AMD World Championship Sturgis 2011 Show Results

Japanese bike builder Ken Tabata came to Sturgis as an unknown to win the 2011 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building, on Wed., Aug. 10th. Tabata of Tavax Engineering, Yao City, Osaka, worked for more than 3 years on "TAVAX 2011V," a bike with dynamic movement and power, "designed to look like a Cheetah about to pounce."

Top 3 in the Freestyle class: Satya Kraus of Kraus Motor Co (left) (3rd place), newly-crowned World Champion Ken Tabata of Tavax Engineering (center) and Larry Houghton of Lamb Engineering (2nd place).    Click images to enlarge.

TAVAX2011V effortlessly combines sculpted aluminum bodywork with one-off hand-made pieces that form the suspension and replace the stock engine and transmission covers. At the rear of the bike the swingarm pivots from behind the rear cylinder, arcing over the transmission, and carrying a linkage system operated single shock, a design similar to that found on many modern sports bikes.

At the front of the machine the suspension begins at the axle as a leading link fork, which then changes via a pair of links to finish as a Springer fork.

To demonstrate the performance potential of his bike Ken has forgone tall and wide wheels, favoring instead a pair of Marchesini 17in sport bike rims carrying floating rotors and Lockheed brake calipers.

Taking a less complex styling route, Larry Houghton, of Lamb Engineering, secured second place with Son of a Gun. Based around a 1951 BSA single cylinder engine (found on eBay) and Talon motocross wheels. Larry built the rest of the bike himself, often collecting material from the scrap bins of friends in the engineering trade. His careful recycling of material meant that he was able to build a World Class custom motorcycle for less than $9,000, including the gold candy silver metalflake paint wrap.

Third place winner Satya Kraus believes in the bare essentials, aptly demonstrated by his entry, "Bolide." He achieved his aim by putting a 93ci S&S Shovelhead motor in a one-off frame carrying a mono-shocked swingarm, telescopic forks and 17in Alpina spoked wheels shod with Metzeler sport bike tires.

1st Place - Performance Custom Class was won by Jim Giuffra and the girls of AFT Customs, who rebuilt a 1970 Honda CB750 café racer styled custom, complete with RaceTech suspension, Beringer brakes and numerous one-off pieces.

1st Place, Production Class: The influence that café racers are having on the current custom scene can also be seen in the design of the top placed Production Manufacturer class bike. Best known for its line of Chops and Bobbers, Darwin Motorcycles has built what it describes as an American muscle bike. Powered by a 132ci S&S X-Wedge V-twin, the RLX carries a full range of top spec components including Öhlins suspension, Beringer brakes and BST carbon fiber wheels.

Italian Sidecar Bike wins AMD Modified Harley Class: A first in 2011 for the World Championship was the entry of a sidecar outfit and it was this outfit, Abnormal Cycles' Union, that took the honors in the Modified Harley class. The Model 'U' powered outfit features a stock frame fitted with a custom sidecar body and a leaf spring Indian style front end, which includes a pair of handlebars created to also look like a leaf spring.

The World Championship of Custom Bike Building exists to showcase and promote international custom motorcycle design and engineering quality, craftsmanship and innovation; and to promote the evolution of custom motorcycling in ways that will help secure the unique enjoyment of custom motorcycles for future generations of riders.

The World Championship is a free-public-admission four-day event that opens on the first Sunday of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, culminating in an awards ceremony at 3:00 pm MST on the Wednesday of the Rally. The whole event, including the awards ceremony, is broadcast on the internet and you will find photos of all of the top bikes at www.AMDChampionship.com.

70th Daytona Bike Week Images at Rat's Hole Show

I Love Daytona Bike Week! My first bike week was in 1969 and I was there for the 70th Daytona Bike Week and the 39th Rat's Hole Daytona Show, March 12th 2011! To register a bike for the Sturgis Buffalo Rat's Hole Show, go to http://www.ratshole.com/.

What a fun day with friends:
Bike builder Ron Finch, (me) MJ Lloyd-Reynolds and painter Dixie Olin in this photo.

This is Tako Siccasso's new "Death" chopper in the Rat's Hole World Showdown!

Here's a link to 2011 Rat's Hole Show photos at Bike Week.

Here's a link to 2011 Willie's Tropical Tattoo Old School Show photos at Bike Week. 

Posted by MJ Lloyd Reynolds/MJR Media marketing services for the motorcycle industry - mjr.media@earthlink.net

Las Vegas Bikefest 2011, Sept. 29 to Oct. 2nd

Fred Vaillancourt of The Rat Shop Custom Bikes in Quebec won the People's Choice Award at the 2010 Artistry in Iron Bike Show at Las Vegas Bikefest. Photo courtesy of Jack McIntire.

Artistry in Iron is a competition of builders, judged by each builder. It’s a gathering of usually 20 of the world’s best builders and their creations and will be one of the featured events at Las Vegas Bikefest, Sept. 29th to Oct. 2nd 2011. Details: Las Vegas Bikefest.

Here's a link to Jack's 600-plus images of The 2010 Las Vegas Bikefest.

AMD Show - Swiss Harley Days - European H.O.G. Rally 2011

Swiss Harley Days finds a home in Lugano for 2011 The official announcement by Harley-Davidson management for a repeat of Swiss Harley Days was made. The city of Lugano will once again host Swiss Harley Days - This year's rally is July 8th & 9th 2011.

Also just announced. Harley-Davidson Switzerland confirmed that, this year's event at Campione d'Italia/Lugano, Switzerland will be a Modified Harley-Davidson World Championship affilate event.

With the Campione d'Italia/Lugano Modified Harley Class winner receiving prize money to be able to compete at the world Championships at Sturgis, USA courtesy of Harley-Davidson Switzerland. The affiliation represents another opportunity for a European authorised Harley dealer or private customer to "mis-it" with America's best and try to follow the trail blazed by current Modified Harley-Davidson World Champions Shaw H-D from the UK.

Here's the video of European H.O.G. Rally 2010 in Lugano!

Related Article: Photos & Story of Swiss Harley Days - European H.O.G. Rally 2010

Born Free 3 Vintage Chopper Show, California

The Born Free Show on June 25th 2011 at Oak Canyon Ranch in Orange County, California is about the love of old motorcycles and like minded individuals having a good time enjoying each others company & these bikes of the past. The list of participating builders is international - from professional to home-built. This is a family-friendly event - young and old a-like are welcome to come out and enjoy the day.The show is meant to unite people from all walks of life by bringing the passion that we all have of these old machines together for one day.If you come out to the event please be prepared to have a great time,enjoy some vintage bikes..lots of vintage bikes in a peaceful friendly family environment. There will also be a ride to the after-party  a few miles down the road.

You can also buy the event poster for a chance to win at $25k knucklehead.

Details: Born Free Blog.

Here's the updated list of builders from all over the world who are planning to attend:

Andy, Pangea Speed, Triumph -

Barons Speedshop UK/Factory Metal Works Pre Unit Triumph

Bryan Thompson , Pre Unit Triumph - Caleb Owens, Cro Customs, HD

Dave Barker, Speedmetal, Panhead - Dave Polgreen, St Paul, Knucklehead

Gaku Okomizu, Hawgholic, HD - Harpoon, FMA, Knucklehead

Ian Barry, Falcon Motorcycles, Vincent - Irish Rich, Shamrock Fab, HD

Jason Craze, Eternal Combustion, Knucklehead

Jason Weber, ATR, Knucklehead

Jeff Leighton, Wing Nuts MC, Knucklehead

Jeffro, White Knights, Triumph

Jeremiah Armenta, Love Cycles, HD

Joe Lingley,Panhead Dragbike

John Copeland, White Knights, Shovelhead 

John Edwards, Old Tyme Custom Paint, Panhead

Jon Rispante, Las Vegas, Triumph/BSA - Kim Boyle, BCM, Triumph

Kosuke, Sunrise Cycles, Triumph - Max Schaaf, 4Q, Panhead

Mike Olsen, Vista, Knucklehead - Robert Hernandez, AZ, HD

Scott Craig, Chopperville, Knucklehead

Shawn Donahue, Chino, PanShovel

Todd, Small City Cycles, Triumph - Warren Heir, JR Cycle Prod, HD
Event details: http://www.bornfreeshow.com/

National 2011 Sturgis Road Show Tour Launched at Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex

Dave Perewitz, Eddie Trotta, Cycle Source & Limpnickie Lot have joined the first-ever Sturgis Road Show that is underway this weekend at the Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Hershey-Harrisburg, PA.

Headliner Sturgis bands include: Bachman & Turner, Styx, and Tesla. Michelle Smith has joined the party with Vicious Cycle that is installing parts for Custom Chrome at the Sturgis Roadshow in Pennsylvania.

The Custom Chrome International Bike Show is a featured part of the Sturgis Road Show that is being presented by two Sturgis icons  - The Legendary Buffalo Chip and Loud American Roadhouse, in partnership with promoter Motoring USA and the Eastern Regional Harley-Davidson Dealers Association (EHDDA.)

"Not everyone can make the pilgrimage to South Dakota," said Rod Woodruff, owner of the Legendary Buffalo Chip. "But now they can experience what makes Sturgis the best motorcycle event in the world."

The 2011 Sturgis Road Show will serve up a taste of Sturgis in the Mid-Atlantic region with nightly concerts on "The Legendary Buffalo Chip Main Stage" and food and drink from Main Street Sturgis in the touring Loud American Roadhouse. Features include galleries of work by world-renowned motorcycle artists and photographers, vintage motorcycles and memorabilia presented by the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, Custom Chrome International Bike Show, beauty & fashion events, educational and entertainment seminars, and motorcycle product displays and installations.

Here's the 2011 Custom Chrome International Bike Show Schedule:

Round 1 - North American Championship Powered By The Doc Pros at the Custom Chrome International Dealer Show, Santa Clara, CA March 19th and 20th 2011.

Round 2 – European Championship Powered by DHL Global Forwarding at the Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show, Mainz Germany March 26th and 27th 2011.

Round 3 – Sturgis Road Show Championship - Sturgis Road Show, Harrisburg PA. Shows on Saturday and Sunday, with Awards Sunday April 17th.

Round 4 – European Bike Week Faak Austria September 10th 2011.

Local tourism officials see this event introducing the large number of cyclists within the Mid-Atlantic region to Pennsylvania's capital city of Harrisburg and America's chocolate capital of Hershey, The Sweetest Place On Earth®. Special lodging rates can be found at  HersheyHarrisburgHotels.com.

"Selecting this region of Pennsylvania was a strategic decision," said Bill Tull, Vice President of the EHDDA and owner of Susquehanna Valley Harley-Davidson. "Pennsylvania has the fourth most motorcycle registrations (329,750) in the United States surpassed only by California, Florida, and Texas. Neighboring states New York ranks sixth with 202,565, New Jersey has 163,070, and Maryland has 72,533 registered riders."Finding a central venue capable of hosting the elaborate event also played a role in the location," said Sharon Altland, HHRVB Sales Director. "Producers wanted the capacity to host large numbers of attendees, galleries, exhibits, and specialty option plus the capability to produce multiple special events and concerts under one roof."
The FSC is the premier event facility in the region with over one-million square feet of connected exhibit area, including two indoor arenas. As a tourism destination the region also provides ample lodging and easy accessibility for attendees coming from the Mid-Atlantic region.

"There are two kinds of riders in the world - those who have been to Sturgis and those who want to go," said John Detrick, CEO of Motoring USA. "We're taking the Sturgis experience to the world."

The Sturgis Road Show schedule will expand in 2012 to include more cities domestically and internationally. For more details visit http://www.sturgisroadshow.com/

Rolling Through the Decades with Ron Finch

The absolute high point of my 70th Daytona Bike Week experience was an interview with legendary bike builder Ron Finch, published in a limited edition of the Daytona Beach Ratty Rag. The 20,000 commemorative copies disappeared into the wave of rally fans at the "world's largest rally."

But here is the entire article (c) 2011 By MJ Reynolds & RH Swan.


May 27, 2004 - Ron Finch, Billy Lane and Indian Larry leave Ron’s Studio in Pontiac to ride for 10 or so miles together with dozens of their friends and a film crew to Boomer’s Bike Night in Waterford a suburb of Detroit, Rock City – 1,000 bikes! The three famous bike builders are signing autographs with felt markers across tank tops worn by big-breasted young women. The place is packed to the rafters. Everyone loves them! Billy and Larry have just finished a couple of Biker Build-Off reality TV episodes and Ron is next up in 2005.




Here's Ron at home in Michigan with his Biker Build-Off bike, "Double Cross."






And here's the Boomer's Bike Night video - produced in Detroit City by Brad Bloch & Lyle Brous - Music by KISS







Fast forward to 2006 – Ron is rolling down the highway (at age 67) from Kansas City to Vegas in the cold rain with bike builder, Paul Yaffe and John Green after the Easy Rider Show. “You’ve gotta be tough,” says Ron. “I can put up with cold, but cold and wet is too much. I don’t have anything to prove anymore, so when our friend Bean’re had a bike breakdown, I rode with him in the truck for a hundred miles or so.”


Ron Finch launched his career back in the ‘60s about the same time that Arlen Ness and Dave Perewitz were starting to customize motorcycles.


“I was just doing my own thing,” said Ron. “I learned to pin stripe when I was a boy, living at home but spending a lot of time hanging out at Paul Hatton’s paint shop. I used to come home and pin stripe the refrigerator. I had a piece of glass that I used to pin stripe and then wipe off and pin stripe again. Later, I started striping for customers and working on their motorcycles. Until now, today, I can do anything with a bike – except, I don’t modify engines. That’s something Indian Larry did. On the other hand, I always encouraged Larry, and he was inspired to do a lot of metal work fabrication and metal sculptures by what he saw me doing.”


In 1969 - Ron built “Odin’s Axle,” which introduced the concept of asymmetrical motorcycle design. One side of the bike is completely different from the other side, including the front forks. Covering the bike’s sheet metal, he also introduced the 3-dimensional metal “rod work” patterns that have become his signature.


In 1970 - Odin’s Axle debuted at the Detroit Autorama in January 1970. Later that year by request, Odin’s Axle was exhibited at the Michigan Artists Exhibition in the Detroit Institute of Arts, the first motorcycle ever in a museum!


In 1971 - Motorcycle World Magazine named Odin’s Axle “Best U.S. Custom of the Year.” Restored in 2005, for Donna and Darryl Smith of Rochester, New York, Odin has recently traveled to shows and museums, including the Clinton Presidential Library in 2009.


Ron was a Rat’s Hole judge in the 70’s and 80’s. - Click bike images to enlarge.


In 1982 – Ron built “Aorta,” a custom 1970 Ironhead Sportster. The rods that make up the frame of “Aorta” were designed to flow towards the motor, the heart of the motorcycle like the main artery of the human heart. Ron also refers to this bike as his “suitcase motorcycle” because the frame is actually two-parts held together by the engine. It can be disassembled in three parts and literally be carried away in a suitcase. The rear fender houses the gas tank and is molded with flame tips and a “Frenched” license plate. The oil tank is a 1950’s aluminum cylindrical tank, modified to clear the one-off custom straight pipe exhaust. The front end is an old Harley JD Springer. The handlebars are custom made to eliminate the risers and stimulate a tiny windshield. The headlight is an unknown, purchased by Ron at an antique auction. The 1000 Cu. In. engine has polished cases, a Joe Hunt Magneto, S & S carb and Sifton cam. The air cleaner was hand formed in the shape of a heart with arteries made of metal rods. Leatherman of Flint, Michigan molded the leather seat in the shape of a human heart. The battery is incased in leather that has been dyed and molded to match the seat and the grips are braided in leather.


One Year After Serious Injury - Aorta was finished in the spring of 1982, one year after a serious motorcycle accident. The motorcycle Ron was riding was rear-ended by a drunk driver traveling 50 MPH. Ron suffered a crushed pelvis and a broken hip socket and doctors predicted that he would never walk again. Ron was walking and riding within three months!



In 1987 - Ron built “Loophole,” sourced from a 1973 Shovelhead – Evo Custom 96ci HD bagger. But after a long ride to Sturgis in 1989, Ron decided that he needed more power so he replaced the motor and added an S&S car and a Morris magneto. It features an exhaust system that loops through the cylinder chambers in the frame above the motor, a gas tank in the rear fender, and custom rod work over the front fender and floorboards. Like a loophole in the law, this custom motorcycle stretches the legal limits of imagination and creativity!
Loophole’s frame was machined with a milling machine in the neck and seat area for a layered look. Rod work forms the struts and wraps around the leather saddlebags. Chromed rods were used to create the headlight shroud and the front fender that is accented by blue stained glass facets. The seat mount, six-pack carrier, bag tops and footboards are chromed rod work for balance and contrast. Blue anodizing was done on the headlight; derby cover and shock mount covers. The blue theme was carried to the primary cover with the use of blue flexi-glass. The gas tank was built “Finch Style” into the rear fender. The oil tank was built like an old-style chrome cylinder with concave and convex ends. Finch finished off Loophole with a candy blue paint job with multi-colored blends on the rod work, with black to accent the layered frame.


In 1988 - Ron made his first trip to Europe with “Big Daddy” Karl Smith of Rat’s Hole Bike Shows to exhibit his bizarre 3-wheeler, “Trilogy” at bike shows in Essen, Germany and Paris, France. Trilogy is sourced from a 1971 Triumph Trident – 836cc and features triple gas tanks, triple rear fenders, triple exhaust, suspended handle bars, and a rare 5-speed transmission.


In 1993 – Ron created “Outspoken,” one of the first bikes in the US with 80-spoke wheels from Sweden. This would be Ron’s personal ride for the next six years. It features a 96ci S&S engine, chrome moly frame, gas tanks in the floor boards, and rod work fenders with stainless inserts painted in multi-colored candy paint by Finch.


The gas tank is in the floorboards are made from after-market Corvette exhaust covers! The filler cap is at the front of the frame. The covers also serve as exhaust guards toward the rear. The extended swingarm matches the frame with rod work between the tubes. It requires a 178 tooth belt, which gives the motorcycle an extra long wheel base. The shocks are early FLH mounted under the seat, providing a comfortable cushioned ride. The custom stitched leather seat and braided grips and cable covers were made by Leatherman of Flint, Michigan. The front fork is a stock H.D., with hand-made triple trees that are billet aluminum, machined at a 38 degree angle, making them parallel to the ground. These were made by Finchman, Chuck Kehoe. The headlight is hand-rolled into a cone shape and mounted on rod work between the trees. Finch used extruded aluminum to cover the oil tank and air cleaner. The bike has an overall “industrial look” with the black paint, stainless steel and aluminum. A special effect was achieved with tiny brass hands that hold the cables, made by jeweler, “Shamey” from Pennsylvania.


“This was the first motorcycle in the U.S. to have the large rear tire and the 80 spoke wheels,” said Ron. “Riding Outspoken is a whole different experience!”


In 1990 & 1993 – Ron made two more trips to Europe with Karl of the Rat’s Hole to exhibit bikes at the Essen Show. They also brought the bikes to Sweden and the Netherlands. The bikes chosen for the shows were “Aorta,” “Loophole” and “Outspoken.”


“I’ll never forget those trips,” said Ron. “We traveled all over Europe and drank beer in three different countries one day. It was before the Euro, which made it a mess trying to sort out the money – mostly coins. Me and Big Daddy went up in the Eiffel Tower in Paris together and we took the El train out into the countryside and had dinner. Another time, we were traveling for some reason with a guy named “Jumpin’ Jessie” who would literally blow himself up with dynamite. He was kind of a cool nut.


"We traveled up to Sweden, where they called him Yumpin’ Yessy. The first place we stopped was at the best clubhouse I have ever seen in my life. It was in Sofia and the club was Sofia Hogs. I still have the T-shirt they gave me. It was a place converted from an old horse farm with all of the stalls converted for use as custom bike building stalls. They had a party room, a fully equipped machine shop that all of the members could use, and a super-modern spray booth. They already had all of the emission laws over there that we are getting hit with now. I was almost ready to go over there to pursue a dream, because they were getting top money for their work over there.”


2005 - Competing with the top builders of today at the Biker Build-Off Finale in Las Vegas, Ron was awarded the “Biker Blacksmith” Award for extreme metal fabrication.
2006 - He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the V-Twin Biker’s Ball in Daytona Beach. He gratefully accepted the award, but assured the crowd that he has not finished building bikes.
2008 - He received the House of Kolor Prestigious Painter Award for the paint on his creation, “Finicky.”
2008 – Invited to display 12 of his best custom bikes in the in the Milwaukee Art Museum during the celebration of Harley Davidson’s 105th Anniversary and his METALife sculptures were sold in the Harley Museum store.


2008 to 2009 - Ron’s historic 1969 Panhead chopper, “Odin’s Axle” was exhibited in the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas as part of a show that included many of the bikes that Tom Zimberoff wrote about in his books, “Art of the Chopper I” and “Art of the Chopper II.” His work has been featured in hundreds of magazines and has inspired such headlines as “Michigan’s Mysterious Motorcycle Madman” (Ed Roth 1968), “The Fabulous Finch” (Cycle Guide 1969), “The King of French” (Custom Chopper 1973),”Finch Effect”(Bike Bible 1976), “King of Custom” (American Iron 1991), “Mad About Metal” (Supercycle 1995), “Michigan Magician” (Easyriders, Japan 1998), and “ Ron Finch is Nuts” (Easyriders 2004), “Finch Fest” (Easyriders 2007), “Got Finch?” (Tailgate 2008) and “Ron Finch Gets Finicky” (Barnett’s Magazine Oct. 2008).


His custom bikes have been appreciated in museums and art galleries, and in shows throughout the U.S. and in Germany, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Labeled as “too extreme” by some, the work of Ron Finch appropriately proclaims the freedom and individualism that is so often associated with the motorcycle lifestyle.



2011 - Ron's newest build is "Outsider." With all of these adventures behind him, Ron is currently showing off his first-ever side car bike, called “Outsider.”





It is an ultimate expression of his steel 3-dimensional rod work with the gas tank, oil tank, and radio hidden in the trunk. “There is a very good chance it will be at the Daytona Show,” he said… AND IT WAS!


Finch’s Custom Styled Cycles
http://www.finchscustoms.com/

Quail Ride, Motorcycle Gathering & Auction, May 13-14 in Carmel, California

The 'John Edgar Lightning,' aka the 'Bathing Suit Bike,' will be exhibited on May 14, 2011 at the 3rd Quail Motorcycle Gathering in Carmel, California.

To kick-off The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, enthusiasts are invited to participate in the Quail Ride on Friday, May 13. The Ride, limited to 50 participants, will wind through 100 miles of the backroads of the Monterey Peninsula and conclude with a private dinner. The fee to participate in the Ride is $250 per rider, and includes a gift bag, lunch, track time at the legendary Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and admission to an intimate dinner reception featuring special guest speakers, and a private sneak preview of the Bonhams & Butterfields Auction motorcycles. Ride participants also will receive a ticket to The Quail Motorcycle Gathering and an invitation to display a bike as an entrant.

The Bonhams & Butterfields live auction of rare motorcycles and memorabilia will include Steve McQueen's 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross, which he famously rode shirtless on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1971. The auction will also feature a custom Yamaha R1, signed by World Champion Valentino Rossi, with proceeds to benefit Riders for Health. For more information about the Bonhams & Butterfields Auction, please visit www.bonhams.com/quailbikes.

click image to read John Edgar Lightning bike story.

This year's event theme, "A Century of Racing at Isle of Man" will showcase fine motorcycles from the past, present and future. Tickets to The Motorcycle Gathering are $65 per person, $15 for children 12 and under, and inclusive of a Southern BBQ gourmet lunch and live music!

Ron Finch at Daytona Bike Week with "Outsider"

Ron Finch of Finch's Custom Styled Cycles is in Daytona Beach for the 70th Rally and you can see his new side-car bike "Outsider" at the 39th Rat's Hole Chopper Show - World Bike Showdown - Saturday, March 12th at Daytona Lagoon, next door to the Ocean Center at 601 Earl Street.


He is also featured in the Daytona Beach Ratty Rag, a limited edition of 20,000 free newspapers published by the Rat's Hole for the 70th Daytona Bike Week. Grab a copy on the street or at the bike show on Saturday.

For details or to register a bike go to http://www.ratshole.com/

Daytona Bike Week was originally the "Run To The Sun" Rally.
Click the newsapaper cover image for event details.

What a Blast From the Past - CK this out: Daytona 1980 Bike Week!

Travel Channel To Film Rat's Hole World Bike Showdown

The Travel Channel will be filming the 39th Rat's Hole Chopper Show - World Bike Showdown on Saturday, March 12th at Daytona Lagoon, 612 N. Earl Street during the 70th Daytona Bike Week!

Come join the party.. everyone through the gate will receive one ballot to vote for their favorite bike in the World Bike Showdown.

Bike builders from Australia, Canada, EAU & USA will be live on stage! Come early to pick up your copy of the free Daytona Beach Ratty Rag, featuring interviews with bike builders Cyril Huze, Dave Perewitz, Ron Finch, Tako of Sickasso Creations, and more...

First published for Daytona Bike Week 1974, the first, oldest and longest running (free) biker newspaper went out of circulation at the turn of the new century... and now it's BACK! A limited 20,000 copies will be issued and available (free) at the Rat's Hole Show, so you better show up early this year on Saturday, March 12th to grab your copy! The all-day show will feature 22 classes of bikes, Miss Ratmate & Tattoo Contests, emceed by Radical Randy at Daytona Lagoon water park, next to the parking garage, just off of (A1A) Atlantic Ave. beachside - 614 N. Earl Street, Daytona Beach.

"If you were awarded one of the big, bronze colored Big Daddy Rat trophies in the last couple of years, get ready to add a new trophy to your collection," said Ted Smith, owner of Rat's Hole Shows. "We are going to unveil a new tri-colored custom trophy that will be awarded to the top 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners in every category."

There is always excitement and anticipation going into a Rat's Hole Show, said Tako of Sickasso Creations. "I will be bringing three bikes that have never been shown. Mostreet that I built for former Boston Red Socks player, Mo Vaugn; plus another Pro Street bike that I am just finishing called "Twisted" and then the Gothic & Old School "Death Bike."

To register a bike, go to http://www.ratshole.com/

Click here to view a Rat's Hole Facebook gallery.

V-Twin Expo 2011 by Easyriders: Photos and Details

The V-Twin Expo hosts nearly 400 exhibitors and thousands of v-twin dealers, annually in Cincinnati, Ohio. The V-Twin Expo by Easyriders remains the one show to attend for v-twin dealers.

Arlen Ness was walking the floor on Sunday with John Kime of Victory of Louisville.

This year's 11th Annual Cincinatti V-Twin Expo (dealers-only show) was February 5th to 7th, 2011 at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Walt Lumpkin sent these photos.

(Left) Seat maker extraodinaire Danny Gray holding court... (Below) Bert Baker giving an interview to Cycle News.

Check out the V-Twin 2011 Expo Exhibitors' List that includes website links to hundreds of product websites.

(Below) bike builders Donnie Smith, and Ron Finch with his sidecar creation.

Extra! Extra! The Ratty Rag is Back

More than one million copies of the Ratty Rag have been distributed at major bike show events all over the world since it was first published for the 1974 Daytona Bike Week. "I still have six light tables at my house that were used to lay it out by hand," said Ted Smith, owner of Rat's Hole Custom Bike Shows. "There were no other motorcycle newspapers. The Ratty Rag was the first, and it's the oldest running FREE motorcycle newspaper in the country."

Click to enlarge or download the poster for advertising contacts.

20,000 copies of the Daytona Beach Ratty Rag will be printed for the 2011 Daytona Bike Week rally. 20,000 more will be printed for the Leesburg Bikefest in April; Thunder in the Valley in June; Sturgis - Buffalo Chip in August; Daytona Biketoberfest; and the Lone Star Rally in November. There will be interviews with the best of show bike builders and of course, photographs of the Miss Rat Mate contests.

Events and Schedule... The Travel Channel will film the 39th Rat's Hole Chopper Show - "World Bike Showdown" - so come join the party. Bike builders from all over the world, live on stage!Everyone through the gate will receive one ballot to vote for their favorite bike in the World Showdown.

- Click the poster to enlarge.

MC Radical Randy, tattoo and rat mate contests. The show is all day Saturday, March 12th at Daytona Lagoon water park, beach side at 601 N. Earl Street.

Registration in 22 classes with brand new custom trophy awards for first, second and third places.

Register a bike at RatsHole.com.

Daytona Bike Week March 4 - 13, 2011 Daytona Beach, Florida http://www.daytonachamber.com/ Leesburg Bikefest April 7 - 10, 2011 Leesburg, Florida http://www.leesburgbikefest.com/ Thunder in the Valley June 23 - 26, 2011 Johnstown, Pennsylvania http://www.visitjohnstownpa.com/	Sturgis - Buffalo Chip August 8 - 14, 2011 Sturgis, South Dakota http://buffalochip.com/ Biketoberfest October 13 -16, 2011 Daytona Beach, Florida http://www.daytonachamber.com/ www.biketoberfest.org Lone Star Rally November 3 – 6, 2011 Galveston, Texas http://www.lonestarrally.com/

ADVERTISING RATES:

Amy Winehouse and N.E.R.D. at Dubai's 2011 Gulf Bike Week

Dubai Gulf Bike Week 2011 will feature Amy Winehouse and N.E.R.D. in concert, Feb. 10th and 11th at the Emirate's Festival City venue. More than 1,000 bikes are expected to join the BikersClub ME Thunder Parade, Feb. 11th. 

The only event of its kind in the Middle East, the rally draws thousands of fans and members of the press to see the latest innovations in sports bikes, cruisers, all-terrain and off-road vehicles, and accessories.

The popularity of the expo is likely to be high this year, with Pharrell Williams' group N*E*R*D on stage at 8 p.m., Feb. 10th. Soul singer, blues artist Amy Winehouse takes the stage at 9 p.m. the following night.

The Dubai Gulf Bike Week, Feb. 10th to 12th will feature more than 150 exhibitors including Harley Davidson, Honda, KTM, Ducati, BMW, Kawasaki, Polaris and Victory and is expected to draw 40,000 visitors. Dozens of custom bike builders will compete in the AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building Show. 

Announced in Dec. 2010, Robin Bradley, owner of the AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, said," The World Championship Program is all about promoting custom bike design and engineering excellence and we are delighted to be able to work with Harley-Davidson of UAE and MECOM Forums to help showcase custom motorcycling for consumers in the Gulf."

Paying tribute to motorcycle racing legend, Barry Sheene, "The Icon Sheene" will be showcased at the rally. The Icon Sheene is an "ultrabike." The 1400cc turbocharged engine produces a staggering 250bhp, reaching a top speed of 200mph.

Christopher Hudson, Managing Director, Clarion Events Middle East, said: “Visitors will marvel at the exhilarating stunts being performed at the FMX Stunt Arena. They can witness the three-day GCC Motor-X Championship Run which brings the spirit of competition and sportsmanship to the Gulf Bike Week. Having such talented racers participate in this competition will prove to be exciting and entertaining for both the riders and the spectators.

“The Gulf Bike Week will showcase the performance of All-Terrain Vehicles in multiple races and live demonstrations at the ATV/UTV Zone which is designed and run by Dubai ATV. This year the Gulf Bike Week is also gearing up to host the Middle East’s largest motorbike ride in which over 800 people are expected to participate.”

 Marcel Bode, General Manager, Harley-Davidson of UAE, said: “Harley-Davidson of UAE, one of the oldest established motorcycle manufacturers in the Gulf region and founders of the Dubai Bike Week is proud to be associated with Gulf Bike Week. We will showcase all our MY 2011 bikes, MotorClothes merchandise, and a taste of the wide assortment of accessories at Gulf Bike Week. In addition, the H.O.G Dubai chapter will be eventful with ride-outs, parades and hosting other Harley-Davidson enthusiasts from all over the world. Harley-Davidson is more than a bike, it is a lifestyle!”



For more information on this event, visit the Gulf Bike Week website or contact the organisers at (+971) 433 56533.

 AsiaRooms.com offers an array of Dubai accommodation, including the Atlantis Hotel Dubai. A leading online accomodations site in Asia offering deals in over 36,000 properties worldwide, including 7,000 hotels in the Asia-Pacific region ranging from individual beach huts to 5-star hotels and sprawling villas. 

2011 Easyriders Tour, Limpnickie Lot & Sons of Anarchy

The Easyriders 2011 Bike Show Tour invades LA this Saturday, Jan. 8th with over 250 of the planets hottest bikes on display, the world's top bike builders, and the star of TV's #1 hit show "Sons Of Anarchy" Charlie Hunnam "Jax". 

The Limpnickie Lot, next generation of bike builders has joined this year's tour. Look for the next generation of bike builders at upcoming shows in Sacramento, CA - Charlotte, N.C. - Knoxville, TN and Columbus, OH.

The Limpnickie Lot is a collaboration of custom bike builders and American Parts manufacturers from the next generation of the American V-Twin industry. Comprised of small shops and individuals it is their mission to ban together to promote their unique blend of culture and style derived from many younger influences including Motocross, skateboarding, heavy music, BMX, and other aspects of the next generation.

You can get $3 off admission @ easyridersevents.com.

The LA Show is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the L.A. Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles.

The Tour moves to Sacramento, CA - January 15 & 16 and to the Charlotte, N.C. Convention Center for shows on January 22 & 23.

February 5th - The Easyriders Show will be at the Knoxville Convention Center, 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN.

Then the tour moves to Columbus, OH for shows on February 11th to 13th 2011.

Click the tour flyer to enlarge for details.

The Limpnickie Lot is a collaboration of custom bike builders and American Parts manufacturers from the next generation of the American V-Twin industry. Comprised of small shops and individuals it is their mission to ban together to promote their unique blend of culture and style derived from many younger influences including Motocross, skateboarding, heavy music, BMX, and other aspects of the next generation.

By making appearances at several national and regional rallies throughout the year the group intends to bring as much attention to both this movement and their products as is possible.

 Also at the top of their goals is to take the whole motorcycle culture a step back to a more basic time. With a large amount of respect for the history that it has, they hope that by focusing on the riding and adventure, self expression and freedoms that have always been inseparable from the culture that they may influence the direction of where it goes next.