30/10/2010 by info.

Hilarious parody showcasing a possible market opportunity for Harley to expand into other markets.”HDPC’s have been stripped down to reveal the soul of computing, and engineered for the rebel who has a lot of things to count. With the new HDPC’s we wanted make a lot of money off of a computer, but not really do any research and development. Everything that we’ve learned from designing mediocre motorcycles, and everything that we have learned marketing those motorcycles culminates in the new HDPC.

Made with parts from China, Mexico, and Japan, then assembled American tough in the U.S. of A. by a union that was threatened into submission by corporate fat cats, then kicked in the nuts 4 days later when the state of Wisconsin rewarded Harley Davidson 25 million dollars in tax credits. As a result of so many union jobs being cut and salaries frozen we are able to ship HDPC’s at a competitive price with computers from overseas.

We hope you enjoy your new HDPC and remember if you get made fun of for owning one be sure to accuse the offender of being to poor to own one.Order today and get your Harley Davidson Gutenburg printing press at half off regular price.Special thanks to http://www.stockfootageforfree.com/ where I downloaded the great footage at the beginning of the video. And Kevin Macleod for his amazing library of Creative Commons music found at www.incompetech.com. I used his song “Open Those Bright Eyes” for the soundtrack because to me it sounded a bit like something Apple would use in one of its keynote presentations.”

See the video here:

Harley Davidson Computers

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26/10/2010 by info.

British roads continue to get safer year on year for all road users. The Motor Cycle Industry’s analysis of the Governments most recent statistics found that although traffic rose by 15% in the last year the casualty rate for motorcyclists fell by 6%.

The motorcycle casualty rate has continued to fall since 1994 and the number of motorcycle fatalities has also dropped by 4% since 2008.

The statistics reveal that rider/ driver errors are the main contributory factor to accidents (42% overall).

The three main causes of motorcycle accidents are; a loss of control – 16%, a failure to properly observe – 15% and a failure to judge the other person’s path or speed – 12%. Slippery roads (7%) and inexperienced riders (9%) were also notable.

Steve Kenward, MCI’s CEO commented, “It is important that we continue to make progress and sustain the reduction in accidents and the casualty rate. Riders themselves can also take greater personal responsibility for their actions on the road and can get involved in different activities to improve their skills and experience.”

Taking part in a BikeSafe assessment is an excellent and affordable way to discover strengths and weaknesses on the road. These sessions include an on-road riding assessment with a qualified police bike instructor who will evaluate things such as cornering and braking as well as your overall riding technique.

To find out more and book a session go to www.bikesafe.co.uk

Follow this up with some post-test training to help improve your skills and techniques. The better prepared you are the easier it will be to deal with hazardous situations that might arise.

For more information about how to find a suitable trainer and the different types of training that is available go to the website www.mcita.co.uk

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21/10/2010 by info.

Harley continues to pick-up share, close-in on 2010 ’shipments’ target, and points to “young adult” sales as production and sales gap narrows With retail sales of 185,720 motorcycles for the first nine months of the year, Harley-Davidson is now targeting the upper end of its 2010 dealer ’shipment’ guidance as sales and production edge closer to balance.

Barring further dramatic deterioration of consumer confidence, and despite widespread on-going concerns about the nature of the domestic US economic recovery, the company’s third quarter fiscals show sales declines over the equivalent 2009 periods reducing, with production and sales likely to be running in parallel by some stage in the first half of 2011.

Third-quarter retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 7.7 percent worldwide, 9.4 percent in the U.S. (against an industry-wide decline of 14.4 percent in the 651+cc ‘heavyweight’ sector) and 3.6 percent in international markets compared to the year-ago quarter.

“Despite the continued challenges in the economy, we are making solid, steady progress at transforming our business,” said Keith Wandell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “With our strategic focus on future growth initiatives and continuous improvement, we are positioning Harley-Davidson to succeed at today’s volumes, as well as to grow and restore greater profitability longer term.”

Sales stand at 13.4 percent down in the US for the first nine months of the year, with international sales down just 1.9 percent for a total worldwide decline 9.8 percent for the year-to-date.

“The Harley-Davidson brand has remarkable strength globally. Few products or brands rank as highly in terms of awareness and affinity on the part of customers and non-customers alike. We have continued to gain market share in the U.S. and Europe. Since 2008, we also have been the U.S. leader in new motorcycle sales to young adults for the entire on-road motorcycle category. Going forward, we will continue to build on this brand strength and leadership position,” said Wandell.

Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the third quarter of 2010 was $798.8 million, down 0.6 percent compared to the year-ago period. The Company shipped 53,293 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide during the quarter, compared to shipments of 54,236 motorcycles in the third quarter of 2009.

Revenue from Parts and Accessories totaled $219.0 million during the quarter, down 1.2 percent, and revenue from General Merchandise, which includes MotorClothes apparel, was $64.1 million, down 9.4 percent compared to the year-ago period.
Through the first nine months of 2010, the Company shipped 166,013 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, an 11.3 percent decrease compared to last year’s 187,085 units for the period. Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles through nine months was $2.44 billion, a 7.0 percent decrease compared to the year-ago period.

Nine-month P&A revenue was $599.8 million, a 3.7 percent decrease from the year-ago period. General Merchandise revenue was $197.7 million, an 8.3 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2009.

Operating income from financial services was $50.9 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared to an operating loss of $31.5 million in the year-ago quarter. The improvement in year-over-year operating income is largely the result of a lower cost of funds and improvement in credit losses.

Through nine months, operating income from financial services was $138.4 m, compared to an operating loss of $110.8 m in the first nine months of 2009.

Based on this, the Company is now narrowing its guidance for full-year 2010 shipments to 207,000 to 212,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers, a decrease of approximately five to seven percent from 2009; their prior shipments guidance for 2010 was 201,000 to 212,000 motorcycles.

The Company has lowered its cost estimates for restructuring and is also refining its guidance for capital expenditures, which are now expected to be $190 m to $210 m for the full year, compared to prior guidance of $235 m to $255 m.

In the third quarter, the Company completed the divesture of its MV Agusta subsidiary. Harley-Davidson incurred losses of $4.9 m during the third quarter, and $108.4 m for the year-to-date from its “discontinued operations”.

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19/10/2010 by info.

ALEXANDRA Palace in London will once again play host to a custom bike show affiliated to the World Championship of Custom Bike Building in 2011.

Now known as the London International Custom Show, it will take place over the weekend of February 26-27 at the iconic North London venue.

For its second year at the ‘Ally Pally’, the event, operated by Andrew Greenwood’s Classic Shows, will now be sponsored by UK custom motorcycle magazine Back Street Heroes (BSH).

“BSH is very pleased to be involved with the 2011 London International Custom Show at Alexandra Palace. The magazine was impressed by the enthusiasm with which the show was received in February 2010, and the quality of the competing bikes in the AMD World Championship custom bike competition,” said Blue Miller of Back Street Heroes.

“Having attended and judged at several of the European shows affiliated to the World Championship, I’m delighted that the UK is now part of that World Series and that BSH will be organizing the home round.”

The top prize at the event will be £5,000 bike freight and related expenses to travel to Sturgis to take part in the World Championship itself.

Last year saw a custom v-twin ‘Sturgis’ prize taken by SPS of the Netherlands, one of a number of bikes entered into the Freestyle class from mainland Europe.

Harley-Davidson sponsored a Modified Harley ‘Sturgis’ prize, won by UK dealer Shaw Harley-Davidson, who went on to take the Modified Harley World Championship at Sturgis this summer.

Exhibitor enquiries:
Andrew Greenwood, Classic Shows
E-mail: info@classicshows.org

Bike show entries:
Blue Miller, Back Street Heroes magazine
E-mail: bsh_magazine@yahoo.co.uk

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19/10/2010 by info.

SUMAX is now offering a new version of its stock width saddle bags. The latest design, molded from composite fiberglass, is an extended version that offers not only a longer look to the bags, but a  lso additional storage capacity.

The new bags’ lids are rear opening with a push button lockable latch and a hidden stainless steel hinge at the front edge.
Inside the bags is a charcoal trunk lining finish, a ‘trimlock’ seal on the bags and foam seal in the lids.

Primer grey gel coat finish is standard on the bags, and optional pre-installed ready to ‘plug and play’ lighting, featuring run, turn, and stop functions, is available.

SUMAX
Oriskany, New York, USA
Tel: 315 768 1058
Fax: 315 768 1046
E-mail: info@sumax.com
www.sumax.com

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12/10/2010 by info.

KUSTOM Tech has a range of handlebar controls available in a wide range of finishes.

The Deluxe external throttle is a single cable design, available for use on either 1in or 7/8in handlebars. The retro styled piece can be ordered in either brass or aluminum in a choice of polished, satin or raw finishes.

To match the throttle, Kustom Tech manufactures Deluxe brake and clutch levers. The brake lever features an aluminum master cylinder with either a brass lever and finned brass cover or all aluminum construction. The master cylinder can be purchased with either a 12mm or 14mm bore to fit 1in bars. It is offered in polished, satin or raw finishes and a matching clutch lever is also offered.

Alongside the hydraulic levers, Kustom Tech produces Deluxe cable operation levers for 1in handlebars. The left-side lever is supplied with a special cable pin for early and late cable clutches. The right lever has been designed to work with either mechanical drum brakes, the company’s own wire master cylinder or custom applications. Like the rest of the Deluxe range, the levers can be ordered finished raw, satin or polished.

For builders who want to use a handlebar mounted brake or clutch lever without a master cylinder for disc brakes or hydraulic clutch, Kustom Tech has a wire operated master cylinder with reservoir. Machined from billet aluminum and with a 14mm bore, the master cylinder can be mounted on the bike in numerous places.

For more information, contact Pro-Street Cycles.

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11/10/2010 by info.

It is no secret that throughout the downturn the European market has been becoming increasingly important for American businesses in the custom motorcycle industry.

While there has been decline in the European motorcycle market, most markets in Europe haven’t suffered as badly as has been the case in the United States.

In the case of Harley-Davidson, while the company has been able to buck the trend in domestic US market share terms, performing ahead of market decline, in Europe the company has now been able to confirm that the third quarter of 2010 marks a fourth straight quarter of sales as well as market share growth.

Speaking at the European unveiling of the 2011 model line-up at the Intermot Expo, Cologne, Germany, Harley-Davidson Europe Managing Director Rob Lindley said that “in the 651cc plus market, where we measure our performance, Harley-Davidson has been one of the few manufacturers to see sales grow in Europe during the past twelve months, and with conclusion of our third quarter of this year we can confirm a full year of sales growth across our European markets. In fact, we have grown sales in each of the last four Quarters.”

In market share terms, Harley is now the number one manufacturer in countries such as Switzerland, Luxembourg, Poland, the Czech Republic and Norway, and second in markets such as Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden.

Asked what he put this down to Lindley cited several factors, “clearly the strength of the Yen has hit Japanese manufacturers hard in the past couple of years, and with traffic and legislative issues stimulating a general trend towards the custom and cruiser sectors and away from sports bikes. We have also introduced a number of strong and relevant new bikes for Europe, I think Harley is in a ‘good place’ at this time in Europe.

“However, I think one of the most interesting trends that everybody is now beginning to see is that there is a general trend among the riding public to look for premium brands and a more fully formed riding experience.

“As such it is clear that Harley-Davidson’s brand values speak to increasing numbers of motorcycle buyers as their own riding experience demands develop. Not only are we seeing sales and market share in Europe grow, but the ‘Dreamer Pool’, as we call it, of those considering the Harley-Davidson brand is also increasing.

“As our CEO Keith Wandell has said many times, focusing on core brand values will return the company as a whole to growth once economic conditions permit, and as one of the most personal and emotionally connected of motorcycle brands we are certain that the European experience can be replicated elsewhere.”

Lindley went on to say that new initiatives this quarter will see Harley establish new sales offices and add to its dealer network in markets such as Greece, the Middle East, Russia and Africa.

In demographic terms, he reported that while the average age of Harley buyers remains pretty typical of where the bulk of heavyweight motorcycle buyers to be found, at around 44 years of age (and slightly younger in Europe than is the case in the United States), any suggestion that the excitement that the Harley ownership experience offers has peaked is conclusively answered by the “extraordinarily high and growing percentage of our customers who are still coming to the brand for the first time.”

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08/10/2010 by info.

CALIFORNIA Dreamin’ Expo is the latest custom motorcycle show to be added to the international affiliate program of the Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building.

The new show, to be held over the weekend of 28-29 May 2011 at the Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, on the UK’s south coast, is being organized by Ocean Events and features Battistinis UK as the title sponsor.

As an affiliate to the World Championship program, custom bike builders entering their latest builds in the show will compete to win a GBP £5,000 bike freight and related expenses prize to travel to Sturgis to take part in the World Championship itself.  Lorne Cheetham, Managing Director of the event organizer, Ocean Events, says the California Dreamin’ Expo will “represent a new concept approach to bike exhibitions, bringing riders and enthusiasts of all aspects of the custom motorcycle lifestyle together with custom motorcycle builders, retailers, dealers and parts and accessory manufacturers and distributors as part of a ‘riders’ meet’ gathering.”

In addition to the custom bikes on display and in the competition, the show will also have a catwalk show featuring models displaying the latest trends in biker clothing, helmets and accessories, custom industry workshops and demonstrations and a keynote speech delivered by a key figure from the custom bike industry.

Mark Battistini, Director of title sponsors Battistinis, said of his involvement with the California Dreamin’ Expo: “We are delighted to get involved with what we know will be a spectacular show opportunity for custom, classic and performance bike enthusiasts from all over Europe. It will also be a great opportunity for dealers and customizers to meet and do business with suppliers and manufacturers.”

A further attraction over the weekend will be the Bournemouth Tattoo Convention, which is taking place in adjoining show halls to the California Dreamin’ Expo with discount offers being made available on tickets for attendees of both events.

Further details of affiliate custom show classes, judging and schedule will appear in upcoming AMD editions.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ EXPO
Tel: +44 (0)1425 470 666
Email: lorne@rwrw.co.uk

www.californiadreaminexpo.com

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08/10/2010 by info.

  PLATINUM Air Suspension has introduced a version of its air ride suspension system, which incorporates the company’s Bleed Feed technology, for use on 2010 and earlier Baggers.

The Bleed Feed system allows riders to adjust both rebound and the bike’s ride height via a switch with positive pressure maintained at all times, which Platinum claim is key to a comfortable ride.

The system includes two air cylinders, machined from 6061 T-6 billet aluminum, an air-control valve, DOT-approved 1/4in air lines, fittings, air compressor, switch hardware and a line cutter.

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