he American V-Twin Committee (AVTC) of the Motorcycle Industry Council, Inc. has been established to address the needs, concerns, and opportunities within the V-Twin market for component and engine builders, custom kit manufacturers, and other companies that produce goods or provide services specific to this distinctive segment of the industry.
     The committee met April 5, 2005 at the MIC headquarters in Irvine, CA to discuss the many challenges that face the American V-Twin industry. Numerous topics were discussed, most revolving around issues related to emissions and noise regulations.
     Recognizing that motorcycle noise is a major concern nationwide and that local and state municipalities are right now investigating methods to measure motorcycle noise, the AVTC will take a proactive approach by supporting the creation of a simple motorcycle noise test that can be used to measure the sound of highway motorcycles. The AVTC looks forward to working with other motorcyclist groups to define the details of this program. While the AVTC enjoys the sound of a big V-Twin motorcycle as much as any enthusiast, they recommend that all motorcyclists consider the negative impact that excessively loud exhaust noise has on the non-motorcycling community and then act accordingly.
     Regarding emissions, the AVTC discussed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s plans to work on creating an engine emissions certification program whereby engine manufacturers can certify powerplants for use in custom-built motorcycles. Seeing the benefit of this, particularly for independent shops that build motorcycles from parts, the AVTC intends to work with the MIC and the EPA to guide the design of the program and hopefully expedite its implementation.
     The AVTC also worked to create a mission statement for the group. That is: To educate, promote and protect the American V-Twin motorcycle industry.


Drag Specialties’ Tom Motzko (left) recently paid a visit to one of the west coast’s fastest rising custom builders, Roland Sands. The son of Performance Machine president Perry Sands, Roland was a top star in AMA roadracing until his retirement in 2002. In recent years he has been responsible for many of PM’s latest wheel designs and is also making a name for himself on the “Biker Build-Off” circuit. He was just named “Rookie of the Year” at a Discovery Channel awards banquet in Las Vegas.

t the April 5th meeting the AVTC also appointed five additional members to serve on the committee. These additional members include Lee Chapin from Mikuni American Corporation, Buzz Dyer from Cycle Shack, Gayle Greene from Paramount Custom Cycles, Jason Severtson from GE Consumer Finance and Tom Seymour from Saddlemen. They will join the current members Fred Fox from Drag Specialties/Parts Unlimited (Chairman), Ted Sands from Performance Machine Inc. (Vice-Chairman), Wil Garland from American Ironhorse, Dave Koshollek from Dako Enterprises, Nick Messer from Big Dog Motorcycles, Grady Pfeiffer from GH Marketing, Len Simms from NADA and Brett Smith from S&S Cycle. These select individuals were chosen to represent the diverse perspectives and business interests in the marketplace.
     The AVTC’s first official meeting on January 31, 2005, which was an open forum, took place at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati, Ohio and was attended by more than 60 industry leaders. The key issues discussed include the Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board emissions standards; sound limits; local, state, federal, and international regulatory standards; registration and licensing; and communications.
     Every meeting is open to all members of the MIC and all are encouraged to participate in these meetings.

amson Motorcycle Products has announced that it will sponsor the AHDRA Pro Modified Class for the 2005-2006 National Points Series.
     Sponsorship benefits will include having all class awards and trophies being named the “Samson Pro Modified Winner or Runner Up.” Samson Motorcycle Products name and logo will also be seen on the AHDRA website; in a 4-color ad in the Speed magazine and an official designation spot in a central location in Manufacturers’ row.
     The new AHDRA sponsorship ties in with Samson’s recent announcement of a tie-in with legendary drag racer Ray Price. Samson will design and coordinate special long-term promotions with Ray Price Racing to maximize exposure of our products and Ray Price Racing. “The name Ray Price is synonymous with Harley Davidson drag racing and we are proud to be able to sponsor this race team,” said Samson president Kenny Price. “As title sponsor to Ray Price Racing, we are able to show our support to the industry.”

&S Cycle has announced TUV approval for its popular 124-inch high performance V-Twin engine. Addressing the strict guidelines regarding emission standards for the European Community, this engine has met the required criteria for EC regulations of emission (2002/51EC) and also passed the current noise limits (97/24EC Chapter 9) testing. The results of the testing on the S&S 124-inch engine were in accordance to the strict requirements for TUV and testing of other S&S engines is expected to take place in the near future.
     This is another important step for S&S to efficiently deliver products in the European community without having to rely exclusively on the verification or certification of other dealers and distributors. These stringent TUV guidelines help establish standards for safety and quality for a variety of products sold in the European community, including Proven Performance S&S products.
     On December 20, 2004, S&S received TUV verification for its Quality Management System of their facilities, which produce complete assembled engines and frames, among other things. This verification was approved following a detailed audit performed (#20662508) at the S&S facilities in Viola and La Crosse, Wisconsin. At that time, engineering consultant Dieter Schleier had the following comment, “S&S Cycle's quality systems are above average and currently exceed the normal requirements to receive verification from TUV.”
     “It was fitting that I received news of gaining TUV approval of our 124-inch engine while I was visiting customers in Europe,” said S&S President, Brett Smith. “We know that this approval is critical for our expanding business opportunities in the European Community. With our Quality Management Systems having received verification, along with today's news about the 124-inch engine, we are definitely making a commitment to serving our European customers,” continued Smith. “Once again, I applaud our product development and manufacturing teams for their continued innovation and exceptional level of quality,” concluded Smith.
     S&S Cycle has been a leading manufacturer of Proven Performance V-Twin motorcycle components and engines for over 45 years. For more information, please contact James Simonelli at 608-627-0227 or at jsimonelli@sscycle.com. The S&S website is located at www.sscycle.com


t Daytona Bike Week, Billy Lane worked on a bike that belonged to 1st Sgt. Mike Ferrusi during the Blood Sweat & Gears Tour. Mike’s wife wanted to surprise him while he was on duty overseas by adding a few parts to his bike. To do it right, she sent a letter to Billy Lane asking for parts advice. Billy chose to use that opportunity as a tool to thank service men overseas for what they do–fight for our freedom. Billy brought Mike’s bike on stage daily and rebuilt it resulting in a unique Choppers Inc bike.
     Following the build in Daytona, Billy promised to personally deliver the bike to Mike when he and his entire battalion returned to Savannah, GA. Billy worked behind the scenes with the Hunter Army Airfield officials to be a part of their annual deployment ride. Attending the ride was Billy’s surprise for Mike and the whole crew at Hunter Army Airfield.
     Thursday morning nearly one hundred riders saddled up for the 5th annual deployment ride. Billy rode up just before they left on 1st Sgt. Ferrusi’s bike and proudly handed it off with a heartfelt thank you adding: “I’m here. I live a dream life. I ride motorcycles for a living and do what I love and these guys are out fighting for OUR freedom. I thought this would be the least I could do to thank them,” said Lane.
     Following the formal presentation of the bike, Billy and Ferrusi led the crowd on a 60-mile ride out of the Hunter Army Airfield. “His generosity and support are unbelievable,” said 1st Sgt. Ferrusi. “When I called home in March and learned that I was on the phone “live” with Billy Lane at the Blood Sweat & Gears Tour in Daytona, I could not believe my ears. Then to see what he and the Choppers Inc crew had done to my bike via satellite, I was speechless. I thought that was the end and was so pleased, but it just kept coming, before I knew it, Billy was headed to Savannah riding my bike to present it to me in person. What a welcome home!” said Ferrusi.
     Following a stop at the Laughlin, NV rally, Blood Sweat & Gears will be at the Broken Spoke in Myrtle Beach, SC. For Blood Sweat & Gears Tour sponsorship information, please contact Chrome Marketing Inc at 612-940-6115. Blood Sweat & Gears Tour is owned and copyrighted by Psycho Billy LLC, affiliated with Choppers Inc and Billy Lane. www.choppersinc.com.

he 14th Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show Weekend—sponsored by Performance Machine and scheduled for Saturday July 16th and Sunday July 17th, 2005 at the beautiful Queen Mary Event Park on the Pacific Ocean in downtown Long Beach, CA—continues to grow every year as the most popular street bike show in America.
     As always the LA Calendar Show offers one of the premier Custom and Sportbike Show Contests in America featuring top name Pro and Amateur bike builders from around the world vying for the prestigious Performance Machine Best of Show Trophy. Performance Machine and show producer Jim Gianatsis have bolstered the already huge $60,000 Bike Show awards purse with an additional $10,000 in cash prize money for the Best of Show and Best PM Equipped Bike.
     An exclusive feature of the Show are the free Calendar Bike Builder’s Seminars held both days at the Show, conducted by the leading custom bike builders in America as featured in the Iron & Lace Calendar. You’ll meet many legendary builders with their latest bikes including 3-time Show winner Jesse Rooke, plus Russell Mitchell, Mitch Bergeron, Paul Yaffe, Mike Stafford, Harold Pontarelli and others. Each builder will be available to meet at their bike displays with free autographed posters, and at their Builder’s Seminars where they will tell fans how they really build their bikes. It’s better than reality biker TV show - it’s live!
     On Saturday night Show promoter Jim Gianatsis hosts the Iron & Lace Calendar Builders Night Party on board the historic Queen Mary ocean liner with live musical entertainment. Many of the top Iron & Lace Calendar bike builders together with other top celebrity builders attending the Show weekend will be there, together with fans and the beautiful FastDates.com Calendar Angels featured in the Iron & Lace Calendar.
     Spectators can find out more about The LA Calendar Motorcycle Show,
the Bike Contest and all the available weekend activities online at http://www.FastDates.com/BIKESHOW.HTM

ee Chapin has been promoted to Vice President of the Aftermarket Business Division for Mikuni American Corporation. Industry veteran Chapin formerly served as the Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Sales for the Aftermarket Carburetor Division at Mikuni. In his new expanded role Lee will now oversee all aspects of the Aftermarket Carburetor and related component business for Mikuni American. For more information visit www.mikuni.com or phone 818-885-1242.


Parts Magazine
Volume 12 #5