23/10/2007 by info.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON has announced its results for the third quarter ended September 2007.

Revenue for the quarter was $1.54 billion compared to $1.64 billion in the year ago quarter, a 5.8 percent decrease. Net income for the quarter was $265.0 million compared to $312.7 million, a decrease of 15.3 percent versus the third quarter of 2006. Third quarter diluted earnings per share were $1.07, a 10.8 percent decrease compared to last year’s $1.20. During the third quarter the Company repurchased $509 million of its common stock.

“Harley-Davidson’s third quarter financial results are disappointing but not unexpected. In early September, we announced that we would reduce planned motorcycle shipments for the rest of 2007, and our results for the quarter are consistent with the Company’s revised guidance,” said Jim Ziemer, Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson.

Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles was $1.18 billion, a decrease of $110.7 million or 8.6 percent versus the same period last year. Shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles totaled 86,535 units, a decrease of 10,511 units or 10.8 percent compared to last year’s third quarter.

During the third quarter, worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 0.2 percent compared to the third quarter of 2006. U.S. retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 2.5 percent for the quarter. The heavyweight motorcycle market in the U.S. decreased 4.4 percent for the same period.

Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles grew 8.8 percent in the Company’s international markets during the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006. Third quarter retail sales increased 10.7 percent in Europe; Canada was down 7.7 percent; and Japan was up 9.1 percent. All other international markets combined were up 20.8 percent.

www.harley-davidson.com

Posted in General | Print | No Comments »

23/10/2007 by info.

JIMS has released a line of race engines beginning with the 131ci Twin Cam race engine.

The 131ci, which fits into all stock and after market frames, features a 4- 1⁄2 stroke with a bore diameter of 4-5⁄16in. The CNC-ported heads were developed specifically to flow maximum air, and the oil pump is upgraded from the stock H-D unit. A billet cam support plate, which utilizes Harley-Davidson’s new hydraulic cam chain tensioner, is fitted as are the new JIMS Powerglide II hydraulic tappets.

The engines fit Twin Cam Touring and Dyna models, as well as the ‘91-’99 Evolution model.
An additional version of the 131ci motor has been developed which will bolt directly into Evolution style frames of older H-D models.

The range of 131ci engines is complemented by a 120ci Twin Cam race engine for 2000 - 2006 Softail models. The JIMS 120ci is the only race engine available for counter-balanced Softail models. It is claimed to deliver 121hp and 125 ft-lbs of torque.

JIMS thick-walled cases offer greater strength and can support a bore size of up to 4.800. This engine features pressed flywheels, forged pistons, Screamin’ Eagle valve springs, forged 4340 steel connecting rods and the latest JIMS Powerglide II tappets.

As with the 131ci version Jims offers a 120ci Twin Cam engine which will bolt into a frame designed for an Evo.

JIMS USA
Camarillo, California, USA
Tel: 805 482 6913

www.jimsusa.com

Posted in Engines | Print | No Comments »

17/10/2007 by info.

RED Wing Motorcycles is the name of the new custom motorcycle manufacturing business founded by Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler in collaboration with engineer Mark Dirico and AC Custom Motorcycles.

A press release from the company states: “Red Wing Motorcycles are the fusion of rock and roll artistry and superior engineering. Imbued with Tyler’s sense of style, each motorcycle is as comfortable to ride as it is sexy.”

Red Wing Motorcycles debuted its new designs, the Retro and ProStreet models, at the New Hampshire International Speedway’s Sylvania 300, and they are now available from Manchester and Nashua, New Hampshire Harley-Davidson dealerships.

Talking about the bikes he designed, Tyler said: “You get on one of these bikes and you can ride for days. These bikes are sick, rugged, and just damn cool, and they’re amazing to look at!”

Each bike is backed by an extensive warranty and can be fully serviced by local Harley dealers. Bikes will be available in partnership with select dealerships across the East Coast through 2008 with a national-roll out planned later that year.

RED WING MOTORCYCLES
Manchester, New Hampshire, USA
Tel: 603 622 2461

www.redwingmotorcycles.com

Posted in Builders | Print | No Comments »

16/10/2007 by info.

BASSANI has released an application specific EFI tuner.

The unit has been developed specifically for use on all fuel injected Harley models, and installs in-line with the stock module. Once fitted it allows the user to maintain and optimize air/fuel management when installing high-performance exhaust systems.

The Bassani EFI tuner is a plug and play set-up that the makers claim installs in minutes and does not require a computer to adjust the EFI and does not interfere with the stock ECU map. Each tuner incorporates the latest technology with integrated face plate buttons for easy adjustment. The unique tuners are sold separately or in conjunction with Bassani exhaust systems.

BASSANI PIPES
Fullerton, California, USA
Tel: 866 439 4287

www.bassanipipes.com

Posted in Accessories | Print | No Comments »

16/10/2007 by info.

Mark van der Kwaak is working on another very cool design. The bike shown here is what he calls the Harton (doesn’t sound as cool as Nortley Fartster, perhaps, but it makes sense), a Harley Evo powerplant in a Norton featherbed style frame.

Starting with the rake, trail and wheelbase of a Triumph Speed Triple he then takes a Harley Davidson Evolution V-Twin, uses 2 front heads and modifies them for left exit exhaust. He uses 2 Mikuni carbs, Shovelhead cases and lots more. He’s still adding details but it looks like a great design candidate for an eventual build. Link: Mark van der Kwaak

via: http://thekneeslider.com/

Posted in Builders | Print | No Comments »

16/10/2007 by info.

Here’s an interesting video on Google showing how a 4 stroke engine works. In this film you get a very slow motion inside the engine look. The plug is firing about roughly 250 times per minute at idle speed. So just think what its like at 1,000 rpms, and then at 7,000 rpm. I guess everyone knowa how the 4 stroke works, but to see it in action like this is awesome! I have no idea how they shot this, but it’s really great.

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-5815350492893860613&hl=en

Posted in General | Print | No Comments »

11/10/2007 by info.

S&S Cycle has released details of the international builders participating in its 50th Anniversary Bike Build.

On June 26-29, 2008 motorcycle industry history will be made as 50 of the best-known custom bike builders in the world come together in LaCrosse Wisconsin, to support the S&S 50th Anniversary celebration. And while they will be there to support S&S, every builder has plans to win the $50,000 Grand Prize by taking first place in the bike show.

“When I think back to 1979, when I joined the business, who would have thought that we would have 50 builders from all around the world building motorcycles to participate in a competition celebrating our 50th,” said S&S Chairman of the Board, George Smith.

The builders will come from Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the United States. A full list of builders will be published in AMD #101.

Judging will be done by the builders themselves, key media members, S&S personnel, show attendees and internet voters. Each engine category winner will receive the cost of their engine back and the People’s Choice winner gets a brand new X-Wedge engine.

The engines used in this historic event will be serial-numbered from 1958 to 2007 as a tribute to the 50 years of S&S and represent the only anniversary engines built for the S&S 50th. The 51st engine, serial number 2008, will be used in a special S&S project to be revealed later.

www.sscycle.com

Posted in Engines | Print | No Comments »

10/10/2007 by info.

This is one of the entries in the Worth1000 Photoshop contest, where famous paintings from the masters were altered slightly from the original…..more weird and wonderful stuff at :-

Link: Worth1000 Photoshop contest

Posted in Humour | Print | No Comments »

10/10/2007 by info.

Being staged at the Autotron, Rosmalen, Netherlands, from Friday November 9th through Sunday 11th, Bigtwin Magazine, organizers of the Bigtwin Bike Show & Expo (formerly known as MotorSale) have released details of the prize fund for the Zodiac sponsored custom bike show being staged at the event that weekend.

Zodiac is putting up cash prizes for each class, with 750 Euro to the class winners, 500 Euro for second places, and 250 Euro for third places.

Snap-on Tools and British brakes manufacturer Harrison Billet is also making prize awards.

The class details and all other show information, including full entry rules, can be found in the multi-lingual event website.

New for this year though, the Bigtwin Bike Show is now an Affiliate event to AMD’s Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, and the organizers will be awarding a 5,000 Euro contribution towards expenses for the Best In Show winner to compete at the 5th annual Official World Championship at Sturgis in August 2008.

Always one of Europe’s most respected custom bike shows, and most popular custom bike events, the Bigtwin Bike Show & Expo is unique. It combines a public attendance of up to 15,000 enthusiasts each year with the Zodiac International Dealer Show featuring great vendors from all around Europe and the USA.

Zodiac has generously supported the Bigtwin Bike Show, an event now headed into its 16th year, for many years, helping Bigtwin Magazine build the event into one of Europe’s most prestigious custom shows. The AMD and World Championship organizing team is now very proud to be able to have added the Bigtwin Bike Show to the growing list of worldwide events that are such an important part of the World Championship program.

As with most of the World Championship Affiliate custom bike shows, the Zodiac sponsored Bigtwin Bike Show is an ‘open’ and ‘ride-in’ event - all the motorcycles entered must be capable of being ridden in order to collect prizes, and entry is open to industry professionals as well as private/consumer builders.

BIGTWIN BIKE SHOW & EXPO

www.bigtwinbikeshow.nl

Posted in Events | Print | No Comments »

10/10/2007 by info.

COOL-BREAKER, the premier custom motorcycle event in Japan, will make its 10th anniversary when it takes place over the weekend of 13-14 October.

The annual event in Yokohama, promoted by Keiji Kawakita of Hot-Dock Custom Cycles, who placed 3rd at the 2007 World Championship of Custom Bike Building in Sturgis, will feature 100 professional builders and 250 custom Harley-Davidson bikes competing in the All-Japanese Championship of Custom Bike Building, which is an affiliate of the World Championship.

The quality of the bikes which enter can be gauged by the fact that seven builders who exhibited at the 2006 Cool-Breaker show then went on to travel to Sturgis in 2007 for the World Championship, and all placed well, including the show’s winner Kenji Nagai of Ken’s Factory.

In addition, there will also be the Best of Builders Award supported by S&S and a ride-in show contest.

Such is the strength of the custom scene in Japan and the standing of this show that US businesses S&S, Arlen Ness, Jammer, Custom Chrome, DNA Specialty and W&W from Germany will all have a trade presence.

www.cool-breaker.jp

Posted in Events | Print | No Comments »