AIMEXPO 2017 review part 3

Arnott Air Suspension: The company has extended the range of applications for its ‘Ultimate Ride’ and ‘Smooth Ride’ height-adjustable air suspension systems to include 1991 to 2017 Dyna models. Arnott’s completely redesigned line of TruAIR motorcycle air suspension kits are available in two options, ‘Ultimate Ride’ and ‘Smooth Ride’ kits. Arnott’s ‘Ultimate Ride’ kits for the Dyna feature two nitrogen charged FOX shock absorbers with optional rebound control knobs. Custom-designed for the Dyna, they replace the OE shocks on Dynas, including the Street Bob, Low Rider, Fat Bob and Wide Glide, “providing the rider with superior control, ride comfort and height adjustability.” Arnott’s patent-pending design adds a rugged Goodyear air spring, “ensuring superior ride quality and durability.” Arnott pairs the shocks with a small but powerful compressor, application-specific mounting bracket and air distribution valve block, which includes a muffler to control how fast air is released. Available in black or chrome and backed by Arnott’s Limited Lifetime Warranty; www.arnottcycles.com
 

Liqui Moly: Last year the German oil specialist signed an exclusive distribution deal with fast growing Corona, California based distributor MTA Distributing. Founded as Motorcycle Tires and Accessories in 1979, these days MTA is owned by Motovan of Canada and sells from warehouses in California, Louisiana, Ohio and South Carolina. In addition to its streetbike, powersports and automotive product lines, Liqui Moly offers a range of oil formulations for V-twin applications; www.liqui-moly.us

 

Samco Sport: Founded in the UK in 1990 at a time when there were very few manufacturers of silicone rubber goods, the Samco Sport brand of silicone hose products has become one of the “go- to” motorsports market leaders. Samco have offered silicone hoses for liquid-cooled motorcycle engines for several years, but with increasing numbers of new Harleys now adding water or water/oil cooling, Samco is now offering silicone hoses for selected Harley models and applications. Look out for a full report in an upcoming AMD Magazine edition, meanwhile full details are available from the exclusive distributor Racebikebitz; www.racebikebitz.com, www.samcosport.com

 

DNA SPECIALTY: The Californian wheels, front end and trike conversion parts specialist has new spoke and billet wheel designs, sizes and colors on offer this year, including a 26 inch addition to its 'Mammoth' spoke wheel line and upgrades to its Softail, Dyna, Touring and Sportster trike axle kits; www.dnaspecialty.com

Wiseco: The big news from the Mentor, Ohio based manufacturer is of its new ‘Black’ pistons for late model Harley applications featuring two new proprietary coatings, what Wiseco describes as an “industry first” ArmorFit coating on the piston skirt, and an ArmorX coating on the entire piston. Said to offer superior protection against wear, higher compression, smooth and quiet operation and maximized efficiency, they are available for M-8s and popular Twin Cam and Rushmore model engines (SE heads). ArmorX coating comes from a proprietary electrochemical process using high-strength materials that create an armor-like coating on the piston dome and ring grooves. The company’s patented Wiseco ArmorFit coating “comes from a ‘moly’ (molybdenum) based dry film. Moly is naturally a dry lubricant, providing great lubricating qualities, even in the presence of zero liquid lubricators”; www.wiseco.com

 

J.W.Speaker: The Germantown, Wisconsin based specialist’s Adaptive Series headlights “represent a genuine evolution in motorcycle headlights”, and are described as “the world’s first dynamically adaptive motorcycle headlight.” Designed to address the issues of lighting blind spots created by fixed lights when a motorcycle is leaning or cornering, they use onboard sensors and advanced electronics to calculate bank angles on a real-time basis, automatically directing the light array up or down as the motorcycle leans. The “integrated optical system” includes both an adaptive low beam as well as J.W. Speaker’s proprietary ‘ComfortLite’ high beam. Together these optics are said to provide “best-in-class foreground illumination and light above the horizon that dramatically improves operator comfort and safety for night-time driving; www.jwspeaker.com 

Race Tech: Though best known for its sportsbike and race products, the Californian suspension specialist has decades of Harley-Davidson suspension development experience. With shocks and front suspension products for Sportsters, Dynas, Softails, V-Rods, Baggers and Tourers, check out the company’s gold valve cartridge emulators. Said to “transform damping rods to perform like well-tuned cartridge forks,” they eliminate “orifice” style damping, allowing for a set-up that will “absorb small bumps, increase bottoming resistance and reduce front end dive”; www.racetech.com

K&L Supply: One of the leading suppliers of equipment, tools and hard parts for the powersports industry; www.klsupply.com

American Flat Track

AFT Series confirms 2018 schedule

American Flat Track has announced its 18-race calendar for the 2018 season, which begins with the DAYTONA TT at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, March 15, 2018, and finishes up just a stone’s throw from downtown New York City with the Meadowlands Mile – “an incredible new event to be held on the mile-long horse track at the famed Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to wrap up the season on October 6, 2018.

Billed as “America’s original extreme sport”, 2018 will be the 66th consecutive year of competition. The Daytona Bike Week series opener will be on a “bigger, better and faster Daytona TT circuit built inside the legendary tri-oval at the “World Center of Racing”. Seven-time Grand National Champion Chris Carr has redesigned the track to better showcase the speed and ferocity of pro flat track competition.”
Comprised of eight Mile races, five Half-Miles, three TTs, and two Short Track events, the 2018 series features two new venues – the mile track at New Jersey’s Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment and the short track at Weedsport Speedway in Weedsport, New York – and one location returning to the calendar, the mile track at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota.
Both the Minnesota Mile and Meadowlands Mile will take place at high-end horse-racing facilities with modern amenities, while Weedsport Speedway, situated between Rochester and Syracuse, New York, recently received significant upgrades and is now hailed as one of the country’s finest dirt speedways.
American Flat Track enters its second year of broadcast coverage on NBCSN and fifth year of live streaming coverage on FansChoice.tv. The organizers say that the “American Flat Track series concluded 2017 with record-breaking TV and live streaming numbers that resulted in the largest viewing audience in the storied history of the sport. An enhanced broadcast package, featuring improved coverage and exciting new broadcast airdates, is planned for 2018 and will be announced in the coming months.”

Complete 2018 American Flat Track Schedule:
1. March 15: DAYTONA TT – Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
2. April 7: Atlanta Short Track – Dixie Speedway, Woodstock, Georgia
3. April 28: Texas Half-Mile – Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas
4. May 5: Calistoga Half-Mile – Calistoga Speedway, Calistoga, California
5. May 12: Arizona Mile – Turf Paradise, Phoenix, Arizona
6. May 19: Sacramento Mile – Cal Expo, Sacramento, California
7. May 27*: Springfield Mile I – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois
8. June 2: Red Mile – Red Mile, Lexington, Kentucky
9. June 16: OKC Mile – Remington Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
10. June 30: Lima Half-Mile – Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio
11. July 7: New York Short Track – Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, New York
12. August 5: Buffalo Chip TT – Buffalo Chip Campgrounds, Sturgis, South Dakota
13. August 7: Black Hills Half-Mile – Black Hills Speedway, Rapid City, South Dakota
14. August 18: Peoria TT – Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, Illinois
15. September 2*: Springfield Mile II – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois
16. September 8: Williams Grove Half-Mile – Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
17. September 29: Minnesota Mile – Canterbury Park, Shakopee, Minnesota
18. October 6: Meadowlands Mile – Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, East Rutherford, New Jersey

*Note: As in 2017, AFT Singles will race a TT at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in conjunction with Springfield Mile I on May 26 and a Short Track during the Labor Day Weekend as part of the Springfield Mile II event on September 1.

Motorcycle Storehouse

M-8 cams from Andrews, Vance & Hines ‘Mini-Grenades’ and more

Dutch distributor Motorcycle Storehouse has the latest versions of Vance & Hines’ 2-into-1 ‘Grenades’ - their ‘Mini-Grenades’ are a minimalistic “lean and mean” design version of their full size ‘Grenades’ that “discreetly suggest “a brute, basic and powerful visual message with an aggressive and deep sound to match.”

Complete with a 4” 3-step muffler body, 2-1/4” heat pipe heat shields and 1-3/4” head pipes, they are available in chrome or matt black with race-inspired CNC-machined end caps and compatible with both mid and forward control models.
Their “muscular compact stance” make them “one tough Sportster exhaust system.” With an optional quiet baffle available, they fit 2004 - 2017 Sportster models with forward and mid-controls.

Canvas is probably the most widely used material when it comes to extreme durability, but the material has hundreds of years of pedigree in military applications. These new saddlebags come with an internal plastic backing plate for structural integrity, which is an important feature in saddlebag use, and they will probably last longer than expected. Available in black or green, 6 or 10 liter capacity, with universal mounting straps included.

These chrome-plated universal sissy bars are manufactured from 9/16” (14.3 mm) round steel bar with the more ‘pointed’ models including a classic back tilted top. Available in 6.25, 8.75, 9.88 and 11.10” widths in heights from 5.5” to 14.02”.
Andrews has four new chain driven cams available for the M-8 touring engines. Their 450 is a bolt-in for stock compression 107” and 114” engines, delivering excellent low-end torque (1000-5500 rpm).

The 460 is a bolt-in all-round cam for stock compression 107” and 114” engines that is also compatible with 117” Big Bore kits with higher compression (1000-5600 rpm).
Andrew’s 504 requires high-lift springs and is a mid-range cam for stock 107” and 114” engines – said to be an excellent choice for Big Bore kits with higher compression ratios (1500-5700 rpm). The 520 (which also requires high-lift springs) is recommended for big bore engines and engines with Screamin’ Eagle or otherwise modified heads.

MOTORCYCLE STOREHOUSE BV
www.motorcyclestorehouse.com

MAG Connection

MAG Connection signs up with Vity’s Design

France based purchasing portal provider, distribution, buying consortium and vendor representation specialist MAG Connection continues to expand the fast-growing range of brands it represents with a deal to sell the upscale Italian designed and manufactured Vity’s Design parts.

New style brake and hydraulic clutch levers

Noted for their top end design and precision manufacturing, Vity’s is the brainchild of Matteo Vitali, who had his first bike (a mini-crosser) when he was just 6 years old, and who fell under the spell of the Bar & Shield while on a trip to San Francisco in 2010, buying his first Harley, a Sportster, a year later when he was back in Italy.

LED taillights

5-axis CNC-machined turn signals in aluminum and brass for Road Kings

Based at Fermo, between Ancona and Pescara on Italy’s Adriatic coast, Matteo is a formally trained and qualified machinist and started making his first motorcycle parts on the lathes and mills in the family business in 2000. When he completed his qualifications and went to work full-time in the business in 2005, and following his surrender to the appeal of Milwaukee’s finest, started Vity’s Design in 2012.

Passenger floorboards in choice of finish

Driver floorboards in choice of finish

Proving that there is always a market for quality and great design, the Vity’s line-up has grown quickly since then and includes handlebar controls, foot controls, pegs, forward controls, mirrors, covers, gas caps, air cleaners, lights and more.
Three primary ranges are offered – the ‘Vity’s Collection’, the ‘Diamond Bagger’ collection, and a ‘24kt Gold’ collection – all with the emphasis on stylish, contemporary interpretations of retro chic and on precision fit and finish.
Seen here, and brand-new to the Vity’s offer, is a brake and hydraulic clutch lever design, and, from Vity’s ‘Diamond Bagger’ collection, driver and passenger floorboard, taillight and 5-axis CNC- machined turn signals for touring applications such as the Road King, equipped with six high-brightness, EU approved integrated LEDs. Finish option combinations include aluminum and brass, black anodized, raw, brass and gold plated.

MAG CONNECTION
www.mag-connection.com

Custom Chrome Europe

TXT fenders

Custom Chrome Europe continues to champion parts programs offered by custom shops and bike builders with this selection of German made TÜV approved, bolt-on strutless rear fender styles by TXT Customparts for Softail, Dyna and Indian Scout applications.

Smooth style

Noted for their stock modifications, TXT, owned and operated by Christine Thibaut, handcraft their fenders in their own workshops at Belheim, near Karlsruhe, Germany. 

Shorty

Specializing in custom styling for Softails (especially the Breakout, one of Harley’s most popular bikes in Germany), Dyna and Sportster models, these fenders are available in a range of arc lengths from 340mm to 620mm, with or without cut-outs, for rear tire sizes from 180s (Sportster 883/1200 2004 and up) to 270s for selected Dyna and Softail conversions from 2008 and up.

Rear Fender V

CUSTOM CHROME EUROPE
www.custom-chrome-europe.com

S&S Cycle

50-state legal 2018 Softail slip-ons

Having already released a high-flow intake for the 2018 M-8 Softails, S&S Cycle has unveiled new cam grinds and the first of its exhaust offerings for the new models – ‘Grand National’ slip-ons for the Fat Bob.

Combined with the S&S ‘Stealth’ air cleaner, the company reports a 12% hp and 6% torque gain with its ceramic finish slip-ons

Marketing Director David Zemla says: “The new bikes from the Motor Company deserve an exhaust note that’s worthy of the progress the platform represents, and S&S has stepped up to get the job done with our race inspired ‘Grand National’ slip-ons.
“Tuneable baffle inserts allow you to adjust sound and back pressure to best suit your style and performance needs. Combined with the S&S ‘Stealth’ air cleaner you’ll see a 12% gain in hp and a 6% bump in torque.” They have an aluminum tip and ceramic finish and are emissions legal in all 50 states.
For those looking for bolt-in cams for the M-8s, S&S’ 475 series are available in gear or chain drive, and combined with a performance intake and exhaust, the company says that they have recorded 100 hp at the rear wheel with these cams – that is a 32 percent increase over stock power.

Combined with a performance intake and exhaust, S&S says it has recorded 100 hp at the rear wheel with these bolt-in 475s - a 32% increase over stock

S&S also recommends installing proven ‘Quickee’ pushrods at the same time, allowing for a cam install that does not require the top end to be disturbed.
For even bigger power gains on 114” Touring and Softail models, S&S recommends its 550 grind cam and heavy duty valve springs.

S&S CYCLE INC.
www.sscycle.com

Zodiac

Zodiac additions

S&S bolt-in cam kits
S&S engineers have produced what they believe to be the ideal combo of lift and duration with these new high-performance cam kits. “They not only deliver excellent horsepower and torque numbers, but do so in the more important, usable rpm range,” says Zodiac International Sales Manager Ruud Bakker.
“They deliver where it matters most in real-world riding conditions. For example, for the 465 cams S&S states gains of 21 hp and 21 ft-lb torque coupled with a performance intake and exhaust.” S&S cams are compatible with all stock components, “but for the cost of the labor to remove and reinstall the stock pushrods, you'll be money ahead to cut them out and replace them with a set of S&S ‘Quickee’ pushrods for Milwaukee-Eight engines,” says Bakker.
“Gear drive cam kits include all the parts needed to convert to a reliable cam drive with improved valve timing accuracy. Due to machining variations in the stock cam plate, oversized or undersized gears may be needed to achieve correct gear lash.”
S&S bolt-in 350 cams are compatible with all stock valve train components - the 350G gear drive cam has stock specs, but eliminates cam drive chain and tensioner, providing improved valve timing accuracy with no tuning required; all the kits include a full complement of upgraded Torrington style needle bearings, O-rings and hardware.
The bolt-in 465 stock valvetrain-compatible cams, and 465G gear drive cams provide increased torque and horsepower, eliminating cam drive chain and tensioner and providing improved valve timing accuracy.
The 475 bolt-ins are a 100 hp cam when coupled with performance intake and exhaust; compatible with all stock valvetrain components, but ‘Quickee’ pushrods are recommended for ease of installation.
Finally, S&S 550 cams are said to be an “ideal horsepower cam for 114 ci and larger engines, requiring new valve springs to accommodate the higher lift”; ‘Quickee’ pushrods recommended.
Additional available optional replacement parts include those ‘Quickee’ pushrod kits for Milwaukee- Eights, plus performance valve spring kits for up to .605" lift, under- and oversized pinion gears, FoaMet cam gear cover gasket and chain and gear drive cam hardware, gasket and bearings kits.

Universal handlebar grips
Here’s something you don’t see every day…universal handlebar grips made from naturally dried wood, sold in sets for left and right. Order the throttle sleeve for your application separately. Styles include ‘Long Board’, ‘Tiki’, ‘Machete’, ‘Revolver’ and ‘Flame’.
 

Slimline Legacy tanks
Narrowed and tapered, they are 9" (23 cm) wide in the front and only 3 1/2" (9 cm) wide in the rear and hold approx. 2.75 US fluid gallons (10.4 liters). They take stock style screw-in gas caps and a set of Old School rubber knee pads (available separately); fitments available for 1983 thru 2006 Sportster models feature fuel valve bungs left and right and include one chrome block-off nut. Tanks for custom fitment come with 3-piece weld-on mounting bracket kit.
 

Petcocks
Zodiac is offering ‘Disc’ style petcocks with mesh filter screen and 13/16" nut. They fit OEM tanks 1975 thru 1982 and most custom tanks with external 13/16" connection and are offered with a choice of spigots, in chrome or black.
 

EFI fuel pump kits
Direct replacements for the OEM fuel pump, these kits come complete with pump hose and hardware (all that is required is the pump bracket as included in OEM fuel pump kits). Available in configurations for 1995 to present Touring models, 2001 thru 2017 Softails and 2004 thru 2017 Dynas.

Vision-X light units
These “superior quality” E-approved multiple LED light units with halo ring light, low and high beam, are available in 5 3/4" and 7" diameter for a range of applications, including FLTR Road Glide models. They come with H4-style connectors - adapters for use with Delphi, H9 and H11 connectors are separately available. Also available, Vision-X passing LED single beam light units and unit sets are said to be five times brighter than traditional Halogen passing lamps. They fit all regular 4 1/2" spotlight and drive light housings, but also feature side mount fixing points for custom fitment. Available with chrome or black reflector housing.

Zodiac ‘Beefy’ LED Z-bars
Featuring integrated LED light units, these handlebars work with normal cable style throttle, as well as throttle-by-wire, as found on 2008 to present Touring, 2016 to present Softail and selected CVO and SE models. Beefed up to 1 ¼” (3 cm) diameter, they take all handlebar controls designed for regular 1" handlebars, are drilled for internal wiring and feature flush-mounted LED turn signals with amber LEDs and smoke lens. Available in a selection of rise, end rise and widths in chrome, matt or gloss black.

ZODIAC INTERNATIONAL BV
www.zodiac.nl

DP Brakes

DP Brakes extends front rotors program

DP Brakes has added to its program of stainless steel replacement front rotors for late model Touring Harleys.

The pioneer and long-time industry leader in sintered metal braking technology, DP Brakes’ rotors have proven very popular with dealers looking for a high-quality replacement, and the company has now added front rotor applications for late Touring models.
“Since our introduction of OEM replacement stainless steel rotors for Harley-Davidson’s back in 2013, we have seen excellent interest and demand for late model Touring front fitments from 2000 onwards,” said Larry Mills, President DP Brakes and Clutches North America. “Therefore, we felt it necessary to expand our line to cover 2014-2018 Touring front fitments for FLHT, FLHX, FLTRX and FLHR 2017-2018, which will now complete our rotor line-up.”
Distributed exclusively through Drag Specialties in North America, Mills went on to say that “all DP rotors are designed specifically to provide the rider with improved feel, increased stopping power and an overall upgrade in braking performance.” They are produced from high-quality 410 stainless steel and 100% laser-cut for precise fitment and Blanchard (rotary surface) ground for true flatness and an attractive finish.
“We are proud to say that all our rotors are ‘made in the USA’. The combination of our industry- leading sintered brake pads and these new stainless rotors will significantly improve the overall braking system of any Harley.”

DP BRAKES
www.dp-brakes.com