Story and photos by Don Emde

hat started in 2001 as an “alternative” event has evolved into a major industry trade show that features the latest in design trends and products for the motorcycle V-Twin aftermarket as well as awards of excellence. From January 29th to the 31st, the Cinergy Center in Cincinnati featured a virtual who’s-who of the custom market, including top builders, dealers, distributors and manufacturers.
     Drag Specialties was in the middle of all the action, of course, debuting its sparkling new island-style exhibit, along with a full display of its many recent FatBook project bikes. Drag invited a few thousand of their closest friends and customers to a Sunday night party at the nearby Westin Hotel. Other highlights of the show weekend was the Motorcycle Industry Council’s inaugural meeting of its new American V-Twin Committee and the 5th Annual Industry Reception & Industry Leader Awards presentation by Paisano Publications and Easyriders magazine.

The all-new Drag Specialties exhibit booth towered above the crowd in Cincinnati.

Andrew Hines’ NHRA Championship-winning Vance & Hines Pro Stock drag bike was one of the first motorcycles dealers saw as they entered the check-in area.

Louis Ontiberoz (left) of Drag Specialties greets two of the industry’s hottest custom builders, Eddie Trotta (middle) and Tony Cenzi.

A real show-stopper seen in the Performance Machine booth was this customized Harley-Davidson V-Rod. Yes…V-Rod.

Thanks to his involvement in the current wave of reality television, Milwaukee Iron’s Randy Simpson (right) spent much of his time at the V-Twin Expo signing posters.

What could be better than walking up to the JIMS booth and talking to the man himself?

Wonder what hot new project those two were cooking up? Builder Don Hotop (middle) talks at the show with Tom Pirone of TP Engineering.

Metzeler brought to Cincinnati the eye-catching bike that won its Sturgis custom bike show.

Gerald Rinehart wanted people to know that not only does he build great exhaust pipes, he also has good taste when it comes to riding. This is his personal mount. Sweet!

The Avon booth featured this totally “wild snake-themed” custom aptly named the “Venom.”

The Corbin exhibit was outfitted with plenty of completed road machines bearing examples of their work. Tom Corbin (right) talks with an attendee.

In the S&S booth you could check out the 160-cubic inch race engine out of the S&S-sponsored NHRA drag bike that Chip Ellis raced to victory in 2004. The company also was presented with the “Product of the Year” award at the show for its 93-inch Shovelhead-style motor.

Television crews and cameras are the norm nowadays at motorcycle events. Here Drag Specialties VP Sales Greg Blackwell does an interview for one of the show producers.

Wyle E. Coyote would catch the Roadrunner with this bike. It’s the latest creation by Arlen Ness, featuring (as we understand it) both an electrical motor for low-speed running, and also a jet-propelled helicopter engine for when things get really serious. Arlen wasn’t telling how fast it will run.

At the Drag Specialties party on Sunday night we snapped this shot of the three people most involved in the formation of the new MIC American V-Twin Committee. From left are Fred Fox of Lemans/Drag Specialties, Brett Smith of S&S and Ted Sands of Performance Machine. Fox is Chairman of the new committee with Sands as Vice Chairman.

Tom Pirone of TP Engineering shows off one of the many awards he was presented with at this year’s Industry Awards reception. He was also the recipient of the “Industry Leader of the Year” award.

This Jesse Rooke-built custom on display in the JIMS booth shows off some very unique features in the chassis and suspension.

Lee Wimmer (second from left) and his crew from Wimmer Machine were busy all weekend, but we did get them to take a minute out for a photo.

SuperTrapp and Paul Yaffee… need we say anything more? The best thing to report is that some lucky dealer will win this bike next year!

The Barnett Booth was jumpin’ from open to close, every day.

The K&N booth featured the Team Memphis Shades Harley-Davidson XR750 dirt track racer. In addition to K&N, sponsors for the team for 2005 include Drag Specialties, Parts Unlimited, Motion Pro and Saddlemen/Travelcade.

Performance Machine president Perry Sands (right) poses with son Roland. A top-ranked roadracer just a few seasons ago, Roland now devotes full time to the development of new products at PM and is also one of the emerging new “stars” of custom building.

Chopper Guys got a lot of attention at the show with this new swing arm design.

Daytec had a great booth and some of their newest product on hand… this frame was catching everyone’s eye.

Cory Ness is one of the busiest people in the industry these days…second only to his father, Arlen. The amazing “Three-headed Monster” on the cover of this issue is Cory’s creation.

Eddie Trotta’s booth featured examples of his “Thunder” styles with some magazine covers in the middle to remind attendees of the exposure he has received.

The Samson Exhaust booth was always buzzing with attendees.

Storz Performance showed off their new XR1200… this is a pure custom, flat track style machine and you can build one for yourself with their kit.

Iron Works Magazine made some 2005 “Innovation Award” presentations at the show, including this one to Gerald Rinehart for his exhaust system innovations. From left are Paul Holdsworth from Iron Works, Bub Enterprises’ Denis Manning (maker of Rinehart exhaust pipes), Rinehart and Iron Works Editor Dain Gingerelli.

Larry Langley of Saddleman/Travelcade points out some of the newest seat skins being offered this year.

The Accutronix Motorcycle Products booth was filled with some beautiful parts. It was also filled with attendees throughout the weekend.

Benny Lin (left) and Joe Phillipson of Adjure showed off their extensive line of headlamps at the show.

Center hub steering has been used in the past on race bikes, but this was one of the first customs we’ve seen with it. Progressive Designs built this one.

Aaron Greene from Paramount Custom Cycles (PCC) is another in the new generation of custom builders and product developers.

Jon Kosmoski was on hand in the House of Kolor booth. He is one of the true pioneers of motorcycle and Hot Rod customizing.

Milwaukee Iron blends some early-day motorcycling styles (such as the gas tank) with modern functional items to create a truly unique look.