New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
Corbin V-Rod Accessories
Hey, that’s some V-Rod! Famed seat-maker Mike Corbin went wild with Harley’s aluminum-bodied liquid-cooled V-Twin, creating a rake-adjustable fairing, adding his top-loading, lockable Beetle Bags (no drilling required) and a custom saddle covered in silver mock carbon-fiber leather. All tolled, the package will set you back $1866, paint not included. Corbin-Pacific, Inc., 2360 Technology Pkwy., Hollister, CA 95023; 800/538-7035; www.corbin.com
Alpinestars 4W Combat Jacket
For those ladies enamored with the military look, Alpinestars offers the 4W Combat Jacket ($170). Available in XS-L sizes, the black or olive-green riding coat is made of a water-and-oil-resistant nylon/cotton, has CE-approved armor, a removable insulated liner and features brass buckles, snaps and zippers. That's all quite stylish, but the real panache comes from the feminine adjustable waist belt. Rest assured. you won't be mistaken for Alpinestars, 2780 W. 237th St. Torrance, CA 90505; 310/891-0222; www.alpinestars.com
RB Components Aluminum Products
Are the doors on your plywood garage cabinets hanging off their hinges? Have you tripped one time too many over boxes of contact cleaner? Outfitting-specialists RB Components produces dozens of pre-fabricated aluminum space maximizers, including an aerosol-can cabinet, a pop-up paper-towel holder, combination helmet shelf/gear hanger, gas can racks and more. Prices start at $30. RB Components, Inc., 11651 Monarch St., Garden Grove, CA 92841; 909/471-5499; www.rbcomponents.com
Frey Daytona Evo Sports Boots
Frey Daytona Security roadracing boots have long been acknowledged as among the best, thanks to their innovative, hinged kevlar/carbon-fiber inner safety liner and replaceable kangaroo-skin outer shell. The only thing really wrong with them is that they’re painful to buy ($750-ouch!) and to walk in. The German company’s new Evo Sports boots are meant to address that, substituting an injection-molded thermoplastic inner liner and a more upright, calfskin outer shell. Available in European sizes 37-48, they retail for a more reasonable $480. Helimot, Inc., 1141 Bay shore Hwy, San Jose, CA 95112; 408/298-9608; www.helimot.com
Planet Superbike Headlight Cover
Headlight? What headlight? Planet Superbike has developed a perforated stick-on lens cover that protects against rock chips, ups your machine’s style quotient and is track-day-legal. Choose from Angry Eyes, Flames or custom applications for $40, and solid colors starting at $30. Ten bucks buys corresponding treatments for the rear of the motorcycle. Planet Superbike, 213 N. Market St., Elizabethtown, PA 17022; 717/367-6320; www.planetsuperbike.com
Sway-A-Way Softail Shocks
Is your Hog wallowing like a pig? Maybe it’s because the rear shocks are junk. Long-time racecar suspension specialist Sway-A-Way’s coil-over shocks are nitrogen-charged and fully adjustable for compression and rebound damping. Available in 11.5and 12.5-inch lengths to fit your 1982 to present Harley-Davidson Softails, they retail for $369. Sway-A-Way, 20724 Lassen St., Chatsworth, CA 91311; 818/700-9712; www.swayaway,com
CW SPORTTLIGHT
Makita Cordless Impact Wrench
with TO an SPEED air or UP electric REPAIR impact JOBS driver but hate fussing with
compressors, hoses or extension cords? Makita has you covered with its new 6917DWDE cordless impact wrench. Though it weighs just 3.5 pounds, this 3/8-inch-square-drive powerhouse can deliver up to 1064 inch-pounds (87 foot-pounds) of torque. Makita has been making cordless impacts for a few years, but the
6917 employs the company’s latest technology including a rechargeable 12-volt nickel-metal hydride battery and a rare-earth magnet in the motor to increase output by 20 percent compared to previous models. The body of the driver is high-impact plastic, with a magnesium alloy hammer case and a rubberized pistol grip. A progressive trigger allows the operator to control the torque from fingertight all the way up to full output. The 6917DWDE includes two batteries and a charger packaged in a plastic tool case for a suggested price of $260 though many retail and online hardware and tool outlets sell them for considerably less. Makita U.S.A., Inc., 14930 Northam St., La Mirada, CA 90638; 800/4625482; www.makitatools.com
