New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
National Cycle Sport Bike Windshield
If your sportbike's windscreen is failing Wind Management 101, National Cycle has the next best thing to the answers for the final. The firm claims its tinted acrylic windshield creates a larger still-air pocket than the stock screens, yet retains its appearance. Retail price is $59, and they're available for Honda 500, 700 and 750 Interceptors, Kawasaki 900 and 1000 Ninjas, and Yamaha's FZ600, FJ1100 and FJ1200. For more information, contact National Cycle Inc., RO. Box 158, Maywood, IL 60153-0158; (312) 343-0400.
Hidalgo Supply Co. catalog
Doc Savage, hero of the Forties' pulp novels, used a Hidalgo Supply Co. as a front for his crime-fighting activities. This Hidalgo Supply Co., though, purveys prescription and non-prescription sunglasses by mail, with specs from Ray-Ban, Vuarnet, Serengeti, Bolle, Porsche and others. Hidalgo's catalog also features a remarkably comprehensive consumer's guide, which should shed some light on most any question you might have about sunglasses. To get a free copy of the catalog, write Hidalgo Supply Company Inc., P.O. Box 1390, Wimberly, TX 78676.
Sears' Best tools
Consider Sears' new top-of-the-line Craftsman hand tools: the wrenches and ratchets are thinner than other Craftsman designs, and they're made of stainless steel for corrosion resistance, with a rubberlike grip insert for comfort. Moreover, the sockets feature ridged, black-plastic collars for better gripping, with sizes shown in white for quick identification. Sockets and wrenches come in American or metric sizes, and the ratchets are available in 1/4-, 3/8and 1/2-inch drives. For more information, see your local Sears.
Hondaline rainsuit
What do you think of when you hear "Singing in the Rain," Gene Kelly or a ride through nature's worst? No matter. With Hondaline's new one-piece, PVC-backed-nylon rainsuit, you can be crooning in the precipitation to your heart's content. And to keep you dry while you're doing so, the suit features taped and heat-welded seams, along with a stretch panel and a vent in back, and reflective striping. They're available in red-white-and-blue in sizes XSXXL for $79.95 from your local Honda dealer.
Krause GTS computer analysis
Quick computations of overall ratios and speeds in gear require a calculator, a stout index finger and a fondness for number crunching. Now, though, you can rest your weary digit and let Krause Racing's GTS (Gearing, Tires, Speed) computer program do the work. The firm claims its program can analyze any combination of tire and finaldrive gearing on any vehicle driven by a chain and sprockets, with printouts showing speeds in each gear at a variety of engine rpm. The printout retails for $5, but if you buy one of Krause's Sidewinder drive systems, it's free. To find out more, contact Krause Racing Corp., Sidewinder GTS Dept., 111 Fairbanks, Addison, IL 60101;(312)543-6697.
Phase Five Banshee exhaust
If your Yamaha Banshee seems more like a beldam these days, consider letting Phase Five Racing make it scream again with Competition Series exhaust pipes. Phase Five claims the stamped-steel pipes bolt on in minutes, and provide a potent mid-range punch, along with more power at the bottom of the rev-range, and on top, too. The exhausts are available with steel or aluminum silencers, and prices start at $199.95 per pipe. For more information, contact Phase Five Racing, 4760 E. Bryson, Anaheim, CA 92807;(714) 779-5342.
