t was the first Parts Magazine issue of a new century. The cover of our February issue featured a hot looking metric cruiser with Hot Rod Pipes from Cobra. Fittingly, the cover also touted “New Products for a new Millennium.”
     Inside, Parts Unlimited’s “We Support The Sport” campaign was in full swing with the announcement of plans to be at 16 Supercross events. Then-National Sales Manager (now Vice President) Greg Blackwell penned a column telling dealers to “Buy the Numbers.” It was a reminder of the promising sales figures being recorded with sales to young riders now coming into the sport.
     T-Bags introduced its new line of Custom Travel Bags and SuperTrapp let us know that inside every good guy there’s a real “Bad Ass.” Kuryakyn was Second to None, and Python Exhausts was striking fear into the hearts of lesser exhausts. Dunlop had special tires for 4-Stroke Thumpers and desert bikes, while the Alpinestars S-MX Sport-Touring boot had all the right stuff.      Slipstreamer offered a Quick Disconnect for ATV windshields, Moose Off-Road had the accessories you needed to go off-road and Thor was “Rockin’ in Year 2000.” K&N was on the same page with their “Get Ready. Get Set. Here comes Y2K&N” promotion.
     Bridgestone brought out the Battlax BT020, Slippery When Wet was the Champion’s Choice and Vesrah put the brakes on with sintered metal pads.      The Future had arrived at Dynojet with the Power Commander II. Smith brought out its new Warp Goggles, and Michelin reinvented the performance radial with the Pilot Sport. Castrol was 75 years in the making and Jardine’s RT-One exhaust was “Racetrack proven.” At Samson, it was Big Guns and Rolled Thunder while Deltran was ready for “AGM” (Absorbed Glass Matte) batteries. Metzeler had riders rolling on ME880 Marathons and Travelcade-Saddlemen explained its two names—and a lineup covering everything from motorcycles to sleds to ATVs. Edelbrock had Harleys running better with its Twin Cam cylinder heads and manifolds, while James Gaskets introduced its patented metal base gaskets. Motorcycle riders were discovering a whole new way to conquer the elements with Kenda’s K671 Cruiser S/T tire, Ohlins was closing the gap between suspension that Superbike and Sportbike riders were using and SBS had a brake pad dealers could recommend.
     It was time for the Indy Show and until then, Progressive Suspension was keeping things top secret about its line of suspension for BMWs and Honda Gold Wings. Memphis Shades was all about Selection and Style and AFX Helmets were built to Exceed Expectations.
     These were our newsmakers as we began the year 2000, just one year in the 14 we have covered so far. Watch for a look at other issues in the upcoming months.