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1. Harley-Davidson: a historic motorcycle manufacturer

   Posted on 10:00am Wednesday 15th Feb 2017

   Think of a motorcycle manufacturer and chances are Harley-Davidson comes to mind. From humble roots to becoming one of America’s most iconic brands, join Custom Lids, retailer of Bell motorcycle helmets, as they delve into some of the key moments in the rich history of the world’s best-loved biking brand:

   1901

   The Harley-Davidson story begins in 1901, when William S. Harley — one of the brand’s founding fathers — drew up a blueprint of an engine that can fit into a bicycle. Designed for use on a regular bicycle, the engine would offer a displacement of 7.07 cubic inches and four-inch flywheels.

   While variants of the motorcycle existed prior to this point, it was certainly an important moment in biking history, giving rise to what would become one of the world’s biggest motorcycle manufacturers.

   1903

   In 1903, the world got one step closer to Harley-Davidson as we know it today. William and his friend Arthur Davidson decided to work together to make the blueprints a reality and manufacture a motorcycle.

   Unlike the futuristic production lines of our times, the very first Harley-Davidson was built in a 10ft by 15ft wooden shed. The first Harley-Davidson motorcycle the public could get their hands on was designed to race, with a 3-1/8 inch bore and 3-1/2 inch stroke. One of their first customers was an old school friend, who bought his bike direct.

   1904

   Just one year later and Harley-Davidson’s success began to snowball. The first Harley-Davidson Dealer, C.H. Lang of Chicago, is established and sells the first three of the brand’s production motorcycles ever made.

   1905

   As well as their size, the performance of Harley-Davidson motorcycles started to make headlines in 1905. July 4^th saw one of the brand’s bikes win a 15-mile race in Chicago.

   1909

   The first V-twin powered Harley-Davidson motorcycle is introduced, offering displacement of 49.5 cubic inches and a horsepower of seven. The cylinders were arranged in a 45-degree layout — a now iconic feature of motorcycles.

   1920

   By 1920, Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, with 2,000 dealers in 67 countries around the world.

   1925

   In 1925, gas tanks were modified to have a distinct tear-drop gas tank, which would go on to become one of the bikes’ most iconic features.

   1931

   By 1931, Harley-Davidson’s superior quality motorcycles, class-leading innovation and exceptional sporting performance had seen off all other American brands expect Indian (Hendee Manufacturing). The pair would remain the only two American motorcycle manufacturers for more than 20 years to come.

   1933

   A reaction to the Great Depression, all Harley-Davidson gas tanks are painted with a now-iconic eagle design, which triggered the start of graphic design on the bikes.

   1941-1945

   In 1941, America and the rest of the world was rocked by World War II, with the production of military bikes now taking priority over civilians’. Over the coming years, Harley-Davidson dedicates their business and manufacturing to supporting the US’ war efforts. Activities included:

   • 1941 — Service School converted to aid the training of military mechanics.
   • 1942 — XA750 bike was produced, designed for desert use although the contract was terminated early when war combat moved away from North Africa.
   • 1943 — Wins the first of four Army-Navy “E” Awards for excellence.
   • 1945 — Over 60,000 WLA models were produced during the war. After the war ends, civilian bike production resumed in November.

   1947

   Harley-Davidson created and retailed the now essential and iconic black leather motorcycle jacket.

   1953

   Harley-Davidson’s 50^th anniversary. In the same year, Hendee Manufacturing goes out of business, leaving Harley-Davidson as America’s sole motorcycle manufacturer — a position they would occupy for the next 46 years.

   1957

   The world was introduced to what would become the first of Harley-Davidson’s superbikes. Named the Sportster, it featured a 55 cubic inch overhead valve engine.

   1960

   The first (and last) Harley-Davidson motor scooter was produced — the Harley-Davidson Topper. In the same year, the company partnered with Aeronatica-Macchi to form Aermacchi Harley-Davidson. The European division produced single-cylinder bikes.

   1962

   Harley-Davidson began manufacturing its own parts using fibreglass.

   1970

   As well as introducing the XR-750 Sportster-based motorcycle, 1970 saw racer Cal Rayborn break the world land speed record set by a motorcycle. His 16ft streamliner — which was powered by a single Sportster engine — reached just over 265mph.

   1981

   Thirteen Harley-Davidson executives bought the company back from AMF, with the purchase finalised in June 1981.

   1983

   Harley Owner’s Group was formed; the world’s largest factory-sponsored motorcycle club. By 2000, the club had reached 500,000 members.

   1986

   Harley-Davidson was listed on the American Stock Exchange.

   1993

   Harley-Davidson celebrated its 90^th anniversary in Milwaukee. The motorcycle parade contained an estimated 100,000 riders.

   1998

   Harley-Davidson reached its 95^th anniversary, where 140,000 riders joined the celebrations.

   2001

   The VRSCA V-Rod was introduced, inspired by the racing version of the bike. It combined fuel injection with overhead cams and liquid cooling, delivering horsepower of 115.

   2008

   A new frame was introduced for the Touring family. It delivered a lower seating position, improved manoeuvrability and had a longer wheelbase.

   2009

   Expansion into India announced.

   2011

   HD-1 is announced, giving riders the chance of a factory-built custom motorcycle.

2. Mobile Phone Scourge – Mark It – Map It!

   Posted on 11:00am Tuesday 30th Jun 2015

   Generally it can be said that a motorcyclist’s lot is a happy one. Out on the road being observant and looking out for our own skin while interacting with other vehicles, however one observation that always crops up from riders is the use of mobile phones by other vehicle users.

   There doesn’t seem to be a week from Northern Ireland or Europe or even globally that on the internet especially the social media of Facebook and Twitter, there is a campaign launched to highlight the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving.

   The use of the mobile phone whilst driving – talking or texting is an ongoing scourge – with riders’ continued observance of their use with some very high profile court cases of riders killed by drivers whilst using mobile phones.

   Advice – Rules – Regulations – Guidelines

   Advice and rules and regulations and guidelines for not using mobile phones whilst driving are at every turn in road safety messages and campaigns, featured on the news, police stop camera type programmes, social media, specific police enforcement campaigns and the High Way Code.

   The Northern Ireland Department Of The Environment (DOE) – Road Safety Education – has produced an advisory leaflet which highlights the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving.

   Although they say that, “Having a phone with you on a journey can be smart for personal security and to help in an emergency.” The main message is that, “If you use a mobile phone while driving, you’re one call from being a killer, one text from being in prison.”

   One of the latest campaigns, with an accompanying video, is from Kent County Council’s road safety team, who found that a third of drivers in the county use their mobile phones while driving, including texting or accessing social networks, despite knowing it is dangerous and illegal.

   Another one from England is my red thumb which has travelled across from Colorado, USA, originally called Red Thumb Reminder it was a reminder for people not to use their phone whilst driving; through painting their thumb nail red. So every time a driver saw their red thumb they were reminded of the message.

   We could go on picking these campaigns and videos out from all over the world but what we want to see is actually how prevalent mobile phone and distracted vehicle user use is.

   If you want to help, then you can go to our Mobile Phone Scourge – Mark It – Map It! online map were you can add a “marker” if you have spotted a road user on their mobile phone talking or texting “illegally” or some other distraction so you can then gauge the ongoing scourge of mobile phone usage on the road.

   
   Read The Full Article

3. Right To Ride - First Bike On Scene‏

   Posted on 9:52am Saturday 28th Feb 2015

   First Aid For Riders the safety initiative set up by Right To Ride to provide a tailored First Aid Course for riders of all Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs) is now recommending B.I.K.E.R.S. Training, home of the First Bike on Scene (FBoS) – Emergency Response Skills (ERS) to deliver their courses to riders.

   Set up in 2011, B.I.K.E.R.S. Training aims to contribute to the road safety of motorcyclists by providing them with immediate care skills in the event of coming across a road traffic collision, involving another biker.

   It is their hope to take away the fear from approaching and dealing with an accident scene, while potentially making a huge difference to the injured person.

   The courses are run by Rodge Byrne and Nick Coward of B.I.K.E.R.S. Training, both qualified healthcare professionals and motorcycle enthusiasts, they are acutely aware of the daily risks bikers face on the road.

   In the last two years they have trained over 400 riders and motorists across Ireland and the UK.

   They are a commercial initiative but are delighted to be working in close partnership with the FBoS UK Ltd, the Police Service of Northern Ireland Bikesafe Team and MAG Ireland – The Irish Motorcyclists’ Association.

   In Ireland and Northern Ireland

   B.I.K.E.R.S. Training are the only provider of the ‘First Bike on Scene’ (FBoS) Course in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

   Officially approved by FBoS UK Ltd in the UK, the course is a specifically designed first aid course for bikers, with the aim of providing a wide range of skills and knowledge on how to deal with a road traffic collision.

   ‘First Bike on Scene’ (FBoS) providers use a sophisticated set of ‘Immediate Lifesupport Skills’, designed to enable motorcyclists or motorists to “Make a Difference”, to an injured person.

   The course contents include safe approach and management of an accident scene, mechanism of injury, first aid and cpr, protocols for head and neck (c-spine) injuries, log roll, safe helmet removal, control of bleeding, recognition of catastrophic bleeding, snatch rescue in specific situations, Irish Heart Foundation Adult CPR with Automated External Defibrillator.

   The course certificate is valid for 3 years and issued by the ‘Quality Casualty Care Alliance’, UK.

   At Right To Ride we believe that a First Aid Course for motorcyclists is beneficial not just for riders but also for other road crash casualties, even if not directly involved in rendering First Aid, but to be able to comfort/reassure conscious casualties and to help in giving confidence to stay calm at a crash scene.

   You could be making the difference!

   www.bikerstraining.com

   www.firstaidforriders.org

   www.magireland.org

   Issued by

   www.righttoride.co.uk

4. Speed Limit Bill

   Posted on 9:17am Friday 20th Feb 2015

   20 MPH Speed Limits At The Northern Ireland Assembly
   Previously we have reported on a Private Members’ Bill – Road Traffic (Speed Limits) Bill – being introduced at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

   On Tuesday of this week this bill when through its second stage to go forward to Committee Stage due on the 15th April 2015.

   The committee responsible will look at the bill in more depth.

   The basics of the Bill is to set a maximum speed limit on residential roads of 20 miles per hour – whether this is a blanket enforcement or where residents along with all agencies (a stakeholder led approach e.g. the local community – police – public transport service – young people), feel that a 20mph zone would be beneficial in terms of road safety is up for further discussion – for amendments to be tabled as the bill progresses.

   At some stage we believe this will also include a full public consultation.

   If you read the latest debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly – you will read what has been described in the debate as “devilment” in engaging with other members (politicians) – and big words such as “facetiousness” – you will read about concerns that the bill, “for many people might be not a Road Traffic (Speed Limits) Bill but a “horse – and – cart Bill” – then read past what you would expect from a debate and read the thoughts and reasoning behind the proposed bill.

   The thoughts and reasoning includes the aim of reducing casualties on residential street which concerns vulnerable road users such as young and old pedestrians and cyclists and during the debate various politicians offered up varied figures on fatal road collisions, where and how, speeds and examples of other 20 mph limits that have been introduced in the rest of the UK but there did not seem to be any thoughts on why these fatalities happen.

   Read more

5. NW 200 Volunteers

   Posted on 10:15am Wednesday 18th Feb 2015

   Volunteer roles at the Vauxhall International 2015 North West 200
   
   As many people know the International North West 200 is supported by an 800 plus team of experienced volunteers. Some work on an annual basis, others during race week itself, with many volunteers coming from other bodies such as St. John’s Ambulance, British Red Cross and MCUI Marshals Association. The role of the volunteer at the NW200 has also widened and the opportunities for anyone wishing to lend their skills as well as learn new ones has increased.

   NW200 work closely with Volunteer Now, the Causeway Volunteer Centre and local groups to develop its volunteer structure and are seeking new volunteers to come on board and get involved with the event.

   We have created a wide range of roles that you can get involved in, there is something for everyone. Outlined below are the roles. A brief explanation is given for each role, including:
   
   •Purpose of the team and what it offers
   •Tasks involved
   •Preferred skills and experience
   •Possible challenges

   The volunteer roles available are defined as:
   
   •Course Set Up/Build Team
   •Marshals / Flag Marshals
   •Branding Team
   •Event Survey & Marketing Team
   •Administration Team/ Media Team
   •Health & Safety Team
   •Event Coordination/ Hospitality Team
   
   

   Read more here