"BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc. (HDI.N: Quote, Profile, Research) opened its first authorized dealership in China on Saturday amid hopes its rumbling bikes will strike a chord with wealthy Chinese. But the Wisconsin-based company has acknowledged ownership curbs on motorbikes in most Chinese cities could mean a slow journey in the fast growing nation. "We're taking a long-term market perspective with China," David Foley, who oversees the firm's China operations, told Reuters Television on the sidelines of an opening ceremony. "We're going to be focusing on developing our brand here and continuing to develop the distribution and the dealer network," he said. The new dealership would sell a variety of Harley models, offer training for would-be bikers and organize events, Harley said in a statement. Harley, whose bikes have become an icon in America, first unveiled plans to set up the Beijing dealership last month. The company has said its long-term China strategy is to address riding restrictions over time and to help develop a leisure-oriented motorbike market as consumer buying grows." Read more on Google News and don´t miss Harley-Davidson China web.

"It appears another custom motorcycle company has entered the Ducati turned Chopper market. A company called Leipers Fork Choppers has not only built a new Ducati based chopper but also is selling the parts individually according to their online website store. The whole chopper craze isn’t really my thing, but I still think it’s pretty sweet that someone it thinking a bit beyond the standard Harley or Indian arena. Props to Leipers for that… And they’ve got some sweet photos too…"

"On the Discovery Channel's Web site for its Biker Build-Off show, it offers biographies of the garage rats who've assembled the custom choppers that are all the rage these days on educational cable television. Most all the bios tell where they're from, how many bikes they produce per year and offer a link to the builder's Web site, though some also list their celebrity clientele. One designer boasts ties to Hulk Hogan and a member of Aerosmith. Another custom built a motorcycle for Brad Pitt, and George Clooney and Shaquille O'Neal own bikes too."

"Imagine, Harley lovers, what you would do with a brand new "Hawg," delivered right to your door? More specifically, what would a group of Texas A & M Engineering students do with a brand new Harley-Davidson? They cut in half and that's no Aggie joke. Jamal Moharer of Tyler began the task of cutting this machine right in half. He's helping his son and a group of A & M ... "