Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/288267
FOCUS PSB FOCUS PSB V-twin www.PowersportsBusiness.com Powersports Business • April 8, 2014 • 17 16 • April 8, 2014 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com afford to offer a lifetime warranty," Ellison said. ACCEL also has confidence in its products — a majority of which are manufactured in the U.S. — as it puts extensive R&D into each component it brings to market. "We've got an excellent electrical labora- tory here in our office in Cleveland," Ellison explained. "For instance, the Stealth Super- Coils were run on a machine here in our labora- tory for 800 hours." ACCEL also works closely with nearby PowerSport Institute, installing its products on some of the more than 500 bikes the students work on and fitting product to staff bikes for longer-term testing. "We sponsor the school and we do a lot of testing at the school, fitments and things like that," Ellison said. "They were involved in the development of the Stealth SuperCoil, as a matter of fact." When Harley-Davidson comes out with new bikes, Ellison also works with a local Har- ley dealer to look at the parts manuals to see what's changed from the previous model year. That constant research, along with draw- ing from its own experience and that of the automotive division, keep the V-twin product performing to ACCEL's expectations. "We've been in the business of manufactur- ing coils just with the ACCEL brand for over 40 years," Ellison said. "We know what makes them work." PSB cruiser and touring category is continually populated with Harley-Davidson motor- cycles, but sometimes a Honda will appear on that top 10 list. Twenty years ago, the options for customizable V-twin motorcycles were few. Then in the early 1990s, the 'chopper movement' exploded. Small manufacturers began to spring up nationwide, some selling just a few high-end bikes per year while oth- ers produced hundreds of motorcycles." The accompanying chart shows what that market has become in the last 20 years. With the recession, the V-twin boom slowed, many manufacturers went out of business, and inter- est dwindled down to a few top manufacturers. "In 2011, the top 10 most researched custom V-twin manufacturers received 85 percent of KBB.com web hits," Pelissier said. "Today, that number is 92 percent. Victory alone received 40 percent of KBB.com web hits for custom V-twin bikes in 2011, but in 2013 and thus far in 2014, they are at 55 percent, which is a commanding number. No one can predict what the future holds for the custom V-twin market, but despite the changes over the years, interest is still strong and growing." HARLEY-DAVIDSON, MARVEL TOUT STREET 750 Harley-Davidson and Marvel LLC hosted a surprise, one hour "for the fans" engage- ment at Marvel's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" movie premiere in Hol- lywood on March 13, following the close of the red carpet. Fans at the event were spon- taneously selected to walk and experience the official red carpet and to check out a brand new Street 750 motorcycle along with the stars of the film, who autographed the bike for charity. In its continued partnership with Mar- vel Comics, Harley-Davidson's presence at the premiere included six Harley-Davidson motorcycles along the red carpet, where fans took pictures and interacted with actor and musician, Tyler Posey, the official Harley- Davidson commentator and host. Captain America has been riding Harley- Davidson motorcycles since his introduction in 1941, and the latest chapter of the film saga is no different. This time, the superhero revs up a new Harley-Davidson Street 750 motorcycle when he returns to the screen to battle dark forces April 4, 2014. To commemorate the premiere, the com- pany donated the autographed Street 750 motorcycle to "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" star Chris Evans to award to his charity of choice. PSB ACCEL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 DIGEST Dealers at V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati were eager to become more familiar with ACCEL and its new Stealth SuperCoil. Dealerships target MDA with event Pennsylvania Harley- Davidson stores topped $23K in 2013 The 8th Annual Black & Blue Ball to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), hosted by Bob Noll and sponsored by White's Harley-Davidson, Iron Valley Harley-Davidson and Harley-Davidson of Chester Springs, will be held in Lebanon, Pa., on April 11. A live auction will include a one-hour air- plane ride, a weekend Chesapeake Bay boat tour and a handmade quilt, among other prizes. Space is limited and additional tables are available. A table of eight is $360, or tickets are $50 per person. MDA ambassadors Blake and Dayton Bie- secker and Morgan Hevel will be in atten- dance along with Dr. Matthew Wicklund, neuromuscular specialist with the Penn State Hershey Medical Center, all of whom will speak about the advancements being made to cure muscular dystrophy. Last year this event raised more than $23,000. Those funds were added to the 26th Annual MDA Ride For Life, which raised more than $1.1 million for MDA. Anyone interested in sponsorship, donating items or placing an ad in the 8th Annual Black & Blue Ball pro- gram should call White's Harley-Davidson at 717/272-4986 and ask for Donna White or email her at admin@whitesharley.com. PSB A trio of Harley-Davidson dealerships begin the MDA fundraising season with a Black & Blue Ball on April 11 in Lebanon, Pa. PHOTO BY ANDREW PETERSON/THUNDER PRESS P12x19-PSB5-Focus.indd 17 3/27/14 12:19 PM