Biltwell: The big news this year from the Temecula, California based company has been of its ‘Lane Splitter’ helmet. Crafted around a proprietary ABS outer shell and featuring a shock-absorbing EPS liner with handstitched interior padding, cheek pads and Bio Foam chin bar cushion, generous vents in the chin bar “get the air flowing, and the outlet at the back lets hot air escape. The ‘Lane Splitter’ shield boasts extremely accurate optics and glove-friendly, simple hinge mechanics for high style and easy removal for replacement or cleaning”; www.biltwellinc.com
Nash Motorcycle Co: Founded in 2002, Taber Nash’s Los Angeles, California, based custom Chopper, Bobber and Hot Rod bike builder specializes in “mixing the old with the new.” Taber Nash says that “we are equally dedicated to manufacturing our unique and popular line of custom parts, coming up with new and innovative parts, as well as the ground up builds we have always excelled at.” That product line includes handlebars, retro styled bags, ‘Sticky’ Throttle analog cruise control, straight ‘Lewis’ exhausts, cast 174 stainless steel ‘Swift Kick’ arms, ‘Creepster’ fill caps, forward controls and ‘Gimpneck’, ‘Sancho’ and ‘Dropper’ frames; www.nashmotorcycle.com
TecMate: Manufacturer of the market-leading OptiMate brand of battery chargers, maintenance and diagnostic products, TecMate is at the forefront of the effort to educate the market about the advantages, but also very specific maintenance needs of the new generation of Lithium Ion batteries that are set to dominate the motorcycle industry in the years to come. The OptiMate Lithium 4s 0.8A (TM29x series) is the OEM recommended battery saving charger and tester and the OptiMate Lithium 4-bank x 0.8A (models TM484/485) is ideal for preparing new lithium batteries before fitment. New shipping laws being introduced will require that lithium batteries are shipped at no more than 30% charge, so the batteries should be recharged before fitment. All OptiMate Lithium chargers can reset the BMS in an advanced Lithium battery; www.optimate1.com
Cometic Gasket: The latest news from the Concord, Ohio based gasket manufacturer is of its complete line of gaskets and seals for the Milwaukee-8, including big bore kits all the way to 4.500”, cam change kits and any gasket or seal necessary to finish off a Hot Rod project. See the related article on page 45 in this edition of AMD Magazine for big bore details; www.cometic.com
Kibblewhite Precision Machining: The Pacifica, California, specialist - where the science of replacement and performance valvetrain design and manufacturing really has been turned into an art form. From its acclaimed Black Diamond, Tensilite and White Diamond valve programs, to retainers, springs, guides, seals, seats, tappets and shims, the “KPMI System” is materials and design matched engineering that produces a program of compatible components that work together in glorious harmony – a not inconsequential consideration where any engine is concerned, but not least in the V-twin layout; www.kpmi.us
Terry Components: The Spearfish, South Dakota electricals specialist offers starters from 1.4kw for engines up to 100ci, 1.5kw for ’07-’09 models, 1.8kw for 100 to 124ci engines and monster 2.0kw units for 124-145” engines; www.terrycomp.com
JIMS: This summer saw owner and founder Jim Thiessen elected into the Sturgis Hall of Fame in recognition of his 50 years as a machinist and go-fast guy who has “generated trust with the riders, record breakers, racers and certified Harley mechanics around the world who use JIMS products on a daily basis.” Today JIMS is one of the industry’s leading producers of performance parts, accessories, tools, transmissions and high-performance engines – “all aimed at enhancing the Harley rider’s experience”; www.jimsusa.com
Tolemar Group: After more than 15 years at Vance & Hines, Huntington Beach, California based Tolemar Group has hired John Potts as their new Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He will oversee the development of all three of the group’s motorcycle parts and accessory brands – LA Choppers V-twin accessories, Trinity Racing ATV exhausts and clutch kits, and Baron metric cruiser accessories; www.lachoppers.com