Metric Thunder

YouTube Tuesday: Bikes Gone Wild!

paul — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:36:47 +0000

You’ll Wanna Watch This Over Again!!

This is great stuff! Gotta love those fans coming onto the track and throwing that rider off the bridge! You’ll also get a kick out of Valentino Rossi’s ‘Pit Stop’

It’s Springtime…Time to Customize!

paul — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:38:05 +0000

Our Thunder Design Process Helps You Build Your Dreams

Save money, save time and get a better end result in creating that custom look for your cruiser by having a plan in mind before you begin.

Although lots of chrome usually always looks great on a cruiser, it’s important to remember that your ride should be an expression of the rider and not just a magnet for chrome.

That’s why we came up with the Thunder Design Process.

We believe that for any process to succeed, you have to keep it simple. Our process isn’t revolutionary however, it does give you some common sense steps to think about that will make customizing your bike easier.

BEFORE & AFTER 2004 VULCAN VN2000

THE THUNDER DESIGN PROCESS

1. Decide on the purpose of your cruiser:

Bagger for short/medium range cruising
Trophy or tavern to tavern
Muscle or performance bike
Standard cruising
Long distance/touring
Hybrid or multipurpose

2. Choose a theme:

Pro street
Old school
Bobber
Gangster
Blackout or night train
Modern
Retro
Western
One-of-a-kind

3. Decide on a budget:

How much are you willing to spend?
Remember that paint, pipes and wheels are highest cost.
Consider labor costs if someone else will be doing the work.
Prioritize what is most/least important to your purpose/theme

4. Determine your timeline:

Decide on a realistic timeline. All at one or in segments
If paint is part of the plan, allow for it (2 weeks)

a. Time to dismantle paint surfaces
b. Paint theme development
c. Painters schedule, (build in an extra 1-2 weeks)
d. Time to reassemble,(double the dismantle time)
e. Consider that electrical, cabling, handlebars and some other elements are easier to complete while body parts are in paint

Be aware of lead times on key parts such as wheels and custom seats
Consider seasonality - Colder climates have more down time for major projects

It’s most important to understand that there is no right or wrong, all that matters is that you achieve the experience you had in mind. Magazines, the Internet and your own travels will become your best source for ideas.

Remember, don’t worry that each decision you make will be final or irreversible. There is a very large secondary market out there for well maintained used cruiser parts. If you decide you want to change from a set of drag pipes to a two-into-one pipe, there is a good chance you can resell your old pipes on Ebay or one of the many online bike forums.

Customizing a cruiser is the next best thing to riding one!

Speed TV Promotes Bikernet Metric!

paul — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:10:13 +0000

Speed TV likes high performance 2 and 4 wheel machines. They also like online magazines that are into performance cruisers. That’s why they profiled Thunder Bob and his newest endeavor, BikernetMetric.com.

BikernetMetric.com is live with weekly news columns, bike features, event coverage, tech articles, new bikes & product introductions and reviews. Click on Speed TV to view the article.

It’s designed to deliver the fun, achievements, ingenuity and freedom of riding metric cruisers here and overseas. The online publication celebrated their first issue off the ‘digital press’ on Friday, February 1, 2008 at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati, OH.

Don’t Try This At Home

paul — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:24:15 +0000

Sent In: George Emmons Najar
RE: Painful Pictures
Date: April 2008

Our intrepid photographer, George Emmons Najar, sent in a series of photographs taken “right before the pain starts.” Now kids, our lawyer said we had to say not to try this at home because the individuals pictured here are professionals or idiots.

Do you have a few of these painful pictures kicking around that are of you? Send them in and we will post them up.

OK, OK sorry about that bullshit remark

This could be a non-recoverable problem…

Everything would be just fine if it weren’t for that “gravity” thing

Say hello to the next Batman

Think I’m gonna need some asprin and a head transplant

Thanks “11″ at least I still have my left arm attached

Thanks for the sword in my back, here’s a little something for you Mr. Matador…

A Classic Valkyrie

paul — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:48:23 +0000

Mike Martin Rides with Metric Thunder

Mike got a steal of a deal on this two-tone, clean as a whistle power cruiser. He’s done quite a few upgrades to this classic bike from Honda:

Cobra 6 into 6 Slash-cut Drag Pipes
National Cycle Light Bar
Kuryakyn Cruise Pegs
National Cycle SwitchBlade® 2-Up® Clear Windshield
Cobra Swept Passenger Floorboards
Kuryakyn Transmission Cover Set
Show Chrome Radiator Accent
Kuryakyn Intake Runner/Spark Plug Cover

And that’s only about 75% of what he’s done!

Six into Six, This is Truly a One-of-a-Kind!

Check out this Big Six Killer…

Very nice looking power cruiser Mike!

YouTube Tuesday: A Nasty Spill

paul — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:59:54 +0000

That 3rd Jump Was a Real Doozie!!

I can really appreciate just how difficult dirt bike riding can be on the body. This YouTube is another reminder of why I’m sticking to cruising!

-MTB

Kuryakyn Triple Whammy Now in Stock!

paul — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:36:15 +0000

Make sure you are seen on the open road!

This new kit allows you to change your stock turn signals into Run-Turn-Brake lights with easy Plug and Play installation. The optional flash mode flashes the taillights when the brakes are hit, catching the attention of anyone behind you.

This kit includes Plug and Play Run-Turn-Brake Controller and replacement lenses or bulbs to update turn signals to Red. Click here to find a kit for your bike.

Note: Triple Whammy includes everything you need for installation on motorcycles equipped with OEM turn signals.

Installation of this product may be in violation of FMVSS #108

Nikki’s Star: Phase II

paul — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:08:51 +0000

It’s been nearly two years since Nikki & her V-Star appeared as a Thunder Rider.

We caught up with Nikki and about 300 other riders during the 10th annual Star B Q in San Diego recently. Although her bike looked really great two years ago, she made some new modifications that took her V-Star to another level.

Some of the new details include:

RC Components Custom Front and Rear Wheels
Low Profile tires
Chromed front forks
Chrome Front and Rear Fender Trim
Chrome Driver Seat Rail
Chromed Side Panels
Chrome Boomerang Covers

I’m sure I probably missed something, but I can tell you first hand, that’s a nice looking bagger!

The before picture looked pretty good too…

Great job again Nikki!

- Thunder Bob

Dale’s V-Star 1300

paul — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:48:17 +0000

Dale Hines Rides with Metric Thunder!

One of the latest in a growing line of classic crusiers from Yamaha Star is the new V-Star 1300. Check out Dale’s Blue Beauty below and some of the mods he’s done so far:

Next on his list is a Custom World Chrome Lower Belt Cover.

Nice ride Dale!

-MTB

Roadliner Memphis Shades in Stock!

paul — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 00:20:33 +0000

Finally an aftermarket windshield for Yamaha’s flagship cruiser, the Roadliner.

Now you can get this great windshield in clear, solar or several different gradient colors to match your bike. Just click on Memphis Shades for the Roadliner, find your size,then click on the drop down menu to pick a color. Mounting kits are sold separately under “Related Items.”

Memphis Shades warrants all product components, metal, and plastics against defects in materials and workmanship for 24 months. With the best customer service in the industry and better than OEM quality for about half the price, it’s the only way to go!