1. Metric Revolution TV

Metric Revolution TV Tour Bus

The Cruiser Customizing Crew along with builder Antonio Renzi in front of the Metric Revolution TV Tour Bus.

Earlier this year, Cruiser Customizing helped sponsor a whirl-wind 100-plus city tour by Metric Revolution. The tour bus covered a lot of ground, in part to visit professional and amateur bike-builders competing in a national build-off. Everything was shot on video with the goal of producing a 13-part series showcasing the most radical custom sport-bikes and custom cruisers on the planet. Now, we can announce that the Metric Revolution build-off TV series, called Metric Revolution Bike Competition, has been picked up by ESPN2. The first show will air in early, 2007. ESPN2 will package Metric Revolution as part of a new group of “garage” shows, designed to complement NASCAR returning home to ESPN in 2007 and its existing Indy Car and NHRA programming. We are proud to be part of Metric Revolution; it’s an extremely professional effort (click here to see a preview), and with ESPN2’s coverage, we expect “metric” to really bust loose next year. Congratulations, Metric TV!

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2. Marie's Dream Fulfilled: Back in the Saddle Again

Back in the saddle again: Marie is right at home riding her Shadow Cruiser. This is Marie’s “pre-customization photograph” from the Motorcyclists Against Childhod Cancer ride.

Cruiser Customizing member Marie d'Aoust (pronounce it "Doe"), who resides in the French-speaking town of Plantegenet, Ontario, Canada (near Quebec) has finally returned to the saddle after thirty-two years. She writes that at the age of fourteen her first bike was a Suzuki 90 trail model. For Marie, it was love at first ride. Marie's fondness for riding grew despite a few stitches to her left knee. Sadly, Marie's family soon moved "out of province" (remember, our neighbor to the north has "provinces" and not "states"). With the family's change of address, Marie's days in the saddle abruptly came to an end. Except in Marie's mind, and her desire to ride never left her. Now at the age of forty-six she has gone with her dream and bought a Honda Shadow Spirit 750. Wisely, she has taken a rider training course and attends gatherings to associate with other riders. Riding with fellow motorcyclists helps in gaining self-confidence. Soon Marie's Honda V-twin became her daily 75-mile per day commuter. Her next steps will include personalizing her ride with a little tasteful individualization here and there. She's also begun a course in basic motorcycle mechanics.

In fact, among mid-size cruisers, the 750 Shadow is an all-time favorite. This great bike is the number one ride amongst our 125,000 members (and growing). Check out how many members ride the Shadow. We've got a 750 Shadow of our own on the floor of our headquarters. We covered Schmidt's Spirit, a customized Shadow 750, in Newsletter # 70. No, Schmidt's tastes in simple treatment and modification of motorcycle art (which run similar to mine) are not for everybody. Many prefer a more complex or chrome-saturated approach. But individuality is the great thing about "customization and personalization," and at Cruiser Customizing understanding personal tastes and artistry is our number one priority.

The stock 750 Shadow is a hoot to personalize because all the basics are there. It's powerful, it looks real fine with its own classic lines, it's as reliable as a sledgehammer and, of course, it's a Honda!

For a few upgrades for the aspect of ergonomics-or a few inspiring touches for the sake of pure motorcycle charm-take a long and close look at the Shadow on the floor of our Cruiser Customizing showroom. Pure and simple, this Shadow, an ongoing project of Uwe and Kyle, is a dream bike. And a dream bike like this that can be achieved by nearly any two-wheeler who wants to make his or her own riding statement without busting the bank. So, Marie, if you're ready for the next level of customizing, just give Cruiser Customizing a call and ask for Kyle See "Meet Kyle."

Canada's winters start early, and Marie writes that most of Canada's motorcycles have been put to bed for winter by the end of August, though she's still making the commute into November. It's time to take it easy, Marie. No need to find out the hard way that riding in snow, sleet and fog-when the shadows grow long-can be perilous. Best put that Honda away safely till spring, but check for rust and dampness while it's in winter storage, starting it occasionally and keeping the battery on trickle charge.

The Shadow is a capable road bike, and we've got many members who make long trips with theirs. Just check out member Soncho's take on wayward Shadow rambling in Cruiser Customizing Newsletter #75 and 76 ("Travels with Soncho" and "More Travels with Soncho) If you are ready for a long ride next spring when the days grow longer, why not take an easy trip down to California and visit us at our Cruiser Customizing World Headquarters in Livermore, California. And if you come in a group, give us an advance tinkle, and we'll have a hot lunch waiting for your club when you arrive. For experienced riders who enjoy wintertime riding, Cruiser Customizing's Vice-President Bill Perrin has some sound words of ever-timely advice on cold weather riding from Newsletter # 65.

By the way, Marie, thanks for sharing your own wish list from Cruiser Customizing with your family. Tell 'em to give us a call, and leave the rest to us. We know that they'll get just what you really want for your Spirit on December 25th, giving new meaning to Christmas "Spirit". Winter provides the best of time for some serious rider-and-bike bonding through customization and by spring you'll step out in a show bike. Always remember that, if possible, it's best to keep your prize in a mildly heated garage.

Indeed, Cruisers, Christmas is coming. So keep in mind Marie's example. For Heaven's Sake get those wish lists from Cruiser Customizing into the hands of your friends and family with whom you exchange gifts before someone buys you a battery-powered shoe shiner or some other Good Will landfill! Happy Christmas shopping at Cruiser Customizing.

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2. Hanson's Kawi

Just like a fine wine, Hanson's Kawi improves with age.

Who wouldn't have a positive comment on this beauty?

Cruiser John Hanson is another member who couldn't stop thinking of bikes, though he went without one for twenty-two years! John writes, "It took that long to convince my wife!" John's timing couldn't have been better…and it couldn't have been worse! Just a few months after purchasing the bike, and three months after knee surgery, John followed his bike to the asphalt. He not only re-injured the bad knee, but he broke the other one as well. John's therapy? That's right…customize! John a talented bike artist, and he can't keep his hands off the bike. His Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic has gone through several incarnations so far. From the photos, we can see that this bike appears to grow mellower like fine wine.

John writes, "I went with Ness Tail Dragger fenders, drag bars, forward controls, Barron's license plate mount and more. I started in June 2005 and finished in June of 2006. Other than the clear coat and buffing, the custom seat and pillion and one-off graphics on the tank, all the work was performed by me including body work and prep. I love the bike. It rides great and has the low look and stance of the more expensive customs, yet it did not cost me $30,000. I get a lot of positive comments, and it goes to show that with a little imagination and hard work you can have a unique ride."

John, from the pictures of your bike, it does indeed appear that you have mastered the art of motorcycle individualization. We hope that your knee has healed by now, and we wish you many happy years in the saddle. And if you ever ride up to Plantegenet, Canada, we know a lady cruiser up there named Marie who wants to learn how to wrench on and customize her motorcycle.

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4. BACKFIRE
In the past, our Backfires have featured Jeff Foxworthy type quips "You Might Be a Biker If…", "Motorcycle Bumper Stickers", "Cruiser Customizing Rap" (performed by a talented member), "Biker Songs that Didn't Make It", "License Plates With Messages", "Famous Motorcyclists Through the Ages", and a few "Biker Jokes". So this month we're featuring a "wordless essay" sent in by Cruiser Jeff Medved."

Enough said, Cruisers. Now check out these thought-provoking images from Viet Nam which demonstrate "The Utility of the Motorcycle."

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