Schneider Electric announced today it will partner with custom motorcycle manufacturer Orange County Choppers (OCC) to design and build the first hybrid motorcycle in OCC history. Designed through a collaboration of Schneider Electric employees and the OCC design team, the Schneider Electric custom chopper will exemplify the company’s efforts to make energy solutions safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green. To kick-off this partnership, Orange County Choppers founder, Paul Teutul, Sr. will be at Booth #600 at the 2009 NECA Show on Monday, September 14 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

“Schneider Electric is challenging Orange County Choppers to build a custom motorcycle that will support our company mission of helping people make the most of their energy,” said Amelia Huntington, President, Schneider Electric U.S. “This hybrid motorcycle will employ a built-in intelligent energy management system that will allow it to be more efficient and productive by considering multiple variables to select the best energy source available. Schneider Electric employs the same management methodology to help our customers do more while using less energy in buildings, data centers, industry and residential markets. As one of the premier builders of custom motorcycles, Orange County Choppers will bring an unprecedented level of expertise and creativity to showcasing our mission through their design.”

“The goal is that the Schneider Electric hybrid chopper will be capable of traveling farther, without refueling or recharging, than any other OCC bike in history,” said Paul Teutul, Sr., founder, Orange County Choppers. “The ability to help design and build a hybrid motorcycle of this caliber is a unique opportunity and our team is up to the challenge.”

Once the Schneider Electric custom motorcycle is complete, Schneider Electric, along with Paul Teutul, Sr., will kick-off a road show that will give Schneider Electric electrical contractor partners a sneak preview of the theme bike before the scheduled American Chopper episode airs on TLC in 2010. Schneider Electric is committed to empowering electrical contracting firms so they better understand emerging trends like energy management and sustainability, and are best equipped to strategically address them in their marketplace.

In addition, APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in integrated critical power and cooling services, will be giving away Orange County Choppers production bikes to eight electrical contracting firms in the United States and Canada. The promotion is designed to provide the electrical contractor firms with additional information regarding the integration of Schneider Electric and APC solutions to help develop and expand their businesses. Full details of the promotion will be revealed during the Schneider Electric theme bike roadshow later this year.

For more information on Schneider Electric and to take the Schneider Electric Market Virtual Tour of Energy Efficiency Solutions please visit Booth #305 or www.schneider-electric.com. For more information on APC please visit www.apc.com or call 800-877-4080.

About Schneider Electric

As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automation, and data centres/networks, as well as a broad presence in residential applications. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, and efficient, the company’s 114,000 employees achieved sales of more than 18.3 billion euros in 2008, through an active commitment to help individuals and organisations “Make the most of their energy(TM).”

www.schneider-electric.com

About APC by Schneider Electric

APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in critical power and cooling services, provides industry leading product, software and systems for home, office, data center and factory floor applications. Backed by the strength, experience, and wide network of Schneider Electric’s Critical Power & Cooling Services, APC delivers well planned, flawlessly installed and maintained solutions throughout their lifecycle. Through its unparalleled commitment to innovation, APC delivers pioneering, energy efficient solutions for critical technology and industrial applications. In 2007, Schneider Electric acquired APC and combined it with MGE UPS Systems to form Schneider Electric’s Critical Power & Cooling Services Business Unit, which recorded 2008 revenue of EUR 2,6 billion (including APC-MGE sales of $3.7 billion) and employed 12,000 people worldwide. APC solutions include uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), precision cooling units, racks, physical security and design and management software, including APC’s InfraStruXure® architecture, the industry’s most comprehensive integrated power, cooling, and management solution. Schneider Electric, with 114,000 employees and operations in 100 countries, achieved sales of EUR 18,3 billion in 2008. All trademarks are the property of their owners. www.apc.com

Siemens announced today that it has teamed up with renowned custom motorcycle manufacturer Orange County Choppers to build the first custom electric motorcycle. The “Siemens Smart Chopper,” which will be featured on the hit TV show American Chopper, was unveiled today in an event at the Time Warner Center.

“We wanted to build this unique chopper to raise environmental awareness and reflect what the 69,000 employees of Siemens USA are doing to help America stay on the cutting edge of tomorrow’s green economy,” said Daryl Dulaney, President & CEO of Siemens Building Technologies. “Siemens is already very much a part of the fabric of America, and our portfolio is one of the greenest in the business. Green is not marketing hype for us; it is in our DNA.”

“If energy or energy efficiency is involved–Siemens is involved,” said Randy Zwirn, CEO of Siemens Energy, Inc. “Our technologies are helping to more efficiently and cleanly produce, deliver, consume and conserve energy. And these technologies are here today. This bike represents the spirit of innovation and passion we have for seeking sustainable solutions for our planet.”

Orange County Choppers, a leading manufacturer of custom motorcycles, built the Siemens Smart Chopper over the course of a month. Siemens also developed a compatible Smart Grid-ready charger which communicates with the utility to enable charging when the electricity is most affordable.

The motorcycle features and design include:

* First electric chopper by Orange County Choppers
* Recycled materials
* Advanced DC Motors Inc. Series Wound 8″ motor
* LED lighting by OSRAM SYLVANIA, a Siemens company
* 27 Peak horsepower and maximum speed of 100 MPH
* Range of 60 miles on a single charge
* On-board charger that can be plugged into any 110-volt outlet

“Building an electric bike from recycled materials was something new for us, but we definitely enjoyed the challenge and think that the end product makes a great addition to our wide range of unique motorcycles,” said Paul Teutul, Sr., founder of Orange County Choppers, based in Newburgh, N.Y. “While electric bikes probably won’t surpass traditional ones for the foreseeable future, we also think that energy efficient technologies are increasingly important for both manufacturers and consumers.”

Teutul is the driving force behind the family-owned business that grew from a hobby into a 70-person-plus operation that produces and sells 150 custom bikes a year to a broad public ranging from private individuals and celebrities to professional sports teams and Fortune 500 companies. Teutul’s custom bike shop is featured on American Chopper, a reality-style TV show, since 2002.

The American Chopper episode featuring the Siemens Smart Chopper is scheduled to air on TLC on Thursday, October 22 at 9PM ET/PT.

Siemens plans to showcase the Smart Chopper at energy and industrial tradeshows and conferences in the coming months. In 2010, the motorcycle will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to a charitable cause that will help benefit the environment.

Harley® owners looking for improved motorcycle performance can easily add horsepower and improve throttle response with a simple and low cost modification. The Daytona Twin Tec Twin-Tuner2 Fuel Injection and Ignition Controller allows you to easily adjust your fuel injection to match the requirements of your performance parts including camshafts, free flowing exhausts, and low restriction air filters. It has all the features of the original Twin Tuner and includes ignition timing control capability. The simple plug-in installation and set up takes only minutes and requires no splicing or bulky interconnections. The unit is completely encapsulated and impervious to moisture. With a low 1/2″ profile, occupying only a fraction of the space required by competitive products, you won’t have a problem finding a place to mount the unit.

The user interface consists of up/down pushbuttons and bright daylight readable LED display to select and change the fuel trim and spark retard in the RPM and throttle position ranges required by most applications. The Twin-Tuner2 also has an advanced mode, where you can use the optional USB Interface and PC Link Tuner software to make precise fuel and spark retard adjustments as well as making independent adjustments to the front and rear cylinders. If you have created Dynojet Power Commander Files for your applications, you can enter the same values into our tables because the PC Link Tuner software uses the same RPM rows and throttle position columns.

The Twin-Tuner2 works in combination with the Twin Scan II+ tuning aid, giving you precise tuning without the need for a dyno. Simply install the Twin Scan II+ and ride the bike. You can then download the air/fuel ratio corrections calculated by the Twin Scan II+ into the PC Link Tuner software.

*The Twin-Tuner2 is not legal for sale or use on pollution controlled vehicles.

The product focus of Daytona Twin Tec LLC is electronic fuel injection and ignition systems for Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. For more information on Daytona Twin Tec, call 1-386-304-0700, or visit www.daytona-twintec.com.

While at Lamborghini Palm Beach during Supercar Weekend 2009 I had a chance to take some photos of Alex Papas’ (owner of South Florida Toys) one of a kind custom built 2008 Lamborghini custom pro street Motorcycle.

The frame was custom built by War Eagle Customs and Alex Papas of South Florida Toys. Custom built design oil tank in the front spoiler, air ducts under the seat and on the swing arms, custom wheels to look like the Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster, 300 rear tire, S&S Super Sidewinder 113 Inch Engine, RSD 6 speed transmission, exhaust by Paul Yaffe, Brembo/Lamborghini levers & calipers, grips & foot pegs by Eddie Trotta, dual adjustable suspension, all wiring including brake and clutch lining is all hidden inside the handlebar and the frame.

Body work, paint & graphics (Lamborghini Murcielago Pearl Yellow) was done by Bones Designs, the seat by Jeffrey Phipps, custom saddles put together by Chop Shop Customs.

The bike is for sale: $75,000 USD, contact Alex Papas (954-729-8888) if interested!

With a defiant attitude embracing the pure essence of riding, the new Iron 883 model is the latest Harley-Davidson(R) Dark Custom(TM) motorcycle.

Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycles like the Iron 883 have stood against the grain since their introduction in 1957, when the modern rebel culture was being bred from restless veterans and hot rod pioneers. Sportster motorcycles became the starting point for many legendary choppers of the 1960s, while also getting pumped up for championship dirt racing and dare devil stunt riding in the 1970s.

The Iron 883 model continues that rebellious tradition with responsive handling, smooth clutch effort and durable carbon reinforced drive belt while pushing the styling of motorcycling minimalism to the edge. Decked in black from fender-to-fender, the new Harley-Davidson Iron 883 motorcycle brings the beat of an 883 Evolution(R) engine backed up by a combo of gritty, old-school garage features like front fork gaiters, drag style handlebar and side-mount license plate holder. A ticket to ride the Iron 883 starts at just $7,899 MSRP, leaving plenty of freedom for customization.

“The Iron 883 defies the plastic conventions of other motorcycles at this price,” said Mark-Hans Richer, Harley-Davidson Chief Marketing Officer. “It’s got old school style, a new school ride and gives the owner a platform for creative customization.”

The black powder-coated 883cc Evolution powertrain with black covers takes the Iron 883 deep into the heart of darkness. With Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) and performance tuning with a broad torque curve, the Iron 883 delivers plenty of power for the city scene. The pipes on the straight cut shorty dual exhaust flow the distinctive Harley-Davidson V-Twin sound.

The black chopped rear fender with its combination stop/turn/tail lights shows more of the 150 mm rear tire and black, 13-spoke cast aluminum wheel, while the front tire also rides on a black wheel. The rest of the Iron 883 gets a darker-suited presence with black front forks and fender supports, fuel tank, oil tank cover, belt guard, drag style handlebar and mid mount foot controls.

A one-piece, solo classic seat with a height of 25.3 inches fits the lone rider, while a passenger seat and a backrest in complementing black finishes can be added as accessories.

As the latest of the Harley-Davidson Dark Custom motorcycles, the Iron 883 is stripped down and ripe for custom creativity. Dark Custom motorcycle riders have the youngest average age for Harley-Davidson buyers. Soul mates of the Iron 883 include the Nightster(R), Night Train(R), Cross Bones(R), Fat Bob(R) and Street Bob(R) motorcycles. Check out more on Dark Custom motorcycles at www.harley-davidson.com/darkcustom.

The Iron 883 is available in Black Denim and Brilliant Silver Denim colors.

Iron 883 features and highlights:

Rubber-mounted Evolution 883 cc V-Twin black powder-coated engine
Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Black fuel tank with unique graphics
Black front forks with gaiters
Black belt guard and front fender supports
Black, 13-spoke cast aluminum wheels, 19-inch front / 16-inch rear
Black low rise drag style handlebar
Black mid-mount foot controls
Black low profile front fender
Black chopped rear fender with combination rear stop/tail/turn lights
Chrome staggered shorty exhaust with dual mufflers
Side-mounted license plate holder
One-piece, solo Sportster classic seat
25.3-inch seat height
Optional Harley-Davidson Smart Security System
Classic 3.3-gallon fuel tank

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.

Harley-Davidson Inc. said Friday it will cut 1,100 jobs over two years, close some facilities and consolidate others as it grapples with a slowdown in motorcycle sales.

The Milwaukee-based company also reported its fourth-quarter profit fell nearly 60 percent, and said it is slashing motorcycle shipments in 2009 to cope with reduced demand.

The iconic motorcycle maker said it will consolidate two engine and transmission plants in Milwaukee into its facility in Menomonee Falls, Wis. It will shrink its paint and frame operations in its York, Pa., plant and close its distribution facility in Franklin, Wis., whose duties will be handled by a third party.

Harley also is exiting its domestic transportation operation — its fleet of long-haul truckers who transport parts between manufacturing facilities — and outsourcing duties to a third party. The cuts make up slightly more than 10 percent of the company’s total work force.

“Harley-Davidson is not immune to the current economic conditions,” said Jim Ziemer, the company’s outgoing chief executive, in a conference call. “We’re going to show great discipline in protecting the value of the brand.”

The company said the cuts include 800 hourly production positions and 300 non-production, mostly salaried positions. It said 70 percent of the job cuts will occur this year and the rest in 2010.

In an interview, Ziemer said about 650 of the cuts will be in Wisconsin, while more than 400 jobs will be lost at its facility in York, where its transportation operation is also based. About 85 cuts will be made at the company’s motorcycle plant in Kansas City, Mo., he said.

“Right now, it’s more fear than anything else, and consumer confidence” that’s hurting demand, Ziemer said.

The job cuts will result in one-time charges of $110 million to $140 million over 2009 and 2010, Harley said. Once they are finished, the cuts will save between $60 million and $70 million per year.

Harley has been stung by the rapid downturn in motorcycle demand. The economic recession has prompted many consumers to put off purchases of its high-end bikes, while the credit crunch has kept some would-be customers from obtaining financing.

“It’s industrywide,” said Robin Diedrich, senior consumer analyst for Edward Jones. “It’s the global economy that’s impacting discretionary items, especially something that’s as discretionary as a motorcycle.”

Meanwhile, Harley-Davidson remains in the midst of a shake-up among top management. Chief Executive Jim Ziemer said last month he would retire in 2009, and the company remains in the process of finding a successor. Sy Naqvi, the head of Harley’s troubled financial-services arm, resigned earlier this month. Chief Financial Officer Tom Bergmann has taken on Naqvi’s old duties until a replacement is found.

Ziemer said the company’s board of directors remains on track in its search for his successor, adding that he is committed to staying on the job until the search is complete.

Harley said worldwide retail sales fell 13.1 percent in the fourth quarter, with sales in the U.S. — its biggest market — falling nearly 20 percent. International sales crept higher, though, and the overall heavyweight motorcycle sales fell 25.5 percent in the same period, Harley said.

For the full year, worldwide retail sales fell 7.1 percent.

Harley said it is slashing new motorcycle shipments in 2009 to between 264,000 and 273,000 to cope with the down market. That would be a drop of 10 percent to 13 percent from a year earlier.

In 2008, Harley said it shipped 303,479 new motorcycles, down 8 percent from 330,619 new motorcycles in 2007.

Harley said its fourth-quarter profit fell 58 percent to $77.8 million, or 34 cents per share, for the quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with $186.1 million, or 78 cents per share, in the same quarter last year.

Revenue fell 6.8 percent to $1.29 billion from $1.39 billion in the year-ago quarter.

The earnings fell short of Wall Street estimates. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected 57 cents per share on sales of $1.29 billion, on average.

Harley said its financial-services division swung to an operating loss of $24.9 million in fourth quarter, hurt by write-downs totaling $63.5 million. CFO Bergmann said Harley-Davidson Financial Services needs $1 billion in funding in 2009, and is exploring several options to obtain the money, including attempting to access the capital markets and increasing a $500 million commercial paper lending facility it negotiated last month.

Bergmann said delinquency rates on loans from HDFS have crept higher from last year as cash-strapped consumers are having difficulty making payments. The troubled financial arm has hobbled Harley-Davidson recently, and many analysts have suggested the lending unit may have to be sold because it is struggling to unload its debt in the financial markets.

For the full year, Harley said its earnings fell 30 percent to $654.7 million, or $2.79 per share, from $933.8 million, or $3.74 per share, in the same quarter last year. Sales fell 2.3 percent to $5.59 billion from $5.73 billion in 2007.

Analysts expected $3.02 per share on sales of $5.61 billion in revenue for the year. Harley declined to provide earnings guidance for 2009, citing the uncertain economy, but analysts call for $2.15 per share.

Shares of Harley dropped 90 cents, or 7.3 percent, to end at $11.50 after hitting a new 52-week low of $10.07 earlier in the session. The stock is down 69 percent in the last 52 weeks.

This is the Honda Fury, a chopper-style production bike from Honda. Due for an official unveiling at the New York International Motorcycle Show on Friday, this shot and details of the bike have leaked, revealing a machine that’s identical to the Honda Fury patent images we brought you last week.

At 1808.5mm, the Fury has the longest wheelbase of any production motorcycle. It’s powered by a 1312cc fuel-injected and liquid-cooled V-twin — the radiator is neatly tucked in between the front frame rails, check out the patent images for details. The 200 series rear tire is supported by a hidden monoshock, while the front tire is a seriously skinny 90/90-21. Controversially, the Fury uses shaft drive as opposed to the more traditional belt associated with custom-style motorcycles, although we suppose it had to differentiate the Fury from every custom Harley ever made somehow.

Our favorite parts are the wheels, the bladed spokes are both handsome and subtle and the red stripe offers a classy contrast to the understated grey paint on this example. While we’d prefer to see Honda developing more ambitious motorcycles like the 2010 Honda V4 or the Honda Electric Motorcycle, we suppose this is their attempt to give middle-aged men from the Midwest who never figured out that the Village People-look was actually intended to solicit butt sex exactly what they want.

We can’t help but be impressed by how well Honda has been able to reconcile the style of non-functional custom choppers with the functionality of a production bike. The overall look is incredibly clean, but should be relatively safe and comfortable to ride and can even accommodate a passenger. However, we can’t help but question the wisdom of creating a bike that’s intended to hide rather than showoff its technology. Honda’s choice to use a 1300cc engine for a bike intended to appeal to the compensating crowd is also somewhat puzzling, but could at least indicate a sub-$20,000 price tag.

If we can be bothered to tear ourselves away from setting up for our exhibition of actually innovative motorcycle design on Friday morning to head over to the International Motorcycle Show, we’ll bring you shots live form the Fury’s unveiling.

Publishing this story is going to be somewhat controversial. The Fury isn’t scheduled for official release until the NY show on Friday. Honda failed to include Hell For Leather in its list of publications made privy to this embargoed information and therefore isn’t subject to any contractual obligations or agreements to keep any of this private. Since Honda didn’t enable us to compete on a level playing field with other media outlets, we had no choice but to move forward with publication once we obtained these materials. This isn’t an embargo break; had we been subject to any contract or agreement we would have honored it. This is a good old-fashioned leak.

Remember, you can click the image up top for a bigger version. It’ll expand to fit your browser window, but is actually 1280px wide, so you can use it as a desktop wallpaper if you save it.
[Via:hellforleathermagazine]

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines mentor as a “trusted counselor or guide.” Mentors can come from various backgrounds and ages, but all share a common goal of sharing their passion with others. So as the nation celebrates National Mentoring Month (1), Harley-Davidson is encouraging riders to share their passion for the open road with others through a special mentoring program called Share Your Spark.

Share Your Spark: A Guide to Mentoring is a tool kit the Motor Company developed for current and aspiring riders featuring information on how to be a resource and support system to others during their motorcycling journey. The mentoring kit includes information for both potential mentors and mentees, including a DVD showcasing tips on how to become or find a mentor, stories from successful mentoring experiences, a special Share Your Spark pin and a planning and reflection guide.

“The mentoring experiences is empowering for both parties involved,” said Leslie Prevish, market outreach manager, Harley-Davidson. “For the mentor, they get to share their passion with someone who aspires to live the same dream they do. For the mentee, they learn through the collective experiences of their guide. Of course, the mentoring relationship also leads to many life-lasting friendships.”

Prevish adds that Share Your Spark is not just for women, but the Motor Company’s research indicates many women have expressed their desire to be — and find — a good riding mentor.

Over the past several years, women have increasingly embraced the sport of motorcycling — seeking the freedom and adventure associated with the open road, polished chrome and a sweet sounding engine. In fact, the number of women who have purchased new Harley-Davidson motorcycles has tripled over the past 20 years, with women now accounting for nearly 12 percent of new Harley-Davidson motorcycle purchases.

What Else Harley’s Doing to Inspire Women to Ride

Harley-Davidson’s We Ride is a comprehensive and inspirational overview on what a new rider or a woman interested in riding needs to know about getting into the sport. It features information on how and where women can learn to ride with details on the Rider’s Edge(R) New Rider Course, as well as the best way to fit a motorcycle for a woman’s ergonomic and functional needs. It also includes tips on getting involved and staying active with riding groups, including inspirational stories from real women who have answered the call of the open road. The special 48-page riding guide is available for free download at http://www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders or can also be picked up at any local Harley-Davidson dealership.

Harley-Davidson dealerships across the country are also hosting women-only Garage Parties to encourage them to get involved in motorcycling. The Harley-Davidson Garage Party event provides a non-intimidating environment for women to learn more about motorcycling and meet others who are interested in riding.

For more information about Share Your Spark, visit your local Harley-Davidson dealership or visit http://www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s Web site at http://www.harley-davidson.com.

Army National ‘Patriot’ Guard Bike

The country’s first automated, touch‐free wash for motorcycles (Patent Pending) is being introduced this week, coinciding with the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP motorcycle race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The prototype wash – Moto Express Wash™ was designed and built by Harrell’s Car Wash Systems, a local company that’s built and operated car washes for three decades around the Midwest.

Owner Mark Harrell, a long‐time motorcycle enthusiast, got the idea several years ago after talking to Paul Teutul Sr. from Orange County Choppers and the cable TV series American Chopper. Harrell was intrigued and went to work developing the country’s first automated touch‐free motorcycle wash (Patent Pending) at his shop on the west side of Indianapolis. It has taken three years, but Harrell’s team of engineers, computer technicians, welders and other specialists have designed and built the prototype, which is open for business at the Dirt Stripper Car Wash at 4980 Crawfordsville Road, about a block west of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

From a distance the Moto Express Wash™ looks like a normal automated car wash bay. The motorcycle is ridden into the bay, which is the same size as a standard car wash bay. The kickstand is put down, and the rider dismounts. The bike is secured through a computerized system that activates blocks at the kick stand and at the front tire, so whether you’re riding a Vespa or a chopper, the bike is held in place in an upright position during the entire wash process.

An arm moves across and over the bike for pre‐soak, wash and spot‐free rinse – at the same time, the front and rear wheels are being rotated and cleaned, and then it’s air‐dried. The whole process takes less than five minutes. Until now, motorcycle owners had to rely on hand washing to clean their bikes, a process that could take at least two hours. “Wash. Dry. Ride.℠ It’s really that simple,” says Harrell, who has spent the last several months test marketing Moto Express Wash™, and plans to make it available to other car wash owners and motorcycle dealers beginning in the spring.