines (such as The Horse, Born To Ride, Cycle Source etc), then you’ve truly missed a true jewel of the industry. Her captivating “wordsmithing” is a commodity we’ve appreciated for years and unfortunately rarely see on the pages of many magazines. Our friend Keith Ball (Bikernet) has a great article written by Kat reminicing about her years in the industry. Take a browse over and send Kat a “happy B’day” email. Tell her “the Guilty Gang” sent ya!
We are deeply saddened upon receiving the news today of the passing of Chet Burozski here in Daytona on February 29th. Chet who has been involved in the motorcycle industry for years passed away while attending Bike Week. We have not received the full story on how Chet died as of this posting. However, as a friend of Chet’s, we at Guilty Customs are shocked at this news, and our heart felt condolences go out to Adam (his son) and the rest of the Burozski family. We have all experienced a great loss of a dear man. Few people in this industry have helped us here at Guilty Customs as much as Chet has. He will be greatly missed for his friendship and passion for the lifestyle we all embrace.
Whether you’ve be on two/three wheels for 1 day or 50 years, there is something that we all have in common; We have either “gone down” or “are going down“. It’s just the nature of the beast. And with that understanding, motorcycle insurance should have a part in your life. Law suits and accidents can come at us from many unforeseen directions. So, when you do have an accident (whether it’s your fault or someone else’s) the first person you’d better call is your Insurance Agent or Company. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Custom Chopper, ZX-14, a Harley, Ducati, BMW, Suzuki, Kawasaki Ninja or that special 1943 Indian- you need affordable coverage! The site MotorcycleInsurance.net compare rates from various insurance companies based on your state and vehicle and provides affordable prices and comprehensive motorcycle insurance packages, just for you. Simple, affordable and easy. Just how we like it!
Well, it’s the first “real” day of trudging through 300+ vendors (may be more) here in chilly Cincy and besides my feet and back killing me, i have to say things are starting to look a bit more promising. Initially, I’d had some concerns about this years event. Not sure if it was because of over hyping or hearing that some vendors were opting out or seeing that the industry is going though so many changes (good and bad). Whatever it was, I am apparently over IT. Granted, alot of us are still concerned about the continued price increases in products we depend on (note: almost ALL the tire mfg’s present just released their new pricing, and they show 6-9% increases, across the board). Oh, and what about Custom Chrome being sold to a Korean company? Global Motorsports Group unloaded Custom Chrome to Korean Dae-II corporation, (the guys that make the RevTech engines/transmissions). Former Founder/CEO Nace Panzica is returning to take the helm after being gone for 8 years. Deal should be completed by March.
Whatever your view on the industry is at this point, the question looms overhead like a giant dark cloud….”where and what, is the marketplace going to do and look like in the long term”? I can say from a industry participant perspective, there are ALOT of companies that just 2 years ago were making a killing providing specialty item(s), that just aren’t around anymore. And if they have survived, they have vastly changed their profile line(s). Whatever happens, you can bet your mothers fine china that this industry will bounce back; different granted, but at least back.
Heading though the huge lobby area at the Duke Auditorium you not only wade through crowds of people, but find yourself gawking at an impressive display showing some of histories motorcycle racing legends….such as the worlds fastest motorcycle and other history makers. However, your also bombarded with banners, signs, personalities (is that Paul Sr and Jr walking with “handlers“?…hmmmm. And what is Dale Jr. doing here and who is that Yellow Man advertising the Motorcycle Monster website?).
Entering the convention hall, you are confronted with some of the most amazing examples of “display craftsmanship” you an imaging: Metal Towers, Flashing Lights, Women, Rotating Merchandise, Sound systems, Glitter, Women, Banners, Demo Tables, Setting Areas, Women (you get the point). One of the first one you can’t miss is Corbin’s rotating and well designed new bagger collection. I have to admit, i fondled the merchandise way too long and if your going the bagger route, you have to seriously consider their product.
One company i spent almost all day trying to find was 360 Brake! As many of our readers know, Guilty Customs is in the midst of a build for Gatorz Eyewear and part of the original concept drawings was to have a seemingly “floating” wheel/tire setup using clear wheels and a minimally visible braking system. Initially 360 Brake was one of the companies that stated they wished to participate in the project. However, things went a bit sideways internally with the company, but after much maneuvering and back-to-basic’s management efforts, they have re-emerged a new improved 360 Brake! Thank goodness. Spending time with company President, Dale Needleman, i found that not only have they retested, refined and redesigned the product, they have done the same with the company. I’m looking forward to having additional discussions with Dale and then moving forward in getting a set of 360 Brakes for the Gatorz build.
One last comment. There is a company coming into the market with what i believe is probably the most authentic “era” bikes around. The company is called ZERO Engineering. As you will hear them say often, “Zero combines form and function with minimal frills, gadgets, and chrome, each bike meticulously built by hand with uncompromising style, beauty and attention to detail”. And we can attest to that attention to detail, authenticity and quality. Talking with Hiro Sasaki and seeing their bikes it made myself (and a lot of others) acknowledge that Zero Engineering has hit the mark on all points. The program at ZERO is that the bikes are designed overseas (you should see their paint jobs!) and built in Las Vegas, NV. The attention to quality, detail and authenticity is truly amazing and with production of the Samurai Chopper Type 6 being limited to only 24 in 2008, I’m sure they will go fast! If your wanting to inquiry about being a dealer, you should contact Hiro Sasaki. His email is hiro@zero-eng.com and tell em’ Guilty sent ya! Zero, is a Licensed and Registered NHTSA Manufacturer.
It’s 2:20am on Saturday morning and we’re just getting back to the house (across the Ohio river, from Cincy and 3 miles from the convention center.) Upon arriving, we find the police (at least 6 squad cars) in front of the house…seems Kentucky’s finest had tasered a fellow right in our driveway. Sort of a way of welcoming us to their fair state i guess. Thanks guys….we’ll sure to meet up again soon. Mike (from A-1 Motorcycles) and I have spent the better part of the night (from 6-now) meeting and trying to get food and drink with old friends and making new ones here at the show. We’ve run into a lot of people (Ami James from Miami Ink, Brian Klock, Arlen Ness, Paul Jr. from OCC, Kris Krome, Mike Tomas, Chris from Cycle Source, Murdoc Jones from Bagger Magazine, Warren Brothers and Duane Ballard Custom Leathers, Colleen Swartz), and too too many other to remember at this late hour. One point of observation. Seems like less attendees than last year, more opens space in center, however more networking and a lot more drinking……. and the same ole’ ugly guys and tall tales flying around…but hey, that’s what we live for. Oh, and it’s only 26 degrees!…. Hmmm, wonder what the rest of the weekend has in store? Stay tuned. We’ll sure to have incriminating pictures and stories.
So, you think you’ve got a leg up on the authorities when it comes to getting away with things like running from the law? Hmmm, yeah, right. Check out California’s Airborne Law Enforcement (ABLE) division. Their new weapon is the Copper Chopper! Pretty cool if I say so myself. Maybe other states can take the hint and help reduce the chance of accidents by taking their pursuit to the air and cut down the street level absurdity. You can read the full article at the Cycle World site Copper Choppers.
Chilling winds, driving early morning rains and even temperatures in the low 40’s didn’t deter over 500 hearty souls determined to support this years 5th Annual Pink Ribbons For Life ride sponsored by the Chrome Angels. The event, who’s purpose is to raise money for women (and families) facing the devastating cost of medial insurance in their fight with breast cancer, once again succeeded in showing the community that whether your a biker or not, the cause is worthy, and the need great.
With vendors, live music, fun games (you have to see the tricycle races), chinese and silent auctions, great food and a well suited location at Cowboys here in Orlando, (along with strong community support) you can rest assured that this event has, and will, continue to garner financial and emotional support in order to fight the ongoing financial needs of those facing this devastating disease.
Guilty Customs wants to thank everyone for showing such great support (and resolve) for such a worthy cause and you can be sure the Guilty Gang will be there next year to give our time, finances and support! Great job Chrome Angels! Now there is a group of unique “angels”.
Ok, it’s not about anything “motorcycle” related. But it does affect us as consumers. If your like the Guilty Gang, we’re tired of spending our hard earned money on crappy movies (during the day when we’re supposed to be working)! We get to the local theatre where we throw down our money on the ticket, then eat too much popcorn and drink, then hate the movie. Then as we leave the theatre, we’re thinking to ourself “there goes my $20.00″! Seems that this producer (well know too) has given the power to the people. Take a look! Maybe one day this will catch on and actually become standard practice. Yeah, right!
Well, there are a few things worse than giving a biker a pen to write with or an opportunity to talk in front of a sober crowd. Things such as, a beer while they are riding; road rash or a bug stuck in their eye. Seems that there is an opportunity for all us budding writers to “express ourself” about the motorcycling culture. The Popular Culture Association and American Culture Associations are holding a series of panels at the next annual meeting to be held March 19–22, 2008 in San Francisco, California at the San Francisco Marriott. Proposals for individual papers, presentations, and panel discussions are requested on motorcycling and its impact on American and other societies and cultures. Granted, the deadline has already passed, November 1, 2007, but i think it would be interesting to see how academia and the general population respond to the topic’s presented by motorcycling speakers. Hopefully someone with better writing skills, and more time to kill than i, will attend and give us a look-see into what happens. Suggested topics include:
* Riders’ narratives or descriptions of the ride
* The motorcycle as art, poetry, or agency
* Rituals, norms, customs, or influences in motorcycle culture
* The biker as subaltern
* Movies, films, or other images of motorcyclists
* Analyses of media, consumer capitalist, corporate, or other power structures in relation to motorcycling culture or popular myth
* Biographical analyses of noteworthy motorcyclists and their influence upon myth, culture, or cultural capital
* Racial, ethnic, gendered, class, or demographic aspects of motorcycling culture
* Other literary, anthropological, geographical, historical, sociological, or psychological perspectives of motorcycling culture or myth
You can contact the Area Chair listed below with a biographical statement and an abstract of 150 words. Basic information about the conference can be found at the PCA / ACA website: http://www.pcaaca.org/
Gary L. Kieffner
Department of History
University of Texas at El Paso
Telephone: 915.747.5875
E-mail: Kieffner@miners.utep.edu
My own personal ideas of topic’s would have been:
*The wearing and maintenance of leather chaps and jackets
*Beer/buffalo consumption and how it affects the local economy
*Why H-D lifelong riders have faces made of leather
*The phenomena of skinny men and large women in the motorcycling community
*Riding “hands free”…..fact or fiction?
*How too much alcohol makes most women look like Pamela Anderson
*You will fall, it’s just a matter of “when”
*Great women rider butts…urban legend?
It’s just a few, i’m sure there are others…so submit your own…..we’ll post them! Source: MBI
Maybe it’s because we’re (Warden that is) is getting older OR we’re just becoming more aware of the impact we as humans are having on the environment; due to media coverage and/or the changing climate or landscape. Guilty Customs has been looking at what our company does that adversely affects the environment….(ie, disposing of oil, used parts, paint, etc). It isn’t easy to be honest to change old habits, but it’s worth it to our future generations. While browsing the news recently it was good to see a leading builder, Jesse James, willing to take a public stand and even open himself up to possible “jabs” from those that either don’t care about our quality of life, or their children’s/grandchildren’s future. Good for you Jesse! Here is the story as told by Mlive.com
Custom motorcycle builder and television producer Jesse James showed his green side Wednesday, wondering aloud if he’s turned soft or if global warming is really something to be concerned about. “We all want to go faster and have cooler, neater stuff, so we all have to pay our dues,” the owner of West Coast Choppers told AutoWeek’s annual design forum awards dinner at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. “That’s just me trying to find some balance,” he said. “I want my kid to be able to drive my ‘cuda. So that’s my preachy speech.” James promoted recycling during a loose riff on environmental stewardship for gearheads, later laying out his plans to set a land speed record for a hydrogen gas-fueled car, “Green Scream,” this spring.
Former vice president and prominent environmentalist Al Gore might still be “a dork,” James told an applauding crowd of several hundred, but “I don’t want to go to an electric Formula One race.”
Everyone once and a while, we need inspiration. As well as reminders of what our forefathers use to build. As some of you know, our approach is building choppers that reflect the influences of the 60-70’s hot-rod industry. Of course we also need picture resources that show what the bikes were like back then (granted i was riding back then too but gray matter fades with age), so we resort to sites such as Vintage American Motorcycles. So, If you’ve ever wondered where to go for a good walk through the motorcycling history in the US of A, don’t look any further. The site Vintage American Motorcycles has a great picture gallery of all types of motorcycles showing the constant changes of this wonderful industry.
Aren’t we American something else?!?! We just have to be so creative that we actually sidestep plain ole common sense! Seems a fella invented the Bike Diaper® Motorcycle Oil Absorbent Pad Tray And Harness - His video (click HERE) painfully explains how this mastermind product works. Seems it would have been easier just to replace the head gaskets. What do you think? His ad reads
“Stops oil drips and leaks from hitting the floor. Straps snugly and gently around bike or through engine. Keeps floor oil free and allows the bike to be easily moved without removing the Bike Diaper.”
If you want more information or to purchase go HERE.
Can you imagine the conversation a guy would have with his buddies on this matter of “leaky motorcycle?”. Owner:Damn, my bike crapped all over my garage floor last night!….I hate this! Seems like it’s just getting worse with age…. Friend:Dude, if you’d had a “Bike Diaper” on her you wouldn’t be having these problems! Everyone who’s anyone has a diaper on! I’ve got two on mine right now” Owner:Your right dude, i should just go out, bite the bullet and get it over with… get her a Bike Diaper and call it a day. I just can’t stand it any more…it’s just so messy and my hands get so oily”…….yada yada yada…
Suffice it to say, no Bike Diapers will find their way into our garage!
The industry as we know it has taken some interesting twist and turns over the past two years. We’ve been hearing rumors for quite a while about possible downsizing at Big Dog and other large manufacturers. And we’ve seen numerous smaller shops around the country silently slipping into closure or major downsizing. Of course the smaller shops won’t have the media coverage, but the impact is the same on those companies and families. Big Dog motorcycles laid off 20 of its employees on Friday. The company is blaming a downturn in the economy, the housing market decline, and the financial lending crisis. 2007 was apparently a really bad year for the custom motorcycle maker, with the company laying off 10 employees. Paul Hansen, marketing director for Big Dog said: “Our goal is to resize the company to a level that can be successful, even in a down market. The good news is that once the economy rebounds, Big Dog Motorcycles is perfectly positioned to continue to be the dominant player in our market for years to come and hold our position as the world’s largest manufacturer of custom bikes. “We are a sizable company with excellent dealers, a great brand name and a strong diverse line-up of new models. We expect a respectable 2008, even with a murky economy.”
If your like a lot of us, you’ve probably thought to yourself when you hear the name of a new motorcycle or model, car, appliance, etc “what were these companies thinking?!” The motorcycle industry definitely isn’t immune to and probably has a disproportionate amount of ill-fated models built by well intentioned companies, but due to whatever reason, their product just didn’t catch on. The following is a list we found of motorcycles burdened with monikers seemingly conjured up during an out-of-control caffeine induced brainstorming sessions.
1. Adonis
Adorn your product with the name of a handsome Greek god and you better design something striking. A good place to start would be somewhere other than this 48-cc, early 1950s motorbike, essentially the 98-pound weakling of the motorcycle universe.
2. Anker
Here’s an idea: Name your sporty motorcycle after an object used to render vehicles stationary. At least this 1950s German company didn’t make boats.
3. Stahl
Perhaps this was not the best choice of name for an American bike built during the motorcycle’s formative — and typically unreliable — years, in the early 1910s.
4. Satan
Perhaps the name given to these big single-cylinder bikes from the late 1920s was acceptable in its native Czechoslovakia, but it didn’t go over well on this side of the pond. Since the make only lasted one year, they apparently had a devil of a time selling them.
5. Thor
Name a bike after the Norse god of thunder, and it better live up to its name — and the Thor did. First produced in 1907, Thors were big 76-cubic-inch (about 1250-cc) V-twin brutes that rivaled contemporary Harley-Davidsons for speed. But due to the competitive environment, Thor ceased motorcycle production by 1920.
6. Honda Dream
Japanese manufacturers have always leaned toward whimsical names for their machines, so it was hardly a surprise when the Dream became reality in the early 1960s. When this 305-cc bike arrived on American shores with its skirted fenders, stamped-steel frame and forks, and somewhat bulbous bodywork, typical ’60s names like Venom, Tiger, or Commando hardly seemed appropriate, so the Dream was born. The Dream was a surprising success and sold under the Honda emblem for nearly ten years.
7. Snob
This 1920s German bike sported a lowly 155-cc single-cylinder engine that really gave it no reason to brag.
8. New Motorcycle
A midsize bike built in France during the 1920s, one can’t help but imagine an Abbott and Costello-type routine:
“What’s that?”
“A New Motorcycle.”
“Duh . . . I know it’s a new motorcycle. But what is it?”
“I just told you.”
“All I know is it’s a new motorcycle.”
“Then why did you ask?”
9. Silver Pigeon
From 1946 to 1964, these scooters were quite popular in Japan, but it’s hard to imagine the name would fly in the States.
10. Genial-Lucifer
Like jumbo shrimp, the two words just don’t seem to go together. Nevertheless, this French builder of small to midsize motorcycles managed to tough it out for 28 years (1928-1956), which is more than can be said for most upstarts of the period.
11. Juncker
Blame it on the language barrier, but there’s no way this small French bike of the 1930s would have sold very well in the States.
12. Sissy
An Austrian company chose this name to grace a mini-scooter that lasted only one year (1957). What were they thinking?
13. RIP
Seemingly doomed from the start, this English motorcycle company was born in 1905 and gone by 1909. May it rest in peace.
14. Flying Merkel
Ridiculous as its moniker sounds, this big American bike of the early 1900s lived up to its billing, as Flying Merkels set several speed records thanks to their advanced V-twin engines.
15. Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
One of Harley-Davidson’s best sellers, the Fat Boy is a beefy motorcycle, originally offered in 1990 on the company’s big softail frame with a large 1340-cc V-twin engine and unique solid wheels. This bulky bike is still sold today in an even “fatter” 1584-cc form.
16. Whizzer Pacemaker
In the years after World War II, Whizzer offered a three-horsepower engine that could be bolted to a conventional bicycle to turn it into a rudimentary form of motorized transport. “Put a Whizzer on it!” trumpeted the ads, and thousands did. The company soon came out with a complete motorbike, the Whizzer Pacemaker, which some credit with starting the scooter revolution that led to the company’s demise in the mid-1950s.
17. Wackwitz
Perhaps in its native Germany the name isn’t so amusing, but this early 1920s maker of small “clip on” engines (much like those sold by Whizzer) lasted only two years. And one can imagine why: “Put a Wackwitz on it!” just doesn’t have the same ring.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
Helen Davies, Marjorie Dorfman, Mary Fons, Deborah Hawkins, Martin Hintz, Linnea Lundgren, David Priess, Julia Clark Robinson, Paul Seaburn, Heidi Stevens, and Steve Theunisse
In the biking community overall we often hear these comments from fellow bikers and or their clubs—”people just don’t understand us” or “we’re tired of people thinking we’re just a bunch of hoodlums, drunks, outlaws or perverts” or “we do good in the community”. Yet we continue to see the same types of actions, lifestyles and mindsets that fail to give those in our community (whether they be citizens, family or government leaders etc) reason to believe anything else about the biking community Sure we can do charity or toy rides, take up donations, help with traffic flow at events a few times a year, etc, but other than that, aren’t we coming up short at doing something that has real community impact on a day-to-day basis that helps change that communities perception of this brotherhood of bikers community? I think so. Fortunately someone, like Rev. Ron Baptiste, who leads the Covenant Confirmers Ministries in Springfield, TN is picking up our slack by putting his (and his groups) “feet where their mouth is“. Check out this story!
Tennessee - Take a trip to the Springfield Wal-Mart and you might see an unusual sight this Christmas shopping season. Riders with Covenant Confirmers Motorcycle Ministries are patrolling the parking lot after dark to deter any criminal activity and keep shoppers and their belongings safe. Men and women on foot approach shoppers to offer an escort to their cars and a hand carrying bags. The “Biker Escort Service” began in early December. It is the idea of the Rev. Ron Baptiste, who leads the Covenant Confirmers Ministries in Springfield.
Baptiste says he was looking for a way to give back to the community that has been so accepting of his motorcycle-riding church congregation. A Wal-Mart official says the store has no objection to the church’s offer of extra security. Even though members of his church have been providing escorts for weeks, Baptiste says the recent fatal stabbing of a man trying to help a woman during a purse-snatching in a Nashville Kroger parking lot illustrates the need for this kind of community ministry. “It’s a sad state of the world that we need to do this,” Baptiste says. “But people are so grateful.” In addition to protecting shoppers against crime, Baptiste has seen the volunteer work strengthen the faith of the bikers in his church and change the image some in the public have about men and women who share a passion for the culture of riding.
“My guys are no weekend warriors,” Baptiste says. “My guys are big guys with tattoos. They are hard-core bikers. And as formal rejects from society, they’re being appreciated for what they’re doing. What matters to me is what’s happening to their hearts.”
The offers of aid from bikers wearing leather vests and sporting tattoos have not always initially been understood, Baptiste says. So the bikers work in male-female pairs when they approach shoppers at the Wal-Mart entrance so as not to appear threatening. Other bikers cruise the parking lot. Baptiste thinks the community has become so familiar with his church’s works - which include a free medical clinic for bikers and communitywide support and youth groups - that shoppers catch on quickly that they are there to help. “The awesome thing to me is to see these great big old bikers help these little old ladies,” Baptiste says. “And then to see the old ladies so appreciative about it. “They went out in the sleet and rain last weekend. It’s given them a purpose.” For more information about Covenant Confirmers Ministries, visit www.covenantconfirmers.org.
If your a woman (or man) that rides or is involved in the motorcycle industry, you’ve either met, read about, seen, read articles written by or heard people talk about “Katmandu” Palmer. She’s one of those true “Mid-Century Motorcycling Women”. We wanted to acknowledge her birthday (howbeit belated 28th of February). Part of the “litmus test” for the motorcycling industry is passion, commitment and longevity (as well as having to be a rider). Kat has these in spades. If your one of the very few that hasn’t read her articles in magazines (such as The Horse, Born To Ride, Cycle Source etc), then you’ve truly missed a true jewel of the industry. Her captivating “wordsmithing” is a commodity we’ve appreciated for years and unfortunately rarely see on the pages of many magazines. Our friend Keith Ball (Bikernet) has a great article written by Kat reminicing about her years in the industry. Take a browse over and send Kat a “happy B’day” email. Tell her “the Guilty Gang” sent ya! 
Whether you’ve be on two/three wheels for 1 day or 50 years, there is something that we all have in common; We have either “gone down” or “are going down“. It’s just the nature of the beast. And with that understanding, motorcycle insurance should have a part in your life. Law suits and accidents can come at us from many unforeseen directions. So, when you do have an accident (whether it’s your fault or someone else’s) the first person you’d better call is your Insurance Agent or Company. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Custom Chopper, ZX-14, a Harley, Ducati, BMW, Suzuki, Kawasaki Ninja or that special 1943 Indian- you need affordable coverage! The site 
Heading though the huge lobby area at the Duke Auditorium you not only wade through crowds of people, but find yourself gawking at an impressive display showing some of histories motorcycle racing legends….such as the worlds fastest motorcycle and other history makers. However, your also bombarded with banners, signs, personalities (is that Paul Sr and Jr walking with “handlers“?…hmmmm. And what is Dale Jr. doing here and who is that Yellow Man advertising the 
Initially 360 Brake was one of the companies that stated they wished to participate in the project. However, things went a bit sideways internally with the company, but after much maneuvering and back-to-basic’s management efforts, they have re-emerged a new improved 360 Brake! Thank goodness. Spending time with company President, Dale Needleman, i found that not only have they retested, refined and redesigned the product, they have done the same with the company. I’m looking forward to having additional discussions with Dale and then moving forward in getting a set of 360 Brakes for the Gatorz build.
One last comment. There is a company coming into the market with what i believe is probably the most authentic “era” bikes around. The company is called 
Mike (from A-1 Motorcycles) and I have spent the better part of the night (from 6-now) meeting and trying to get food and drink with old friends and making new ones here at the show. We’ve run into a lot of people (Ami James from Miami Ink, Brian Klock, Arlen Ness, Paul Jr. from OCC, Kris Krome, Mike Tomas, Chris from Cycle Source, Murdoc Jones from Bagger Magazine, Warren Brothers and Duane Ballard Custom Leathers, Colleen Swartz), and too too many other to remember at this late hour. One point of observation. Seems like less attendees than last year, more opens space in center, however more networking and a lot more drinking……. and the same ole’ ugly guys and tall tales flying around…but hey, that’s what we live for. Oh, and it’s only 26 degrees!…. Hmmm, wonder what the rest of the weekend has in store? Stay tuned. We’ll sure to have incriminating pictures and stories.
So, you think you’ve got a leg up on the authorities when it comes to getting away with things like running from the law? Hmmm, yeah, right. Check out California’s Airborne Law Enforcement (ABLE) division. Their new weapon is the Copper Chopper! Pretty cool if I say so myself. Maybe other states can take the hint and help reduce the chance of accidents by taking their pursuit to the air and cut down the street level absurdity. You can read the full article at the Cycle World site 
Chilling winds, driving early morning rains and even temperatures in the low 40’s didn’t deter over 500 hearty souls determined to support this years 5th Annual Pink Ribbons For Life ride sponsored by the 
Well, there are a few things worse than giving a biker a pen to write with or an opportunity to talk in front of a sober crowd. Things such as, a beer while they are riding; road rash or a bug stuck in their eye. Seems that there is an opportunity for all us budding writers to “express ourself” about the motorcycling culture. The Popular Culture Association and American Culture Associations are holding a series of panels at the next annual meeting to be held March 19–22, 2008 in San Francisco, California at the San Francisco Marriott. Proposals for individual papers, presentations, and panel discussions are requested on motorcycling and its impact on American and other societies and cultures. Granted, the deadline has already passed, November 1, 2007, but i think it would be interesting to see how academia and the general population respond to the topic’s presented by motorcycling speakers. Hopefully someone with better writing skills, and more time to kill than i, will attend and give us a look-see into what happens. Suggested topics include:
Maybe it’s because we’re (Warden that is) is getting older OR we’re just becoming more aware of the impact we as humans are having on the environment; due to media coverage and/or the changing climate or landscape. Guilty Customs has been looking at what our company does that adversely affects the environment….(ie, disposing of oil, used parts, paint, etc). It isn’t easy to be honest to change old habits, but it’s worth it to our future generations. While browsing the news recently it was good to see a leading builder, Jesse James, willing to take a public stand and even open himself up to possible “jabs” from those that either don’t care about our quality of life, or their children’s/grandchildren’s future. Good for you Jesse! Here is the story as told by Mlive.com
Everyone once and a while, we need inspiration. As well as reminders of what our forefathers use to build. As some of you know, our approach is building choppers that reflect the influences of the 60-70’s hot-rod industry. Of course we also need picture resources that show what the bikes were like back then (granted i was riding back then too but gray matter fades with age), so we resort to sites such as Vintage American Motorcycles. So, If you’ve ever wondered where to go for a good walk through the motorcycling history in the US of A, don’t look any further. The site 
Aren’t we American something else?!?! We just have to be so creative that we actually sidestep plain ole common sense! Seems a fella invented the Bike Diaper® Motorcycle Oil Absorbent Pad Tray And Harness - His video (click 
The industry as we know it has taken some interesting twist and turns over the past two years. We’ve been hearing rumors for quite a while about possible downsizing at Big Dog and other large manufacturers. And we’ve seen numerous smaller shops around the country silently slipping into closure or major downsizing. Of course the smaller shops won’t have the media coverage, but the impact is the same on those companies and families. Big Dog motorcycles laid off 20 of its employees on Friday. The company is blaming a downturn in the economy, the housing market decline, and the financial lending crisis. 2007 was apparently a really bad year for the custom motorcycle maker, with the company laying off 10 employees. Paul Hansen, marketing director for Big Dog said: “Our goal is to resize the company to a level that can be successful, even in a down market. The good news is that once the economy rebounds, Big Dog Motorcycles is perfectly positioned to continue to be the dominant player in our market for years to come and hold our position as the world’s largest manufacturer of custom bikes. “We are a sizable company with excellent dealers, a great brand name and a strong diverse line-up of new models. We expect a respectable 2008, even with a murky economy.”
In the biking community overall we often hear these comments from fellow bikers and or their clubs—”people just don’t understand us” or “we’re tired of people thinking we’re just a bunch of hoodlums, drunks, outlaws or perverts” or “we do good in the community”. Yet we continue to see the same types of actions, lifestyles and mindsets that fail to give those in our community (whether they be citizens, family or government leaders etc) reason to believe anything else about the biking community Sure we can do charity or toy rides, take up donations, help with traffic flow at events a few times a year, etc, but other than that, aren’t we coming up short at doing something that has real community impact on a day-to-day basis that helps change that communities perception of this brotherhood of bikers community? I think so. Fortunately someone, like Rev. Ron Baptiste, who leads the Covenant Confirmers Ministries in Springfield, TN is picking up our slack by putting his (and his groups) “feet where their mouth is“. Check out this story!
