American-V

23/10/2023

Hopefully, some good news coming soon....

20/12/2022

This a reply to a request from David.

Hi David, Hopefully, to answer your question: The magazine has stopped being printed but the title and company are still live. We, as you may know, changed the format and quality to increase value for money but as we saw with the previous smaller issues the readers are just falling away. Now there could be many reasons for that (we do not think it was the content as Andy has a following but if we are wrong please tell us) but two that we believe are current, 1/ Magazines have had their day and many just do not read them, and 2/ The age demographic for the riders of the machines featured is growing older and a general lack of interest in various guises for the machines featured are no longer of interest. Custom bikes, for example, a very well-known and respected custom builder told me "there is just not the interest any longer for bikes to be custom built and the builders are slowly packing up".. if you add even these two reasons together with the custom builders issues you can start to see where the problems for the magazine lay. Now couple those issues with paper costs through the roof, distribution, and other associated costs, and printing a magazine with fewer and fewer readers is not worth it, in particular, if fewer and fewer are buying it. However, that said we did introduce the American - V club which still offers discounts for readers who joined and we are still considering developing that idea... The elephant in the room is that in 7 years there will be no more V-twin engines anyway as they will as are all ICE engines banned. Sad we know but that is these are issues we are facing. Positives and there are always positives in any situation; V twins will still be around for the foreseeable future so we are seriously looking ta rental packages, travel, and associated opportunities hopefully, we will have a clearer picture in 2023 but would welcome any thoughts from our valued reader base and supporters where or what you would like to see within the "American-V environment...."

13/08/2022

LIMITED APPEAL #3
New generation sport tourer!! How does Indian's liquid-cooled PowerPlus-engined long hauler – the Challenger Limited – stack up in the real world ... well, against Indian's own traditional Roadmaster Limited and Harley-Davidson's CVO Ultra.
Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.
AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips
If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

12/08/2022

LIMITED APPEAL #2
Traditional Thunder Stroke torque monster!! How does Indian's flagship heavyweight – the Roadmaster Limited – stack up in the real world ... well, against Harley-Davidson's CVO Ultra Limited and Indian's liquid-cooled Challenger Limited.
Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.
AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips
If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

11/08/2022

LIMITED APPEAL #1
Moody and Magnificent!! How does Harley-Davidson's flagship tourers – the CVO Ultra Limited – stack up in the real world ... well, against Indian's Roadmaster Limited and Challenger Limited.
Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.
AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips
If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

25/07/2022

You hear many claims about customs being one-offs, and both in concept or visually that is often true, but Rusty has taken it to a new level when it comes to the fabrication of his stunning Sportster-engined one-off

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

24/07/2022

The new Chief Dark Horse tested! We've waited a while for this: a 116-inch Thunder Stroke motor in a new compact chassis. Was it worth the wait?

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

23/07/2022

The UK's biggest coming-together of ridden classics in the hand of those who love and ride them: what's not to like?

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

22/07/2022

Wendy's hard-ridden custom, Black Betty, has been a reliable partner through life's ups and downs, and is Dark Custom personified ... ironic as the Night Train was canned just as the phrase was coined.

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

21/07/2022

It was a new bike at the time, but turns out it was a last chance to see: the revised Chief Vintage Dark Horse – which had already dropped Chief in deference to the steel-framed models – was the old Chief Dark Horse with soft panniers ... and short-lived, but a good bike for all of that.

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

20/07/2022

Peter Penzenstadler is frequently recognised as the man who made Softail chopper frames work properly as Penz Custombikes, and a former workmate has always aspired to own one. This is that bike.

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, like, share or subscribe ... and then tell like-minded friends!

19/07/2022

The PanAmerica tested! The most radical new model out of Milwaukee since the V-Rod, and one that takes The Motor Company in a new direction, as the first of a new generation of bikes.

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

18/07/2022

The first significant show after the country came out of the first lockdown: the weather wasn't brilliant but it could have snowed and people would have turned out in numbers!

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

17/07/2022

Softail Standard tested! A name from the past returns ... in the old SuperGlide role, and until the new Nightster's arrival it was the entry level Harley-Davidson. What does Harley's best value bike deliver?

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

16/07/2022

We talk to Ola Stenegard, the talented custom builder who is now Indian's Head Of Product Design ... not his first time with the company, having debuted in its Gilroy years when he was condemned to building baggers.

This time, he is the force behind the new steel-framed Chiefs.

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct ... and the interview is on our YouTube channel.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

15/07/2022

When Jake picked up this not-a-FatBoy from a bloke who had been mis-sold it as an original, he paid the right money and made it into a year round ride with class.

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

15/07/2022

Apologies for the repeat posts: the Meta Business Suite's scheduler is the worst piece of software that ever got beyond a beta – and the rest of the Business suite sets that bar pretty high – and I don't want to delete anything that has had any responses.

We are making a concerted effort to reach more people on Social – particularly Instagram, having been sold that as the rising platform by an industry specialist, although I remain unconvinced.

Social networking is chucking a tent on the bike of a motorbike and going off to meet people, but then I'm old.

14/07/2022

Harley-Davidson Livewire comprehensively tested!!

Yes, the bike we said we'd never test has got more pages and more depth – there is more to cover – than anything before! Why? Because love it or loathe it – and there are good reasons for both – you need to understand it.

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

13/07/2022

The doctor will see you now: Dr Andy's Fat Boy identifies as a stunning tall and skinny chop.

Full feature in American-V 107, in stores now: see our Social Hub (see profile) for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell your friends!

13/07/2022

Panhead Boris drops in on Wheels Through Time – America's greatest working archive of motorcycling heritage – and pays tribute to its founder Dale Walksler, who died last year.

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

11/07/2022

Scout Bobber Twenty tested! Indian takes the fight to Harley-Davidson in the absence of the Sportster, and isn't found lacking.

Full feature in the massive 276-page American-V 107: in stores now – see our Social Hub (see profile) – for the full list of stockists or to order direct.

AMERICAN-V MAGAZINE: Roadtests – Customs – Classics – Events – Tech – Roadtrips

If you like what we do and the way we do it, tell like-minded friends!

10/07/2022

Because sometimes you need to take life less seriously ...

08/07/2022

Having changed the subscriptions deal, we are now selling our subs offer t-shirts direct, and holding prices at £20

Beautifully printed both sides on comfortable and hardwearing shirts, we have more of the new "Sinday" edition than the older one but only limited stocks of both – unless there is a demand, in which case we can update either – and this link will take you the merchandise sub-section of our updated shop!

https://american-v.cso2w.com/hub/product-category/american-v-merchandise/

06/07/2022

At long last!! The definitive list of stockists ... we are told

The definitive list … I’m told! There is no easy way to arrange this, so I’ve opted for towns followed by the names of stockists. There are far more independents than I was antici…

26/06/2022

Easier to use than ever before and as part of our package of improvements to meet these challenging times, we have completely redesigned the American-V shop and are currently adding everything that we have produced.

That doesn't yet include T-shirts and issues 2-79 of American-V, but it will as time and photography allows – who knew how complicated it would be to find up-to twenty year old artwork and recreate covers and contents pages at a higher resolution to benefit from modern bandwidth?

[for more details, click the link ]

https://american-v.cso2w.com/hub/the-new-american-v-shop-is-open-for-business/

19/05/2022

Did a double-take after filling the left hand tank, and having topped up the right hand side I wondered briefly if the garage pixie had fitted Fat Fobs to the LowRider ... then I spotted how little fuel I'd put in 🤔

Looks like it's gonna be an expensive summer!!

05/05/2022

Apologies for the repeat, but getting my head round what Facebook will allow in terms of Wordpress link to YouTube videos. Don't know if it has the same visibility as posting it direct, and we need to make sure we maximise our visibility at the moment, so assuming that we can upload it here ... 🤔

04/05/2022

For those who are wary of URLs – which really should be all of you, because there are some real scumbags and parasites out there – a word or two about the website address used on links to our Social Hub.

And why do we post to our own Social Hub?

Because the less time I spend on Social Media, the more time I can spend on living. And by posting everything to our social hub, I can share it more widely through Twitter and LinkedIn (that I don't use), Instagram (that I don't understand), and Facebook (that I don't particularly like).

Back to the plot: CSO2W was very nearly the name of the company that would publish American-V (and Spirit of 1901) magazine, when I wrested it from Positive Media.

I didn't want to lose the months of work that Fon and I had put into the Social Hub but I didn't own the American-V and Spirit1901 domains, and couldn't guarantee that I'd be able to get them without a protracted fight. So I needed somewhere to transfer everything, surreptitiously, and that needed a domain. And all the good names were taken.

I could have taken american-v.net, but in reality there was no guarantee that I would be allowed to take American-V with me when I told Positive Media that I was leaving, and so needed something that could host other magazine names, if push came to shove.

And that was CSO2W.com, or Cool S**t on 2 Wheels.

As it happens, Positive Media knew that they couldn't produce American-V if I wasn't there – nobody else would be stupid enough to work for the money they were paying me (long story) – so I didn't have to fight for the original domains, but the work had all been done, so CSO2W stayed ... and remains.

03/05/2022

Yes, we have got a lot of work to do, catching up with ourselves on the Social Hub – we’ve been a little distracted, getting the magazine out, moving the website to a new host, and working out how best to promote ourselves … hence this!

As promised in the attached video ...

Yes, we have got a lot of work to do, catching up with ourselves on the Social Hub – we’ve been a little distracted, getting the magazine out, moving the website to a new host, and working ou…