Very few bikers and custom builders are inclined (able?) to do the mathematical reasoning necessary to predict Torque, RPM and Speed. There are very few men in the industry who are making a living using abstraction and science to improve the art of multiplying torque, of optimizing gear ratios and sizes to the desired RPM versus Speed performance for the long haul. Bert Baker is one of them excelling at mastering the math to help you ride in the best range you may wish. And to prove it once again, his company Baker Drivetrain Website gives you the formula to find out yourself the perfect balance between the motor procket, the transmission gearset, the transmission pulley/sprocket, the wheel pulley/sprocket and the wheel size.
The fundamentals of this mastery reside with the following two equations: RPM = (S × Sr × Pc × G × 88.00) ÷ (Tc × Sf × Pm) Speed = (RPM × Tc × Sf × Pm) ÷ (Sr × Pc × G × 88.00). Use the featured diagram to determine what your speed or RPM will be. And if you are allergic to math, you can launch the Speed/RPM Calculator and fill up the blanks. You will get ready-made answers. Need more info? The boys at Baker Drivetrain can recommend some proven examples that may apply to your configuration. Just call toll free 1-877-640-2004. Baker Drivetrain.
For the 4th Annual consecutive year the 2011 Sturgis Legends Ride was a sell out. Organizers announced that $54,000 was raised this year for local charities for a total of $204,920 since the event creation.
The 55-mile escorted ride takes place on the official Monday start of Rally Week. Riders were treated to a Deadwood-style red-carpet experience prior to the ride at Deadwood’s Silverado-Franklin Gaming Complex and Deadwood Tobacco Co. After the ride, they received gift bags at a special reception at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, which included concerts by Buckcherry and Def Leppard. Continue reading ‘2011 Sturgis Legends Ride Raises $54,000 for Black Hills Special Olympics, Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.’
Historic picture? The Polaris team working on Indian Motorcycles just tweeted the picture of the 1st Indian bike they ever assembled at the The Spirit Lake, Iowa facility. The first Polaris-Indian will be subjected to extensive testing and evaluation to ensure the quality meets all Polaris quality standards.
The 2012 Indian Chief will not be available until December or January, will keep the same price structure, and is the transition model to the brand new Polaris/Indian motorcycle to be unveiled summer of 2012. For the Indian Chief featured here, expect minor improvements or fixes and only three 2-tone paint combos plus solid black and solid red. The industry can’t wait see what Polaris-Indian is going to offer as 2013 models.
Another motorcycle manufacturer is smelling gold in the Middle East & India. Viper Motorcycle Company, wholly owned division of Viper Powersports, Inc. just disclosed that it has signed Absolute Investments as its initial 2012 Platinum Overseas Distributor for the Middle East and India. Absolute Investments has offices in Dubai, UAE; Riyadh, KSA; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Tel Aviv, Israel; Rome, Italy; Moscow, Russia; and India. The 2011 Diamondback model is the third generation Super Cruiser of Viper Motorcycle Company. The heart of this production motorcycle is the Ilmor-Viper 152 cubic inch, all billet, short stroke V-Twin, producing unmatched torque and overall power. Continue reading ‘Viper Motorcycle Announces Absolute Investments as Distributor for the Middle East and India’
Sturgis Rally Tax Revenue: Overall tax revenue from this 71th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is down nearly 6 percent compared to 2010. The South Dakota Department of Revenue reports revenue collected so far during the rally period is $1,127,552 compared to $1,197,344 a year ago. This is a 5.8 percent decrease. Sales and tourism tax revenues collected from temporary vendors at this year’s rally totaled $907,954 in the Northern Hills, which includes Sturgis and all other communities in Meade and Lawrence counties. That is an 8 percent decrease from last year. The number of vendors displaying and selling products continued a downward decline. There were 976 vendors at this year’s rally compared to 1,040 in 2010 and 1,149 in 2009.
Harley-Davidson Inventories Too Low? During the last 3 years, because of the economy, many Harley dealers have closed because of too many unsold bikes on the floor with bikes losing their value. One of Harley priorities was to keep its brand value by limiting production to not overwhelm its dealers with models difficult to sell. A survey by Robert W. Baird & Co. re;eased last week seems to show that Harley is again in better control of its production now better adapted to demand. As a matter of fact nearly 60 percent of Harley dealerships said inventories are now too low. A lot of trades are going on between dealers to fin the right model in the right color to satisfy clients. On average, dealers report 10% more unit sales during these last 8 weeks than for the same period last year. Continue reading ‘Fast Motorcycle Industry News’
Yesterday, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin roared to a rally in the Black Sea port city of Novorossiisk riding a Lehman Trike. The black-clad Putin led a column of bikers, then delivered a speech about the “Indivisible Russian Nation” to his “Biker Brothers.”
I learned that Putin is up to re-election in March 2012 and that he loves to use “tough guy” antics to convince Russians that he is the country strong man. But I acknowledge I know absolutely nothing about politics in Russia. So I just hope that Lehman sells more trikes in this country. (AFP/POOL, Sergei Karpukhin)
Skulls never die…especially in the motorcycle industry. It continues to amaze me that the 22 bones human structure is still the main theme of so many bikes.
Doug Wozney must also have noticed to propose a new version called “The Donster” that you can bolt-on on H-D touring model backrests to replace the factory plain chrome plate.
It comes to you show chromed and includes chrome buttonhead mounting hardware. Retail price is $59.95 + shipping. Dougz Custom Paint & Fabrication.
Worried investors are buying gold, silver and Swiss Francs, now the strongest currency in the world. To the point where Swiss government is so scared that the country exportations would collapse that it is thinking again, like several decades ago, of obliging banks to give negative interest on Swiss Francs deposits… And one victim in our industry of a too strong currency will probably be fellow Swiss Custom Builder Christian De Kant. The aluminum conversion kit for Harley Sportster 86 & up that he designed (fabrication and stamping under his control made by Italian company MAS Engineering) is an easy bolt-on way to turn your stock bike into a shiny and light Cafe Racer. Continue reading ‘Aluminum Cafe Racer Body Kit For Harley-Davidson Sportster. Priceless.’
How many old Indians are just sitting in the garage gathering dust because their aging owners are too old, too weak with their legs to be able to kick start them? Probably a lot…Would be nice if these old Indian owners could electric start these bikes and ride them again. Indian purists, don’t feel offended. In 1914 Indian invented the 1st electric starter for a motorcycle, however it was only a 1-year option since battery technology was lacking. In 1999, when Mike Tomas at Kiwi Indian Motorcycle Company started to develop the world’s 1st Indian Flathead Replica, boosting displacement to 84″, he realized very fast that an electric starter would be welcomed by some of his clients and would considerably expand his Kiwi manufactured motorcycles market.
For those who know old Indians, the biggest challenge was of course to overcome the difficulty of fitting a starter in such a confined and tightly packaged motorcycle and make it a bolt on kit without modifications to the original bike, which would be sacrilege to most. Another big issue was to take in account the manufacturing variance from one bike to another whether it be during Indians manufacturing process or the frame moving over its lifetime. This meant there had to have adjustability into the design, hence the 1st part of the drive is via gear while the final drive being chain for the adjustability portion of the drive. Continue reading ‘New And Interesting. Electric Starter For Old Indian Motorcycles.’
After the fat tires excess, the custom motorcycle industry made a 180-degree towards building from the ground up with skinny tires. Front ends went from wide glide, to mid to narrow and now to extra-narrow glide. It will be difficult for anyone to propose a narrower triple tree than this one, 1,25″ (31,75mm) narrower than the stock narrow glides. It is designed with 5,75″ (146mm) wide center to center tube holes and accepts 39 mm tubes.
The 1st style is designed to be used with risers with center to center distance between risers being 1″ (25.4 mm) narrower than stock distance. The second style is designed without risers’ hole, for example for race style clip-on handlebars (ribbed fork tube caps in raw steel with M34X1,5 thread are required and available.)
Both Extra Narrow Triple Tree styles come with an external fork stop system and are already drilled for internal fork stop system. They come with complete hardware and steering stem to fit all frames with 1″ (25,4mm) bearing. In billet aluminum with 2 finishes, polish or satin. Kustom Tech Italy.
Fresh from hosting a very successful Sturgis Rally 2011 at the downtown Original Broken Spoke, Jay Allen arrived at Bonneville Speed Week supercharged to break another Land Speed Record with the support of good friend and mentor, Wink Eller. After three passes, Allen claimed a new record average with 186.465 and a new Land Speed Record in the APS-PG-3000 class. Jay’s Bonneville bike is powered by an S&S 124” consumer motor with Rob Schopf B-2 heads, which is the smallest motor in the class. It also features a Baker drivetrain 5 speed transmission. “I get up to 180 – 190mph no problem with these components that are right out of the crate,” tells Jay. “Now, that’s a testament to the kind of quality product these tried and true American manufacturers produce. Thanks to S&S and Baker I can live my dreams out here on the Flats!” Continue reading ‘Jay Allen Breaks Another Land Speed Record With Help From Friend Wink Eller…’
To boost the performance while changing the style of a Fuel-Injected Sportster Engine is an appealing proposition. The new Screamin’ Eagle® Round Sportster® Stage 1 Air Cleaner Kit (P/N 29000009 Gloss Black or 29000019 Chrome; $139.95) from Harley-Davidson® provides increased air flow and is street legal when used with stock mufflers Requires ECM calibration (priced separately). Continue reading ‘Screaming Eagle Round Air Cleaner For Harley Sportster Models’
Speed Week followed by Bub Speed Trials in Bonneville. This the season of the Land Speed Records. Lightning Motorcycle has set a new one by becoming the first electric motorcycle manufacturer to exceed 200 mph. Driven by Paul Thede, principal of Race Tech and the developer of the Lightning SuperBike’s suspension system, the SuperBike made a run of 214.209 mph, followed by a return run of 217.712 mph. It’s an average speed of 218.637 mph. The Lighting SuperBike is now the fastest production motorcycle available for sale in North America. And in this case, the objective of this LSR is to sell with Ligthning taking orders. If you want one, know that it features a Remy HVH250™ electric propulsion motor, an Ener1 battery pack and additional enhancements. It is factory equipped with track mapping data acquisition. The SuperBike, has a usable freeway speed range of over 100 miles and a combined city/highway EPA range of over 150 miles.
Watch the video with the camera inside the cockpit giving the vision that Paul Thede had when he made his runs. Because of side wind, the bike is slightly leaning to compensate.
Give any motorcycle to veteran custom builder Shinya Kimura (already in his 25th year career) and you can bet that the final result will look like nothing else you have admired before. This functional design is born from a 1947 Harley-Davidson and of course from his bold imagination. The theme? Neptune, not our outermost “blue” planet, but the God of water and sea both in Roman ((Latin: Neptūnus) and Greek (Poseidon) mythology.jut reminding you that Shinya Kimura started in 1993 in Japan the brand and style movement called Zero Engineering whose philosophy is to create sculpturally unique rolling designs with aesthetic values limited to basic and organic shapes. Now, I let you admire his fabrication work. One of the bests at creating functional art… Continue reading ‘Neptune. 1947 Harley-Davidson By Custom Builder Shinya Kimura’
The 1954 AJS 500cc E95 Porcupine represents the final development of the most exotic, innovative, and graceful British Grand Prix racing motorcycle ever made. Described as the “Holy Grail of British Motorcycles”, the AJS Porcupine is the only twin-cylinder motorcycle of the time to have won in 1949 the 500cc World Championship. Continue reading ‘954 AJS E95 Porcupine Racing Motorcycle. One Of The World’s Rarest Motorcycles.’
Over 200 automobiles and only 18 select Italian motorcycles graced the 18th fairway at the 61st Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Sunday, Aug. 21. When motorcycles were called to the presentation stage for awards, machines from the National Motorcycle Museum, Anamosa, Iowa, won first and second places in the Italian Touring Motorcycles class competition. First place went to a 1957 Aermacchi Chimera, a striking blue and yellow “streamlined” machine, and second place went to a bright red 1956 Maserati 160 LM. While correctness and quality of paint, fasteners, upholstery, and plating are most of what the judges tally, elegance also plays a role in the competition. The Aermacchi attracted a lot of attention for its unique lines and striking paint scheme. Continue reading ‘National Motorcycle Museum Takes Double Win at Pebble Beach’
I already introduced you to Motorcycle Armor, a company specializing in pre-cut optically invisible film kits for your Harley. After releasing kits for bags, bag lids, gas tanks, side covers and fenders, the company is now releasing a paint & chrome protection film to protect from road rash, rock chips and bug acids the front forks and slider covers on Harley-Davidson’s™ Touring bike models (Road King™, Street Glide™, Electra Glide™ and Trikes.)
The 4 piece kit includes all items necessary to make a biker friendly installation (and removal, if necessary) to the forks and slider covers. The company states that it offers a Lifetime Film Replacement Warranty. Motorcycle Armor.
Don’t let bad economic news freeze your creative juices. You can build something very cool within a tight budget. As Jason Lajkov did from a basket case of rusty parts coming from a 1969 Honda CB 350. What you need is just some patience and a good eye for design. Evidently, former graphic designer Jason has one and demonstrates that you can go easily from ugly parts to a beautiful Brat Style Cafe Racer that will be the envy of most your friends. You could even decide to build a few of this type, resell them and make some good money letting you finance more ambitious projects. By the way, this one is for sale… Continue reading ‘New Vintage Honda CB350 Speedster. Brat Style.’
If you tinker with your bike, install or reinstall your driveline, you know about the issue of your rear pulley coming loose from your main drive gear. Years ago JIMS, the leader in performance tools for your Harley, designed the original “Mega Nut” complete with a machined clamping face profile and additional locking holes for a more precise way to secure the pulley nut.
JIMS® Cruise Drive Mega Nut No. 1733 now incorporates the same advanced design for late model Cruise Drive transmissions and when installed correctly you can feel confident that your rear pulley will never come loose from your main drive gear. The left hand thread Mega Nut can also be secured in several additional places with a simple drilling and tapping operation. JIMS® Cruise Drive Mega Nut No. 1733 is machined right here in the U.S.A. from the highest quality material and has an MSRP of $77.30. For more information visit JIMS USA or call 805-482-6913.
March 13, 2011 6.15 am. Former State representative and Senator Dave Zien is returning from Daytona Bike Week, riding interstate 10 in the Florida Panhandle. A SUV driver tries to change lanes, loses control and the vehicle overturns. Despite evasive action, Dave Zien is unable to avoid a collision with the SUV. His left leg is crushed and had to be amputated above the knee. His right hip is shattered, his left hand broken, and he suffers numerous other injuries.
Today, after multiple surgeries and daily physical therapy to learn how to walk with a prosthetic leg, the former lawmaker known for more than 2 million miles riding motorcycles is back in the saddle. A lesson of courage and tenacity surprising everybody except his family and friends. Dave Zien is currently appearing as himself in “The Million Mile Motorcycle Man” in “Born to Ride,” a story about two motorcycle riders on their way to Sturgis, S.D., which was released directly to DVD last month. His 1 million miles Harley is displayed at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame. I hear that Dave is already contemplating a new marathon ride, some political actions involvement and maybe a new movie. And of course, he just got a new Harley… (Photo credit: Steve Kinderman)
A study by Trends and Strategic Insights, Integrated Media at NBCUniversal, ranks Harley-Davidson as the top brand for knowing how to create with women a positive buzz about its motorcycles. As you know, the traditionally male-associated Harley brand as made huge efforts to celebrate and attract women bikers. Women-only garage parties, female biker boot camps, a women riders month, many women charity rides, a portion of its website where women can interact with other female riders exchanging tips and advice on how to turn their riding dream into reality, etc. contributed to what is called in marketing a “positive brand conversation.” Continue reading ‘Harley-Davidson Knows How To Speak To Women’
After the Hot Engine Air Deflector and the Ventilator Windshield, Harley-Davidson is now launching Circulator Backrest Pads for improved hot weather riding comfort. The new Circulator Backrest Pads feature 3D construction that promotes air movement and reduces heat build-up where the body of the rider or a passenger touches the backrest. Designed to reduce perspiration build-up between rider or passenger and the seating surface, the Circulator Pad can be installed and removed in seconds for easy cleaning. Manufactured of UV-stable materials, these pads resist fading when exposed to the sun. Each complements the existing Circulator Seat Pads available for rider and passenger seats. Continue reading ‘New Circulator Backrest Pads From Harley-Davidson’
No way you can’t immediately identify a Victory Touring Motorcycle. Polaris qualify its touring chassis as progressive…You like or not, but for 2012 the Minnesota brand wants all its models to set a new high standard for hard baggers, providing riders with unprecedented comfort and the greatest cargo capacity of any production motorcycle in the world. Equipped with the Freedom 106/6 powerplant, a proven, reliable and durable V-twin, the Cross Country Tour is able to challenge every motorcycle in its class. Continue reading ‘Cory Ness Signature Series Victory Cross Country’
Custom Chrome just announced the addition of the Custom Chrome International Bike Show Series Italian Championship to be held at the Motor Bike Expo in Verona, Italy, January 20th – 22nd, 2012. The CCI Bike Show Series already includes bike show competitions in Santa Clara, California for the North American Championship, Mainz, Germany for the European Championship and Faak, Austria for the Faaker See Championship. Custom Chrome Europe has been a sponsor of the Italian Motor Bike Expo since the beginning, donating prizes to various bike shows throughout the history of the event.
“Motor Bike Expo organizers have agreed with us to make a more exciting and competitive program to the already popular event for the 2012 edition. This will allow manufacturers to gain more recognition at the international level.” explains Andreas Scholz, General Manager of Custom Chrome Europe. “We recognize and value the creativity and diversity of Italian manufacturers, which have a big impact in the pages of our catalog. The time is ripe for an Italian competition.” Scholz adds. Continue reading ‘New Custom Chrome International Bike Show Series In Italy’
Like all builders, having crisscrossed the country so many times, I know too well that most motorcycle accidents happen in the trailer. Whatever the number of bikes you trail, their types, the initial strap down setup you give them, most methods will require minor adjustments all along your trip. Or damage to your bike and its neighbors can be very costly. Because of their weight, fairing, accessories, Softails and Baggers are especially a pain to tie down securely for short or long hauling. To resolve this issue for good, fellow builder Mike Tomas, whose professional life is entirely devoted to re-engineer different parts for Classic Indian motorcycles, got a simple idea….for your Harley. Continue reading ‘Softails And Baggers Are A Pain…In The Trailer’
If you see these project bikes it’s because in 2006 Harley-Davidson decided not to go ahead with production. Code named “Penster” these 2 projects were conceived quite a few years ago by genius car & bike designer John Buttera. Via a unique suspension system, these trikes are supposed to lean when you turn with leaning angle adapting to speed and curve…Was it too awkward, unperfect with liability risks or too forward thinking? Maybe all three, but still a quite interesting engineering approach in a very boring trike world. Harley loves tradition, so instead you got the “safe” and classic Tri-Glide. These 2 prototypes are now shown at the Harley-davidson museum
Very few bikers and custom builders are inclined (able?) to do the mathematical reasoning necessary to predict Torque, RPM and Speed. There are very few men in the industry who are making a living using abstraction and science to improve the art of multiplying torque, of optimizing gear ratios and sizes to the desired RPM versus Speed performance for the long haul. Bert Baker is one of them excelling at mastering the math to help you ride in the best range you may wish. And to prove it once again, his company Baker Drivetrain Website gives you the formula to find out yourself the perfect balance between the motor procket, the transmission gearset, the transmission pulley/sprocket, the wheel pulley/sprocket and the wheel size. 
