Sharing the Love

Sweet hook-ups are a staple in the action sports industries. Every cool BMX and skate company sponsors up-and-coming riders with free shit. It's a way to spread the word about their brand, and it improves the quality of the local scene.

BMX lifer and Midwest Cobra Scott Towne is one such brother. As you can see, Scott takes care of his friends in low places even if those friends don't have anything to do with BMX. Yes, that's a Four Aces Cycle sticker on the port side of Scott's FBM, and a Biltwell "deck-uhl" as they say in Great Britain on starboard. Scott rides a chopped CB550 in the Heartland when weather permits. When it doesn't, he rides his BMX bike at indoor parks in southern Michigan and northern Indiana. Scott is, as we like to say, "dual and silk." We wouldn't be surprised if there are some BMX stickers on his motorcycle. Thanks for sharing the love, Scott. Your Biltwell care package is on its way...

Heaven

I kind of imagine it to be like this

Paul's Chopper Boutique

Our Dutch brother-in-arms Paul "The Coach" DeJong of Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands is the second European distributor to climb aboard the Biltwell bandwagon. Paul's Boutique is a hardcore BMX and motocross boutique that Paul is diversifying into the chopper scene. The eclectic product mix is no accident: Paul personifies the new-school chopper dude like no one we know. He is a BMX pioneer in the Benelux and a hardcore enthusiast of dirt-bike riding and GP MX. When he's not grooming the same BMX trails he and his brother Bart built over 25 years ago, he's raising hell on his own custom-built Ironhead sporty. In short, Paul kicks ass. If you live in Europe and you're buying Biltwell products from the USA, STOP! Paul's Boutique and W&W in Germany both carry the complete range of Biltwell products.

Here's some recent photos of Paul's build. He's sending those KTM forks off to a MX suspension guru this week to shorten them nine inches or so. The Biltwell solo seat looks good on its new steed. Paul is still on the fence about which way to go with his tank: Frisco or lowboy. If you have any opinion on the matter, visit Paul's website

Why we get out of bed in the morning...

A customer and friend and fellow Jockey Journalist sent this PM to Bill last week. I've deleted his handle and real name to save him from any embarrassment such kind words might cause. From everyone at Biltwell, thanks for your support.

I just wanted to write you a little note about your products. In the past few months, I have bought a helmet, a set of bars, a seat, and a seat bracket.

All four of these items have far exceeded my expectations. The prices are very reasonable for a damn good product. None of your stuff will ever be confused with cheap Taiwan Ted crap that most places sell.

I wish you much success in the business. Nothing makes me happier nowdays than to see a mom and pop business thrive by offering good quality and service.

Megalo Maniacs

Holy streamlined swingarms! Front wheel drive, full suspension Killinger and Freund Motorcycle, circa 1935 or so.

One-Eyed Monster

Point of purchase display by Tyler at Lowbrow...

I can't wait!

Only in LA!

Just what you've always wanted...

Vintage Motocross Pics

These are Amazing! Our great friend Kim sent me a link to these vintage motocross pics shot by Lee Sutton and they speak for themselves. Here are just a few but there is plenty more.

"In the early '70s, Lee Sutton was an amateur motocross racer and avid photographer living in California. Flash forward to 2007: While unpacking after a move, he discovered a hoard of his old photos. Lee uploaded them to Flickr, and since then fans and racers featured in the shots have been writing in with their own memories. It's a personal, touching remembrance of a bygone racing era."

Hells Yeah Dooood!

Check them out some Rad bikes!

Wrench Monkees

Poached from jbfrmca

Sideburn

Sideburns? No it's not about facial hair...

Build it Yer Damn Self

Spanish? Magazine and NYC

We ran into Luis Macias from CUSTOM MACHINES last august in Brooklyn at the Bar Matchless. They have a great vintage style show every summer put on by them and Works Engineering. Luis talked Bill and I into putting our bikes in the show for fun and he took some pics afterwards. Well I guess his great photo skills helped my bike get into a magazine over the pond that is coming out right now. Thanks Luis!

More Striped Helmets

Check These out from Charlie the Nomad and Jr. Huff (Bo Huff's boy).
Here is where to go to get them and lots of others.

Wrenchmonkees!

I don't know what they're sayin', but I like those bikes and I'm stoked there's a big fat Biltwell sticker on ol' number 76...

Huh?

No levitating over your motorcycle? I don't know what it means but Crandall stepped in fresh dog poo to shoot it. Thanks, Steve.

On the Rag

We've been wanting to do some printed shop rags for well over a year, but never could get a good source for them. I was shooting the shit with Andy over at American Icon screenprinting the other day and he said he was into it. Andy you might remember, sent in the great description and photos of his forward controls mounting job on the bike he's building in his basement. We often get requests for our sources for things like screen printing, so here's a good one! Andy and the boys know what they are doing and offer a wide range of silk screening services. They did a smokin' job on these and printed them with bleach so there is no ink texture to the graphic, which would make a good rag useless.

Rob over at AI liked the design so much he made some desktop backgrounds for us. Thanks, Dude! If you want to download them, just select one of these and then right click to save:

1280x1024

1600x1200

1920x1200

Our Thruxton riding pal Andy Jenkins did some of the artwork on these rags last year for us and is also responsible for the face plant.

How do you get one? Well, we can't very well charge for a shop rag, no matter how cool it is. So, we'll just throw 'em in a few random orders here and there and make sure our active shops each get a decent little bundle. We only printed a couple hundred, so they'll be a limited edition sort of thing if you are lucky enough to end up with one.

-Bill

What Next?

The last time I rode motorcycles (dirt bikes) with Ken Block he said "Hey, you know the rules, no passing the client!" We were helping out DC with some design work, so he was the client. I wish I could have passed his ass, but Ken pretty much rips and he was just saying that to be nice. Fast forward five years or so and what is Ken up to? Among other things, jumping $150k rally cars down ski slopes. WTF does this have to do with outlaw choppers? I don't know, but it's cool and Ken, you are a bad ass! Hope the back heals up quick.

V Twin Expo this weekend!

We will be backpacking it and shooting around the Cincinnati V-Twin Expo show this weekend so if you are a dealer or distributor and want to meet up shoot me an e-mail at chris@biltwellinc.com with your booth # or contact info.

or see ya at the Bar!!!

Pinstripe Crazy!!!

Shawn contacted us not too long ago and picked up some helmets. He is a striping robot machine maniac!!! What a great job, they speak for themselves. For helmets already done Check him out below and pick one up.
Shawn's Helmets

BOTD

Bike of the Day. I can't remember where I poached this photo, but I am covet this machine.
-Bill

New ways to get Biltwell stuff

We've been adding dealers and distributors at a pretty rapid pace these days. We'll update the Where to Buy as quickly as possible to help point you in the right direction. Good news for European buyers, W&W as well as our buddy Paul "The Coach" DeJong at Paul's Boutique are stockist now. Not everything has made it into their catalogs and websites yet, but it's worth a call to them before you pay high shipping prices from the USA. In the US, we've all bought something or another from J&P over the years and know what a slick operation they are. No helmets there but most hard parts are in stock. Also check out Tyler's site Lowbrow Customs. He's been hocking cool t-shirts and merch around the midwest and on the internet for a while now and just added the helmets to his line. Thanks Tyler and everyone else!

A Good Read

Road journals rule. If you haven't read many, you should start. If you haven't written one, you should. I love Old School with a "K" but some times we all need to stop measuring cuffs and just enjoy riding motorcycles. This dude rides a lot. And writes well. And is quite crafty with dry wall screw and compasses that only point West and zip ties... All on a shitbox, spray-bombed Honda and he's worthy of our respect. Recognize.

-Bill

Support your local pinner

About time someone started hocking these on eBay with some custom hand-laid lines!

Back in Black

El Cheapo should see some progress this weekend. Temecula Valley Powdercoating rules for putting up with my lack of patience and getting these out just before quittin' time on Friday.

Softgoods

After a recent ass-chewing from a customer about us not doing a good enough job hocking softgoods we figured it was time to drag them out of the rafters and let people know they are for sale. We've been just selling at swaps and such but at this rate we'll shirts until 2011! You can find them on the UNIT1 store and don't forget to check out the low-budget Grab Bag shirts.

Thanks, Kim.

More Lids from Paul in Texas

Check out Paul from Austin kickin' ass on more helmets. This one lasted about 5 hours on the Jockey Journal before it sold. You can check it out there and shoot him a PM if you are interested in getting something done. If you are a pin striper or painter and would like to buy in larger quantities for a substantial discount, holla at us kid! We have deals for you.

Paul's (Chopper) Boutique

European and jet-setting international BMXers have been shopping at Paul's Boutique in Holland for years. If you're a hard-core motocross, BMX or freestyle fan, Paul DeJong's well-stocked shop in Aarle-Rixtel is a must-see destination. And now, our friend Paul is jumping into the chopper scene. Paul's always been a motorcycle guy, so it was just a matter of time until our good friend and official leader of the Hardcore Drinking Team became a BIltwell wholesaler and retailer! Paul's first shipment of Biltwell parts, helmets and accessories is due to arrive at his store in mid-February. If you love choppers and you live in the Benelux, give Paul DeJong a call. Click here for more information.



Paul's been plugging away on his Ironhead for months. The big yearly chopper hoedown in Holland is an event called the Liberator, and Paul swears he and his mechanic Philip DeJong will have the XL sorted out in no time.



Don't let the license plate fool you--Paul's bike is far from legal. When you own and operate the most famous bike shop in Holland, you can get away with murder.

Engine Cases

Took my lower end down to Ken at Moreland Choppers in Solana Beach. He split the cases this morning and its not too bad. Some weird stuff but nothing too major. Ken has been doing this a long time and knows what too look for and why. Weld up some strange stuff from previous stroker build, true the flywheels, new bearings etc. . .Not doing anything cool too it, just make it solid and stock stuff. Daily driver kinda thing not light to light, although it does have an andrews F cam in it so thats fun. Maybe 3 weeks til its back in one piece and then shake down for a month til EDR.

Chrome Will Get Ya Home

as Darryl used to say. I just hope its true. I had some stuff chromed for my bike at Bush over in Garden Grove this past week. The chroming came out great! Fredo is gonna cover the pan I cut up. The sissy bar I made up not long ago and the pipes are the same ones I have been running for awhile now. Its looking different which is always fun!

Four Aces Harley?

Is Wes White secretly working for HD?