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- Magazine update: cover, merch and editorial plans
- What we’ll feature in print and online
- Parts and deals: Ramjet and Lifestyle Cycles
- SEMA gives custom motorcycles a larger stage
- Free-speech debate: reporting on X and international pressure
- Easyriders proposal: the Black Death motorcycles
- European Bike Week: Polish builder wins top honors
- Products, classifieds and community notices
Our magazine is heading to the printer next week and the team is racing to finish holiday merchandise, while the wider custom-bike community prepares for a busy season of shows, competitions and industry shifts that could affect builders and businesses alike.
Magazine update: cover, merch and editorial plans
The latest cover—featuring Sabina—has gone into prepress as staff scramble to produce a line of Christmas merchandise. The team is exploring a limited run of vintage-style belt buckles, with original copyright markings from the 1970s, after acquiring two examples for reference.
Other items under consideration include a metal pin (likely reduced from an original three-inch size to about two inches) and a small run of scarves. Artwork will be refined with input from Danial James before any products are finalized.
What we’ll feature in print and online
Editors say they will reserve magazine pages for truly original builds while the blog will showcase noteworthy rebuilt or restored machines—such as a recently refreshed West Coast Choppers bike that will be photographed by Jack McIntyre for an online feature. The editorial team credits a roster of regular contributors for keeping the weekly newsletter active, including The Redhead, Wayfarer, LA Laura and others.
Parts and deals: Ramjet and Lifestyle Cycles
Ramjet is pitching Feuling cam-install kits for M8 engines and a range of cam choices aimed at different performance goals. A highlighted item is the Feuling Race Series® oil system kit for M8 engines, listed at $1,229.99.
Deal of the week: Lifestyle Cycles is offering a 2026 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST with 82 miles for $22,995. Key features advertised include:
- OEM Blood Orange factory paint
- 117 ci Milwaukee-Eight motor
- 6-speed transmission and stock 2-into-1 exhaust
- Solo seat, hi-output air cleaner, dual front discs
- Inverted front forks; 19-inch front and 16-inch rear nine-spoke wheels
The sale price excludes licensing, an $85 documentation fee and local sales tax.
SEMA gives custom motorcycles a larger stage
SEMA is expanding a dedicated Powersports and lifestyle area in West Hall and pairing it with trucks and off-road exhibits. Harley-Davidson is joining the section, and a new Bike Builder Shootout will offer an official competition for custom builders.
SEMA’s positioning aims to connect custom bikes with buyers, dealers and media in a single location. Organizers argue that a strong build can serve as a business tool—attracting orders, partnerships and press that persists long after the show ends.
The timing of SEMA—with trade days early in the week and a public day plus SEMA Fest on Friday—provides both industry networking and exposure to a wider enthusiast audience.
Free-speech debate: reporting on X and international pressure
Public, a Substack outlet, published reporting about legal and regulatory pressure facing X in several countries. The piece, authored by Michael Shellenberger, says authorities in France, Germany and Australia have pursued actions that could curb anonymous posting and increase moderation powers. Public frames these developments as part of a broader trend that could influence policy debates in the United States.
The reporting cites a member of France’s National Assembly as having prompted a criminal inquiry into X after finding his feed “more and more politically oriented.” Public argues that similar justifications—such as claims of “foreign interference”—have been used historically to justify online restrictions. The article reflects the outlet’s perspective and investigative focus; readers should note these are claims made by Public and its sources.
Easyriders proposal: the Black Death motorcycles
A contributor has proposed a feature for Easyriders on the two Black Death motorcycles from the film Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man. The proposed piece would document the bikes’ creation at Bartels Harley-Davidson, their roles in the film, and the reunion of the two machines after nearly 35 years. The author says Gene Thomason and David Fournier—two original builders—recently inspected the reunited bikes and that plans include a long interview with Mickey Rourke about his connection to one of the bikes.
The contributor plans to be available the week of September 14 to coordinate interviews and photography.
European Bike Week: Polish builder wins top honors
At European Bike Week—held at Lake Faak in Austria—Poland’s Game Over Cycles captured multiple awards with its “Slow Burn” build. The motorcycle took the People’s Choice Award and first place in the Bagger/Tourer category at the Harley-Davidson Custom Motorcycle Show. It also won Best of Show at the Arneitz Custom Bike Show.
The “Slow Burn” is a motorcycle designed as a sibling to the 1936 Auburn 852 Boattail Speedster owned by James Hetfield. Judges and the public cited clean lines and precise component execution. Game Over Cycles said the build reflects many automotive cues: a front lamp styled like a car radiator, car-like rear lights, chrome-covered front fender, and a 30-inch front wheel inspired by car wheels.
Technical dimensions and build details published by the builder include a steel structure with no plastic parts, a length of 3.3 meters (about 10.8 feet), a weight of 400 kg (880 lb), and some 7,000 man-hours invested. The bike premiered in March 2024 at Daytona Bike Week and previously won multiple awards at U.S. custom shows.
Products, classifieds and community notices
Product announcements this week include a fully automatic Morris magneto for pre-1970 XL Harley-Davidsons and flatheads, and a new key-switch start wiring harness for Evolution Big Twin hardtail choppers from Throttle Addiction.
On the classifieds front, a Sturgis seller known as Cabana Dan is offering several mostly stock Shovelheads for about $5,000 each; he’s also open to offers for multiple purchases. The newsletter ran images of the bikes and noted availability of a sidecar.
Community items: an Easyriders contest winner from Maybee, Michigan—Kelley—was announced; a GoFundMe has been organized to support tattoo magazine figure Billy Tinney through major life changes; and contributors continue to share restoration and road stories under the motto quoted from Heath Rodney: “Real men driving real machines make real history.”
