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1. Isle of Man TT

Joey Dunlop

Mike Hailwood

You can tell any newbies you run into out in Riderland that TT doesn’t stand for “tough t***y”, although the riders at the Isle of Man TT are among the world’s toughest competitors. Legendary moto-racers whose names continue to cast lingering spells across the great raceways of the world, whether in Europe, America or the Orient. Fearless racers whose feats and accomplishments on the circuits still continue to echo thrilling ripples through time, and into the hearts of their fans. Riders like Englishman Mike “The Bike” Hailwood; Irishman William “Joey” Dunlop, OBE, MBE; or John “McRecord” McGuiness.

No raceway exists that has lent greater influence to those marques that capture public imagination than the Isle of Man TT. And this includes not only the European marques, but the big four of Japan: Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki. It was only after Mr. Honda invaded the Isle of Man in the mid-fifties with his own plans of future racetrack dominance that Honda became the world leader in two wheel motorsports. As track lessons were translated into practical roadworthiness benefitting riders like you and me, Honda became the world’s biggest manufacturer of motorcycles. Honda understood best that “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” might as well read “a win at the TT insures that sales will double.” And the success of the other three of Japan’s Big Four, including the production of today’s bold and elegant metric cruisers, can be linked directly to the trends that Honda set in the following decades when Mr. Honda would realize his “dream” of seeing his namesake motorcycles become the Isle of Man’s winning-est marque.

The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy event will celebrate its one hundredth anniversary this May. For many riders, a trip to the tiny island will be the fulfillment of a lifetime’s dream. It’s not too late to plan a moto-pilgrimage, one that can only be found at this, the heart and soul of two-wheel lore. A trip to the TT Centenary will be an experience that will make for future haunting memories of a never-to-be-forgotten time.

Furthermore, Cruiser Customizing News would like to salute our Bay Area neighbors from San Francisco’s Munroe Motors who will be competing in this year’s event as privateer racers. Munroe Motors will be lending a distinctly American presence to an international celebration, and we wish rider Tom Montano (whose average speed last year was 117 mph!) and his sponsors at Munroe all the best of everything.

The Isle of Man is a tiny (33 X 15 mile) dot in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. Since just after the invention of horseless carriage manufacturing, the island was used as a testing ground for British test mule automobiles which were driven to a “do or die” finish over hilly, rocky courses. When car racing here was stopped, the island’s government began to give 100% of its attention to promoting two-wheel competition. Today the Isle of Man TT has become the world’s premier moto-event in terms of prestige and history. Learn more about the Isle of Man TT at the official site www.iomtt.com. And if any of our members do visit the Isle of Man for this historical event, we’d love to print the experience in an upcoming e-dition of Cruiser Customizing News.

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2. Springtime is for (DENIM) Lovers

Are you in love?

No fabric has ever shaken the world of both stylish fashion and work apparel like denim. Denim wear was originally created by San Francisco gold rush era tailor Levi Strauss for the Sierra prospectors of 1849, who had gold fever in their hearts and holes in their pants. Strauss, who is today buried south of San Francisco in Colma CA, was approached by miners complaining that their garments just couldn’t tolerate the hard work. Strauss fashioned the first blue jeans when he took some tenting material and turned it into a pair of pants. Copper rivets were later added to keep full pockets from tearing under the weight of gold nuggets and ore. After WW2 when the interest in motorcycling reached a new high, denim work jackets (and surplus bomber jackets) became desirable riderwear for reasons of durability, wind driven (tight) fit and safety. Today, both the bomber riding jacket (in black or brown), and the denim jacket in indigo blue remain perennial moto-styles that will never go out of fashion.

For the denim lovers amongst us (which certainly includes yours truly) now Cortech has created the superb DSX denim riding jacket for men and women. Just as you’d expect from a company like Cortech, they’ve perfectly nailed down the cut, fit and look of the traditional denim rider’s jacket. I ride with my own DSX and can honestly attest that for the money this is far and away the best denim riding jacket I’ve seen out there, easily worth double the price. And speaking of money, Big Uwe is giving these babies away at the ridiculously unheard of low price of just $89.96.

Frankly, I have no reservations in assuring you that the Cortech is a reliable quality product despite its disarmingly miniscule price tag. The DSX’s tailoring rivals Italy for fashion, yet can take huge amounts of real world stress without pulling apart. The DSX is nothing less than safety gear that can be worn with confidence and style. Cortech uses only the finest brushed denim that is at once both soft, yet durable. The CE-approved armor in the shoulders, elbows and back is very touch and will be there to protect you if it’s ever needed. Wear your Cortech denim riding jacket with its insulated liner zipped in for warmth, or simply unzip it for sunny days.

Sure, no riderwear protects like purpose-built rider’s leather, and—like you—I have my share of leathers from Cruiser Customizing. Still, for me sometimes it just has to be denim…and who can say why? Neither am I alone when I say that no other company has married denim style to moto-safety like Cortech. Check out some of the dozens of great reviews this product has received from our hard-riding members. For this rider, the Cortech DSX represents the best of both worlds, and I know that you’ll agree. This is safety wear that you’ll cruise in, at once proud of its tailoring and fit, yet confident in its abilities to protect.

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3. The Clubhouse

Clubhouse, party of one.

Cruiser Customizing Member Christopher Rogers (CSR70) of Manchester NH shares with us this true story of his early days in motorcycling.

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4. Asphalt Angels
Now for a few words of wisdom from Cruiser Customizing poet/member Laurence P. Scerri:

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4. The Metric Motorcycle Revolution (on TV)

The Cruiser Customizing Crew with Metric Revolution Builder Antonio Renzi

Latest Additions to the Biker Wall

Doro's Donation

In case you haven’t heard, ESPN2 is presenting a series about a metric cruiser build-off over the next two months. Cruiser Customizing is a proud sponsor of the inspiring series based around pro-builders and their expressions of individual artistry. Be sure to go to www.metrictv.com for scheduling and be a part of The Metric Revolution. Write us with your opinion of the show. We’re expecting to see a lot of new ideas as build masters share their tips and secrets with us, and we’d like to know how ESPN2’s Metric Revolution has inspired you. And keep sending those pictures coming of your ride’s journey to absolute individualization.

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