29/01/2009 by info.

January 28th, 2009

A struggling economy and some careful corporate financial planning have apparently led to rumors swirling around one of the more famous motorcycle engine manufacturers.

S&S Cycle released a press release to address any rumors that may have started with the auctioning of several pieces of manufacturing equipment.

‘Like other companies in the manufacturing industry, S&S has conducted layoffs, and is selling excess equipment. “These are appropriate measures that we took in response to the slowing economy” says CEO George Smith. Smith went on to say “people may not be aware of this, but while we are clearing out some of our machinery, we are also investing in new machines, and increasing our efficiency and overall capability.”

Although slowing sales are a factor, some of the machines being sold have already been replaced in production by a new manufacturing cell that was made fully operational just last summer. This system allows for the consolidation of machining centers and results in greater efficiency. A redesign of the plant layout is also being implemented to increase the flexibility and scope of S&S’s manufacturing capacity.

S&S is about to launch an aggressive and dynamic marketing program which will start with a dual presence at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati, Ohio. S&S will be showing performance enhancement products under the S&S name as well as vintage engines and parts under their recently acquired Flathead Power™ brand. The following week at the Dealer Expo 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana, S&S will debut a new line of off-road performance products and parts for metric cruisers.’

Director of Business Development and Sales, Michael Scaletta adds confidence with, “We are introducing great new products and are even expanding into new markets. S&S has been here for over 50 years, and we are in it for the long haul.”

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24/01/2009 by info.

Harley Profit Falls 58% on Weaker Demand; Shares Drop

Jan. 23 (Bloomberg) — Harley-Davidson Inc., the biggest U.S. motorcycle maker, said fourth-quarter profit fell 58 percent on weaker demand, missing analysts’ estimates and pushing shares to the lowest level in almost 12 years.

The company plans to cut 1,100 jobs and close three facilities to save at least $60 million a year, the Milwaukee- based manufacturer said. Revenue fell 6.8 percent to $1.29 billion. Harley wouldn’t project 2009 earnings and said it’s reducing shipments by as much as 13 percent to prevent excess inventory.

The cuts “are probably enough for them to be profitable, but probably don’t go far enough to be optimal for current market conditions,” said Ed Aaron, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets Corp. in Denver. “This is a capital consuming business in a bad credit environment.” Aaron rates the shares “sector perform.”

The stock dropped 90 cents, or 7.3 percent, to $11.50 at 4:15 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading, the lowest since June 1997. Earlier, the stock fell 19 percent, the biggest intraday decline since April 2005. Per-share earnings trailed the average estimate of 57 cents from 17 analysts in a Bloomberg survey.

Sales at Harley, the maker of Fat Boy and other cruisers, tumbled through 2008 as the U.S. economy slowed and access to consumer credit tightened. List prices for Harleys range from $6,999 to $35,499. Harley is the world’s largest seller of cruisers, models for leisure riding that are often equipped with engines 1000cc or larger, chrome exhaust pipes and 1950s styling.

`Not Immune’

“We have a strong core business anchored by a uniquely powerful brand, but we are certainly not immune to the current economic conditions,” Chief Executive Officer Jim Ziemer said in a conference call today.

Net income declined to $77.8 million, or 34 cents a share, from $186.1 million, or 78 cents, a year earlier, when sales totaled $1.48 billion. Quarterly profit was the lowest in nine years.

The company projected costs of $110 million to $140 million to cover the job cuts and make adjustments for falling demand.

About 70 percent of the job cuts will take place this year and the rest in 2010. The employment reductions equal 11 percent of Harley’s workforce, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Plant Closings

“We really think this is where we need to be to restructure the company, given where the economy is,” Ziemer said in an interview today.

The company will close two engine and transmission plants near Milwaukee and move work to a plant in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. It will consolidate paint and frame operations at its York, Pennsylvania, assembly plant, close a distribution facility in Franklin, Wisconsin, and stop its domestic transportation fleet operation.

Ziemer declined to say whether further cuts are being studied or discuss severance terms for fired workers.

Results in the quarter were hurt by a $24.9 million operating loss at Harley’s finance unit.

“The finance unit is so intertwined with the company now,” Aaron said. “It’s the facilitator of motorcycle sales.”

The company is looking at options to increase capital funding for Harley-Davidson Financial Services to help improve sales to customers, Chief Financial Officer Tom Bergmann said on the conference call.

Sources for Funds

Those include accessing unsecured debt markets, expanding an existing $500 million asset-backed security facility and trying to borrow funds under a new federal asset-backed security program, Bergmann said. He estimated the unit needs to raise about $1 billion this year.

The company has the option of cutting its dividend payment and diverting funds to the finance arm, Bergmann said in an interview.

“It’s a major cash flow item,” said Bergmann, named interim president of the finance unit after the Jan. 8 departure of Saiyid Naqvi. “We’ll continue to take a look at that.”

Revenue for 2008 fell 2.3 percent to $5.59 billion. Annual net income dropped 30 percent to $654.7 million, or $2.79 a share, from $933.8 million, or $3.74 a share, in 2007.

Executive Search

Ziemer, who announced last month he’ll retire in 2009 after 40 years with Harley, said the company’s board is continuing a search for his successor.

“When that process is done, we’ll let everyone know,” Ziemer said. “We’ve got a long period of time in 2009 left.”

Harley’s debt rating was cut two grades on Jan. 16 to BBB+ from A by Standard & Poor’s, which cited “concerns about the motorcycle market in the near-to-intermediate term against the backdrop of the recession.”

Japan’s Honda Motor Co. is the world’s largest motorcycle maker, selling more than 10 million bikes annually.

To contact the reporters on this story: Alan Ohnsman in Los Angeles at aohnsman@bloomberg.net; Mike Ramsey in Southfield, Michigan, at mramsey6@bloomberg.net.

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23/01/2009 by info.

Export sales appeared to be the only good news for Harley-Davidson as the release of its fourth quarter and 2008 year end results were accompanied by a range of cost-cutting announcements that include lay-offs, production cuts and facility closures.Confirmation of the as-expected poor performance and economy measures comes with its dealer network gathered in Washington, D.C., for the firm’s annual Winter dealer convention.

In an effort to stabilize its finances the Motor Company is planning to consolidate its two engine and transmission plants in the Milwaukee area into its facility in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, and also consolidate paint and frame operations at its assembly facility in York, Pennsylvania.

The firm’s distribution facility in Franklin, Wisconsin, will be closed, with Parts and Accessories and General Merchandise distribution being taken on by a third party, and it will also discontinue operation of its own domestic transportation.

Some 1,100 jobs are expected to be lost in 2009 and 2010, with up to 70 percent of them going within 12 months.

Talking about the changes to the business structure, Jim Ziemer, the CEO and ‘Harley lifer’ who recently announced his intention to retire, said: “We obviously need to make adjustments to address the current volume declines, but we are also determined to do that in a way that will make us more competitive for the long term. Our management group will engage with union leaders, through our partnering relationship, regarding these changes.”

It is hoped that the changes will result in an annual saving of approximately $60 million to $70 million.

As the first quarter of 2009 progresses the Company says it plans to ship between 74,000 and 78,000 new motorcycles, a 3.0 percent to 8.5 percent increase versus the first quarter of 2008.

However, for the full year the Company plans to ship between 264,000 and 273,000 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles, a 10 percent to 13 percent reduction from 2008.

“We reduced our production levels prudently in 2008, helping our dealers achieve lower inventory levels,” said Ziemer, “and we’re going to show similar discipline in 2009. That’s not only critical for the health of our business, but for our dealers’ businesses, as well.”

These shipment figures come despite a marked increase in international sales in the final part of 2008 for the Motor Company.

Retail sales grew 0.7 percent in the Company’s international markets during the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to the year-ago period.

Fourth quarter retail sales increased 3.4 percent in Europe, with all international market retail sales increasing 10.3 percent for the full year.

Domestic U.S. retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles declined 13.0 percent for the full year, in a U.S. heavyweight market that was ‘only’ down by 7.0 percent for the year.

Revenue for the full year was 2.3 percent down (at $5.59 billion) on shipments of 303,479 for the year (down 8.2 percent).

www.harley-davidson.com

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22/01/2009 by info.

The first annual Verona International Custom Show took place at Motor Bike Expo in Verona over the weekend of January 16-18. With fierce competition, especially between the Italian builders, the judges finally chose Big Twin Motors of Naples for the Italian prize, and Fred Kodlin Motorcycles from Germany for the International prize. Both winners receive a contribution towards the expense of competing at this year’s 6th annual Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, at Champions Park, Lazelle St, Sturgis over August 2-5.

Motor Bike Expo is the first World Championship “International Affiliate” to offer two Sturgis prizes, one to the best bike from a domestic builder, and the other to the top international competitor.

Banishing fears that the quality of the show and attendance could be affected by the move away from Padua, Motor Bike Expo reported comparable crowds to last year and exhibitors were pleased with the level of business conducted.

Cory Ness, on stage to present the winning builders with their trophies, commented that Motor Bike Expo was the best European show he had attended in the past five years.

Inside sources at Padua, who staged their own show over the same days in direct opposition to Verona, reported a drop of over 70% in attendance from the previous year.

MOTOR BIKE EXPO
www.motorbikeexpo.it

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22/01/2009 by info.

No…there’s been no murder here at Pro-Street……well not yet anyway. :-)  Pro-Street Cycles are pleased to announce we are now an official European Dealer for Crime Scene Choppers and are proud to offer their entire range of evocative and eye-catching products that are perfect for any custom project.

Crime Scene Choppers produce parts that are used on some of the World’s top Custom Bikes…..see their full range here!”

For more information, contact Pro-Street Cycles.

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20/01/2009 by info.

Here’s another engine from the Melling range - possibly something a little usable for custom bike building…..

Capacity                          1800cc               2000cc                  2500cc
Bore x Stroke (mm)     101.5 x 111.1     107.5 x 111.1        118.5 x 111.1
No Of Cylinders              2                        2                             2
V Angle                            45°                    45°                         45°
Valves/ Cylinder             2                        2                            2
Spark Plugs/Cylinder Head     2              2                            2
No. of Camshafts             1                         1                            1
Power                                106bhp             118bhp                 144bhp
Torque                              111ft/lbs           124ft/lbs              152ft/lbs

Specification:

Cylinder Heads: Machined from solid billet utilising High Tensile Aluminium Alloy, with unique Valve Seat insert/Valve guides for accurate valve control.

Cylinders: Cylinder Jackets Machined from High Tensile Aluminium Alloy, utilising bespoke ground Steel liners.

Crankcases: Machined from solid Aluminium Alloy designed with special Main Bearing Housings for higher load capability.

Pistons: Forged and fitted with High Performance Piston Rings.

Pushrods: Adjustable for accurate valve clearance and control.

Valves: Made from High Temperature Steel and fitted with High Performance Valve Springs.

Cooling: Air

Oil Scavenge Pump: Gear Pinion Type

Oil Feed Pump: Gear Pinion Type

Fuel System: Mikuni 42mm Carburettor

Cam Followers: Hydraulic
For more details about the ‘Atlantean’ Range please contact J Banks Engines.

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20/01/2009 by info.

We were looking at these engines at a recent trade show, and thought some you might be interested also….and yes - it is a 4 litre block!

Capacity
3998cc
Bore x Stroke (mm)
130.25 x 150.0
No Of Cylinders
2
V Angle
55°
Valves/ Cylinder
2
Spark Plugs/
Cylinder Head
2
No. of Camshafts
2
Connecting Rods
Side by side with Hydro Dynamic bearings
Main Bearings
Drive side: Heavy Duty Roller bearing
Timing side: Hydro Dynamic bearing
Power
217bhp
Torque
247ft/lbs

Specification:

Cylinder Heads: Machined from solid billet utilising High Tensile Aluminium Alloy, with unique Valve Seat insert/Valve guides for accurate valve control.

Cylinders: Cylinder Jackets Machined from High Tensile Aluminium Alloy, utilising bespoke ground Steel liners.

Crankcases: Machined from solid Aluminium Alloy designed with special Main Bearing Housings for higher load capability.

Pistons: Forged and fitted with High Performance Piston Rings.

Pushrods: Adjustable for accurate valve clearance and control.

Valves: Made from High Temperature Steel and fitted with High Performance Valve Springs.

Cooling: Air

Oil Scavenge Pump: Gear Pinion Type

Oil Feed Pump: Gear Pinion Type

Fuel System: Mikuni 42mm Carburettor

Cam Followers: Hydraulic

For more details about the ‘Centaurus’ Range please contact J Banks Engines.

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20/01/2009 by info.

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20/01/2009 by info.

VICTORY Motorcycles shocked the industry when it showed its radical design concept, the Vision 800, at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach in 2005. However, that design concept went on to become the Victory Vision, with many of the styling cues retained.

Now for 2009 the Minnesota based manufacturer looks set to do the same thing again with the launch of it’s CORE concept. Having revolutionized the touring market, it appears that Victory is now set to do the same to the Sports Cruiser class.

When Victory’s design team, led by Industrial Design Director Greg Brew and Lead Industrial Designer Michael Song, set out to create the CORE, the idea was to build a motorcycle using the minimum of elements… engine, frame, wheels and front suspension only.

“CORE is pure motorcycle,” said Song. “We wanted to strip everything not critical and build a motorcycle that uses some of the production technologies we have incorporated into the Victory Vision. The frame and engine architecture of the Victory Vision was our inspiration – but we wanted to make a statement beyond ‘custom’ and create something completely unique.”

In order to achieve a unique frame, the design was cast in aluminum, using a sand mold. It is made up of five pieces, formed from AL 356-T6 aluminum alloy and incorporates the bike’s fuel tank, airbox, battery box and the electrical system.

Suspension is limited to the front only, but takes the form of adjustable WP 48mm upside down race forks. These are fitted with equally race-inspired four-piston radially mounted twin calipers, which operate on dual 320mm discs. Braking at the rear is by a single piston caliper and 240mm disc.

A Victory Freedom 106/6 Stage 2 power plant with closed-loop fuel injection, which was debuted in the 2009 production line, is used in the CORE, along with a six-speed transmission. Maintaining the bare minimum styling, the high level, wrapped stainless steel exhaust is muffler-free.

Away from the frame the single most striking feature of the CORE is the carved mahogany seat, which also incorporates an LED taillight.

Talking about the CORE concept Greg Brew said: “CORE represents the heart of Victory Motorcycles. We want to create a new design language, but never in a way that interrupts the function of the motorcycle. The fact is, a project like CORE is as important to the design team as winning Daytona would be to an engineering team. ‘Pushing the boundaries’ is just another cliché – CORE exists to show the world how dedicated Victory is to the art and science of motorcycle design.”

VICTORY MOTORCYCLES
Medina, Minnesota, USA
Tel: 763 542 5000
E-mail: josh.kurcinka@polarisind.com
www.victorymotorcycles.com

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07/01/2009 by info.

MIDWEST is now offering a new service to its dealers – engine rebuilds under its Ultima Motorworks division. The service, which covers not only Ultima engines but also S&S and Harley-Davidson Evo V-twins, is backed by a six-month / 6,000-mile warranty.

Participating dealers will remove engines from bikes and ship them to Midwest where, after an initial inspection for cosmetic flaws or damage, the motors are then stripped, cleaned and inspected before being rebuilt. During the rebuild, where necessary, bearings, bushings and hardware, pistons, gaskets and seals will be replaced. In addition, five-piece crankshaft assemblies will be rebuilt and trued as necessary, with three-piece cranks rebuilt or replaced at an additional cost.

If the motor being rebuilt is an Ultima model, it will additionally be upgraded to the latest specification including: BeeHive valve springs, Ultima High Output oil pump, heavy duty Hylift Johnson lifters and Mahle forged pistons when applicable.

ULTIMA MOTORWORKS

www.ultimaproducts.com

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