Honda has announced it will resume production at its motorcycle-manufacturing Kumamoto Factory on March 28. The company will extend its suspension of production for finished units, however, at the automotive facilities in Sayama, Saitama and Suzuka through April 3. Honda also announced more extensive delays at its Tochigi facilities, which were the most affected by the March 11 earthquake. – MCUSA Ed

Following is the most current information regarding the impact of the major earthquake in Northeastern Japan on Honda’s operations.

About the suspension of production
Honda had previously announced the suspension of production through Sunday, March 27. Today, Honda made the decision to extend the suspension of the production of finished units of automobiles at Sayama Plant at Saitama Factory (Sayama, Saitama) and Suzuka Factory (Suzuka, Mie) through Sunday, April 3, 2011. Concerning operations from April 4 on, Honda will make decisions based on the status of the recovery of Japanese society as a whole as well as the supply of parts. We deeply regret any inconvenience we may be causing our customers. Honda will resume motorcycle and power product production at Kumamoto Factory (Ozu-machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto) on Monday, March 28.

Recovery of operations in the Tochigi area where the impact of the earthquake was more severe
At Tochigi Factory (Moka, Tochigi), the repair and inspection activities were completed for almost all facilities and equipment.

At other operations, including the Automobile R&D Center (Tochigi) of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. and Honda Engineering Co., Ltd., associates who will work on the restoration started returning to work. However, based on the expectation that it will take several months until the complete recovery of these facilities, Honda decided to temporally transfer some functions such as the automobile product development, development of manufacturing technologies and procurement to Honda operations in other locations such as Sayama, Suzuka, and Wako.

Recruiting activities for the next year – associates who would join the company in April 2012
On March 14, Honda announced that the testing/interviewing of applicants from the affected areas would be conducted in June or later even without their request so that people in the affected areas can focus on their daily life and recovery efforts. Today, considering the fact that the various issues are affecting people all over Japan, Honda decided to delay the entire recruiting process by about two months so that all of applicants can enter into the process without any concerns. Based on the changes in the situation, Honda will take additional measures as needed to reduce the burden on applicants as much as possible. More details will be posted on the recruiting section of the Honda website in April.

Honda is working toward the recovery with the utmost efforts, and appreciates the understanding shown by everyone during these challenging times.

Article Written by: Bart Madson Managing Editor motorcycle-usa.com

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Since being fully redesigned in 2008, Honda’s CBR1000RR has garnered plenty of awards. It won back-to-back titles in our prestigious Superbike Smackdown sportbike shootouts in ’08 and ’09 and finished runner-up to the outrageously fast BMW S1000RR this year. Even still, the current generation CBR has become one of our favorite sportbikes on both the street and racetrack due to its well calibrated ergonomics, easy handling and strong mid-range engine performance. In this review we’re focusing on what the ownership experience has been like over the last eight months.

 We’ve always been hard pressed to find any faults with the CBR. Honda’s Superbike does everything so well that its superb performance can, at times, be confused for lack of character. From the handling and chassis balance to the power delivery and throttle response, the whole package is so incredibly dialed that it makes riding maneuvers, from wheelies and stoppies to carving corners so effortless that you actually take it for granted… that is until you hop on another competitor’s liter-bike. So to add a bit of edge and personality we fitted an affordable FMF Apex Slip-on Exhaust.

 The muffler is available in titanium or carbon fiber sleeves with titanium end caps. We chose the latter configuration because we just plain prefer the look of carbon fiber. The muffler bracket is riveted to the pipe which reduces weight and makes it appear sleeker. It hooks into a stainless-steel mid-pipe that features a cross-over tube. Each exhaust piece appears to be of such high quality that you might want to hang it on your wall instead of the bike. Each component fits perfectly and it mates with the OE header with zero issues. Compared to the 13-lb stock pipe the FMF slip-on weighs seven pounds less. This reduced the curb weight of our CBR down to 441 lbs with a full tank of gas. Fire up the engine and the exhaust note sounds deeper than stock but isn’t so loud it’s obnoxious. The pipe emits a deep bass-type rumble to remind everyone that you are on a high-performance sportbike and not some two-wheeled sewing machine. In our stationary sound tests our FMF-equipped CBR registered six points louder than stock at idle (88 dB). At half max engine speed (6650 rpm) the exhaust belted out a 103 dB reading which is three points higher than stock. On the road the pipe isn’t so loud it will draw extra attention by the police as long as you exercise some throttle restraint in urban areas. The pipe also comes with an optional baffle insert that you can install to reduce sound levels.

In terms of power the bike felt marginally faster at all rpm but the difference wasn’t drastic. Still the riding experience did improve as you feel like you’re at the controls of a well-tuned racebike. The engine also continued to carburate perfectly. Glance at the dyno chart and you’ll see that both the horsepower and torque curves are a bit more linear with an extra boost of power throughout the 13,300 rev range. (Ed. Note the power numbers are lower than the numbers recorded in the 2010 Superbike Smackdown VII due to us running it on a SuperFlow dyno instead of a Dynojet.) Overall we’re really pleased with the fit, finish and performance of FMF’s Apex pipe and wouldn’t hesitate to mount one up on any new sportbike.

After having accumulated 1500 combined road and track miles the rear OE Bridgestone tire was in need of replacement. Although we are satisfied with the street performance of the stock shoes we wanted a tire that could offer a bit more grip around the racetrack considering how often we hit the trackdays. So we mounted a set of Bridgestone’s high-performance street/trackday tires as tested in the Bridgestone BT-003RS Tire Comparison Review.
 
Before we slung them on though we sourced a set of Repsol painted wheels to make our CBR stand out from other stockers. The thing we really love about the BT-003RS is how compatible they are with the CBR. We didn’t have to mess with the suspension or chassis geometry and basically just mounted them up, set the tire pressure and didn’t worry about anything else. Warm-up time is on par with the stock set-up but outright adhesion and road feel was boosted significantly. If you’re looking for one set of tires that can do-it-all we highly recommend these up-spec Bridgestones.

Durability-wise our CBR proved to be rock solid. Whether we parked it in or outside and even in the rain it always fired right up every morning and everything from the clutch and brakes feel tight. Maintenance costs were low with the only cost incurred being an oil and filter change at 600 miles per manual recommendations. We also rarely had to adjust the drive chain tension though we did make sure to lube it every week or so.

Although it isn’t the newest sportbike on the market we just love Big Red’s 1000. When it came time to hand over the key to it we were less than enthused. Fo

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AMA Announces 2010 Vintage Motorcycle Days

Example of the classics you can see there!

October 15, 2009 – The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced the 2010 dates of the country’s premier annual celebration of motorcycling heritage.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will take place next year on July 9-11, 2010, at the world-class Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

Tickets will go on sale Nov. 30.  Please visit MidOhio.com or call (800) MID-OHIO for more information or to order tickets.

The 19th Annual AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features classic motorcycles of all makes and styles, and honors the riders who made them famous.

Husqvarna Named Marque of the Year for 2010 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Husqvarna, the legendary make that ruled AMA Racing off-road competition throughout the 1970s and 1980s, has recently made a full-throttle return to national championship contention. This July 9-11, the iconic brand will celebrate its heritage and build toward its future as the Marque of the Year at the 19th annual AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. “Arguably the most dominant off-road racing brand in the United States for a generation of racers, Husqvarna has recently returned full force to AMA Racing national competition,” said Tigra Tsujikawa, AMA special events and marketing manager.  “We’re pleased to showcase both Husqvarna’s history and the company’s renewed investment in motorcycling’s present and future at this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.” “Husqvarna Motorcycles is delighted to be the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Marque of the Year for 2010,” said Husqvarna Motorcycles North America President Mark Brady.  “Launching the new decade with this prestigious recognition is indeed an honor.  Everyone at Husqvarna Motorcycles is very much aware of the great history of the brand, and we are determined to bring back the glory days. “We believe that developing a closer relationship with the AMA is an important part of growing and protecting the rights of every rider in America,” Brady added. As part of Husqvarna’s participation in AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, fans will be able to get up close and personal with the Husqvarna’s moto-history, from its genesis in Sweden in the early 1900s to the high-tech off-road, motocross and dual-sport bikes the company sells and races today. Although many U.S. riders first became familiar with Husqvarna in the early 1960s, the company had been selling motorcycles since 1903 when it fitted Husqvarna frames with engines from makers such as FN and Moto-Reve. In 1920 Husqvarna began building its own engine, a 550cc four-stroke 50-degree side-valve V-twin.  Another early milestone was the legendary “Svartkvarna,” built in 1946. It was a lightweight, reliable two-stroke that could endure hard use with minimal maintenance.  The machine established a reputation that would define the Husqvarna marque for decades to follow. By the early 1960s the two-stroke revolution had yet to reach the United States. U.S. riders were still tackling the woods and deserts on converted Harley-Davidsons, Triumphs and BSAs.  It was about this time that a man named Edison Dye, now a member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, took a motorcycle tour of Europe during which he became instantly enthralled with the European sport of motocross, and a new breed of lightweight two-stroke bikes favored by its competitors. A few years later, Dye put a Husqvarna motocross bike in the hands of a young American rider named Malcolm Smith for evaluation. Smith, also an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer, gave the bike a thumbs up. This persuaded Dye to become the U.S., Husqvarna importer in 1966. As part of a marketing campaign Dye organized visits to the U.S., by the reigning Swedish world motocross champion Torsten Hallman, who also has since taken a seat in the Hall of Fame.  Not only did Dye sell Husqvarna motorcycles but he also introduced a new style of motorcycle racing to America. While educational displays and seminars at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will focus on Husqvarna’s rich history, the machines also will be among the many brands that amateur racers will test on the racetrack in the multiple racing disciplines that are part of the weekend’s competition schedule.

AMA Hall of Famer Malcolm Smith to serve as Grand Marshal for 2010 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

One afternoon in the mid-1960s, a man walked into a Southern California motorcycle shop looking for someone to race an unproven motorcycle with a foreign-sounding name.  Lucky for that man, he walked into the right shop and found the right racer.  Malcolm Smith took Edison Dye’s offer, and their partnership would help establish the Husqvarna motorcycle brand as a force in American off-road. In recognition of Malcolm Smith’s contributions to the success of Husqvarna, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and Husqvarna Motorcycles North America are pleased to announce that Smith will serve as Grand Marshal at the 19th annual AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this July 9-11 in Lexington, Ohio. “Even today, decades after Malcolm Smith’s racing prime, his fan base rivals some of the top names in the sport,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman.  “To anyone who has met him, the reason for that is clear: Malcolm Smith is synonymous with everything positive about motorcycling — fun, sportsmanship, and excitement. He will serve as an exceptional Grand Marshal at this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days as we celebrate the brand on which he became famous: Husqvarna.” Added Husqvarna National Sales and Marketing Manager Scot Harden: “When it came to honoring a Grand Marshal at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, Malcolm Smith was the obvious choice.  We look forward to celebrating the storied history of Husqvarna with Malcolm, as well as a large number of other past Husqvarna legends and champions on July 9-11.” Smith says he’s looking forward to meeting fans and enjoying the activities himself at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. “I was last at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days three years ago and had a wonderful time,” Smith said.  “I particularly liked walking around the large field where they sell all the old bike parts, buying a truckload and then figuring out how to get it all back to California.  I’m spoiled.  I like to ride new bikes, but I really enjoy working on old motorcycles.  I work on them every day.” Smith said that he remembers the day he was introduced to Husqvarna motorcycles like it was yesterday. “When Edison Dye brought me the bike, we laid out a track and some trail that went up into the hills,” Smith said. “When I came back from that ride, I said, ‘Mr. Dye, you have yourself a rider.’  The bike was so far ahead of anything else available at the time, and so reliable.” Following his encounter with Dye, Smith’s success and influence wasn’t limited to the track.  Smith’s positive evaluation of those first Husqvarnas also persuaded Dye to become the U.S. Husqvarna importer in 1966. That decision paved the way for Dye to bring in reigning Swedish world motocross champion Torsten Hallman to race the bikes in the United States.  Not only did that move further advertise the quality and speed of Husqvarnas and help Dye sell a lot of motorcycles, but it also established the sport of motocross on American soil. In his role as grand marshal, Smith will participate in numerous fan-friendly activities, from autograph signings to discussions of his history with Husqvarna.  This will be a rare and unique opportunity for Smith’s thousands of fans to meet and greet the off-road legend. As a racer, Smith gained fame for his accomplishments in the Baja 1000 and for his gold-medal-winning rides in the International Six Day Enduro competitions, but his notoriety reached well beyond the motorcycling community as the star of the influential 1970s motorcycle movie, “On Any Sunday.” The scenes of Smith play-riding with his buddies, which included popular actor Steve McQueen, showed people across the country just how fun motorcycling could be. The movie helped launch an explosion in the popularity of off-road motorcycling in America.

More on the 2010 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Event

Activities include the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships, which feature road racing, motocross, hare scrambles, trials and dirt-track racing.

The event will also inlude North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet; bike shows and awards; a Marque of the Year display that showcases the history of a unique brand; a Grand Marshal; a new-product vendor midway; stunt shows; demo rides of current production bikes; and seminars on a number of topics by noted motorcycling experts.

“AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the highlight of many motorcyclists’ calendars,” said AMA Special Events and Marketing Manager Tigra Tsujikawa. “By announcing the dates now, we hope to provide our fans, enthusiasts and racers ample opportunity to set their schedules for next year.”

“As always, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will be a treat for motorcycling fans of all eras — and ages – and we don’t want anyone to miss out on this unique opportunity.”

Michelle Trueman Gajoch, president of TrueSports Inc., which owns and operates the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Mid-Ohio School, added: “The AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days weekend is a special event that we are proud to host for the 16th straight year.”

“Classic sportbikes on a historic track like Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course make the races a real spectacle to see. The on-track action, coupled with one of the world’s largest motorcycle swap meets, is a treat for fans as well as riders.”

Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.  The goal of the Hall of Fame, located on the campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio, is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling’s legends and heroes.

For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Hall of Fame’s website at MotorcycleMuseum.org.

For more information about AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, visit AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com

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Here’s my deal for today!

Deal of the Day!

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by The Bear, President and Founder of Old Bike Barn

How long will it be before motorcycles run without gas? It’s a question for the ages, or the engineers. Now that cars and trucks are scaling back fuel usage and converting to electric power, don’t kid yourself, motorcycles won’t be far behind. There will always be a place for the classics, mind you, just the same as there’ll always be a place for classic cars – though perhaps alternative fuels will allow us to retain the internal-combustion engine without using fossil fuels.

(more…)

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by Barrie Haughton AKA Bear, President and Founder of OBB

Again, I’m probably bitching to the wrong crowd… You guys are here reading this, so you’re clearly part of the group that likes to read about motorcycling and be informed…. well at least you can sympathize with my thoughts then.

In recent rants I have complained about people wearing fake dog tags and motorcycle jackets with fake road rash. In general, I have a put up or shut up attitude, but this month my rant is again directed towards the “fake biker”. (more…)

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Ever wonder where the paw in our logo comes from? Our Founder was given the nickname “The Bear” while he was in the military. Other companies may use paws in their logo, but here at OBB, there’s a man that stands behind this one!

It took a couple of years to rehabilitate my body and career, thankfully the military paid for my reeducation and I studied web design and business. Because I couldn’t ride at the time, the Internet became my outlet to stay active in the sport. I built a hobby web site called www.oldbikebarn.com. The site had, pictures my of bike builds, and my rant’s about bikes and the industry. I was selling off my personal collection of vintage parts on the site to pay the bills… soon I began to receive hundreds of emails weekly asking me for parts for the older bikes I loved. Remember, this is back in the late Nineties, early 2000′s and the Internet was not what it is today.

I seized this opportunity and started to source reproduction and new parts for my site. I moved into my first commercial location; where things really took off, the web site was getting lots of traffic, and I could barley keep up.

That’s when the one-man-show became a company made up of motorcycle lovers/enthusiasts. My younger brother Billy came aboard at that time and has since grown through every level of the company to become the Director of Operations and my right hand man. Today, the company has grown to have a vast line of products covering hundreds of models; 1969 to present day.

Old Bike Barn is dedicated to anything motorsports but with a paticuler focus on supporting 10-year and older motorcycles and the people that ride them.

We continue to add new products and new tools to help serve you

1. We have Live Chat on the web site 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday
2. You can easily find parts for your specific application by using the search by bike feature at www.oldbikebarn.com
3. You can submit a support ticket through the contact us page 24/7
4. Sign up for our Newsletter to get great deals, tech tips, jokes
5.The Old Bike Barn Blog is another great resource for Motorcycle news that adds to our by Biker’s for Biker’s commitment.

Keep it between the ditches and the Shiny side up. 

Bear, founder Old Bike Barn
bear@oldbikebarn.com

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