Vr 1000 Parts For the People
VR 1000 PARTS FOR THE PEOPLE
VR1000 ENGINE TECHnology for the general public remains just a tantalizing possibility, but suspension and brake components based on the H-D Superbike will be available as early as 1995, according to sources at Penske and Wilwood.
Penske, makers of the VR’s shock and fork, is well-known in car racing, but VR brake-builder Wilwood is also a force. Wilwood will take to the streets, working exclusively with H-D, says Ken Pasola, a Wilwood engineer.
“I’m sure we’ll work and grow together,” he says.
“There's nothing finalized, but we’ve had discussions with them about possibly making aftermarket performance brakes, or stock brakes. Everything’s still in the development stages, but we’re definitely looking beyond brakes for Superbikes.”
Penske’s taking a more narrow focus, aiming just for the racing market, says Rob Rose, a Penske engineer.
“We’re pretty pleased with how everything’s going,” Rose says. “Right now, we’re dedicated to the Harley project and we want to focus on that. Next year, we’d like to do suspension parts for other bikes. We can’t do quantities to make them affordable, so the parts would be intended for Superbikes and supersport bikes.” Pricey or not, Penske parts could send shock waves through racing circles. Penske sold Indy car shocks to other teams during the 1993 season, with buyers enjoying immediate handling improvements. And Wilwood’s wares could do good things for stock Harleys, which have effective brakes that lack precise feel.
-Robert Hough
