appy new year! It’s 2004…or in Harley-time, it’s year 101. With the exception of mega-festivals like we saw in Milwaukee last summer, I expect things to be business as usual as the season unfolds. Plenty of rallies and riding, and the same goes for year 102, 103 and beyond.
     About the time this issue hits the dealerships, it will be trade show time. Our first stop will be at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati and then on to Indianapolis for the grand daddy of motorcycle shows, the Dealernews Powersports Expo.
What will we see at the shows this year? To be sure the staples will be covered well... batteries, oils and lubes, spark plugs, belts and chains. But sure to dominate the scene will be the many great custom motorcycles that our sport’s leaders of metal arts have been working on over the winter.
     This issue of Drag Specialties Magazine should give you a clue about where this upward trend in motorcycle customizing is going. On the cover is that great-looking custom made by Eddie Trotta. Take a close look at the photos and you’ll see some real forward thinking regarding how to improve the looks of a custom bike while not compromising the functionality.
     As much as we loved the look of Eddie’s bike, we also had to share photos of the bike that is on the front cover of the new Drag Specialties FatBook catalog for 2004. Built by Heavy Metal Customs, here’s another example of how the FatBook provides options that go worlds beyond any “kit” that you can buy elsewhere.
     You’ll also see a mini-project that we were involved in that doesn’t come close to being as exciting as the Trotta or FatBook bikes. It’s just more affordable. Our Harley-Davidson Dyna “maker-over” project is one of six motorcycles we had built for our new television program “Inside Motorcycling presented by Parts Unlimited.” This series, which kicks off in January on Spike TV, features a look at the wide world of motorcycling and each show features a practical makeover of a certain machine. Thanks to Performance Machine for their assistance with this project bike.
     Whether a project goes the way of an Eddie Trotta custom or something more conservative like our TV project bike, it takes more than just some open-minded thinking, it also takes great accessories. In this issue you’ll see some examples of that, too. Check out the story on Daytona Twin-Tec’s fuel management system, see how air shock systems from Legend Air and Progressive Suspension work, and how companies like TP Engineering are improving the function of specific parts like rocker boxes.
     And lastly, if anyone thinks that a FatBook project is “all-show and no-go,” then please read the report of FatBook Flyer II, the custom project that went over 140 miles an hour at Bonneville…saddlebags and all.
     It’s going to be a fun year. Let’s go!