NEWS
BRIEFS
On February 7 Harley issued a recall for ALL 2008-2011 Touring , CVO Touring and VSRC models equipped with anti-lock brakes – it could affect some 175,000 motorcycles in the United States , 251,000 worldwide . The issue is that the brakes may fail due to not flushing brake fluid – deposit build-up may cause a valve within the ABS hydraulic control unit to stick , reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash … sounds like a whole generation of riders need to read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance if you ask me ( RB ).
It will be hoped that Harley ’ s investment in Bay Area E-bike specialist Alta Motors has a happier ending than their prior involvement in with San Francisco E-sportsbike manufacturer Mission-Motorcycles *. Harley ’ s Project Livewire was , in large part , based on a bike built for them by Mission Motorcycles – who went broke not long after their work for Harley . It is to be hoped that this doesn ’ t mean that Harley has an E- curse on its plans – indeed it is being widely assumed that their Alta investment is as much a precautionary measure as it is strategic . (* Not to be confused with the dealer now known as SF Moto .)
In the UK , motorcycle enthusiast Prince William was given the VIP treatment by Triumph Motorcycles on the occasion of a recent visit to their Hinckley , UK factory , taking the factory and Visitor Center tour and test riding one of their new Adventure Tourers .
In the kind of coup that ‘ Milwaukee ’ failed to score when celebrating Harley ’ s 100th ( American brand enthusiasts got Elton John instead ), Harley Europe will see the Rolling Stones performing in Prague , the Czech Republic capital , on July 4 this year , the day before Harley ’ s 4-day European 115th Anniversary celebration kicks off .
Motor Trike acquires Hoppe Industries
Troup , Texas based Motor Trike has acquired award-winning Hoppe Industries . Founded by John Hoppe , the long-established Kenosha , Wisconsin based vendor is these days best known for its fairings , windshields and audio accessories . The company will continue to trade as Hoppe , but with all production relocated to Texas . “ Continuing the tradition of quality founded by John Hoppe , Hoppe products will now have the added value of both Motor Trike engineering and customer service ,” said Motor Trike ’ s J . D . Ley . “ We plan to keep Motor Trike and our dealers on the leading edge of the industry . Hoppe Industries fits perfectly with our goals as a company in the next few years , both operationally and product development-wise .” Motor Trike has plans to revamp the Hoppe brand online through its website and social media . Additionally , the company plans to update the existing product line and add more Hoppe accessories in the future . At this time , Hoppe products may be ordered through the Hoppe website , through both Drag Specialties and Parts Unlimited , and is being sold by authorized Motor Trike dealers . www . hoppeindustries . com
Drag Specialties joins forces with AFT as Official Series Wholesaler
American Flat Track ( AFT ) has announced Drag Specialties and Parts Unlimited as the series ’ Official Wholesalers for the 2018 season . The AMS says that “ as the world ’ s largest distributor of aftermarket accessories , Parts Unlimited is an omnipresent force in the motorcycling world and a long established major player on the motorsports scene , reliably living up to its rally cry , “ we support the sport .” “ With company Drag Specialties being an industry-leading distributor of aftermarket parts and accessories in its own right , with a razor-sharp focus on the American V-twin market , this new partnership is a natural teaming of all three entities , and in typical Drag Specialties / Parts Unlimited fashion , the distributors are entering the AFT scene in a major way , with further announcements forthcoming .
“ Parts Unlimited has been a generous supporter of motorcycle sport for many years ,” said Michael Lock , CEO of American Flat Track , “ and we are delighted to partner with them as American Flat Track continues its tremendous growth . Our professional
paddock and our army of fans are big users of all kinds of powersports products , and Parts Unlimited has them covered for everything from watercraft and ATVs to street and dirt bikes .” Based in Janesville , Wisconsin , Drag Specialties and Parts Unlimited have an extensive history of driving customers
to the dealerships they sell to by actively promoting racing . They will make their presence felt this American Flat Track season via signage and additional branding initiatives at each event on the 2018 schedule . “ We are excited and honored to be a part of the rebirth of a truly American form of motorcycle racing ,” said Hylton Beattie , Global Motorsports Director for Drag Specialties / Parts Unlimited . “ We look forward to working with AFT in support of their efforts in bringing exciting racing to their growing legion of fans .”