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Britain ’ s biggest sidecar manufacturer Watsonian Squire says it has seen a “ significant increase in demand from overseas during the first months of 2017 . Production has increased by 50 %, with orders coming in from distributors in the USA , Indonesia and Austria , as well as private customers from France and the Netherlands . “ Last year exports accounted for 30 % of production ; this year we ' re exporting around 55 %,” says Sales Director Ben Matthews . The company has been making sidecars for 105 years .
Italian E-bike manufacturer Energica has announced that its bikes are to be sold in Paris through lifestyle motorcycle store Tendance Roadster . France has announced that it will outlaw sales of petrol and diesel-powered cars from 2040 ; the UK is believed to be about to make a similar announcement .
The plan announced earlier this year for Hitachi Automotive Systems and Honda to establish a joint venture for electric vehicle motors has moved a step forward with the establishment of a joint venture company for the development , manufacture and sales of motors for electric vehicles on the premises of Hitachi Automotive Systems in Hitachinaka-shi , Ibaraki Prefecture .
First fruit from the collaboration between Honda and Yamaha announced earlier this year will see Saitama City in Japan ( just north of Tokyo ) running a rentals programme of some 30 small electric motorcycles that will allow the two traditional rivals to test their E-bikes and pilot infrastructure , including a swappable battery system . It is thought that Honda is looking at developing an electric version of its Super Cub , as well as launching an electric scooter in 2018 . Yamaha is known to be at least a year behind with a planned 2016 unveil of its PES1 electric street bike .
TRW-Lucas sintered Road and Track pads , floating discs for BMW and new accessories
Website downloadable , the new catalogue from TRW-Lucas is “ packed to the brim with an almost infinite variety of spare parts and accessories from the legendary TRW-Lucas brand ” with “ everything from performance brakes and clutches to handlebars and levers , from foot controls and registration plate holders to
lowering and jack-up kits ,” according to the Neuwied , Germany based company . New products include general type-approved SRT Sinter Road & Track brake pads that are said to “ guarantee the extra bite to allow safe and powerful braking on the street as well as on the track .” Described as offering high friction , consistent efficiency and fade-free braking , the premium sintered compound is “ inseparably bonded to the backing plate using NRS technology - a hook matrix on the backing plate that moulds into the friction material , which TRW-Lucas says “ rules out the loss of the pad material , even under extreme thermal conditions such as during mountain pass descents or in racing . The new Sinter Road & Track brake pads are totally compatible with OE discs and , of course , with all the TRW- Lucas brake discs .” TRW-Lucas brake discs for BMW motorcycles are now also
available with riveted floaters , just as in the newest original parts , which is said to make replacing the brake discs easier . The company is also offering highgrade steel replacement brake disc bolts that meet the original specifications in disc service kits for a wide range of popular makes and models , supplied partially with thread locker , the kits have
the correct model-specific quantities . TRW-Lucas say their SP Edition racing rearsets are “ in a league of their own . These sophisticated rearsets are especially designed for ambitious sports riders . With their filigree contours and black anodised surface , the ultralightweights give each sportsbike an individual touch ”. Made from high-grade aluminium , they are CNC-milled , come with a certificate of conformity ( TÜV ) and are individually adjustable up to 28.5 mm horizontally and up to 18 mm vertically . The footpegs are foldable , and almost all the systems can be easily converted to reverse gearshift . Available in two lengths and four colours , their new adjustable brake and clutch levers can be matched to the design of almost any
motorcycle . They are “ ergonomically perfect , allowing optimum control of brake and clutch pressure , with glove-friendly adjustment wheel and available in two versions with general type approval – an 80mm “ Street ” design and a 50mm sporty “ Racing ” version , both in black , silver , titanium and the special gold ; the standard black adjustment is also available in optional colourways .
TRW-LUCAS Neuwied , GERMANY Tel : + 49 ( 0 ) 2631 912 243 www . trwmoto . com
12 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017