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September 3, 2007 – Aftermarket Digest

Michelin Announces Tire Price Increases
Effective Jan. 1, Michelin North America is increasing prices on its motorcycle and scooter replacement tires sold in the United States and Canada by up to 8 percent.
All tires delivered after Jan. 1 will be invoiced at the new price, the company reported.
Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelin-us.com) employs more than 22,000 and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in 17 locations.
Forge-Tec Now Offers Big Dog Motorcycle Wheels
Forge-Tec Motorcycle and Accessories now is making wheels for all 2005-present Big Dog Motorcycles, including the K-9, Bulldog and Mastiff.
“We saw the market for Big Dog wheels when we kept getting requests from Big Dog owners and dealers alike asking for chrome wheels,”?Mark Finnie, general manager for Forge-Tec, said in a press release. “We have created a complete bolt-on wheel, rotor and pulley that require no modifications. Just swap them out and you’re back on the road.”
These wheels are available in show polished, black powder-coated or chrome finishes. They are available in 13 different styles and now, each style is also available in a 3D version. 3D simply means the design runs all the way out to the outer lip of the wheel, giving the wheel more dimension.
Forge-Tec Motorcycle is a manufacturer of high-end forged aluminum wheels, blanks and OEM supplier to many of the industry’s leading wheel and bike manufacturers.
Forge-Tec Motorcycle and Accessories is a division of Advanced Metalforming Technologies, which also has an automotive division. All Forge-Tec wheels are rotary forged utilizing one of its proprietary forge presses using only aircraft grade 6061 aluminum.
For further information, please contact Forge-Tec Motorcycle at 805/982-9820.
Polaris Industries, THE BOSS Increase Ranger Versatility
The BOSS and Polaris Industries are collaborating to launch a new 6-foot Straight-Blade Poly Snowplow and SmartHitch 2 attachment system for Polaris’ 2005-2008 Ranger side-by-side vehicles.
The products will be available in Polaris dealerships in September, according to a press release.
This is The BOSS’ first snow plow for the side-by-side market, and the two collaborating companies aimed to design the plow for jobs where traditional snow plows couldn’t go because of either space limitations or rugged terrain.
The plow comes standard with the SmartHitch 2 attachment system, high-performance hydraulic package, SmartTouch 2 hand-held control, poly blade and a sloped profile undercarriage.
The hand-held control is designed for right- or left-hand use and requires less button pushing than competing products, features an express up-and-down capability and also has a built-in sleep mode. The handle of the control can be removed, providing several different mounting options.
SuperTrapp Launches Online Support Forum
SuperTrapp has amended its customer service department by launching a support forum on its Web site, the company said in a press release.
The forum is a resource for SuperTrapp customers and dealers to ask questions and find answers regarding applications, installation, tuning and performance and to share suggestions with the company.
Considering the SuperTrapp team consists of a number of veteran motorcycle and ATV riders as well as enthusiasts with expert knowledge on SuperTrapp products and applications, a support forum seemed like a natural extension of its customer service department, the company said in the release.
Bosski Donates ATV Wagon Trailers To New England Club
The Berkshire Trail Riders Club was honored recently as the first recipient of Bosski’s Trailers for Trails Program.
In sponsorship with Fisk Distributing and Enfield Motorsports, the club acquired two 1600 Utility ATV Wagon trailers even though the nonprofit group had limited funds.
The Berkshire Trail Riders are responsible for maintaining Tolland State Forest in Sandisfield and Otis, Mass. Many other volunteer riding clubs maintain their local public trail systems. Usually trail maintenance requires several individuals to hand carry equipment and supplies long distances to get to the work area. Bosski’s ATV Wagon trailers make the job easier and allow workers to get more done in a shorter period of time.
Robert Rickard, sales specialist of Bosski, said volunteers such as the New England club “help maintain and expand their trails, and our heavy-duty construction, 1,000-pound Power RAM dump system and power brakes make our trailer the right one for the job.”
ATV Wagon trailers are in use at many off-road trail systems throughout North America, including the 500-mile Hatfield-McCoy Trail System of West Virginia.
If you are an ATV Wagon dealer who knows of a club in need or if you are a nonprofit club wanting a trailer, contact Bosski and ask about its Trailers for Trails Program. Visit www.atvwagon.com for more information.
Panoptx CEO:?Settlement Won’t Impact Business
Bob Hall, president and CEO of Panoptx, said in a press release that a recent settlement of a lawsuit brought forward by Protective against Panoptx for patent infringement will not interrupt the company’s business, “either now or in the future.”
“Every product we sell now we can and will continue to sell, unimpeded by this settlement, through 2008,”?Hall said. “After that time, new designs already under development will reach the market, making this entire settlement moot.”
While the settlement agreement ends Protective’s suit against Panoptx, a suit brought by Panoptx against Protective for patent infringement of their removable eyecup technology is still in litigation.
“We brought this action because our patent rights to removable eyecup technology are covered by three patents, developed by Panoptx for Panoptx, and we expect to prevail,” Hall said.
Panoptx are sold through sunglass stores, ski and sport shops, and authorized Harley-Davidson dealers. For more information, visit the company’s web site at: www.panoptx.com.
Morgan Creates Coatings For Performance Racing Industry
The Diamonex Products division of Morgan Advanced Ceramics has created coatings for internal engine components that are designed for the performance racing industry.
The Diamonex Diamond-like Coatings is a thin-surface coating the company says helps to provide high hardness, chemical resistance and low friction.
The coatings are expected to increase wear life and reduce surface friction of internal engine components, including intake valves, wrist pins, spring retainers and cylinder sleeves. The DLC coatings also offer the same attributes when camshafts are coated.
The coatings help to reduce engine sludge build-up, allowing the engine to maintain balance for more horsepower.
Other Diamonex DLC racing industry applications include coating shock shafts and fork tubes for motocross and motorcycle racing.
ORBA Show Will Be Moved To A Bigger Venue In 2008
4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers has signed on to be a title sponsor for the 2008 off-road SuperShow, which will be held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego County over the weekend of Feb. 9-10.
After a successful off-road show at the Barona Casino Convention Center this past March, the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) is moving its show to the much larger venue offered by the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
With more than 50 stores nationwide, 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers is the world’s largest retailer of supplies and services for the 4-wheel drive off-road recreation community.
“We are very excited about the opportunity to support ORBA with its 2008 off-road SuperShow,” 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers CEO Greg Adler said in a press release. “We believe in what ORBA is doing to make sure that off-road recreation and the off-road industry continue to play an important role in our country’s economy.”
Rocky Trevino, owner of Cycle Parts West and chairman of ORBA’s board of directors, likes the idea that “the 2008 ORBA SuperShow will include a stronger emphasis on 4-wheel drive products than was present for this year’s show.”
ORBA president and CEO Roy Denner will once again serve as the director for the ORBA SuperShow. Companies that will join the team as supporting sponsors include: Cycle Parts West, KTM North America, Off-Road Warehouse and Pro Comp Suspension. psb

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