American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 173 December 2013 | Page 6

Baker Drivetrain launches Rapid Rebuild program BAKER Drivetrain is promising one week turn-around on rebuilds for transmissions under its new Rapid Rebuild program. The Rapid Rebuild program covers upgrades and repair work on Harley, Big Dog and out of warranty Baker transmissions. Under the program, nonworking transmissions are sent to Baker for a full diagnosis and replacement of broken parts, or old and tired stock transmissions can be sent for replacement internals for an upgrade to a choice of Baker gearset. BAKER DRIVETRAIN Haslett, Michigan, USA Tel: [phone] [email protected] www.bakerdrivetrain.com H-D goes liquid cooled for 2014 with range of 'Baby Rods' THE past few years have seen continuous speculation about HarleyDavidson making the move to liquid-cooled engines and having a small capacity motorcycle in development. Today sees the confirmation of both of these rumors as the Motor Company launched its Street 750 and Street 500 at the EICMA show in Milan, Italy. The two motorcycles, which are the first all new platforms from Milwaukee since the V-Rod 13 years ago, are powered by a liquid-cooled motor called the Revolution X, and taking styling cues from the existing Dark Custom models. The two smaller capacity bikes are set to be marketed directly at a youthful and urban-based market, as the Company seeks to engage with a new generation of owners and riders. Announcing the launch of the Street 750 and Street 500, prior to their international debut in Milan, H-D’s President and COO, Matt Levatich, said: “These are the newest motorcycles to join our Dark Custom line-up, which has helped make us the number-one selling brand to young adults in the US for the past five years. Both the Street 750 and Street 500 were designed with thousands of hours of input from young adults in cities around the world. This input guided both the attitude and capabilities of these motorcycles. They are proof that being customer-led continues to be a core driver of our product development process.” The Revolution X engine, used in both models, is a liquid-cooled, 60degree V-twin, with four valves per cylinder. The new motor, and matching six-speed transmission, is carried in a narrow chassis designed to make the bikes easily maneuverable in the city environment. This easy riding style is further enhanced by the use of a low seat, wide bars, mid-mounted controls and a 17in front wheel. All of which combine to increase the riding 6 confidence of young riders coming to the machines from a non-traditional motorcycling background. Meanwhile the Company expects the bike’s signature Dark Custom minimal styling to be used as the basis for extensive customization. As Mark-Hans Richer, Senior VP and Chief Marketing Officer, HarleyDavidson, says: “They’re designed to handle the abuses of urban environments and provide authentic opportunities to customize.” www.h-d.com/street 13 years ago, when the V-Rod was launched Harley vehemently denied that any work had been done on other displacements of the new liquid-cooled ‘Revolution’ 1200cc 60 degree v-twin engine that had been developed for them by Porsche, among others. Fast forward to a wholly different era, one in which Harley is successfully speaking to new demographics and age groups, and the association of the ‘Bar ‘n’ Shield’ with riding solu ????????????????????????)?????????????????????????????????????)??????????????5??????????????????????????)??????????????????????????????M??????????)????aI????????c?d????????????????????????????????????X?I??????????????????a ????I???d???????)????????!?????e?????????????????????????)?????????????????????????????????????????()5I% 8?5=Q=I e 1?1H??? 5 H?????()???5???????????????((0