Chaos Cycle takes win at Ultimate Builder in NYC

Progressive Pat starts the show with a little Cheese Cake

Progressive Pat starts the show with a little Cheese Cake


There are a million stories from the New York International Motorcycle Show. And the big story from the 2015 edition of the NYC round of the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is that the two custom bike reveals from Speakeasy Motors and Forever Two Wheels came in 1st and 2nd respectively.

As usual, the competition was off the chain. Builders for the NYC show fabricate bikes that can take on the mean streets of Manhattan and win at any other custom show in the nation. [Read more…]

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.

[Read more…]

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


[Read more…]

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

Long Beach Results: 2015 J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder

It’s just a few days before Thanksgiving and it’s snowing in the East and Midwest but in Los Angeles its 76 degrees with blue skies and warm breezes. Forty nine bikes rolled into the Long Beach, CA edition of the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show to complete in 4 categories and 4 special awards.

The Sho Dog is the award for the hardest working builder during the 3 days at the show. Jim Carducci worked the entire weekend showcasing his hi-tech adventure Sportster and won a solo bag from The Leatherworks. The People’s Choice award went to Calin Senciac of Imagine Vehicles International with a radical Moto Guzzi. For the 2nd year in a row he walked away with a Custom Bell lid. [Read more…]

Sacramento Results: 2015 J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder

2015 Ultimate Builders from Sacramento

2015 Ultimate Builders from Sacramento

The Progressive International Motorcycle Show circus made its second stop in the capital city of California at the 350 acre Cal Expo facility located just East of downtown Sacramento.

Motorcycle enthusiasts were treated to stunt shows, Supermoto racing, demo rides, the latest production motorcycles and the killer custom bikes from the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show competition.

[Read more…]

Portland Results from 2015 Ultimate Builder

Shaun and family win big in Portland

Shaun and family win big in Portland

The weekend rain, drizzle and flooding didn’t let up until Sunday afternoon and even though mother nature was on a rampage, it didn’t stop the local Portland, OR motorcycle enthusiasts from attending the kick off of the new 2015 – 2016 season of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show.

The J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is positioned right in front of the main entrance of the hall and are the first thing you see as you enter the convention center.

Throughout the 10 show series approximately 400,000 enthusiasts will see the custom bikes. The total cash and prize package for the series is $100,000. The Chicago round will host the US Championship and will provide $50,000 in cash and awards. Sponsors include J&P Cycles, Harley-Davidson, Progressive Insurance, Bell Helmets, Speakeasy, The Leatherworks and 5 Ball Leathers. [Read more…]

Harleigh Cupp Shoots 7 for her Dad

by J. Najar
I met Harleigh Cupp at the 2015 Customization in America (CIA) OC Bikefest Custom Bike Show. The show provides a mix of national and regional builders in a slugfest of the top FreeStyle and Retro Mod builders. I asked her to shoot and she shot pics of the bikes, awards ceremony and then sent a few from a shoot she did with the champ.

The inspiration behind this build was all about building a race machine that is reminiscent of an vintage racer, whilst still respecting the craftsmanship and skill of the old days. It’s a fusion of past and present, and better still, it’s a fusion of more than a few classic machines.

The “Seven” is a remarkable motorcycle and the final result of two years’ worth of hard work. If you want to see it in person, get on your bike and head over to AIMExpo.

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…]