Kibblewhite

M-8 Valve Spring Kits from Kibblewhite

These new M-8 valve spring kits by Pacifica, California based Kibblewhite Precision Machining (KPMI) are lightweight racing dual spring kits for 0.630" lift that utilize a lightweight retainer, a heavy duty 9° keeper and a dual spring system with increased pressures and rates. 

These features are designed to maximize valvetrain control when paired with top performance applications running larger valves, high lift cams and increased rpms. KPMI says that the system must be run with KPMI's new shortened Milwaukee-8 valves guides, or with modified stock guides.

The retainers are designed for optimum rocker cover clearance and offered in either titanium or H.T. steel retainers. 

The kits include heavy duty 9° H.T. steel keepers and Red Viton seals.

KIBBLEWHITE PRECISION MACHINING  

www.kpmi.us

LiveWire

H-D "Subsidiary" LiveWire ONE Electric Motorcycle Launches in Europe

LiveWire has announced its entry into the European market, citing it as "an exciting step in the company’s geographic expansion strategy and the electrification of motorcycling around the world."

The company is introducing the LiveWire ONE to four European markets: Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. LiveWire ONE reservations of € 100 will secure priority delivery beginning later in April.

Available in Nimbus Gray, Nightfall Blue and Liquid Black, reservations are being managed by the team at LiveWire Europe, offering a 'digital-first' sales model where consumers can interact directly with the brand, choosing color, accessories, delivery timing and their preferred retailer.

With over thirty retailers across Europe, each equipped with specialist EV capabilities to support the LiveWire customer, summer 2023 will see LiveWire Europe host customer events and demo opportunities featuring the LiveWire ONE. 

Assembled at Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations in York, PA., the Livewire ONE has a claimed range of over 140 miles in the city and over 90 miles of mixed highway and city range (SAE J2982 riding range test procedure data). The 15.4 kWh pack is said to power the bike from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds. 

Delivered with a full suite of advanced rider safety aids for traction control and ABS, it uses a 6-axis IMU to adapt to a variety of skill levels and riding. It is equipped with two charging methods as standard equipment and is said to provide the ease of overnight charging using Level 1 and rapid charging via DC Fast Charge with times as short as 30 minutes in a 20% to 80% charging scenario.

Initial MSRP pricing is € 24,990 in Germany; € 25,290 in France; € 25,390 in the Netherlands and £22,990 in the UK.

www.livewire.com

News Briefs

Canadian company Taiga (TSX: TAIG) says that it has begun delivery of Orca Carbon Electric Watercraft units in Florida. "The impressive boating culture, paired with high public awareness of EVs, positions Florida as a premiere market for the Taiga Orca," said Sam Bruneau, CEO. The Orca Carbon was recently awarded Popular Science Best of What's New 2022, is a nominee for Boat of the Year 2022 by Boating Magazine, and was recognized to TIME's List of Best Inventions of 2022 alongside its Nomad electric snowmobile.

In Japan, Yamaha Motor and its wholly owned subsidiary Yamaha Motor Powered Products Co., Ltd. (YMPC) has announced plans for a "partial transfer" of its power products business (multi-purpose engines, generators and snow blowers) to Earth Power Products Co., Ltd. (EPP) - wholly owned subsidiary of Japanese auto parts maker Meiko Seiki Co., Ltd. 

Volcon has announced a collaboration with BFGoodrich Tires for its off-road racing program, including integration of BFG's ActiveAir suspension technology in the Volcon race vehicle. ActiveAir is a Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) that makes real-time adjustments "with the aim of enhancing the off-road performance and increasing the battery range of Volcon's future UTV products."

Having recently announced its acquisition of Spectro Oils, Swiss oil brand MOTOREX (Bucher AG) has announced Andreas Vetter as its new head of powersports, replacing Ronald Kabella.

In the United States, Honda has announced what it describes as "approachable" and "beginner friendly" Dual Sport models (ADV) - the all-new "value focused" XR150L and shorter seat height CRF300L.

Tucker Powersports has struck an exclusive distribution agreement with Atturo Tire. Atturo recently announced its first product for off-road UTVs - the Atturo Trail Blade SXS line. The tires feature steel belted construction, integrated rim protection and modern, race-inspired designs. A Trail Hazard protection plan covers flat tire repair or replacement costs for up to 24 months. 

Italian comeback brand Moto Morini has announced its entrance into the American market with an Irvine, California headquarters to be headed up by Chris McGee as COO. Founded by Alfonso Morini in Bologna in 1937, Moto Morini first started to sell in USA in 1965, at the peak of its race success and popularity. The year after acquiring Ducati, Cagiva (the Castiglioni brothers) additionally bought Moto Morini in 1986; the following year Cagiva also bought Husqvarna. None of this ended well. It never does. An attempted relaunch in 2005 crashed and burned and the business entered bankruptcy in 2010. Production was restarted by the liquidator, the company subsequently sold in 2011 and relocated to the greater Milan area in 2013. Ownership changed again in 2015, then again 2018 when it became part of the Zhongsheng Vehicle Group. As one of the many Asian manufacturers hoovering up legacy western brands, ZVG's aim has been to consolidate and reinforce Moto Morini's premium positioning by making significant investments into current and new models. Different engine sizes have reduced dependency on CFMoto engines and fueled the objective of widening the Morini range and increase its presence on the market. So far, so good. Late model Morinis are garnering good reviews and have an increasingly positive reputation, the recent X-Cape ADV being particularly well received.  

KTM has announced that its 2023 Adventure Rally (24-28 of July) will be staged in Norway. 

Construction was slated to commence in January for Michigan's largest Automotive Country Club. Motorsports Gateway Howell will be a 273-acre automotive district that fronts the north side of Interstate 96 and to the east of Highway D19. Phase 1 of the district will include a 2.2-mile performance driving circuit, members clubhouse, paddock, member rentable garages, track-fronting private garage condos and a public nature trail. The first section of the performance driving circuit is scheduled to be ready for use in the summer of 2023. A limited number of memberships (150) will be offered for 2023. The circuit will be constructed following FIA safety standards. 

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

HardDrive

HardDrive 2023

Following the twin announcements that it has added both Burly Brand and Hawg Halters (HHI) product to its line-up, HardDrive's 2023 catalog is its biggest yet at 1,376 pages.

This year, Western Power Sports (WPS) is marking the 10th anniversary of its 2013 decision to go into the H-D and custom V-twin parts and accessory aftermarket with HardDrive as its specialty brand for the sector. A decade on, and HardDrive is now able to deliver to dealers from V-twin inventory held in each of its six distribution centers - Idaho, California, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Texas - with one-day delivery to most of the major population centers and two-day throughout the whole of the continental United States.

Brand highlights in the 2023 catalog include Firebrand, TBR and Freedom Performance exhausts; Dynojet, TTS (Mastertune) and ATAL 'Diag4Bike' fuel systems; EMD finned engine covers; KB Pistons; Rocket and TTS cams and Kibblewhite valves and springs.

HardDrive gives dealers access to the National Cycle windscreens program; APM (American Prime Manufacturing) and Energy One clutches; Daytona Twin Tec, Dynatek, NAMZ, ACCEL, Cycle Electric, Rick's and Compu-Fire electrical system products; Antigravity batteries; Brake products from Hawg Halters, Lindal Racing and Galfer; HardDrive by Racingbros, Arnott and Burly Brand suspension products; Lyndall and Bagger Nation wheels; Shinko tires; Avon grips; Motion Pro cables and tools, and way more besides.

www.hdtwin.com

VG Motorcycle

VG Motorcycle Splits into Two Businesses

Well known Dutch frame maker Guus Hoogland has announced changes to the corporate structure and engineering focus of his VG Motorcycle frame building business.

Due to the increasingly comprehensive activities and ever-broadening range of products made by VG Motorcycle, in consultation with his engineering team it has been decided to split the company into two separate businesses. 

Herman Hulzebosch and Raymond Kleeman, VG Classic Frames & Parts

From now on, VG Classic Frames & Parts, owned by Herman Hulzebosch, will produce the classic hardtail replica frames and do restorations and repairs for Knuckle and Panhead frames.

Guus Hoogland, VG Motorcycle Specials

This will leave Guus Hoogland special order, chopper, Softail and newer type Shovelhead and later frames. Historically it has always been producing 'specials' that Guus has enjoyed most - one-off frame and swingarm design solutions and construction for Softails, choppers and custom builds. His side of the operation will be known simply as VG Motorcycle Specials.

www.vgclassicframes.com

www.vgmotorcyclespecials.com

FIM

FIM Helmet Standards to Get Stricter 
By Ben Purvis

Since 2019, MotoGP riders have had to wear helmets that meet the FIM's own strict FRHPhe-01 safety regulations and the same has applied to all FIM-organized road racing competitors since 2020. Now a second-generation set of rules have been set down to make race helmets even safer by 2026.

The new FRHPhe-02 standards (that stands for FIM Racing Homologation Program for helmets - phase 2) have been published to allow manufacturers to prepare helmets in time for their introduction. For the first time, the regulations will apply to off-road competition as well as on-asphalt racing. While not required for road use, since helmet manufacturers will make their best, competition-oriented helmets comply, road-going riders who opt for those helmets will be able to benefit from the stricter testing.

The FRHPhe-02 tests will force helmets to withstand between nine and 13 random impacts at any of 22 locations around their shells, adding new tests such as impacts against oblique anvils and hemispherical anvils. There's also a requirement for quick-removable cheek pads to assist emergency workers and a new Skull Fracture Criterion (SFC) that limits linear acceleration over a specific time interval.

Compared to FRHPhe-01, the -02 tests will include four impacts against a flat anvil, picked from 17 possible impact sites, up from three impacts and 12 sites, at a speed of 8.2 m/s. Helmets will also have to withstand four hits against a hemispherical angle, again from 17 possible impact points, at 7.5 m/s. All this is on top of the requirements to meet UN ECE 22-06, Snell M 2015, 2020D or 2020R, or JIS 8133:2015 standards. 

The helmets are due to be mandated in FIM competition by 2026, but there will be encouragement for competitors to adopt them sooner than that, once helmets meeting the standard are available.

Like the current FRHPhe-01 helmets, FRHPhe-02 compliance will be checked via QR codes sewn into the chinstraps of helmets that have passed the checks.

Mid-USA

Mid-USA Additions

S&S Big Bore Kits

Seen here for 129" M-8 107" conversions, S&S says these kits deliver the largest big bore possible with a slip-in kit. They have black cylinders with highlighted fins and work with the stock crankcases - no machining or modifications are needed. The powder-coat finish matches the factory finish. Features include MLS (multi-layered steel) head gaskets. 

The 4.32" bore is slated for a pump gas-friendly 11:1 compression ratio and optional use of a high lift cam, without case mods or engine removal. The 4.375" stroke in the 129" kit retains the stock engine height. Also available as a 132" conversion for M-8 114" engines.

Dynojet PC 6

Dynojet PC 6, seen here for FXDLS 110" models '16-'17

New to Mid-USA, Dynojet's "tried, true and tested" Power Commander 6 has been developed for a "streamlined user interface to make choosing and tuning a map easier for the end user." Tune settings can be easily changed and upgraded as parts are upgraded. Features include compact design for discrete placement and ease of installation, with each cylinder able to be mapped individually and for each gear, giving riders a more granular level of control. 

It can be paired with other Power Commander accessories such as the Autotune, Quickshifter or POD-300, has 50-State compatibility and ships with a one-year warranty. It is available for Touring models 2008 and up, most Softails from 2007 and up (to 2020), 2012/2017 Dyna Glides and XL 1200 2013 to 2020.

Le Pera 'Bare Bones' Solo

'Bare Bones' seat for '08-'17 Softail

M-8 Softail

North Hollywood, California based Le Pera is celebrating 50 years as the internationally recognized custom seats design leader and, now available at Mid-USA, its 'Bare Bones' seats are designed to be low and aggressive with a simplistic design that will "change the entire look" of the bike. They are available in two versions - for standard tire Softail models or for a clean and streamlined look on M-8 Softails.

Wheel Balancing Weights

Available for all spoked or cast wheels, these adhesive-backed, lead-free steel Motion Pro wheel balancing weights are available in silver or black powder-coat.

MID-USA

www.mid-usa.com

www.mid-usa.ca

Motorcycle Storehouse

Motorcycle Storehouse Additions

Öhlins Suspension Systems

Motorcycle Storehouse has added Öhlins to its product range. Included are rear shock absorbers for M-8 Softail and Touring models, XL Sportsters, XR1200, XG750 Street and V-Rods. All are available in several configurations to suit budgets and preferences. 

Furthermore, cartridge kits were added for conventional and inverted (upside down) front forks. For the cartridge kits, the springs are optionally available to match the rider's weight/load for tailor-made suspension performance. 

ABS sensors

Motorcycle Storehouse has added a full line of replacement ABS brake sensors. The range extends from the very first sensors used on Harleys, as installed on 2008 Touring models, up to the latest versions for the Nightster Special. 

MOTORCYCLE STOREHOUSE BV

www.motorcyclestorehouse.com