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Cycle Update

American signs three ventures
Suddenly, there’s a new motorcycle manufacturing company on the horizon, one operating under the name American Motorcycle Company.
Scope Industries, Inc., an Idaho corporation (formerly ‘SPIN’), completed the acquisition of J. Bravo Engineering, Inc., a Delaware corporation involved in manufacture and sale of custom motorcycles, in a stock-for-stock exchange and merger on Nov. 27, 2002.
The closing of the merger resulted in the name change to American Motorcycle Corporation. American Motorcycle Corporation, based in Webster, NY, says it is in the business of “custom fabrication sales and service of high-end motorcycles.”
On March 21, 2003, American Motorcycle entered into a joint-venture agreement with Performance Cycle, also of Webster, N.Y. The two companies partnered to display at the 63rd annual Bike Week celebration in Daytona Beach, Fla. Performance Cycle previously purchased American Quantum Motorcycles, of Melbourne, Fla.
Then, on March 28, 2003, American Motorcycle Corporation announced that it had signed a letter of intent to purchase Royal Ryder Motorcycle Manufacturing Company, Inc., of Hudson, Florida. Royal Ryder reportedly had revenues of about $1 million in fiscal 2002 and owns a patented frame-swingarm, which American Motorcycle says it also plans to acquire.
Finally, on April 2, 2003, American Motorcycle Corporation reported that all of its post merger stock has been issued and the company’s new trading symbol will be AMCY, effective April 3, 2003. For more information contact Jon Dennee at American Ventures; 585/739-3057.
Sheryl Van der Leun Joins MIC
Sheryl Van der Leun
has been named director of media relations at the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). She will be primarily responsible for Discover Today’s Motorcycling, the industry’s general media outreach program. Most recently, she had been manager of media relations for motorcycles and personal watercraft at Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. Van der Leun can be reached at 949/727-4211, or svanderleun@mic.org.”
Dick O’Brien 1921 – 2003
Richard H. “Dick” O’Brien
passed away on March 17, 2003. He was 81 years old. O’Brien served as Harley-Davidson director of racing from 1957 until 1983. In his 26 years at the helm of the Harley-Davidson factory racing program, O’Brien helped develop the XR 750 and worked with legendary riders Bart Markel, Cal Rayborn, Gary Scott, Jay Springsteen, Randy Goss and Scott Parker.
O’Brien is survived by his wife, Pat, daughters Peggy Berose (Frank) and Patricia Frank (Peter), a stepson, Gregory O’Neil, and a brother, Jesse. A memorial service was held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Palm Coast, Fla., March 31.
Ducati makes marketing changes
Ducati North America
has named John Porter director of marketing and communications, effective March 17. Porter has worked at Yamaha Motor Corporation and Moto Guzzi North America. At the same time, Ducati announced the resignation of Kerry McCammon as director of marking.
Barry Sheene Dies of Cancer
British rider Barry Sheene, 500cc Grand Prix World Champion in 1976 and 1977, passed away from cancer March 10 in a hospital in Queensland, Australia, at the age of 52. After retiring from competition he moved to Australia, where he worked as a Grand Prix TV commentator. He made a huge contribution towards making Motorcycle Grand Prix a more widely popular sport.

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