From pistons to gaskets and shocks, here are six cool products every classic bike fan should know about.
Wiseco Pistons for Classic Bikes
Famous for its performance racing pistons, Wiseco has been making forged pistons for street motorcycles for decades. Precision forgings, state of the art CNC finishing and optimized skirt shapes make Wiseco forged pistons the best available. Designed, tested and made in the U.S.A., Wiseco pistons are available singly and in kits for a wide variety of motorcycles, including Yamaha XS650 (shown), Honda CB750, Kawasaki GPz and many more. Wiseco also makes camshafts, valves, crankshafts and connecting rods. Yamaha XS650 770cc piston kit, $293.
More info: www.wiseco.com
Ottoco MLS Head Gaskets
Gasket specialist Ottoco has introduced high-performance head gaskets for the 1973-78 SOHC Honda CB750 and the 1973-84 Yamaha XS650. The multilayer steel head gaskets are designed to give maximum sealing performance and feature embossed viton-coated steel outer layers to provide an even clamping load across the sealing surfaces. The middle layer is made of un-coated stainless steel. Ottoco says no sealants are required, and they don’t need to be re-torqued. XS650, $49.50; CB750, $57.54.
More info: www.ottoco.com
Gazi Suspension
What’s the best kept secret down under? Check out these race-proven shock absorbers from Gazi to suit small to large capacity touring, café, vintage, VMX, sport and racing bikes, all featuring hard chromed, oversized shafts and precise spring preload adjustment. Gazi’s differing lengths of removable eyes allow 40mm of ride height adjustment; swap out the eyes and move the shock to a different motorcycle. Varying spring rates and models with adjustable compression and rebound dampening are available. $315 to $859.
More info: www.flatlandcycles.com
Maxi-Dwell II Ignition
Campbell X-Pipe says its Maxi-Dwell II ignition for points-equipped Japanese four-cylinder bikes (including all 1969-1978 SOHC Honda fours) improves timing accuracy for improved running that rivals electronic ignition systems. Timing is simplified and made faster thanks to a built in switch enabling instant switching between cylinder pairs. The General Motors automotive ignition points are mounted on an aluminum plate and are said to last 20,000 miles. Campbell says point bounce or float is eliminated using these points. $99.95.
More info: www.x-pipe.info
AGV K3 Full-face
AGV made its first helmet back in 1948, so the Italian company knows a thing or two about helmets. Valentino Rossi started his career wearing an AGV, and while a new K3 full-face won’t give you Rossi’s skills on the track, it will provide comfort and safety riding on the street. The DOT approved K3 (shown in Basic Red) features removable and washable interior padding, front and rear air extractors, and AGV’s XQRS quick-release shield that pops off in seconds. $169.95-$219.95.
More info: www.agv.com
Norton Featherbed
Frame and Swingarm New from Andover Norton, the official purveyor of genuine Norton spare parts since Norton’s closing in 1977, is a recreated Norton Wideline Featherbed rear swingarm and spindle, and complete Wideline Featherbed frame. Both the swingarm and the frame are produced from original drawings to original specifications. The swingarm will fit period frames as a replacement, or can be used with the newly available reproduction frame. Both pieces are sold unpainted. Swingarm and spindle, $440 (approx.); Featherbed frame, $1,300 (approx.).
More info: www.andover-norton.co.uk
