Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

GET HATCHED Hatch Gloves has been in the motorcycle glove business for over 30 years. "We, in fact, pioneered many of the 'mainstream cruising glove styles found universally today, such as the "shorty gloves" and the precurved gauntlets. So, it's no surprise that many die-hard riders still demand Hatch gloves to this day," said Bryan Coppedge, Marketing Director for Hatch's Motorcycle and Action Sports Division. Over the years, the company has consistently supplied the market with traditional motorcycle glove styles. For example, the new MW988D Patrolman glove combines the classic design of the cruising glove with American deerskin leather for excellent performance. The result is a more comfortable, breathable, and abrasion-resistant glove, which Hatch says is superior to cowhide versions. Hatch is also in the process of developing a new glove line in partnership with the AMA. One of the new Hatch/ AMA styles being introduced will be expressly for the cruising market. For more information, see your local dealer or contact Hatch Gloves, Dept. CN, 1656 Walter St., Ventura, CA 93003, 800/767-1343, fax 805/642-0224. SADDLE-UP YOUR VALKYRIE Mike Corbin is proud to announce the availability of a complete saddle system for the Honda Valkyrie. The Corbin Saddle System consists of a classically styled solo saddle, a touring-quality passenger pillion seat, a '50s style thinline pillion, a coordinated sissy-bar pad, and a removable backrest that works in either the Classic solo or Touring pillion. Corbin's backrest features an angle adjustment for a tailored fit to your posture and can be installed and removed easily when desired. High-density "Comfort Cell" foam technology combined with ergonomically sculpted seating platforms provide excellent touringquality comfort. All components are beautifully designed to follow the lines of the Valkyrie and are said to offer incredible comfort gains for the rider and passenger. Corbin saddle components come standard with genuine Connolly leather seating and installation is quite simple. Prices range from $329 to $349 for the saddles and $169 to $179 for the optional pillion, backrest, and sissybar pad. For more information, see your local dealer or contact Corbin, Dept. CN, Commercial Pky., Castroville, CA 95012, 800/538-7035. ADOPT AN ADAPTER Edelbrock/QwikSilver now offers an Air Cleaner Adapter Kit designed for use with 8-inch-diameter stock or aftermarket'air-cleaner covers when using Qwi.kSilver carbs. Edelbrock claims that their product is superior to other adapter backing plates due to carburetor-venthole slots in their high-airflow, flat backing plate that produces maximum performance. Adapters are available in three different complete kits: #9225 for '84-'92 EVO, #8499 for '93 and later EVO models, and #9253 for '88-'96 Sportsters. Complete kits include a backing plate with K&N air filter and aJl the necessary mounting hardware. Prices range from $113.95 to $118.95, although price and availability on the Sportster units are not yet available. For more information, contact Edelbrock Corporation, Dept. CN, 2700 California Street, Torrence, CA 90503,310/781-2222, fax 310/320-1187. NASA'S BIKER JACKET The Firstgear Ranger Jacket is not what it appears to be. This jacket looks like a great-fitting, broken-in biker jacket on ~e outside, but on the inside - it's a different story. The makers say this is the most modem, technological piece of riding equipment ever made. Laden with creature comforts like plastifoam armor, adjustable waist belt with antiscratch leather sheath over the buckle, large hand-warmer pockets with cotton flannel lining, and an internal chest wallet pocket, the Ranger provides its owner with incredible versatility. The makers claim that this is no fashion "me too" jacket, but a masterpiece of leather crafted to work like a fine tool. The entire Thermoliner is made of aluminized mylar, snaps out to provide a lighterweight jacket for warm-weather riding. When it's cold, the liner, with an Rf factor of seven, snaps into place and maintains body warmth by reflecting the rider's own heat back into the jacket. They are available in men's and women's sizes X5-XXXL and is available with an optiOI1.al American flag logo on the back and comes with a five-year limited warranty. Suggested retail price is $509.95. Call 800/416-8255 for the location of a Firstgear dealer near you or contact Intersport Fashions West, Dept. CN, 333 South Anita, Suite 1025, Orange, CA 92668, 714/978-m8. BRING YOU OWN TOOLS CruzTOOLS has introduced its Great American Tool Kit, specifically designed for Evolution Sportster and Big Twin Harley-Davidson models. The kit contains seven wrench sizes, six hex and three Ton< keys, two screwdrivers, locking pliers, and spark-plug tools. For roadside emergencies, electrical tape, cable ties, mechanic's wire, and a siphon hose are included. And when the job is completed, theres a handy shop towel for cleaning up. Contents are from Snap-On, K-D Tools and Vise Grip, and the kit weighs approximately four pounds. The Great American Tool Kit retails for $159.95 and is available through Harley-Davidson dealers and independent motorcycle shops. In those areas where a dealer is not convenient, the kit can be purchased directly from CruzTOOLS, Dept. CN, at P.O. Box 67353, Scotts Valley, California, 95067, 408/4398340, or e-mail cruztools@aol.com. MATCHING UDS Arai Helmets has just released its Classic/r open-face helmets in colors to match many of the bikes in Honda's lineup of cruiser motorcycles. Made exclusively for American Honda and available only through Honda dealerships, the Arai Oas ic/r is available in black, red/white, black/yellow, and purple/white. The helmets come standard with a small snap-on visor, the interior of the helmet can be washed and dried without removal, they have passive ventilation, and a brushednylon interior. The solid black helmets sell for $340 while the two-tones sell for $370. They are available in sizes X5-XXL. XXXL is available for a $20 increase in price. For more information, see your local Honda dealer. STAYlN' AUVE Hawker Energy Products has jus't introduced Odyssey, the first dry-technology ba ttery designed for use in vehicles that rely on the YBI6CL-B battery for cranking power. It features a true no-maintenance sealed design, making it safe to handle, virtually eliminating terminal corrosion and the potential for acid spillage that plagues conventional battery designs. Odyssey has a shelf-life of 2-1/2 years at up to 50 per- cent state-of-eharge without recharging, compared to 6-U weeks for conventional batteries. This benefit enables owners to immediately start their recreational vehicle after it has been in storage for extended periods of time (off-season), without having to recharge their battery. With an eightyear design life and a three- to five-year projected service life, Odyssey should outlast other batteries by a two-to-one margin. It also has two to three times the cranking power of conventional batteries and is designed to withstand high shock loads and vibration. It comes with the industry's first full two-year free replacement warranty with no pro rata. Odyssey is available now through Hawker's customer service number at 800/546-%11. For more information, contact Odyssey Customer Service Department, 617 North Ridgeview Dr., Warrensburg, MO 64093-9301, 913/3624898, fax 913/362-3993. DG DOES CRUISERS DG Performance is proud to introduce their new line of Hard-Krome exhaust systems for Japanese cruiser motorcycles. Hard-Krome exhaust pipes are said to increase exhaust flow and add rumble without being offensive. The unique design features an internal tapered headpipe which funnels into a 2-1/2inch diameter tubes - the industry's largest. Hard-Krome pipes come in three different styles: Slash-Cut, Staggered Duals, Drag Pipes, and Slip-on mufflers. DG's Hard-Krome pipes are now available for the Honda ACE and the Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic. Additional models will be available soon. Slash-Cut and Staggered Duals are priced from $299.95, Drag Pipes are priced from $249.95, and Slip-on mufflers are priced from $199.95. For more information, see your local dealer or contact DG Performance, Dept. CN, 1230 Loma Circle, Anaheim, CA 92806, 714/630-5474, fax 714/630-7396. BRAKE IT DOWN Performance Machine has been providing Harley-Davidson and sportbike owners with outstanding brake systems for over 26 years, and they have just introduced these systems to owners of Japanese cruisers. PM calipers are precisionmachined out of 6061 billet aluminum and are said to be exceptionally strong and rigid. Power and dependability, as well as style and performance can be yours with these new four- and six-piston disc brake systems for use with all stock rotors on the new cruiser models. Available for the Honda VT1100 ACE, Kawasaki Vulcan 800, Suzuki Intruder 800 and 1400, and the Yamaha Royal Star. Front four-piston calipers start"at $299, while the six-piston calipers start at $425. Rear calipers start at $449. For more information, see your local dealer or contact Performance Machine, Dept. CN, 15535 Garfield Ave., Paramount, CA 90721,310/634-6532, fax 310/634-0172. ~

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