manufacturing

Forking by Frank is Still a Thing!

by Edge with photos by WeedI decided my new fork tubes have to be American made This is my Bikernet report on getting an extended set of fork tubes for my current chopper project. For whatever reason I decided my new fork tubes have to be American made. Why? Maybe because I am still mad at the Chinese government over Covid 19. Maybe I’m upset because Fang Fang knows things she shouldn’t. Maybe I just love apple pie and the red, white and blue. I don’t know why. American stuff is just better. And, do I really need a reason? Jeesh. Click here to read this article on Bikernet.com

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TVS overtakes Yamaha’s Market Capitalisation

TVS overtakes Yamaha’s Market capitalisation to become third-largest two-wheeler maker in the world. The market capitalisation (Mcap) of Chennai-based (India) TVS Motor has surged 37% to $9.2 billion over the past six months, as per Bloomberg’s data. In contrast, Yamaha Motor saw an Mcap erosion of $1.6 billion from its August highs. Only seventeen months ago, TVS Motor Company was less than half the size of Yamaha Motor Co. Now, it has overtaken the Japanese two-wheeler giant in terms of market valuation. Investors continue to bet on a revival in both domestic and export markets, and TVS seemed the horse of choice, symbolic of its logo. BTW, Indian two-wheeler manufacturers make up four of the top five companies in the world. Bajaj Auto tops the list with a Mcap of $19 billion, followed by Eicher Motors with an $11.5 billion Mcap. Hero MotoCorp ranks fifth with a market valuation close to $8 billion. Additionally, TVS Motors has gained dominant position in EV scooters, and has managed to gain market share in every segment over the last few years. TVS makes the 310cc BMW engines and motorcycles sold in India. TVS also owns the Norton brand. US-based Harley-Davidson ranked seventh with an Mcap of $4.3 billion, three Chinese manufacturers are featured among the top ten two-wheeler makers in the world. * * * * * * * * Stay on top of the two-wheeled world, subscribe to Bikernet.com free weekly newsletter

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Harley-Davidson X 500 model specs for USA

Qianjiang-Produced Harley-Davidson X 500 is expected to be available in USA from 2024. US-specific owners manual has been published by Harley-Daivdson. The X 500 was announced for the Chinese market in April, and later for Australia and New Zealand, but the newly published owner’s manual assures a U.S. launch. There are distinct changes compared to the 2023 owner’s manual, adding information specific to the American market such as a U.S. vehicle identification number (VIN). The manual’s VIN breakdown specifically details the codes for models manufactured by Qianjiang in China for export to the United States. Warranty information and a clause marked as “Other Limitations” included six items in 2023 manual but for year 2024 manual there is an addition of a seventh item. This addition states United States customers are not allowed particular modifications that are not approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air Resources Board. A definition of tampering with noise control or exhaust emissions control systems is mentioned. These were absent for the manual meant for Chinese market. X 500 is the second model to be produced under the partnership between Harley-Davidson and Qianjiang, following the X 350. The smaller engine model was not intended for US market as per Q1 2023 report, though X350RA variant to be used by Harley-Davidson’s Riding Academy. It is expected the people and dealerships (and media) will react fast & furiously to a Made-in-China Harley-Davidson being sold in USA. We can expect the same liquid-cooled 500cc Parallel-Twin engine, claiming 47 hp at 8,500 rpm and 33 lb-ft. at 5,000 rpm. The claimed wet weight remains 456 pounds, and the fuel economy is unchanged, still claiming 49 mpg. Valve inspections are scheduled for every 15,500 miles. Click & know more about Bikernet’s Free Weekly Newsletter 2024 Harley-Davidson X 500

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Friggin’ Economies of Scale

by Ujjwal Dey with images & illustrations by Wayfarer In Harley-Davidson’s desperate search for volume sales, Will there be a smaller Harley-Davidson X210 in India? X440 is already the smallest engine – perhaps too small of an engine – to be considered a ‘real’ Harley for those who can actually afford to buy it. A rumoured Harley X210 may share the same design elements as the current X440. The smaller H-D is rumoured to be powered by the same 210cc single-cylinder engine found in the Hero Karizma XMR. Have a look at this editorial story giving you the background and the ground zero of Harley-Davidson’s new speculated adventure. Click Here to read this article, only on Bikernet.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To Stay updated on all Motorcycle News and Events…simply Click & Subscribe to Bikernet’s FREE Weekly Newsletter

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A Touch of Motorcycle Engine History

by Sam Burns J.A.P Prestwich, otherwise known as J.A.P. In the early years of motorcycle manufacturing, many manufacturers used bought-in engines for their motorcycles as the cost of developing engines was beyond the means of many of them. Of all the manufacturers of proprietary engines, possibly the most famous was J.A. Prestwich, otherwise known as J.A.P. Without the J.A.P. engine, many British motorcycle manufacturers would never have got off the ground and, over the years, J.A.P. supplied engines to Brough Superior, Triumph, AJS, Enfield, HRD-Vincent and Zenith, as well as manufacturers in France and Germany. Click Here to Read this Blast From The Past only on Bikernet.com * * * * * * * * * * * * Get inside Bandit’s Cantina and get in all the fun stuff that legends are made of. Click to view Membership Benefits.

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Financial Weightage of Light-Weight Motorcycles

Volume Sales, Fuel-efficiency, On-road manoeuvrability A decade ago, almost all manufacturers released fairly uninspired, derivative lightweight motorcycles that fit the commuter model, and sold like hot cakes irrespective of lacking common features in American bikes. Not to mention they were fugly like Satan’s spawn. They would make the mid-weight class look like a run-of-the-mill hack job, with the primary focus on cutting costs wherever possible. Thankfully, Royal Enfield changed all of that and stepped up its game with each new model release. Click here to read this global report on emerging motorcycle market. * * * * * * * * Follow the leader, click to subscribe to Bikernet’s Free Weekly Newsletter.

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Invasion of the Small Capacity Engines

Small is Big: Motorcycles with less power, more styling, high sales volumes Just as the world was recognising the perks of weekend motorcycle getaways and big V-Twin engines, there was also economic collapse, trade tariff wars and then the curse of the climate. Everyone complained about the weather and then somebody actually did something about it. Like all solutions, the proposal was a ban. In this Article we dive into the world of small things making big waves in motorcycle industry Click Here to Read this Comprehensive Overview of All Things Big About Small

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Yamaha Motor First to Use Green Aluminum in Japanese Motorcycles

Will gradually adopt low-carbon aluminum in the drive toward carbon-neutral materials Yamaha Motor announced today that it has reached an agreement with an aluminum ingot supplier for the procurement of green aluminum, and began using it as a raw material for parts in Yamaha motorcycles in February 2023. This is the first time for green aluminum to be used in Japanese motorcycles and Yamaha Motor plans to gradually expand its usage in models going forward. “Green aluminum” is aluminum that is refined using renewable energy sources to emit around 60% less CO2 in its manufacture compared to traditionally refined aluminum. Of course, the percentage of less emission by renewable energy depends per manufacturer. Aluminum parts account for 12% to 31%. of the total vehicle weight of a motorcycle, so adopting green aluminum is one effective approach for reducing CO2 emissions from the raw material manufacturing part of a product’s life cycle (falls under Scope 3 Category 1 emissions for supply chains). Through the development of its engineering and production technologies and expertise, Yamaha Motor has actively pushed the use of recycled aluminum, which now comprises some 80% of Yamaha Motor’s aluminum usage. This introduction of green aluminum is meant to complement this and will be employed for parts that still cannot be manufactured with recycled materials. As a first step, Yamaha Motor will utilize green aluminum for certain parts in its large-displacement and off-road competition motorcycles, and Yamaha Motor plans to expand the number of models using the material in the future as available supply volumes allow. In line with the Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050, the company is aiming to achieve carbon neutrality throughout all of its business activities—including its entire supply chain—by 2050. To realize this, Yamaha Motor has set a goal of switching to 100% sustainable

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Buell® Announces Upcoming Job Openings for Q1 of 2023

Buell® Announces Upcoming Job Openings for Q1 of 2023 based in Grand Rapids, Michigan Buell Motorcycles, a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based manufacturer of high-performance motorcycles, is looking to add skilled and motivated individuals that have a passion for building exciting new products, contributing to a dynamic work environment, and becoming part of the Buell team. “We are excited to take another big step forward in the continued growth of Buell. Today that big step forward is growing the Buell team here in West Michigan,” said Steve Laham, Chief Products, Development & Strategist Buell Motorcycle Co. “The Buell team’s expansion is in a multitude of areas of growth and will allow us to continue providing high performance motorcycles in the marketplace.” Over the next three months, Buell will be hiring full and part-time employees across multiple areas within the company including: Engineering Manufacturing Operations Digital Marketing Specalist Production Staff Painting Professionals Prior skills and experience are a plus, but not a must with the right enthusiasm, self-motivation and a willingness to contribute to a dynamic work environment, and becoming part of the Buell team. “We’ve built out an excellent senior leadership team with deep experience across the motorsports and transportation industries that all have a passion for two-wheeled products.” said Bill Melvin, CEO of Buell Motorcycle Co. “We are looking towards the future of the company and will continue to grow our team here in Grand Rapids to keep up with demand and develop some new exciting products.” With formal job postings expected in Q1 of 2023, interested parties can submit their resume and position of interest to careers@buellmotorcycle.com. Buell is back and delivering performance and excitement at every turn. For future Buell updates, follow our news page on our website and our social media pages. * * * * * *

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Eicher Motors Ltd announces strategic investment in Stark Future SL

Parent Company of Royal Enfield, Eicher Motors Ltd, Announces Strategic Investment In Stark Future SL The Board of Eicher Motors Ltd. (EML) has approved an equity investment of 50 million euros, and plans for collaboration with the electric motorcycle manufacturer. Milwaukee, WI (Friday, December 29, 2022) – Eicher Motors Ltd., leading Indian multinational automobile company, and parent company of Royal Enfield, global leader in the middleweight motorcycles segment (250cc-750cc), today announced a strategic collaboration in the space of electric motorcycles with Spain-based Stark Future SL. As part of this collaboration, the Board of Directors of Eicher Motors Ltd. has today approved an investment of € 50 million for a close to 10.35% equity stake in Stark Future. With this investment, Eicher Motors Ltd., will have a seat on Stark Future’s Board, and will explore further opportunities to collaborate in the space of electric mobility. This investment has strategic significance for both Royal Enfield and for Stark Future, as both companies are keenly invested in creating innovative and sustainable solutions in global mobility. Stark Future recently launched its first high-performance electric motocross bike, the Stark VARG, which received an exceptional response from global media, professional riders and dealers. Speaking about Stark Future and this partnership, Eicher Motors Ltd Managing Director, Siddhartha Lal says, “We love the vision, passion and focus of the amazing team at Stark Future. Leisure motorcycles do not easily lend themselves to EV technology at this stage, due to challenges like the battery range, packaging, weight and cost. This has resulted in stunted growth of this segment till now. Stark Future has been able to understand and harness the potential of EV technology by dramatically outperforming ICE offerings, without compromising on range, weight, packaging and cost. They have created an absolutely astounding motocross motorcycle – the Stark VARG as

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