More V-Twin 'action' at Milan
Continuing our review of v-twin market news from this year's EICMA 'Milan Show' we present some company and recent new product reports from vendors who sell into the v-twin market that were exhibiting there. This isn't a definitive guide to the v-twin industry 'action', just a selection of the 800 exhibitors (1,400 or so booths) that we managed to get to see while visiting the show.
BREMBO: Harley-Davidson brake component manufacturer Brembo unveiled new touring front brake components - a chromed front master cylinder for CVO models, a chromed fixed front caliper offered as a Harley P&A item, and a polished 300mm rotor for Rushmore models; www.brembo.com
MAG EUROPE: MAG Europe presented several of the Motorsport Aftermarket Group brands, including Progressive Suspension, Vance & Hines exhausts, Mustang seats, Kuryakyn accessories, Crusher exhausts, RSD apparel and Burly Brand accessories; www.mageurope.eu
PARTS EUROPE: Germany based Parts Europe played host to S&S Cycle and several well known brands from the Drag Specialties inventory, including Vance & Hines exhausts, Lindby engine bars, Saddlemen luggage and seats, Custom Dynamics lights, Hogtunes touring audio accessories, Memphis Shades windshields, Klock Werks touring fenders and accessories, Legend Suspension products, as well as its own ICON apparel program; www.partseurope.eu
OHLINS: Ex MAG Europe man Robert Brinkmark supervised Swedish manufacturer Ohlins' successful entry into the Harley-Davidson shock absorber market last year and now has a new front cartridge kit upcoming for Harley forks; www.ohlins.com
BULL-IT JEANS: Last year saw British casual protective riding pants and apparel manufacturer Covec hire industry "lifer" Paul Gomez to manage their fast growing Bull-It jeans range in the United States. Founded by noted former speedway rider Keith Bloxsome out of frustration at the poor quality and comfort offered by most of the entrants into the protective casual riding apparel market, Covec is a "Technical Textiles" specialist that has developed its own proprietary materials - their SR6 riding jeans have been garnering excellent reviews in recent months; www.bull-it.com
XL sound control options
REMUS Innovation’s latest electronically controlled variable sound exhaust has been designed for use on H-D’s XL model family. The latest slip-on exhaust mufflers are available as regular exhausts, with mechanical control of the volume level, or with Can-Bus compatible sound modulation via an electronic push button.
The EEC homologated slip-ons are supplied without end caps, but Remus offers stainless steel slash-cut, perforated, tapered, straight, rolled-up and sniper end cap designs in either chrome or black.
REMUS INNOVATION
www.remus.eu
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| The Symbolic |
More 'Bad Boys' from Sinister
BASED at Turlock, Northern California, Sinister Wheel has added more designs to its 'Bad Boy' wheel line-up. Back in March we featured their 'Labyrinth', 'MC Supra' and 'Chopper' designs; seen here are 'The Symbolic' and 'The Runner'.
CNC machined from Rotary Forged 6061-T6 heat-treated aluminum, they are available in sizes from 16 x 3.50 right the way up to 32 x 4.00 and all popular size points between. Finishes include black, polished or a choice of custom colors. ABS friendly/compatible configurations are also available, some with a choice of Cush or Non-Cush drive hubs; matching air cleaners, rotors and pulleys also available.
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| The Runner |
Sinister offers over 20 billet wheel designs (plus 3D styles) in its 'Bad Boy' line, including the 'Billet Daddy' Rotary Forged aluminum spoker - a design that references Sinister's 'Big Daddy' steel step-lip outer and 'Big Phat Daddy' billet aluminum soft-lip outer 3/8" 304 stainless steel spoke wheels - a program that Sinister founder Ali Afzal acquired from Road Wing Design in 2002.
SINISTER WHEEL
www.sinisterwheel.com
Climax branded clean-look control kits
ONE of the pioneers of the clean handlebar look, Henderson, Nevada based Custom Cycle Control Systems has launched what it is describing as "newly engineered" Climax branded, concealed hand controls packages.
Described as entirely self-contained, all the lines, wires and cables run through the handlebars and exit below the top tree. CCCS say they also have five custom handlebar styles to choose from, from Old School style drag bars to apes.
The wires, cables and hoses ship "extra long" so they can be cut-to-length; the hidden brake and clutch fluid reservoirs are quickly and easily filled, according to CCS, thanks to a syringe action fill and bleed onboard funnel hidden inside the grip.
The convenient push-pin accessibility to the internal throttle and reservoirs mean no tools are needed; seven micro switches maintain all stock control functions and allow custom use.
Additional features include easily accessible dual cable internal throttle, E-Z pull throttle lock and multiple grip choices (six CCCS styles or custom/modification). They are available in polished show chrome or black anodized finish and ship with a complete install kit.
Front marker lights can be relocated with CCCS bright LED hand levers and a hollow riser mount kit includes standard H-D rubber mount bushings with hollow riser studs.
CUSTOM CYCLE CONTROL SYSTEMS
www.customcyclecontrols.com
Handlebar options at Custom Chrome
Custom Chrome has a wide selection of handlebars and accessories available, including its Santee brand Diablo handlebars seen here.
They are available in 12in, 14in and 17in heights. Finish options are gloss black or chrome and versions of the ‘bars are offered for use on FLHT models, or for all models with 3.5in center spacing; they are drilled for internal wiring and are throttle-by-wire application compatible.
Street Fighter style bars from Physco Chubby are offered in a choice of black or chrome finishes, are pre-drilled for internal wiring, notched to work with throttle-by-wire applications and said to provide a neutral wrist angle for comfort and rideability.
They are 35 inches wide and available in 3 heights - 10in high bars with 6 inch riser and 4in bar rise; 12in high with 8 inch riser, 4in bar rise; 14in high with 10 inch riser and 4in bar rise.
Also seen here are 1-1/4in diameter 10, 12, 14 and 16 inch high Fat Bobber style Ape Hangers by Khrome Werks. These ‘bars feature a more forward grip angle than most Khrome Werks designs and are offered in either a chrome or gloss black powder coated finish. They are diamond knurled, drilled and notched for ETC (Electronic Throttle Control - 9/16 inch shorter right-side grip with drilled dimples and elliptical center slots).
Avon Performance’s ergonomic Air Gel grips feature the softest rubber that Avon has used in a street bike grip with a unique dimple texture and tacky feel, which is said to help reduce unwanted road/engine vibrations and hand tingle. This new style grip is detailed with billet aluminum chrome plated or black anodized end caps and collars; available for standard cable and TBW applications.
Wild 1 is offering a T6 heat-treated billet aluminum handlebar adapter that is a direct replacement for the restrictive stock clamping system on 2015 Road Glides.
The factory design only allows for installation of the OEM handlebars due to the
1-1/4 inch clamping area, an unsightly electrical exit hole that is pointed towards the front and a locator pin in the riser body that limits forwards and backwards adjustability. Almost all aftermarket handlebars have the wire hole pointed towards the bottom!
Ever the ultimate attendees to handlebar details, those user-friendly fellows at Wild 1 fixed the problems by creating a clamping system kit out of T6061 billet aluminum with a 1in diameter clamping area, a wire exit hole at the bottom and replacement risers and top clamp.
CUSTOM CHROME INTERNATIONAL
www.customchrome.com
“Mini Ed” cleaners
From Paughco's "Old Stf" collection these "way cool super sanitary" air cleaners from feature "slick and slippery early Hot Rod styling and compact dimensions" according to the Carson City, Nevada based manufacturer. Dubbed the “Mini Ed” each unit measures 5 ½” wide, 4” tall and just 2 ½” deep. Available either polished or "natural tumbled" they come with a K&N high flow filter element for a wide variety of fitment applications including S&S E-G, Bendix, Early Keihin, Tillotson, Linkert, early Keihin CV and 2001-2007 Delphi EFI.
Paughco, USA www.paughco.com
Lightweight pulleys and Competitor clutch conversion
At about one third the weight of stock units, these lightweight transmission pulleys from Californian manufacturer Belt Drives Ltd (BDL) weigh in at a mere 2 ¼ lbs, according to the company.
The high-tech pulleys are precision-machined to aircraft tolerance from rugged 7075 aluminum, making them suitable for high-performance applications as well as stock replacements. The significant weight saving reclaims horsepower while lightening the load on associated bearings.
A durable, hard anodized finish is said to ensure durability. Currently available for 4-speed Big Twins from 1979 to 1983, 5-speed 1986 to present and 5-speed Sportsters from 1992 up.
Also seen here, BDL’s new CC-140-BB Competitor clutch conversion is a 140-tooth version of their popular Big Twin Competitor clutch series - engineered specifically for stock 1991 and later Sportster clutch baskets.
BDL’s patented Ball Bearing Lock-up Clutch is said to "significantly lighten pull at the lever while providing smooth, slip-free lock-up". Each unit incorporates a designated number of steel ball bearings set in a model-specific diaphragm assembly.
Conversion is a straightforward install, replacing the factory pressure plate, springs and hub.
BELT DRIVES LTD
www.beltdrives.com
Outdoor Bike ShowCase
CarCapsule's Outdoor Bike ShowCase is a development of their original design for comprehensive outdoor storage protection. The structure is supported by heavy duty, resilient, inflatable air columns, and features a front panel which zips open and away, allowing the motorcycle to simply be driven in or out. Utilizing their proven Evaporative Storage Technology (E.S.T.), the air inside is exchanged with filtered outside air 3-5 times every hour, maintaining the same temperature as outside, eliminating condensation on the motorcycle. It features durable and UV rated 0.40 gauge PVC side panels, and a 0.45 gauge reinforced PVC base matt that is mildew, abrasion and flame resistant, as well as impervious to oil and gas. Tube structures are produced with .60 gauge PVC. All materials can withstand 158°F and are cold-crack tested to -25 degrees. Car Capsule, USA, www.carcapsule.com
