Big Dog Motorcycles as of Friday has laid off 22 employees and will lay off 27 more in the next 60 days. The layoffs are a consequence of economic problems, which no motorcycle company has been immune to this year.

“We’re resizing the company to reposition it so when the economy rebounds we’ll have the right product, and we’ll still be a viable player in the marketplace,” Paul Hansen Marketing Director of Big Dog says.

Hansen says high-end motorcycle sales, which Big Dog specializes in, have been on the decline for the last two to three years. “Then we come into this year with the mortgage crisis,” he says. “That’s kind of hurts us on both fronts, because a lot of our customer base is the people who build the houses — a lot of home builders and contractors and blue-collar workers.” Lenders tightening credit standards, high gas prices and the upcoming presidential election have also contributed to the slump, Hansen says.

Source: Wichita Business Journal

Some like’m thick, some thin. Others like’m long and others short. Whatever your preference, check out StreetWalker Exhaust’s new “thin pipes”. Made for Evo motors (some Twin cam’s also) these pipes are made from heavy 16 gauge steel 1 ¾” out of the head, stepping up to 2”. Skinny Minny exhausts pipes are long and leggy with great curves and will fit both left hand and right hand drive bikes. They are available in black, show chrome, titanium or polished silver ceramic finishes. Heat shields are available in a solid cut hot-rod themed “Reform School” cut and are also available in show chrome, gloss black or a brushed satin finish for a contrasting finish. Price: $599.00. Check StreetWalker Exhaust at www.streetwalkerexhaust.com.

Recently we came across a very well produced moto-documentary called “Why They Ride“, produced by two brothers, (the wilkinson’s), who journey from Indianapolis to Deals Gap. Also known as the Tail of the Dragon. If you’ve never experienced this part of the county your definitely missing something in your riding journal. During the ride you will experience 318 turns in a stretch of 11 miles of Highway 129 that runs between Tennessee and North Carolina through the Smoky Mountains. Along the way the brothers capture not only the beautiful scenery and fast bikes but also expertly interview bikers and find out what riding means to them. You’ll hear how this adventure helped a 75 year old father make up for lost time with his son or hear how motorcycling helped a young woman deal with cancer or hear from a couple on their way to see a dying friend. Oh, yeah, we don’t want to hear any comments ’bout us “chopper guys” not really riding either. You’ll see plenty of us riding that part of the country!

Hey, we’re all about “supporting” the women and their efforts toward equality as well as their motorcycling lifestyles. So, we have to give H-D kudo’s for their efforts along the lines of “inclusion” in their newest online magazine called “We Ride”. BUT, you do have to wonder whether all these efforts for a “separate women’s” lifestyles will in itself promote “separation of the sexes“? Thoughts!

Here is what the head of Community Outreach had to say:

We Ride serves as an inspirational and educational brochure for non-riders and newly licensed female riders alike. The guide features women riders sharing their passion, apparel designed specifically for women and information beginner riders need to know before they hit the road, along with many other topics specific to women riders.

So, for you women readers out there, you can go HERE to download the pdf magazine.

Seems that Jesse James is morphing into a new role….that of a modern-day daredevil in “Jesse James Is A Dead Man,” a new, original weekly series on Spike TV premiering in February 2009, announced today by Sharon Levy, senior vice president of original series for Spike TV. “Our goal was to create a new and distinctive series for Jesse that is unlike anything else on television,” said Levy. “In this series, viewers will get to experience one of the most fearless guys on the planet in an entirely new way, taking on death-defying physical challenges each week.” During each of the 10 weekly one-hour episodes viewers will follow James as he readies himself for a different death-defying challenge. Preparing for the risky challenge can often be as dangerous as the challenge itself as he endures a battery of tests to prepare. With CGI effects, viewers get a taste of the enormity of the stunt, revealing the physiological stress James’ body will endure. Some of the dangerous challenges he’ll be facing include the harrowing, grueling and lawless off-road race, the Baja 500, and hitting over 200 mph on a Nitro bike supercharged by ultra-combustible nitro-methane fuel.

The series will be produced by BASE Productions (”Sports Science,” “Fight Science”) with Jesse James and his production company, Payupsucker Productions, serving as an executive producer. Spike TV signed James to a multi-year talent deal in October 2007, and this project represents his first series with the network. 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 in Long Beach, CA. Spike TV is available in 96.1 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (VIA:

Over $10 Million dollars worth of motorcycle inventory goes on the auction block September 12th in Fort Worth, Texas thanks to American Ironhorse who is selling off excess parts not needed for new production. Liquid Asset Partners LLC in joint venture with Hilco Merchant Resources LLC is conducting the sale. Liquid Asset partners will begin bulk sales August 25 through their office sales staff. Dealers and distributors wishing to make purchases should contact Liquid Asset Partners at (616) 719-5917 or they can view the $10 million+ inventory at http://www.LiquidAssetPartners.com. Bill Melvin, CEO of Liquid Assets states “Dealers or bulk buyers willing to make a minimum purchase of $2000 can purchase through our office sales staff starting today….” says Melvin. “We’ve got everything needed to make a chopper: frames, wheels, gas tanks, fenders, starters, six speed transmissions, engine parts, tires, plus nuts, bolts, and hardware. We have to sell it all, regardless of cost or loss!”

Life just isn’t the same anymore. When we first bought a new bike we were satisfied with the stock set up. Then after awhile of riding and abuse, it was time for some replacements, especially hand grips and pegs. Some of us went with stock replacements while others went the route of customizing with either billet, chrome or some other nice comfortable set up. We just found these kicker pedals, grips and pegs from the guys at Hippy Killer Garage and have to say, we’d try them! They are made in a 57A Urathane hardness which has some grip, and absorbs vibration. No two sets are alike and come in a rainbow range of solid and sparkle colors to match whatever you ride. Depending on what you want, they sale for $40 to $65.00/each.

In a recent article posted by La Cross Reporter Ryan Stotts, he reports that industry leaderS & S Cycle cuts 60 workers at it’s Viola facility. Company President Brett Smith announced Friday that 60 workers have been cut this month through voluntary separation and layoffs. “This was a very, very hard decision personally“. Smith blamed the economic slump for a downturn in sales of the company’s high-performance engine parts and engines for motorcycles. “In the grand scheme of things, we make a product that people don’t need to have,” he said.

S & S now employs a total of about 195 at both sites, he said. “We’re doing everything we can to become lean and consolidate our efforts for future long-term employment,” Smith said. “We don’t expect to be in this position forever.” The company’s core business of bolt-on, high-performance, after-market components still is strong and growing, he said, but S & S had to take a pragmatic approach in an economic environment that’s seeing less disposable income. “It’s a very unfortunate decision, coming on the heels of our 50th anniversary,” Smith said. The S & S event, which drew an estimated 28,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to La Crosse in late June, played no role in the cutbacks, Smith said. Despite rumors, the cost of hosting the event was completely covered by sales of the 50 custom motorcycles made for the competition, he said, and the support of the community.

The Detroit Bro’s keep rolling out new innovative products and this newest one isn’t any different. The new weld-on kickstand is milled from 1018 mild steel, then chromed to a mirror finish. With weld-on spring and hardware this makes a nice addition to any build. Sells for $199.99.

In our earlier post about the new “Wide-Glide Girder Front End“, we were only able to show you a CAD rendering of this product. Well, now we’ve got the real thing! This girder front-end uses 4130 seamless, aircraft allow tubing and is TIG welded and heat treated. The wide glide girder embodies the spirit of the industries original girders, but using modern day technology for one of the industries highest quality and most reliable wide glide front-ends. If your not familiar with TIG welding (also known as Heli-Arc) this process is the best and strongest way of building a front end. So, if you’re looking for something alot different than the same old front ends everyone else is using, check out the “Guilty Wide Glide“. There is free shipping and expect 4-6 weeks for delivery. Lengths range from 2″ under to 11″ over at present. The Guilty Wide Glide will come raw but is available in chrome (at additional cost), so contact Guilty Customs for details.

Being at this years Sturgis Rally and getting a chance to eye-ball each of the 68 incredible motorcycles entered into this years AMD show we came to appreciate the decision behind naming Roger Goldhammer the winner of the Freestyle Class. For those not familiar with Mr. G, this is the third time in five years that he has come out on top at the AMD show. Note: This bike may look familiar as it is the same bike that he competed with on the Bonneville Salt Flats in September of 2007! A liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, fuel-injected blown sport bike, with nitrous that achieved a top speed of just over 164 mph. Wow, a beauty that runs too! Sweet. Coming in 2nd was Hot Dock with StG Nautilus. 3rd place went to the Seppster 2 Ice Racer from Tobias Guckel of TGS Motorcycles in Germany. Seeing the TSG bike was definitely worth the trip! Other winners were Jim Giuffra of AFT Customs in the Metric 1st place with Er Hed. 1st place in the production manufacturer class was Delaware American with their Tech Twin American 13c. 2nd place went to Nick Gale’s Little Miss Dynamite.

With Guilty Customs on their way to Sturgis for the 68th annual rally, they had the opportunity to stop in at West Virginia’s Mountainfest courtesy of Cycle Source Magazine. The organizers of the Mountainfest event have repeatedly put together one of the regions most colorful, entertaining and action packed events around. Along with other builders such as Lead Sled, Bare Knuckle Choppers, Pandemonium and Don Gray Customs, the Guilty Gang (accompanied by Robert Bailie from MotoDog Media as photographer had a great time meeting new friends and seeing one of the countries most enjoyable riding areas. Morgantown WV is just south of the Pennsylvania state line and should be on every riders “must do” list. The 4 day event brought together opportunities for attendees to enjoy their machines, friends, listening to great music by such bands as Kansas all while having beautiful weather and experiencing the friendliness of the local’s. Thanks WV.

NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer and Athena “Chickie” Ransom will be appearing together at the upcoming Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary Celebration in Milwaukee August 28-31. Bowyer, a Harley driver himself, will be at the Shell Racing Experience at Veteran’s Park signing autographs. Also, the all-women Chopper Chick Crew, led by Athena will be doing a live custom bike-build. The build will take place at the House of Harley dealership in Milwaukee, with the completed bike being donated to RAACE, an organization combating child abuse.

Here are some of the other events planned for the Celebration:
Event goers will have the opportunity to test their driving skills with the No. 07 and No. 29 NASCAR show cars and racing simulators and get a first hand feel of what it’s like to be in the pits with the Shell Tire Change Challenge. Limited Edition Harley-Davidson/Shell Gift Card giveaways that will be distributed at select times and locations by roving Shell representatives. Demos of the 2009 Harley-Davidson® models, all fueled by Shell V-Power, a high-quality premium gasoline. Participants will also receive a free Shell Gift Card during registration at this State Fair Park event.

The same annual custom chopper show that has been held in Pittsburgh for seven years, has now found a new home in Morgantown, West Virginia during their annual MountainFest Rally. This annual event that attracted 10,000 local riders for a one day show, promises to have much of the same killer bikes and great judging that it has always featured. There are 56 trophies in 20 separate classes with a Best of Show for Pro and Open divisions. The show, that is open to the public and costs nothing to enter, will be held on Saturday July 26th at Mylan Park. Registration will begin at 8am and close at 1pm sharp.
In addition to the show, professional builders and national celebrities will be on hand all weekend to exhibit their bikes. Builder such as: Bill Dodge - Bling’s Cycles, Cj Hanlon - Guilty Customs, Pat Patterson - Led Sled Customs, Paul Wideman - Bare Knuckle Choppers, Steve Peffer - Steel City Choppers, Casey - The Paint Chop, John Vyborny - Jax’s Cycles and more to be announced. Wild and Wonderful MountainFest Motorcycle Rally Sponsored by Triple S Harley-Davidson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia & Budweiser, is scheduled for July 24-27 in Morgantown, West Virginia.

A quick look reveals that true to their motto, MountainFest 2008 promises four fun-filled days of riding, revelry, and brotherhood in the rolling hills and valleys of the Mountain State. In addition to the Chopper Show, this rally has some of the best attractions including a $20,000 FREE poker run, 20 different tourism destinations, one of the best antique and vintage displays ever assembled (HONESTLY), entertainment by the band Kansas and a vintage motorcycle race through the streets of Morgantown on Sunday.

All of this, including all parking, comes to the event attendee for the price of $10, yep, a 4-day-event, bikes shows, entertainment and all parking for ten lousy bucks! That’s one of the reasons Cycle Source Magazine voted them best new rally in 2006. See more info on the Cycle Source Custom Chopper Show by visiting their Web site at http://www.cyclesource.com.

Having consumed far too many “Red Bulls” and twinkies, and just in time for Sturgis Guilty Customs has rolled out their newest “Builders Box Kit.” This package includes a dual powder coated and (industry leading) ChopperShox seat shock system with all necessary mounting hardware, 1/8 inch thick seat pan (choice of bobber or chopper) and a heavy duty custom Battery box. Also included is a choice of a .070 gauge tear drop (shown) or traditional chopper gas tank with 2″ tunnel which holds 4.5 gallons. ALL parts are made in U.S.A and come with 100% money back guarantee. And the price? A very reasonable $463.00. For more information visit the website or call 407.453.0844.