General Posts

From Dealer News Now that the U.S. Senate has confirmed Robert Lighthizer as U.S. Trade Representative, some expect a decision soon on whether the United States will place a 100 percent tariff on European motorcycles. Regardless, the AMA and the MIC are striking while the iron is hot. The Motorcycle Industry Council yesterday urged its members to call their federal representatives and voice their opposition to the tariff, which would affect European motorcycles with engine sizes of 50cc to 500cc. The USTR proposed the tariff in retaliation for a long-standing agricultural trade dispute with the European Union. “On May 11, the Senate confirmed Robert Lighthizer to serve as the new U.S. Trade Representative. Lighthizer was sworn in on May 15. There is no word on when Lighthizer and his staff will make a decision on the proposed tariff, but we expect a decision may be made soon,” MIC told its members on Monday. After Lighthizer was confirmed, AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman immediately sent him a letter demanding he remove European motorcycles from the tariff proposal. He highlighted the damage such a tariff would do to the U.S. Dealer network. “In America, the majority of motorcycles under 500cc are sold through small, independently owned shops,” Dingman wrote. “The collection of small- to medium-sized dealerships in the United States contributes to the employment of a substantial number of Americans.” “It appears that motorcyclists are simply pawns in a game of international chess,” Dingman noted in the letter. The AMA also called on its members to “inundate” Lighthizer with their objections. To voice your concerns through the AMA link, click HERE

Complex Networks’ Rated Red shifts gears with its new unscripted series, Throttle Rockets, starting Tuesday, May 16, 2017, on go90. Throttle Rockets adds flare to the traditional DIY mechanic project as Greg Hatcher, owner of Man in the Box, a custom build shop in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and his crew bring customers’ wildest auto dreams to life. A trailer can be seen here. Each episode, the team meets a unique customer with big asks for their little bike and creates an extraordinary vehicle designed to spark conversation. “We transform everyday scooters, motorcycles, golf carts, go-carts, shopping carts—whatever—in to mechanical miracles,” Hatcher says. Whether it’s an all-terrain hunting rig, a sand-assault vehicle for the beach, or a fire breathing “Call of Duty” themed scooter, the team has no limits when it comes to making a customer’s dreams a reality. And if they aren’t satisfied with the job, they don’t have to pay for it. “We’ll sell it to somebody who has some taste,” Hatcher says. Episodes of Throttle Rockets are available for free only on go90.com or the go90 app, available for iOS or Android.

My name is Peter Ström and I am 54 years old from Stockholm, Sweden. I have a few bike-builds behind me – I built my wife’s FXR trike, Sportster chopper for myself, Sportster bobber with a lot of engraving on it for my daughter. Every one of them has been well-appreciated and written about in a big number of magazines around the world. Read more.

Hey, Readers unite.It’s interesting and challenging. Folks are hit with so many distractions, it’s tough to sit down and read an article from start to finish. Hell, I just bought an electric shaver. The directions are daunting. They follow me around daily screaming, “Read me, read me.” I read all day long and when a magazine arrives I struggle to find the time to open them. Read this week’s news here. This week we have hot news from the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, the Chip, the Trike World, S&S, Easyriders, SC, Waco, Crusher, Pacific Coast Cycles, Bennett’s Performance, and Tony,

The new Revolt Air Cleaner from Crusher, showcases aggressive race-inspired styling and performance reminiscent of minimalist old-school velocity stack intakes. The Revolt features the added security of an integrated stainless steel mesh insert and high-flow washable/reusable K&N filter to eliminate debris or moisture from entering the throttle body.   The steel mesh insert is secured via aluminum retainer clips with an angular design that delivers another element of distinctive rugged style. The housing and back mounting plate are constructed from quality A380 aluminum offered in chrome or satin black. An included parabolic “super ring” insert covers the back plate mounting bolts to channel smooth and precise airflow into the motor.   Full kits are available for a wide range of Harley-Davidson® Twin Cam and Evo Dyna, Softail, and Touring models, as well as XL Sportsters. Also available are Revolt air cleaner assemblies for custom applications, bolting directly to stock 40mm and Screamin’ Eagle 44mm CV carbs, as well as cable-operated Delphi throttle bodies. Installation on Mikuni HSR42/45/48, S&S E or G Shorty, or other aftermarket carbs requires adapters, sold separately. MSRP: $224.99 (Full Kits), $184.99 (Air Cleaner Assembly Only) More info at www.crusherperformance.com