New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
CUSTOM CHROME FAT TIRE MOTORCYCLE KIT
For the really, and we mean really, ambitious gearhead, Custom Chrome is offering the Fat Tire Motorcycle Kit. Essentially, it's a complete custom in a box. What you get for your $16,995 is almost everything but the paint and labor. Included are an unassembled 1340cc Harley-clone engine, a five-speed transmission, a full chassis setup that allows for a 180-series tire, and an abundance of nuts, bolts and washers, plus much, much more. Think of it as the ultimate do-it-yourselfer!
Custom Chrome, 16100 Jacqueline Ct., Morgan Hill, CA 95037; 800/359-5700
MICHAEL SAVAGE KEVIN SCHWANTZ LITHOGRAPH
Art, schmart-we say the best way to brighten up a room is to deck the walls with renderings of 500cc Grand Prix roadracers. This Michael Savage lithograph is a perfect example. It depicts 1993 World Champion Kevin Schwantz aboard his Lucky Strike Suzuki. The 20 x 26-inch piece even has autographs from both Schwantz and Savage. But act fast, because only 200 of the $70 lithos are available.
Michael Savage Designs, 374 W. Osceola Ln., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931; 407/784-0578
TAG T2 HANDLEBAR KIT
Upstart TAG Metals is awfully proud of its new T2 Handlebar, and claims that it is 20 percent stronger than similarly styled bars. Designed to fit late-model Japanese twostroke dirtbikes, it's made from aircraft-quality aluminum, and is thicker through the middle for added strength. Tapered ends accommo date stock grips and controls. Anodized in gray or gold, the $160 kit comes with barpad and mounting hardware.
TAG Metals America, 7910 Ivanhoe Ave. #26, La Jolla, CA 92037; 619/531-1170
ALPINESTARS SNAP SHOE
Can’t resist the latest and greatest in motorcycle-related footwear? Then make room in your closet for Alpinestars’ Snap Shoes. Trendily casual, they feature suede-andcanvas construction, nylon lining and a padded tongue and heel. They also have what Alpinestars calls an “aggressive sole,” which is PR-speak for textured molded-rubber. The $60 shoes are available in blue and black, in men’s sizes 3 to 12½.
Alpinestars USA, 3860 Del Amo Blvd., #401, Torrance, CA 90503; 310/542-5996
AMSOIL MOTORCYCLE LUBRICANTS
Motorcyclists now have yet another option when it comes to lubricants. Venerable Amsoil claims to have reformulated its synthetic oils to cater specifically to bikes. Both 20w50 and 10w40 weights are available, and the benefits touted by the company include improved cold-weather starting, reduced engine wear and corrosion protection. Pricing starts at $6 per quart.
Amsoil Inc., Amsoil Building, Superior, WI 54880; 715/392-7101
SMITH CRUISER GOGGLES
Ah, the romantic image of the motorcyclist in helmet and goggles, leather jacket, the open road unfolding up ahead... Melodrama aside, you can tap into this with Smith’s new Laguna or Ortega street goggles. Both come with black urethane frames, lexan lenses and hypo-allergenic foam. Differences are that the $33 Laguna has a nose guard, and the $31 Ortega has a larger frame to fit over glasses.
Smith Sport Optics, P.O. Box 2999, Ketchum, ID 83340; 208/726-4477
HARLEYDAVIDSON RAINGEAR
Leave it to The Motor Company to ensure that the Harley faithful don’t end up all wet. Ever. Enter the Storm Cycle jacket and pants, H-D’s own raingear fashioned from breathable, waterproof nylon. At $190, the stylishly versatile jacket has a reflective back panel, cinched waist and rainskirt. The $165 pants come with zippered ankles and front bib, elastic boot straps and Nomex heat shields.
Harley-Davidson, 3700 W. Juneau Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53208; 800/LUV2RIDE
CRUZ CONCEPTS WHEELS
For those easily distracted by shiny objects, Cruz Concepts wheels are definitely things that make you go hmmmm... Christened the Centaur, the machined-from-billet-aluminum hoops fit latemodel Kawasaki Vulcan 750, 800 and Classic models. Both are bolton applications, and are available in front and rear sizes. Suggested retail price is $1820 per set.
Cruz Concepts, 8202 Four Winds Dr., #2, Louisville, KY 40222; 888/447-5068
