Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Simmons pioneered the concept of “rebuilding and “reengineering machine tools critical to rapidly restoring America’s decimated Pacific Fleet. After World War II until the 1980’s they continued to build machine tools for industries such as power generation, ship building, weapons and railway. In 1984, the company’s current Chairman...

 For the extra power the customer wanted, once again Guenther Sohn of G&R was called. One of his Stage II motors was created out of the stock parts, with displacement bumped up to 1920cc and horsepower up to 122 at the rear wheel. Speaking of wheels, of course Rick’s Motorcycles used some of their own, this time the “Seven Sins” models with matching pulleys. Since the engine...

Okay, that’s enough weird blabber for one afternoon. Sometimes, we’re not quite satisfied with the first waking look of our dream bikes. Actually, we seldom are. One builder called this the “Fiddle Factor,” that incessant, pesky need to fool with what we initially thought was perfection, as if it was an itch hiding just beneath the surface, begging for the next custom scratch. Rudy...

  Unfortunately, Meade won’t be building many more head-turners, unless they’re his own. He got an offer on his shop he couldn’t refuse; shortly thereafter Motorcycle Mechanics Institute made him a lucrative deal to go back to the classroom. Some guys have all the luck. But it gets better. When a holiday rolls around, say Christmas, it’s reasonable to expect a nice, thoughtful...

  Vince’s been a real estate broker for 40 years. A tough job in an industry that’s been particularly hard hit by this economic beating we’re taking. But he remains upbeat and said, “Anytime I feel a little down, life or business is not going right, I just get on the bike and ride. There’s no better damn therapy than that.” He’s been riding motorcycles for 42 years, beginning...

  Tins and plastic came off and got sent away to Razor Custom Paint Shop in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The remaining carcass was handed over to Bob Wright at R&D Performance, and his building-mate at their shared Watertown, Minnesota, facility, Küryakyn’s Performance Division Manager, Mike Rowland. Bob went to work on the motor, installing the Cheap Thrill Hop Up kit. This...

SPECIFICATIONS Owner: Hector Berumen Jr. Year/Make: 2008 FLHX Fabrication: John Shope, Sinister Industries Build time: 7 months Engine: 96 in. Pipes: Rush Air Cleaner: Screamin’ Eagle heavy breather Transmission: six-speed Frame: Modified stock Rake: 46 Stretch: 2″ Forks: stock Front Wheel: 23” x 3.5 Rear Wheel: 18” x 4.25 Front...

  King’s looking to change all that, one biker at a time. He breaks local guys in on Sportsters, gets them hooked, then they move on to an Evo or Twin Cam. King’s personal ride is intended both to fit his unique frame and to inspire others to modify their bikes in a country where the phrase, “stock Harley” is not an insult. At over six-feet and somewhere north of 250 pounds, he is...

  Being an Ultra Classic owner since the bike’s introduction back in 1989, I must admit that even I became a little sensitive and concerned about the name, Road King. Especially since I personally felt that the Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic is the king of all roads when it comes to any brand or model of touring motorcycle. But like most everything that involves conflict of some...

  Hopping up the motor on a bike first is usually the best idea if any exterior modifications are going to be made later. There’s less risk of damaging the paint job while tossing heavy engine parts around like cylinders and heads. “After I ordered the parts, the first thing Matt did was tear down the top-end of the bike. Then he installed a Zippers 107” kit, plus a bunch of other...