If you were a kid of the early 70’s these “chopper cards” were very popular and hard to find in certain parts of the country. And just like baseball cards, you hoarded the ones you felt were going to be “priceless“. Well the craze never really caught on, however the passion still remains for those that work, ride or enjoy motorcycles. I still can remember that depressing day when dear old mom throw out those boxes of cards that just couldn’t make the trip across country due to space restrictions in the car. Saying something along the lines of “those things won’t be worth the paper they are printed on“…. Geee!! Couldn’t i have just held onto a few of them!

Well, here is another installment of the “helmet chronicles”. We’ve had some interesting pic’s of helmets sent to us and you’ll see them over the next few weeks. Either way, they all are cool. Seems the first one was a prize for an event called “El Diablo Run” out on the left coast. Great prize and the guy who won it has got to be enjoying it.

Our friend Paul Crowe at The Kneeslider has an interesting post regarding this behemoth build by Leonhardt Manufacturing. Here are some spec’s: fuel injected, 45 degree 6728 cc/410 cubic inch V-Twin runs through a 3 speed transmission with reverse. It puts out 523 foot pounds of torque. Seat height is 31.5 inches and overall length is 136 inches and weighs 1433 pounds. This is actually going to go into limited production and a sidecar will be available as well. Now, where’s the video?

Remember when the coolest kids on the block had the “BigWheels” that they could rocket around the driveway or neighborhood streets and do spin out or 360’s? They looked soooo cooool and, they seemed to have a lot of fun! Well that same fun may be an option for those grown up kids with the introduction of the “Cosmo” from Olmax Fabrication. As they say, “the cosmo is designed to bring out the kid in all of us”. The biggest difference between our childhood toys and the Cosmo is that this one is built around a fuel injected 650cc four stroke water cooled turbo charged vertical twin routed through a 4 speed automotive tranny…with reverse gear. HP is supposed to be around 70hp, which won’t get you any bragging rights at the strip but will move you around the community and on the highways pretty easily and get quite a few head turns. Replacement parts (air and oil filters) are available through most auto parts stores, though engine parts will need to be ordered from the factory or from a dealer. Base model starts at around $17,900. We’ve heard that they are looking for dealers currently so if your interested contact them directly or wait to see them at various national events around the country.

S&S® Cycle, enjoyed an incredibly successful 50th Anniversary Celebration this past June 27-29. The city of La Crosse played host to approximately 30,000 visitors as riders came in from across the country and around the world to commemorate the occasion. The weekend, hosted by the Smith family (owners of S&S) was planned over a year ago and involved 50 world-class builders using 50 limited production anniversary engines to build 50 unique custom bikes and to compete for $50,000 in S&S product credit. “Not only was it a success for S&S because of all that support, the entire community benefited, and several local charities including the Oktoberfest Committee, Boys & Girls Club, Children’s Museum, and Riverfront, Inc. were the beneficiaries of over $100,000 in combined charitable fund raising”, said Smith. Additional photo’s will be showing up as winners start bragging about their wins and magazines start publishing the builds. Now, onto the fun part of the weekend, the winners of the show!
P-Series
Krugger Motorcycles

SH-Series
Cook Customs

SB-Series
Odyssey Motorcycles

V-Series
Nicolas Chauvin Designs

T-Series
Bennett’s Performance

X-Wedge
Fred Kodlin Murdercycles

People’s Choice
Dougz Custom Paint & Fabrication

Champion
Hot Dock (picture shown above)

We call it “Self expression”. That opportunity each of us have to express our own taste, views, gripes or even prejudices. The medium we express it “on” however varies. Some do “it” on clothing, others on metal and still others on helmets. So we figured we’d start posting some pic’s of peoples helmets we’ve seen or owned ourselves and am asking those that use their own helmets as a form of expression to send us one or two pic’s so we can show the world. We’re thinking this could turn into a cool contest where some swag could be given away if we have enough participants. So how about it?!?

Eager to offer an alternative to “run of the mill” or “foreign made” motorcycle products, Guilty Customs has released yet another product; the “Square Tube Girder Front End“. Timeless styling. Legendary strength. These girders are state-of-the-art precision built with triangular design, TIG welding and square chrome-moly tubing (along with proper mating of parts) all add up to benefits no other current front end can match. This front end from Guilty Customs in collaboration with Paul Durfee uses triangular structure and state of the art materials which gives it the ability to withstand 58,000 pounds of compression strength. In keeping with the level of customization needed by today’s builders, these girders, can be built to fit the needs and wants of any individual from 4″ under to 12″ over stock length. The base price is $1825.00 includes shipping and girder is available in powder coated or chromed finish upon request. For more details contact Guilty Customs at sales@guiltycustoms.com or visit the website at www.guiltycustoms.com.

At some point in a shop owners/builders life we’re faced with a hard question we have to answer: “Do we close the working/building part of the shop to the public or keep it open”. It’s a double edge sword. The reason? It’s”bro’s” that stop by to “chat” that are the same ones telling people about our shop BUT it’s these same “bro’s” that take us away from what we make our living from, which is building and repairing. Don’t get me wrong, we love the “bro” who stops by and wants a quick answer on getting something worked out. Answers are given out with a sense of pride in helping a fellow biker and is given freely. Note: Freely.

When a “brother/sister” decides to stop by a shop and spend a few hours “jawboning” with the “crew” they are taking money out of that shops pocket. Period. Cause “time equals money“. Add on top of that not purchasing something and the “brothers” are adding insult onto injury for that shop. Shops know it’s NOT malicious but it happens regularly and it’s killing them. Supporters are killing the shops they love. People don’t hang out at the local garage “talking shop” all day. So, why do it to your local bike shop, which you love?

So, what’s a guy/gal to do if they really want to support their local shop in a positive manner? Here’s some advice.

1) If you stop by your local shop frequently, buy something! Anything! It doesn’t have to be hugh. A $5 part, can of oil, clutch cable or t-shirt to help offset the time your shop owner/mechanic spent with you.

2) If you’re having a shop fix a bike, build a bike, order a part etc for you and they call and tell you it’s fixed, completed or arrived, get over there in a timely manner and pay for it! These small shops live and die on cash flow. For the most part, shops aren’t cash flow deep or bankrolled heavily (you don’t see them driving Lambo’s, Hummers etc., do ya?). So, pay your bill and take your part or bike home.

3) Quit nickel and dime’n them! If you can’t afford to pay for something when you have it made, then don’t do it. Having a part(s) made and not being timely in paying your bill promptly hurts a shop more than you know. Many shops are now being forced to have customers pay up front before they build a part simply because of this problem. It’s only fair that you pay them the agreed amount and the agreed time.

Bike builders put their life into their shop. They work 12-16 hour days trying to live their dream of having a successful shop which takes them away from their family and loved ones. The least bikers can do if they really want to support their local shop is to respect their time. Shops deserve at least that much!

In a recent conversation with another blog host i mentioned that as a blogger “we (Guilty Truth) try to stay away from politics and religion“. Sometimes this just doesn’t work. Take for example “pollution and global warming” and what part does motorcyclist play in the scheme of things? Or do we even play a part?! Well we’re not saying we’re pro or con on this article but felt you should read it anyway. Since the country is in a economic “belt tightening” stage, (i.e. gas prices skyrocketing, increased traffic issues and global warming) we’ve heard over the airwaves and across the dinner table that “Motorcycles, pollute less than cars“. Which, in part is true-simply by the fact that they run on less fuel and have a more thorough fuel combustion (generally). A recent article by LATimes “Throttle Jockey” columnist Susan Carpenter dives a bit further into the “facts” of this issue. Interesting read and worth a few minutes of our time to get educated. Click HERE.

The guys at Nash Motorcycle are getting a bit Pudgy from too many late night cookies and milk. So, now the “Gimp” has some “Girth”, which means you can save some cash. Nash is offering a 20% discounts on their 1 1/4″ Pudgy Gimp Hanger Bars with a 1” necked base and grips that fit any 1” application. Created from the original “Gimp Hanger” design these bars will give your bike that “fat” look you’re going for. Available in sizes 14″, 16”, 18”, or 20”. 11″ base, 35″ grip to grip, and 5″ pullback. The bars come predrilled/dimpled in black, chrome, brass, or copper plating. Regularly $342.00, now they are $275.00. Check out their other bars discounted too for this special sale.

If your like most people, you want your ride to stand out from the crowd. Not some machine thats a “cookie cutter” bike. Here is a unique alternative from the guys at 7 Metal West Engineering for those who want a retrobike that stands out, (and is functional) all at the same time. These shields are made using a heavy duty .063″ thick perforated copper or brass body and are 8″ long and fit 1.5″ to 2.25″ diameter piples. Both copper and brass are $50.00 plus shipping and handling. Each shield gives 180 degrees of coverage and come with (2) stainless steel hose clamps for attachment. Both copper and brass shields are available in a brushed finish. You’ll be seeing them on a number of upcoming builds we’re sure!

As this industry changes some things stay the same…unfortunately. Things like angry cage drivers, getting cut off in traffic, love bugs hitting you in the teeth and dishonest people stealing from honest hard working people. Which is the reason for this post. We just spoke with Terry Stonehocker of Geargasm Cycles in Anderson, SC and he told us the news about the theft of three of their bikes. Seems the low life’s broke into their shop through the wall and during the local bike night, (which means it was someone who knew the shop and was from the biker community). They took his wife Linda’s orange drop seat trike (that has since been recovered)and two trikes. One known as Caribbean Storm. This particular trike was built by the donated parts & time of not only Geargams Cycles but Prime Suspect Choppers in Canada and painted by a crew in Florida. An incredible amount of time & money went into this trike - which was then donated to the High on the High Seas cruise which benefits Dialysis patients. The man who won the trike donated it back - and the trike was to be sold with funds going to the charity. The link below is the show Dawn Glencer (Carolina Cruiser TV Show) did on the trike itself - and all those who helped.
http://cdn-ll-static.viddler.com/flash/publisher.swf?key=b2d934b8 If ANYONE knows anything - contact Terry Stonehocker at 864-940-1034 or at the shop at 864-622-0030.

The four “B’s” come into alignment. A “bike builder” building a “bike” with a “band” as the “brand“. Whew, that was a tongue twister! When the producers of “Chopper Challenge” needed a “company” to feature in an upcoming episode of the motorcycle-building reality show on CMT, they opted for a different approach from their earlier shows. Every week, the 10-episode prime-time series presents a different bike builder constructing a custom motorcycle that incorporates a “brand” (ie. company) into the vehicle design. Previous shows included the Incredible Hulk, insurance company Geico and Time Warner Cable’s RoadRunner broadband service. “Chopper Challenge” will for the first time use a band as the featured brand. The band in question is South African post-grunge alternative act Seether. You’ll see and hear the band on the June 4 episode, where three of Seethers songs will be played. For the uninitiated: Chopper Challenge is a TV series that challenges nine celebrity master bike builders to create a sponsor-inspired, fully handcrafted, custom logo-branded motorcycle in 30 days with cameras following each and every move. The series combines the allure of the art of custom motorcycle crafting, the intensity of competition and the unpredictability and impulsiveness of reality

So, your trying to figure out what to get old pop’s for Father’s Day but stumped? Why not try Jesse James’ new product line made in conjunction with Kiehl. Looks like Jesse has partnered with Kiehl’s to create a Limited Edition Men’s Dopp Kitt. (yep, you read it correctly). And if your man (son, father, boyfriend, husband….you get the idea) is into motorcycles, then make sure to take him by the East Village Kiehl’s Store where founding family member Aaron Morse’s motorcycles are on display - including those formerly owned by Hollywood icons Steve McQueen and Clark Gable.

The limited edition kit includes:
White Eagle Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream, 5 oz.
Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment, 2.5 oz.
Ultimate Man Scrub Bar, 7 oz
Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash, 8.4.oz
Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, 1 oz.’

Everything is packed together in a bag with the West Coast Choppers logo. The kit retails for $66 and is available at Kiehl’s retail stores and on their website right now.

Seems a trucker was traveling down the highway near Tulsa Oklahoma around 1 o’clock in the morning. At the same time a motorcyclist was traveling at ~120mph and ran into the back of the moving semi-truck. The driver said he felt the impact, and it took almost a 1/4 mile for him to pull over. This is what he found..and yes the fellow lived in spite of his stupidity