Vance & Hines

Vance & Hines on FTC Action Against H-D

In what, ostensibly, sounds like a remarkable move by the United States Federal Trade Commission, a complaint has been issued against Harley (June 23, 2022), ordering the company to "fix warranties by removing illegal terms and recognizing the right to repair."
The complaint goes on to urge Harley to "come clean with customers and ensure that dealers compete fairly with independent third-parties." 

Mike Kennedy, President & CEO of Vance & Hines "This action taken by the FTC is a huge win for motorcycle riders."

A similar complaint was issued against Westinghouse, and it is assumed that the two companies have been selected for sample action as the FTC seeks to clamp down on warranty policies that illegally restrict customers' right of repair.
Kennedy, President & CEO of Vance & Hines and himself a former senior Harley executive issued the following statement: "This action taken by the FTC is a huge win for motorcycle riders.
"While we still need to see how this plays out, we anticipate that riders will have more choices in how they repair and update their motorcycles during the warranty period, which is clearly a big deal for companies in the motorcycle aftermarket, too.
"I hope that the 'it will void your warranty' threat for someone who just wants a better sounding or smoother running Harley is a thing of the past."

Polaris Industries

Polaris in Transamerican Auto Parts Sell-Off

Polaris Industries continues to roll-back loss-making or non-fit former CEO Stott Wine era acquisitions, with the announcement of a definitive agreement to sell its Transamerican Auto Parts (TAP) business to Colorado based Wheel Pros.
A designer, manufacturer and distributor of proprietary branded aftermarket vehicle enhancements for light trucks, SUVs, passenger cars and ATVs/UTVs, Wheel Pros is backed in the acquisition by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. in partnership with management.
The transaction includes TAP's full portfolio of operations, including all brands, product lines, manufacturing operations, distribution facilities, more than 100 Four Wheel Parts retail locations, and more than 1,700 TAP employees.

"We have a clear vision to be the global leader in powersports," said Polaris CEO Mike Speetzen. "Our decision to divest TAP better positions us to capitalize on growing consumer interest and demand for our powersports offerings, while enabling Polaris to focus our time, people and resources on our core On-road, Off-road and Marine businesses, along with the parts, garments and accessories brands that support those customers.
"In addition, it supports our long-term financial targets and is expected to have a positive impact on EBITDA margin. TAP remains a leading omni-channel player in the Jeep and truck aftermarket space, and we appreciate the contributions the team has made to Polaris."
The news comes after January 2022 saw Polaris divest itself of two other Scott Wine era investments - GEM (the formerly GM owned Fargo N.D. based Global Electric Motorcars business) and factory and airport truck manufacturer Taylor Dunn.
Those businesses were sold to Waev Inc., a start-up created by a group of ex Polaris managers and based at Talyor Dunn's Anaheim, CA., offices. GEM was bought by Polaris in 2011 and made low-speed campus style electric vehicles; they bought Taylor Dunn and TAP in 2016.
Polaris recorded a $37m loss on the GEM/Taylor Dunn sale - the two businesses had combined sales of less than $100m. However, the TAP disposal is of a more significant scale and is expected to cost Polaris a net of tax impairment charge in the region of $140m.
The transaction is expected to close early in the third quarter, subject to customary closing conditions, and is estimated to drive $135m of additional cash inflows for Polaris in the second half of 2022. This includes the purchase price from the buyer and realization of cash tax benefits related to the sale, minus estimated transaction fees.
The sale price, net of cash, debt, and other costs is estimated at $50m. In 2021, Polaris' Aftermarket segment generated $930m in revenue, of which the Compton, CA. based TAP business accounted for nearly $760m - which must now leave a question mark over the long-term fit of the other brands included in its aftermarket segment; brands such as Kolpin, Pro Armor, Klim, 509 and Trail Tech.

Denis Manning and BUB 7 Team

Denis Manning and BUB 7 Team Announce Trev Richter to Lead Quest to Regain World's Fastest Motorcycle Title

When it comes to Motorcycle Land Speed Record setting pedigree, it doesn't come better than multiple record setting streamliner designer and performance engineer Denis Manning. New rider Trev Richter will ride to beat current two-way average mile record of 376.156 mph.

Formerly of BUB Exhausts fame, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame member and former Sportsperson of the Year, and his BUB 7 Team, are pleased to announce lifelong rider Trev Richter of Hunter Sills Racing will take the seat of their new BUB 7.1 motorcycle streamliner this fall. 

Richter (48) has been on two wheels since childhood, first as a BMX racer, then graduating to dirt, sport, adventure, and land speed motorcycles. Currently, Richter works as a professional adventure riding motorcycle coach and holds multiple AMA, FIM and SCTA land speed records in both faired and unfaired 1,000 cc motorcycle classes.
"Trev was the perfect choice to bring the record back for the BUB 7.1 streamliner," says Denis Manning, owner of the BUB 7 team.
"Since starting in land speed racing in 2017, his natural riding talents have propelled him to earn five top speed world and national records in a very short time. He possesses the innate abilities we have been searching for; abilities that have been honed further as a successful off-road rider, dirt and land speed racer, and adventure riding coach. We are confident he has the necessary talent, wisdom, and the will and determination to make it happen."
The streamliner, named the BUB 7.1 to distinguish it from the prior BUB 7, mimics the design of its predecessor with a unique aerodynamic shape Manning says is inspired by the Coho salmon - delivering an incredibly low coefficient of drag measured at 0.08. All components of the bike are custom designed by Manning and his team, including the purpose-build turbo-charged V-4 engine and full carbon fiber monocoque framed chassis.

BUB 7.1 rider Trev Richter (Photo: Jean Turner)

Manning has been designing and racing streamliner motorcycles for over 50 years, first setting the record with Cal Rayborn at 265.492 mph in 1970. He and his team held the record from 2006 to 2008 at 350.884 mph and again in 2009 when Chris Carr piloted it for a two-way average mile speed of 367.382 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
The current average mile record in Manning's sight was set in September 2010 at 376.156 mph by Rocky Robinson riding the Mike Akatiff designed Ack Attack.
"It's an honor to work with a veteran land speed champion like Denis Manning. His knowledge and experience are unmatched, and he knows how to win in the extreme sport of land speed racing," says Richter.
"To win in land speed racing, one needs optimal power, traction, and aerodynamics. The BUB 7.1 brings all these factors together in the perfect combination. I look forward to following in the footsteps of Cal Rayborn and Chris Carr who've put Denis' designs in the record books."
Denis Manning, nicknamed "BUB" since childhood, began his motorcycle career as part of the USA Drag Racing team in England at the age of 19. Ever since he saw Mickey Thompson run at Bonneville, Manning has spent his life trying to do with motorcycles what Mickey did with cars. 

BUB 7 testing at the A2 wind tunnel

In the process he has set more land speed records than anyone. He and his team first set the all-out motorcycle record in 1970 with a Harley-Davidson, followed by the world's fastest Triumph, world's fastest Norton, world's fastest single-engine motorcycle, world's fastest single-engine conventional motorcycle, and world's fastest all-out motorcycle.
Manning is founder of the International Motorcycle Speed Trials by BUB (now Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials), was named AMA "Sportsperson of the Year" in 2004 for his contributions to the sport and was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 2006.
Hunter Sills Racing is a female-owned professional land speed racing team founded in 2004 whose lead riders (Erin Sills, Trev Richter, and the late Andy Sills) have collectively earned over 45 World and National records, 2 Guinness World records, Mojave Mile 200 mph Club membership, Mojave Magnum 200 mph Club membership, BUB 201 mph Club membership, Bonneville SCTA 200 mph Club membership, El Mirage SCTA 200 mph Club membership, top average mile speed to-date of 238 mph, and title of World's Fastest BMW.

AFT Mission Lima Half-Mile

Brandon Robinson Takes Lima Half-Mile Win

Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) earned his first victory of the 2022 AFT season in the Mission Lima Half-Mile at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio on June 25 (Round 7). The breakthrough was Robinson's second Lima triumph, the first coming back in 2016.

Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle
Over the past few seasons, Robinson has established himself as the Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle rider most likely to steal the occasional win away from class dominators Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750/third) and Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750/fourth).
However, on this night, Robinson had to overcome the challenge of the series' newest star in Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07/second) to get to the checkered flag first with a 2.766second margin of victory; Daniels' teammate JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) was in fifth.
Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) finished in sixth just ahead of Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) seventh and Davis Fisher (No. 67 Bob Lanphere's BMC Racing Indian FTR750) in eighth.
Cory Texter (No. 100 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) was the top Mission Production Twins Challenge entrant in ninth, while Brandon Price (No. 92 Pro One Industries/Mission Foods KTM Duke 890) rounded out the top ten in his first ride aboard the KTM.

Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Defending Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines champion Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) has been quietly keeping his hopes for a third and final class crown alive by clawing his way to gritty seconds, thirds, and fourths on nights he just didn't have the speed to contend for the win.
Texter was anything but quiet at Allen County Fairgrounds, however, registering a lopsided victory to narrow the gap to title leader Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R/second) to just a single point. The win was Texter's second of the season and his (and Yamaha's) first ever at Lima.
Billy Ross (No. 109 Mission Foods/Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R/third) proved his win at Laconia was no fluke by following up that maiden victory with a second-career podium, with Cameron Smith (No. 34 Thee Cathy Gray/Al Barker Yamaha MT-07) fourth and Cole Zabala (No. 51 Memphis Shades/Corbin/Vinson Yamaha MT-07) fifth.

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
With each successive race, Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) continues to further the case that he's the odds-on favorite to claim this year's Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER crown.
At Lima, Kopp scored a second consecutive blowout victory, his fourth win among six top-twos in just seven attempts this season. The emerging superstar gapped the field within a single lap and then piled it on from there, ultimately winning with more than four seconds in hand.
Kopp's mastery was reminiscent of that of his father, 2000 Grand National Champion Joe Kopp, who won three times at the circuit.
While there was little drama in deciding the podium, the race still proved to be a spectacular showcase for the future stars of the sport. Joining 17-year-old Kopp in the spotlight were a pair of 16-year-old phenoms.
Australian Tom Drane (No. 359 Construction Supply Specialists/ICCONS KTM 450 SX-F) earned a remarkable runner-up result in his Progressive AFT debut while Rookie of the Year hopeful Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) scooped up his second consecutive third-place finish.
Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) came home fourth, while James Ott (No. 19 MediaHT/G&G Racing KTM 450 SX-F) won out in a tight scrap for fifth ahead of Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R).

Next up the series heads to Weedsport, NY for the New York Short Track (Round 8 - July 2) and the Port Royal (Pennsylvania) Half Mile (Round 9) on July 17.
After that the season starts its swing West, stopping in Illinois for the Peoria TT (July 30 - round 10); then it is Sturgis Rally time with the Black Hills Half Mile at the Black Hills Speedway, Rapid City on August 6 before heading to Castle Rock in Washington and the Sacramento, California at the end of August.
September sees the Springfield Miles I & II on the first weekend and the Cedar Laker Short Track at New Richmond, Wi., at the end of the month.
www.americanflattrack.com

Standings
Mission SuperTwins Presented by S&S Cycle

Mission Production Twins Presented by Vance & Hines

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

Progressive American Flat Track

AFT Introduces the Progressive Triple Crown

 Progressive American Flat Track announces the Progressive Triple Crown, a unique multi-race challenge that rewards mastery over the sport's three oval disciplines.
In addition to the overall championship, this season the Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle competitors will vie for the Progressive Triple Crown by competing to collect the most combined points at three designated events.

The Progressive Triple Crown will consist of the Progressive Laconia Short Track at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Loudon, NH., June 11), the Black Hills Half-Mile at Black Hills Speedway (Rapid City, SD., August 6), and the Mission Springfield Mile Doubleheader at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, IL., September 3-4).
The premier class rider who scores the highest points tally across that combination of Short Track, Half-Mile, and Miles will collect a $25,000 prize.
The Progressive Triple Crown is the most high-profile new element of a broader partnership with series title sponsor Progressive Insurance, but not the only one. The 2022 season has also seen the introduction of the Progressive Marketplace, a new vendor area that includes a Progressive AFT branded semi-trailer truck that transports various partner displays across the nation from round to round.
www.americanflattrack.com

Biltwell

Biltwell Returns as Co-Sponsor of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Swap Meet

The AMA has announced that Biltwell is returning as co-sponsor of the Swap Meet at the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days - the largest Swap Meet in North America - at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Royal Enfield, July 22-24 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

"We're excited to partner with one of the best grassroots motorcycle events around," said Biltwell's self-proclaimed Administrator of Good Times Otto Deutsch. "It's always great to be part of this event with all the racing, swap meet vendors, and the onsite camping."
The much-anticipated swap meet is home to more than 800 vendor spaces across 35 acres during the three-day event. The magnitude and prestige of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days attracts vintage motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country, creating the perfect environment for a diverse and engaging gathering.
"It's great to have Biltwell back to sponsor the swap meet," said AMA Editorial Director Mitch Boehm. "The VMD swap meet offers a breath-taking collection of vintage bikes, parts and memorabilia and the retro scene there aligns really well with what they do. We're excited about their VMD support for 2022!"
www.biltwellinc.com
www.vintagemotorcycledays.com

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride (DGR)

Record Breaking 2022 DGR - 802 Cities, 104 Countries

On May 22 2022, after two years of social distancing and solo riding, The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride (DGR) took place worldwide in its pre-covid format, "breaking all previous editions' fundraising records."
Fundraising closed on June 5 with close to USD $6m, some 4% more than the last pre-Covid edition in 2019 and a new record high of funds raised in support of prostate cancer research and men's mental health.
This year saw an estimated 93,456 riders participating in 802 cities, spread across 104 countries - all "Dressed Dapper" and most riding classic, vintage, retro or 'Modern Classic' motorcycles. Proving the power of group participation, the amount raised was 47% higher than the 2021 'virtual' socially isolated iteration - itself a 'Good Effort' under the challenging circumstances faced in the past two years.

Since its first edition in 2012, the event has brought together more than 400,000 riders - including tens of thousands Triumph owners - from 114 countries around the world and raised more than  USD $37m for men's health.
Triumph has been proudly supporting the DGR for the last nine editions, and for 2022 Triumph and Gibson Guitars joined forces to provide incredible prizes, including the one-off T120 Gibson edition that will be assigned to the highest fundraiser, together with a Triumph-customized 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue.
Next year's edition will mark the 10th anniversary of Triumph supporting The DGR as main partner and sponsor, and the UK based manufacturer says it already has "something stunning" planned for Triumph fans and 'Dapper' enthusiasts.

DGR Founder Mark Hawwa said: "What an incredible return to group riding! There really is nothing better than seeing the tens of thousands of 'gentlefolk' smiling and waving their way through city streets, in support of prostate cancer research and men's mental health. It's something we have missed dearly over the last two years. Our community returned with vigour this year with the top 3 global fundraisers raising more than any previous year."
For Triumph, CCO Paul Stroud is quoted as saying: "It is such an honour to be supporting DGR and to have been able to contribute towards this year's incredible result. Next year's 10th anniversary of our DGR backing will see us marking the milestone in suitable style."
Mark Hawwa founded the DGR program in Sydney, Australia in 2012, taking inspiration from a photograph he'd seen featuring classic suits and vintage motorcycles. Mark decided that a themed ride would be a great way to combat the sometimes negative stereotype of motorcyclists and connect the global riding community to benefit a cause important to every rider.
"DGR raises men's health awareness and funds for its charity partner 'Movember', funding key research and community programs to help men make better connections with mates and lead happier and healthier lives."

www.gentlemansride.com

SBS Friction

SBS - Official AFT Brake Pad for Fifth Year

Internationally recognized brake pad manufacturer SBS Friction A/S is again the Official Brake Pad of Progressive AFT this season - the fifth consecutive year in which SBS has served in that capacity, underlying its commitment to the sport.
Boasting an unrivalled race pedigree, the company has won dozens of two-wheel world championships, including in WorldSBK and MXGP.

"SBS has been an excellent partner for Progressive American Flat Track," said Gene Crouch, COO of Progressive AFT. "We're appreciative of their continued support."
The first company in the world to produce aftermarket disc brake pads, SBS has continued to innovate ever since as a global leader in the use of brake pad materials and manufacturing technologies.
"Signing up with AFT again this year is really a no-brainer for SBS Brakes. Our products are widely used by the AFT rider community, and our constant commitment to racing makes it obvious for us to continue sponsoring the series. AFT offers a professional set-up and high interest across the United States," says Christel Munk Pedersen, CSO of SBS Friction A/S.
"We experience what a difference our products can make for racers under flat track racing conditions, and the commitment matches well with our other engagements in the World Superbike Series and Moto GP (Moto 2 and Moto 3). We are proud to be a dedicated sponsor in the sense that we deliver products that make a true difference for the racers to go ahead."
In the USA, SBS brakes are distributed to dealers by Parts Unlimited, Tucker Powersports and Vortex.
www.sbsbrakes.com

Twin Power

Twin Power - Crankshaft Position Sensors  

Twin Power has a new line of Crankshaft Position Sensors (CPS) including seven new part numbers with fitments for Harley-Davidson models dating from the 1999 model year through current models using the M-8 engine. This adds to the two original sensors introduced by Twin Power in 2015.
Twin Power was the first aftermarket company to create a line of these OEM-quality sensors and these additions mark a significant expansion of the company's CPS offering from the rider and dealer perspective alike.    

The Crankshaft Position Sensor is a critical part of a Harley's engine management system. It delivers crankshaft position data to the bike's electronic control module, which in turn determines engine timing and fuel delivery. A motorcycle with a faulty Crankshaft Position Sensor will typically have inconsistent performance and difficulty starting.  

"When a crankshaft position sensor goes bad, your bike isn't going anywhere," said James Simonelli, Brand Manager for Twin Power. "We've created these products to be an affordable solution to a common problem. That's why they are in such high demand from DIY motorcycle owners and motorcycle repair shops seeking a replacement part that will generate profits for their business." 

Twin Power's new line up is 100% tested in the U.S. to meet OEM specifications and has been endurance tested to 60,000 miles to ensure sensor longevity. The units use OEM-style connectors for an exact fit and are designed using encapsulated circuitry, along with vibration and heat resistant polymers to stand up to the harsh operating environment of a motorcycle's engine.

TUCKER
www.tucker.com/v-twin
www.twinpower-usa.com

Drag Specialties

Drag Specialties Additions


Predator III for Early XL Models

 

Constructed with a high-quality automotive-grade vinyl cover and molded polyurethane foam for maximum comfort, this seat features a 5 1/2" tall driver support that gently slopes down to the passenger seat area - designed narrower at the front for better leg clearance. Features include a 3/16" thermoformed, carpeted ABS seat base and classic stitch style. It measures 25 1/2" L overall (12" L x 9 3/4" W front, 8" L x 6" W rear). It fits with most sissy bars and includes all mounting hardware.

Replacement Rod Set

 
These heavy-duty replacement rods "are perfect for stock motors and meet or exceed the OEM specifications." They come completely fitted, ready to install and include crankpin, aluminum retainers, bearings, nuts and forged, heat-treated tapered end steel rods. This set fits '07-'16 FLHT, FLHR, FLHX, FLTR models, '07-'17 Softails and '07-'17 FXD, FXDWG models.

Clutch Shell

 
Eliminate the worn clutch shell with this high-quality replacement - comes with a starter ring gear, center bearing and snap rings for '11-'17 Twin Cam models.

Charging System Kits

 
Included in these 48 amp kits are an OEM-style rotor, three-phase stator and regulator in either a black or chrome finish. They fit '17-'21 FLHT, FLHX, FLHR, FLTRX, FLTRU, FLTRK, FLHTCUTG and FLRT models.

Saddlebag Support Brackets

 
Fasten these brackets to the fender struts to hold throw-over saddlebags away from vital components. Finished in chrome or gloss black, they fit '18-'21 FXBB, FXBBS, FXST and FLSL models, replacing the OEM PART #90201777. Sold in pairs, necessary mounting hardware is included.  

DRAG SPECIALTIES
www.dragspecialties.com

2022 North American NVP EXPO

2022 North American NVP Expo
Madison, WI., August 19-21, 2022

Parts Unlimited, Drag Specialties and Parts Canada are once again teaming together this August to present their 2022 North American NVP EXPO at Madison, Wisconsin.
"This Expo will unite the three companies to introduce the fall buying season. With this collaboration, exhibitors will have the best of all teams in one location to roll out new products and programs and to educate both dealers and sales reps alike." 

The last Drag Specialties/Parts Unlimited NVP Expo was staged at Louisville in February 2020. Mike Collins, LeMans Corporation CEO says: "It's been three years since we last gathered in Madison for our NVP. It's great to be back and what better way to do it than with our Parts Canada team. It's long overdue and needed."

The North American NVP kicks off Friday, August 19 exclusively for exhibitors and the Parts Unlimited, Drag Specialties and Parts Canada Sales Force.
On Saturday, August 20 the Expo opens to dealers for 2 full days with a new, expanded expo floor. The expanded layout allows the space needed to introduce new vendors and increase the overall expo experience.
"Dealers will have the opportunity to connect and engage with even more of the industry's leading brands on the expo floor, through dealer training sessions and socially at the Meet & Greet/Bike Show."
From James Danyluk, President of Parts Canada said: "The last time Parts Canada got together with the Parts Unlimited team was to celebrate our 20th anniversary and it was a complete success. NVP offers our dealers an opportunity to see the largest powersports distributor expo in North America and we can’t wait to see our customers and suppliers in person."

36th Biker Fest 2022

Biker Fest, Italy 2022
Words and Pictures by Onno Wieringa, Madness Photography

Located on Italy's Adriatic coast, Lignano Sabbiadoro is one of the most beautiful places to organize an event. South of Udine and north of Venice, Biker Fest has been one of the biggest outdoor motorcycle festivals in Europe for years.
Owned and operated by the experienced Persello family - owners of leading Italian custom Magazines including Bikers Life and Kustom World - this was the 36th edition of Biker Fest and it remains a cornerstone of the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building program.

Moreno Persello and his wife Carla, their son Micke and his wife Deborah know how to make Biker Fest better and even bigger every year. The fact that we had thirty degrees Celsius and a radiant sun all four days this time helped to flood the coastal town with bikers, no fewer than 92,000 visitors attended. We enjoyed a long weekend of custom bikes, sun, pizza, espresso and sambuca!

The Biker Fest Team

Entry to the event is free and all brands are welcome, but the emphasis is very much on custom bikes. Biker Fest is located along the main road, where the Luna Park site is used for custom bikes, stands, shows and parties, with a gigantic all-terrain park next to it used for dozens of off-road activities. 

 

Nearby all the major brands and many smaller emerging vendors set-up for demo rides, with 3,800 demo rides made on the Friday and Saturday alone.
The well-known AMD affiliate bike show has the grand Italian finale here after a season in which the winners of the Italian Motorcycle Championship have been chosen during the year at various shows throughout Italy.
Showing off against seventy bikes, the Best in Show wins the Italian Motor I.M.C. (Italian Motorcycle Championship), and this year the honor was taken by Mirko's Harley-Davidson WL, by Gallery Motorcycles (Brescia).
The three winners who will advance to the next AMD World Championship are the beautiful Triumph "Trinity" of Marco, Lari Motori, the "Greta" of Stefano Saleve and the SR-1 Sportster of Jimmy Messina from France.
The crowds peaked on the Saturday, when the Bike Parade completely blocked the whole city of Lignano in a kilometer-long procession. Rock concerts, pin-up shows, parties, food and drinks reigned supreme right into Sunday, when the whole ritual was repeated - but this time with hundreds of American cars, hot rods and custom cars making their rounds after their American Car Show.

 

Is it worth going there? Oh yes.
The part of northern Italy where Lignano is located became known as the Florida of Europe, with its lovely weather, beautiful beaches and deep blue lagoons - it was Ernest Hemingway, who loved it there, who compared it to Florida.
The Italian Bike Week is on the weekend of 15-18 September, the weekend following European Bike Week in Faak, which is only an hour and a half drive from Lignano, the perfect combination for a nice ride and a wonderful week with two excellent, world renowned events!
www.bikerfest.com
www.italianbikeweek.net
www.madnessphotography.nl



AMD winners all won a 1,000 voucher towards travel expenses to the next AMD World Championship:

The Triumph "Trinity", by Marco of Lari Motori.

"Greta", by Meccanicamente

SR-1 Sportster, by Jimmy Messina of RD Kustom, France

An additional prize of an AMD VIP card Invitation, was presented to the builder of the Indian 1915 replica; Goro, Kustom Garage Bicycle (MB).

Italian Motorcycle Championship Winners

Best in Show and winner of the Italian Motorcycle Championship:
Mirko, Gallery Motorcycles (Brescia) Harley-Davidson WL

• Harley-Davidson Modified: V-Rod by Custom THOM (Mantova)
• Old Style: Harley-Davidson Shovelhead by Ace Motorcycles (Austria)
• Bagger: Harley-Davidson Road King, Devil's Garage (Calabria)
• Freestyle: Harley-Davidson WLA by Free Sound Customs (Massarosa)
• Metric: Ducati Scrambler, MC Cycles (Treviso)
• Scrambler: BMW R850R by Bottega Bastarda (Forlì)
• Cafe Racer: Laverda 1200 by VM Cycles (Udine)
• Streetfighter: Ducati Monster of Mr. Fighter (Treviso)

Harley-Davidson

Enthusiast Collection

Described as being "inspired by stories and experiences within the Harley-Davidson community," the 2022 G.I. Enthusiast Collection Celebrates Service of U.S. Armed Forces Members
An ongoing series of Harley motorcycles featuring special-edition paint created to celebrate the unique backgrounds and special interests of their riders, each Enthusiast Collection design will be launched annually "and available in limited quantities across a curated selection of motorcycle models."

Harley Chairman, President and CEO Jochen Zeitz is quoted as saying that "Harley-Davidson is proud to launch this program with the G.I. Enthusiast Collection, which honors the legacy of Harley-Davidson riders who have served or actively serve in the U.S. Armed Forces."
To commemorate the launch, two U.S. veterans, Gary Wetzel, and Brian "Amarok" Critton, will be awarded G.I. Enthusiast Collection models. Wetzel is a Medal of Honor recipient for his heroic actions in the Vietnam War after his U.S. Army helicopter was shot down and came under heavy enemy fire. Severely wounded, he continued to fight back and help other injured soldiers. He is an avid Harley-Davidson rider and veteran issues activist.
Critton served for a decade in the U.S. Army, including a tour of duty in Iraq, and now is active with veteran's service organizations like Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). In March, he was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to a Muay Thai meeting in Jacksonville, designed to help combat veterans deal with PTSD, when he saw smoke billowing from a vehicle involved in a three-vehicle accident that happened moments earlier. While others watched his instincts turned into action as he pulled a woman from the burning car.
"These two Harley-Davidson riders exemplify the spirit of Harley-Davidson Enthusiasts."

2022 Enthusiast Collection Features
The G.I. Enthusiast Collection is draped in Mineral Green Denim Deluxe paint, an all-new color created specifically for this collection, and completed with service-inspired graphics. The G.I. Enthusiast Collection is available only as factory-installed for the Pan America 1250 Special and Tri Glide Ultra models, in limited quantities primarily for the U.S. market.
"The new Mineral Green Denim Deluxe paint pays homage to the Olive Drab paint used on Harley-Davidson WLA models," said Brad Richards, Vice President of Design. "This color features a metallic effect resulting in a subtle gold highlight, allowing the color travel to be more dramatic and show off the shape of the surfacing.
"The tank graphic celebrates the iconic WWII military vehicle white five-point star, a stenciled 'H-D' and a location of Milwaukee, Wisconsin abbreviated, inspired from the spec tags found on government-issued military equipment.
"The stenciled approach is a treatment often found on military vehicles as lettering was frequently done in the field. Here we're calling out the birthplace of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the original WLA model."

Pan America 1250 Special G.I. (Enthusiast Collection)
"A rugged, powerful, technologically advanced motorcycle powered by the liquid-cooled V-twin Revolution Max 1250 engine, the Pan America model is designed from the ground up to inspire rider confidence and fuel the spirit of adventure on and off-road.

"Since its launch in February 2021, the Pan America 1250 Special model is the #1 selling adventure touring motorcycle in North America and was named Best Adventure Bike and Motorcycle of the Year by Motorcycle.com."

MotoFuture

Vancouver based Damon Motors is showcasing its HyperDrive and HyperSport EV platforms at Petersen Automotive Museum's "Electric Revolutionaries" exhibit.

Quebec, Canada based Taiga has released its 'Nomad' first electric snowmobiles to reservation holders - "marking the new era for powersports." It's a plan first hatched in 2015 that has involved developing "the world's first performance-focused, fully electric off-road powertrain matched perfectly to the snowmobile application, providing clean power for vehicles traversing the world's harshest conditions."

Scotts Valley, California based electric motorcycle manufacturer Zero has reorganized its customer service and contact points "across all channels" - managing them under a new Customer Experience (CX) department - in a bid to "provide the best and most robust dealer, rider and owner support in the industry."

Eugene, Oregon based Arcimoto, Inc. (NASDAQ: FUV) - "makers of rightsized, outrageously fun, ultra-efficient electric vehicles for moving people and stuff" - has seen its vehicles reclassified as autocycles by the State of Maryland, meaning buyers will no longer need to have a motorcycle endorsement. The change is part of 'Clean Cars Act' that legislates for a range of benefits to promote electrification of transport solutions and brings Maryland in line with other states that do not require a motorcycle license (or helmet) to operate an autocycle such as those built by Arcimoto.

Vancouver based Damon Motors has earned a Consumer Solutions - Sports and Recreation category Gold Award in the 2022 Edison Best New Product Awards for its flagship HyperSport electric sports performance motorcycle. Described as the industry's "smartest, safest, all-electric sport bike, it boasts well over 200 hp and 200 Nm of torque delivered at zero rpm, a top speed of 200 mph, and a range of more than 200 highway miles per charge." Features include its CoPilot advanced collision avoidance warning system and Shift sport to commuter riding position transformation modes.

Quebec, Canada based Taiga Motors - the electric snowmobile and PWC manufacturer - has been recognized for its electric powertrain with a Fast Company award - being named the overall North American winner in the 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards: "a designation that honors the innovative ways companies are tackling society's most pressing challenges."

Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com

Larry Goodman

Larry Goodman

Our thanks to Metalsport's Lizette Hotinger (former Easyrider Magazine Ad Sales Director and All American Wheel executive) for sad news of the passing of motorcycle wheel industry giant Larry Goodman, aged 83.
In 1969 Larry Goodman opened Carman Tool and Abrasives. "If you needed a special tool, he had it. Shops from all over the USA would go to Carman Tool. He always seemed to have the knack of introducing new product that was beneficial to many industries. 

Larry K. Goodman, All American Wheel Company, 1939 - 2022

"He was a salesman extraordinaire, and in the late 1980s, he met an entrepreneur named Gene Haas, who had CNC machines to sell. Larry's new company, ACT/Coleman represented the Haas Wheel CNC machines. Larry knew that this would be a machine every shop would want.
"He offered to sell them, install them and service them for over twenty years. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and believed in supporting companies that sold USA-made products. In 1997 he approached the leading automotive wheel manufacturer and convinced them to manufacture motorcycle wheel blanks for him.
"In 1998, forged aluminum motorcycle wheels were introduced along with his new company, All American Wheel. For more than twenty years, he offered both aluminum forged and cast wheels to the aftermarket wheel companies.
"With the closure of the automotive wheel company in mid-2017, Larry decided it was time to slow down and enjoy life. In 2018, he closed the doors of All American Wheel leaving a void in the supply chain. MSI made the choice to distribute USA made forged aluminum wheel blanks to fill this void.
"Larry was a pioneer, a risk taker, an avid motorcyclist, a husband, father and grandfather. Rest in Peace."

Barber Design Center

New Barber Design Center Looks to the Future
 
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is more than just a showcase for the motorcycle and automotive history, but is set to look into the future too with the opening of a new Advanced Design Center (BADC) to facilitate future-facing state-of-the-art design.

George Barber created the stunning Barber Motorsports Park complex in Birmingham, Alabama, around the world's biggest and best motorcycle museum. "Echoes of the past will resound at the museum's new facility - built to inspire new generations of creative thinkers.
"The intention of the new center is to encourage and explore design via the latest computer-aided design (CAD) as well as old school clay modeling, with the capacity to turn concepts into product reality.
"The BADC was created to open the door to thinking," Mr. Barber stated about his latest vision. "We need people to think beyond what's happening today and see how we can improve on it, and not just motorcycle design."
The new 11,000 sq ft facility is a high-tech workspace for industrial design exploration located on the top floor of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. Inside are workstations, 3-D scanners and 3-D printers that have dramatically streamlined design processes. These tools not only speed up design work, they also allow highly accurate reverse engineering of vintage components.
The BADC will be open by appointment for students and designers from around the world. Public access will be restricted except for weekend open houses to be announced.
www.barbermuseum.org

Steve Fisk

Steve Fisk

Our thanks to Joe Philipson for news of the passing of industry pioneer Steve Fisk.
Fisk was a major player and catalyst in the early years of the founding in the United States of what became Zodiac International, and a pivotal senior purchasing executive for many years for Custom Chrome Inc. of Morgan Hill, California.
He was a larger-than-life character and was one of a handful of key buyers who played an important role in the early years of the evolution of the Harley-Davidson and wider custom motorcycle aftermarket.
The contacts and experience he built up sourcing parts and accessory tooling and capacity in Asia, especially in Taiwan, where he lived for many years, did much to lay the foundation for the explosion in the custom parts industry seen from the late 1960s onwards.
We here at AMD Magazine will always regard him as a friend and he will be missed.

2022 Bagger Racing League

2022 Bagger Racing League - Round 1 Utah
Utah Motorsports Campus, May 13 - 14, 2022

The first round of this year's Bagger Racing League Drag Specialties 'Battle Of The Baggers' saw reigning series champions Trask Performance take the premier Bagger GP Class win with "Insane" Shane Narbone bring the Road Glide home by less than half a second - from second placed race legend Ben Bostrom, on the Feuling Parts 'Flying Pig', with Hawk Mazzotta (Nowaskey Extreme Performance) third.

While Nick Trask's Phoenix, Arizona based team were rightly able to glory in their continued success, kudos to Feuling's "Flying Pigs" and veteran Ben Bostrom for getting onto the Podium for the first time in this first of (currently) three planned rounds.
Feuling's Luke Leatherman and his crew travelled to Utah with expectations high for the premier class of Bagger GP racing. 

The Flying Pig saw some huge performance gains heading into the race weekend with Feuling's 592 short travel camchest kit married to its refreshed M-8 engine.
"This is our, as we like to call it, 'big nasty Put your big boy pants on and get serious' camshaft - offered for all Milwaukee Eight engines. Our freshly tuned short stroke motor, also armed with our Feuling Race Series lifters, oiling system, BA HighFlow air cleaner and anti-reversion exhaust system, shined on the track.

 

"With the 592 camchest kit installed we saw our peak performance numbers from the dyno translate directly to the racetrack, all with the exact same components riders' local Drag Specialties dealer can install on their own builds, directly out of our parts catalog.
"Through a full day's worth of practice sessions leading up to qualifying, the bike only seemed to get better with pressure. There were a few minor adjustments needed, including a blown fuse that nearly ended the weekend early, but the bike came off the track from qualifying with Ben Bostrom sitting in pole position for the main event later that afternoon.
"From the start we had our eyes set on the podium, and with each lap of the final race it became more and more apparent Ben and the Flying Pig were a force to be reckoned with. As the battle came to a close, Team Feuling saw yet another level conquered as we surpassed our previous best and took second overall.
"With each appearance of the Flying Pig in the Bagger GP, the crew in the pits get hungrier for the tallest step of the podium to be occupied by the Feuling name, just as it has so many times throughout our history."
See the full build list and keep up to date with the team as they prepare for the second round (Milwaukee Mile Speedway, WI., September 1-4) in the race team section of the Feuling Parts website.
www.feulingparts.com
baggerracingleague.com

Öhlins USA

Paul Devine Joins Öhlins USA

Former Harley man and S&S Sales VP Paul Devine has joined Öhlins USA (Hendersonville, North Carolina) as Head of Sales and Marketing.
Öhlins USA Managing Director Scott MacDonald said that "Paul is respected in the industry for his knowledge, leadership, and results-driven abilities. He will be a huge asset for our business and our vision for the future".

The announcement was made by parent company Tenneco's Henrik Johansson, Vice President and General Manager, Advanced Suspension Technologies (AST) who said that "prior to joining Tenneco, Paul held leadership positions with a variety of leading industry manufacturers.
"He most recently was vice president of sales for S&S Cycle, a leading player in the V-twin high-performance aftermarket. Earlier, he served in business development, marketing, strategy, licensing and dealer development roles with Harley-Davidson Motor Company and was a member of the senior leadership team of Buell Motorcycle.
www.ohlinsusa.com

Larry "Spiderman" McBride

McBride makes Fastest Motorcycle Run in Drag Racing History

Larry "Spiderman" McBride made what is being reported as the fastest motorcycle run in drag racing history at Virginia NHRA Nationals in May. His spectacular blast of 268.38 mph gave him the fastest pass ever on two wheels in drag racing history, shattering the mark of 265.95 he had set last November. McBride went 5.61 seconds on the run - just shy of his quickest run of all time - as part of a Top Fuel Motorcycle exhibition at the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series event in Virginia, also breaking the speed record at his home track.
www.nhra.com

AFT

Yamaha take AFT SuperTwins Short Track Win

JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) scored a milestone victory at the Laconia Short Track presented by MOMS at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire on June 11 (Round 6).

 

Mission SuperTwins Presented by S&S Cycle

On an extraordinarily technical surface, Beach earned the top pick of starting positions with his performance in the lead-up to the Main Event but appeared to throw that pivotal advantage away by slipping down to third in the race's opening corner.
However, the versatile Beach somehow slashed past both Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) and Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) in less than a quarter mile and was effectively perfect from that point forward.
This was the first oval win of Beach's AFT career to add to his four prior TT victories. As a result of his Laconia points haul, Beach held an early advantage in the recently announced Progressive Triple Crown.

While Yamaha had gone nearly a half-century between oval wins prior to the Mission Red Mile I win scored by Beach's Estenson Yamaha teammate at Lexington, Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), it took just two weeks to add another.
Daniels made it a Laconia 1-2 for Yamaha, ahead of Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) in third, 2019 Laconia ST winner Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) in fourth ahead of his brother Briar in fifth. Reigning champion Mees finished sixth.

Mission Production Twins Presented by Vance & Hines

It was a Harley 1-2 in the Vance & Hines backed Production Twins with 17-year-old Billy "the Kid" Ross (No. 109 Roof Systems/JRi Shocks Harley-Davidson XG750R) earning his first career AFT victory in dramatic, come-from-behind fashion after championship leader Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) finished in second after appeared to have done enough.
A few seconds back, the "partially-retired" Dan Bromley (No. 62 Vinson Construction/Viper Air Yamaha MT-07) showed he's still got his chops with a strong ride to third. As a result, Bromley stands two-for-two in podiums per attempt this year following his runner-up at the season opener in Volusia.

Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) once again salvaged a decent result out of a less-than-perfect round. The defending class champ executed successive passes on sixth-placed Cole Zabala (No. 51 Memphis Shades/Corbin/Vinson Yamaha MT-07) and fifth-placed Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) to minimize the day's damage with a fourth-place finish.

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER title leader Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) was in a class of his own all day long at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The prodigious Kopp was fastest in every practice and qualifying session, won his Semi and the Al Lamb's Dallas Honda Challenge going away, and then stamped his authority through multiple starts and stops for his third win of the season in a three-time red-flagged Main Event.
Trent Lowe (No. 48 Mission Foods/Al Lamb's Dallas Honda CRF450R) narrowly edged rookie Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) for second at the stripe by 0.019 seconds. Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) took fourth ahead of Mission Red Mile II winner Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R), who rounded out the top five.

 

Next up is the demanding Mission Lima Half-Mile at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, on Saturday June 25. Then the season heads to Weedsport, NY for the New York Short Track (Round 8 - July 2) and the Port Royal (Pennsylvania) Half Mile (Round 9) on July 17.
After that the series starts is swing West stopping in Illinois for the Peoria TT (July 30 - round 10); then it is Sturgis Rally time with the Black Hills Half Mile at the Black Hills Speedway, Rapid City on August 6 before heading to Castle Rock in Washington and Sacramento, California at the end of August.
www.americanflattrack.com

Standings
Mission SuperTwins Presented by S&S Cycle

Mission Production Twins Presented by Vance & Hines

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER