Battistinis Custom Cycles: Rikki Battistini – recent new products include ‘Leading Axle’ fork legs that take their inspiration from 1970s motocross design concepts. Featuring an axle that is offset over 1 1/2” forward and around 1/2” lower, “to give a perfect trail when fitting a 23” front wheel to any touring bike,” Rikki Battistini says they are a “true bolt-on part” that “simply replace the stock lower legs without the need to remove the fairing, trees or change the frame geometry.” The ‘Leading Axle’ fork leg has the corrected trail built right into the leg. Utilizing the stock brakes, fender and all fork internals, Rikki says they can be replaced in under two hours, reducing downtime and labor cost compared to alternate solutions. Machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, they have a wrap-around fender mount that has the corrected alignment built in to allow the use of the stock fender (no need for any extra raise-up kits) and a modular design that allows for various color and finish combinations. The caliper mounting brackets are held in place with two 1/2” bolts to ensure rigidity and provide the option of single or dual disc - a radial mounting bracket and caliper is separately available. The radial mount caliper can be set up to use 11.5”, 11.8”, 13”, 16” or even 18” rotors. The axle can be fitted either way, and is secured with an axle cap which protects the leg from possible damage if cross-threaded, and keeps full suspension travel with a 23” front wheel – there’s no need to install travel limiters or uprated springs. With the axle offset, the “high point” of the wheel is moved forward, making the wheel and tire appear larger - doing this gains frame and tree clearance. Using the offset fork leg allows more travel than using raked trees or any previous option. Rikki says his patent pending design “provides an easy way to get the best ride on a 23” wheel conversion - nothing else is needed and it looks great with the stock front fender”; www.battistinisusa.com
ICON Motorsports: Drag Specialties/Parts Unlimited’s top selling apparel program includes riding gear for all styles of rider; www.rideicon.com
Alloy Art: Justin McGinnis - “we manufacture quality OEM replacement and aftermarket motorcycle parts. Everything is made in-house at our Glendora, California facility with CNC-machined 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum and injection molded polyurethane”; www.alloyart.com
Avon Tyres: Sukoshi Fahey – always a popular choice with custom bike builders at the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building, this year saw a new consumer reward program from the market leading British custom tire manufacturer following initiatives in recent years that have included what was believed to have been the first no-charge road hazard warranty program of its kind and a 15,000-mile (24,000-kilometer) limited treadwear warranty program covering their popular Cobra touring tires; www.avonmotorcycle.com
Hogtunes: Canadian motorcycle audio specialist, distributed exclusively through Drag Specialties. Recent new products include in-fairing Bluetooth controller, universal handlebar audio kits and the launch of their new high end brand “Wild Boar Audio”; www.hogtunes.com
Ken’s Factory: Lizzie Vasquez and Nelson Kanno – now available through Drag Specialties, the award-winning product line, including Ken’s ‘Neo Fusion’ designs, runs from custom floorboards, risers, triple trees, one-piece clamps, grips and pegs, through to intakes, exhausts, covers, bagger products and lighting; “details create style,” says Nelson; www.kensfactoryusa.com
Revolution Performance: Brand Manager Andrew Dellenbach (center) told AMD that they expect to have details of components and services for this year’s M-8 tourers available in April or May 2017; www.revperf.com