09/06/2009 by info.

Demon’s Cycle, the Florida based custom motorcycle company, are pleased to announce the arrival of their new custom motorcycle engine, the 114ci. Working in partnership with Ultima, the popular manufacturer of high performance custom motors, Demon’s Cycles have worked to build an engine with less piston speed and so less wear on the cylinder walls and pistons skirts. This new lower piston speed will make the engine more reliable than other engines which run at higher speeds.

Demon’s Cycle are expert custom bike builder and they had used an engine from Ultima called the 113ci. But they also saw ways to improve it. Demon’s Cycle entered into partnership with Ultima and re-engineered the 113ci to make the new 2009 Demon’s 114ci motor.

“We have finally achieved what no one else has” said Tom Steinbacher, of Demon’s Cycles. “We have created a high performance engine that is reliable and will give our customers the dependability they seek.”

Custom bike building is all about engineering, and the engineering and innovation in the 114ci is up to Demon’s normal high standards. Compared to the 113ci 4 1/2 inch stroke and a 4 inch bore. Demon’s 114ci has a 4 inch stroke and 4 1/4 inch bore. This reduces the piston speed. This reduction in piston speed results in less wear on the cylinder walls and piston skirts. This makes it possibly the most reliable engine available today.

Demon’s 114ci increases the rod ratio (rod length divided by stroke) and so lessens the side load on the cylinder walls, reducing friction, heat, and allowing a much more free revving motor. By utilizing the MWM 248 cam Demon’s Cycle were able to retain the great torque characteristics down low and with the increased cylinder fill provided by the increased rod ratio, the Demon’s 114ci will still pull very hard on the top end.

Another advantage of the shorter stroke is that the Demon’s 114ci is smoother than the 113ci. By using a 4 1/4 inch bore engine family, the Demon’s 114ci has a stronger 3 piece crankshaft along with stronger rods. After all this re-engineering Demon’s Cycle are selling the 114ci for the same price as the 113c but with special air cleaner, better rocker boxes and a thicker head gasket for more reliability and dependability. The 114ci is available exclusively from Demon’s Cycle and comes in high polished, natural and black finish.

About Demon’s Cycle
Demon’s Cycle specialize in the sale of custom parts for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. They offer a wide range of parts from engines to LED turn signals. Demon’s Cycle was started over fifteen years ago by Tom Steinbacher and has a reputation as a pioneer of radical motorcycle designs, euro style bikes and custom chopper concepts. Headquartered in South Florida, Demon’s Cycle is an international custom motorcycle wholesale company.

Contact
Demon’s Cycle Inc.
378 SW 14th Ave.
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Telephone: 954-943-0000
Fax: 954-943-0377

Posted in Engines | Print | No Comments »

26/02/2009 by info.

It has been reported that that Crane Cams’ Daytona Beach factory has been closed down and the employees of the company laid off.

Unconfirmed reports claim that workers at the plant had been told to expect some lay-offs, but that there had been no mention of the complete closure of the facility.

Founded in 1953, Crane became employee-owned in 1979 and was acquired in 2005 by Mikronite Technologies Group, a New Jersey based industrial technology firm that had previously worked with the cam manufacturer.

It is reported that, two years into their ownership cycle, Mikronite sold the primary property on which the Crane facility was located in Daytona to STAG Capital Partners.

It is believed that a 10-year lease was then taken to keep Crane’s manufacturing facility on the site, and that in making that deal it is thought that Mikronite were able to recoup a substantial proportion of the initial outlay they made to acquire Crane.

Always primarily an automotive performance product manufacturer, from the 1980’s Crane enjoyed nearly two decades in which it was also one of the market leaders for cam and related performance upgrades for the Harley-Davidson aftermarket.

It is believed that some efforts are being made to rescue the brand and parts of the product range, but if they fail this could mark the end of the road for an icon of American performance and a business which, as recently as two years ago, employed some 200 or so people.

Posted in Engines | Print | No Comments »

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.”

Posted in Engines | Print | No Comments »

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.

Posted in Engines | Print | No Comments »

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.

Posted in Engines | Print | No Comments »

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

Posted in Engines | Print | No Comments »

04/10/2008 by info.

S&S Cycle President and company founder’s grandson Brett Smith is resigning from his post with the Wisconsin-based engines and performance parts manufacturer effective December 1st.

In an exclusive interview with AMD Magazine, Brett’s father George Smith said that “accepting Brett’s decision has been the toughest business decision of my life, and not something that I welcome or have sought”.

He went on to say “I’d like to pay tribute to the job that Brett has done for S&S Cycle. He took up the challenge some six years ago and under his watch the company has faced the most difficult period in its history. Recent times have been challenging for any company in our position and whoever had been in the hot-seat would have had the most difficult series of issues to address”.

“However he has done an outstanding job in dealing with those issues, and I and the board of directors at S&S Cycle are grateful to him for the determination and creativity that have characterized his stewardship of the business”.

“I and the board are one hundred percent supportive of the initiatives he has set in motion to help prepare the business for its next fifty years of market leadership, such as the internet re-seller policy, authorized dealer and distributor training and qualification programs, the successful creation of our world-class Customer Service Center at La Crosse, the way he has provided market leadership in the development of the Certified Engine Program, the successful launch of the X-Wedge engine and more”.

“The list of Brett’s successes is long and impressive. In a short time he has made an outstanding contribution to the future of our company, and I genuinely believe that he has also done the interests of the wider market, of which we are a part, a vital service through the vision and leadership he has shown in relation to regulatory matters”.

George Smith will now operate S&S Cycle as Executive Chairman and CEO, with Brett Smith’s tenure as President ending on December 1st.

Commenting on his decision, Brett Smith told AMD Magazine that “Those who know me well know that I have been considering stepping aside for some time, but wanted to see the plans that we had laid for celebration of our 50th anniversary through to their conclusion, and to supervise the first stage of the reshaping of our costs that is inevitably necessary to ensure the company is able to maintain its position of market leadership for years to come”.

“I have enjoyed my time as company President even though it has been a tough period for us; indeed for the market as a whole. I think I have achieved a lot, and have reached a point where much of what the company needed to do to shape itself for the future has been set in motion. So I sense that now is the right time to step down and take a break before setting myself some new challenges”.

“I’d like to thank my family for the opportunity they gave me, and to thank our fantastic workforce and dealer network for the wonderful support they continue to give to S&S Cycle. I firmly believe ours is a business that can now face the future with confidence, and that generations of riders to come will be able to enjoy the benefits of a product line that combines the greatest aspects of the market’s past with a genuinely future-facing performance opportunity”.

S&S CYCLE
La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
Tel: 608 627 1497/0253
Fax: 608 627 1488/0771
E-mail: sscust@sscycle.com
www.sscycle.com

Posted in Engines | Print | No Comments »

18/08/2008 by info.

S & S Cycle cuts 60 workers

By RYAN STOTTS / La Crosse Tribune

VIOLA, Wis. — The euphoria for S & S Cycle’s 50th anniversary in June has been short-lived.

Company President Brett Smith announced Friday that 60 workers have been cut this month through voluntary separation and layoffs.
“This was a very, very hard decision personally,” Smith said. “People I’ve known for years were impacted.”

He blamed the economic slump for a downturn in sales of the company’s high-performance engine parts and engines for motorcycles.
“In the grand scheme of things, we make a product that people don’t need to have,” he said.

All but two of the cuts were made at the company’s Viola site rather than the La Crosse location, Smith said.
The company Aug. 4 offered voluntary separation packages that 33 employees — mostly in product development and sales and marketing — accepted, Smith said.
They began leaving the company Aug. 8, he said.

Another 27 employees, primarily in production and manufacturing, were laid off by Thursday, Smith said.

Others who remained have been transferred to different areas, such as customer service.

S & S now employs a total of about 195 at both sites, he said.

“We’re doing everything we can to become lean and consolidate our efforts for future long-term employment,” Smith said. “We don’t expect to be in this position forever.”

The company’s core business of bolt-on, high-performance, after-market components still is strong and growing, he said, but S & S had to take a pragmatic approach in an economic environment that’s seeing less disposable income.

“It’s a very unfortunate decision, coming on the heels of our 50th anniversary,” Smith said.

The S & S event, which drew an estimated 28,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to La Crosse in late June, played no role in the cutbacks, Smith said. Despite rumors, the cost of hosting the event was completely covered by sales of the 50 custom motorcycles made for the competition, he said, and the support of the community.

Ryan Stotts can be reached at (608) 791-8446 or ryan.stotts@lee.net.

Posted in Engines | Print | No Comments »

13/08/2008 by info.

MIKE Garrison, Manager of the Ultima Engine program at Midwest Motorcycle Supply, has announced the availability of EPA compliant engines from the company.

Ultima engines, in capacities from 80ci up to 127ci, are now being sold with 49-state EPA compliance. They are being offered in natural, black or polished finishes and are ready to install with carburetors, air filters and ignitions included. Details of which exhaust systems need to be used for compliance are also included in the comprehensive instructions supplied with each engine package.

The 80ci to 113ci engines are supplied with a two-year/24,000-mile limited warranty, and the 120ci and 127ci engines have a one-year/12,000 mile limited warranty.

MIDWEST MOTORCYCLE SUPPLY
Pevely, Missouri, USA
Tel: 636 931 3200
Fax: 636 931 3300
E-mail: midwest@midwest-mc.com

Ultima Engines

Posted in Engines | Print | No Comments »

16/05/2008 by info.

BIG Bear Choppers is the first motorcycle manufacturer to have 50-state EPA certified motorcycles in production using the S&S X-Wedge motor. The bike - the G.T.X. Bagger - achieved this feat after Big Bear Choppers worked closely with the new S&S Emissions Certification Laboratory in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The G.T.X. is a radical departure for the California-based motorcycle manufacturer better known for its line of production Choppers. The bike is a reworking of a traditional Pro Street design to create a modern Touring machine. The patented design stretches the bike’s wheelbase to place the pillion seat in front of the rear wheel to centralize the weight on the bike and improve handling. A second advantage of the redesign is the inclusion of an auxiliary gas tank below the pillion seat in the space created by the wheelbase stretch, which allows for greater mileage between gas stops.

Talking about the collaboration between the two companies, Kevin Alsop, owner of Big Bear Choppers, said: “S&S and BBC philosophies are parallel, to create the most innovative, reliable and comfortable product while increasing efficiency and power by using the latest technology the world has to offer. To concept and produce this kind of end product to our high standards takes a seamless joint effort, and S&S is 100 percent with us.”

These sentiments were echoed by Michael Scaletta, S&S Director of New Business Development, who said: “Helping Big Bear Choppers get the first 50 state emissions certification is the culmination of the X-Wedge engine project for S&S. When we were developing the X-Wedge powerplant, Big Bear Choppers was in on it from the start. We are very thankful for their innovation and support.”

BIG BEAR CHOPPERS
Big Bear City, California, USA
Tel: 909 878 4340
Fax: 909 878 4341
E-mail: andy@bigbearchoppers.com

www.bigbearchoppers.com

Posted in Engines | Print | No Comments »