Bandit is an Industry Icon – A Man behind the Custom Bike Industry

Bandit with Chris Richardson

Bandit with Chris Richardson

Keith “Bandit” Ball is the Godfather of the Custom Bike industry and acts like a human switch as calls start early in the morning and often runs late into the night as he puts people together and keeps his thumb on the pulse of the custom motorcycle industry.

Recently Bandit put a $100,000 restoration build deal together for Billy Lane.

Back in the day Hugh King, producer of Biker Build off series, called and wanted a fresh face for a new show called Monster Garage. Bandit gave the nod to Jesse James and he made TV history.

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Dumptruck Rides the Good Times Biker Party Circuit

Have Cocktail, Will Travel: The Dumptruck Cronicles

We caught up with Dumptruck at the photo shoot for Ridewright Wheels and 5-Ball Leathers after his podcast with Pat Jansen of Sin-Central to get a lowdown of his adventure in 2015. Dumptruck spent time on the road attending to his business and running his custom bike named Creature across the US.

The boys, Dumptruck & Pat Jansen, start a Podcast at Bikernet HQ

The boys, Dumptruck & Pat Jansen, start a Podcast at Bikernet HQ


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Neo-Fusion weld-in gas caps

Ken’s Factory Neo-Fusion weld-in gas caps

Ken’s Factory Neo-Fusion weld-in gas caps

Ken’s Factory Neo-Fusion weld-in gas caps are now available from the firm’s Signal Hill, California, North American headquarters. A top seller online and a popular phone-order request, they are machined from billet aluminum and available in polished or black contrast machine cut. They include a weld-in bung and are sold with a materials and manufacturing warranty.
Ken’s Factory USA, www.kens-factory.com

Michele Smith Sells G Strings @ OC Bikefest

Michele Smith on the road with lingerie

Michele Smith on the road with lingerie

Former host of “American Thunder” and “Two Wheel Thunder” Michele Smith continues to travel the motorcycle circuit with her line of lingerie that she designed and patented called “Jeweled Gs.”

“It’s a necklace and a G string all in one,” said Michele.

Jeweled Gs is a combination G-string with jewelry that can be detached from the panty and worn as a necklace. Michele even has a utility patent on the G-string.

In addition to her lingerie line she has an eye catching collection of crystal-covered motorcycle helmets.

“I thought the biker community could use something a little different than the usual items that you see at most of the events and the G Strings are small enough to fit in your pocket or your motorcycle bags. When you wear one of my helmets the sunlight dances off the crystals and they look beautiful riding down the road!”

Smith still enjoys meeting and greeting old fans and making new friends in her travels . She has been very lucky and blessed to be welcomed by so many into the motorcycle community for many years and will continue to be a fixture for as long as the biker culture will have her.

About Michele Smith
Michele is an American actress and model, most commonly known as the hostess on the TV series American Thunder. She has also been featured in magazines including Playboy, Muscle and Fitness, Swimwear USA, Swimwear International, Neue Revue, Wild Motorcycles, Full Throttle, V-Twin, Hot Rod, Easyriders, and Iron Works. In addition to modeling, she designs women’s clothing and lingerie, especially for the motorcycle market

Atomic Bob works the CIA Custom Bike Show @ OC Bikefest

Pinstriping a leather vest

Pinstriping a leather vest

Atomic Bob is part of the Craftsman showcase of the CIA Custom Bike Show that features Customs & Craftsman .

Atomic Bob has mentioned that the goal of pinstriping is to enhance the curves of the surface, and the lines are generally of a complementary color. While at the 3 day show the “Atomic One” striped motorcycles, trikes, hats, leather bands and 5 Ball Leather vests. [Read more…]

Celebrity Scott Jacobs @ 2015 OC Bikefest

Creating a photorealistic style

Creating a photorealistic style

Since its inception a half decade ago, OC Bikefest has emerged as one of the favorite fall events in Ocean City, MD. The culmination of the larger Delmarva Bike Week, Bikefest brings thousands of motorcycle enthusiast to the beach for one last weekend long rally.

One of the many exhibits during the Sept. 17-20 event is the work of Scott Jacobs, the first officially licensed artist under the Harley-Davidson name. This is the second year Jacobs will appear there in person.

In 1989, his wife, Sharon, gave him an easel, canvases and paints as a Christmas gift. Jacobs began painting and displaying his work in his own galleries under the assumed name Escotete. Based on client feedback, he concentrated on creating work in a photorealistic style. In 1993, a short time after painting two pieces “Fat Boy” and “Live to Ride,” which featured Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Jacobs’ work was seen by the motorcycle manufacturer. Harley-Davidson signed Jacobs as its first officially licensed artist in its fine art program, a position he continues to hold.

Jacobs is known for his photorealistic style and meticulous attention to detail, regardless if he is working on a picture of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, classic car, fine bottle of wine or a delicate flower covered in dew.

J&P Cycles on the Move

J&P Cycles is leaving northeast Iowa and heading to Texas

J&P Cycles is leaving northeast Iowa and heading to Texas

ANAMOSA, Iowa – J&P Cycles, the V-twin-focused retail business of the Motorsports Aftermarket Group, said it is leaving northeast Iowa but might leave a retail store somewhere in the area.

The nearby National Motorcycle Museum, a separate organization from J&P, will stay at its current location.
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It’s the Largest Evel Knievel Collection in the World!

Evel Kenievel Collection

Evel Knievel Collection

Unveiled during Moto GP at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, April 10-12—Witness the Evel-ution of the world’s most notorious daredevil

Austin, TX— It’s the largest Evel Knievel collection ever assembled, a collection of such massive proportions it’s more complete than the daredevil himself ever amassed in one place!

Get a first-hand look at the most comprehensive and authentic collection of Evel Knievel memorabilia in the world, on display for the first time in its entirety at Moto GP in Austin, TX, April 10-12.

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Interview: All American Metric Motorcycle Company

American Metric Motorcycle Company is the brand for all metric bikers. Cole Keesling, Owner, proudly welcomes metric motorcycle riders to wear the AMMC brand.



AMMC offers quality apparel, value, and selection to mirror the very reasons metric riders love owning metric bikes.

The vision at AMMC is to take the reliability of the Metric Motorcycle and give it an All American redesign and deliver their own brand of apparel to wear. – American Metric Cycle.

LIVEWIRE EXPERIENCE TOUR EXPANDS

Harley's Silent Fellow

Harley’s Silent Fellow

Riders around the world will have the chance to add their voices to help shape the future of Project LiveWire™, Harley-Davidson’s first electric motorcycle, as the company’s Project LiveWire™ Experience tour expands globally in 2015.

Building on the excitement of Project LiveWire’s debut last year, select consumers in Asia, Europe, Canada, and the United States will have an opportunity to ride and provide feedback on the bike, helping to guide the development of the new motorcycle, beginning this week with events at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit. [Read more…]

Mama Tried in Milwaukee

mama-tried-motorcycle-show-milwaukeeThe title of a 1968 Merle Haggard song about rebellious youth, “Mama Tried,” has become widely used in biker circles referring to the notion that most mothers just don’t want their kids to ride motorcycles.

The Milwaukee-invitational features motorcycles of various vintages, including flat trackers, hill climbers and choppers built by a diverse group of fabricators from the Midwest with some from as far as California, New Mexico, Texas, New Jersey and New York.

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Indian Motorcycle’s New Indian Chief Dark Horse

Moments before the Indian Chief Dark Horse Reveal

Moments before the Indian Chief Dark Horse Reveal

Indian Motorcycle pulled the cover off its latest ride at ‪#‎ChicagoIMS‬… the 2016 Indian Chief Dark Horse. It was revealed at the Chiacgo Edition of the International Motorcycle Show.

Blacked-out from end to end and starting at $16,999, the 2016 Indian® Chief Dark Horse® brings bold new styling to the Indian Motorcycle line-up.

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