New Ideas

NEW IDEAS

Competition Werkes Rat-Kit

Tuning your bike’s exhaust may seem like a futuristic idea, but Competition Werkes (P.O. Box 5233, Rosberg, OR 97470; 800/736-2114) claims to have made it a reality. Any Kerker, Vance & Hines or Yoshimura exhaust system with a 3.5-inch silencer can be converted to the adjustable Rat-Kit system. By using an exhaust valve located in the center port, back pressure can be adjusted in seconds, according to Competition Werkes. The Rat-Kit comes with a fully packed replacement baffle and retails for $90.

National Cycle Ranger Windshield

There comes a time in most riders' lives when a windscreen seems like the thing to have. But it’s got to be right— it can’t be too big and it’s got to have style. The Ranger, from National Cycle (RO. Box 158, Maywood, IL 60153; 708/343-0400), fills those requirements, and is made from GE-Lexan polycarbonate for use on all Japanese custom and standard-style bikes, and on most Harley-Davidsons. Coated for scratch resistance, the Ranger comes with four-point mounting hardware that attaches to your bike’s fork. Available from dealers for a suggested retail price of $132.

A to Z Motorcycle Book Catalog

Unfortunately, there are some times when it just isn’t practical to be out riding your motorcycle. One of the next best things, then, is to read about motorcycles, something the 1991 A to Z Motorcycle Book Catalog (Hosking Book Works, 136 Hosking Lane, Accord, NY 12404; 914/626-4231) will help you do. The catalog lists more than 1000 titles, which range from the history of Ariel motorcycles to a parts book for the Zundapp Super Sabre. It also includes a computerized magazine back-issue service and gift section. To get your catalog, send Hosking a buck to cover postage and handling. They’ll send you your wish book.

Metzeler Soft Cross tire

Everyone has a cross to bear. Metzeler’s, at least, is the Soft Cross, a new knobby tire. According to the company, the Soft Cross offers improved traction over Metzeler’s old MXR199 and 299 models, and the new tire also works well in a wider variety of terrain. The tire is meant primarily for sand and mud, but when the ground gets harder, the Soft Cross is said not to break knobs as other softterrain tires commonly do. The tire is available in a 90/90-21 size for the front ($80) and in five different sizes for the rear, covering both 18-and 19-inch rim sizes ($77 to $88). The Soft Cross is available at most motorcycle dealers.

Motoport Bali rainsuit

For a safe and comfortable ride in the wet, a good rainsuit is almost as important as having sufficient tread on your tires. The Bali one-piece rainsuit from Motoport (Suite 504, 7720B El Camino Real, Rancho LaCosta, CA 92009; 800/777-6499) retails for $50 and is available in three tri-color combinations. The suit features a high mandarin collar with velcro closure, an extra-long front zipper for easy entry, elasticized wrist cuffs, reflective leg stripes and welded seams.

Bartels' Street Sweeper camshafts

Riders who are hankering for more boom from their Big Twin Harleys usually start with a camshaft transplant. Five years of R&D were required to develop the Bartels’

Street Sweeper cams for Harley-Davidson’s 1340cc Evolution engines. Two levels of this $165 cam are available: a mild, midrange performer or a higher-performance, top-end-heavy version. For information, contact Bartels’ Performance Products (9461 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232; 213/842-8081).