Aston Martin and Brough Superior

AMB 001 Deliveries On Schedule for End of 2020

First seen as a prototype at the EICMA/Milan Show in November 2019, the AMB 001 by Aston Martin and Brough Superior took to the racetrack at Pau-Arnos in France recently to begin testing. Designed and engineered for the racetrack, Aston Martin says that its AMB 001 will be strictly limited to just 100 examples and is on schedule for first deliveries at the end of this year.
Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, said: "Everybody involved has managed to make tremendous progress with the development of the AMB 001, despite the challenges we have all been facing. This special motorcycle is, like our road cars, the result of beautiful design melding with modern technology to produce a bike that any collector will be proud of."

Commenting on the ongoing success of the development program, Brough Superior CEO Thierry Henriette said: "One of the key design features of the AMB 001 is an aluminum fin that runs along the full length of a carbon fiber tank, passing under the saddle and out onto the rear. The body holding the fin and supporting the saddle is one of the areas where we called on the unique knowledge of Mecano ID, who joined the project to apply specialist aerospace-quality carbon fiber skills to the exclusive AMB 001.

 

"While the focus of the track testing is directed at the chassis, engine bench testing takes place in parallel to streamline the development process. The AMB 001 boasts a turbo-charged engine with an output of 180 hp, which is unique in the motorcycle industry for a serial production bike. The turbo package includes an intercooler; this imposing radiator with its striking oversized/wide intake manifold gives the V-twin a supercar engine appearance."
Once this testing process is complete, the plan is for the AMB 001 to go into production at the Brough Superior factory in Toulouse, France. Only 100 examples will be made, with an MRSP of 108,000.00 euro (including 20% sales tax; approx. US$ 121,500).
astonmartin.com
broughsuperiormotorcycles.com

Mupo

Mupo AB1 EVO Shock for FTR 1200

Italian suspension specialist Mupo has a range of options available for the Indian FTR 1200 - all with similar features and the same genuinely race bred quality and durability that they build into its Super and Hypersport sector sport bike suspensions.

Ideal for both the road and on the track, the hard anodized Mupo AB1 rear shock features “plug and play” adjustments with independent rebound and compression adjustments that work in synergy to ensure optimum balanced suspension performance.
All components are CNC-machined from solid, 100% dimensionally checked and then subjected to selected high-tech component-specific surface treatments for the optimal functioning of each individual part.
An evolution of Mupo's standard AB1 nitrogen gas pressurized monoshock, the AB1 EVO features an upgraded 46 mm Ergal 7075 cylinder (zinc and aluminum alloy for anti-stress properties) instead of steel for improved strength, reliability and main piston precision. The 46 mm piston has been designed to maximize the oil flow and ensure the flatness of the reed valve pack support surfaces, which improves fluid hydraulics and radically increase rear tire grip. The reservoir, head and connections are also in Ergal 7075.
The separate adjustments of double compression at high/low speeds, compression, wheelbase and spring preload with millimeter ring nuts make the AB1 EVO the ideal choice for riders who want precision handling. The 16 mm rod is surface treated with Hyperlox DLC (Diamond Like Coating), which gives a minimum sliding coefficient and therefore greater sensitivity.
Thanks to the wide range of springs available, dealers can customize the shock for their customers' load and riding style preference at point of order. For maximum performance, Mupo recommends the installation of the hydraulic preload option, which allows for dynamic real time adjustment in response to changes in load and road or track surface.
The range of adjustability is immense - 24 clicks of low speed and five clicks of high speed compression; 40 positions of extension and 9 mm of adjustable wheelbase.
All Mupo products are handmade to order and have a 2-year warranty. This can be extended up to six years by carrying out periodic reviews and maintenance per the use and maintenance booklet.

MUPO S.R.L
www.mupo.it

Twin Power

Twin Power Screamin' Eagle Replacement Air Filters

Twin Power air filters for Screamin' Eagle kits are described as high quality, long lasting replacements with a precision hand-poured design and urethane construction that will not crack or curl.

Twin Power Brand Manager James Simonelli says "our air filters will provide maximum air flow and peak filtration. Made with four layers of high-flow surgical cotton gauze for superior filtration, we specified these filters to be genuinely 100% washable and reusable."
The design features include durable, epoxy-coated wire mesh and there are fitments for all Screamin' Eagle 7" OD and many SE Big Twins (including Dyna, FLH, FLT etc.) and Sportsters.

TUCKER V-TWIN
www.tucker.com/v-twin
www.twinpower-usa.com

Cardo

Cardo's Special Edition PACKTALK BLACK

Said to "combine sleek, dark styling with superior JBL sound," Plano, Texas based Cardo's new PACKTALK BLACK special edition is the latest addition to their "industry-leading, DMC (Dynamic Mesh Communications) powered PACKTALK rider communication systems line-up."
Said to be the first motorcycle communicator to featuring 45 mm JBL Speakers as stock, the "sleek, blacked-out design and a three-year warranty help create the industry's most desired, sophisticated and dynamic motorcycle communications system.
"It offers the same industry-leading features riders have relied on with the PACKTALK BOLD and PACKTALK SLIM. Our state-of-art, DMC-powered devices function with a self-adjusting network that automatically maintains a connection, thus allowing up to 15 riders to seamlessly join, leave and re-join at a distance of up to five miles.
"Like other PACKTALK models, PACKTALK BLACK is water and dustproof, offers 13 hours of battery life, and features the always-on Natural Voice Operation - allowing riders to keep their eyes on the road, hands on the bars, and activate their device by simply saying 'Hey, Cardo.'
"The PACKTALK BLACK is the ultimate choice for riders who demand the highest level of style and performance, coupled with the industry's best, most proven and reliable technology," said Dan Emodi, Cardo Systems' Chief Marketing Officer.

"With the industry's first and only three-year complete warranty, riders can reap the benefits of PACKTALK's superior, proven technology and unmatched features, but do so with a darker, edgier expression of personal style."
" Since our inception, Cardo Systems has specialized in the design, development, manufacturing and sale of state-of-the-art wireless communication and entertainment systems for motorcycle riders. We pioneered the vast majority of innovations for Bluetooth motorcycle communication systems and our products are now available in over 100 countries."

CARDO SYSTEMS
www.cardosystems.com

K&N Filters

K&N for FTR 1200

This high flow air filter by K&N is designed to provide increased performance, with the pleated media that K&N uses provides a large filtration area, offering long service intervals. Multi-layers of woven cotton gauze media offers excellent filtration.

The filter fits directly into OEM airbox with application-specific sealing bead to ensure a precise fit. Fuel management modifications are not required for increased performance, and it is washable and reusable, pre-oiled and ready to ride. Fits 2019-2020 Indian FTR 1200.

DRAG SPECIALTIES
www.dragspecialties.com
www.knfilters.com

Drag Specialties

Drag Specialties Cancels its February 2021 Louisville Spring NVP Product Expo

LeMans Corporation, the parent company of Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties, has announced that its annual Spring NVP Product Expo is canceled.

Slated for February 13-14, 2021 in Louisville, KY., the event has grown substantially since the company first dropped anchor at Louisville two years ago, and with only AIMExpo still in play, has quickly established itself as the largest of the new generation of distributor operated dealer exhibitions that have filled the void left by the demise of independent, generally media outlet owned events such as the Dealernews 'Indy' Dealer Expo (Advanstar) and V-Twin Expo (Cincinnati/Paisano/Easyriders).
LeMans has been taking its responsibilities for the safety of its employees, dealers and vendors very seriously and, wisely, acted equally as decisively and early when canceling the annual Madison, Wisconsin NVP Product Expo (August).
The company says that "following continued uncertainty regarding the global COVID-19 pandemic, we felt this cancelation was in the best interest of our company and industry colleagues alike. Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties continue to navigate these unprecedented times with respect for the health, safety and well-being of our teams, dealers, vendors, the industry and our communities."
AIMExpo is still talking a good game. It is planned to be held on January 21 - 23 at Columbus, Ohio. At the time of writing, coronavirus infections are still continuing to rise in Ohio, with Columbus a 'hot-spot'.
Having abandoned its 'European style' launch concept of bringing a joint trade and consumer 'Trade Fair' and OEM/aftermarket concept to the United States for the first time in the motorcycle industry, it remains to be seen if it goes ahead.
www.dragspecialties.com

AFT

Briar Bauman Owns Williams Grove
Rounds 7 & 8, Williams Grove Speedway Half-Miles I & II, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, September 11 & 12

 
AFT SuperTwins presented by Vance & Hines
Briar Bauman (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) fought back against Jared Mees' win last time out in the Springfield Mile II and showed just what an AFT Grand National Champion at the peak of his powers is capable of by taking dominating wins in both the Williams Grove Half-Miles in Friday evening's Williams Grove Half-Mile I.

Bauman flat-out crushed the opposition in Race I, in what runner-up Brandon Robinson (No. 44 HCRR Racing/Ben Evans Racing Indian FTR750), who picked up his second consecutive second place, described a "demoralizing" performance while accepting his second-place trophy. The result did not come as much of a shock - it was the third year running Bauman proved his superiority at the Williams Grove Speedway.
Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) took third, with his brother's principal championship rival Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) bringing it home fourth (despite having stolen the holeshot), ahead of Dan Bromley (No. 62 Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas Indian FTR750) in fifth.
Jarod Vanderkooi led the H-D Vance & Hines XG750Rs home in ninth, ahead of Bryan Smith in tenth and Dalton Gauthier in 16th place.
In Race II the following evening, Briar Bauman backed it up with a tape-to-tape win.
Jeffrey Carver Jr. (No. 23 Happy Trails Racing FTR750) took second ahead of Jared Mees, with Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Coolbeth-Nila Racing Indian FTR750) fourth and Dan Bromley fifth.
In Race II it was Dalton Gauthier who led the Harleys home (ninth), with Jarod Vanderkooi 12th and Bryan Smith 15th.
Briar Bauman's wins pushes him back ahead of Mees in his quest to repeat as Grand National Champion as the rebuilt season officially reached its midpoint. Bauman will carry a slim five-point advantage (169-164) into what promises to be an epic four-weekend, eight-race stretch run to the throne.

AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys
In the Friday night AFT Singles Race I, 2019 championship runner-up Mikey Rush (No. 15 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) finally broke through to claim his first Main Event victory of 2020.
It didn't come easily, as he had to defeat his second-ranked teammate Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and 2016 GNC2 champ Ryan Wells (No. 94 Waters Autobody Racing/D&D PowerSports KTM 450 SX-F) who finished third to make it happen. Morgen Mischler on another KTM 450 SX-F was fourth, with Max Whale fifth on a Kawasaki KX450F.
In Saturday's Race II, Dallas Daniels went one better with a win on his Yamaha, ahead of Trent Lowe second, Tanner Dean third, Kevin Stollings fourth and Trevor Brunner fifth on Honda CRF450Rs.

AFT Production Twins
James Rispoli (No. 43 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) continued his recent tear, scoring his third AFT Production Twins victory in the class' most recent four Main Events.
"The Rocket" tracked down reigning champion Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Roof Systems Yamaha MT-07) early and eventually held him off for second, with Ryan Varnes (No. 68 RVR/RoyBuilt Don's Kawasaki Ninja 650) third, Indy Mile winner Ben Lowe (No. 25 Roof Systems of Dallas/Bruce Lowe Excavating Yamaha MT-07) fourth and Rispoli's fellow multinational championship-winning road racer Danny Eslick (No. 64 Scott Powersports/R&D Machine Kawasaki Ninja 650) in fifth.
It is of note that Johnny Lewis (Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield Twin FT & Harris Performance) brought the Royal Enfield 650 home in sixth spot in the Royal Enfield's maiden event.
In the Saturday night Singles Race II it was a repeat for the first four, with Jeremiah Duffy fifth on the Kawasaki Ninja 650.
Next up the action shifts to the Dallas Half-Mile double-headers at the Devil's Bowl Speedway (September 25 and 26), the Atlanta Short Tracks (October 2nd and 3rd) and Charlotte Half-Miles.

News Briefs

Polaris Inc. announced today the declaration of a regular quarterly $0.62 per share cash dividend payable on September 15, 2020 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 1, 2020.

The female participants of Royal Enfield's BUILD, TRAIN, RACE program spent two days working with AFT racer Johnny Lewis at the Viola, Wisconsin S&S Cycle Speed Ranch last month. S&S created an oval dirt track out of a former horse racing circuit on land owned by the company to celebrate its 60th anniversary with a weekend of racing and general tomfoolery. However, they are continuing to maintain and groom it for use for special events, training and product development purposes - oh, and 'cos it's fun!

In addition to the Drag Specialties sponsored 'King Of The Baggers' race at Laguna Seca, the rescheduled MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey, California (October 23-25), will also now stage a hillclimb event that will see racers attempting to tame the hill that is home to the famous Corkscrew. The event will be produced by Elevated Action Sports (EAS), an extreme moto company based in the San Francisco Bay area that has been hosting motoclimb and extreme enduro races since 2015. Rumors that 'KOTB' Grand Marshall Don Emde may be tempted out of retirement for a one-time burst of derring-do are regarded as "premature."

These days under Chinese ownership, the storied and once hugely popular Italian SWM (Speedy Working Motorcycles) brand has signed a domestic U.S. distribution deal with Watertown, South Dakota based Central Powersports Distribution. Initially founded in 1971 near Milan, SWM made Observed Trials, Enduro, MX and off-road Sachs and then Rotax engined 50, 100, 125 and 250 cc bikes until 1984. Reborn in 2014, the current range features lightweight singles.

Santa Cruz, California based Zero Motorcycles has announced a 'Cash for Carbon' motorcycle trade-in program. Consumers trading gas motorcycles towards the purchase of new electric motorcycles from Zero get an additional $1,500 in value.

Warren Buffett (of Berkshire Hathaway/BH fame) loaned some $300m to Harley during the 2007/9 financial crisis. "It was the bridge we needed to get us through a rough time," then H-D CFO John Olin said in 2014. BH is said to have made around $150m in profit from the five-year loan. H-D is said to have tried to renegotiate the terms of the loan at one stage - the 'Sage of Omaha' is said to have declined the kind invitation to do so. However, he could have made more than $1bn if he'd invested $300m in H-D stock over the same period: "I knew enough to lend them money, I didn't know enough to buy the equity," said Buffett.

Brembo, both directly and through its parent company Nuova FourB, has completed the acquisition of a "long-term" 4.99% stake in Milan based tire maker Pirelli S.p.A. Taken over by China in 2015, a 2017 IPO saw 40% of Pirelli's equity refloated on the Milan Bourse. Brembo revenues for the first half of 2020 amounted to € 951.1m (-28.2%) at an EBITDA margin of 15.1%/€ 143.3m; EBIT margin was 4.1%/€ 38.8m. Net investments for the period amounted to € 73.4m; net financial debt was € 597.5m.

Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, B&B, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com