Polaris

Polaris Q2 Sales +8%, Retail Sales -23%

If you are someone who accepts the premise that making more from less is the holy grail of good business practise, then Polaris Industries had an awesome second quarter (the period to June 30, 2022).
Usually, a near collapse of Retail Sales of -23% year on year would send investors and management running for cover, but provided gross profit margin is stable (-3.03% is good, proportionately) then to have still achieved a +8% increase in Sales Revenue for the quarter (to $2,063m) has got to be good management and good use of capital resources.

The company says that the primary drivers in the quarter were "improved operational performance, strong pricing and stable demand supported by a healthy consumer while still seeing supply chain challenges constraining dealer inventory, as well as continued inflationary pressures," with the -23% decline in Retail Sales primarily driven by those ongoing supply chain challenges - but they note that "North America ORV retail was up 13% sequentially."
North America sales of $1,748m represented 85% of total company sales and increased nine percent from $1,600m in 2021. International sales of $315m represented 15% of total company sales, an increase of one percent. "Sales in the second quarter of 2022 were largely impacted by strong mix and pricing offset by volume declines related to continued supply chain challenges reducing shipments and low dealer inventory levels."
On-Road segment sales were impacted by the already stated lower shipments (driven by supply chain challenges) despite modest sequential improvement in component availability and shipments, strong demand, and pricing.
On-Road segment PG&A sales (which now includes relevant powersports aftermarket sales) increased 24%. Segment gross profit margin performance was driven primarily by higher input costs and supply chain constraints, partially offset by favorable product mix and lower promotions costs.
North America retail sales for Indian Motorcycle were down low-forties percent. North America unit retail sales for the comparable motorcycle industry were down mid-twenties percent.

'trend is expected to continue'

 

Off-Road segment sales were driven by increased pricing on new and pre-sold orders, partially offset by volume despite modest sequential improvement in component availability. Off-Road PG&A sales, which now includes relevant powersports aftermarket sales, decreased three percent.
Segment gross profit margin performance was primarily driven by negative mix and higher input costs, partially offset by increased pricing and continued low promotional costs.
Polaris North America ORV unit retail sales were down mid-twenties percent. Estimated North America industry ORV unit retail sales were down mid-teens percent.
Marine segment sales results were driven by favorable mix, positive pricing and unit volume. Segment gross profit margin performance was driven by better product mix offsetting higher input costs and supply chain constraints.

Mike Speetzen pic, captioned: CEO Mike Speetzen: "In the quarter we saw some easing of logistics complexities, commodity costs, and certain supply chain bottlenecks helped to support sequential margin improvement and increased shipment volume."

CEO Mike Speetzen was quoted as saying that "while we are closely watching a number of demand indicators to understand the resilience of the consumer in this environment, we continue to see a healthy consumer and stable demand.
"In the quarter, some easing of logistics complexities, commodity costs, and certain supply chain bottlenecks helped to support sequential margin improvement and increased shipment volume.
"While this trend is expected to continue in the back half of the year, we remain diligent and prepared to respond if headwinds materialize. Our focused strategy of being the leading player in powersports, coupled with the significant opportunity to get back to optimal dealer inventory levels, gives us confidence in our ability to drive continued performance for Polaris and value creation for our shareholders."

Polaris Q2 sales were +8% on reduced unit volume.

 

The Company has updated its 2022 guidance expectations to reflect the divestiture of TAP early in the third quarter. The Company now expects 2022 sales to increase in the range 13 to 16% versus prior guidance of 12 to 15%.
Corporate gross profit margin was 23% (-3.03% YOY); at $281.5m total operating expenses in peak season were down by -3% (largely due to lower sales and marketing spend). Diluted EPS (Earnings Per Share) were $2.34, which is down by -5% YOY - generally not a good signal to be sending to Wall Street, but Polaris shares have been performing well in the weeks prior to the earnings release, bucking trend, and initial investor reaction remained positive.

Comment by Editor-in-Chief, Robin Bradley

Good for Business  -  See y'all at Sturgis!

Just as this edition of AMD was going to press, the latest U.S. inflation rate figure (the consumer price index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for June) rose to an annualized rate of 9.1 percent.
This was above economists' 8.8 percent estimates, and while there is some credence in the argument that it doesn't reflect the (at that stage) recent falls in energy prices that have started to set in, and therefore may be an artificially high measure, it nonetheless marked the fastest rate of year-on-year increase in more than 40 years (since 1981 in fact).
The data triggered further speculation that July might see the U.S. Federal Reserve stuffing another 0.75 percent (maybe even a full 1.0 percent) onto its benchmark interest rate, just as hopes had started to circulate on Wall Street that such a measure may no longer be needed, and that the rate of decline in share prices had therefore started to slow. Along with interest rates, inflation and jobs, share prices are that other great metric of the economic direction of travel in the leading so-called Anglo Saxon model economies.
This all took place in a week that saw the euro drop to parity with the US Dollar for the first time since 2001. In Europe, the effects of the war in Ukraine are that much 'closer to home' and the volatility being seen in oil and gas pricing and supply has a direct umbilical cord to European exchange, interest and inflation rates.
The United States saw over 370,000 jobs added in June, but the fear is that the present momentum will be fragile in the face of the headwinds that are increasingly likely. Even if not this year, most analysts are accepting that some degree of recession is now certain at some stage in 2024.

"the effects could be threefold"
 

The Fed itself has acknowledged that unemployment in the U.S. will need to rise. Forecasts vary, but the present low level of 3.6 percent is expected to peak anywhere between 4 and 5 percent by the end of 2024 - the upper end of that range translating to significantly more job losses.
The effects of this on the motorcycle industry could be threefold. Capital supply could continue to get tighter and more expensive, just as capital requirements are headed for all-time record highs and capital reserves are at an all-time low.
Consumer confidence and demand are likely to soften, even if the 'R' word is not yet to be invoked. While in-work rates are at recent highs, and out of work rates at historic lows, those who parrot that record vacancies are a sign of economic strength could not be more wrong.
Since the dawn of economic time, all economies and all currencies have only ever been able to grow strongly in direct proportion to available labor supply. Low labor supply guarantees low growth, or even economic contraction. Fact.
If consumer confidence is low, if the complex matrix of issues affecting labor supply, growth and job stability are soft, then demand is likely to soften even if the technical definitions of a recession are not met. That is 'stagflation' - basically signalling a 'going nowhere' economy.
Third, supply chain issues are less likely to resolve themselves in less than vibrant and positive economic environments. I have read reports that the semiconductor issue is repairing itself sooner than expected, and that we may even be headed from famine to feast with a glut of additional supply becoming available - just as demand may be about to dampen anticipated ROI on the investments that have been made.
However, the primary problem is that any short-term decline in demand is that it will turn up in the annual rings of future growth, and likely impact on our ability to be as ready as we should and could be for the carbon neutral and net carbon zero deadlines. Per the report on the recent decision by the European Union reported in this edition, those deadlines that are now starting to coalesce as being between 10 and, at most, 15 years ahead of us.
In terms of the time needed to prepare for the undoubted positives that these could mean for the motorcycle industry, and the opportunities for deeper integration of PTWs into the global transport ecosystem, that is no time at all.
While the United States may think that it is up to it to decide when or if it will implement a deadline, the global reach of supply chains, capital flows, product development cycles and returns on investment are such that if any one of the big three trading blocs (USA, Europe or China) adhered to such deadlines, it would make life very difficult (and very expensive) for the other two.
If any two did so (for which read Europe and a de facto abandonment of IC engines in China), then like it or not, that would make it almost impossible for the United States not to have to 'get with the program'.
That is proven by the fact that 'Detroit' and California are the tail that wags the dog in American transport industry policy terms. If The People's Republics of Tamla Motown and The Beach Boys say jump, then if China and Europe are already headed to that (maybe mythical) paradise of zero carbon, then for the rest of America it is only a question of asking 'how high?'
I have always taken the view that regardless of what one thinks of the science, the principle of internal combustion engine 'end of life' enforcement offends the purest principles of liberal values and personal freedoms.
However, I have always taken the view that if that is where the next generation of profits are to be made, then preparation and adoption, for me, is a sacred tenet of good governance and that 'I am good' with whatever is good for business. Whatever generates the profits necessary for there to be enough taxation to fund good defence, education, healthcare, housing, social care, lifestyles and retirement, then so be it.
In the case of our aforementioned humble backwater, if it drives sales of a whole new generation of new shiny things, then I for one am not going to worry whether its hydrocarbons, wind power, solar or hydrogen - whichever solution wins out will be good for business. Build the product, make the sale, bank the money, enjoy life. See y'all at Sturgis!

Calculated Risk Dealership Group

Calculated Risk Dealership Group sold to A 'Family Office' Private Holding Company

In what is thought to be the largest (and one of the first) deals of its kind since Harley relaxed its policy on private equity store ownership, Adam Smith has sold his Calculated Risk group of Texas Harley dealerships to Michigan based Navigant Oak, LLC.

The deal includes Texas Harley, the largest H-D store in Texas. The structure of the sale allows Smith to retain 20% ownership of all the dealerships as well as a seat on the board of directors. The new holding company for all the stores will operate as Navigant Motor Group.
The Calculated Risk dealerships purchased include Smith's flagship Texas Harley-Davidson in Bedford, Texoma Harley-Davidson in Sherman, Lumberjack Harley-Davidson in Nacogdoches, Roughneck Harley-Davidson in Longview, H-D Waco and Texarkana Harley-Davidson. It also includes Lucky Penny Cycles in Bedford and Houston, which specialize in pre-owned motorcycles. 

Adam Smith opened his first Harley dealership in 1996 at the age of 22.

Smith, 48, opened his first Harley-Davidson dealership in Grand Prairie, Texas, in 1996, making him the youngest person to own and operate a Harley-Davidson dealership at the age of 22. In 2017, Smith opened Texas' largest Harley-Davidson dealership. Texas Harley-Davidson is 72,000 square feet, sits on six acres and has two showrooms.
Smith served as the 2018 Harley-Davidson Dealer Advisory Council president, representing the approximately 675 Harley-Davidson dealers across the nation. His dealerships have also earned multiple coveted Bar & Shield awards from Harley-Davidson.
The sale to Navigant Oak represents one of the first dealership acquisitions by a financial buyer in the Harley-Davidson arena. The parent company has typically prevented family offices and private equity investors from acquiring dealership franchises. Recently Harley-Davidson has relaxed ownership restrictions to facilitate growth.

 

The sale of the $100m in sales Calculated Risk Group includes Texas H-D, the largest Harley dealership in Texas.

Navigant Oak (NavOak) is a private holding company for ex Cummins man Greg Boll's family-owned portfolio of businesses and investments. Navigant Oak currently has holdings in several industries including aerospace, HVAC, real estate, transportation, retail, industrial equipment, power generation, business services and automotive supply.
Businesses owned include Cummins Bridgeway LLC, an exclusive distributor for Cummins, Inc. "Navigant Oak was the best cultural fit for Calculated Risk and I appreciate that they are a family company," said Smith.
"I've been in this business 31 years - that's a lot of friends and motorcycles and rides. I started with one 6,000 sq ft store with six team members and grew to eight locations with more than $100m in annual revenue. I accomplished what I set out to accomplish in this industry. This is the right partner and the right time for me to find out what might be next in life for me and to take a back seat for once."

Arrowhead Engineered Products

Arrowhead Engineered Products to Buy Bihr from Alcopa

Subject to regulatory approval, Blaine, Minnesota based Arrowhead Engineered Products (AEP) has agreed to acquire 100% equity ownership of Bartenheim, France based distributor Bihr from present owner Alcopa of Kontich, Belgium.
AEP is the owner of Vertex Pistons, in Italy, and Boise, Idaho based domestic U.S. distribution major Western Power Sports, among an impressive portfolio of mostly American powersports industry parts and accessory brands such as All Balls Racing, Hot Cams, Pivot Works and Cylinder Works.

Alcopa, which traces its roots in automotive and motorcycle distribution in Belgium and beyond back to 1937, acquired Bihr in 2010. In recent years it has been funding an aggressive strategic acquisition program to grow the Bihr business footprint. This has included the MotoDirect Distribution, RST Apparel and Race FX operations in the UK and, most recently, noted Hamburg, Germany based distributor and brand owner Paaschburg & Wunderlich.

John Mosunic, CEO of Arrowhead Engineered Products

AEP saw a majority stake in its business bought by the massive Genstar Capital private equity firm in the USA last year, having previously been in the ownership of the Investcorp/Bahrain Sovereign Wealth Fund backed Riverside Group.
Bihr was founded in 1975 by industry veteran Cyrille Bihr and these days has a portfolio of some 350 brands (including being a major player for Arai Helmets in Europe) and distributes some 200,000+ SKUs to a growing network of 15,150 dealers across 20 countries from a total distribution centre footprint of over 54,000 sq m.

The European Union

EU Ban on New Combustion Cars and Vans from 2035
By Ben Purvis

The European Union has reinforced its plans to end the sale of combustion-engined cars and vans by 2035 as part of a plan to reach carbon-neutrality by 2050.
The European Commission came up with the schedule last year, but has now reinforced it by dismissing a protest from member states including Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Italy to delay the cut-off date until 2040, giving more time for manufacturers and infrastructures to adapt.

Although the current version of the EU's 'Fit for 55' plan - which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990, and to hit carbon neutrality by 2050 - envisions an outright end to the sale of new cars with combustion engines, the door has also been left open for the adoption of other carbon-neutral fueled engines and platforms, rather than pure electric power.
 

'stay of execution for bikes?'

By 2035, the target is to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars and vans by 100%, in other words to end all carbon dioxide emission from them. That means hydrogen-fueled combustion engines, which emit water vapor (along with some oxides of nitrogen, preventing them from being classed as 'zero-emissions'), could qualify. In theory, so too could the use of 'synth gas' under appropriate circumstances (production, infrastructure, state of tune etc.).
The Commission has also set a date of 2026 for an assessment of the progress towards the 100% CO2 emissions reduction. While sceptical of the technology at the moment, the Commission will also revisit the idea of synthetic e-fuels - petrol replacements made using carbon capture technology, allowing conventional combustion engines to become net-zero in their carbon emission despite still emitting CO2 at the tailpipe - in 2026.
Several car makers, including Porsche, are backing the idea of e-fuels (as have Bosch and Volkswagen Audi at various stages), and recent tech developments have even seen the development of prototype 'fuel from air' manufacturing plants, using sunlight and CO2 scavenged from the air to create liquid carbon fuels.
 

'fuel from air'

Such systems could essentially make current vehicles carbon-neutral, as well as allowing the sale of combustion engined cars and vans after the 2035 cut-off date, and don't have the same mining and manufacturing impact on the environment that battery-powered electric cars impose.
However, to allow these e-fuel-using engines, the European Union will have to reword its proposed 2035 rules to remove the emphasis on 'tailpipe' emissions.
For motorcycles, there's still no official EU cut-off date for CO2 emissions. They contribute relatively little greenhouse emissions overall, and as such are less of a priority. In the UK, the Department for Transport's 'Decarbonising Transport' document, published last year, committed to consult on a phase-out date of 2035 or earlier for non-zero emissions powered two-wheelers.
However, an initial consultation earlier this year resulted in a government response, saying "due to the diversity of the sector and the different vehicle types that are covered by the 'L-category', this cannot be a 'one size fits all' approach. Different approaches will be needed for different types of vehicles."

News Briefs

 

H-D was in seventh spot in market share terms in Germany for the first four months of the year, with 2,363 units sold for a 5.36% share. BMW was 'top dog' in its home market with 11,131 units sold for a 25.24% share. Harley's best seller was the Sportster S in 23rd spot with 451 units registered with the Pan America in 46th with 285 sales. The R 1250 GS was the best seller YTD in Germany with 4,217 sold. Royal Enfield is up to 10th spot in market share terms with Indian in 14th (478 units sold for a 1.08% share).

BRP has reported Q1 revenues flat compared to the year ago at $1,809.3m. Revenues from Year-Round products were up $11.9m at $934.4m compared to 2021. BRP achieved market share gains in SSV and ATV in North American Powersports despite limited product availability. Normalized diluted EPS of $1.66 is a decrease of $0.87 per share. Normalized EBITDA of $272.1m is a decrease of $106.9m or 28.2% compared to Q1 2021.

Fast-growing Columbus, Ohio dealer group Iron Pony Motorsports has been announced as the Official Motorcycle Dealer of 2022 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Royal Enfield, which takes place July 22-24 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. In other news, the dealer group has acquired Affordable Powersports, LLC of Carroll, Ohio. With locations already in Mansfield and Columbus, this marks the third location for the company, which plans to provide the Lancaster/Carroll area with a smaller version of the Columbus store.


Legendary former Easyrider Magazine Editor, publisher, writer and freedom fighter Keith Ball's Bikernet Blog Website is reported to have broken into the world's top 25 motorcycle sites. Ball's background is as varied as his site. He's a Vietnam-era Navy veteran who served as an electronics technician on a heavy cruiser, then, upon his return to civilian life, he was a staffer and editor at a host of motorcycling and automotive titles.  He eventually became Executive VP for Paisano Publications. His understanding of motorcycles and the motorcycling culture helped him develop and lead publications like Easyriders and In The Wind, which became the top newsstand titles in the industry, along with Hot Bike, Hot Rod Bikes, Quick Throttle, American Rider, Street Chopper and several other titles.  Ball also drove the founding and growth of motorcycle rights organization ABATE and was appointed as National Director of the organization. His racing resume includes being part of four successful motorcycle land speed record attempts and his honors include induction into the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame (2006), Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame (2016), the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame (2018) and the Cycle Source Man of the Year (2006).

Irving, Texas based used inventory specialist RumbleOn (NASDAQ: RMBL) has announced a ten year exclusive sponsorship agreement with the City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The agreement is for a prime downtown retail property lease through 2031. The City of Sturgis Mayor Mark Carstensen said: "We are excited to have RumbleOn as the exclusive Powersports category sponsor for the next decade."

Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corp. has broken ground on an "advanced and innovative SMART Warehouse" project at Newnan, Georgia. "Using state-of-the-art automated storage and retrieval systems, the new 200,000 sq ft facility will be capable of reducing response time for fulfilling dealer orders for Yamaha WaveRunners, Golf Cars, ATVs, and Side-by-Sides by more than 50 percent."

MyDigitalListing.com has returned as the Official Real Estate Company of Progressive AFT for the 2022 season. The company has "taken the booming Southwest Florida real estate market by storm with its innovative '4% all-the-time' listing service."


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

HardDrive

'Grand Prix' and 'Loose Cannon' Slip-ons for Indian Baggers

As Indian Baggers continue to gain popularity then so too there is ever more significant aftermarket support for them.

Grand Prix for 2014-up Indian touring models.

Firebrand has recently added its own flavor of performance to the Challenger and Chieftain models with two new slip-on muffler styles designed to "wake up" the Indian touring machines.
The 'Loose Cannon' slip-on features a stainless louvered baffle for maximum sound and performance while the 'Grand Prix' leverages a perforated baffle and race style packing for a deeper, no drone sound and mellower tone. 

Loose Cannon for 2014-up Indian touring models.

Both muffler kits are available in chrome or heat resistant black finish and "built by riders, for riders in the heartland of the US. Firebrand exhausts are distributed in USA by HardDrive."

HARDDRIVE V-TWIN
www.hdtwin.com
www.firebrandmotorcycle.com

Bagger Nation

Bagger Nation Fire Bolts COB Taillights

Introducing the latest addition to its Lightning Bolt family, Bagger Nation says that its new Fire Bolt laser-bright, flush-mount taillights feature taillight/brake light functions coupled with an all-new amber switchback signal function.
"These truly 'flush-mount' lights are smaller than a nickel (.750") in diameter and can be flat surface mounted anywhere that you can drill a .625" hole.

"Fire Bolts feature an industry best, eight COB (chip on board) micro lights for the most intense laser brightness imaginable.  Fire Bolts feature billet 6061-T6 CNC-machined aluminum bodies that provide maximum heat dissipation and include a lifetime replacement warranty."
An exclusive lens design features a liquid polymer construction creating a "truly waterproof unit that can't leak. These truly custom application taillights can be installed in an unlimited array of designs, with the only limitations being your imagination.  

"Simply create your pattern, drill a few holes and wire them up. It really is that simple. Bagger Nation Fire Bolts require NO additional load equalizer, our lights feature that exclusive circuitry built right in.
"The latest addition to our incredibly popular Lightning Bolt light family, our exclusive amber switchback signal function makes these custom taillights legal in Europe and countries like Canada, where the laws require an amber signal function." Sold in pairs, Fire Bolts are offered in chrome, anodized black or brushed brass finishes.

PAUL YAFFE'S BAGGER NATION
www.baggernation.com

Kibblewhite Precision Machining

Indian Scout Valvetrain System

Pacifica, California based Kibblewhite Precision Machining Inc., has an over 80 year pedigree as one of the market's leading and innovative performance valve train engineers. Still family owned and operated, KPMI is most closely associated with Harley-Davidson valve trains, but the company actually makes products for a wide range of powersports (and automotive) industry vehicles - as both OEM replacement and performance upgrade components.
Since the end of last year KPMI has been designing and manufacturing valvetrain for Indian Motorcycle applications. The range of applications will soon include all (2020-2022) Indian Challengers, but seen here is a round-up of the company's valve train components for 8-valve Indian Scout 1200s from 2015-2019.
 
Beehive Spring Kit

 

Manufactured in heat treated steel with 0.435" lift, this Beehive spring kit is compatible with the OEM tappet lash adjustment system and KPMI shim conversion tappets. Designed to work well with the OEM integrated Seal/Base or, as included with this kit, KPMI's own #71048-8 OEM replacement seals for "a more complete performance valvetrain solution."

Racing Spring Kit

Manufactured in titanium and heat treated steel with 0.450" lift, these racing springs are compatible with the OEM tappet lash adjustment system and the KPMI's own shim conversion tappets. The seals included in these kits are intended for use with OEM guides or with KPMI guides if installed with KPMI 71016-8 seals. Offered with titanium and heat treated steel retainers.

Manganese Bronze 'Engine Builder' Valve Guides 

 
Designed with the "price conscious builder in mind, you can expect the same exacting KPMI tolerances from these standard manganese bronze guides, but with reduced toughness and durability compared to premium C630 nickel aluminum bronze valve guides.
"The softer manganese guides are easily reamed, and then can be delicately finished with our high quality ball hones. Now, with any battery operated or electric drill, you can ream and hone manganese valve guides in less time and without access to the kind of expensive honing equipment required to properly size tough nickel bronze guides."

Black Diamond Stainless Valves

 
Available in standard or +1 mm over size, all KPMI Black Diamond stainless steel valves are impregnated by a special German process to a depth of .002, with a surface build-up of .0002. This proprietary Black Diamond process "improves wear properties, reduces friction, and provides resistance to corrosion and wear that is superior to chrome and nickel electrolysis plating.
"Each valve is designed using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, and profiles are tested on our computerized flow bench. Black Diamond Valves are lightweight, strong, one piece forgings with profiles that provide excellent flow characteristics."

Shim-on-Bottom Tappets

 

Manufactured from billet aircraft alloy steel, these 31.15 mm OD tappets are designed using advanced FEA software. "This software allows our engineers to lighten the tappets without sacrificing strength, which creates the strongest and lightest tappets possible. The tappets are then machined from billet aircraft quality steel. After machining the tappets undergo a proprietary heat treatment process that creates a hard surface and a nonbrittle core."
These materials and processes maximize toughness and wear resistance. To finish, the tappets are OD ground and then the contact area is lapped and polished to create a very flat and smooth surface for the cam to run against. KPMI tappets are run in high performance automotive and motorcycle racing applications including Motocross, Flat Track Racing, Road Racing, Drag Racing, and Land Speed Racing.

DLC Coated Tappets

 
These 31.15 mm billet aircraft alloy steel DLC (Diamond Like Coated) shim-on bottom tappets undergo a low temperature Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) process to coat them with an extremely hard and long service life, very low coefficient of friction DLC film to help the tappet to maintain durability in extreme duty situations. Although KPMI recommends never running a camshaft off the edge of the tappet, this coating may help increase durability in these applications.

OEM Replacement 5.5 mm Stem x 0.435" Red Viton Guide Seals

 
KPMI solid Viton valve guide stem seals are resistant to high temperatures, petroleum products and the corrosive gasses that are the by-products of combustion. "These lift valve stem seals deliver optimum fitment and allow for maximum lift and service life. They retain their ability to seal in situations where other materials could harden and allow oil to enter the combustion chamber causing detonation, carbon build up and a loss of power." They are sold in packs of eight.

Red Viton, 5.5 mm Stem x 0.360" Guide Seals

 
These KPMI Red 100% Viton valve stem seal designs with 5.5 mm stem x 0.360" have all the design and materials advantages, resistance and durability characteristics of the OEM replacements, but the shorter duration make them "truly the racers choice."

KIBBLEWHITE PRECISION MACHINING
www.kpmi.us

'Valge Daami' Bike Show

Estonia - 10th Anniversary 'Valge Daami' Bike Show, August 13, 2022
 

The AMD World Championship program may still be temporarily suspended, but it is great to see the custom bike show season continue to come back to life, and August 13, 2022 will see AMD able to welcome Estonia as a World Championship Affiliate Event nation for the first time.
Staged at the historic Spa town of Haapsalu (noted for its ruined Medieval Castle), this is a 10th year for Müristaja MC's 'Valge Daami' Bike Show - which translates as 'White Lady' - a rural folklore tradition in many European countries (including Czechia, Germany, Ireland, UK) and as far afield as Japan and The Philippines.

 

 

The tradition revolves around the legend of an apparition, or female ghost of a Woman in White, with long straight hair, who is said to appear at times of danger and tragedy - she's likely pretty busy in Eastern Europe this year!
The 'Valge Daami' Bike Show, now coming back for a 10th anniversary, is the brainchild of Müristaja MC, an Estonian motorcycle club on the Baltic Coast, south of the capital Tallin, and is staged concurrent with Estonia's White Lady Festival.
The show will have a Best in Show award and supporting classes including Custom, Classic-Custom, Streetfighter, Café Racer, Scrambler/Tracker and a Public Choice.
Müristaja MC is working closely with Twins Forever MC in Lithuania (Thunderbike Customshow) and XIII Latvia MC (Cesis Custom Bike Show), who have also staged a World Championship Affiliate Event in the past.
The three clubs are hoping to combine their resources in future years and stage an AMD World Championship Affiliate Custom Bike Show in rotation around the three Baltic countries - in 2023 the AMD Affiliate event for the three countries will be the Thunderbike Customshow in Lithuania.
This is an excellent plan that will create critical mass and international profile for the excellence of the design and engineering talents that exist in the three markets' Baltic custom bike scene - AMD is proud to be able to associate itself with the plan and to welcome Estonia to the 'AMD' family!

'Valge Daami' Bike Show

Mission Port Royal Half-Mile

Briar Bauman Wins Port Royal Half-Mile

Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) scored his second straight victory at the Mission Port Royal Half-Mile presented by Appalachian Harley-Davidson thanks to a virtuoso performance at Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pennsylvania, on July 16 (Round 9).

Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle
The two-time champion had suffered through something of a win-drought by his standards after taking last year's Port Royal Half-Mile, claiming just one triumph in the following 15 races. However, Bauman looks to be well and truly back to peak form - the 22nd premier-class win of Bauman's career carried some extra significance, coming on an evening in which the paddock earlier paid tribute to Ryan Varnes by donning his number #68 en masse for a memorial lap led by the late rider's family.
After taking the checkered flag in the Main Event, Bauman took Varnes' girlfriend, Jennifer Hoshauer, for the victory lap.
"Honestly, it's an emotional day for the sport of flat track," Bauman said. "I can't thank everyone who participates in flat track enough right now. I can't believe how strong the Varnes family is … all the fans were supporting us during our lap of honor. I don't normally do burnouts - I don't know if I've ever done one - but I just felt like we needed to do it. It was for Ryan."
Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) took second, ahead of reigning Mission SuperTwins champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) third; Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) was fourth, ahead of Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) in fifth.

 

Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) outlasted Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Corbin/Vinson Yamaha MT-07) in second to score his third win of the Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines season.
Bromley announced at Port Royal that he was back for the remainder of the season and proceeded to prove in the Main Event that he was back in a big way. The home-state hero stormed to the holeshot and worked up a gap of nearly a half second over Janisch by the race's mid-distance, but Janisch mounted a comeback.
With title rival Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) finishing a couple more seconds back in third, the win saw Janisch retake the championship lead by a single point.
2020 class champion James Rispoli (No. 43 Wally Brown Racing/Haversack KTM 890 Duke) finished in fourth, with Mikey Rush (No. 15 Hellipower Racing/Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R) in fifth.

 

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
For the fourth consecutive round, runaway Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER title leader Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) went wire-to-wire to victory.
Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) was second, ahead of Kopp's teammate Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) in third, with Gauthier's rookie teammate Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) taking fourth and Trent Lowe (No. 48 Mission Foods/Al Lamb's Dallas Honda CRF450R) in fifth.

Next up the series starts its swing West, stopping in Illinois for the world-famous Peoria TT at the Peoria Motorcycle Club 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 for the last TT of the season in Washington (August 13) and then on to the Sacramento Mile, California, August 20.
September sees the Springfield Miles I & II on the first weekend (September 3 and 4) and the Cedar Laker Short Track at New Richmond, Wi., at the end of the month (September 24). The season wraps up back in Florida for the Volusia Half-Mile III on October 15 during Biketoberfest.
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

Biltwell

Biltwell - People's Champ 2022 Custom Bike Show
 
California based Biltwell has announced Clay Krick, a 22-year-old welding contractor from Lebanon, PA, as the 2022 People's Champ Bike Show winner after he topped online voting among six semi-finalists.

Staged in June at Cook's Corner, the legendary biker bar in Southern California, in addition to the ten-thousand-dollar grand prize provided by People's Champ sponsors, Krick's 1976 Honda CB750 chopper earned a coveted space among the invited builders at The Born-Free Motorcycle Show the Saturday and Sunday after the young customizer's beer-soaked victory.
Organized as always by Biltwell Inc. and presented this year by Modelo beer, The People's Champ Custom Motorcycle Build-Off shines a spotlight on younger and lesser known, but supremely talented motorcycle builders from around the world. 

Clay Krick's handcrafted Honda was a 15-foot-long tour de force and earned the greatest total number of winning votes in the contest's history.
Head-turning features of Krick's record-setting chopper included a six-foot-long rigid girder fork, a gooseneck swingarm frame, a psychedelic paint job, and enough crushed velvet to make Liberace second guess his commitment to flamboyance and excess.
www.biltwellinc.com

News Briefs

 

New York based MiddleGround Capital, who bought Race Winning Brands from Kinderhook in November 2021, has continued to add to the RWB portfolio. The "operationally-focused private equity firm that makes control investments in North American middle market B2B industrial and specialty distribution companies" has funded the acquisition of TPT Solutions (TransGo, RevMax and Transmission Specialties) to add to an RWB brand line-up that includes Wiseco, Rekluse, ProX, Manley Performance and JE Pistons. It is its second RWB add-on acquisition since November 2021 - having also acquired PAC Racing (performance springs) to the roster.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has signed a joint development agreement in the area of Lithium-Metal secondary batteries with SES Holdings Pte. Ltd., a U.S. (Boston) based EV battery research and development company. SES plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) via a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) transaction, and through the PIPE (private investment in public equity) offering by the SPAC, Honda plans to acquire approximately 2% of the shares of SES AI Corporation.

Tom Moore has left his role as GM at Los Angeles H-D to become GM at Kirkwood, Mo., based Doc's H-D.

Husqvarna Motorcycles has extended its partnership with Boise, Idaho based Rekluse through 2022. Owned by Race Winning Brands (of Wiseco fame) and now in its 20th year, the clutch component manufacturer will "continue to support Husqvarna's global racing efforts."

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has made a strategic investment in California based Helm.ai "to strengthen its software technology development in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision technologies," stating that "Helm.ai has key strengths in the area of AI-based image recognition technologies advanced through unsupervised learning." Founded in 2016, Honda and Helm.ai have been working in collaboration since 2019 through Honda Xcelerator, Honda's a global open innovation program of Honda.


Polaris has donated nearly $120,000 to off-road organizations with T.R.A.I.L.S. Grants. The 13 nonprofit organizations that were awarded a Spring 2022 T.R.A.I.L.S. grant received awards ranging from $6,000 to $10,000. The grants will support the development, improvement and expansion of trails, and help to educate riders on safe and responsible riding practices.

'Ride With Us', the MIC's "multifaceted market expansion program, heads into its second year, having inspired more than 2.3 million potential new riders through social media and putting more than 700 people on motorcycles for their first time through its Moto Intro experiences in 2021." It will, however, need to replace the public facing opportunity provided for it with the cancelation of the IMS Outdoors event series for 2022.

National Powersport Auctions (NPA) has "stepped up" its Strategic Partnership with the National Powersports Dealer Association (NPDA). "NPA believes that dealers are critical to the future of powersports," said NPA CEO Jim Woodruff. "They are at the front lines of the consumer experience that fuels our industry. We share NPDA's PURE (Promote, Unite, Represent, Educate) vision and belief that our industry is better when we all work together." Additional NPDA supporters include Find It Now, Law Tigers, LiquiMoly USA, Performance Brokerage Services and WPS/HardDrive parent company Arrowhead Engineered Products.

Ducati owner VAG's (Volkswagen Audi Group) Spanish subsidiary SEAT is the latest automotive brand to try its hand at PTW electrification with the launch of the 'MO' eScooter 125. It is powered by a 9 kW rear wheel electric motor, with peak power equivalent to a 125 cc Scooter, 240 Nm of torque for a stated 0-31 mph acceleration time of 3.9 seconds, 59 mph top speed and 85 mile range from the 5.6 kWh Li-ion battery pack.

In response to test rider and customer feedback, Harley has added a Screamin' Eagle Quick Shifter to its accessory options for 2022 and up Pan America models. To our knowledge, the company has not yet formally confirmed whether or not it is also compatible with other Revolution Max models, namely the Sportster S.


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

TecMate

Portable Battery Tester-Monitors

TecMate has adapted its portable OptiMate battery monitors to display the charge level for any battery - including lithium (LFP), sealed lead-acid (AGM) and standard 'wet cell' lead-acid (STD).

Portable range

O-126

O-125

O-126

At a glance the rider or dealer will learn if the vehicle's battery has sufficient charge to start the engine or if it needs to be charged first.
Connecting the tester-monitor is easy - the O-125 plugs directly into a fitted SAE battery lead and the O-126 has a dual size plug that adapts to a DIN (Ø12 mm) socket found on BMW Triumph and Ducati Multistrada, or the larger AUTO (Ø21 mm) socket found on most of the other motorcycle brands.  
Once connected, the resting voltage of that battery is measured to ensure that it is directly proportional to the State of Charge (SOC). If the LED adjacent to the battery type (STD, AGM & LFP) blinks, the battery's State of Charge is 50% or higher; 50% is sufficient to start and fire up an engine.
Once fired up, it now displays if the vehicle's system is delivering the right charge voltage to the battery, indicated by the green LFP LED turning full on. It also warns if that voltage is too high and might destroy the battery (especially if it is a LFP/lithium battery); all LEDs rapidly blink together if the voltage exceeds 14.6V.
Of course, if the red (warning triangle) LED is blinking, it's time to charge that battery! Both O-125 and O-126 have an SAE charge port; charging can continue through the monitor, and it will then display the rising charge voltage. 

Fixed range
 

O-127

O-124

For a more permanent solution there are smart battery leads with built-in monitors that can be fitted to the battery and used as a battery charger input when necessary. The O-124 is ideal for all 12V lead-acid batteries, including AGM, GEL and STD wet cell, and the O-127 is ideal for 12.8V LFP (LiFePO4) batteries.
These permanent smart battery leads make fitment to any powersport battery easy. OptiMate's unique dual size rings adjust from the default M6 (1/4") to the larger M8 (5/16"). Both the O-124 and O-127 come in a jar of 20, ideal for dealers that want to fit these smart leads to all vehicles at PDI.
OptiMate monitors are an easy and cost-effective way to instantly learn the state of a vehicle's battery.  A fitted battery monitor helps avoid battery damage - at-a-glance the rider will know if the battery is OK or when it's time to charge.

TECMATE
www.tecmate.com
optimate1.com/monitor

Drag Specialties

Hydro Clutch for V-Rods

Available through Drag Specialties for V-Rod models, the Müller Hydro Clutch is a clutch relief system adapted for hydraulic couplings of the Harley-Davidson Twin Cam and M-8 models.

It is said to deliver a 35% reduction in lever effort on Twin Cam models and 45% relief on M-8s. Made in Germany, the invisible/hidden install is described as simple and intuitive, and the design is maintenance-free.

It is already 20 years since former German Harley dealer Werner Müller unveiled his first patented clutch assist device - the Power Clutch - and in that time the company he founded has sold over 100,000 of them, worldwide.
Based near Ingolstadt in Bavaria, Germany, these days the business is operated by Werner's son Fabian Müller, a well-known custom bike builder as well as parts and accessory designer. The original 'Bowden' cable Power Clutch for mechanical clutch operation is still available, and the latest iteration is this Hydro Clutch for models with hydraulic clutches.
By improving the precision with which riders can control clutch operation, the Hydro Clutch can improve the durability and service life of the clutch and the gears in the transmission.
The improved sensitivity and feel therefore contribute to better handling and safety - especially in heavy traffic and urban/suburban riding conditions.

DRAG SPECIALTIES
www.dragspecialties.com
www.m-motorcycle.de

Drag Specialties Appointments

Drag Specialties Appointments

Greg Matter

Drag Specialties' Western region (Greater Phoenix) area Sales Representative Gregg Matter is to take over as the new Drag Specialties/Parts Unlimited dual Regional Sales Manager for the Central Region. Greg had been pounding the Western region for Drag for 15 years and had previously been a GM at H-D franchises.

Nick Stofle Joins Drag Specialties

Drag Specialties' latest new sales rep hire is Nick Stolfe, covering the Phoenix/Tucson area. Nick joins Drag Specialties with 22 years of experience at the dealer level managing parts and inventory for several H-D locations in California. Nick grew up racing BMX and dirt bikes before he eventually caught the Harley bug. There being no known cure he decided to make Harleys his career!