The Leatherworks

Softail Slim saddlebags

Good news for Softail Slim riders - Stockton, California based craftsmen The Leatherworks can provide bags that keep the license plate and turn signals in stock location.  This is done using quick release Easy Brackets or The Leatherworks’ permanent mounting system.  

There are three different bag models on offer for the Slim with pipes in stock location, and five others that will work with lowered pipes. All bags can be customized from a large selection of options that include long straps, chrome studs and conchos, hand braid, key locks and many choices of colored leathers. 
All saddlebags are American made using 10-11 ounce leather and trimmed with The Leatherworks’ Indian head nickels.

THE LEATHERWORKS INC
www.leatherworksinc.com

BDL

BDL “EVB” options and conversion inserts

Anaheim, California based manufacturer BDL continues to be the market leader where belt drive options are concerned – their ‘EVB’ closed primary belt drive series has been setting standards for years and remains one of the company’s most popular units. 

Belt Drives limited ‘EVB’ drive

A true “bolt-on” favorite with builders around the world, the fully inclusive kits include clutch baskets that feature 12 cylindrical, replaceable clutch dogs which allow plates to maintain constant contact, exclusive Kevlar clutch plates to provide maximum grip and smooth operation and a rugged, fully polished pressure plate with “9” shoulder bolts and springs that can be easily changed to adjust clutch pressure to the rider’s liking and a totally sealed inner primary bearing.

‘EVB’ 2SL enclosed belt drive conversion

Currently available for most year and model H-Ds with crossover to a wide variety of custom applications, the 1970-1983 rear chain 4-speed Shovelhead model is seen here.
For those thinking about replacing an early engine with a Twin Cam, but who want to retain the already installed BDL belt drive, the conversion is made possible with the use of this new front pulley insert, which bolts easily into the earlier style front pulleys just as the original insert did. 

Twin Cam engine sprocket conversion

The difference is the new insert (for 0-2” drives), broached to fit the TC engine sprocket shaft, which means that instead of 10 splines you have 24. Once in place, the insert allows builders to install the newer style Twin Cam engine and still run their current belt drive set-up.

BELT DRIVES LTD
www.beltdrives.com

Twin Power

Chain conversion and 32-tooth compensator eliminator kits

Following the success of the cush drive chain conversion kits they introduced earlier this year, Twin Power has announced a new line of chain conversion kits for ’86-‘00 FXR, ‘86-‘06 FLH, ’91-‘05 Dyna, ’91-‘05 Sportster, ’06-‘17 Dyna and ’07-‘17 Softail models.

Rear chain conversion kit

“Changing from belt to chain drive is a must for high load, high horsepower and racing applications. Anyone who’s ever been stranded due to a broken belt knows this,” says James Simonelli, Twin Power Brand Manager. “These kits take the guesswork out of converting your bike from belt to chain drive and are designed for stock chassis and wheel applications. Kits duplicate the factory belt drive ratio, but additional sprockets are available to adjust for specific conditions.”
The kits include a 4140 heat-treated steel transmission sprocket, transmission sprocket spacer, fully machined (not stamped) heat-treated steel rear sprocket with a textured black powder-coated finish, dual bolt pattern sprocket spacer (where applicable), and grade 9 hardware (where applicable) - just add a chosen 530 x 120 link rear chain and cut to size.
“Drive chain is like religion and politics; everyone has their favorite,” says Simonelli. “We leave it up to the end user to pick their desired brand and type, of which Biker’s Choice offers a wide assortment.”
Also seen here is a new Twin Power 32-tooth compensator eliminator kit. “Last year, we introduced the 34-tooth compensator eliminator sprocket to our product line and it was a great success. The addition of this new kit will give riders more options for updating and maintaining their motorcycle. One of the advantages of this kit is that it works with any stock length primary chain,” says James.

32-tooth compensator eliminator kit

Said to provide a 6 percent reduction in gearing, which improves acceleration and makes 6th gear more usable, eliminating the compensator reduces spinning weight by 4.8 lbs. and improves starting. The manual tensioner allows precise chain adjustment and increases engine, transmission and primary bearing life. Alternator rotor replacement is not required regardless of year group; however, ECM recalibration for the cruise control and 6th gear indicator light is needed in order for them to function properly.

BIKER’S CHOICE
www.twinpower-usa.com
www.bikerschoice.com

Accutronix

Stock-mount custom floorboard options for Harley and Indian

New from Phoenix, Arizona based Accutronix are a range of these extended front floorboards for ‘84-up FLH and FLT Baggers and ‘86-up FLST, replacing the stock OEM front floorboards “for a more custom look.”

They are available either with a multi-directional, slip resistant machined pyramid-top knurled design or pyramid-top rubber insert lower area.
Seen here is a selection of four of the wide range of styles available, each available in “Drilled” or “Knurled Drilled”: Original for a direct same dimension stock replacement, Vintage; a Teardrop design and Instigator.

Depending on the design, they are either stock length or extended 2-1/8” or 2-1/2" in front, and 3/4" and wider and 1" or 2-1/2” longer in the rear, and mount like stock, with the stock hardware. 
They are also available for the ‘14-up Indian Chief, either in stock or a similar selection of length and width, depending on the design chosen.
Machined from 6061 T-6 billet aluminum, they are available in a brilliant chrome plated finish. The top portion of the board has a raised hole feature inspired by racing pedals.

ACCUTRONIX MOTORCYCLE PRODUCTS
www.accutronix.com

LePera

It’s as simple as black and white!

Iconic North Hollywood, California based seat specialist LePera says that every one of its seats can be made in the popular black and white combination - including the 2” set back ‘Daddy Long Legs’ version for taller riders. 

Seen here is their Outcast GT, and like all LePera seats, it has 45 years of hand-craftsmanship invested into every detail and features a powder-coated steel base plate, a specially poured high-density “Marathon” molded foam foundation and double-stitched handcrafted cover with bonded polyester thread for durability.

LEPERA ENTERPRISES
www.lepera.com

News Briefs

Harley-Davidson has approved a cash dividend of $0.365 per share for the third quarter of 2017. The dividend is payable Sept. 22, 2017 to the shareholders of record of the Company's common stock as of Sept. 12, 2017.

After a 47-year career, Joe Majesky is retiring from Yuasa Batteries. He will continue to advise Yuasa in the powersports market as a consultant.
Roseau, Minnesota based Polaris Industries is adding to its logistics resources with a new 14,580 sq ft hangar at Flying Cloud Airport Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Harley-Davidson has taken legal action against a group of Chinese counterfeiters they allege to be selling fake authorized merchandise online – parts, apparel and jewelry. The action includes a $2m claim for “each and every use of the Harley-Davidson trademarks.”

Just as the U.S. Congress passed enabling legislation to place competency for Autonomous Vehicle regulations firmly into the domain of Federal rather than State regulatory frameworks, and in so doing ‘green flagging’ an easy-in process of introduction of such vehicles in the United States, news had emerged that Yamaha Motor R&D has been trialling “intelligent vehicle technology” for UTV off-road use. Features include a drive-by-wire system and point-to-point navigation sensors.

Harley-Davidson has announced a three-year shirt sponsorship of hometown NBA side the Milwaukee Bucks.

Ferodo

Carbon grip pads for polished rotors

There are plenty of manufacturers and customizers who like to use polished brake rotors, but how many times are they able to source brake pads specifically formulated to work with a polished rotor surface?
So here is some good news from Italy in the shape of these Polished Rotor Pads (PRP) from Ferodo. There aren’t many motorcycle brands left still in production with quite the history and international motorsports profile that Ferodo carried with it into the 21st century. Under the ownership of American multi-national Federal-Mogul for the past 20 years, Ferodo is a storied brand that owes its origins to the earliest days of the motorcycle industry and wider motorsports market. 

Sales Director John Davies

It is right up there with other legendary British names such as Castrol, Avon, Bates, Lucas and countless motorcycle brands – from Arial, BSA, Velocette and Matchless to Brough, Vincent, Triumph, Royal Enfield and Norton – all of which have been equipped with Ferodo pads at various times, making Ferodo as much an institution as a brand.
We only have a handful of so called “Legacy” brands left as we head towards the third decade of the 21st century, but the good news is that not only is Ferodo alive and well, but still making brake pads that are at the cutting-edge of contemporary manufacturing technology and materials science. Its Polished Rotor Pads are a case in point - a state-of-the-art formulation specifically made and sold for V-twin and custom bike use.

Dyno testing

Part of Ferodo’s popular ‘Carbon Grip’ range, they are a carbon based composite formula that is bound together with organic resin. The result is a powerful combination of braking virtues for the custom market - excellent stopping power, lower heat generation, reduced brake dust generation and minimized rotor scoring.
On a recent visit to their manufacturing facility near Turin in Italy, Ferodo’s Sales Director John Davies told AMD that “the PRP pad is specifically designed for applications and owners for which disc appearance is a primary consideration. 

“The pad composition has been optimized to maintain performance, whilst minimizing deposition and scoring. Non-depositing lubricants carefully balance out the effect of the abrasive components so that friction output is maintained whilst avoiding streaks and score marks, with the result that even polished rotors retain their lustre. “The PRP achieves all this while providing the stopping power expected from a premium brake pad.”

FEDERAL-MOGUL ITALY S.R.L, RACING &MOTORCYCLE DIVISION
www.ferodoracing.com

Drag Specialties NVP part 4

Ride Wright Wheels: At the heart of the Anaheim, California based manufacturer’s award-winning spoke wheel design (check out the recently introduced Fat 30-Round-2s) is a modular system that allows dealers to minimalize their stocking overhead while maximizing the range of options that can quickly provide for their customers. Ride Wright’s broad array of “Modular Hub Ends” (MHE) “allow boundless options for bike make/models, rotor/brake configurations, spoke count, gauge and colors. Modular end caps help with wheel resale too - just swap out the caps for the next bike”; www.ridewrightwheels.com

 

Feuling Parts: The Oceanside, California performance specialist has added dyno proven and track tested M-8 grinds to its popular ‘Reaper’ brand cams program. Said to produce more power and torque in the riding rpm range, which improves the throttle response, acceleration and fuel mileage, Reaper’s smooth camshaft lobe ramps are said to be easier on valvetrain components and eliminate excessive valvetrain noise and wear. Two options are available – both are direct bolt-in replacements for the stock M-8 cams and can be used with stock valve springs, pushrods, lifters and exhaust; www.feulingparts.com

 

Spyke/Compu-Fire: Owned and operated by San Dimas, California based Pertronix, recent updated Spyke and Compu-Fire designs include Stealth, Super Torque and High-Torque starters, advanced ignition system kits, and mechanical and electronic advanced ignitions;  www.pertronix.com

 

Paughco: Recent new products from the legendary Carson City, Nevada based manufacturer include billet 6-degree CNC-machined 6061-T6 billet aluminum triple trees, designed to minimize the handling and front-end flop problems associated with altered front-end geometry. Developed to accommodate a number of its most popular chopper frames with 45° neck rake, used in conjunction with “raked” frames and appropriate length extended front ends, the 6-degree offset provides near stock “trail” dimensions, which in turn virtually eliminates radical front-end flop; www.paughco.com

 

KB Pistons/UEM: The result of a collaboration with Line2Line coatings, UEM’s new KB ‘Super Duty’ piston series for Twin Cams feature an abradable coating applied to the thickness of the piston to wall clearance for a zero-install clearance. By reducing the clearance, engine efficiency is improved, lowering friction, maintaining an even oil film and protecting against scuffs and excess wear. KB offers pistons in hypereutectic 390 alloy and forged 4032 low expansion alloy for high-performance, high-compression Knuckle, Shovelhead, Evo, Twin Cam, Sportster Harleys and selected Indian applications in a variety of different engine sizes and compression ratios; www.uempistons.com

 

Drag Specialties Seats: Made in Minnesota by Drag Specialties, its high tech seats program includes heat control ‘Solar Reflective’ leather technology that is designed to keep the seating area cool even in direct sunlight. Kevin Lehan, General Manager of Drag’s Seat Divison, told AMD that “it is a patented process that has been shown to reduce seat surface temperature by as much as 25 degrees F. In addition, lower temperatures mean higher durability and longer product life in addition to greater comfort.” Designs are available for Harley Touring, Softail, Dyna and Sportster applications in addition to Indian Scout; www.seats.dragspecialties.com

 

Wild1/Chubby’s: Recent new products from the Huntington Beach, California based specialist include new Wild1 brand, 12” tall, thick, straight billet aluminum risers with 1” clamping section. Machined out of the highest quality 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum, these risers are available in a show chrome, military grade anodized black or raw finish for Dyna, Sportster and Softail. Also new, OutlawZ narrow apehangers with “Chubby style” are said to “combine bad ass style with maximum comfort as they are 33.5” wide with a 9.5” center and a perfect 22° wrist angle”; www.wild1inc.com

 

NAMZ/Badlands: Award-winning specialist author and electrical components manufacturer Jeff Zielinski’s NAMZ and Badlands programs “only use and offer the best components available – such as Deutsch, AMP, Delphi, Molex and JST electrical connectors, non-yellowing crystal-clear PVC shrink tubing and highly polished, flexible stainless steel, copper and brass braiding.” Jeff says that “over the last several years, NAMZ has also become the leader in OEM wiring harness and electrical components design and assembly. Many of the electrical items you buy for your motorcycle may have started in our Oreland, Pennsylvania facility; www.namzccp.com

 

SBS: The Danish manufacturer offers two sintered pad formulations, a carbon-based compound and H-rated ceramic pads for Harley applications. Its ceramics feature NRS mechanical bonding technology. Based on a matrix of hooks raised on the backing plate that mold into the friction material, NRS is said to create an indestructible mechanical bond between the steel backing plate and friction material without use of adhesives; www.sbs.dk