ootball fans had their eyes focused on Detroit, Michigan the weekend of February 4th –6th for the 40th annual Superbowl game. For the key figures of the motorcycle V-twin industry, however, their attention was focused on the Cinergy Center in Cincinnati, Ohio for the 6th annual V-Twin Expo by Easyriders, the official industry “kick off” for the 2006 V-twin business. With an expanded exhibit hall as well as increased numbers of both exhibitors and attendees, the show lived up to the “Super” designation of the events up north in Detroit.

The Rucker Performance booth featured their 2006 line of hot looking customs. Drag Specialties has been a believer and supporter of the V-Twin Expo since year one.




The Samson-sponsored Ray Price Nitro Harley race team was featured in the Samson booth at the show. From left is Samson president Kenny Price, rider Tommy Grimes, team owner and legendary drag racer Ray Price and Nick Trumbo of Samson.




One of the new styling trends in the V-twin market is based on the boardtrack race bikes of a century ago. This Arlen Ness rendition has tall wheels front and back similar to the early-day machines, but with many modern day features.






Speaking of tall wheels, Avon showed off its new line of taller-sized tires, a 20-inch rear and 23-inch front.





The exhaust on this custom looks like “one-off” special design, but it’s actually the new “FourBidden” 4-into-1 system from Hooker Headers.









Eddie Trotta was one of many celebrity custom builders exhibiting their wares at the show. His Thunder Cycle Design store is located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.







The V-Twin industry continues to be more sophisticated. Billy Lane’s Choppers Inc. booth was an impressive double-decker with a meeting room upstairs.




You’ve seen the Drag Specialties FatBook bikes in the catalog and this magazine, but at the V-Twin Expo you can see them in real life.




Gerald Rinehart shows off the new Rinehart 2-Into-1 exhaust for Harley-Davidsons. It looks great and reportedly puts out some impressive horsepower numbers.

Jesse Jurrens of Independent Cycle accepts the “Frame Designer of the Year” award at the V-Twin Industry Leaders Awards Presentation held during the show weekend. Also honored at the Awards Presentation was Lemans Founder and Chairman Fred Fox, who received the prestigious honor of “Industry Leader of the Year.” Easyriders’ Editor in Chief Dave Nichols was the emcee and award presenter.



Since the V-Twin Expo was held the same week as the Superbowl, Drag Specialties hosted a gala party that Sunday night with food, drinks and, most importantly, a huge television screen to allow the approximately 1,000 guests a great viewing of the 40th annual Superbowl game.


The huge crowd of Drag Specialties’ dealers and other guests take in all the football action on the screen.
Tom Mozko of Drag Specialties (right) gives Fred Fox a look at the great photo of Tom at last year’s Bonneville Speed Trials by Bub. Tom’s many friends and associates at the show signed the photo for him.

Lisa Rodman of RMD Billet was the lucky door prize winner of an Icon Kitty Chaps and Jacket outfit. Emcee Rob Buydos creates the hype.
Pittsburgh beat Seattle in the Superbowl game. Any idea where these guys are from?

On the Monday of the Expo, the Motorcycle Industry Council held an open meeting of its new V-Twin Committee. The group listens here to a presentation by Tom Austin that focused mainly on noise and emissions.
In the open forum meeting, attendees from the industry were able to ask Austin questions and voice their concerns about various issues that are arising around the country. By all accounts, the meeting was very informative for the attendees.










After co-chairing the MIC V-Twin Committee with Fred Fox for its first year, it was announced at the Cincinnati meeting that Ted Sands of Performance Machine would chair the committee beginning in 2006.






Drag Specialties Magazine
Volume 13 #3

Parts Magazine Index