V-Twin Expo 2017 review part 2
Kendall Johnson Customs: Back at the V-Twin Expo for the first time in many years, the Winston Salem, North Carolina based customizer was back with a burgeoning range of performance parts and accessories in addition to the head porting, engine re-building and performance upgrade packages they are best known for; www.kendalljohnsoncustoms.com
ACCEL: “Hello boys, we’re back!” Now under the ownership of Tennessee’s Holley Performance, the Mr Gasket/ACCEL/MSD program, along with historically associated brands such as Mallory and Hays, are now under the same ownership as the likes of Earl’s hoses, Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS), Superchips and Hooker Headers – with powersports sales in the experienced hands of former Crane man Mike Golding (seen here left). Expect to see a new product blitz getting under way in 2017! www.holley.com/brands/accel/
Antigravity Batteries: More than just a battery manufacturer, Las Angeles, California based Antigravity is a purveyor of advanced power solutions, with their top-of-the-range American made ultra-lightweight YTX12 24-cell lithium ion motorcycle battery said to be the “highest power lithium nano-phosphate motorsport battery ever made.” At just 5 lbs it is said to deliver a weight saving of up to 14 lbs in motorcycles, and despite its compact 5.82” x 3.4” x 5.12” design, it can produce a massive 720 cranking amps. It features all-brass terminals and comes with a 3-year warranty. Also check out their 6-volt 8-cell lithium-ion battery - lightweight and small enough to fit all horseshoe type oil tanks or early battery boxes – and their small but powerful MicroStart jump starter and portable power solution; www.antigravitybatteries.com
Red Thunder Exhausts: Designed and manufactured in Italy by renowned Italian exhaust manufacturer Arrow/Giannelli, Red Thunder Exhausts are designed by Noiseart in London and available with Dyno tested power gains for Sportster, Softail, Dyna (and FXR) and Touring models. Made in stainless steel, they feature a removable dB killer baffle and several interchangeable reverse cone end caps. They are available in choice of polished, satin or ceramic black finishes as full systems for XLs, Dynas and Softails, and 2:2 or 2:1 full systems or dual slip-ons for the stock header pipes on tourers. They come with built-in oxygen sensor ports, optional catalytic converters, and dependent on the configuration and application, the company claims weight savings of up to 50 percent over stock; www.redthunderexhaust.com
Arlen Ness Enterprises: The Dublin, California based bike builder to parts designer has scored a massive home run with its forged 10 Gauge CNC-machined billet aluminum range since it was introduced 24 months ago and ‘Big Sucker’ air cleaner technology. Their latest unobstructed airflow inverted radius design air cleaner kits pull air in from the face of the air cleaner as well as the sides. Made in forged billet aluminum, each hidden breather is O-ringed at the heads and exits at the mouth of the injector/carb to provide “efficient breathing and a virtually closed loop system, eliminating the need for any external hoses or hardware. Also check out their new beveled, reusable billet oil filter featuring high-tech, laser-cut 304 stainless steel medical grade micronic cloth, a filter technology that is said to catch particles down to 35 microns, “about three times better than conventional premium oil filter media”; www.arlenness.com
Belt Drives Ltd (BDL): Recent new products from the Anaheim, California, manufacturer include an early belt drive Twin Cam upgrade kit, GMAQ brake calipers for2017 models, a new enclosed primary featuring BDL’s new ‘Quiet Clutch’ technology (available as a conversion or retro fit for Softail, FXR and Shovelhead models), newly redesigned pressure plates that “noticeably improve positive feel at the lever and ensure a flawless release onto the clutch pack and enhanced lock-up” for 1990-up open belt drive kits using the standard cable system, and 2014-up drives with the stock hydraulic clutch, new black 2” open drives for 1970 to 1978 Shovelheads, and new 2” wide open belt drive system kits for Touring and Softail models from 2007-up that feature a unique 2-piece motor plate design and BDL’s patented “BPP” ball bearing pressure plate; www.beltdrives.com