Custom Cycle Engineering Heavy Duty Dyna Mounts
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
The Rear One Installed on the Tileman’s 2009
by Bandit, Tim and the Tileman
Dynas are tricky and handling is key. They are more popular now than ever and the later units were tougher with a new frame, 49mm front ends and cast swingarms.
That’s the way to go, but it’s also, especially with big inch twin cam engines, tougher on the stock motor mounts, which are handling keys.
If you feel your bike being pulled to the left or to the right, there’s a very good chance you power train is out of alignment. And guess what, there’s not much you can do about that with your current set up.
Until now…. CCE designed all our motor mounts with adjustable links and brackets. With measurement tools you know exactly where the motor needs to be for perfect alignment.
You may have also experienced vibration and need to replace broken motor mounts. We’ve addressed these issues as well. We’ve cut no corners and have created the very best motor mounts on the market. All made right here in the USA.
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Harley-Davidson: A Piece Of Americana On Sale
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
- Harley-Davidson has the power of a strong brand name that resonates well with consumers.
- While it’s had its fair share of recent challenges, I’m encouraged by the company’s turnaround efforts being led by its new CEO.
- I expect the company to benefit from an increased need for outdoor recreation, and see the shares as undervalued.
During the current COVID-19 environment, technology stocks seem to get all of the glory. However, I believe that by looking beyond the headlines, one can find value in stocks that are positioned to benefit from the current environment. One such stock that I see is Harley-Davidson (HOG), which is a well-recognized, classic American company. In this article, I evaluate what makes this an attractive investment at the current valuation; so let’s get started.
Looking Into Harley-Davidson
There are perhaps few companies that spell Americana more than Harley-Davidson. Its iconic brand is synonymous with motorcycles and is loved by enthusiasts in the U.S. and around the world. Its loyal customer base like the fact that the bikes are highly customizable, therefore making each bike their own personal expression.
What I like about the company is that its brand transcends beyond just the product, and into a feeling. Emotions play a huge role behind consumers’ large discretionary purchases, and this is exemplified by the following quote from the company:’
The current environment, however, has not been kind to Harley. Revenue was down by 47% YoY in the latest quarter due to lower shipments, and the company posted a net loss of -$1.83 per share. This was due to a combination of restructuring charges and the fact that nearly 60% of its global dealer network was closed back in April. In addition, Harley had lingering issues with a bloated cost structure and an inefficient supply chain. These factors led to the company cutting its quarterly dividend to just $0.02 per share.
These challenges have resulted in the shares widely underperforming both the market and that of its competitor Polaris (PII), which makes off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, and the Indian brand motorcycles. As seen below, HOG has returned -39% on a YTD basis, while PII posted just an -11% return.
What I find encouraging, however, is that the board of directors seems to have acknowledged Harley’s missteps with the appointment of the new CEO, Jochen Zeitz, in early May of this year. Jochen came from Puma (OTCPK:PMMAF), where he was credited with that company’s turnaround, and the hope is that he will do the same for Harley. Initial reviews seem to be positive.
The activist investor, Impala Asset Management, which holds a 2.5% stake in Harley, noted in its August report that “for the first time in five to six years, the company is on the right track again,” and that “this is a fundamentally strong company that just lost its way.”
Looking forward, I see the company as delivering on its ‘Rewire’ restructuring efforts. This year, management expects to deliver $250M in cash savings, excluding restructuring charges. In addition, the company has simplified its organizational structure, by merging complementary divisions together. I see this as enabling the company to operate and make decisions more efficiently by reducing bureaucracy.
In addition, the company is refining its product models, which reduces complexity and enables investment into high growth areas, as management noted during the last conference call:
“Our product portfolio and launches have been reset for maximum impact with a fully aligned go-to-market process. We’re streamlining our motorcycle models by approximately 30%, with plans to further refine our product portfolio. This enables us to invest in the products and platforms that matter the most, while better balancing our investment in new high potential segments.”
In the meantime, Harley has a strong $4.23B in liquidity, which is comprised of $3.4B in cash, and $817M in availability on its line of credit. Although the company raised debt during the last quarter, management noted that it is within its financial debt covenants, and the company maintains a BBB investment grade rating from S&P.
The company appears to be making continued progress in its streamlining efforts, as it announced its exit from manufacturing in India while it is reportedly close to a distribution deal with India’s Hero MotoCorp. I see this as a plus, as it reduces Harley’s manufacturing overhead, which can be especially burdensome during the economic recession.
Looking forward, I’m encouraged by the fact that more than 90% of its global dealer network was open at the end of June. I see Harley as benefiting from an increased need for outdoor recreation due to social distancing measures.
Valuation
Turning to estimates, it appears that analysts are expecting a strong rebound in the EPS in the next two years, with a consensus Buy rating (score of 3.8 out of 5) and an average price target of $31.92.
Based on the 2021 earnings estimate, the forward P/E of the stock is 9.24, which is well below the stock’s normal P/E of 15.8. While the stock may not deserve to trade at its normal P/E based on a forward estimate, I do see upside potential to at least bridge some of the gaps.
Investor Takeaway
Harley-Davidson has the power of a strong brand name that resonates well with consumers. While it’s had its fair share of recent challenges, I’m encouraged by the company’s turnaround efforts being led by its new CEO. So far, it appears that the company is making good progress, and revenue should pick back up as the vast majority of its dealer network has re-opened for business. In addition, I see the increased need for outdoor recreational activities as being a strong tailwind for the company. Based on forward P/E estimates, the stock appears to be undervalued. For this, and the reasons stated above, I have a favorable view of the shares and see upside potential.
Indian Motorcycle Goes Electric with the eFTR Jr.
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE ENCOURAGES RIDERS TO HAND DOWN THE LOVE OF RIDING WITH THE eFTR® Jr – AN ELECTRIC MINI REPLICA OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING FTR750 FLAT TRACKER
All-New Electric Mini-Bike Provides an Approachable, Affordable & Safe Way to Share the Love of Riding with Young Aspiring Riders
MINNEAPOLIS (September 28, 2020) – Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, today announced its first electric youth offering – the eFTR Jr. A mini-replica of Indian Motorcycle’s American Flat Track championship-winning FTR750, the all-new electric mini-bike allows motorcycle lovers to hand down their passion for two wheels to aspiring young riders.
The all-new electric mini-bike is unique in its dynamic styling, allowing young riders to feel like a member of the iconic Indian Motorcycle Wrecking Crew that dominated flat track in the 1950’s and have won every championship since their return to the sport in 2017. Featuring two ride modes, low and high, a seat height of 23.5 inches, and a maximum weight of 175 pounds, the eFTR Jr can accommodate riders eight years and older when in low mode, and 13 and over in high mode. The bike’s telescopic front forks and mono-shock rear suspension provide a smooth, comfortable ride, while the bike’s rugged steel frame provides a durable structure for beginning riders. The eFTR Jr’s dual-disc brakes offer premium stopping power for increased control and rider confidence.
“Whether it was a father, mother, uncle or family friend, most motorcyclists have fond memories of the person that introduced them to riding, and that’s the spirit behind the eFTR Jr,” said Ross Clifford, Vice President of Parts, Garments, and Accessories at Indian Motorcycle. “We wanted our first youth offering to be electric to provide a safe, simplistic and clean form of motorcycling for children, all wrapped up in the signature look of the FTR750. The eFTR Jr can kickstart a lifetime of riding memories for the whole family.”
Working in tandem with Razor USA, Indian Motorcycle’s product development team designed the eFTR Jr around Razor’s trusted and proven electric powertrain. The eFTR Jr’s 36-volt rechargeable battery will run for 140 minutes in low mode at 10 mph and 65 minutes in high mode at 15 mph.
Launching in parallel with the eFTR Jr, Indian Motorcycle is offering a brand-new line of protective youth apparel, including an eFTR Jr helmet, body armor, gloves, and an Indian Motorcycle Racing replica jersey. The eFTR Jr youth apparel collection features Indian Motorcycle Racing branding and has been designed for enhanced rider safety and protection.
Manufactured by Razor USA, the eFTR Jr is available online at IndianMotorcycle.com and Indian Motorcycle dealerships exclusively throughout US and Canada for $749.99 (USD) and $999.99 (CAD). Riders can learn more at IndianMotorcycle.com and on social media by following along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use throttle powers an electric motor
- Dual disc brakes provide greater stopping power for increased safety
- A rugged steel frame delivers a durable ride
- “Low” mode is ideal for ages 8+ and can reach speeds up to 10 mph
- “High” mode is ideal for kids 13+ and can reach up to 15 mph
- With a rechargeable battery, the eFTR Jr. will run 140 minutes in “Low” mode and 65 minutes in “High” mode
- Assorted safety gear sold separately will keep youth riders protected
Roland Sands’ Harley Davidson 883 Sportster
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
by Silvian Secara from https://www.autoevolution.com
One thing’s for sure; the pros over at Roland Sands Design a no strangers to the two-wheeler realm. Besides crafting some seriously rad custom motorcycles, the California-based company also specializes in designing casual apparel and riding gear, as well as manufacturing aftermarket modules that’ll have your machine looking the part.
In the past, we’ve examined an array of ambitious exploits from RSD, such as a feral BMW R18 behemoth and one gorgeous MV Agusta Dragster 800RR, to name a couple. Let me tell you, there’s no shortage of breathtaking goodness in their spectacular portfolio. As you browse through, you’ll run into virtually countless awe-inspiring works of two-wheeled art that guarantee to soothe each and every last corner of your moto-loving soul.
As such, it goes without saying these folks aren’t playing around. RSD’s outstanding ventures earned them a reputation as a force to be reckoned with, an accomplishment that led to a great deal of successful (and often unexpected) collaborations. For a clear demonstration of their abilities, let’s take a closer look at one such exploit, shall we?
The project in question was commissioned by none other than Technics, a revered producer of audio equipment. They requested that Roland Sands converts Harley Davidson’s ferocious 883 Sportster into a tribute to their iconic DJing gadgets. While that may sound a little odd to some, the team gladly accepted.
To give you a better idea as to how far their undertaking has come, we’ll start by reminding ourselves of the donor’s main characteristics. The 883 Sportster is powered by a brutal Evolution V-twin engine, with two valves per cylinder and a humungous displacement of 883cc. At 6,000 rpm, this nasty piece of air-cooled machinery is capable of generating up to 51 hp, along with 54 pound-feet (73 Nm) of feral torque output at approximately 3,750 revs. The leviathan’s force travels to a belt final drive by means of a five-speed gearbox.
Suspension duties are handled by a pair of 39 mm (1.54 inches) telescopic forks up front, joined by fully-adjustable dual shocks on the opposite end. Braking power is supplied by a 300 mm (11.81 inches) disc and a two-piston caliper at the front, coupled with a 260 mm (10.24 inches) rotor and a two-piston caliper at the rear.
When one such monstrosity landed on RSD’s doorstep, the crew kicked things off by selecting several components from their own inventory to replace the stock units. These include a malicious two-into-one exhaust system, new foot pegs and a set of clip-on handlebars, besides fresh lighting kits on both ends.
To go the extra mile, they fabricated a slim custom fuel tank and upholstered a neat saddle that keeps things looking classy. Additionally, the moto wizards drew inspiration from Technics’ turntable layout to create a couple of juicy wheel covers, which complement the chosen theme.
The finishing touches consisted of installing top-grade Champion Deluxe tires from Firestone and longer shock absorbers to alter the bike’s stance. Last but not least, the 883 Sportster received an elegant black paintwork, accompanied by silver accents.
Right, now that we’ve wrapped his up, I’ll be heading to Roland Sands Design’s Instagram and Facebook profiles to drool over the remainder of their unique creatures. I’d strongly encourage that you do the same!
Harley in for a Fight as Indian Names Rider for Challenger King of the Baggers
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com
The biggest news of the week on the Harley-Davidson front is that the company is giving up on the world’s largest motorcycle markets. Milwaukee announced at the end of the week it is leaving India, sending shockwaves in the Harley-loving community there. But there might be an even more interesting piece of news in the oven, ready to be served at the end of October.
It is then when the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest takes place in Monterey (October 23-25). As part of the event, a little show called King of the Baggers will take place, pitting a pack of 12 Harleys against a single, S&S and Roland Sands-prepared Indian Challenger (initially the word was that there would be 13 Harleys fielded).
The already incredible Indian two-wheeler got specific tweaks for the task of taking on the Harleys, including Roland Sands wheels shod in Dunlop super sport tires, hydraulically-adjustable FOX X rear shock, and an inverted front suspension.
We’ve already known the bike was in the works, and we’ve seen it testing a couple of weeks back. And now another piece of the puzzle is revealed: the name of the rider.
Frankie Garcia, the man who back in 2006, when he was just 15, became the youngest athlete to compete in an X-Games motorcycle event, and currently member of the Indian Motorcycle-RSD Super Hooligan race team, will be the one trying to keep in check the bike’s 122 horsepower against the small army of Harleys.
“It’s a real honor to have the opportunity to not only participate in the inaugural King of the Baggers race, but to represent RSD on one of only two Indian Challengers in the field,” said Garcia in a statement.
“I’ve had the opportunity to spend some time on a stock Challenger, and believe me, this bike wants to go fast and handles like a bike half its size. It’s the perfect platform for something as radical as knee-dragging baggers at Laguna Seca.”
Harley-Davidson Continues LiveWire Offensive, Joins National Drive Electric Week
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com
Starting Saturday, September 26, and through the next week, America is celebrating the National Drive Electric Week. It’s a little known even at this point, meant to “raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles,” but as more and more companies are joining the fun, it might become something major in the not so distant future.
As the only established bike maker to already have an electric motorcycle on the market, Harley-Davidson it taking all to opportunities it gets to advertise it. Already a star (in heavily modified form) of the Long Way Up Apple TV+ show, the LiveWIre is getting bumped to celebrity status as part of the National Drive Electric Week as well.
“Harley-Davidson stands for the timeless pursuit of adventure,” said in a statement Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson.
“We build machines that unlock adventure to find freedom for the soul. Harley-Davidson’s first electric motorcycle, LiveWire, is a shining example of how we innovate to inspire this mission and how we are leading the electrification of motorcycling. It’s a premier experience that can only be truly understood after riding it.”
The Milwaukee company says that to support the event it will extend opportunities to ride, charge and experience LiveWire, but it fails to go into specifics, so you’ll probably have to head over to your local Harley dealer to get more info on this.
Heralded as being the first of a whole new breed of bikes, and backed by things like free charging for two years, the LiveWire failed so far to deliver. Maybe it’s the public’s reluctance to embrace electric motorcycles, or the fact that the price of the bike ($30,000) is significantly above what startups competing in this segment, like Zero, have to offer, but the reality is the bike is (still) struggling.
After Argentina, Indian Motorcycle Maker Royal Enfield To Set Up Assembly Unit In Thailand
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
by Swarajya Staff from https://swarajyamag.com
Expanding its overseas operations, Indian motorcycle maker Royal Enfield is setting up an assembling plant in Thailand, reports Nikkei Asian Review.
This would mark Royal Enfield’s second plant out of India, as it recently operationalised its first overseas factory in Argentina. The company aims to utilise the upcoming Thai plant as a hub to export to other nations in the ASEAN, including motorcycle-intensive markets like Indonesia and Vietnam.
It should be noted that Thailand is Southeast Asia’s largest automobile manufacturer, and houses factories of some noted and global motorcycle majors like Honda, Yamaha and Harley-Davidson.
The Royal Enfield factory in Thailand’s Chachoengsao province will be using at least 40 per cent of local parts while importing the rest from India. The facility is expected to start operations in April 2021.
It should be noted that Royal Enfield has witnessed its 2019 year-on-year sales in Thailand more than double. It already has 36 showrooms in Thailand and is planning to expand with showrooms in Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia in the coming years.
Custom Cycle Engineering Heavy Duty Dyna Mounts
By Bandit | | General Posts
Dynas are tricky and handling is key. They are more popular now than ever and the later units were tougher with a new frame, 49mm front ends and cast swingarms.
That’s the way to go, but it’s also, especially with big inch twin cam engines, tougher on the stock motor mounts, which are handling keys.
If you feel your bike being pulled to the left or to the right, there’s a very good chance you power train is out of alignment. And guess what, there’s not much you can do about that with your current set up.
Motor Mounts from Custom Cycle Engineering
$499.95
Installation was a 20-minute grape. Jeremiah and James slipped his bike up on a Bikernet lift and hoisted it in the air. They used a shop jack to raise the tranny just slightly, while leaving the shocks in place. This took the pressure off the motor mount coupled from the transmission to the swingarm.
They made sure the jack would not be in the way from dropping the massive rubber mounted unit out from under the trans.
They unbolted the stock unit and dropped it down but didn’t lose track of the fasteners. The CCE unit comes with some of the fasteners but not all of them. “We like the stock Allen head self-tapping units the factory uses to the frame,” Tim, from CCE said. “They are easy to reach with an Allen socket and an extension.”
They dropped out the stock unit, cleaned the area and installed the modified, heavy-duty, rebuildable CCE rear motor-mount. Rick the previous owner wanted to add some shine to the area, so he used heavy-duty stainless fasteners to the swingarm. Our team tapped the unit another ½-inch and everything slipped back together.
The CCE unit is self-rebuildable. Any bike owner can pull his CCE unit out of his bike and add a new cast rubber unit from CCE and replace it.
“In all the time we’ve built these puppies, I’ve only helped two owners rebuild their mounts,” Tim said. “They easily last over five years.”
“I replaced the front one with a new stock unit,” James said. “Tim is helping me order the CCE front job. But even with the stock unit up front and the CCE mount in the rear my handling tightened, no more wobbles. The new unit is slightly stiffer, so I noticed some more vibration, but that may smooth out as it breaks in.”
Next, we will install the
Dyna Front Motor Mount (05 to Present), DMM 2014-1L (2006-Present)
There you have it. Reach out to CCE regarding their mounts for Dynas and FXRs. Also, they make the finest tall rubber-mounted dog-bone risers for all Harleys. And if you need longer tubes for any glide, they have center-ground units.
–Bandit
Dallas Half-Mile I Race Report
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
Johnny Lewis Forced to Retire From Dallas-Half Mile
Team hard at work preparing for Atlanta Short Track
Milwaukee, Wis September 26, 2020: Johnny Lewis was continuing development of the Royal Enfield Twins FT when an unexpected valve issue forced his weekend to end early. The team had entered the weekend riding high on the momentum of their gutsy performance at the Williams Grove Half-Mile, but despite quick action the issue proved insurmountable.
The Center Hill, Fla based rider and team owner worked on making improvements and adjustments to the Twins FT package over the past two weeks. Collaborating closely with a myriad of partners, the Moto Anatomy x Royal Enfield team tested a number of new parts and setups in the lead up to this weekend’s races.
“We’ve been able to make positive steps forward with the Twins FT in the last two weeks, and there is still much to learn,” said Johnny Lewis, Moto Anatomy x Royal Enfield racer. “The team is still 100 percent focused on development and we understand more every time we run the bike. We know what happened and the team are already hard at work on adjustments and new parts so we’re ready for the Atlanta Short Track event.”
Lewis and team look towards next weekend at Dixie Speedway for redemption. Recognizing the challenges of development, Lewis’ Moto Anatomy x Royal Enfield team is prepared for the work that lies ahead. With a sound strategy and positive attitude, the team is ready to roll into Atlanta.
The ladies of the BUILD TRAIN RACE program will join Lewis at Dixie Speedway next weekend as they debut their INT650 custom motorcycles as part of the Atlanta Short Track event. A special exhibition will take place during the weekend and fans will see road racer Melissa Paris, amateur flat tracker Jillian Deschenes, photographer Lana MacNaughton and New York motorcycle repair shop owner Kerry Sano compete against one another in an eight lap Main. As part of the program, Lewis will spend a day with all four women this week to help with their race craft ahead of the weekend.
Be sure to follow @MotoAnatomyxRoyalEnfield on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest results and insights from the track. You can watch a short film documenting Lewis’ debut of the Twins FT at the Williams Grove Half-Mile here..
Disney Pixar Sued by Evel Knievel’s Son over Toy Story 4 Production
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
by Tony Abu Momoh from https://www.herald.ng
Kelly Knievel, the son of late stuntman Evel Knievel is suing Disney and Pixar for using the daredevil character Duke Caboom in the movie, Toy Story 4. The character is based on Evel Knievel real name Robert Craig Kneivel Jnr who was a daredevil stuntman in the 1970’s.
According to Kelly, the movie giants gained financially from a character based on his father without his permission. According to Knievel junior, his father did not thrill millions, break his bones and spill his blood just so Disney can make a bunch of money.
The character in contention, Duke Caboom was voiced by Keanu Reeves in Toy Story 4 and is described by Disney-Pixar as a 1970’s toy based on Canada’s greatest daredevil stuntman with confidence and swagger. The character has however never been able to do stunts advertised by his own toy commercials.
See Also: Plateau Attack: Police confirms 5 people killed by Gunmen
Kelly stated in the Federal Trademark suit that he has had ownership of the publicity rights to Evel Knievel since 1978 and is seeking damages totaling $300,000 for false endorsement and unjust enrichment.
Kelly alleged that there were similarities in the physical appearance of Knievel and the character Caboom. He also alleged that a propelled stunt toy sold as a marketing strategy for the move, Toy Story 4, was similar to another toy released by Evel Knievel in 1973. Kelly was also unhappy that the Caboom character was marketed as part of a McDonald’s happy meal promotion.
The suit further said Disney had instructed cast members of the movie not to draw comparisons between Knievel and Caboom in public even though it was obvious to observers that there was a connection.
Disney however denied the allegations saying its lawyers would vigorously defend what it called baseless claims.
In response to this, Kelly issued a statement saying, “It is obvious Duke Caboom is a knock off of Evel Knievel. I don’t see a big long line of Disney executives ready to get on a motorcycle and jump 13 buses, nor do I remember any Canadian daredevils from the 70s. While we note that Disney uses their Mickey Mouse lawyers to aggressively protect Disney intellectual property, they did not seek permission to use Evel Knievel at any time.”