BLACK BRAND: A new apparel range, designed in Los Angeles and headed up for Tucker Rocky/Biker's Choice by former Hot Bike Magazine editor and S&S Cycle Marketing Manager Howard Kelly, it is a "mid-line market" program that says it is "the premiere head-to-toe apparel line for cruiser riders". Two initial 'flagship' men's jackets feature KoolTek leather, D3O protectors and a six-year warranty. "Our gear is not what you buy when you want what everyone else has—you need to be the wolf, not the sheep to ride in Black Brand," says Kelly. "We will set the direction and trends in the market in such a way that Harley-Davidson and other apparel companies will start to copy Black Brand designs. We won't stray from being a motorcycle clothing company, which means we are committed to bringing our customers the best apparel for the best price, because nobody else had the balls to," he says. "And we mean it, no one is recognizing the need for affordable quality riding gear - and our flagship products are going to push all the boundaries!"; www.blackbrandmc.com
MEMPHIS SHADES: Recent new products include a new spoiler windshield in five sizes and a choice of colorways for 2004-2013 and 2015 and later OEM FLTR fairings. The company also has new 'Triggerlock' mounting hardware for Street models; www.memphisshades.com
GALFER USA: Said to be the originators of the "Wave" brake rotor design concept, the Spanish manufacturer uses a unique laser-cut, double ground high carbon 420 S3/8 composite to assure "perfect parallel flatteners" for its rotors and has 60 years of friction material production experience behind its semi-metallic/organic, Kevlar and HH sintered advanced ceramic brake pad programs; www.galferusa.com
DNA SPECIALTY: Back at V-Twin Expo after several years, the Californian wheels, front end and trike conversion parts specialist has new spoke and billet wheel designs, sizes and colors on offer this year, including a 26 inch addition to its 'Mammoth' spoke wheel line and upgrades to its Softail, Dyna, Touring and Sportster trike axle kits; www.dnaspecialty.com
DARKHORSE CRANKWORKS: Best known for their remanufactured, blueprinted and balanced crank assemblies, 35 years of experience stands behind the A-model Shortblock remanufacturing program launched last year. Designed to help their dealers make money, rather than compete with them, General Manager John Dahmer says that "a dealer can send us a complete lower end and we will remanufacture it back to better than new specs at very attractive prices". Ask about the proprietary 'Pro-Plug' system they have developed; www.darkhorsecrankworks.com
HORSEPOWER: Recent product news includes a newly designed, larger size TBW exchange program intake for bigger inch engines. The company says it can turn around 62-64mm and 68mm version TBW intakes in 3-5 days with all popular intake part configurations available from 1.710 to 1.900 with B2 and Hurricane Head oval ports expected to be available soon. From receipt of the stock unit with working internal electronics, dealers receive back a whole new throttle body intake manifold, flanges and seals; www.horsepowerinc.com
BAKER DRIVETRAIN: Bert Baker, the ever forthright and always entertaining drivetrain specialist, mixed humor and savvy tech chat in equal measure in his V-Twin Expo seminar. New products include a cruise drive smooth shift kit for 2006 and up Dyna and 2007 and up FL/Touring, the Baker Grudgebox, which is said to be "the strongest transmission for high output 2007 and up FLs and a Compensator Sprocket kit for 2007 and later Softail/Touring and 2006 and later Dynas; www.bakerdrivetrain.com
FEULING PARTS: From cam chest kits, Reaper brand camshafts and Beehive valve springs to oil coolers, oiling system kits and lifters - one of the fastest growing performances parts programs in the market; www.feulingparts.com
DP BRAKES: Recent new product launches include upgraded "quiet and dust free" sintered metal brake pads for all 2016 and earlier Harley models that deliver "shorter stopping distance and improved overall braking performance", plus expansion of their line of OE replacement stainless steel rotors to include pre-2000 fitments;
www.dp-brakes.com
