Prairie bars for Indian Chief
Mitchell, South Dakota based Klock Werks' new Prairie bars for Indian Chief models are said to "combine traditional beach bar styling with a more comfortable, relaxed riding position."
"At Klock Werks we take our commitment to our customers seriously. You can have a customized look that suits your style, and actually improves your ride. You don’t have to sacrifice one for the other," says Brian Klock, President of Klock Werks.
The bars are available in chrome or black for 2015 and later Indian Chief Classic and Chief Vintage and are wider and lower than the stock bars, with 3" more pullback for reduced reach to the handgrips and controls. They ship as a "fit kit" that includes the necessary (black) cables.
KLOCK WERKS
www.kustombaggers.com
Modular motor mounts and filtered oil tanks
Paughco has announced that they now have the entire line of components from Yankee Engineuity available exclusively from them, including "modular platform" motor mounts.
Manufactured from billet aluminum and polished to a "flawless" finish, the unique top motor mounts are able to accept numerous coils and coil mounts while retaining the basic mount. "Regardless of the year or model you are working on, there is a YE mount to cover your needs," says Paughco.
Described as one of the best kept secrets in the custom H-D industry, the YE line is an "extremely high quality replacement accessories program that addresses unique needs and fitment requirements." The "modular platform" thinking informs many YE design concepts, which allows builders to add, remove and change the set-up without eliminating the entire component.
Also seen here, Paughco has been manufacturing replacement and specialty custom oil tanks for Harley- Davidson and custom H-D based motorcycle applications for four decades. Among the most popular are those fitted with screw-on oil filters.
Fully functional and unique in appearance, these tanks are said to "eliminate the need for an external remote filter and make oil changes a cinch." Those shown here are just a few of the many tank designs available - all using the same Paughco filter and able to accept an OEM filter. They are available in chrome or high gloss black.
PAUGHCO
www.paughco.com
PM 'Formula' line
California based manufacturer Performance Machine has released a new program of wheels and accessories for 2016 - their 'Formula' range is described as a "perfect formula of contemporary simplicity coupled with an early race-inspired lightweight, tapered and pocketed 5-spoke design."
Available in chrome, contrast-cut and contrast-cut platinum, they are CNC-machined from billet aluminum; the range of matching components includes two-piece rotors and belt sprockets with hard anodized teeth.
The range is rounded-out with a set of CNC-machined engine and drivetrain covers to match. Featuring "streamlined spokes stemming from the centre for an unforgettable impression," they are available in chrome and contrast-cut and ship with gaskets and hardware.
PERFORMANCE MACHINE
www.performancemachine.com
International sales growth rescues Harley's first quarter; EPS up on flat gross profits and reduced cash
Harley-Davidson has reported worldwide retail motorcycle sales in the first quarter up by +1.4 percent (57,458 units), with a +4.5 percent increase in international sales (+8.8 percent EMEA, +6.6 percent Asia Pacific) compensating for broadly flat domestic US demand (-0.5 percent, 35,326 units).
International markets accounted for 38.52 percent of sales in the first quarter of 2016 (22,132 units in total) compared to 37.37 percent of sales in the first quarter of 2015 (21,173 units). EMEA remains Harley's largest international market, with sales of 10,210 units in the first quarter of 2016; the Asia Pacific region had its best first quarter ever with sales of 7,566 units.
Despite domestic US sales being down again, Harley is saying that "retail sales trends have significantly improved over previous quarters," and that "worldwide retail sales were driven, in part, by increased investments in marketing and new product introductions."
Harley has managed to increase its first quarter 2016 diluted earnings per share by +7.1 percent to $1.36 ($1.27 in the same period in 2015) on net income that is down by -7.2 percent ($250.5 million on consolidated revenue of $1.75 billion compared to net income of $269.9 million on consolidated revenue of $1.67 billion in last year's first quarter).
Gross profit was up very slightly for the first quarter, at $590.280m against $590.275m last year, on motorcycles and related products revenue that was up by +4.37 percent at $1,576.6m for the quarter, reflecting an increase in selling, administrative and engineering expenses that resulted in operating income from motorcycles and related products being down by -3.76 percent at $332.457million. Gross margin percent was down at 37.4 percent with operating margin percent down at 21.1 percent.
Harley's total current asset position is improved on the year-end 2015 position, but is down compared to the first quarter 2015; cash and cash equivalents are down by -3.9 percent compared to the end of 2015 and down by -40.6 percent compared to the first quarter of 2015, with increased long-term debt reflecting the share repurchase activity that Harley has been embarked upon.
Net cash generated by first quarter 2016 operating activities was substantially reduced at $41.131m compared to $174.700m in the first quarter of 2015.
With revenue generated by motorcycle sales up by nearly +5 percent (at $1,317.578m for the first quarter) Harley President and CEO Matt Levatich has stated that he is "pleased with how our first quarter results demonstrate the progress we're making in both driving demand and delivering business performance in a highly competitive environment.
"The increased marketing and new product investments are beginning to take hold and we anticipate continued progress across our focus areas as we dial in and ramp-up our approach."
Harley began shipping its two new "powerful" cruisers in March (the Low Rider S and the CVO Pro Street Breakout) and launched its "Live Your Legend" integrated marketing campaign.
"The Live Your Legend” message is a rallying cry to inspire new generations of riders to invest now in experiences that define their legacy," said Levatich. "It's one example of how we are creating powerful connections with new riders and strengthening our bond with our existing riders."
Harley says that in line with its strategic objectives it continues to "bring new riders into the sport of motorcycling, while also broadening brand appeal demographically." The company says that in 2015 one-third of their new motorcycle purchasers in the U.S. had not owned a motorcycle previously [Polk/IHS] and that in the U.S. they were "the number-one seller of new on-road motorcycles of all displacements to young adults ages 18-34, women, African Americans and Hispanics, as well as Caucasian men aged 35 plus."
Harley says it continues to expect that it will ship 269,000 to 274,000 motorcycles in 2016, an approximate 1 to 3 percent increase from 2015. In the second quarter of 2016, the company expects to ship 82,500 to 87,500 motorcycles compared to 85,172 motorcycles shipped in the year-ago period.
The company continues to expect full-year 2016 operating margin of approximately 16 to 17 percent for the Motorcycles segment. The company continues to expect 2016 capital expenditures for Harley-Davidson, Inc. of $255 million to $275 million.
On a discretionary basis, the company repurchased 3.4 million shares of Harley-Davidson common stock during the first quarter of 2016 for $144.6 million. In the first quarter of 2016, there were approximately 184.2 million weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding, compared to approximately 211.8 million shares in the year-ago quarter. At the end of the first quarter, 25.6 million shares remained on board-approved share repurchase authorizations.
Harley adds 'Roadster' to Sportster range
As anticipated (or at least as hoped for), Harley-Davidson has announced a mid-cycle addition to its line-up. The initiative comes just 24 hours before the company is due to release its first quarter 2016 fiscals.
As featured in Harley's latest ad film, the 'Roadster' is another model for its 'Dark Custom' program and, in naming terms, a shrewd piece of branding - getting "Roadster" into a current production line-up before a rival does.
From the Harley-Davidson press release...
“Since its introduction in 1957, the Harley-Davidson Sportster has proved capable of constant reinvention, and the Roadster writes a new chapter in that story,” said Harley-Davidson Director of Styling Brad Richards. “We’ve watched our customers take the Sportster in so many different directions. The Roadster is a mash-up of styling genres, but the intent was to build a rider’s motorcycle, a Sportster that’s lean and powerful and connects the rider to the road.”
Roadster stars in “Cut Loose,” the third commercial in Harley-Davidson’s ‘Live Your Legend’ global marketing campaign that shows how riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle can enable riders to create deeper bonds and share richer experiences with friends and family. The ‘Live Your Legend’ campaign ads include snapshots of life-enriching moments, as well as the unique and unforgettable bonds of friendship that riders develop by riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
As the newest member of the Dark Custom line-up, the Roadster combines modern performance and retro-inspired styling with premium suspension components, an air-cooled 1200cc V-Twin engine that delivers a strong pulse of mid-range torque and a profile reminiscent of vintage racing motorcycles from the 1950s and 1960s.
“We wanted to give the Roadster some DNA from the high-performance KHR models of the mid-50s, and later Sportsters tuned for the drag strip,” said Richards. “Those bikes had fenders cut to the struts, the small fuel tank, and were stripped to their bare essentials to achieve a singular performance purpose.”
The 19-inch front and 18-inch rear offset-split 5-spoke cast aluminum wheels were designed specifically for the Roadster and contribute to its balanced, athletic stance. The Roadster puts its rider in an aggressive posture with a new low-rise handlebar and mid-mount foot controls that center the rider’s weight over the classic profile of the 3.3-gallon Sportster® fuel tank.
“The wheels were inspired by classic laced wheels, and are the most intricate cast wheels we’ve ever created,” said Harley-Davidson Industrial Designer Ben McGinley. “The interlacing spokes shoot outward towards opposite sides of the wheel, creating a dramatic visual effect. These wheels are also very light for their size, which contributes to the Roadster’s handling performance.”
Roadster’s suspension is enhanced by new 43mm inverted single-cartridge forks with tri-rate springs, gripped in robust triple clamps and rear suspension featuring gas-charged emulsion coil-over shocks and tri-rate springs with adjustable pre-load and offers greater suspension travel than any other Sportster model – 4.5 inches in front and 3.2-inches in the rear. Outstanding stopping power is achieved with dual 11.8-inch floating rotors on the front wheel. The Roadster is available with optional ABS brakes.
In keeping with its stripped-down styling, the Roadster’s rear fender has been clipped 1.5 inches shorter than previous bobbed Sportster fenders. The slotted belt guard and muffler shields mimic the lightening holes drilled in race-bike components, and a single four-inch diameter instrument tucked low in front of the triple clamp features a sweeping analog tachometer with an inset digital speedometer. Rear turn signals mounted directly to the fender struts, a side-mount license plate and fastback seat design give the rear of the bike a tight and uncluttered look.
BROCK'S PERFORMANCE: From titanium exhaust systems to carbon fiber wheels, Brock's Performance designs, builds and sells more than 3,500 products that make riding easier and safer through a never ending process of research, development and testing. The New Cumberland, Pennsylvania company had a wide range of products on display for V-twin tuners, customizers and performance engineers, including their FXR Street-Pro aluminum swingarms (which shed some 50% unsprung weight), their wide selection of BST and superbly manufactured Rotobox carbon fiber wheels, their custom-designed Bagger shocks (which give a smoother ride) as well as Sprint air filters, which show a measurable increase in horsepower; www.brocksperformance.com
B'COOL PRODUCTS: Randy Briley's drawn 14-gauge steel, five axis laser-cut fenders offer "perfect lines and mounting hole alignments." Available for 38- and 44-degree total rake applications, styles include the Wrap, FL and FL Combo series. Also available are rear fenders in high strength 10 or 11 gauge cold rolled steel or lightweight 1/8" aluminum rear fenders for rigid or swingarm mount applications; www.bcoolbaggers.com
MID-USA: From front ends to wheels, triple trees, calipers and forward controls to instruments, service items and tuning - the 2016 'En-cycle-Pedia' is loaded with new parts; www.mid-usa-com
ACTIA/GRIFFIN: The Czech manufacturer of the DIAG4BIKE range of fuel injection tuners and diagnostic scanning tools returned to V-Twin Expo this year as a seminar presenter and in collaboration with Griffin Tools & Supply of Carpentersville, Illinois, who are importing and supporting the product line. DIAG4BIKE is also being sold by HardDrive, who also displayed the range during V-Twin Expo; www.diag4bike.eu; www.actia.cz; www.griffintoolsandsupply.com
KOSO: The new 6 piece gauge package for touring models is described as a plug and play for FLHT, FLHX and FLTR from 2004 to 2013. It fits OEM housing and connectors; www.kosonorthamerica.com
GOODRIDGE: Founded in 1969, the brake line specialist says it is a "world leader in fluid transfer systems" and that every one of its brake lines is "individually 100 percent pressure tested, guaranteed to be leak-free and gives an improved braking experience"; www.goodridge.net
KIBBLEWHITE PRECISION MACHINING: The Californian valvetrain specialist (owner Will Kibblewhite, left, with engineer Mike Perry) continues to invest heavily in manufacturing technology and materials research. Recent new products include new heat-treated, reduced mass steel retainers developed using new finite element analysis software, and redesigned with weight savings of up to 28 grams per set. Available for Shovelhead, Knucklehead, Panhead, Evolution, Sportster, Twin Cam and Sportster 833cc valvetrains; www.kpmi.us
ENERGY ONE CLUTCHES: Kent and Nancy Foltz have over 30 years of experience in the high performance motorcycle clutch industry. Their Big Twin clutch upgrade kits include a full set of performance friction plates with a "maximum groove pattern for heat dissipation and fluid circulation and race proven friction material"; www.energyoneclutches.com
CYCLE ELECTRIC: Charging system specialist Roxanne and Karl Fahringer's American made Cycle Electric program is legendary for its range and durability - from regulators and rectifying regulators to stators, 46 complete charging systems to cover from 1936 to present day models; www.cycleelectricinc.com
CUSTOM CYCLE ENGINEERING: Sometimes it is the simple things that make all the difference to motorcycle handling - such as CCE's recently launched Engine Equator II for all 2009 and up tourers (FLHs and FLTs), a billet aluminum replacement for the stock forged engine bracket that allows riders to correct chassis misalignment; www.customcycleengineering.com
DESIGN ENGINEERING INC: Their next generation flexible heat shields "work great as OEM replacements, over exhaust wrap, or even doubling up existing metal heat shields," says DEI's thermal barrier specialist Brian VanKoevering. Also check out their new titanium 'Protect-A-Sleeve' critical hose and wire protection that adds a stylish custom touch; www.deipowersports.com
'Slugger' 1.8 kW high-torque starters
These 'Slugger' branded Nippondenso starters from Spearfish, South Dakota based Terry Components are assembled in the United States with heavy-duty components and tested on state-of-the-art equipment.
Described as using superior windings, high-tolerance, heavy-duty clutch and a thicker commutator that resists flying shorts, the 1.8 kW output "has the torque to start any monster motor with the least amount of amperage drain."
Static-balanced for smoother operation, the low-profile design will clear the electric speedometer sensor for easy installation with versions for '90-'93 and '94-'16 Big Twins.
DRAG SPECIALTIES
www.dragspecialties.com
Color Match series
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in business this year, Turlock, California based Sinister Wheel is well known for its design expertise, engineering quality and innovation.
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| Labyrinth |
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| Shredder |
Home of the 'Big Daddy' and 'Big Phat Daddy' spoke wheels programs and ''Bad Boy' billet wheel design collection, Sinister is now offering many of its popular 'Shredder', 'Labyrinth', 'Symbolic' and 'Drifter' spoke billet wheel designs in its new Color Match series.
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| Drifter |
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| Symbolic |
CNC machined in-house at their facility near Modesto in northern California, dealers and custom bike builders can order the wheels in any color combination and edge cut finish.
All their wheels are available in 32", 30", 26", 21", 18" and 16" with optional matching rotors (and pulleys, air cleaners and a variety of other custom parts) in 11.5", 11.8", 13" and massive 18 inchers. Their own design and manufacture of floating caliper set is also available.
SINISTER WHEEL
www.sinisterwheel.com
Prairie bars for Indian Chief
