AMD 141 April 2011 by Dealer-World

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OVER 5,000 CUSTOM BIKE PHOTOS ONLINE AT WWW.AMDCHAMPIONSHIP.COM

New 1200cc Sportster Custom sees launch of Harley’s new H-D1 customer options program ARLEY-Davidson has introduced its new H-D1 factory customization program with the launch of the new 1200 Custom. This is the second mid-model year new launch, following the debut of the Softail-based Blackline. This new initiative allows customers the opportunity to choose from seven option categories to optimize fit, function and style at the dealership at the time of purchase. Customers have the option to select a choice of factory-installed wheels, handlebars, seats, paint, foot control position, security system, and engine finish. The black powder coated 1200cc Evolution engine with chromed covers used in the 1200 Custom is fitted with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), and is claimed to produce 79 ft. lbs. peak torque at 4,000rpm. The 16 x 3in chrome, five-spoke cast aluminum wheels fitted to the bike are a new design created specifically for the 1200 Custom and further features

include a front-end that runs new polished wide triple trees to allow the fitment of a 130-section Michelin ‘scorched’ front tire. Along with the wider triple trees the front end features 39mm forks with 30 degrees of rake and re-tuned suspension rates to match the new tire/wheel combination. Under the H-D1 program customers have the option to change the wheels (to black five-spoke cast aluminum with machined highlights, chrome laced, or black laced), the handlebars can be swapped for drag bars or mini apes, the forward controls can be changed to polished mid-mounts, the two-up seat can be substituted for a solo seat, engine covers can also be changed, and Harley-Davidson’s Smart Security System can be specified as well as paint options. The H-D1 factory customization tool is available on Harley-Davidson.com, where customers can view the bike they are creating as different options are selected and then print out a description of the bike and take it to a

Harley-Davidson dealer to review the motorcycle with the dealership sales staff, and place an order. Delivery from the factory of each H-D1 customized bike is expected to be less than four weeks depending on demand. H-D1 factory customization will be available only through HarleyDavidson dealers in the United States and Canada. The principle behind the H-D1 program is neither new, nor is it rocket science. The aftermarket has seen several attempts at something similar projects from Hard Bikes and Dar Holdsworth (Brass Balls Choppers and Bobbers) come to mind especially. Indeed whether 'brand-programmed' or not, similar opportunities have been available, to a greater or lesser extent, from several OE's before - not least from some of the Japanese manufacturers' metric cruiser offers. Indeed it could be argued that the Screamin' Eagle program itself has, in effect, offered much of this thinking at point-of-sale for years.

APRIL 2011 ISSUE #141

V-TWIN EXPO

2011 Review PRODUCTS

Continued on page 80 >>>

THUNDERBIKE Due to the success that winning the 2009 World Championship brought him Dave Cook was unable to build a bike specifically for the 2010 Championship but was able to enter a Norton built for a customer. Full story p68

AMD •• AMD •• AMD

APRIL 2011 (#141)

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ROBIN BRADLEY robin@dealer-world.com

News ..............................................................................6-11, 80

PUBLISHER

Showzone: V-Twin Expo ................................15-22

SONJA WALLACE sonja@dealer-world.com

This year's 11th annual V-Twin Expo at Cincinnati

ADVERTISING ASSOCIATE MARY BETH CROWE

will turn out to have been the most important

marybeth@dealer-world.com

yet if demand grows this year ...

EDITOR

Showzone: ‘Industry Picture’ - class of 2011 ....26-27

DUNCAN MOORE duncan@dealer-world.com

Once again the AMD booth became the place to be on the Sunday

INTERNATIONAL EDITORS

afternoon at the V-Twin Expo when the magazine gathered

HORST RÖSLER motographer@t-online.de

the industry ‘faces’ together for its annual photo call

FRANK SANDER frankthunder1@aol.com

Products: The new, the best and the must-haves ....................................32-51

AL FRANCK al@dealer-world.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER BEN OAG ben@dealer-world.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION EDITOR TOM JACKSON tom@dealer-world.com INFORMATION MANAGER NEIL BLABER neil@dealer-world.com PUBLISHING MANAGER BEN BRADLEY benb@dealer-world.com ACCOUNTS MANAGER

Roland Sands Design p.32

Sumax p.41

Heel Guard p.49

EMMANUEL DI BONA emmanuel@dealer-world.com MERICAN AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE MOTORCYCLE DESIGN DESIGN

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DESIGN

Chapman House, Chapman Way, Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 3EF, GB

Showzone: Swiss Performance ..................................55

TEL: 0044 (0)1892 511516 FAX: 0044 (0)1892 511517

to take place being the Swiss Performance show. A first for the affiliate program at this show

DISCLAIMERS No part of AMD may be reproduced or used in any way without permission. The views contained in AMD are not necessarily the views of the publishers. Every effort is made to ensure that all material included is as accurate as possible, however the publishers cannot be held responsible for any erroneous statements, facts, figures or mistakes. All trademarks, brand names and other key words are used purely for descriptive purposes. No approval, endorsement of, or involvement in the contents of AMD is implied by the use of these or any other words, names or marks associated with all or any companies. All trademarks acknowledged.

‘World Championship of Custom Bike Building’ is a registered trademark of Robin A. Bradley, Dealer-World.com

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This year’s World Championship affiliate program is now underway with one of the first events was the win being taken by a streetfighter, built by Streetfighters Switzerland of Interlaken

Showzone: Euro Bike Fest....................................56-59 The four event series of shows that make up the first annual East European Championship of Custom Bike Building has begun with events in both Poland and the Czech Republic

Showzone: Dubai Bike Week ......................................60 Proving the truly international reach of the World Championship affiliate program, Dubai Bike Week, the largest motorcycle event in the Middle East, has become the latest event to send the winner of its custom show to the World Championship in Sturgis

TOLL FREE… FROM USA/CANADA: TEL: 1-866 849 5704

FAX: 1-866 521 0099

If for any reason you can’t connect via our toll free numbers then dial TEL: 01144 1892 511516 - Fax: 01144 1892 511517 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

COMMENT

Thank you for letting me be in the motorcycle custom parts and accessories industry o get a sense of the jumping-off point for what I have to say this month, you should really read the piece that accompanies our photo-review of vendor news from this year’s V-Twin Expo, to be found elsewhere in this edition of AMD Magazine. If you haven’t already done so, give that a read first, then (assuming you are still awake!) check-out the news on the cover this month about Harley’s H-D1 custom parts program.Then, as even more of a scene-setter, cast your mind back. Do you remember me banging on about ‘motorcycles of character’ a few times over the past couple of years? If not, it is a simple idea, and goes something like this. In the 1970s and 1980s the Japanese big four re-invented the street-bike ownership and riding experience as well as rider opportunities and expectations, as a result of their superior design and manufacturing technology. The Japanese superbike (and ultimately hypersports) revolution shaped the industry for some 30, 35 or even 40 years. Against this background the American, British and wider European motorcycle manufacturing industries came close to extinction and whole generations of riders came to be in awe of the extra bhp being squeezed from annual new model updates, of the extra mm of wear they could squeeze from their kneesliders, of the miles of plumbing and stacks of sensors concealed beneath the acres of plastic. If that sounds like a tired and jaundiced summary of 40 years of Japanese motorcycle hegemony, then that’s because it is. Forty years is a long time in consumer trend terms and that sense of ennui is what has caught out the big four during this recession, and in the most dramatic ‘what goes-round, comesround’ turn of the wheel of fortune, guess who now is basking in the warm glow of market appreciation? American, British and other European manufacturers, that’s who! And why are Harley, Triumph, BMW and Ducati the major gainers in sales, market share and brand status over the past three or four years? Because in an era when customization has taught consumers to want more, to want something different from their ownership and riding experiences, in an era when speed cameras, radar traps, bad road conditions, bad traffic conditions and ever more regulatory interference have made that extra half a bhp feel increasingly like poor emotional and financial return on leisure dollar investment, it is Harley,Triumph, BMW and Ducati who have been providing the riding product that offers the most individuality and the most rewarding experiences. I heard Rob Lindley, the Managing Director of Harley-Davidson Europe, refer to the trend as the emergence of “a premium market”, an excellent form of words with which to encapsulate the changes that have taken place. In among the shows I have visited since last Fall, I have had no end of opportunity to hear anecdotal evidence of this shift coming from all quarters; including, in some cases, from hard-pressed Japanese brand national import subsidiaries and distributors.

However, the overwhelming common denominator between all the trends and evidence, anecdotal as well as empirical, is the extent to which customization through parts and accessories programs and options packages is moving center stage as the principal channel through which the thirst for enhanced individuality and rider experience is being expressed. While that might not sound like rocket science, to us in the V-twin aftermarket, it is a new development for it to have become as mainstream as it has, and for virtually all the OEs to be eyeing P&A as the most important way in which they and their dealers add balance sheet value, and make for themselves a happy and enthusiastic supply of brand-captured customers. Against this quantum shift in the motorcycle industry’s center of gravity are to be found reports of the demise of parts and accessories businesses of all kinds, including shows and magazines, exaggerated well beyond the scale that Mark Twain famously woke up to one morning! The cycles that the motorcycle market and parts and accessories aftermarket have been through in the past seventy years have always resolved themselves, with certain truisms as valid now as in the past. Namely that the market for the enjoyment of the two wheel lifestyle continues to grow; and over the long term more people are buying more motorcycles. Also, the volume and value of parts and accessories consumed by the ever-growing number of riders who are doing an ever-growing number of miles has also continued to increase. What we have all endured in the past two years or more is a recession. Not the first one most of us have faced, and probably not even the worst one, but nonetheless the principle of a downturn is not ‘new news’ for us. What we have NOT experienced is the end of motorcycling. It may have felt like it at times, and we have certainly seen the death of one era of riding and the emergence of another, but that emergence is the very ‘proof-of-life’ that makes being in the motorcycle parts and accessories industry at this time a very interesting place to be. From being an industry that was all about selling motorcycles (and, oh yes, by the way, there are a few additional bits-n-pieces you can buy and use later), the next 20 years is going to see our industry become primarily a ‘bits-n-pieces’ market where it is the parts and accessories, options and upgrades packages themselves that define the motorcycle product and consumer satisfaction, rather than the bikes themselves.

enhanced individuality and riding experience

Robin Bradley Co-owner/Editor-in-Chief robin@dealer-world.com

NEWS

MIC elects Board of Directors FOLLOWING the announcements of the final results of the 2011 Motorcycle Industry Council Board of Directors election Steve Johnson, Don Emde and Frank Esposito are joining the 2011 Board of Directors. The three Directors, who will be representing aftermarket/allied trades members, will serve a two-year term which expires in 2013. Newly elected Director Steve Johnson, President and COO of Tucker Rocky Distributing, will join re-elected Directors Frank Esposito, President,

Kendon Industries and Don Emde, owner and President, Don Emde Productions, on the 12-director board, six of whom are elected and six who are appointed by OEMs. “As we continue our focus on reviving the powersports industry in 2011, we look forward to the vital perspectives offered by both our new and returning Directors,” said Tim Buche, President and CEO, Motorcycle Industry Council. “We are excited to gain Steve’s valuable insights from his many years at Tucker Rocky

Frank Esposito will be serving two > years on the Motorcycle Industry Council Board of Directors following the 2011 Board of Director elections

Distributing, a leader in aftermarket distribution and long-time member of the MIC.” The remaining three elected Directors, who will serve one more year of their two-year term that expires in February 2012, are Eric Anderson, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Motorsport Aftermarket Group; Mark

Blackwell, Vice President-Motorcycles, Polaris Industries and MIC Chairman Larry Little, CEO, The Little Group. www.mic.org

Former H-D Sales Manager joins ATK Motorcycles FORMER Harley-Davidson Sales Manager Jon Syverson has been named by ATK Motorcycles as its new Executive Vice President. In his new role Syverson will take responsibility expanding ATK’s presence in the V-twin market. “We’re excited to welcome Jon to our expanding group of tried and tested motorcycle people,” said ATK President Frank White. “At ATK we clearly understand

< Jon Syverson has been named the new Executive Vice President at ATK Motorcycles

that in order to successfully market our V-twin motorcycles we must maintain a balanced relationship with both dealer and rider. We must clearly

understand our customer’s needs, and act to provide appropriate motorcycles… areas that Jon will be able to help us with greatly. “I met Jon some 20 years ago at the Motor Company when he managed a great team who specialized in military, police

and related fleet sales,” White added. “Jon has a proven history of performance, which resulted in a commanding market share during his tenure at Harley-Davidson.” ATK MOTORCYCLES Centreville, Utah, USA Tel: 801 298 8288 Fax: 801 299 0710 E-mail: sales@atkusa.com www.atkusa.com

MAG launches Powersports University MOTORSPORT Aftermarket Group (MAG) has launched a new online initiative to provide dealers and their personnel with on-the-job training on the latest products and trends in the motorcycle aftermarket industry – the Powersports University (www.powersportsu.com). Whereas normal technical training requires employees to be out of the shop, the Powersports University online facility has been created to enable staff to learn without missing

work. PowersportsU.com will offer brand-specific, online, interactive training to more than 10,000 dealers and 1,000 manufacturer and distributor sales representatives in the motorsports industry. MAG created Powersports University for industry sales representatives and dealership employees to become more knowledgeable in the key product

areas including suspension, exhausts, wheels, controls, seats, custom accessories, and more. Training courses already up and running include Performance Machine, Progressive Suspension, Renthal, and Vance & Hines. Additional courses are being posted, while interactive video training is expected to be online later in the year.

MOTORSPORT AFTERMARKET GROUP Irvine, California, USA Tel: 949 440 5500 Fax: 949 440 5501 www.powersportsu.com

NEWS

H-D backs dealer network-routed 2011 Hoka Hey Challenge THE organizers of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge have announced that HarleyDavidson will provide marketing and promotional support for the 2011 Challenge. The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge will run in August of 2011, starting at Phoenix, Arizona, and travel through all 48 contiguous States and Canada to Nova Scotia along a route that will cover over

10,000 miles. The event is open to all riders of HarleyDavidson motorcycles, with entrants able to ride the entire route, or segments. Each rider will have the opportunity to designate a selected ‘home Harley dealership’ when enrolling. The home dealers of the top five finishers will be eligible for

awards and recognition alongside the riders. There will be fifteen check points along the route located at HarleyDavidson dealers where participants must check in as they ride the route. In addition to being an event sponsor, Harley is exploring hosting a check point at their museum in

Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “We’re excited about what the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge represents to our riders,” said Steve Piehl, Harley-Davidson Director of Customer Experience. “The new direction of being more about a personal test of touring endurance, where rider and machine stretch the boundaries of long-distance touring, appeals to us. HOKA HEY MOTORCYCLE CHALLENGE Mesa, Arizona, USA Tel: 480 649 1071 info@hokaheychallenge.com www.hokaheychallenge.com

H-D refines and improves dealer retail sales software HARLEY-Davidson’s CONNECT, the Motor Company’s own dealership customer relationship management (CRM) system, has recently been improved to offer greater benefits to the dealerships using it. Following the sign-up of an increased number of dealers taking on software licenses, H-D now says that CONNECT is the largest CRM system supporting its dealers. CONNECT has been designed to help Harley-Davidson dealers manage their relationship with their customers, from the first meeting through to purchase, and was developed by the Motor Company with the help of its dealers to meet their exclusive needs. In recent months more enhancements and features have been added to the system to help authorized H-D dealers achieve vehicle sales results, including outbound e-mail capabilities, automated pre-sale

follow-up activities, multi-sales process templates, and the ability to import customer and sales opportunity data from any existing CRM system into CONNECT. Among the changes that have been made to CONNECT over the past year is the work done by Harley-Davidson Dealer Systems to provide a seamless integration between CONNECT and TALONes (Harley-Davidson’s dealer management system). The change has been made to eliminate duplicate entry of customer data and sales

information and allows dealers to have all their customer information in one location to create sales quotes and sell motorcycles much more easily. Additionally, the changes allow outbound e-mail capabilities, automated presale follow-up activities, multi-sales process templates, and the ability to import customer and sales opportunity data from any existing CRM system into CONNECT. “Harley-Davidson is committed to providing the best CRM system for our dealers,” said Jeff Merten, Vice President and General Manager, North American Sales. “We know we have an excellent resource available in CONNECT. Our goal is to implement CONNECT throughout the HarleyDavidson dealer network to ensure that we’re providing our dealers with everything we can to make them

successful when it comes to customer relationship management.” The Motor Company states that its dealers who use CONNECT experience many benefits, including direct access to Harley-Davidson-qualified leads, sales process tracking and autopopulated follow-up activities, all of which enhance the sales process. CONNECT dealers who have been on the system for at least six months are also claimed to be performing better than the rest of Harley-Davidson’s network in new motorcycle sales and customer satisfaction survey scores. www.harley-davidson.com

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

NEWS

MAG Connection signs on as World Champs Partner FRANCE-based European V-twin and custom aftermarket parts and accessories purchasing group MAG Connection has become the latest business to sign up as a sponsoring Official Partner to AMD's World Championship of Custom Bike Building. Established a decade ago, MAG Connection provides authorized and independent dealers and performance specialists throughout Europe with an own-language and local currency online ordering and freight consolidation service that allows them to buy from the inventory of many of the market's primary distributors and manufacturers in the United States and elsewhere. The fast growing line-up of vendors that MAG Connection connects dealers with includes the likes of Drag

Specialties, MID-USA Motorcycle Parts, V-Twin Manufacturing, Biker's Choice, Midwest Motorcycle Supply/Ultima, S&S Cycle, DNA Specialty, Storz Performance, Heartland USA, Ride Wright Wheels, Platinum Air Suspension, Kustomwerks, RC Components, Trask Turbo Systems, MC Advantages,Tech Cycle and many more. CEO Phil Boulay said of the decision to associate MAG Connection with the World Championship program: "Like many we have seen the program become an internationally respected

and important part of the custom motorcycle industry and we are proud to be able to associate the unique service we provide for dealers and vendors with the World Championship program. That ‘unique’ service allows dealers to make single delivery, single invoice and single payment orders through single contact access direct to the inventory of MAG Connection’s suppliers. Giving dealers access to best price or best availability ordering from over 1,000,000 part numbers. www.mag-connection.com

High End/Airhawk new product link-up HIGH End Products (the manufacturer of the Danny Gray line of motorcycle seats) and Airhawk have announced the formation of a new joint venture, High End Seating Systems. The new venture has been created to “produce premium, custom design seating

with the comfort of Airhawk’s shape-fitting technology. “Since we launched the Airhawk family of products for motorcycles in 1997, we’ve received tons of positive testimonials on its effectiveness” said Steve Peyton, Director of Airhawk

sales. “So now we can take the product-line to a new level”.

www.highendseats.com

www.airhawk.net

Polaris sees continuing increase in Victory Motorcycle sales POLARIS Industries, the parent company of Victory Motorcycles, reported record net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 at $54.5 million, an increase of 24 percent over the same period in 2009. “2010 was an exceptional year for Polaris. Not only did we deliver record sales and earnings, but we gained market share in all of our businesses and grew sales in every region of the world.” stated Scott Wine, Chief Executive Officer. “In addition to our record financial performance,we made several strategic investments in the business during 2010 that position us for future growth,

including investments in China, Brazil and India, and a small powertrain acquisition in Europe. Also, our manufacturing realignment project, announced in mid-2010, is on track to begin production in our new Monterrey facility by mid-2011. The company says that sales of Onroad Vehicles (which primarily consists of Victory motorcycles) increased eight percent during the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009.Victory North American unit retail sales to consumers increased 15 percent during the 2010 fourth quarter when compared to 2009, resulting in continued market share gains and retail

sales growth for the fifth consecutive quarter. Consumer demand appears to remain strong for Victory’s new touring models, the Cross Country and Cross Roads and the Company recently introduced the Victory High-Ball, a custom cruiser aimed at younger riders. North American dealer inventory of Victory motorcycles declined 30 percent in the 2010 fourth quarter compared to 2009 fourth quarter levels.

www.victorymotorcycles.com

Three Months ended December 31

Twelve Months ended December 31

Product line sales

2010

2009

Change

2010

2009

Change

On-Road/ Victory Motorcycles

20,640

19,139

81,624

52,811

55%

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

SHOWZONE

The market was understandably nervous as it prepared for the 11th annual V-Twin Expo. Would this be last? Would the market be better this year? Would any dealers turn up? Which vendors would be missing? Attendees will have left Cincinnati with more questions than answers, but January reports of better parts and accessories demand appeared to also be reflected at the show. Will this be sustained over the full year? Words by Robin Bradley robin@dealer-world.com

S the industry gathered for the fourth consecutive V-Twin Expo being staged in the face of market atrophy, there was much speculation about the viability of the show, and about the viability of the market it serves. Last year having been less than special for most dealers and vendors when compared to the equally less than special two or three years that preceded it, the greatest surprise about this year’s show was that it was only some 15 percent down in terms of exhibitor numbers. A fact that no doubt owes more to the gloriously irrational enthusiast-led nature of our market than to normal business expectations, and that also contains within it the answers to the questions being posed. The show, like so many dealerships and vendors, may not be making the money that it did at the peak

Pics by Duncan Moore duncan@dealer-world.com & Neil Blaber neil@dealer-world.com

of the market five or six years ago, but those who speculate that the time may have come for the two tribes of the American motorcycle market to recombine their trade show activities underestimate Easyriders, underestimate the nature of the V-twin market, and overlook the history that resulted in the split into two shows in the first place. eports from Indianapolis two weeks later were as mixed about the activity at Dealer Expo as they were, to be fair, about V-Twin Expo. Some exhibitors of my acquaintance have told me they thought that ‘Indy’ this year was good, with a hard-core of dealers who meant business; equally though, other exhibitors I know, notably from the hard parts and accessories market, or with product lines in the metric as well as V-twin markets, were less impressed. Way less impressed. While there may be a growing head of steam behind the idea that the two market sectors re-

combine their trade show activities, do not expect it to happen any time soon. ollowing V-Twin Expo I have picked-up some negative perspectives from some exhibitors about, above all, the nature (rather than number) of the attendance, but that flies in the face of the overwhelming ‘vibe’ I picked up while at the show. The exhibitors I had contact with were, mostly, pleased with the enquiries they got on their booths, pleased with the nature of the visitors they met, and, perennial debates about show hours and the Monday aside, re-assured by the positivity they encountered from visitors and fellow exhibitors alike. Of course the big question is whether, unlike last year, the market’s sales will sustain meaningfully beyond mid-May.

Continued on page 22 >>>

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

SHOWZONE

RENEGADE WHEELS: Former OCC star Paul Teutul Jr., who now has his own shop Paul Jr. Designs, has launched a line of custom wheel designs manufactured and marketed by Chuck Frederick (left), owner of Renegade Wheels; www.renegadewheels.com

ARLEN NESS ENTERPRISES: Another major new product year for the Bay area legends, with accessories and performance components added following a year that saw dealer sales grow as the business weathered the downturn by offering products that hit the market's consumer sweetspots; www.arlenness.com

KIBBLEWHITE PRECISION MACHINING: The market leading valve-train specialist saw sales increase lest year as engine tuning and refurb work kept dealer workshops busy. Offering access to a complete KPMI system, from valves and guides to springs and retainers. The company also offers a custom manufacturing service and combines racebred rocket-science with real-world streetable durability and value; www.kpmivalvetrain.com

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

REVOLUTION PERFORMANCE: Added to the Drag Specialties distribution program 18 months ago, Revolution Performance has enhanced its line-up of Big Bore Kits with the RP Precision, an EMS kit that the company says is “the industry’s first fully integrated dynamic tuning control unit”. The company recently announced its availability for ‘08 and up TBW models, including 2011 tourers; www.revperf.com

AVON GRIPS: The leading motorcycle grips specialist recently unveiled a great looking lew program of ergonomically shaped designs that are tuned to the dynamics of rider movements under braking, acceleration/deceleration and gear changing; www.avongrips.com

CUSTOM CHROME: Recent additions to the firm’s vendor programs include products from James Gaskets and Fat Baggers in the United States and additions to the Santee line, such as an updated ‘Bonanza Bar’ design by Germany’s Fred Kodlin. Their new catalog is due out any time soon and March will have seen the company host dealer shows in California and Germany at which their latest custom bike shows will hold center stage; www.custom-chrome.com

DRAG SPECIALTIES: With their state-of-the-art European warehouse now coming online and sales reported to be enjoying a ‘bounce’, according to some of the firm’s sales representatives, Drag Specialties put their V-Twin Expo focus firmly on product with vendor staff manning product displays and answering dealer questions; www.dragspecialties.com

SHOWZONE

ENERGY ONE CLUTCHES: The Californian replacement Harley clutch plate specialist had a huge response at V-Twin Expo to its own version of a ‘stimulus package’, with a ‘three clutch kits for the cost of two’ special for the first 100 dealers to order at the show; www.energyoneclutches.com

NAMZ CUSTOM CYCLE PRODUCTS: Author of the ‘How To’ series book ‘Advanced Custom Motorcycle Wiring’, Jeff Zielinski’s NAMZ styles itself as the custom market’s “one stop electrical shop” and originator of the stainless steel wiring harness. Now in their 12th year in business, the company offers ready to install kits, DIY kits, custom or OEM Harnesses, stainless or copper braiding, battery cables, braided oil & fuel lines, AMP, Delphi-Packard, Deutsch, Molex & JST connectors, terminals and tools for American-made V-twin and metric motorcycles. Namz is also a popular OEM manufacturer of wiring harnesses and electrical components, selling to dozens of companies in the motorcycle industry; www.namzccp.com

T-BAGS: Founded in 1990, the Californian luggage specialist continues to add to its cruising and touring product lines. A new 'Heritage' windshield bag has been added for this year, adding to the flexible and creative options offered for secure, ergonomic, durable and high capacity loadcarrying; www.t-bags.com

KEWLMETAL: The Prescott, Arizona custom accessory specialist offers a wide range of options, from a state-of-the art lights program to fairings, and from mirrors, clocks and touring trunks to a modification and welding-free Road King front end conversion kits based on 13 degree triple trees that allow 26 inch wheel installs; www.kewlmetalstore.com

KLOCK WERKS: Recent new products from the Mitchell, South Dakota based family of salt-crazed performance addicts include updates to their award winning 'Flare' windshield designs and new 'Tire Hugger' front fender applications. Regrettably there is no known cure for 'Bonneville Blight' once it gets into your DNA, but Brian Klock and his team do have cures-aplenty for stock bagger-blight syndrome!; www.kustomcycles.com

WEIMER ORIGINAL DESIGNS: Showcased by Lucas Oil, Battle Creek, Michigan based Don Weimer’s handbuilt ‘Revelation’ is a 1973 Triumph Bonneville 750 with motocross and hillclimb influences that proved a show stopper, winning admiration from all who took the time to really see it; www.weimeroriginaldesigns.com

FREEDOM PERFORMANCE EXHAUSTS: This year sees the California-based manufacturer adding new slip-ons and True Duals to its range of Dresser exhaust options; www.freedomperform.com

RAMPAGE WHEELS: Seen here co-exhibiting at V-Twin Expo this year with bagger specialist Russ Wernimont (www.russwernimont.com) and Metalsport Wheels (www.metalsportwheels.com), wheel industry veteran Wendell Smith backs his billet wheels with a two-year chrome warranty and “lifetime structural guarantee” on all 20 designs and choice of finishes; www.rampagewheels.com

MID-USA Motorcycle Parts: Following their warehouse move in St Louis last year, several sales personnel changes, and Johnny Stdko's purchase of the business some four years ago, MID-USA is weathering the downturn well and emerging from what has been a challenging time for all distributors with new product line additions aplenty and a sense of renewed vigor and confidence; www.mid-usa.com AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

SHOWZONE

BELT DRIVES LTD:The past 36 months have been tricky for all belt drive and driveline product manufacturers. However, that hasn't stopped BDL from continuing to add successfully to its product line and develop its presence in the brakes market following its acquisition of GMA; www.beltdrives.com

AVON TIRE: This year sees the British-based tire manufacturer celebrating 100 years in the motorcycle tire business. By appointment to Royalty (literally, and to Arlen Ness), Avon told AMD that 2010 was a good year for their custom tire sales, a hopeful sign for the year ahead for everybody; www.avonmotorcycle.com

K&P ENGINEERING: Cleanable, reusable and environmentally friendly performance proven high-tech stainless steel micronic oil filters that look great and deliver durable and reliable results; www.kandpengineering.com

HELMET CITY: The Florida-based helmet specialist recently introduced a new line of ‘Glitter’ solid color painted ABS open-face shells featuring a “plush comfort liner” and 3 snap visor; www.helmetsales.com

SHOWZONE

S&S CYCLE: The Wisconsin based manufacturer has followed up the timely launch of its economical and logical 'Four Step Performance' program last year with further extensions to options for the growing retro performance and custom community. The KN-Kone is a 93-inch knucklehead-style top end with an alternator crankcase engine for 1970-1999 frames; the KN-74 is a generator knucklehead style engine; and for a totally 'old-school' project, S&S now has 80-inch UL style cylinders available for 1937-1941 UL 80 inch engines, mating with S&S own UL heads, or as upgrades to 1937-1948 74-inchers; www.sscycle.com

RUSH RACING: Among the company's extensive line of slip-on mufflers for Motor Factory applications are options for trike applications; www.rushracingproducts.com

NATIONAL CYCLE: Recent new product introductions from the Maywood, Illinois-based manufacturer include the new ‘Stinger’, a precision formed aerodynamically tested dark tinted Lexan polycarbonate screen that installs and removes “in seconds” using National Cycles’ acclaimed Quick Release Mount Kit, is hard coated for scratch resistance, and specified for durability and a free-flowing design; www.nationalcycle.com

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

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VANCE & HINES: The California exhaust specialist is now to expand its manufacturing capacity by moving sportsbike exhaust manufacturing (initially) to the Vance & Hines Motorsports facility near Indianapolis, following the acquisition of the previously independent Terry Vance and Byron Hines business by V&H Exhausts parent company MAG. Meanwhile, the company is making a massive investment in the promising XR1200 race series, with an extensive new product and fitment program has been unveiled for 2011, including the ‘ThrottlePak’, a lag-free TBW application throttle management extension to its FuelPak branded line of electronic motorcycle management and tuning options; www.vanceand hines.com

RIVERA PRIMO: Recent new product introductions from the California based manufacturer and distributor include Brute IV Extreme belt drives, including open tourer fitments and slimline narrow profiles, complete 4to-6-speed conversion driveline kits for shovelhead style swingarm frames 1970-1984, the stock-friendly Rivera TPP variable pressure clutch assist for Rivera Pro-Clutches, and a complete chain drive basket assembly with 46 tooth sprocket, Pro-Clutch and 106 tooth ring gear for all 2007 and later Big Twins; www.riveraprimoinc.com

JAYBRAKE: Jay Brainard has developed a new set of forward controls for Bagger models that offer a total of 4in of fore and aft adjustment to suit riders large and small alike, and that also allow the brake and shifter pegs to be moved; www.jbrake.com

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

FEULING PARTS: Luke Leatherman and the team at Fueling Parts have done an exceptional job of building on the W3, oil pump and performance legacy bequeathed by the legendary Jim Fueling a decade ago. The product line that they have developed now includes oil coolers, cam support plates, 'Reaper' branded camshafts, complete camchest kits, 'Beehive' branded valve springs, breathers, seals, gaskets, engine fasteners, lifters, pushrods and speciality tools; www.feulingparts.com

SUPERCHIPS: Tom Bennett, Division President, holds the Teresi Prize – Innovative Product Award from the Easyriders V-Twin awards ceremony which the company won for its Vigilante V-twin Tuning System. Having previously concentrated on automotive products Superchips has now turned its attention to the V-twin market and has fuel controllers available for the entire range of H-D platforms; www.superchips.com

BIKER'S CHOICE: Parent company Tucker Rocky report strong growth throughout the downturn for their Harley-Davidson aftermarket and custom V-twin parts, accessories and performance subsidiary. The emphasis has remained on doing the simple things well, according to sector Director Richard Schafer. "Fill rates, inventory and service levels are what dealers need and with a common sense approach and regular strategic additions to our product line, independent and authorised Harley dealerships alike are telling us that our no-nonsense approach is exactly what they need from a distribution partner in these times”; www.bikerschoice.com

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HEARTLAND USA: Recently added to the range of make-over custom kits by the California stock Harley conversion specialist is a complete 240 rear tire ‘Dynamite’ package for Dyna Wide Glides from 2006 to 2011; www.heartlandbiker.com

RIDE WRIGHT WHEELS: Sam Wakim launched a new line of wheel designs at the V-Twin Expo. The centers are machined out of regular blanks and then two new center pieces are machined that allow for a combination of chrome and powdercoat finishes, and an almost unlimited range of designs; www.ridewrightwheels.com

LYNDALL RACING BRAKES: No, its not a bust! This Cincinnati Police Officer really did take time out from patrol duties to discuss his Harley brakes with Paul (left) and Rick; www.lyndallracingbrakes.com

TRASK PERFORMANCE: From its origins as a performance and tuning garage in his native New Zealand, ten years on and Nick Trask has developed his now Arizona-based business into one of the fastest growing Harley performance operations, specializing in patent pending Turbo designs and kits for V-Rods, Dynas and Softails; www.traskperformance.com

<<< Continued from page 15

While there are specific examples of businesses that have continued to increase sales through the downturn, most, of course, have not and the sense of reassurance about the months ahead that most left Cincinnati with last year had evaporated for many vendors by the summer. Some vendors struggled to make it through the second half of 2010 and many arrived at Cincinnati in February this year needing to have a very good show, needing to see 2011 deliver some semblance of market stability at the very least, and needing to see a rapid return in consumer confidence; one that would equally rapidly translate into demand for product. oing into the show this year, I and many other observers had started to detect possible signs of better market conditions. Vendor reports in January in particular were definitely better than a year earlier. Personally though, having found my hopes for 2010 dashed against the rocks of continuing consumer mistrust of the economic world they inhabit, I wasn’t in the mood to set great store by such reports. Indeed it has taken a lot in terms of market reaction at Cincinnati and since, and at other shows I have attended before and after V-Twin Expo, for me to come round to what appears to be the generally recognized view, that we are past the bottom of the ‘U’ curve. Easyriders Events, through Jim and Meredith Betlach and Reaction Management, did a great job in shaping the show in the context of the available exhibition space at the Cincinnati Exhibition Center, and in terms of sustaining the opportunity that the

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

market needs. What remains to be seen is whether the show will have contributed to shaping a better market for 2011 and, ultimately, can or will return to growth. With overall attendance this year about level (maybe a tad up) compared to 2010, as far as I am concerned the case remains proven for the V-twin industry to have its own trade expo opportunity. It seems to me that there is more for the market to gain from sustaining its identity and recognizing its specialties than there is from allowing itself to morph back into one idiosyncratic side-show of the mainstream. t is inconceivable that the downturn will have resulted in loss of all the growth that we’d seen prior to the downturn, so it is inconceivable that what was a good decision 12 years ago doesn’t remain so now. Back in 2001 when the first V-Twin Expo was staged, it occupied around a third of the space it currently uses. So what if the market has expanded and contracted in that time? The fact remains that far from being a side-show to the mainstream, the Harley and V-twin markets have grown up into a mainstream of their own. With Harley profits and sales about to start to rebound, and with Harley themselves now preaching the gospel of ‘cookie-cutter bad, individually accessorized good’ louder than ever before, and with there still being more bikes in circulation than ever before, with more riders just ready and waiting to do more miles than ever before, then as far as I am concerned it is a case of God bless Joe Teresi, Jim

Betlach and their teams for staying the course. Now is NOT the time for the Harley aftermarket and custom V-twin parts, accessories and performance industry to blink. y way of a final word on the subject, and while the cynics will (technically correctly) say that it doesn’t mean a thing, as if in readiness for the speculation that they perhaps sensed was headed their way, this year Easyriders events went into V-Twin Expo with the dates for each of the next three years already planned. I agree, much can change and much can be changed, even if provisional facility contracts have been agreed, but it struck me as a serendipitous move to make such an announcement. The dates were printed on a nice V-Twin Expo mouse-mat that Jim Betlach managed to persuade Joe Teresi to dip into profits to pay for – and ‘Saint Joe’ isn’t big on meaningless pieces of promotional BS. So, for the record, here are the planned dates for V-Twin Expo XII, XIII and XIV …

2012 – February 4, 5, 6 2013 – February 2, 3, 4 2014 – February 1, 2, 3

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2011 V-Twin Award winners NCE again the Cincinnati V-Twin Expo played host to the Easyriders Excellence in Motorcycling awards on the Saturday evening of the show. The ceremony, presented by Easyriders Editor-in-Chief Dave Nicholls, began with the announcement of the Motor of the Year, which went to S&S Cycle for its KN-Kone Knucklehead style engine. Scott Sjovall, S&S VP of Product Development and Flathead Power product line manager, accepted the award on behalf of the engine manufacturing company. Rick Ball, owner of RC Components, accepted the award for the Wheel Designer of the Year for his company’s new Zenith wheel. The 2011 Tech Product of the Year was accepted by Dave Sulecki, Market Segment Manager and Dave Fussner, R&D Manager of Wiseco Performance for the fuel management controller produced by the business, which is celebrating 70 years in the industry in 2011. Nicholls then called BDL’s President, Steve Yetzke to the stage to accept the New Product of the Year trophy for the BDL EV-600 2in belt drive for Softail applications, which features a ball bearing lock-up clutch. The Accessory of the Year award went to J&M Corporation for its ‘Rokker’ motorcycle sound system. nigma’s CAOCS Continuous Airflow Oil Cooling System, which the company had on display at the V-Twin Expo, was named as the Value Product of the Year, with company founder and designer of the CAOCS, Erik McMillan, receiving the award. Unusually, the Motorcycle Design of the Year award did not go

Zach Ness (left) and Greg Brew, Head of Polaris Industrial Design, jointly accepted the Custom Production Bike award for the Zach Ness Signature Series Victory Vegas

to a motorcycle this year, but instead went to the Trike Shop’s Roadsmith trike conversion for Harley-Davidson models. Mike Roland of Küryakyn received the Performance Product of the Year award for Küryakyn’s ‘The Perfect Storm’ collection of bolt-on performance parts. he Teresi Prize, Innovative Product Award, which carries $100,000 of advertising in Easyriders magazine, went to a company that is new to the motorcycle industry; Superchips. The company, which has been making fuel controllers for automotive applications for many years, has now turned its attention to Harley-Davidsons with the introduction of its Vigilante V-twin tuning system. It was a double celebration during the award ceremony for HarleyDavidson with the Motor Company receiving the trophies for both the

Mike Roland accepted the Performance Product of the Year award for Küryakyn’s ‘The Perfect Storm’ bolt-on performance parts collection

Sportster 48, named Cruiser of the Year, and the Road Glide Custom, named V-Twin Bike of the Year. Completing the bike award line-up was the naming of Victory’s Zach Ness Signature Series Victory Vegas as Custom Production Bike. Zach was accompanied to the stage to accept the trophy by Greg Brew, Head of Polaris Industrial Design, the man responsible for the design of the motorcycle, which Zach added his personal touch to. ark Finnie’s work bringing Performance Machine back to being one of the industry’s premier wheel and brake manufacturers since he took on the role of company president was recognized when he was named Industry Leader of the Year. Paul Yaffe’s work in establishing the Bagger Nation brand was rewarded when he was Industry Trend-Setter of the Year for that operation. Bagger

Dave Sulecki, Market Segment Manager (left), and Dave Fussner, R&D Manager at Wiseco, receive the Tech Product of the Year award for the company’s fuel management controller

Nation is run by Yaffe in addition to his Paul Yaffe Originals business and specializes in parts and accessories for Touring models. Allen Alvarez’s many years on the road representing Dayton Twin Tec at both trade and consumer events was acknowledged when he was presented with the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award during the evening’s celebrations. The evening’s presentations were drawn to a close with a new category for 2011 – the Keeping the Faith Award. Christine and Bob LePera Jr. accepted the award in honor and memory of their late father Bob LePera, the founder of LePera Enterprises.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

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OW into its sixth year, the Annual AMD ‘Industry Picture’ was captured for posterity on the Sunday afternoon of the V-Twin Expo. As the 4 o’clock deadline approached, more and more of the great and good of the V-twin industry made their way to the AMD booth; so many, in fact, that it took five minutes of shuffling in order to fit everyone into the shot!

Once completed, the hard work began as we endeavored to put names to faces. While we do our best to remember everyone we meet at all the shows and events we attend, we weren't able to identify everyone in this year's picture before our print deadline. Sorry to anyone present without a credit, and please let us know so we make sure to include you next year.

‘INDUSTRY PICTURE’ - CLASS OF 2011 1. Sukoshi Fahey (Avon Tyres)

18. Howard Stubbins (GH Marketing)

35. Ken Ciocci (Spectro Oils of America)

2. Gere Clark (James Gaskets)

19. Hector Melendez (Daytona Twin Tec)

36. David Miller (Spectro Oils of America)

3. Christine LePera (Le Pera Enterprises)

20. Johnny Stdko (MID-USA Motorcycle parts) 37. JJ Handfield (Spectro Oils of America)

4. Cheryl Preisler (Khrome Werks)

21. Ben Kudon (Rivera Primo)

38. Mike Perderson (Andrews Products)

5. Delores Sobel (Helmet City)

22. Jim Preisler (Khrome Werks)

39. Paul Gomez (National Cycle)

6. Elaine Mixon (Helmet City)

23. Wayne Pingel (Pingel Enterprise)

41. Dave Perewitz (Perewitz Cycle Fabrication)

7. Sonja Wallace (Dealer-World)

24. John Parham (J&P Cycles)

42. Jim Longo (Karat Enterprises)

8. Gary Maurer (Kustoms Inc)

25. Allen Alvarez (Daytona Twin Tec)

43. Mike Tomas (Kiwi Indian Motorcycles)

9. Jeff Najar (Biker Pros)

26. Rob Hassay (RacePro Motorsports)

44. Mike Taylor (Barnett Performance Products) 65. Kenny Price (Samson Motorcycle Products)

10. Anne Willey (National Cycle)

27. Lee Chapin (Inside Line Sales/Marketing)

45. Lee Wimmer (Wimmer Custom Cycle)

11. Donna Pingel (Pingel Enterprise)

28. Bob LePera Jnr (Le Pera Enterprises)

46. James Simonelli (Baker Drivetrain)

12. Caroline Goss (Andrews Products)

29. Cory Ness (Arlen Ness Enterprises)

48. Philippe Boulay (MAG Connection)

13 Jill Parham (J&P Cycles)

30. Carolyn Tomas (Kiwi Indian Motorcycles)

49. Ton Pels (Zodiac International)

14. Arlen Ness (Arlen Ness Enterprises)

31 ‘Skeeter’ Todd (OCC Motorcycles)

51. Josh Nairn (Heartland)

15. Marilyn Stemp (Ironworks Magazine)

32. Mike Kamalian (Revolution Mfg)

53. Jeff Wells (SuperTrapp Industries)

16. Ron Paugh (Paughco Inc)

33. Gerard Voilque (MAG Connection)

55. Frank Farrer (Tech Cycle)?

17. Dale Berg (Goodridge USA)

34. Tom Seymour (Saddlemen)

56. Lonny Spiva (Custom Cycle Engineering)

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

57. Rick Whitehead (Custom Cycle Engineering) 58. Keith Terry (Terry Components) 60. Vincent Pels (Zodiac International) 61. Buzz Dyer (Cycle Shack) 63. Jake Winters (Heartland) 64. Charlie Hadayia (Biker’s Choice)

66. Nick O’Kane (K&N Engineering) 67 Ken Mendelson (CV Performance) 68. SteveYetzke (Belt Drives Ltd) 69. Joe Phillipson (Adjure Inc) 70. Joe Mielke (Klock Werks) 72. Joe Distefano (ACCEL/Pro Riders Marketing)

SHOWZONE

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

PRODUCTS

Ultima introduces more belt drives ULTIMA has expanded the number of applications its range of open belt drives can be used on. Ultima 3.35in belt drive kits are now available for Softails and Dynas and fit with both Evo and Twin Cam engines. The aluminum backing plate used in the belt kits is Billet 6061-T6 and there is the option of four designs of outboard supports. The 2in Ultima belt drives are available with optional quarter guards, and Softail Twin Cam application will be added to the range shortly. MIDWEST MOTORCYCLE SUPPLY Pevely, Missouri, USA Tel: 636 931 3200 Fax: 636 931 3300 E-mail: midwest@midwestmc.net www.ultimaproducts.com

Shifter trim rings ELECTRAEON is now producing shifter trim rings which cover the rubber spacer between the downshift lever and primary case. The US-made rings, which are CNC machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum and chrome plated, are available in smooth and ball mill groove styles for all HarleyDavidson touring models from ‘99 – ‘10.

RSD Moto footpegs

ELECTRAEON Henderson, Colorado, USA Tel: 303 435 7421 E-mail: sales@electraeon.com www.electraeon.com

KNOWN as a GP racer, Roland Sands is also an accomplished motocross rider and has drawn upon the styling of dirt bikes for the inspiration of the Roland Sands Design Moto footpegs. The new RSD pegs are a direct replacement for H-D male mount pegs and fit both driver and passenger pegs using stock hardware. Offered in a choice of black anodized or chrome finishes, the CNC-machined billet aluminum pegs are available as either straight male mount pegs or 45-degree male mount pegs. ROLAND SANDS DESIGN La Palma, California, USA Tel: 714 228 8481 Fax: 714 228 8468 E-mail: info@rolandsands.com www.rolandsands.com AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

PRODUCTS

Wheels and tanks from Paughco PAUGHCO is offering a line of 80-spoke wheels for direct fit and custom use. Front wheel packages include a 21 x 2.15in for use with ’89 - ‘99 single disc brake forks. All are supplied complete with Timken bearings ready to install. tubeless tire applications. Paughco has taken some of its tank designs and given them dished sides, to create a look reminiscent of custom tanks of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. They are fitted with bungs for cam-style caps and late model 22mm petcocks and are available in four capacities; 3, 3.5, 4.5 and 5 gallons. Rears come in 8.5in and 10in and carry three late model sealed bearings – one on the brake side and two on the pulley side (3⁄4in ID and 1in ID bearings included). They are also supplied with larger 2.20indiameter spigots for 2000-up brake rotors and belt pulleys, and rears are sealed in the spoke wells for

PAUGHCO Carson City, Nevada, USA Tel: 775 246 5738 Fax: 775 246 0372 E-mail: info@paughco.com www.paughco.com

Spectro Oils’ Z-Clean chain lube SPECTRO’S newest product introduction is its Z-Clean chain lube, described by the company as ‘doing more of what you want done, and less of what you don’t’. Spectro claims the zinc formulation used in Z-Clean provides unsurpassed anti-wear protection, with the result of longer chain and sprocket life. However, the formulation is said

to not attract dirt, sand or grit. Spectro’s Z-Clean is suitable for O-ring and roller type chains, both for on-road and offroad use. SPECTRO OILS OF AMERICA Brookfield, Connecticut, USA Tel: 203 775 1291 Fax: 203 775 8720 E-mail: jjhsells@aol.com www.spectro-oils.com

Unknown Choppers’ X-Line frames and rollers UNKNOWN Choppers’ newest frame is the X-Line, which features an arched backbone that goes through the down tubes to the bottom of the neck. The frames, which are made in-house from 1.25in DOM seamless tubing, can be ordered for rigid or rubber mount Sportster drivetrains and with custom rake, stretch, rear tire size and many more options. The X-line is also available from Unknown Choppers as a roller, complete with front end and wheel package.

The frames and rollers are supplied with an MSO. UNKNOWN CHOPPERS, INC. Garland, Texas, USA Tel: 469 274 1802 E-mail: sales@unknownchoppers.com www.unknownchoppers.com

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

PRODUCTS

New products from Baker Drivetrain BAKER has created a range of new parts for 2011, which it launched at the annual V-Twin Expo. The first new piece is the company’s Tin Type Primary (TTP), available in starter or kick only applications. The cover replicates the look of a ’36 – ‘64 tin primary but is constructed from 6061-T6 aluminum to facilitate ’70 – ‘84 Big Twin alternator motor case compatibility.

The Stash Tube by Baker fits all Knuckle, Pan and Shovelhead generator right-side / alternator left side style motors Nine two-sided Kevlar clutch plates are used in the Shovelhead splined clutch from Baker

The Tin Type Primary available in starter or kick only applications, replicates the look of a ’36 – ‘64 tin primary but is constructed from 6061-T6 aluminum

The internal redesign on the TTP utilizes stock style double row primary chains (428 chains) along fine tooth and L-bracket chain tensioner. However, the chain oiler feed and return provisions mimic the original primary set-up to allow users to run stock Shovelhead dry clutch components or leave it plugged off to run a wet clutch set-up. The TTP utilizes the ’55 – ‘64 noncompensator style motor sprockets and the starter version is set up for factory 1.4kw ’90 – ‘06 starters. Primary drive configurations are 24-tooth motor sprocket, 37tooth clutch sprocket, and stock 82 pitch primary chain, for a 1.54 primary reduction.A 24-tooth motor sprocket is maximum size that fits within the TTP. The TTP is available bead blasted raw or fully show polished. Continuing the Shovelhead theme, the Baker Shovelhead splined clutch (’70 – ’84) is based on the company’s nine-plate clutch used on ’90 onward applications and fits in the stock primary housing and TTP. Baker offers 8620 gear steel 35-, 36-, 37-, and 38-tooth clutch sprockets with their clutches, to tune

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

the overall gear ratio. The splined clutch comes with or without a 66T starter ring gear.The one-piece 66T starter ring gear and kick only clutch basket is made out of 1145 steel, induction hardened to 45-55 Rockwell C scale. Nine two-sided Kevlar clutch plates are used and are claimed to deliver holding power for up to 125 ft-lbs of continuous use. 6061-T651 aircraft grade billet aluminum is used for the pressure plate, which is hard anodized for durability. Following on from last year’s release of its fourspeed for ’36 – ‘84 models, Baker has now created

a jockey top cover to accompany it. Like the company’s ratchet top, the jockey features a ball bearing detent for smooth and positive shifts. Made from aircraft grade 6061-T6 billet aluminum with hidden vent and sealed shift shaft, Baker claims the top cover is leak free. The Jockey top cover is available in FL / FX shift patterns, and in blasted raw, wrinkle black or polished finishes. Completing the range of new parts launched at the V-Twin Expo is the company’s Stash Tube. Made from 6061-T6 billet aluminum it is supplied with a screw-on top and a .200in thick O-ring for a watertight seal. The internal diameter is 2.5in and it is 4in deep. Stash tubes are offered in raw or black finish with highlighted fins and fits all Knuckle, Pan and Shovelhead generator right side / alternator left side style motors. BAKER DRIVETRAIN Haslett, Michigan, USA Tel: 517 339 3835 Fax: 517 339 4590 info@bakerdrivetrain.com www.bakerdrivetrain.com

Baker Drivetrain’s Jockey top cover is available in FL / FX shift patterns, and in blasted raw, wrinkle black or polished finishes

PRODUCTS

Cruise-Mate for Indian Motorcycles CRUISE-Mate has released a version of its lever operated throttle control / cruise assist designed specifically for Indian motorcycles. The control is operated by the rider’s thumb to set the throttle where they want it, and the throttle can still operated with Cruise-Mate set. It is manufactured from solid stainless steel with the exception of the handle, which is die-cast zinc with either black powdercoat or chrome plating (hand-polished stainless steel version handle is solid stainless).

Mikuni MK Pulse fuel pumps

CRUISE-MATE Bellingham, Massachusetts, USA Tel: 877 642 3722 E-mail: thomas.m.lane@comcast.net www.cruise-mate.com

SUDCO is now offering the Mikuni MK Pulse fuel pump, which employs an engine’s fluctuating crankcase pressure when running to pump fuel from a remote gas tank to a carburetor. For custom motorcycle applications the Mikuni MK Pulse fuel pump allows builders to place the fuel tank in any location, and not just in the conventional position where a gravity is used, without the need for an auxiliary electric fuel pump. SUDCO INTERNATIONAL Commerce, California, USA Tel: 323 728 5407 Fax: 323 728 8060 E-mail: sudco@sudco.com www.sudco.com

Rivera Primo PowerDrive 6 transmissions RIVERA Primo has updated its line of Primo PowerDrive 6 transmissions, which it originally introduced four years ago. The latest addition is a chrome plated six-speed to fit ’93 – ‘98 Touring models and is finished with a black wrinkled oil pan and a billet aluminum oil fill spout that accepts the stock filler cap. Two versions of this transmission are being offered; a standard offset for stock bikes and rear tires using a 5⁄8in swingarm pivot shaft and a 1⁄2in offset for customs with wide tires, utilizing a 3⁄4in pivot shaft. Both options feature a 32-tooth final drive pulley, close ratio 2.94:1 first gear; second gear 2.21; third

gear 1.60, fourth gear 1.23; fifth gear 1.00, 0.860:1 overdrive sixth gear, and forged and back cut gears. All Rivera Primo PowerDrive 6 transmissions are supplied with a two-year unlimited mileage replacement guarantee. RIVERA PRIMO Whittier, California, USA Tel: 562 907 2600 Fax: 562 907 2606 E-mail: info1@riveraprimoinc.com www.riveraprimoinc.com

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

PRODUCTS

Morris billet Magnetos MORRIS Magneto has released a redesigned version of its billet magneto. The new version has the body machined with dimples to make it resemble an old Fairbanks-Morse type motorcycle magneto. Additionally, the coil screws in the front are fake, since in this version the coil is held in internally. After machining, the body is finished to make it look sand-cast.

Mustang Tripper Fastback MUSTANG’S latest addition to its range of Harley-Davidson seats is the one-piece Tripper Fastback. The seat, which fits ’97 and onward Road King, FLHT, FLHX and FLTR models, is said to offer good back support for the driver. The seat tapers at the back, yet is said to still provide good passenger comfort on short journeys. MUSTANG MOTORCYCLE PRODUCTS Terryville, Connecticut, USA Tel: 860 582 9633 Fax: 860 585 0407 E-mail: info@mustangdealer.com www.mustangdealer.com

Morris Magneto has a version of its billet magneto which has been redesign to mimic the look of a Fairbanks-Morse type unit

Morris Magneto has also responded to requests from its customers, and in a move away from its V-twin traditions, has introduced the highperformance Model YXS magneto for use on the Yamaha XS650, a model which is now proving popular among custom builders.

Morris Magneto has expanded beyond its traditional V-twin offerings and is now producing a magneto for use on the Yamaha XS650

As with V-twin versions of the company’s magnetos, this new option runs the engine independently of the 12-Volt electrical system. No wiring is required, the unit is bolt-on, and no modifications are necessary. It mounts on the left side of the cylinder head inside the points cavity, and does not interfere with the spark plug. On the right side, the drive mechanism fits under the stock advance unit cover. The magneto itself creates high voltage from strong rare-earth magnets, and is CNC machined from 6061-billet aluminum. MORRIS MAGNETO Morristown New Jersey, USA Tel: 973 540 9171 Fax: 973 605 8910 E-mail: info@morrismagneto.com www.morrismagneto.com AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

PRODUCTS

Samson Powerflow III 2-into-1 SAMSON’S newest introduction is its Powerflow III 2-into-1 exhaust line. Now into its third generation, the Powerflow

series is claimed by Samson to be the most powerful 2-into-1 ever made. The new system uses a series of chambers, called the ’Power Chamber’ by Samson, to help condense and intensify exhaust flow with the result being a claimed increase in horsepower and torque.

SAMSON MOTORCYCLE PRODUCTS Brea, California, USA Tel: 714 518 2480 Fax: 714 518 2466 E-mail: info@samsonusa.com www.samsonusa.com

Sumax work with S&S on engine finishes SUMAX is now working with S&S Cycle to offer a new finish on a choice of three of the company’s engines. The company is now able to offer two versions of the new S&S T111 for ‘99-‘06 Harley-Davidson Big Twin applications. The first version is called ‘Black and Chrome’ and begins with Sumax deburring the motor cases in preparation for a high gloss black finish. The heads and cylinder fins are

Sumax powder-coat the S&S T111 in black for its black and chrome finish option

Candy Red Monochromatic over a silver base is one of the powder-coat finish options offered on the S&S T111

The S&S KN-Series is powder-coated black with silver highlights on the fins by Sumax

polished along with the S&S logo for a contrast against the black finish. Then the oil pump, cover, lifter blocks and intake manifold are also powdercoated.Additionally, chrome rockers, pushrod covers, intake and nose cone are powder-coated. The second version, ‘Candy Red Monochromatic’, sees the cases, heads and cylinders de-burred and polished prior to the powder-coating, with a silver metallic base coat followed by a candy red top coat. The final engine in the range is the S&S KN-Series, which resembles a stock knucklehead. With this model Sumax powder-coats the fins a silver that contrasts against the Solar flat black powder coat. The same effect is then done with the kidney nose cone cover. Silver coated rocker bolts and the S&S logo on the air cleaner cover add more contrast.

SUMAX Oriskany, New York, USA Tel: 315 768 058 Fax: 315 768 1046 E-mail: info@sumax.com www.sumax.com AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

PRODUCTS

Drag Specialties expands product range DRAG Specialties has expanded its own label product line with the introduction of a programmable mini electronic speedometer with integrated odometer/tripmeter. The units are programmable with any sending unit that sends 3,000 to 90,000 pulses per mile, and feature a polished 1.87in or 2.4in diameter stainless steel housing with a black or white face. The display is backlit by 12v LEDs and the digital odometer has two resettable trip meters. A remote singlebutton switch is included that allows easy changing between odometer and trip meter. The Drag Specialties electronic speedometer is compatible with all ’95 – ‘03 OEM sensors and most aftermarket sensors, and a matching tachometer is available separately. A second addition to the company’s own line of products are the new Touring oval mirrors. The chrome-plated, die-cast mirrors feature a big 51⁄4in x 31⁄4in oval mirror head fitted with convex glass. They are sold in pairs in a choice of styles; Radius, Slot, Slayer and Flame.

The Touring Oval mirrors from Drag Specialties are offered in a choice of four styles

The synthetic fuel/oil line from Drag Specialties can be ordered in 1 ⁄4in, 5⁄16in, 3⁄8in or 1⁄2in diameters

Drag Specialties exhaust wrap is available in 1in or 2in widths and a choice of black or tan

Alongside dress-up items for H-Ds, Drag Specialties also caters for service needs. Among the service items carried by the company is its own brand fuel/oil line. The US made synthetic line, with a reinforced design and smooth-bore interior that’s fuel- and oil-resistant is available in 1⁄4in, 5⁄16in, 3⁄8in or 1 ⁄2in diameters in lengths from 2ft to 25ft. Drag Specialties also carries its own range of heat wrap kits for exhaust pipes. Each kit includes 1in or 2in fiberglass cloth wrap in 25ft lengths, for heat insulation up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and four 14in locking stainless steel ties.The kits are available in black or tan.

Drag Specialties’ programmable mini electronic speedometer features an integrated digital odometer/tripmeter

DRAG SPECIALTIES Janesville, Wisconsin, USA Tel: 608 758 1111 Fax: 608 758 4677 E-mail: drag@dragspecialties.com www.dragspecialties.com

PRODUCTS

Cardo Turn-Out style heel guards Systems launch Scala Rider Q2 MultiSet PRO HEEL Guard now has Turn-Out style heel guards for H-D’s ‘09 and later Heritage Softail Classic (finished in chrome) and Softail Cross Bones (black powder coat finish). Once fitted to a bike, the Heel Guards prevent the rider’s boots from scuffing the bike’s exhaust, while retaining full use of the footboards. All Heel Guards are manufactured from steel.

CARDO Systems has introduced the Scala Rider Q2 MultiSet PRO, the latest addition to its range of wireless Bluetooth enabled helmet headsets. “Our original Scala Rider Q2 quickly became the global standard for motorcycle headset communications devices,” said Abraham Glezerman, CEO of Cardo Systems. “With our new PRO unit, we have developed an improved intercom system that offers ample range with crystal clear audio.” The Q2 MultiSet PRO provides uninterrupted biketo-bike and passenger-to-rider communication through an intercom headset system. The technology used allows simultaneous talking between two parties, and with its advanced multidevice connection technology, users can independently place mobile calls, listen to integrated FM radio, or MP3 music and also use the device as a person-to-person intercom. GPS device interactivity is included, and riders can receive GPS voice instructions through the headset without having to manually perform any operations. Audio features of the Q2 MultiSet PRO include noise canceling headphones and AGC technology, which automatically adjusts microphone volume based on the amount of ambient noise. Embedded Packet Loss Concealment lets the system compensate for lost audio in real time, giving riders clear conversations, while the built-in VOX technology allows riders to accept or reject calls through voice commands. The dual speakers are designed to be compact for maximum driver fit and comfort.

HEEL GUARD Wisdom, Montana, USA Tel: 406 689 3102 Fax: 406 689 3176 E-mail: info@heelguard.com www.heelguard.com

CARDO SYSTEMS Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Tel: 412 788 4533 Fax: 412 788 0270 E-mail: sales@cardosystems.com www.cardosystems.com AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

PRODUCTS

Evo cam cover quick change kit JAMES’ latest gasket set has been designed to speed up cam changes on Evo motors. Supplied as a complete kit, each package includes all the necessary gaskets, O-rings and seals to remove and install the cam cover.

The cover gasket is 0.036in thick and features a steel core with high density gasket paper and rubber bead on both sides. The gasket kits are designed to fit ’93 – ‘99 Evolution style Big Twins. JAMES GASKETS Dayton, Nevada, USA Tel: 775 246 2220 Fax: 775 246 2235 customerservice@jamesgaskets.com www.jamesgaskets.com

Lehman Signature Series CrossBow LEHMAN Trikes has expanded its Lehman Signature Series of machines with the introduction for 2011 of the Victory Vision based CrossBow SS. The CrossBow SS features the benefits of the latest Victory motorcycle such as the linked braking system and the new transmission with a claimed 66 percent less drivetrain lash and helical-cut gears for quieter running, as well as 4.7in of rear suspension travel with the OEM airadjustable shock retained. In addition to the features on the standard CrossBow, the 2011 CrossBow SS gains muscle car inspired cobalt blue and white paint work, reverse gear as standard and John Lehman signature billet wheels. LEHMAN TRIKES USA, INC. Spearfish, South Dakota, USA Tel: 605 642 2111 Fax: 605 642 1184 sales@lehmantrikes.com www.lehmantrikes.com

PRODUCTS

SuperTrapp and Kerker Stout 4in slip-ons SUPERTRAPP is entering its 40th year of exhaust manufacturing with the introduction of Stout slipons under both the SuperTrapp and Kerker brand names. SuperTrapp and Kerker Stout 4in slip-ons all feature chromed bodies and a newly developed core. The non-tunable mufflers are supplied with a streamlined, internal tapered, billet aluminum end cap with recessed fasteners comes pre-installed. The SuperTrapp Stouts’ tapered core is minimally louder than stock for ’10 – ’11 FLH models, and the muffler provides a 9.3hp and 14 percent torque gain over stock. A more traditional core is used on the Kerker Stout 4in slip-ons, which provides more mid-range rpm up through redline with a strong power curve from midrange on up with a 9.6hp and 12 percent torque gain over stock. Louder than the SuperTrapp version, Kerker Stouts are 97dB (5dB) over stock. Both the SuperTrapp and Kerker Stout slip-ons are offered in two versions to fit ’95 – ’09 FLH and FLT models and ’10 – ’11 FLH and FLT bikes. SUPERTRAPP INDUSTRIES Cleveland, Ohio, USA Tel: 216 265 8400 Fax: 216 265 0130 E-mail: sales@supertrapp.com www.supertrapp.com

The Kerker Stout 4in slip-ons are said to offer a 12 percent torque gain over stock

A claimed increase of 9.3hp is possible with the SuperTrapp Stout slip-ons

Swiss Performance Swiss-Moto Zurich, Switzerland February 17-20 2011

Urs Wisler (left) and Andy Guntern will put their Triumph Speed Triple streetfighter up against the air-cooled V-twins at Sturgis this year

Staged annually at Switzerland’s SwissMoto expo, this was the second year that Ruedi Steck’s ‘Swiss Performance’ was an AMD World Championship affiliate event … HIS was Ruedi Steck’s 11th annual ‘Swiss Performance’, and co-staging it at Switzerland’s annual four-day SwissMoto exhibition takes the custom message to a record total show attendance of 69,000 visitors.

Ruedi Steck has ‘salt fever’! After four trips to Bonneville, Ruedi has joined the ranks of those who dream of the ultimate prize and is planning a streamliner project to go after the motorcycle land speed record

Llunatica Benicassim, February 3-6 2011

The Swiss market remains relatively small, but it is remarkable for the popularity of motorcycles in general on a per-head of population basis, and is one where Harley-Davidson can proudly point to number one status in market share terms, with a 9 percent growth in 2010 (over 2009) giving them 21 percent of the 650+cc market in Switzerland, and putting them ahead of BMW and Honda. Although a heavily regulated market, the net effect of years of tight controls has been to drive the market’s customizers towards ever greater design ingenuity and engineering quality, with predictable effects on their achievements at international custom events. Last year’s winner ‘Energicer’, by Swiss customizers Ronnie Stoecklin of Speed Dept. A.G., and Radja Stritzko of Mayhem Kustomz, went on to

score 10th place at Sturgis in 2010, so this year’s much anticipated event had pedigree in terms of the quality of custom bikes that it attracts. This year saw a breakthrough for European streetfighter styling, with the first ever World Championship affiliate win being taken by a streetfighter. The Urs Wisler and Andy Guntern (Streetfighters Switzerland of Interlaken, www.streetfighters-switzerland.com) Triumph speed triple wears its customizers passion for streetfighter design and performance at every angle of its superb, muscularly angular lines and will now take its place alongside the air-cooled V-twins at Sturgis this summer.

In early February, the Llunatica Custom Show took place at Benicassim in southern Spain, the fourth year the competition has been affiliated to the World Championship of Custom Bike Building. This year saw an increased number of bikes entered, and a range of classes expanded to include Freestyle, Modified Harley, Metric, Chopper,

Bobber, Streetfighter, Home-Made and Rat Bike. Winner of the Freestyle class and the Best in Show title was Sueca Iron Performance Cycles with “Walk On”, who beat 2009 Faro winner and fellow European Championship competitor Malicia Indigena, with No Stock Bikes third. Winner of the Modified Harley-Davidson class and Best in Show runner-up was Adolfo Calles of Madrid-based shop Bonneville Motorworks, with Fin Customs’ “Montjuic Series” taking the Metric class win and Best in Show third place. The Best in Show winning competitor gets a 5,000 euro contribution towards expenses of competing at the 8th annual World Championship of Custom Bike Building in Sturgis on August 7-10.

Jose Ferrer of Sueca Iron (center) with Best of Show runners up Fin Customs (left) and Adolfo Calles of Bonneville Motorworks (right)

ASSOCIACION LLUNATICA BENICASSIM, SPAIN www.llunatica.org

Pic credit: Fernando Ibañez www.objetivocruel.com

www.swissperformance.ch

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DESIGN

CUSTOM FESTIVAL 2011, Katowice, Poland February 11-14 2011

BOHEMIAN CUSTOM BIKE, Prague, Czech Republic, March 3-6 2011

Good crowds and quality bikes see the first annual East European Championship of Custom Bike Building up and running with successful events in Poland and the Czech Republic as the four event series of National Custom Championships heads towards the regional ‘Big Lake Customs’ final at Euro Bike Fest in Moravia, Czech Republic May 19 – 22 HE European and World Championship programs started to attract high quality custom bike projects from the former Soviet-dominated Eastern European states right from the get-go. A proto-builder community started to emerge in Eastern Europe quite quickly after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the liberation of countries such as Poland, Czechoslovakia (as was), Hungary, Slovenia and elsewhere. That there had always been huge passion for motorcycling behind the ‘Iron Curtain’ had never been in doubt. However the decades of isolation and statism that suppressed individuality and enterprise have largely air-brushed the historic role that Eastern Europe played in the emergence of the international motorcycle industry from the record’. Between the wars there were dozens of motorcycle brands being made in what is now the Czech Republic, and in the 1950s (in particular) the passion for performance and racing there and in the

The winners at Katowice, Poland in February

^ Milan Slaba and the team from MS Tuning backed up their second place in Poland with a Best In Show win at Prague Marek Mickiewicz > of BT Chopper in Poland took Best In Show at the Poland National Championship and second at the Bohemian Custom Bike show in Prague, Czech Republic

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

former East German Republic, and the famous (and sometimes infamous) contributions of East German, Czech, and Polish engineers and racers did much to create the cheap transport two-stroke motorcycle industry and, ultimately, provide the expertise that allowed Japanese manufacturers, most notably Suzuki, to get a foot-hold in motorcycle manufacturing. For so-long deprived of access to markets and materials, the innate craftsmanship and genius of Eastern European engineering embraced the opportunity to re-engage with two wheels just as quickly as freedom permitted. Though economics mean that still to this day custom engineers there are making their way in an only slowly developing commercial environment, a proto-builder community has emerged and started to establish itself with the showcase events of the European and World Championship programs providing the much needed international platform and opportunity for recognition that emerging talent needs. Eastern European and Russian custom projects started to enter the market’s competition structures at a remarkably high level ten years ago, and have subsequently shown that their emergence signals the opening up of genuine new markets. Fast forward to 2011 and show series organizers Black Machine, aided by visionary investment into the future potential of the market by Custom Chrome Europe, have created something quite remarkable. his is a regional pyramid Championship program, within the World Championship structure, that will see winners from four February, March and April custom bike shows in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary qualify for an Eastern European Champion-ship in May where the Best Of Show winner will be rewarded with the opportunity to compete at Sturgis. In Poland, some sixty bikes competed in three classes – Custom, Streetfighter, and Paint/Finish. The win was taken by Marek Mickiewicz of BT

>>>

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DESIGN

Poland and Czech Republic custom shows mark successful start to ‘V4’ East European Championship of Custom Bike Building

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DESIGN

Check out the twin pivot, front-end set-up and superbly finished 1340 cc Harley Shovelhead on ‘Bit of Freedom’, the new ‘retro’ style rigid by Marek Mickiewicz

<<< Chopper in Poland (www.btchopper.pl) who

followed up his 2010 Polish Championship win and European Championship top 25 finish with ‘Bit of Freedom’, a new Harley-Davidson 1340 cc Shovelhead-engined ‘retro’ styled rigid with a double pivot faux downtube front-end set-up. Second place was taken by Milan Slaba, of MS Tuning in the Czech Republic, with ‘Henry Cops Hunter’, a custom Buell with twin breathers located between a split top-tube. t the Bohemian Custom Bike show, the results were reversed with Milan Slaba taking the win;

both bikes will now be among the favorites to win the Sturgis prize at Euro Bike Fest, but as this edition of AMD Magazine went to press, some ten days before the Slovak show in Bratislava, and some four weeks before the Devils MC show at Budapest, Hungary, the word was that there are some further new projects heading for completion in time for the finals in May (not least by local hero Roman Bus of Wildstyle fame) that will ramp the standard of competition up yet another notch.

www.eurobikefest.cz

Second prize in Poland, and winner in Czech Republic - the much admired Buell ‘Henry Cops Hunter’ by MS Tuning

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DESIGN

Dubai Bike Week Gulf Bike Expo, Dubai, February 10-13 2011

Though historically a largely ex-patriot motorcycle market, the Middle East is a market dominated by Harley-Davidson and is witnessing the birth of a ‘local’ scene of riders and customizers

he brainchild of former HarleyDavidson Emirates manager turned Dubai dealer Marcel Bode, Dubai Bike Week is the principal Harley-Davidson and custom event, indeed the largest motorcycle event of any kind in the Middle East. Co-staged with the Gulf Bike Expo, this year saw the event become a World Championship of Custom Bike Building affiliate for the first time. Some 60 or so bikes, a mixture of ex-patriot and ‘local’ entries, competed in six classes with the Freestyle, Best In Show, and affiliate event ‘Sturgis’ prize being taken by Mario Kyprianides of Chopper Kultcha in Abu Dhabi. No stranger to the European or World

Championship programs (Mario scored a 16th place finish with ‘Courtesan’ at Sturgis in 2010), his new bike will be the subject of a very special feature in AMD Magazine later this year – one that will involve a helicopter and the landing pad 60 floors up on one of the world’s most iconic hotel buildings! Having grown quickly in the five years or so to late 2008, the market in Dubai and the Middle East in general has stalled in the past 24 months. However, the sentiment circulating at Gulf Bike Expo was that the decline had stabilized and that much of the lost ground could be made up quite quickly as the Emirates resume their financial expansion and

investment plans in the next couple of years. With Harley-Davidson expanding aggressively throughout the Middle East, and with the beginnings of a notable streetfighter style scene emerging among Arab riders, expect to see more events such as this being staged in coming years, and look out for the evolution of a market where, regardless of economics and styling originality, the values of craftsmanship, that all important first step on the path to engineering achievement, is already taking hold. www.dubaibikeweek.com

Gulf Bike Week got the VIP opening treatment as the emerging bike scene in the Middle East starts to head back to growth

Marcel Bode (left) General Manager of Harley-Davidson Dubai, with winner Mario Kyprianides of Chopper Kultcha in Abu Dhabi, Robin Bradley and Frank “Thunder Media” Sander

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DESIGN

HUNDERBIKE, located in Hamminkeln, Germany, is not only a very successful HarleyDavidson dealership, it is also known as one of the country’s best custom shops, having built two European Championship winning bikes. However, the story of Thunderbike begins over 25 years ago with a young Andreas Bergerforth working in the family business, a haulage company. While Andreas spent his days working as a mechanic in the workshop of the family business he spent his weekends at local race tracks, and in 1983 gained his racing license and bought his own race bike. Having access to a workshop, it was not long before Andreas was spending his spare time tuning and rebuilding his bike in the quest for more speed at the track, and as is so often the case, his friends saw what he was doing and started asking him to work on their bikes too. After two years he left the family business and set up full-time working on Japanese bikes. The name of his business reflected his working environment: Bike Shed. Indeed his workshop offered just 150 square meters of space. However, it proved to be successful and within a year he had moved to larger premises, and a year after that Andreas became an official Suzuki dealer.

As part of Thunderbike’s 25th anniversary celebrations a new bike was built, which showcases the company’s custom wheel designs

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

The opening of the Road House American styled bar and restaurant has made Thunderbike a destination dealership and provides another reason for riders to visit the business

One of the most consistently successful bike builders at the European Championship of Custom Bike Building has been Andreas Bergerforth, the founder and owner of Germany’s Thunderbike. Andreas’ bikes have taken top honors in the Freestyle class in both 2006 and 2008, with both going on to place in the top five at the World Championships in each of those years While running a successful dealership Andreas continued to race, and between ’89 and ’03 campaigned under the team name of ‘Little Racing’, competing in endurance events and gaining valuable customers for his bike workshop. Not all of those customers were racers though, and many were looking for custom parts for Japanese bikes, parts that were at the time difficult to find in Germany. However, Andreas already had experience of producing his own parts, albeit for racing, and he soon turned his talents to crafting parts for custom bikes too. y 1997 Andreas and his employees had designed, and in production, enough custom parts for Japanese bikes to publish a parts catalog, which was called ‘Thunder Bike by Bike Shed’.

Andreas proving that ‘Open Mind’, Thunderbike’s 2008 European Championship winning bike, was not just built for show, but that all the bikes built by the shop can be ridden

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DESIGN

Thunderbike’s ‘Spectacula’ won the 2006 European Championship of Custom Bike Building and then went on to place second at that year’s World Championship too

To further promote the range of custom parts Andreas was now producing, he took to creating ground-up bike builds, using as many of his own parts as possible and following on from these builds and the sales generated by the introduction of the catalog with which the business became known as Thunderbike in 2000. Despite the success that Andreas enjoyed as a Suzuki dealer, by the time he had taken the Bike Shed to Thunderbike, he was aware of a change in the market and began to look at potential new opportunities, and one of those was the Harley owned by one of his employees. Andreas liked what he saw and after some research he discovered that the only bike sales that were not going down in his area were Harleys. Having already become an established builder of parts for metric customs and, indeed complete bikes, it was an easy transition to the world of American V-twins and Thunderbike started to develop that side of the business as well. hunderbike’s reputation as a Harley specialist rapidly grew, and on March 18, 2006 the business became an official Bar and Shield dealership with a workforce of 30 staff. To celebrate becoming a H-D operation Andreas began to design and build a custom that would showcase a Milwaukee motor and expose his business to a wider audience.The bike that he create – Spectacula – debuted at the 2006 European of Custom Bike Building and won the Freestyle class. With its combination of front and rear airride suspension, hidden lines and friction-driven rear wheel, the long and low bike set a new standard and went on to place second in the Freestyle class at that year’s World Championship in Sturgis. In order to prove his credentials as an American V-twin custom bike builder Andreas then returned to the European Championship in 2008, with a Bobberinspired build called ‘Open Mind’.And once again he took the top honors and the prize of travel to Sturgis for that year’s World Championship. Thunderbike’s ability to take top honors at high level shows continued in 2009 when during the Discovery Channel Biker Build-Off at the Custombike Show in Bad Salzuflen, Germany, Andreas and his team took the win against Penz Custombikes with

Custom billet aluminum wheels are just one of the many parts now offered by Thunderbike

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

First published in 1997 Thunderbike’s Custom Book for metric bikes catalog is now in its 12th edition

One of two parts catalogs offered by Thunderbike, the Custom Book 2 for Harley-Davidson runs to 300 pages

the bike ‘Build a Billy’. The win with Build a Billy was not the only success for Andreas in 2009, as during that year he also extended the sales area for new Harleys at the Thunderbike facility and added a separate building

Before Thunderbike was created Andreas Bergerforth had begun building metric customs and Streetfighters

‘Build a Billy’ won the Discovery Channel Biker Build-Off at the Custombike Show in Bad Salzuflen, Germany, for Thunderbike in 2009

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DESIGN

Thunderbike’s owner Andreas Bergerforth (left) about to address the visitors at his company’s 25th anniversary celebration

Thunderbike has been named not only Dealer of the Year in 1997 and 2003, but also Dealer of the Decade. With Thunderbike Andreas Bergerforth has shown that in order to succeed it is necessary to move with the times and adapt when needed, moving on from an endurance racer, to a builder of Metric customs and then Harleys, before becoming an official Motor Company dealer and now positioning Thunderbike as a destination dealership with the addition of the Road House. THUNDERBIKE Hamminkeln, GERMANY Tel. +49 (0)2852 677733 Fax +49 (0)2852 54 44 E-mail: dealer@thunderbike.de www.thunderbike.de

exclusively for the construction of custom builds. However, the biggest change was the addition of the American Road House, a log cabin style building housing a bar and restaurant offering American cuisine.

he Road House was used as the center-piece of the company’s 25th anniversary celebration in 2010. The weekend of the celebrations saw over 7,000 visitors to the company’s site. No doubt the number of visitors was a reflection of the fact that

Before he began building custom bikes, Andreas (right) was a successful endurance road racer

One of the first custom bikes built by the Bike Shed in the mid-Nineties already carries the Thunderbike logo

Suzuki’s Managing Director with Andreas when the Bike Shed became an official Suzuki dealership

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DESIGN

Dave Cook had no concrete plans to enter the 2010 World Championship of Custom Bike Building to defend his Championship title. His Championship win in 2009 meant he had so much work from new customers he didn’t have time to build a dedicated show bike. However, one of those customer’s bikes was a Norton, that the owner was happy to see entered into the show FTER being named the World Champion of Custom Bike Building in 2009, Dave Cook suddenly found himself with more bike building commissions than he’d ever had before, so many in fact that he had no time to build a bike for himself to defend his Championship title in 2010. Fortunately for Dave, he had just finished a custom Norton build for a customer, Ron Bautista, and knowing that Dave wanted to enter the 2010 Championship, Ron invited him to take his newly completed bike along. At the heart of the bike is a 1975 850cc Norton parallel twin, which was taken from a written off bike. While the wreck was being broken up, the transmission was also secured and both parts were then taken to Cook, who was told by Ron: “Build what you want with it, but keep it within my budget.” Cook says himself of the build: “I couldn’t really go to extreme with it, as it’s a customer bike and it needs to remain very rideable.The look I wanted was board track inspired, but with the low seat look that I really like, having been influenced by Roger Bourget’s work over many years.” Before the drivetrain was set in the jig for frame building it was rebuilt to stock spec with the addition of a pair of Mikuni carbs with brass velocity stacks. The rigid frame that was built up around the motor and tranny is typical of the low slung, tall wheeled design that has made Cook’s reputation and features a one-off front end, the design of which is based upon that used by Schwinn on its Orange Crate bicycles that Dave rode as a youngster. Details on the

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

front end include a stainless steel lower triple tree and a mountain bike shock that matches the one used under the seat pan at the rear of the bike. o get the bike rolling, Dave Cook put together a set of his own 21in spoked wheels, complete with his own design of perimeter brake rotors and a set of Avon tires. The single piston caliper used on the front of the bike is operated by a remote master cylinder mounted on the fork and activated by a cable from the reversed lever on the bars. The bars on which the lever, and matching reverse action clutch lever, mount are hand-made from stainless steel by Dave. Indeed much all of the bright work on the bike is either stainless steel or aluminum with no chrome plating at all.The only plating on the bike, the rear fender and gas tank, is nickel by Waukesha Plating. The gas tank, to keep the cost down, is an off-the-shelf Paughco part that Dave split along its length and reworked in order to have it mounted on either side of the bike’s backbone. Dave Cook may have built this Norton for a customer and to a strict budget, but that did not affect the quality of his work nor how highly his peers regarded his work. Not only was the Norton chosen by Kibblewhite Precision Engineering as its ‘Partner Pick’ award winner at the World Championship, it also placed eighth in the Freestyle class of the championship.

COOK CUSTOM CHOPPERS Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA Tel: 414 702 2665 Fax: 414 962 1129 E-mail: dave@cookcustomchoppers.com www.cookcustomchoppers.com

www.amdchampionship.com Sturgis, south dakota

DISTRIBUTOR NETWORK Canada

Parts Canada Tel: (403) 250 6247

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AUSTRALIA East Coast Custom www.eastcoastcustoms.com.au

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www.mongoosemachine.com

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Motovan Corporation

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Three Miles Trade

www.motovan.com Parts Canada

www.partscanada.ca

Tel: 0081252312811

Winnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Circle

Europe

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Custom Chrome Europe-Germany Tel: 0049 671 88888 - 0

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www.performancecycle.co.nz

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USA Bikers Choice

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THE NETHERLANDS Zodiac International B.V.

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baisleyhp@aol.com

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www.bikerschoice.com

MID-USA Tel: 314 351 3733

Tedd Cycle

Custom Chrome, Inc.

www.customchrome.com

Tel: 845 565 2806

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TEC Dist.

www.dragspecialties.com

Tel: 978 352 4710

Engine Dynamics LLC

www.enginedynamics.com Mid USA Motorcycle Parts

www.mid-usa.com Midwest Motorcycle Supply

www.midwestmc.net Newcomb Dist. www.newcombdistribtors.com Rivera Engineering www.riveraengineering.com Star Racing

www.starracing.com TEC Distributing

www.tecdist.com www.blackdiamondvalves.com

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

INTERNATIONAL HEAD OFFICE

DISTRIBUTOR NETWORK

THE NETHERLANDS ZODIAC INTERNATIONAL B.V.

Australia

Tel: 0031(0)297 288621

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Fax: 0031(0)297 288226

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CASSONS PTY. LTD.

Tel: 2 9684 1210

Tel: 403 250 6611

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Custom Chrome Europe

ZODIAC FRANCE

Tel: 0049 (0)671 88888 0

Tel: 01 45 93 10 75 Fax: 01 45 93 18 41

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Email: zodiac-france@zodiac.nl

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Tel: (800) 347 8080 Custom Chrome Inc.

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www.neofactory.co.jp

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HUNGARY ZODIAC MOTORCYCLE

If not, then you need to stock and sell the U.S.A’s fastest growing line of custom helmets

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USA Biker’s Choice

Tel. TOLL FREE: 1-888 550 3731 Tel. Intnl: 1-561 330 3700 Fax: 1-561 330 2501

IMPORTERS & DISTRIBUTORS

WANTED

Tel: (800) 352 3914

www.bikerschoice.com

CURRENT DISTRIBUTORS

Custom Chrome www.customchrome.com

CZECH REPUBLIC

Mid-USA

Tel: (800) 527 0501

www.dragspecialties.com

Drag Specialties MC Advantages

Tec Dist.

Tel: (800) 356 0043

www.mcadvantages.com

Rivera Primo www.riveraprimoinc.com

TEC Dist www.barnettclutches.com

www.tecdist.com

Tomás Cerny Moto Classic, s.r.o Royal Enfield Pro CR a SR Tel: 00420 775 997 648 e-mail: info@royal-enfield.cz

NETHERLANDS Bad Boy Helmets Tel: 0031 (0)653 119 597 e-mail: info@badboy.nl www.badboy.nl

Zipper's

SPAIN

www.zippersperformance.com

Canada Parts Canada

GZM/Accessories Unlimited Tel: 0034 96 6758000 Fax: 0034 96 6758015 e-mail: gzm@gzm.es

www.partscanada.com

www.helmetsales.com

PRODUCTS HUNGARY

Tel: 06 30 217 1832 Fax: 06 87 480 882 Email: zodiac@chello.hu

ITALY ZODIAC ITALIA

Tel: 02 6472287 Fax: 02 64749555 Email: zodiac-italia@zodiac.nl

SCANDINAVIA ZODIAC INTERNATIONAL B.V.

Tel: 00800 963422 65 (Toll-free) Email: sales@zodiac.nl

SPAIN ZODIAC ESPANA

Tel: 96 81 42067 Fax: 96 81 42068 Email: zodiac-espana@zodiac.nl

SWITZERLAND AMERICAN BIKE SHOP

Tel: 071 761 2678 Fax: 071 761 0678 Email: abs-zodiac@rheintal.ch

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

Motorcycle Storehouse B.V. Industrieweg 22, 9781 AC Bedum, The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0)50-3039775 - Fax: +31 (0)50-3039777

DISTRIBUTOR MCS Spainish agent Paloma Pinto Tel: +34 0 93 865 7427 - Fax: +34 0 93 865 7427 E-mail: paloma@mcseurope.nl

Australia East Coast Custom Tel: 07 3252 4633 Rollies Speed Shop Tel: 07 3252 2129

MCS French agent Bruno Selle Tel: +33 (0)4 90 67 76 33 - Fax: +33 (0)4 90 67 92 11 E-mail: bruno@mcseurope.nl

Canada Preston Cycle Products Tel:(800) 265 2298

MCS German agent Rasi Bayazid Tel: +49 (0)211 289 0538 - Fax: +49 (0)211 289 0532 E-mail: rasi@mcseurope.nl MCS Italian agent Marcello Fontana Tel: +39 0445 390437 - Fax: +39 0445 395539 E-mail marcello@mcseurope.nl MCS UK agent Simon Letts Tel: +44 (0)1892 668844 - Fax: +44 (0)1892 667722 E-mail: simon@mcseurope.nl

Parts Canada/Drag Specialties

Tel:(877) 717 2858 Europe Custom Chrome Europe Tel: 0049 (0)671 88888 0 DĂ&#x153;X Industries Tel: 0049 (0)40 434037 Motorcycle Storehouse Tel: 0031 (0)50 3039775 Zodiac International Tel: 0031 (0)297 288 621

NETWORK USA Bikers Choice Tel: (800) 347 8080 Custom Chrome Tel: (800) 729 3332 Drag Specialties Tel: (800) 222 3400 Kustomwerks Tel: (800) 498 4711 Midwest Tel: (800) 325 3914 MID-USA Tel: (800) 527 0501 Tedd Cycle Tel: (914) 565 2806 Win Starwest Tel: (805) 531 1000

w w w. b e l t d r i v e s . c o m

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

INDEX

This INDEX is a complete listing of all the items in this edition. It includes all our advertisers and the product, feature and news items published this month. The INDEX will act as a quick reference guide, and will be useful when searching this and other editions either for contact details for a particular company, or for a specific item that has appeared. The INDEX appears in every edition of AMD .

A THIS MONTH’S ADVERTISERS

Twin Club MC Norrtelje (SE) 2011 Norrtelje custom bike show ....................................................66

45 Restoration Co (US) Old style parts ........................................................................................74

Van Bergen & Greener (US) Harley Spragg drives ........................................................................76

5 Ball Inc (bikernet.com) (US) Bikers website................................................................................76

Vance & Hines (US) Exhausts ........................................................................................................2

ACCEL Motorcycle Products (US) Self Learning Module ................................................................53 AIM Corp (US) Clutches & gear kits ..............................................................................................9

Wiseco Piston (US) Controllers for EFI engines ............................................................................61

Arlen Ness Enterprises (US) Trike Project ......................................................................................44

Zipper's Performance Products (US) ThunderMax EFI Module........................................................77

Avon Grips (US) Air cushioned grips ............................................................................................47

Zodiac International (NL) Parts & accessories, Issue 38 Bikers Book, European offices ..............65,75

Bad Dad Custom Finishes (US) Bagger parts ................................................................................39 Barnett Performance Products (US) Clutch kits, distributor network ........................................46,75 Belt Drives Ltd (US) Clutches & kits, GMA Brakes, Distributor network ..................................8,21,76 Biker’s Choice (US) Bagger parts & accessories ............................................................................67 Black Machine (CZ) Euro Bike Fest ..............................................................................................63

THIS MONTH’S EDITORIAL ITEMS Airhawk/The Roho Group (US) Announce joint venture with High End Products............................11

Clearview Shields (US) Windshields..............................................................................................79

Associacion Llunatica Benicassim (ES) Llunatica 2011 show review ..............................................55

Colony Machine (US) Hardware ..................................................................................................74

ATK Motorcycles (US) New Executive Vice President named............................................................6

CV Performance (US) Carburetor & intake parts ..........................................................................74 Darkhorse Crankworks (US) Crank assembly balancing & rebuilds ................................................64

Baker Drivetrain (US) Tin Type Primary, Shovelhead splined clutch, jockey top cover & Stash Tube ..34

Davida UK (GB) Helmets..............................................................................................................79

Black Machine (CZ) Custom Festival Poland & Bohemian Custom Bike review ....................56-57,59

Daytona Twin Tec (US) Tec Talk, upgrade from Delphi ECM to TCFI Gen III ....................................10

Cardo Systems (US) Scala Rider Q2 MultiSet PRO headset............................................................49

Dead Center Cycles (US) Fairings and saddle bags........................................................................34 Designs By Novello (US) 2-tone covers ........................................................................................74

Cook Custom Choppers (US) Norton bike feature ........................................................................68

DNA Specialty (US) Stealth Trike ..................................................................................................14

Cruise-Mate (US) Lever operated throttle control for Indians ........................................................37

DP Brakes & Clutches (US) Brakes & clutches ..............................................................................42

Drag Specialties (US) Electronic speedometer, Touring oval mirrors, fuel/oil line & heat wrap kits ..45

Drag Specialties (US) Vance & Hines homologated EC approved slip-ons ........................................7 Fehling (DE) Parts & accessories ..................................................................................................75 Feuling Oil Pump Corporation (US) Reaper camshafts, distributor network ..............................75,77 Free Spirits (IT) Street and race parts ............................................................................................41

DWC Industry Picture (US) Industry pic #6 ..............................................................................26-27 Easyriders Events (US) V-Twin Expo review ........................................................................15-20,22 Easyriders Events (US) 2011 V-Twin Award winners......................................................................25

GZM Europe/Accessories Unlimited (ES) Parts & accessories ........................................................75 Heartland USA (US) Conversion kits........................................................................................12-13

Electraeon (US) Shifter trim rings..................................................................................................32

Helmet City (US) D.O.T. & novelty helmets, distributor network ................................................36,75

Harley-Davidson (US) New 1200cc Sportster Custom sees launch of new H-D1 program ..........1,80

JayBrake (US) Brakes & controls ..................................................................................................40 Jims (US) Powerglide II tappet, Big inch flywheel assemblies....................................................48,76

Harley-Davidson (US) Former Sales Manager joins ATK Motorcycles................................................6

Joker Machine (US) Parts & accessories........................................................................................37

Harley-Davidson (US) Refines & improves CONNECT dealer sales software ....................................9

K&N Engineering (US) Become an authorized K&N dealer,RK series air intake assemblies ..........8,63

Harley-Davidson (US) Backs dealer network-routed 2011 Hoka Hey Challenge ..............................9

K&P Engineering (US) High performance oil filters........................................................................61 KewlMetal (US) Bolt on 13 Degree Rake Kit ................................................................................45

Harley-Davidson of UAE (AE) Dubai Bike Week review..................................................................60

Kibblewhite Precision Machining (US) Valvetrain components, distributor network ............42-43,74

Harley-Davidson Switzerland (CH) Swiss Harley Days becomes World Champs Affiliate ................80

Küryakyn (US) Parts & accessories ..........................................................................................28-29

Heel Guard (US) Turn-Out style heel guards..................................................................................49

Kustom Tech (IT) Parts & accessories ..............................................................................................6 Kustomwerks (US) Parts & accessories, 2011 online catalog ....................................................43,52

High End Products Inc (US) Announce joint venture with Airhawk ................................................11

Le Pera Enterprises (US) Seats........................................................................................................5

James Gaskets (US) Evo cam cover quick change kit ....................................................................50

MAG Connection (FR) Distributor ................................................................................................38

Lehman Trikes (US) Signature Series CrossBow ............................................................................50

MAG Europe Ltd (GB) Vance & Hines Throttlepak & Fuelpak ........................................................35 Medallion Instrumentation Systems (US) Gauges and stereo products ..........................................57

MAG Connection (FR) Signs on as World Championship Partner ..................................................11

Mid-USA Motorcycle Parts (US) Parts and accessories ..................................................................49

MAG (US) Launches Powersports University ..................................................................................6

Milwaukee Bagger (US) Saddlebags ............................................................................................79

Midwest Motorcycle Supply (US) Ultima 3.35in belt drives for Softails and Dynas ........................32

Motorcycle Storehouse (NL) Distributors, International Sales Offices ..............46-47,50-51,52-53,76 Mustang Motorcycle Products (US) LowDown touring seat ..........................................................76 NAMZ Custom Cycle Products (US) Wiring harnesses & fluid lines ................................................77 Ocean Events (GB) California Dreamin' Expo................................................................................73

Morris Magneto (US) Billet magnetos ..........................................................................................39 Motorcycle Industry Council (US) Elects 2011 Board of Directors ....................................................6 Mustang Motorcycle Products (US) Tripper Fastback seat..............................................................39

PB Germany (DE) AGM Motorcycle Bags & Accessories ................................................................33 Pingel Enterprise (US) Parts and accessories ................................................................................19

Paughco Inc (US) 80-spoke wheels and 'dished sides' look tanks ................................................33

Platinum Air Suspension (US) Air suspension kits..........................................................................24

Rivera Primo (US) PowerDrive 6 transmissions..............................................................................37

R&R Customizing (DE) Buell & H-D parts......................................................................................11 Renegade Wheels (US) Kingman 26" wheel ..........................................................................30-31

Roland Sands Design (US) Moto footpegs ....................................................................................32

Revolution Performance (US) Precision EMS ................................................................................57

S&S Cycle (US) Working with Sumax on engine finishes................................................................41

Ride Wright Wheels (US) Wheel manufacturer ..............................................................................56

Samson Motorcycle Products (US) Powerflow III 2-into-1 exhaust ................................................41

Rivera Primo (US) Parts & accessories, Distributor network ......................................................61,74 Rowe (US) Valves & guides, parts & tools ....................................................................................76

Spectro Oils of America (US) Z-Clean chain lube ..........................................................................33

Rush Racing Products (US) Exhaust systems ................................................................................54

Sudco International (US) Mikuni MK Pulse fuel pumps ................................................................37

S&S Cycle (US) Crane Cams, High performance products ........................................................18,21

Sumax Cycle Products (US) Woking with S&S on engine finishes ..................................................41

Sinister Industries (US) Bags, parts and accessories ......................................................................74 Sumax Cycle Products (US) Composite glass fenders ....................................................................59

SuperTrapp Industries (US) SuperTrapp and Kerker Stout 4in slip-ons ............................................51

Tech Cycle Performance Products Inc (US) Belt drives & starters....................................................61

Swiss Performance (CH) Swiss Performance 2011 review..............................................................55

TecMate (International) SA (BE) Optimate 4 Dual Program, distributor network ............................48

Thunderbike (DE) Company feature....................................................................................62,64,66

The Leatherworks (US) Custom saddlebags & luggage ................................................................80 Trask Performance (US) Bolt-on exhaust kits ................................................................................23 Truett & Osborn Cycle (US) Crankshaft assembly ..........................................................................76

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - APRIL 2011

Unknown Choppers Inc (US) X-Line frames and rollers ................................................................33 Victory Motorcycles (US) Polaris reports record net income for fourth quarter 2010 ......................11

NEWS

<<< Continued from cover

However, branding and programming such initiatives, and having a sales structure in place to capitalize on the marketing of them (as Harley now has with the burgeoning 'Chrome Consultant' program), signals an intent that is in keeping with industry trends being seen elsewhere. Whether or not H-D1 is a deliberate and specific pre-emptive strike in response to the challenge to Harley issued by BMW when the 'Lo-Rider' concept was unveiled at Milan 2008 is to see the initiative in too narrow a context. It should be judged as the start-

point of a direction that is intended to take the core values of Harley's 'stock' ownership and riding experience to a new level - an intention unveiled by CEO Keith Wandell when outlining his vision of corporate recovery nearly 24 months ago. The new initiative will generate increased sales in the short-term, and therefore also increase earnings for the hard-pressed authorized dealership network. However it is as a tool to help prepare the 'Bar and Shield' for demographic sustainability with a framework that can encompass the more diverse and individualistic

consumer demands of new generations of customers that this debut for H-D1 should be judged. www.harley-davidson.com

Swiss Harley Days 2011becomes World Champs Program Official Affiliate Campione d’Italia / Lugano, Switzerland - July 8th-10th 2011 FOLLOWING the success of its association with the World Championship program last year, when Swiss Harley Days hosted Harley's European H.O.G. Rally, Harley-Davidson Switzerland has confirmed that this year's event at Campione d’Italia / Lugano, Switzerland, will be a Modified Harley-Davidson World Championship affiliate event. With the Campione d’Italia / Lugano Modified Harley Class

winner receiving prize money to be able to compete at the world Championships at Sturgis courtesy of Harley-Davidson Switzerland, the affiliation represents another opportunity for a European authorized Harley dealer or private customizer to 'mix-it' with America's best and try to follow the trail blazed by current Modified HarleyDavidson World Champions Shaw H-D from the UK.

Commenting on the affiliation Michael Pedratscher, Harley Switzerland's Marketing, Event and HOG Manager said: "We are the market leader here in Switzerland, and we see affiliation with the World Championship program as a great way of reinforcing the factory platform customization message that we and our dealers are finding to be so popular with our buyers, and of recognizing

and showcasing outstanding examples of what can be achieved." Last year the win was taken by Danny Schneider of Hardnine Choppers in Switzerland, who went on to scoop third place in the Modified Harley Class at the World Championships in Sturgis. www.swiss-harley-days.ch