Adding ape hangers to your Harley Davidson is one of those classic customizations. The look is distinctive and harks back to the old days pictured in the movie Easy Rider. Depending on your riding preferences and height choices are 12, 14, 16, 18, or 20 inch rise. Important in deciding the rise of your Ape Hanger Handlebar is riding comfort. When sitting on your Harley determine your arm position. Having your arm extended higher than your shoulders maybe cool looking but the downside is control of the bike and comfort. There are many options to choose from including the Z Bar style.

A great brand that’s made here in Huntington Beach, CA is Wild 1 with their Chubby line of handlebars. Their Ape Hanger bars include the 8.5 inch Baby Ape, the traditional 14 and 16 inch, and the radical Psycho 18 and 20 inch Ape Hanger. All handlebars are available in chrome or black. In addition to the Ape Hanger handlebars mentioned for softails and the Road King Wild 1 has a line of Ape Hanger handlebars for the Harley Davidson Bagger such as the Road Glide, Street Glide, and Electra Glide. The difference for the Bagger with it's Fairing is the bend. The Bagger Ape Hanger handlebars from Wild 1 are available with a 12.5 inch and 14 inch rise. All Wild 1 handlebars are drilled for internal wiring and notched for throttle by wire.

An alternative to Wild 1 is Todd's Cycle handlebars. Made by Alloy Art in Glendora, CA the bars have a slightly unique Z Bar style that is bent outwards to improve comfort. Todd's offers both the 1¼" and the 1" strip handlebars. The bars can easily be mounted on the Road King and Softails Harley Davidson motorcycles. For rise a 12 inch and a 17 inch is available in chrome and black.

Very recently, the Milwaukee Police Department held a ceremony to commemorate 100 years of service with the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company. This important occasion was held in the birthplace of the famous motorcycle manufacturer, in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event was especially auspicious due to the presence of Willie G. and Bill Davidson, direct descendants of the brand's co-founder and pioneer. A turnout among police officers attending the event was great, which was held at the Harley Davidson Museum, also in Milwaukee. The officers were seen wearing big smiles as they proudly displayed their Harley Davidson motorcycles at the museum event.

The event was coordinated by police Sergeant Mike Edwards, who has kept his police department using Harley Davidson, continuing the long tradition of service between the American motor company and the municipal police department. When asked why the Milwaukee Police Department continued to use Harley Davidson bikes, Sergeant Edwards responded that the bikes are by far the first choice among his officers. The bikes are comfortable to ride all day, can easily be equipped the necessary equipment the officers require and have a very high resale value. This makes using quality bikes affordable, since the fleet can be replaced every several years with new bikes, bought with revenue from the sale of older motorcycles.

Harley Davidson has a long history of dealing with armed forces and police departments. In fact, the motor company currently has in place around 3,400 individual contracts with police departments around the United States. In addition to these domestic contracts , Harley Davidson's international sales department has stated that their bikes are present in the police departments in more than 45 foreign countries around the globe.

A great way to get more performance out of your motorcycle is by installing a Performance Air Cleaner. One choice with great performance and cool looks is the Kuryakyn Hypercharger. Kuryakyn has a great selection for every Harley Davidson motorcycle with variations for both Harley big twins and the XL Sportster. In addition to the Stock Carburetor or EFI the Hypercharger is available for motorcycles with the S&& E or G carburetor. Finishes include both black and chrome so they’ll look great on every bike.

One of the most popular models is the "Blood Groove" with two distinctive groves on the outer casing. An alternative to the "Blood Groove" is the "Pro series". With a 50% increase in filter size and it's internal shape the Hypercharger Pro Series increases air flow and velocity. This unit’s body measures a half inch wider than your typical hypercharger. Embossed bearing cups give the Pro series an aggressive look that will be sure to let everyone know you’re packing a few more horses. The Pro R Hypercharger offers increased air flow over the Pro Series with the addition of an additional air scoop. The unrestricted air from the vacuum operated front butterflies results in the highest performance in the Hypercharger line. Like all the Hyperchargers the Pro R comes with the mounting hardware but also includes a crankcase breather kit

Best of all, Kuryakyn hyperchargers are reasonably priced. The Blood Groove models start at $200 while the Pro-Series models begin at $235.

Harley-Davidson and Gibson Guitar are collaborating on a "Night Of Custom" to be held May 19th in the United Kingdom. Details of the exact location have yet to be announced but with these two companies involved, the event is sure to be a celebration of freedom and rebellion. Needless to say, the matching of these two iconic brands is perfect. Harley-Davidson riders have always been moved by the spirit of Rock and Roll.

Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz elaborates on the shared values of the brands, Most people agree Gibson Guitar produces the best guitars and are played by the world’s most renowned and enduring musicians over the last 100 years. This is similar to the Harley-Davidson motorcycle which has produced the best American V-Twin motorcycles for the last 100 years. No other motorcycle embodies the Rock and Roll life style and no other musical instrument encapsulates the rock and roll culture like Gibson. Juszkiewicz said he was pleased to partner with Harley-Davidson believing Harley is considered the worldwide leader in motorcycles.

The event will showcase some of the finest custom Harley Davidson Motorcycles and custom Gibson Guitars. The Harley-Davidson design team will give demonstrations of custom design techniques. Custom Motorcycles and Rock and Roll are about self expression so it is fitting these two great companies collaborate and celebrate their respective expertise in the art of customization. The event will feature musical acts Feeder, The Crave and The Maccabees.

If you are looking for an easy way to fight off fatigue and lengthen your ride time then fitting your bike with a fairing or a windshield may be an option for you. Simply put, highway riding can be tiring with the constant pounding of the wind on your chest. Sure for short rides the wind in your face and the feeling of freedom you get without the windshield is great. At higher speeds there’s a greater degree of wind in your face than on a back road. Add in wind bursts from cars and the occasional passing semi-truck , and you start to feel like you’re in a tornado. If your bike isn’t outfitted with a windshield then you’ll feel like you’re fighting to stay upright the whole ride when on an open highway.

Luckily, there are many fairing and windshield options available. The best part is, many have a quick disconnecting mechanism, meaning you don’t have to make the fairing or windshield a permanent change. This is welcome news for those that aren’t crazy about the dresser/touring look but need the functionality. In fact, Memphis Shades has a trigger lock mounting system that allows for windshield removal without the need for tools.

Of course, many riders do like the look of glass on their bike and are simply looking to replace their OEM shield with one that’s more to their liking. In that case, Memphis Shades offers options in four different heights along with 7 different gradient colors. These shields are specifically made to fit Harley-Davidson models so there’s no worry about fit. They’re also guaranteed against stress fractures that plague other manufacturer’s products.

Not your typical Harley Davidson Saddlebags for Baggers. There are others who make Bagger stretched saddlebags but none do it with the care to the small details like Dead Center Cycles. Offering a clean uncluttered look without the outside visible latches these bags are gorgeous and incredibly functional. The hinges are hidden and bags come complete with lids. There are no visible bolts or rivets. As an added benefit without the clutter of latches and hinges there is more area to show off that custom paint and pin stripping.

Harley Davidson stock hard saddlebags are ABS plastic which is susceptible to cracking. Dead Center by comparison uses fiberglass as fiberglass is stronger, will not crack, and in most cases can easily be repaired in the event the bike is banged up. The manufacturing process is a closed mold fiberglass process ensuring consistent thickness and a very smooth finish inside and out

Unlike your standard saddlebags the Dead Center smoothies open outward giving the rider access to the bags while seated. Dead Center uses a recessed compression latch which easily disengages to open the bags. For stretch Dead Center choose 3½" increasing all important storage capacity without the bulky look. If you have a Harley Davidson Touring Bike such as an FLHT,FLHX, FLTR the Smoothies saddlebags will bolt right up as they are a direct placement.

Two Harley Davidson motorcycles placed in the top three at the 2010 AMA Grand National Twins Series on the Yavapi Downs Mile. This race always attracts a big crowd and this year's event was no different. Watching professional bikers race around the track at high speeds is always exciting, and this race is at the top of the list.

The second place bike was a Harley Davidson, ridden by Sammy Halbert. Third place was taken by Harley Davidson Screamin' Eagle factory rider, Ken Coolbeth. He blazed to a finish on the Harley Davidson XR-750 motorcycle.

During the event, the race was temporarily stopped due to heavy dust on the track. After the red flag on the first lap, the track, which is surrounded by desert, was watered down to make it safer to ride on. Additionally, the main was made shorter; it is usually 25 laps, but it was dropped down to 20 laps.

Harley rider Halbert passed into first place on the eighth lap, while fellow Harley rider Coolbeth fell to fifth place, five full seconds behind Halbert by the 13th lap. However, late in the game on the 17th lap, Coolbeth gained third place by blazing from the backfield.

Since this was a track that they had not raced on before, the third-place, come-from-behind victory was quite a feat. Additionally, this was the first Grand National event at Yavapai Downs, which was previously a horse racing track. The AMA Grand National Twins will appear next at the end of this month on the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois.

For many riders, the pursuit of performance is never ending. We’re never quite satisfied. We could always get a little more horsepower or a little more fuel efficiency. With the advent of EPA restriction the 96 cubic inch Twin Cam is in dire need of a performance boost. Thankfully, there’s one way to achieve this in a relatively easy and inexpensive manner. What we’re talking about are fuel controllers. These gadgets help adjust the air/fuel mixture to make sure your bike is running more efficiently. Of course, better efficiency leads to more power!

One of the more popular choices in fuel controllers is the Power Commander from Dynojet. These units are extremely user friendly. The Power Commander simply plugs into the the stock ECU on your bike. There’s no customization needed. The unit is designed to fit in the small footprint under your Harley Davidson saddle. Since there’s no slicing, dicing, or duct taping involved, most installations take 25 minutes or less including removing your Harley Davidson seat.

The result you’ll get over the manufacturer’s set up is dramatic. That’s because the stock unit is set up to control the fuel ratio based on an update fuel mapping. Therefore, when you upgrade your exhaust, the stock unit doesn’t take the changes into account. What you’re left with is a system that is taking full advantage of your upgrades. The Power Commander’s can be adjusted to fit almost any exhaust system and its microprocessor will make all the necessary adjustments to make sure your bike is running at its peak. For just over $300 and virtually no labor time, this is one of the easiest ways to increase both power and torque.

Want even more power? The Dynojet Power Commander can re-calibrated to take advantage of cams, ported heads, or cylinder bored out. This can be accomplished by a mechanic at a shop with a dynamometer or with the purchase of the Dynojet Multi-Function Hub Accessory. As an alternative for gaining the utmost power and performance the Daytona Twin Tec replaces the stock ECU giving you unlimited control of the air fuel delivery.

The Roland Sands Design team has done it again with a modified Harley Davidson XR-1200 that is indicative that a Harley does not have to be a cruiser. The design group is well known from their past work, and this recent modification is just as impressive. Especially for those who ride a Sportster. Roland Sands Design took a stock Harley Davidson XR-1200 and produced a stylish performance sport bike. The resulting work of art has impressed everyone who saw it debuted at a recent bike show. This bike, while originally customized from an XR-1200 has taken on a shape and style of its own, resulting in a real high-performance motorcycle.

Roland Sands embarked on this project after completing a number modified Harley Davidson softail motorcycles. The previous custom Harley Davidson softail motorcycles built by Roland Sands Design embodied the vintage Bobber theme with the typical RSD twist. From these project came the immensely popular Vintage Z style Ape Hanger handlebars and Venturi Air Cleaner. The XR1200 project is significant for Harley in that it caters to the younger sport bike rider that is lacking in the Harley Davidson world.

To accomplish this Roland Sands pursued a sport bike look and ride replacing the front suspension with a Ohlins fork originally designed for a GSX. A single sided swingarm was used with another Ohlins shock for the rear suspension originally designed for a Ducati. To complete the bike it is fitted with an exhaust from Vance&Hines and a new Roland Sands designed set of wheels called Tuxedo. The belt drive was replaced with a chain drive to improve power transfer.

The project was inspired by Roland´s past as racer in the 250CC class and work modifying other Harley Davidson motorcycles with his own custom made aftermarket parts. Resulting from the past custom Harley Davidson motorcycles RSD has completed is a catalog filled with Wheels such as the Diesel, Air Cleaner assemblies, and Exhaust Systems. One of the designs that has taken the market by storm is the Contrast Cut. This design is available in Wheels and Air Cleaner assemblies. From this project the Tuxedo wheels and other parts for Harley Davidsons XR1200 will see their way into the RSD catalog.

A bit different than the standard rides through the countryside that most Harley owners are used to, the first ever International Motorcyclists Conference will take place soon in Brussels, Belgium. Recently, several high profile motorcycle agencies invited members of the media and representatives from the major motorcycle manufacturers to attend the MEP Ride in Brussels.

While riding through Belgium is a new experience for many riders, this particular ride has been made more unique due to the presence of high profile people taking place in the event.

The motorcycle agencies which are taking place in this event are as follows:
FEMA, the Federation of European Motorcyclists Association
MCC, the Motorcycle Confederation of Canada
AMC, the Australian Motorcycle Council

All of these groups have started publicity events to draw members of the media and riders to the event. All of this buzz has been created because the event will feature members of the European Parliament, members of the European Commission and high-level stakeholders from the motorcycle communities of Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States.

In addition to the special people who will be attending the event, there will be special bikes present as well. In order to impress the high profile attendees, the newest models will be showcased and may even be available to ride.

So, if you have had your fill of the typical rides, it may be time for you to hit the road and head to Belgium for a truly unique ride. It might take some impressive networking to get a slot next to the president of the European Parliament, but it never hurts to try. Live the spirit of Harley Davidson and live your life in a new way, the best way possible.