Classic Chrome

For antique American motorcycle enthusiasts, there has always been and will always be a need for a source of parts to restore and repair their machines so that they can stay on the road and into the wind. With the price for OEM and NOS parts going through the roof in recent years and the falling amount of usable original pieces, enthusiasts are sometimes hard pressed to justify these rising costs in order to keep their machines operating. This week we are joined by one man who had a vision to start a business that would build faithful reproductions of the parts needed and wanted by American motorcyclists. Calling into the show live is Mr. Ted Doering, who is the man behind the largest parts supplier for antique American motorcycles in the world: V-Twin Manufacturing?. We will be discussing the finer points of the business and cover some of the great products offered by VTwin. In addition to talking about the business end of things, we will cover the famous Motorcyclepedia Museum? in Newburgh, New York that Te

Special Guests: David Lloyd, vintage collector, restorer, and Motorcycle Cannonball finisher One of the most rewarding experiences in owning a vintage motorcycle is being able to kick the starter pedal (or push the electric starter button), select a gear and find a backroad. Riding a vintage machine brings a whole new aspect to the joy in owning one. For many, it provides a deep connection to history, for others it brings the feeling of a time warp. However, the all-too-real risk of owning and riding an old motorcycle is that of mechanical failure leaving you stranded on the side of the road. While these unfortunate experiences become lessons to be learned from and laughed at later down the road, it certainly can be frustrating, and at times dangerous. So in the first installment of our monthly tech series, we are going to focus on how to properly, and safely, prepare your motorcycle for a season of two wheeled fun. Additionally, we will cover some of the most common roadside fixes and troubleshooting process

Special Guests: John Landstrom, owner of Blue Moon Cycle Ask anyone in the south about the highest quality antique motorcycle shop, and Blue Moon Cycle is bound to be at the top of that list. Since 1987, Blue Moon Cycle has maintained as an icon in the Atlanta, Georgia motorcycle scene. Over the years, Blue Moon’s day-to-day operations revolved around the sales and service of modern BMW motorcycles. Owner John Landstrom prides himself on having operating one of the smoothest-running BMW motorcycle franchises in the country, and the determination of his highly skilled staff to go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. In addition to selling late model machines, Blue Moon is well known as a parts distributor for antique European motorcycles dating back to the 1950s.  Most recently, John made the decision to sell his BMW dealership franchise and focus on strictly vintage motorcycles. On September 12th, 2015, Blue Moon Cycle officially re-opened to welcome its visitors to a showroom and museum where more

Special Guests: Brian Keating, Gary Keating, and Robert KeatingWhen looking at the market for pre-war motorcycles, it may seem that field was dominated by just a handful of manufacturers; Harley Davidson, Indian, Excelsior, Henderson. But, did you know that in these very early days of motorcycling, hundreds of motorcycle companies were in existence across the globe? Many of these manufacturers actually date back even earlier than American legends Harley Davidson and Indian! Dozens of these smaller companies were in existence here in the United States, with many of them located in the Northeast. While some of these companies were later purchased by the industry leaders, most of these early builders wound up closing their doors. The design elements of several of these defunct manufacturers still wound their way into the machines produced by the larger companies. Today, machines such as the Flying Merkel, Reading Standard, Minneapolis, Cyclone and several others are invaluable to cataloging the history of the sp

Special Guests: Ron Fellowes, author of No Room for Watermelons, veteran motorcycle traveler Many people dream of one day getting on their motorcycle and setting out to see the world, but not enough of us get that opportunity. This week on Classic Chrome, we are honored to be joined by one man who took such a journey; aboard a now 105 year old motorcycle. In 2012, 68 year old Ron Fellowes of Brisbane, Australia set out to ride his 1910 Fabrique Nationale (FN) Four Cylinder motorcycle more than 9,000 miles from Kathmandu to the factory where it originated in Belguim. Over eight months, Ron’s journey took him through 15 countries and challenged every mechanical part on his machine as well as every fiber of his being. Through his journey, Fellowes traveled across some of the most hostile territory in the world while battling mechanical failures in the face of treacherous environmental conditions and dangerous bystanders. Ron’s pilgrimage brought him to some of the most beautiful parts of the globe, as well as br