Whether your doing new builds, restorations or just regular maintenance, bushings can wear, decay and generally be a pain. Kundratic Kustom Motorcycles announced the introduction of their Superior Tank Mounts - the original polyurethane bushings for stock (flatside) and custom gas tank mounts. Two-piece in design and precision molded in black polyurethane, these mounts fit all stock and custom applications. They will not dry-rot, crack or crumble, they are oil & solvent resistant and they’re unaffected by heat & cold. Retail is $26.95 and that’s cheap insurance for your sheet metal and paint. Replaces OEM #11447.

For all our “cool northern” friends here is some news that may interest you. Seems HackerPipes and E’Ville Twin Inc have inked a deal that gives E’Ville exclusive distribution for all HackerPipes products in Canada. The HackerPipes performance exhaust allows customers to personalize their exhaust system and are available in different lengths, styles and plating options like chrome and black ceramic. So now our Canadian friends won’t have to worry about delays with customs, additional taxes and tariffs they are hit with when getting parts from their southern friends. HackerPipes’ exhausts offer a lifetime warranty.

Velocity stacks have been around since the early days when some guys were needing to get more air volume into their engines (whether that was car or motorcycles) so it’s nothing new. And VC’s have taken on various forms/shapes and guys have used various materials based upon their preference. Of course they made their way over to custom motorcycles years ago too due to a couple of reason. 1) They wanted to move a large volume of air into a tight space quickly, 2) They were looking to have something cool between their legs while they rode or 3) they like shiny chrome things to rub on. The Detroit Brothers have a new stack that adds somewhat of a twist to the ever growing line of VC’s. It’s called the “Malice Velocity Stack“. It will fit your stock HD Big Twin Carb from ‘84+, and will also fit S&S Carbs (Super E & G). If your running Mikuni carb’s you’ll have to buy the adapter bracket. MSRP $149.99 in raw aluminum or $169.99 in polished aluminum. Available in raw aluminum (shown) or high polished (+20.00). Measures 5″ OD x 2.25″ thick. K&N Air Filter (shown) not included, but available for $35.00. Looks like we’ll be calling the Bro’s up and getting something new for our next build! Sweet!

The guys at Nash Motorcycle Company are at it again! This time they are rolling out “The Gimp Neck Roller” which was designed with value and showmanship in mind. Since we know these guys personally we can speak to the the quality of their craftsmanship and creativity. These rollers were specifically designed for those riders that have “old school” on their minds and creativity in their heads. Take the Nash style and stance and give it your own unique look to create something special. Available with 16″ apes and 2” Slugger Risers or 5″ pullback Drag Bars with 6” Slugger Risers. Roller sales for $4957.00 and includes free shipping within the US. For additional options please feel free to give Taber and the guys a ring.

In this day and time, we seem to value things such as wealth, status and adrenaline as things that give us status in life. Back in another time (not too long ago either) things were different. Things such as a days work for a days pay, your word was your bond and staying with the passion of ones life meant more and held more status than we think or even know. Such was the case with Rollie Free. If you’ve been involved with motorcycling you’ve probably seen the 48 year old Free laid out on his Vincent attempting to set a new land speed record (which he did at 150 mph) across Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats on Sept. 13 1948.

The newest book from Jerry Hatfield (he already has 13 other published books on motorcycles and motorcyclist) gives an in-depth look at the life and times of Mr. Free, and helps us understand the man behind the legend. Great reading and even Jay Leno wrote the intro for the book and the video interview with Mr. Hatfield is informative.

If you keep up with economics (or even the current gas prices) your more than aware that times are tight. And the custom motorcycle/parts business isn’t immune to the slow down in the economy. Just take a look at the amount of shops closing over the past 2 yrs. So, part of any smart business owners plans for survival should include some form of diversification of income streams. Which is where Colleen Swartz comes into the picture. You’ve probably recognized that name as the attractive freelance motorcycle photographer who regularly contributes to magazines such as Cycle Source, The Horse, American Iron and many others. Due to her connections in the industry as well as insight into the needs of builders, Colleen has started a new business called “Master Link International” for the purposes of exporting custom motorcycle parts overseas.

The idea behind the venture is pretty simple. Builders here in the states hate shipping oversea! Especially small shop. We just don’t have the manpower, resources, time, money etc! You have to deal with shipping, taxes, tariffs, governmental regulations, insurance, language barriers, etc etc….you get the idea. So after talking with an initial group of builders (Leroy Thompson, Fab Kevin’s, Guilty Customs, Kundratic Kustoms, Matt Daniels Union Cycle, Nash Motorcycles, Walter Siegl, led Sled Customs, Cook Customs and Rich Phillips) who all expressed frustration as well as wanting ways to widen our income opportunities, Colleen teamed up with Eiji Kumagai who worked as a Harley mechanic while in the states; was from Japan and recently having returned to Japan, is working in one of Japan’s largest and well known chopper shops, Satsuma Cycle Works. Satsuma will be our exclusive dealer of “Made in the USA” parts to Japan and will be sharing space with Master Link at shows to display the parts from participating builders. So, as of March 17th 2008, the first shipment of parts left the US headed for the Joints Chopper Show in Nagoya Japan on April 20th, 2008.

Colleens plans for Master Link are to firm up relationships with dealers in Europe, New Zealand and Australia along with any other opportunities that come her way. If you would like more information on how to become part of Master Link International, you can contact them at Colleen@digitalmagicbigshots.com. Or by phone at 414-380-9005.

Go ahead and admit it….the world isn’t as honest as it use to be! Things “disappear” all the time. And if your a biker you’ve probably been the victim at least once. Things like helmets, gloves, bags, i-pods, phones and yes bikes too (if your really unfortunate). Well, if your going to try and keep that nice bike you’ve worked so hard for, you might as well look cool while doing it. Thanks to Master Lock’s newest product called “Street Cuffs“, you can. Here is some info on the cuffs: 1) Heavy gauge cast steel provides maximum cut and pry resistance.2) 3″ (8cm) cuffs fit fork legs or frames; 3) can be secured to sign posts, parking meters or another bike. 4) Push button keyless locking convenience. 5) Heat treated patented lock core is virtually pick proof. Price: $163.23 and comes with a $4,000 theft guarantee. Now if we can just get our state governments to put some teeth in convictions for theft, we’d be onto something!