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In June 2002, motorcycle builder Billy Lane of Melbourne Beach was on top of the world.He and his team of “gearheads” sold custom-built motorcycles at $30,000 to $40,000 a pop out of his well-established shop, Choppers Inc., on U.S. 1 in Melbourne. The Discovery Channel's motorcycle-themed reality competition series “Monster Garage” had just featured Lane […]

That's Tim, the old guy, in the back. For some Americans these are the best of times, and for others just keeping afloat is a daily challenge. For many of us working stiffs the lack of funds was the biggest hurdle to owning our own scoot. Too often we hear good bros say they bought

Taking a fast rewind to the year 1978, Brian Hatano started his first ten-year stint working for Eddie Paul at E.P. Industries in El Segundo, CA, Eddie already a topgun in Hollywood thanks to his radical stuntwork as well as his SFX aka special effects inventiveness that eventually led to him being described as “Mad

It gives me great pleasure to write this story. I had a problem with the title, because Dave accomplished so many things, but first he’s a rider who has logged over two million miles on a Harley-Davidson. That’s right, and over 900,000 on his current 1991 FXRP. But hang on for just a couple more

When we think of engraving, we might think of the U.S. Mint where money is printed from intricately engraved metal plates, the stuff Humphrey Bogart was also chasing down along with counterfeiters. But I think it’s all digital now. Gone are the master craftsmen who made a little money making big money for Uncle Sam.

Here’s the story of a young French, Spanish and Apache artist and Indian MC rider. Peter Oropeza is a man of spirit in a world of greed and quarterly reports. Through life’s peaks and valleys he’s sought meaning and direction. “It’s not about just making money,” Peter explained. “I needed a way to feed my

Have you ever wondered who makes some of the seats you see on those fantastic high dollar bikes on the Discovery Channels Biker Build Off series? It must be some factory in Southern California, you're thinking. A huge conglomerate with dozens of employees in an assembly line set-up perhaps with a vast show room? No

Gold Coast Choppers latest creation “Alien” has landed an array of trophies at Gold Coast Bike Week. Alien’s first public viewing was on Saturday. However lucky riders on the S&S Chopper Shop Ride got a sneak preview on Friday as Twin Tech Motorcycles was the first Bike Shop on the list for the ride to

1. How did you get started in the Bike building industry? First let me say I’ve been a biker since my early teens with my first Honda moto-cross bike then migrated onto the street with a series of crotch rockets and cruisers. Only when I grew up and got into my 30s did I come

When Arlin started riding this was the style. From Bob T.With so many fly-by-night operations around these days, it is great to see an original chopper builder still rockin’ 30 years later. It’s not hard to see why he’s flourished in today’s environment, once you speak with Arlin Fatland, owner and founder of 2-Wheelers motorcycle