American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 243 October 2019 | Page 29

Alignment is measured constantly, manually and with repeated precision laser- checking. cylinder head supports and fuel tank tabs are added. The plates that surround the lower frame tube and form the fixing points for the footboard are press- formed in another special mold, and in keeping with the original specifications, those parts of the frame that are not welded are brazed - "just something additional we do to try to make our frames as true to the originals as possible," says Guus. All the frame tubes used for OEM spec frames are pre-made in small series and bent to the right radius - where necessary with so-called bungs (actually plugs), which slide into the casting to form a much stronger connection. "That saves a lot of time, all we have to do then is to grab all the necessary components and process them into a frame according to the customer's wishes. If we had to bend and fabricate everything separately each time, that would slow down the process and, time being money, increase the cost to the customer. "In addition to all the tubes we also have the castings in stock. But in the meantime, we are always thinking ahead. In the future we want to see if it is possible to get the castings to look even more like the original factory specifications. "Even though our products are kind of buried in the past, we are always looking forward, looking at new opportunities and new demand that emerges to see if it is something we can fulfil for the market. "For example, we are also now focusing on the newest generation of H-D models, often in collaboration with other vendors who can leverage our expertise, and in partnerships where we in turn www.AMDchampionship.com can leverage their market penetration. We work with many companies and dealers - VG is a team player and we are not afraid to share knowledge. We work strictly business to business, not with individual consumers, unless it is on something very specific and specialist. So, anyone who wants to have something made or modified to a frame, or who wants to buy one of our products, can arrange that through his or her dealer without a problem!" To finish up at the front end, the tube between the bottom of the head and the top frame tube is one of the last stages. This is a critical component, Guus says, as it provides extra strength. "The less 'flex', the sturdier and stiffer a frame is, the better it handles. Again, the same core principles we adhere to apply - first we measure everything, set the mold precisely and only then do we weld it." The mold is then prepared for the frame's rear end components and the rear tubes - which are worked open at the front with the sides welded to the upper frame tube and run from the top along the saddle tube to the castings at the rear, inserted and welded. The cross connection between them is welded almost simultaneously. Before pronouncing the birth of a new-old 1937 Knuckle come yet more checks, with the frame being scanned, and only once it has passed all the checks precisely is it ready for the dealer - a replica frame that is indistinguishable from an original. Among the most recent additions to the VG offer, and one of those demand-led opportunities that VG has embraced, are their complete kits to turn pre-rubber mount Sportsters into a hardtail, as well as oil tanks, swingarms, trike kits and rear axles, sidecar frames, supports and mounts and much more. VG MOTORCYCLE Hengelo, NETHERLANDS Tel: [phone] [email protected] www.vgmotorcycle.com AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - OCTOBER 2019 29