Making Milwaukee Great Again
Words by Robin Bradley Pictures by Sara Viney
After many years at the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center "between the lakes" in downtown Madison, Wisconsin, LeMans finally completed a move for its summer NVP Product Expo to the newly refurbished and extended Baird Center in Milwaukee. Some two years in the planning, the move brought Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties' vendors, reps and dealers into an expanded space with no end of potential for future development.
Rallies aside, along with its Louisville, January event, the show is now firmly established as the most important business opportunity of the year for the V-twin sector. Although AIMExpo (Las Vegas, February 2025) is now making better thought-through efforts to attract custom parts and accessory action, 'Milwaukee' looks set to remain the primary V-twin nexus for many years to come.
It's no secret that market sentiment in this U.S. election year has been cautious in 2024. With continuing market softening, the general expectation as we head into the Fall, provided U.S. interest rates do start to follow the downward inflation trajectory in the coming months, then regardless of what happens at Harley-Davidson in the next six months, there is every reason to expect the coming season to be 'robust', if not exactly a 'tree puller'…
S&S Cycle: Following the positive reception received for its 2,220 cc 'ready-to-install' Black Edition 49-state MK136 Touring model engine earlier this year (for stock 2017-2023 oil cooled M-8 frames), S&S has now gone a stage further. Its new MK-Series B crankcases for M-8 Softail models gives it a basis for complete S&S M-8 Softail engines. "Designed specifically for the big power that the lighter and more agile M-8 Softail chassis are being asked to handle, these Softail-specific B series crankcases are engineered for the requirements of the latest generation of 'built' engines. They allow for the installation of larger bore kits, scrape more oil and offer improved reliability, all while still fitting into the stock Softail frame. These beefed-up cases feature a machined stock deck height, close-fitting oil scraper (stock is as cast) and large volume sump"; www.sscycle.com
Biltwell: "Harley did a great job baking this cake," said Bill Bryant of the mildly modified Softail it unveiled on its booth at Milwaukee, "we just put the icing on top!" Biltwell has an eclectic stable of motorcycles around its Temecula, California HQ, many of them dirt encrusted from the regular trips out into the fields and canyons nearby, vintage choppers or modern ADV bikes alike. This was a rare foray into the realm of a "shop bike" to showcase its own parts and accessories - you'll be able to see more of it/them in upcoming AMD editions, but own brand parts used include (but are not limited to) 10" Murdock risers in chrome; Tracker mid TBW bars, also chrome; an AlumiCore TBW grip set in black; Utility mirror teardrop perch mounts; M-8 Softail dash panel; Sanderson footpegs (polished); sissy bar Softail 18+; EXFIL-18 saddlebags and an EXFIL-3 2.0 bar bag; www.biltwellinc.com
Barnett Clutches: Sponsor of the all-new Barnett Clutches Super Street class in the Bagger Racing League (BRL) this year, recently featured products in AMD editions include its clutch spring conversion kit for 1998-17 Harley- Davidson Big Twins (except 2013-17 narrows). The kit includes a CNC precision-machined billet aluminum pressure plate and two sets of six heavy-duty coil springs. Designed to replace the stock diaphragm spring/pressure plate assembly, it provides smoother shifting and a more progressive linear clutch engagement; www.barnettclutches.com
Memphis Shades: 'Windshield of Choice' for many in the Bagger Racing League (BRL) series, whether it is airflow management or rider protection, ergonomics are at the heart of good windshield design and central to the Memphis philosophy. The company's main focus at Milwaukee was the new hand guards designed for 2024 Road Glides and Street Glides, and its new sizes of Speed Demon Sportshield. These hand guards offer exceptional protection against harsh weather conditions and road debris. The mounts are constructed from ecoated aluminum, while the guards themselves are made of durable Lucite, with rubber isolation for added durability. The Speed Demon Sportshield line has been expanded with the addition of three new sizes. Riders can now choose from a total of four sizes: 13", 15", 17" and 19" and three colorways. Model-specific Trigger-Lock mounting hardware allows for quick and easy removal of the windshield without the use of any tools; www.memphisshades.com
UltraCool/PC Racing: Developed by John 'JJ' Petchel, the patented and award-winning UltraCool 3.0 l oil cooler is a unique (and uniquely effective) dual fan-assisted, bolt-on cooling solution that has serious Bagger Racing chops - having been used by three-time BRL championship winner Shane Narbonne and the Trask Racing team, UltraCool made its debut this year as the official oil cooler of the Bagger Racing League Series (BRL); www.UltraCoolfl.com
Baker Drivetrain: Recently featured products in AMD editions include F6R factory 6-speed reverse, high torque bearing kits, primary rebuild kits, 4-speed complete transmissions and 34-tooth compensator sprockets; www.bakerdrivetrain.com