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.”