1 woman, 10 countries, 3,000 miles on a Yamaha around Europe
July 22, 2008
Community nurse, Lou Hartley is off on an exciting three-week tour of Europe by motorcycle. She will be visiting 10 countries and aims to raise a grand total of £40,000 for cancer charities: The Lavender Trust, Douglas Macmillan Research, Maggie’s Centre Nottingham and The Willow Foundation.
Do it RIGHT with Penz!
June 24, 2008
Baker Right-Side-Drive gearbox for stock 2008 HD models and Twin Cam B engines
Holger Mohr becomes CEO at Custom Chrome/GMG
June 3, 2008
Following Nace Panzica’s decision to step down from the Custom Chrome and Global Motorsport (GMG) management team, and Frank Esposito’s exit from the Group last month, owners Dae-Il have selected Custom Chrome Europe Managing Director Holger Mohr to take over as the group’s CEO with immediate effect.
S&S ANNOUNCES MOBIL 1 TO BE SPONSOR OF S&S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
May 23, 2008
LA CROSSE WI (May 20, 2008) S&S® Cycle is proud to announce that Mobil 1 is the title sponsor of the S&S 50th Anniversary Celebration (www.sscycle50th.com) presented by the AMD World Championships.
Wiseco top-end rebuild kit
May 16, 2008
As part of its “One Name, one Solution” product range development programme, Wiseco has introduced new top-end rebuild kits for a wide selection of popular makes and models.
New 2008 applications from Venhill
May 15, 2008
AMONGST the many new road applications brought out recently by Venhill are brake and control lines for the Ducati 848, 1098, Hypermotard and Monster 695, ZX-6R Ninja, GSX650F, 2008 Hyabusa and B-King.
Off-road applications include lines for the CRF150, 250, 450, KX250F and 450F, KTM 505SX and 530 EXCR and YZF250 and 450.
Diadora Xtreme Air boot
May 5, 2008
LAST year’s Xtreme boot was very well received by professional riders who used the boot on track in some of the most important championships, as well as by general riders, according to the company.
This year’s Diadora 2008 collection includes the new Xtreme Air, a ventilated summer version of the Xtreme for track use only.
Xtreme Air features the SAS (Safety Ankle Support) exclusive flex system which helps avoid abnormal ankle torsion. Other safety features include internal polyurethane reinforcements, injection-moulded plastic protection, a protective plastic heel insert and injected plastic directly in the leather gear, heel and toe areas.
The upper is in ventilated microfiber and ventilation is through air ventilation pockets. Breathable air-mesh lining, replaceable magnesium slider and three different fastenings – zip and Velcro closure and rear buckle pump ratchet closure – guarantee a perfect fit every time, the company says.
The inside of the boot features soft polymer padding, TPU moulded protection in the ankle area and an antibacterial and replaceable footbed with APS (Air Pump System). The new APS system features exceptional ventilation starting from the centre of the insole. When pressure is applied during walking or riding, the channels within the sole expel air uniformly, permitting air circulation within the boot.
The Xtreme Air also features the new Dual Flex midsole with flexible toe area for elevated gear sensibility, as well as for comfortable walking, and stiff mid/back for secure and stable foot contact with the footrests and controls.
Other characteristics include a triple-density, anti-slip, oil-resistant Skywalk sole, Velcro and zip closures, gear pad protection and rear reflex insert.
The boot is available in white and yellow.
HTS/DIADORA
Caselle di Altivole (TV), ITALY
Tel: +39 0423 915 335
E-mail: info@htsforma.com
www.diadora-racing.it
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Source: For more information about International Dealer News please visit our website at www.dealer-world.com/idn
S&S® Cycle Inc. announces participation in CCE’s Tenth Annual Dealer Show & the AMD European Championships in Mainz, Germany.
April 11, 2008
March 27th through April 2nd found Brett Smith & Kurt Peterson of S&S Cycle in Europe for the annual CCE Dealer Show & AMD European Championships. The CCE Dealer Show celebrated its tenth Anniversary this year at the familiar Phoenix Hall; an old German tank factory located in Mainz, Germany. “Attendance appeared to be up, the dealers were enthusiastic and CCE & AMD both did a great job in their respective areas related to this event” said Kurt Peterson; Sr. Manager or Customer Support & Distributor Relations.
Each year, S&S puts on a dealer only seminar each of the two days of the show, to assist the European Dealer Network in understanding new S&S products and services provided with the release of its latest catalog. It is a great way to show the dealers we support those distributors that support us and the dealer network on a worldwide basis.
S&S President Brett Smith, along with Holger Mohr & Kurt Peterson, crowned this year’s winner of the “Presidents Pick” award. For the last three years, S&S has provided substantial prizes for 1st through 3rd place in this category. This year was no exception as S&S gave a Dual Purpose QSU including S&S ECIII/noise compliant mufflers and teardrop aircleaner for third place. Second place took home an S&S/MAC Toolbox and 187 piece toolset. This year’s 1st place winner was Jerry Greenlaw of Custom Garage in Munich, Germany. Their creation, The X-Wedge Dragon, represented a tribute to the 50th anniversary S&S is celebrating in June and the official unveiling of the X-Wedge in Europe.
Jerry worked with Habermann Performance to get the chassis designed and built in time to complete this project for the European Championships. “I think the bike turned out to be a fitting platform for the X-Wedge unveiling here in Europe” said Brett Smith, president of S&S Cycle. “Jerry has always been a strong supporter of the S&S product line; invested in training and has always gone out of his way to make Kurt and I feel welcome when we are here.”
“The 10th Anniversary Custom Chrome Europe (CCE) Dealer Show was another record event in dealer and vendors attendance as well as show orders. Our team can be very proud of what they accomplished. It started as a little warehouse open house and became the leading European V-Twin dealer show. I personally appreciate the support S&S has given us throughout the years and look forward to a great season in 2008″ said Holger Mohr, president of CCE.
Another surprise at the show was a sneak peek at what Freddie Krugger is showing up to LaCrosse with during the 50th celebration in June. “Freddie’s bike, named Half Day, is an example of the quality and craftsmanship we can expect to see during this summer’s celebration” said Peterson.
50 of the best builders in the world will be gathering during June 27-29th, 2008 for what is said to be the world’s largest bike build off. 50 Builders, 50 Bikes for $50,000.00. For more information, go to: www.sscycle50th.com.
A Great Comment from a Dutch Visitor
April 8, 2008
Thanks Rene! We hope you will continue to visit often and help us improve the site. We plan on including much more global motorcycle news. So just let us know what you would like to read, view and hear.
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He guys here are some greetings from the Netherlands. Just want to tell you how mutch respect i have for wat you do. I a custombuilder on the other side of the big pond.Started in 1987 just for fun and now in 2007 the proud owner of my own custom shop. Its nice to know that there are people out there who understand that its not only fun and that we do what we do,to make the road just a bit prettyer,thanks and keep up the good work! greetings Rene van tuil Eck en Wiel The Netherlands Owner of Revatu customs
Je foto’s bewerken en in elkaar laten overlopen met Windows Live Fotogalerij
Panzica/Dae’Il GMG deal sees Custom Chrome rescued
March 4, 2008
The Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection filing made by the Global Motorsport Group (GMG) on January 31st has now resulted in the sale of the firm’s assets to Dae’Il USA, a ’stalking horse’ company established by former CEO Nace Panzica with the intention of rescuing Custom Chrome and GMG’s other trading divisions from the threat of closure.
At a bankruptcy hearing at Wilmington, Delaware, on February 28th, the proposal by GMG to sell its assets to Dae’Il USA was ratified by the court. The result is that the company’s trading activities will now be free of the debts and liabilities that have dogged it for several years. The filing came about when owner Cerberus Capital Partners made it clear that it would no longer continue to finance GMG operations and put the company up for sale.
The deal to buy the assets of the company and trade them as a going concern was put together by former Custom Chrome CEO Nace Panzica with backing from the Korean engineering company that manufactures the RevTech program of engines and transmissions that is distributed exclusively by Custom Chrome.
Other suitors are known to have been watching events closely, but in the end no other bids for GMG’s assets were made.
Panzica says that all vendor payables will be settled within 90 days.
Custom Chrome was founded in 1969 in San Jose, CA, by Nace Panzica and several others. The company was among the market’s pioneers in terms of building own brand and third party distribution for mass produced custom parts and accessories, and is widely credited as being one of the founders of the market seen today.
In 1989 Nace Panzica took over as CEO, the company went public, and under his watch sales grew. Strategic acquisitions were made and an innovative approach to embracing the talents of designers such as John Reed, Rick Doss, Dave Perewitz and Donnie Smith was developed.
The RevTech program, which was launched some ten years ago, capitalized on the emergence of the custom v-twin build boom, and with kit bike programs and the opening of a wholly owned European operation enjoyed market leadership for a long time.
Panzica was ousted from the Group in 1997 following the repercussions of efforts to fight off a hostile take-over bid. Since then successive owners and management teams have failed to capitalize on market opportunity, and with the Group’s debt position worsening it fell under the control of Cerberus at the beginning of 2006.
Since that time market decline, especially in the custom v-twin build sector, and competitor excellence, especially from Fred Fox’s Drag Specialties, prevented the owners from being able to rationalize the competing needs of inventory investment and debt service.
It is widely reported that the credit crunch, that has affected so many equity investors since the middle of last year, had much to do with the decision that Cerberus made to either sell or close GMG, and as a self-imposed deadline of January 31st approached, the future of the company became less certain.
It would appear, however, that the eleventh hour intervention of Dae’Il and Panzica has now saved the market from seeing one of its once most important businesses disappear. The general reaction at the V-Twin Expo following the announcement of the planned rescue was one of support for the proposal, from dealers and vendors alike.
It was even acknowledged by competitors that the disappearance of such an iconic name would have been an unwelcome and negative signal that could have spread negativity about the short and medium-term prospects for the entire Harley and custom v-twin parts and accessory aftermarket. From the dialogs that AMD has had with industry observers, vendors and dealers, any concerns about it being Far Eastern capital that has rescued the Group are being tempered by mature reflection on the role that Asian financial institutions played in the 1984 rescue of Harley-Davidson itself, and the fact that with Panzica re-taking the reins, the market sees the business as returning to experienced industry hands.
Market intelligence suggests that GMG’s selling owner, Cerberus Capital Partners, have taken a north of $100m hit as a result of their involvement.
Nace Panzica: “all vendor payables will be settled within 90 days… the priority is to get inventory onto the shelves”
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Robbie Patterson
AMD ‘e-Club’ Supervisor
robbie@dealer-world.com
