HardDrive

HardDrive Announces New Distribution Agreements with Three Major Industry Brands

Boise, Idaho headquartered distributor HardDrive American V-twin Products, the specialty custom parts division of Western Power Sports (WPS), has announced three new distribution partnerships with Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation (PYBN), MagnaFlow Exhaust and Rekluse (clutches).  

“I am extremely excited to start offering these brands throughout our HardDrive dealer network,” National Sales Manager Ronnie Wehr explained. “All three of these brands are well respected in the V-twin world and we couldn’t be happier to work with them. Each of these brands are distinct, giving HardDrive’s vast dealer network even more options for V-twin enthusiasts across the country.”

Bagger Nation SRT ‘Steam Roller’ touring front end kit

For over 30 years Paul Yaffe’s products have been industry staples in custom Harley-Davidson creation, always coming up with unique parts.  Located in Phoenix, Arizona, Bagger Nation’s diverse line-up “includes only the highest quality parts for Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles. This new relationship will allow HardDrive to further help market and distribute Paul Yaffe’s products in dealerships across North America.”
For PYBN, National Operations Manager Mark Goss said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with HardDrive. As a manufacturer of the highest quality parts for Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles, including the best-selling handlebars in the world, we feel this relationship will be very complementary to both companies, benefitting dealers and their customers.”

National Sales Manager Ronnie Wehr: “I am extremely excited to start offering these brands throughout our HardDrive dealer network

MagnaFlow describes itself as a “global leader in exhaust design and manufacturing with over 35 years of experience. MagnaFlow engineers use state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques to give V-twin riders that extra boost of performance, style and unmistakable sound. Proudly made in the USA, MagnaFlow develops and manufactures their products to exacting standards to ensure that every part is of the highest quality. HardDrive is proud to begin distributing MagnaFlow to dealerships across North America with their customer-focused service.”

MagnaFlow Hitman slip-on mufflers

For MagnaFlow, Director Chris McGee said: “We are excited with the addition of HardDrive as a sales partner to enhance the service and support of MagnaFlow to V-twin dealers and shops across North America. MagnaFlow and HardDrive are both family-owned and built from the ground up by good people with determination and a vision for the future. We look forward to more good things in the future with HardDrive.”
Founded on the philosophy of “good is not good enough”, Boise, Idaho based Rekluse is “continually innovating clutch technology, offering high performance auto and manual clutches for off-road and street motorcycles, including V-twin clutches - indeed Rekluse are the ‘Official Clutch’ supplier of the American Flat Track race series.
“Trusted worldwide, from weekend warriors to world champions in multiple riding disciplines, Rekluse proudly engineers, develops and manufactures in-house here in our home city of Boise, Idaho. Driven by purpose, progress and performance, Rekluse can always be relied on to inspire a better adventure.”

Rekluse's RadiusX is a high performance
centrifugal auto clutch combining our
TorqDrive and EXP technologies

For Rekluse, President Sean Brown said: “Rekluse is excited to add HardDrive and Western Power Sports (WPS) as a sales channel partner. This cooperation will broaden awareness of our expanding product segments including our V-twin and Harley replacement performance clutches. We are confident this new partnership with the HardDrive sales teams will help us continue building momentum for the Rekluse brand.”
HardDrive’s parent company WPS has been in the powersports distribution business for a combined 58 years. HardDrive distributes V-twin products to its dealers nationwide through six regional warehouses located in Boise, Idaho; Fresno, California; Memphis, Tennessee; Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania; Ashley, Indiana; and Midlothian, Texas.
The new HardDrive 2019 catalog features over 2,200 new items added to the fast growing line-up of popular and hard-to-source brands and parts, accessories and performance items.
As well as MagnaFlow, Rekluse and Paul Yaffe’s Bagge Nation, additions from established vendors include JW Speaker (lights), ODI (Vans Cult grips), and Pingel (clutch, accessories, petcocks, drag race components). Highlights include a significant expansion to the company’s Danny Gray seats line, HardDrive premium re-useable air filters, Firebrand exhausts (now exclusive to HardDrive), Sawicki 2 into 1 exhausts for Sportsters, Forbidden Motorcycles 2018 Street Bob/Breakout risers with stock gauge integration; Big Bike Parts Indian and Victory accessories and Racing Bros front suspension cartridge kits for Touring models.
www.hdtwin.com

Swiss-Custom

Swiss-Custom 2019

The Swiss-Custom Customizing and Tuning Show will again be staged at Swiss-Moto (Zurich, February 21-24, 2019). The show is again partnered with Custom Show Emirates 2019 (Abu Dhabi, March 28-30), with the Swiss-Custom winner receiving a trip to compete there this year.
Swiss-Custom is also partnered with The Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show in the USA, with one of the “sought-after Rat's Hole trophies being awarded in Europe - an award from the Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show is regarded as a veritable Oscar in the customizing scene.”
Customizers from across Europe can enter for pre-selection for one of the 50 spaces available in the show, with classes including American Stock from 1987, American Custom, Metric Stock, Metric Custom, Sportbikes, Streetfighter, Classic V2, Classic and Single and Radical Custom.

“Michael Lichter will present a selection of his most famous works and unveil some new, previously unseen images

The win in 2018 was taken by respected Lichtenstein based custom bike builder Reini Servello of Bobber Garage, who went on to win the Over 1000 cc Radical Class at the Sturgis Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show in August with ‘Monarch’.
An additional feature this year will see Michael Lichter curating a selection of his most famous works and unveiling new, previously unseen images.
www.swiss-moto.ch

“The Swiss-Custom win in 2018 was taken by respected Lichtenstein based custom bike builder Reini Servello of Bobber Garage with ‘Monarch’, going on to win the Over 1000 cc Radical Class at the Sturgis Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show in August and subsequently competing in the Avon Freestyle Class at the 2018 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building at INTERMOT Customized in Germany in October (www.bobber.li)

Rinehart

Rinehart Euro 4 Slip-Ons for Touring Models

Exclusively available through Parts Europe/Drag Specialties, Rinehart Racing from Arden, North Carolina has launched Euro 4 homologated slip-on mufflers for M-8 H-D Touring models.

“These stunning slip-on mufflers will add the perfect mix of both performance and style. Proprietary technology in the internal design of these slip-ons maximizes both torque and horsepower, letting the rider actually feel the performance. Rinehart Racing slip-on mufflers are characterized and easily identified by the iconic sound of Rinehart Racing, a deep throaty yet crisp rumble.”
They are available in 4” and 4.5” muffler diameter with a variety of finish options and end cap treatment options. They have a     stainless steel 2.5” louvered baffle, CNC-machined end cap manufactured from aircraft grade extruded aluminum billet, an internal chrome CNC-machined sleeve and are fully Euro 4 certified.
Rinehart Racing exhausts are exclusively available to dealers in Europe through Parts Europe.
www.partseurope.eu
www.rinehartracing.com

Royal Enfield

Royal Enfield and 18-Year-Old Cayla Rivas Set New Bonneville Speed Record

If anybody is still in any doubt about Royal Enfield’s domestic U.S. middleweight ambitions, then they simply aren’t paying attention. With their new air-cooled 650 Parallel Twins about to start hitting dealerships at a sub $6k price-point sweet spot, neither should anybody be in any doubt about whether or not the machines are going to actually be, you know, “any good”!

Royal Enfield teamed up with 18-year-old motorcycle racer Cayla Rivas (Fresno, California) to set a new land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats at the end of August. The fully custom-built bike showcased the new Continental GT 650cc twin engine, which was tuned and designed by U.S. based S&S Cycle.
The chassis was developed by Superbike chassis manufacturer Harris Performance in the UK. Harris is one of the most successful race and performance chassis businesses in the history of the motorcycle industry, and Royal Enfield bought them three years ago as a first stage in realizing its ambitions to be able to produce convincing new models and more powerful models.

By the end of the week-long speed trials, Cayla, the daughter of former NHRA motorcycle racer Chris Rivas, hit a jaw dropping speed of 159 miles per hour on the measured mile, setting a new record for the class with a record return run of 157.03 mph (pending FIM certification). This will be the 13th record Cayla has set since the age of 12, and her new top speed.

Backed up by team Royal Enfield, Harris Performance and S&S Racing, Cayla entered the naturally aspirated 750cc class, initially in a bid to reach 130 mph. By the end of the week she had set a 157.145 mph record (after blowing the engine twice).
With S&S Cycle backing the engineering team at the Royal Enfield Technology Center in the UK, expect to see Royal Enfield stake an early claim to leadership of the burgeoning “Battle of the Middleweights” that is destined to play out in the next decade; and remember, the GT 650 and the even lower priced retro styled Interceptor 650 are likely just a market entry start-point for the world’s oldest and highest unit volume continuously produced motorcycle brand.

Le Pera

XL ‘Sprocket’

The first iteration of North Hollywood, California seats specialist Le Pera’s new ‘Sprocket’ Solo was for ’08 and up Baggers. Available in ‘Smooth’, ‘Diamond’ and ‘Pleated’ stitch finishes, “this sinfully ‘Bobbed and Chopped’ design creates enough back support for highway riding, with a bobbed back that updates one of our most popular designs from the 1970s,” says Bob Le Pera Jr. 

In response to dealer and public demand, Le Pera now have the popular ‘Sprocket’ available for Sportsters from 2010 and up (including 2019).
Like all Le Pera seats, it has 47 years of handcraftsmanship invested into every detail and features a powder-coated 16-gauge steel base plate, a specially poured high-density “Marathon” molded foam foundation and double-stitched handcrafted cover with bonded polyester thread for durability.

LE PERA ENTERPRISES
www.lepera.com

Arlen Ness Enterprises

Ness Stamped Steel Fenders - Rapper, Profile and Pro Steel Short

Arlen Ness Enterprises has added to its popular replacement and custom fender program with three new stamped one-piece 14-gauge steel designs that are available for selected Harley and Indian Motorcycle Tourers and Big Twins.

Rapper

The ‘Rapper’ is a “curvaceous” full-length design that wraps the tire “to perfection”. They allow enough clearance for oversized 14” brake rotors and ship with direct bolt-on black anodized billet bracketry.
The 21” fenders measure 5.90” wide and accept all 130/60-23” tires; the 23-incher measures 6.30” wide and accepts all 130/60-23” tires. Fitment is for Indian and Harley, including ’99-‘13 and ’14-‘18 FLT and 2018 Softail FLFB/FLSL/FLDE/FLHC.
The ‘Profile’ is a 21” medium length stamped one-piece 14-gauge steel design for ’06-’17 FXD and 2018 Softail FXBB/FXBR/FXLR and ’13-up FXSB; also available 23” for ’13-‘17 FXSB and ‘18 FXBR Breakout.

ProShort

Profile

Two versions of the performance inspired stamped one-piece 14-gauge steel ‘Pro Street Short’ are seen here.  The 5.90” wide 19” and 21-incher, and 6.30” wide 23” version are available for selected Touring and Softail applications, including ’99-‘13 and ’14-‘18 FLT, ’13-‘17 Softail FXSB, and ‘18 Softail FLFB/FLSL/FLDE/FLHC/FXBR.
The unique design of the 39/49 ‘Pro Street’ allows a 3.50” x 21” wheel with a 120/70-21” tire in a 39 mm narrow glide or 49 mm mid glide fork for “an amazing look”. Direct bolt-on black anodized bracketry makes install easy.
Fitments include 39 mm ’88-‘05 FXD/FXR, 39 mm ’88-‘18 XL, ’06-‘17 FXD and 49 mm ‘18 Softail FXBB/FXLR.


ARLEN NESS ENTERPRISES
www.arlenness.com

MSI

Motorcycle Hubs for Baggers

South Gate, California based MSI has added hubs to its line-up of 28 wheel blank sizes (in 2D and 3D formats), rotors, pulleys and sprockets.

“Now you can get hubs ready to go - all you need to do is decide which finish you need and the bearing. Our initial line starts with the hubs for the popular bagger; fitment for 2000 and up with front and rear hubs are available - we will gradually be adding further to the line-up throughout 2019.”
MSI hubs are made from 6061-T6 aluminum, manufactured in the USA, and “designed for easy installation - each hub comes with a pre-cut crush tube and socket head bolts.”

MSI
www.msiwheelblanks.com

Biltwell

ECE-Certified Biltwell Gringo and Gringo S Helmets for 2019

European dealers who have been waiting for the vintage-inspired Biltwell Gringo and Gringo S helmets to meet ECE regulations need wait no longer – the California-based company has announced that all 2019 models of the popular full-face helmet line will not only meet DOT regulations, but also those of the even more stringent ECE.
“Designed by riders, for riders,” these helmets “harken back to the days when things were simpler and helmets weren’t festooned with ridiculous graphics and superfluous widgets,” says Biltwell co-founder Bill Bryant, and while the design might be rooted in yesteryear, the quality of construction and materials involved are thoroughly contemporary.

Gringo

The injection molded shells are lightweight, the paint quality is “superior to helmets costing twice as much and the buttery interior now includes pockets in the ear recess area for communication systems.
“The original Gringo helmet gave fans of the retro/modern motorcycle movement a safe place to put their heads. Assembled by hand and featuring a hand-painted ABS thermoplastic outer shell for lasting beauty and maximum impact attenuation, inside they feature a three-piece EPS safety liner and urethane chin bar padding that meets both US DOT and ECE R22.05 safety standards for motorcycle riding.
“Gringo’s removable liner and cheek pads are hand-stitched with open-cell foam for breathability and feature moisture-wicking fleece Lycra touch points and polyester vent panels for all-day riding comfort.”

Gringo S

Biltwell offers accessory cheek pads in a variety of different thicknesses so the face-fit can be customized specifically for the rider. The generous eye port is said to provide great peripheral vision and is large enough to accommodate sunglasses or Biltwell goggles.
“A less-is-more aesthetic sets the standard for comfort and style among retro/modern safety gear for riders,” says Bill, “and now our enduring favorite is ECE certified for motorcycle operation. Europe’s stringent R22.05 test protocol is recognized as the highest standard in the world for rider safety.
“Offering both US DOT and ECE certification means you can wear Gringo S with confidence. Boasting the same safety and comfort technologies as our Lane Splitter, Gringo S looks right at home on every motorcycle in your stable, from scooter to shovelhead.”
The CE-certified polycarbonate shield is injection molded for maximum optical clarity and features a scratch-resistant treatment to fight microscopic road debris. Gringo S can be outfitted with accessory bubbles and flat shields in a wide range of colors and tints to fine-tune the style and vision, and its liner is removable for cleaning or replacement.
Both Biltwell helmets are available in sizes ranging from XS to XXL and there are ten different paint finishes per model “to satisfy the pickiest rider.”

BILTWELL INC.
www.biltwellinc.com