Harley-Davidson 2013 Models. Harley-Davidson will announce and show its new 2013 models during the Summer Dealers Meeting in August. What can we expect? A look at the California Air Resources Board website shows 2 new products in the CVO lineup, including a new Softail named the Breakout. Most other bikes evolved from existing ones, like a new Street Bob and probably a new Nightster Sportster. And of course several 110th Anniversary models with special badges and insignias and a “celebration” paint job. Harley-Davidson is scheduled to announce its second quarter results on August 1st, at 8 am central time. All Harley dealership studies made during the last 2 months converge to the same conclusion, a continued new bike sales growth estimated in the 10 percent + range.
Triumph To Open Indian Assembly Plant. The motorcycle maker has now confirmed its assembly unit’s set up at Narsapur, Karnataka, near the port of Chennai. Triumph India will assemble 4 motorcycles in India out of a sum total of 7, with the rest of the motorcycles being brought into the country through the completely built unit(CBU) route. There, Triumph will employ 1065 people. All the motorcycles are expected to be initially imported into the country as CBUs, with CKD assembly to begin soon after.
Change Of Mind. City Of Sturgis Will Not Lease Soccer Fields During Bike Rally. City Manager hoped to lower the 2013 budget shortfall by leasing out the Sturgis soccer fields to vendors. Locals opposing this idea (no place for children during the rally, damage to the fields), it was decided to group vendors and entertainment to the 900 block of Main Street. The entertainment will be located in the middle of the street from Middle Street to 960 Main Street. The most western section of the block will still accommodate motorcycle traffic with a turn around in the center. Vendors will set up on property owned by the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
Zero Motorcycles Inducted in “Made In The U.S.A. Hall of Fame'”. Zero Motorcycles becomes only the second United States-based motorcycle manufacturer, in addition to Harley-Davidson, to receive this prestigious award. Zero Motorcycles was acknowledged for their commitment to promoting local commerce and job creation in the United States. Other companies inducted during the ceremonies held on July 2 include manufacturers of energy-efficient vehicles, including electric cars and motorcycles, solar panels and more. Judging was based on three criteria: “quality”, “competitiveness” and “impact.” “Quality” comparisons included use the Consumer Reports, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (awarded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology) and other evaluating entities.
Made in the USA Hall of Fame?
Who is riding a Zero to Sturgis?
Whi is riding a Zero to Hollister?
Who is riding a Zero to Daytona?
Who has ridden a Zero to a bike night anywhere?
Any folks in Virginia got electricity back yet.?
I guess the Zero is energy efficient, nobody is riding them.
This federal government propped up idea is a waste of taxpayer dollars. The technology was abandoned over a hundred years ago. The infrastucture does not exist to make it viable.
It’s been 10 years since the last FLSTS. And there is no springer in the current HD line-up. It’s high time HD brought back the Heritage Classic Springer — what better time than the 110th Anniversary?
Mike the govmt does not give a rat’s ass about efficiency! peace
Burnout,
Au Contraire, the government thought that motorcycle only checkpoints were tremendously efficient at intimidation. They were right.
Mike, Touche’. peace
Poor Sturgis, if they had half a brain they’d triple the vendor fees and make money off the camp followers that leach off the riders
~ NOTICE TO CHINA ~
Historically (since the birth of Panhead repop in 1969), China has been absent in all but one ingredient that complete a replica 1957 Panhead.
Since 1969, the only part Made in China available for the Replica 1949-59 Panhead kit-build, is the fork cup bearings (16 rollers) #07100, which ship in a blue & white box that says “Printed in USA”, but the bearing inside is Made in China. Timken® was a source.
(Japan – Federal Mogul®, makes the #07196 races, or did maybe they went under, but those numbers are an SAE standard.)
Taiwan so-dominates over China in repop OHV Big Twin.
But, China can turn that around by adding the “1949-1959 (long) Buckhorn Handlebars” (obsolete, HD #56008-49A) as the 2nd item now found on a replica 1949-59 Panhead today.
Follow the dimensions of the handlebars being measured. Make them as nice as Harley did in yesteryear, and change the commonly held opinion that China can’t replicate a respectable, popular, M/C product.
Note: The “end pieces” that have the roller slot and thick grip-stop up front are hardened to keep the rollers from wearing-out the slot.
The photos of the Buckhorn bars will be easy to find. All the dimensions will be there.
~ Replica Antique Motorcycles of the World ~
If you have a replica motorcycle, doesn’t have to be a Harley, just anything 1936 to 1959 (we’re exterior, big headlight freaks here) without even a name on it, Krylon’s cool, just as long as your proud of it. The bike can be a project.
• The site has a 500k max. for pics, so send me an email from there, with a few of 640 x 480 pics (your “basic” camera setting) and I’ll post one or two of them when I get the time.
• Email me a Word-text description of your “creed”from the site. Keep it short, and describe the repop parts that are on your junk-heap and the pain you went through to make the parts fit. If your test runs on for too long, then I’ll clip out the fat and post the meat.
You may express your hatred for the manufacturer’s, but it’s a G-rated site so, all may not be printed.
• We’ll try this until it becomes a hassle and then I’ll stop, and leave what pics and stories were able to make it up there. Make it easy for me or I’ll wig-out.