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Harley-Davidson has filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a three-wheeler, styled similarly to Piaggio’s and Can-Am’s Spyder, with two front wheels and one rear wheel and with a leaning suspension system. The application, which also includes Delphi Technologies Inc., was filed Sept. 27, 2006, according to information on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Web site, but it includes a second, date - April, 2007 -that could indicate the time it was made public. Harley officials would not comment on the company’s plans if the application is approved or whether the concept is connected to H-D’s current endeavor with Lehman Trikes.

Manufacturers of custom American muscle, chopper and pro mod motorcycles, announced mid-year model changes and a new custom look on the Gauntlet chopper. Rucker Performance has incorporated new design queues to emphasize its long, lean lines and a more hand formed, custom fabricated look. The Gauntlet features a hand-fabricated drop seat design, providing a low center of gravity and better: handling, stability, comfort and ergonomics for the Rucker Performance customer.

“The Gauntlet has the powerful performance, excellent maneuvering capabilities and sleek design that customers are looking for in a custom chopper said Bill Rucker, founder and CEO of Rucker Performance.
The company has converted the final drive to a 133 tooth belt drive. Boasting a 300 series tire, the Gauntlet has 54 mm inverted forks right side drive, fully Polished 124-cubic-inch I&:S engine and six-speed transmission.
Customer can also add a extreme paint package, selecting from more than 40 colors and ultimate in ultimate in unique graphics. The Gauntlets smooth lines flow through the motorcycle because of our design queues such as the new sheet metal styling and extreme paint package,” said Carl Tynde director of design at Rucker Performance.
Additionally, customers can choose from a variety of custom wheels, controls and exotic seat skins. Buyers can be custom fitted and measured for riding position, foot controls, handle & pull back at the Rucker performance factory.

For more information, log on to www.ruckerperformance.com.

If you have a good working knowledge of choppers: how they work and how to assemble them, then you may want to consider custom chopper building.  Custom chopper building has become a hobby for many Americans.  Some, like the now famous chopper builder Jesse James, have even turned their hobby into a very lucrative business.

When you decide to start building your own custom chopper you will be entering a world filled with choices.  If you aren’t very good with tools or directions you may want to take your kit to the shop and have someone assemble it for you.  If you can follow directions, have a way with tools and a good amount of patience you can build your own custom chopper.

You can customize to the max; make your personality come alive in your ride. Custom chopper building can take as little s a week to create your bike or up to many weeks depending on how proficient you are with tools and how much detail you plan on customizing.

A chopper kit is going to be produced by mass manufacturers and there will be hundreds of the same kit produced.  If you want a custom chopper kit you will be looking for a smaller producer who produces only a limited number of kits of bikes a year.  

If you do your research you will find out the name brands that offer quality kits.  Searching for a brand you can trust will help minimize some of the uncertainty with purchasing online.

You can easily purchase kits on the internet. Do a search for chopper kits and you will come up with hundreds of sites trying to sell custom kits.  Ebay auctions are a simple way to find custom chopper kits, and also offer a safer purchase environment.

When you receive your kit you will also receive a list of all parts that are included.  Go over your list and check to make sure that you actually received all of the parts that are on the list.

Next, you will need to choose an area of the bike to begin working on.  The engine is a good place to start and this is where many builders begin. Make sure you save all painting until the last.  You do not want to ruin your paint job with a misplaced part or a hole in the wrong place. It is not too important where you start, what is important is that you follow the directions to the letter. 

Be prepared to feel frustrated- When you are starting a big project like building a chopper from a kit it is easy to feel overwhelmed by all the work and piles of parts.  Slowly, the piles will get smaller and the project will take shape.  If you feel like giving up, take a breather.  After you have gotten some time away from the project, you will feel much more like digging in again. 

And most of all don’t lose sight of your end goal.  Put up a picture of how you want your bike to look when it’s done and use it for inspiration and motivation. Building a custom chopper can be a very rewarding experience.  Just imagine how it will feel to have your friends admire the custom bike you created yourself. 

http://www.custom-choppers-guide.com/chopper-kits.html