Rick's Motorcycles - 30th Anniversary
'Rick's Days' April 26-28, 2024
Text & Photos: Horst Roesler 'Motographer'
The smell of rubber was hanging over the quiet, respectable and historic Black Forest township of Baden-Baden in southwestern Germany in April. The reassuring aroma of Big Twin burn-outs with a hint of BBQ!
A rousing 30th anniversary party weekend - the annual 'Rick's Days' - celebrated a custom-built custom emporium that has influenced and helped shape the German and wider international custom motorcycle market, right the way through and ever since the halcyon days of the German 'Fat Rear End' boom and the 'Single Sided Swingarm' revolution.
Patrick 'Rick' Knörzer started out manufacturing disc wheels, and the machining and assembly halls initially housed his burgeoning custom parts engineering and heavy-duty custom bike building enterprise.
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| Rick's Motorcycles-built 'Hellfire' is one of Custom Chrome Europe's 2024 "Bolt On And Ride" bikes. At Rick's Days 2024, the bike saw extensive riding and filming for the "30 Years Rick's Motorcycles" documentation. |
Awards and accolades fueled Rick's reputation and Rick became an 'influencer' long before the contemporary meaning of the concept.
'custom creativity'
His reputation was strong and his fame so widespread that Rick's Custom Motorcycles became one of the first and few aftermarket businesses that 'walked the walk' as well as 'talked the talk' when it additionally became Harley-Davidson Baden-Baden in 2011.
The architect-designed 'emporium of excellence' has been the home of so many innovations and hallmarks of the European custom design oeuvre that did much to solidify the 'Made in German' hallmark that floated all boats where demand and appreciation for German custom parts design and engineering was concerned.
An engineer in the automotive industry by training, his love of motorcycles eventually swallowed the career, the 'day-job', and now, 30 years on, when it comes to TÜV-approved "Made in Germany" custom parts of the highest quality, the 'Rick's' brand is one of the market-leading hallmarks - there, famously, has been 'Euro-Style', there has been 'German-Style', but there is also a genuine 'Rick's-Style'.
Something that has been designed well, looks like it hasn't been "designed" (as such) at all - it just 'looks right', and innovative simplicity with bomb-proof reliability and quality have been those hallmarks.
"A latest example are Rick's recently launched new "Clubstyle parts," says custom motorcycle 'Meister' Horst Roesler. "They offer superior function along with a great and convincing interpretation of the 'Clubstyle look', with sophisticated easy-installation features.
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| Six years in the making, Rick's Motorcycles' Turbo Monster. |
"Custom Chrome Europe's 2024 'Bolt on And Ride' bike 'Hellfire' has many of them installed and was presented and 'ridden hard' by (and filmed) enthusiastic admirers at Rick's Days 2024.
"The three-day event saw several thousand visitors crowd through the showroom and the Rick's Custom Motorcycles workshops that were given a rare public opening. Several eye-catching Rick's customs were showcased, but the center piece was the world premiere of Rick's 'Double Turbo' M-8 monster!
'Emporium of Excellence'
"With engine internals prepared by Bernd Kramer, and turbo system adaption and mapping on Rick's in-house dyno, this bike takes the concept of a 'muscle bike' to a completely new level! The Rick's dyno mapping specialists, aided by special-made pistons, two turbos and massive intercooler, have already recorded 300 hp in the engine. The craftsmanship is outstanding, even for the already high level that Rick's Motorcycles is known for - a top performer, fit for marking 30 years in the business!
"Hungary-based stunt professional Erdös Csabas and his team performed four outstanding stunt shows and Rick's partners present included V-Team handlebars, KessTech and Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde, all handing over presents for a long-time partnership with Rick's Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson Baden-Baden. The Harley demo rides, all 2024 models 'Ready to Rock', were busy all weekend.
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| Patrick Knörzer, Founder |
"In 30 years, Rick's Motorcycles has witnessed many trends and styles and has still managed to design and manufacture 'timeless' design parts which not just fit all those style: they have been adapted and refreshed through three decades of customizing - and are still as young as if they had been introduced last week!"