New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
Cobra Speedster Exhaust Systems
Choosing pipes for your metric cruiser or Harley-Davidson just got a little bit tougher, thanks to those tube-benders at Cobra USA. The new Speedster, available in long (shown) or short versions, features nonbluing heat shields, chromed-billet end caps and a PowerPort crossover chamber said to give 2-into-i-type performance. To make pipe buying even more difficult for H-D Softail riders, there's also the just-released Swept Speedster with end pipes angled about 30 degrees up ward. Your choice, starting at $520.
Cobra USA, 23801 E. La Palma Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92887; 714/692-8180; www.cobrausa.com
Excel Adjustable Spoke Torque Wrench
Maintaining proper spoke tension is a great way to guarantee against premature wheel failure. Famed rimmaker Excel produces a spoke torque wrench that is adjustable over a 45 inch-pound (51.8 cm-kg) range, and comes with five heads in commonly used sizes. Priced at $110, the kit includes a handy storage case.
FTM Enterprises, Inc., 2645 Vista Pacific Dr., Oceanside, CA 92056; 760/732-3161; www.ftmbiz.com
Road Tech Digital Music Player
Take your MP3/WMA music files on the road with you. The $300 Road Tech Digital Music Player replaces the right hand-control clamp on any late-model Harley-Davidson Big Twin and plugs into the auxiliary input of an original-equipment fairing-mounted radio or riser-mount Road Tech radio. Hours of music can he stored on the removable 64MB memory card, while large, backlit buttons make for easy use, even while wearing gloves.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company, 3700 W. Juneau Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53201; 800/443-2153; www.harley-davidson.com
Kermit Original Touring Chair
Here's a gotta-have-it product for touring riders. Great at the beach, campsite or the races, the $119 Original Touring Chair is lightweight and portable with comfort and beauty not found in other designs. Manufactured from polyurethanecoated hardwoods and aluminum and featuring stainless-steel hardware, it breaks down to 22 inches in length and 4x6 inches in diameter. Fully assembled, it will hold up to 350 pounds. Choose from green, black, burgundy or navy.
Kermit Chair Company, 5233 Pine Hill Rd., Nashville, TN 37221; 888/729-9836; www.kermitchair.com
Scorpio SR-i500
What price peace of mind? Put an end to fears of bike theft with the latest ultracompact, two-way FM paging system from Scorpio, the $299 SR-i500. Among the multitude of standard features: a programmable multi-tone siren, battery safeguard with "sleep" mode, ignition sensor, light-flasher, in-range display, remote panic and selectable auto/manual arming. The equally long list of options includes factory-style connectors for a noninvasive installation.
Aritronix Ltd., 14435 N. Scottsdale Rd. #500, Scottsdale, AZ 85254; 480/951-1109; www.scorpioalarms.com
Vemar VSR Black Carbon Helmet
Intersport Fashions West has a new name-Fairchild Sports-and some exciting new products, too. The latest offering from Italian manufacturer Vemar is the VSR Black Carbon helmet, made from-you guessed it-a black carbon-fiber weave. Touted as the lightest lid on the market, the VSR-BC nonetheless meets DOT and international racing standards, and does so with an innovative Kilma System EPS lining that features dual-density inserts and deep channeling for maximum airflow. It’s offered in sizes XS-XXL for $900.
Fairchild Sports, 15602 Mosher Ave., Tustin, CA 92780; 714/258-2120; www.fairchildsports.com
The Hooker
Every bed needs a Hooker-every truck bed, A that is. This simple, rubber-backed, extruded-aluminum device allows users to add multiple, removable tiedown points anywhere along the sides of a standard pickup bed without making any modifications to the truck itself. A set of four retails for $30.
Cardon, Inc., 4088 Hyland Rd., Jeannette, PA 15644; 724/744-1322; www.thehooker.biz
Carl's Forward-Pointing RamAir Filter
Ram-air intake for a Harley? Well, yes, sort of. Carl’s Speed Shop is now offering a forward-pointing air-cleaner assembly that **Úp bolts up to H-Ds equipped either with the OE Delphi fuel-injection system or an S&S “E” or “G” carburetor. The highly polished billet RamAir housing makes a 90-degree turn to aim a K&N high-capacity filter element directly to the front. With the filter and its billet end cap in place, however, the system provides little ram effect; the housing’s large, 31/4-inch-diameter air horn can only scoop up onrushing air when the element is removed-a common strategy for racing but less than ideal for all-around street work. Cool-looking kit, though. The setup lists for $369 and comes complete with a chromed cylinder-head breather vent and all the required hoses, gaskets and brackets.
Carl’s Speed Shop, 390 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach, FL 32114; 386/258-3777; www.carlsspeedshop.com
