2024 NVP & Parts Expo Part 1
Louisville, Kentucky - January 20-21, 2024
Universally acknowledged by the vendors and dealers in attendance as an excellent show, the Drag Specialities and Parts Unlimited 2024 NVP Product Expo at Louisville, Kentucky, in January proved to be a great 'season-starter' for Drag vendors who were there.
At a time when even the customary uncertainties of the annual business cycle are themselves uncertain, it left all concerned a lot more optimistic about the business landscape for the year than might otherwise have been the case.
As beautifully well planned and executed as always, with a new 'variation on a theme' of high speed but still intense distributor 'Rep Training' getting everyone's vote as a good new formula.
Some seventy plus V-twin specialist vendors and brands and a whole slew of cross-over business opportunities kept the attending dealers busy and hopeful that 2024 will be a year when, to channel Fred Fox, "everyone will get to go to the bank happy" ...
DP Brakes and Clutches: Frank Edwards (left - seen here with Larry Mills) told AMD: "Friction plates are the heart of the clutch. Our new DPHK Street Clutch Kits for H-D are made using a wide range of compounds to ensure the correct one matches the engine characteristics. Our friction plates do not need any pre-soaking in oil and are ready to fit. Our steel plates are manufactured to exacting tolerances using high-quality heat-treated steel to ensure smooth progressive clutch action - they are more durable than original equipment plates, and our exclusive high heat friction materials mean fade-free performance with friction compounds to suit all types of H-D motorcycles; www.dp-brakes.com
NAMZ Custom Cycle Products: Always looking for ways to help dealers to "do it right," the NAMZ, Letric Lighting and Badlands module programs are among the most sought-after names in motorcycle electrics. Recent new products have included a speedo/tach harness/module for removing the stock speedo/tach on Road or Street Glide models and replacing it with a Dakota Digital 'single' speedometer. The NAMZ fuel light resistor pack is for the Dakota Digital speedo on 2014-2023 Street Glide and 2015-2023 Road Glide models (only), providing accurate fuel reading on the gauge. Other recent introductions include fabric braided 16-gauge copper wire; GXL copper hook-up wire; 20-gauge PVC hook-up wire and a recoil-style start switch; www.namzccp.com
KB Performance: Marko Glush told AMD that later this season the company will introduce a new technology for H-D replacement performance pistons. KB Pistons has teamed up with Speed of Air to incorporate its patented CAD design 'dimpling' process, and air flow management channeling on the piston crown. Designed to reduce the carbon build-up on the pistons, it is a technology that has been in use on top-end diesel pistons for some time. The 'dimpling' creates a barrier layer of air that interrupts the airflow to prevent carbon molecules from attaching themselves to the piston surface - meaning less carbon in the engine; www.uempistons.com
Müller Motorcycle: The German accessory specialist's 2018 and up Milwaukee-Eight and Twin Cam/EVO (1989 - 2017) lowering kits give up to 40m m stepless lowering. Its Power Clutch is its best known and best-selling product. Developed by company founder Werner Müller, the clutch facilitator was launched in 2003 and revolutionized the after-sales-market to such an extent that Harley-Davidson followed suit and installed a lighter clutch at the factory in 2006. But even with that improvement, the Müller Power Clutch, with its progressive action, still delivers a massive improvement in clutch lever effort. in 2018, the Müller Hydro Clutch came onto the market. This clutch relief system for all models with hydraulic clutch closes the gap in clutch effort improvement that Harley-Davidson created before reverting to the mechanical clutch; www.m-motorcycle.com
Paul Yaffe Originals/Bagger Nation: Never slow to spot opportunities for new model upgrades, Paul Yaffe already has new OEM direct bolt-on custom front fenders available for the redesigned 2023 CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide, now with an inverted front suspension. Steel fenders for Touring bikes have been bestsellers for Bagger Nation for many years - so already have hundreds of thousands of miles racked up, proving their quality and popularity. Now available for the much-appreciated 2023 CVO Street Glid and Road Glide, there are four styles to choose from and they all ship with Bagger Nation's new inverted fork adaptors included; www.baggernation.com
Arlen Ness Enterprises: Recent products from the Dublin, California based manufacturer have included 'Drift' wheels for Indian and H-D, with front and rear cartridge hub kits, and new 'Kickback' radial forged wheels that feature a directional wheel pattern with angular, race-inspired design lines for aggressive in-motion styling; www.arlenness.com
Performance Machine: Improved heat and weight management is the name of the game with PM's recently introduced, stylish Black Ops finished M-8 covers - its 'Race Series' engine covers. "Carefully crafted with the utmost precision and engineered to dissipate heat more effectively, the contemporary, race-inspired look is a bonus. The forms and shapes developed for these covers transfer heat more efficiently away from the engine and transmission to better accommodate increased temperatures synonymous with racing. Available in Black Ops finish, the range includes transmission, derby, clutch, cam and rocker box covers for M-8 Touring and Softail applications; www.performancemachine.com
Memphis Shades: Easy-on, easy-off is the 'Holy Grail' of motorcycle windshield designers, and Memphis Shades' Trigger-Lock mounting hardware system is 'Goblet of Glad'! Described as a "revolutionary" tool-free, angle-adjustable install system, it features an "innovative system that allows the rider to quickly and easily remove the windshield without the use of any tools. Each kit is model-specific and custom-fit to each style of bike for a truly no-hassle installation. A pair of glass-filled nylon latches lock the fairing down until the spring loaded Trigger-Locks are intentionally disengaged. Guaranteed never to rust or tarnish, they are made exclusively of electrocoated aluminum and stainless steel, with stainless steel fasteners. Trigger-Lock mounting kits consist of anchoring hardware (the part that stays on the bike) and mounting plates (the part that connects the fairing or windshield to the bike). 'Plates Only' kits can be used when there already is Memphis Shades Trigger-Lock anchoring hardware on the bike; www.memphisshades.com
Andrews Products: The Mount Prospect, Illinois based performance cams specialist is one of the slew of aftermarket brands that has invested in the Bagger Racing League in recent years - as title sponsor of the Big Twins Class; www.andrewsproducts.com