DP Brakes and Clutches to Expand Clutch Line - Complete Friction and Steel Plate Kit
After what DP Brakes and Clutches describes as “incredible success”, the company is expanding its line of H-D clutches by offering a complete friction and steel kit for Harley-Davidsons – this is in addition to the individual friction and steel kits which have proven so popular with dealers.
DP Brakes’ clutch components are designed to provide extended service life and smooth, fade-free power delivery. The friction plates are ready to go, with no need to pre-soak in oil and are said to perform well in a wet or dry clutch. “The steel drive plates will not swell, unlike aluminum plates, nor will they fade,” says Larry Mills, President of DP Brakes North America. The increased weight versus stock plates adds ‘fly wheel effect’, improving starting and traction.
“We are pleased to be adding a complete friction and steel kit to complement our existing individual kits. This will continue to round out our highly successful range of long lasting, high performance clutches.
“Having one part number will make it easier for the dealer and consumer to order, and the sense of quality is increased by using the same high quality, durable, cushioned and heavy duty plastic presentation case which will protect them from damage during shipping and deliver a real sense of the quality we engineer into every component we make.”
www.dp-brakes.com
OptiMate Ampmatic Battery Rescue Chargers
How many times do you hear of riders arriving at an event after driving for many hours, towing the motorcycle on a trailer or with them in their van to find that when it is offloaded there’s a problem - the battery is dead!
Any number of things could have drained that battery during the trip - the alarm tripped en-route or the key was left in accessory position - but the results are the same. No battery. No starting. No riding. Or if it is entered into an AMD custom motorcycle event, disqualification is staring you in the face!
Sure, you can jumpstart the bike, but how long do you need to run the engine to be sure it will start again in the morning? And if it is a lithium battery, well, jumpstarting is simply NOT recommended.
The OptiMate Ampmatic range of powerful battery chargers are the ideal rescue - hook it up and the charger does the rest, even for a battery as low as 1/2 a volt. Ampmatic chargers will determine battery condition, then how many amps it can accept to get it back up as fast as possible.
The OptiMate 6 Ampmatic delivers up to 5 amps, which is perfect for any size of 12V lead-acid power sport battery, but for a 12V battery sized from 20 to 30Ah, the kind typically found in bagger/touring V-twin motorcycles, the super-powerful new OptiMate 7 Ampmatic delivers up to 10 amps.
For 12.8V/13.2V lithium (LiFePO4) batteries, the OptiMate Lithium 4s 5A has a lithium-specific Ampmatic charge program that will safely nurse the battery back to life and then get it back up to ‘start’ level fast.
When it comes to lithium, TecMate CEO Martin Human says “never JUMP, always charge. A flat lithium battery is very sensitive to sudden high current bursts and you run a high risk of permanent damage and you might even see a little smoke being released if you jumpstart a dead-flat lithium battery.”
If it is a small battery, there’s no adjustment to be made on any of the OptiMate Ampmatics as the smart Ampmatic processor matches the charge rate to the battery’s size and condition.
Martin says: “Ampmatic means total ease of use, or as North Americans might say, it’s a ‘no brainer’ charger. Hook up your OptiMate Ampmatic and it gets you up and running as quickly as possible.”
TECMATE
www.optimate1.com
Magnum Black XR Brake and Hydraulic Clutch Lines
Pittsford, New York based Magnum Shielding has added to its popular family of XR lines with either clear or OE style black coated stainless brake hose and chrome plated fittings with a third color choice.
Magnum’s ‘All Black XR’ brake and hydraulic clutch Lines feature a OE style black XR brake hose with highly polished black chrome plated fittings.
Manufactured using PTFE inner tubing, they are braided with an XR stainless steel reinforcement that is embedded in a tough black nylon outer jacket - delivering “exceptional protection of paint and chrome,” says General Manager Tom Vierthaler, adding that they are “compatible with all hydraulic fluids - the enhanced construction provides an extreme braking response and excellent durability.”
XR lines are designed to be compatible with Harley-Davidson ABS requirements for stock and alternate lengths and are compliant with all DOT FMVSS-106 Specifications.
Magnum has these black XR lines available in stock lengths or can make custom lengths for clutch and plus brake lines to fit most ABS or non-ABS H-D Touring, Softail, Dyna, and Sportster models, including 2018 and up Softails.
MAGNUM SHIELDING
www.magnumshielding.com
Authentic Seventies Cool with the ‘Cougar’
Dock66 Motorcycle Parts may be best known for its hard parts and accessories, but the company also offers dealers access to a riding gear program that includes branded products such as the ‘Cougar’ open face helmet seen here.
Owner Frank Muschalla says: “The ‘Cougar’ is a real classic for riders of choppers, bobbers, retro or vintage motorcycles. To offer a convincing and authentic, cool look, an open face helmet has to have a slim shape and minimalistic upholstery. Of course, for safety reasons the helmet should be ECE approved, and the ‘Cougar’ combines all these criteria.
“It is safe, being ECE 22/05 approved, and fits close to the head, just how an authentic 1970s style jet helmet should be.”
The outer shell is made of seamless ABS with a high level of protection. Lining is made from black, high-density EPS (Expanded Polystyrene). A ‘klick’ fastener makes it easy to lock the strap of a goggle in place and the total weight is just 1,100 g.
The ‘Cougar’ is available in flat black, flat white, flat gold and olive green with a white stripe. Sizes from S to XXL. The helmet comes with three buttons to fix a visor or bubble visor. Matching bubble visors made from solid polycarbonate are also available at Dock66.
DOCK66 MOTORCYCLE PARTS
www.dock66.de
AirFX Bolt on Wide Tire Kit for Indian Tourers
Jeff Schwindt, founder of Brazil, Indiana based AirFX has added to his branded air ride suspensions program with a new bolt on wide tire kit for late model Indian Touring bikes.
Featuring a one-piece US made, steel wrap fender, complete with a custom designed mount system for precision fit, this kit “redefines the look and feel of these popular touring bikes.”
With a custom 18 x 5.5” billet wheel from HHI/Renegade Custom Motorcycle Wheels and a 180 mm front tire, Jeff says “this kit delivers performance.”
Additional options include matching HHI/Renegade true floating brake rotors in 11.8 and 13 inch sizes with a custom, direct bolt-on 6 piston caliper from Hawg Halters - “now not only does the bike look good, but it will stop on a dime.”
AirFX is also now delivering a complete, fully integrated Air Suspension System for Indian Bikes featuring its patented rear mono shock and the “industry leading patented front replacement cartridges with the new AirFX Q-Pak manifold controller.”
AirFX USA
www.airfxusa.com
Cometic 4.250” Big Bore M-8 MLS Head Gaskets
Ohio based manufacturer Cometic now has 4.250” MLS (multi-layer steel) big bore head gaskets for oil cooled M-8 models that do not require the heads to be welded and resurfaced.
“This makes a 4.250” big bore top-end a truly bolt-on kit now,” says Cometic’s Jason Moses. “This is the largest bore you can go to without boring the engine cases. The new design means that the oil hole in the head does not need to be welded, making them a true bolt-on kit.”
They also fit the coolant cooled head with no modifications and are available in all the custom thicknesses in stock bore 3.937” to 4.250”.
COMETIC GASKET INC.
www.cometic.com
Domestic US Harley Sales Lowest Since 1998
No doubt in an effort to distract attention from a disappointing 2018 full year and final quarter, one that saw the company undershoot its 4Q and original 2018 forecasts, Harley-Davidson sought to focus on the limited positives, the value it says it is continuing to return to shareholders and the “milestones” it says it has already met in pursuit of its ‘More Roads’ strategy document when reporting their 4Q and 2018 FY (January 29th, 2019).
In reality, the headline news was of worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson units down by -6.1% (228,051 units), the lowest since 2010 (the only year that has been lower since 2001), with 4Q at -6.7% (39,311 units).
International retail sales were flat for the year at +0.4% (95,183 units) and have been essentially flat for five years, but with domestic 2018 retail sales down to 132,868 units (-10.2%), their lowest since 1998, international sales were 41.74% of the total (as Harley continues to pursue a 50/50 international/domestic sales split).
In other news, President and CEO Matt Levatich has now confirmed that, as widely trailed, production of models for Europe and selected other international markets (such as China and the ASEAN markets) will be based out of the new Thailand plant that came on stream in 3Q 2018 (capacity expansion is already underway there).
Levatich said that “in 2018 we delivered value to our shareholders through improved earnings and cash from operations. The challenges we experienced during the year reinforced the commitment we have for our ‘More Roads to Harley-Davidson’ accelerated plan for growth. Our plan addresses the challenges of today and the opportunities we see for growth ahead, and we are energized by the momentum we are building. New and different people, riders and non-riders, are taking notice of Harley-Davidson and the thrill of riding.”
On a full-year basis, the U.S. 601+cc industry was down 8.7 percent and Harley-Davidson held market share of 49.7 percent. Harley-Davidson’s full-year Europe market share was up 0.5 percentage points to 10.3 percent.
Revenue from the Motorcycles segment was down in the fourth quarter, but up for the full year compared to 2017. Operating margin as a percent of revenue decreased in the quarter due to restructuring charges, incremental tariffs and higher recall costs. Motorcycles and Related Products segment (Motorcycles segment) revenue grew +1.1 percent compared to 2017.
On a full-year basis, earnings per share (EPS) was up year-over-year on positive revenue growth. The company says it “achieved all stated 2018 milestones associated with its ‘More Roads to Harley-Davidson’ accelerated plan for growth.”
Full-year 2018 GAAP diluted EPS was $3.19, up +5.6 percent; year-ago GAAP diluted EPS was $3.02. Excluding restructuring plan costs (including manufacturing optimization) and the impact of incremental tariffs, 2018 diluted EPS was $3.78. Full-year 2018 net income was $531.5 million on consolidated revenue of $5.72 billion versus net income of $521.8 million on consolidated revenue of $5.65 billion in 2017.
However, fourth quarter 2018 GAAP diluted EPS was $0.00; year-ago GAAP diluted EPS was $0.05. Excluding restructuring plan costs (including manufacturing optimization) and the impact of incremental tariffs, fourth quarter 2018 diluted EPS was $0.17. Fourth quarter 2018 net income was only $0.5 million on consolidated revenue of $1.15 billion versus net income of $8.3 million on consolidated revenue of $1.23 billion in 2017.
Despite the growing pressure on margins and net profitability during the year, Harley-Davidson repurchased $382 million of shares and paid dividends totaling $1.48 per share, up +1.4 percent versus the prior year.
Cash from operations was up over $200 million, or +20 percent, compared to 2017. The Financial Services segment finished the year with record earnings of $291.2 million, up 5.8 percent.
In its ongoing drive to further improve its manufacturing operations and cost structure, in the first quarter of 2018 the company commenced its multi-year manufacturing optimization initiative anchored by the consolidation of its U.S. motorcycle assembly operations into its plant in York, Pa. In the fourth quarter of 2018, costs related to the manufacturing optimization were $19.1 million, with full year at $102.4 million. The company expects to incur an additional $50 million to $60 million of operating expense in 2019, which is lower than its most recent expectations. The company now expects total capital investment of approximately $65 million through 2019, a decrease of $10 million from previous expectations, and continues to expect ongoing annual cash savings of $65 million to $75 million after 2020.
During the quarter, Harley-Davidson says it continued to make progress on the initiatives included in its ‘More Roads’ accelerated plan for growth to build the next generation of riders globally. Leveraging core strengths in the business, brand and dealer network, the company is investing in opportunities that inspire increased ridership sooner and deliver sustainable growth for the future. Harley-Davidson’s ‘More Roads’ plan supports the company’s strategy and 2027 objectives to build two million new riders in the U.S., grow international business to 50 percent of annual volume, launch 100 new high impact motorcycles and do so profitably and sustainably.
“During 2018 we met or exceeded all of the ‘More Roads’ plan milestones we set out to achieve. In the U.S., we finished the year with 52,000 more Harley-Davidson riders than one year ago. The groundwork for an exciting future is being built in real time, and that’s clear for riders today and Harley-Davidson riders of tomorrow. We are igniting a cultural movement for motorcycling,” said Levatich.
Through 2022, the ‘More Roads’ strategy aims to deliver on key goals, including new products (keep current riders engaged and inspire a new generation of Harley-Davidson riders); broader access (meet customers where they are and how they want to engage with a multi-channel retail experience); stronger dealers (drive a performance framework to improve dealer financial strength and the Harley-Davidson customer experience).
The company believes its accelerated plan will drive revenue growth and expand operating margins and expects to fund strategic opportunities while maintaining its current investment and return profile and capital allocation strategy.
