Classic Components South Bay Chrome Merger And Other News - The Latest Buzz

Butterfly Effect
It's rare these days that the idea of going to a trackday causes anxiety and anticipation for when the green flag drops on the first session, but in producing our cover story there were enough nerves buzzing about to choke a camel.

My CBR's 240 rear tire and 6-inch-over stretch seemed rather insignificant when parked next to John's much more blinged-out R1 with a 12-inch stretch and a 300, and I've done a fair amount of canyon riding with the CBR so I sort of knew what to expect. It was John's gorgeous R1 that I was concerned about.

Knowing how dearly he loves this bike (and who could blame him?), I tried to really hammer home the idea of not laying it down (unless there was a camera nearby), yet he was determined to go out and find the tire's limits. These matters took a back seat to the fact that I'd managed to leave my bike key back at the office. Brilliant.

The obvious solution to hotwire the ignition made sense over a two-hour drive back to L.A. to fetch the key, and after 40 minutes of wiring, rewiring and misdiagnosing, we came to the conclusion that the key was necessary to trip the electric pulse and get the fuel pump running. Needless to say, I drove quickly back to get the key and eventually returned to the track for some serious riding. In the end none of the bikes were crashed and we learned a lot about fat-tire performance.

Classic Components South Bay Chrome Merger
All of that shiny chrome doesn't mysteriously find its way onto your motorcycle, you know, and there's a lot of hard work behind that bling. Classic Components has made a big step forward for the plating industry by combining forces with South Bay Chrome/Chrome Effects in a recent merger.

Now all of the chrome plating, repair, paint removal, bike building and assembly, shipping, freight service and customer support is available under one roof. Vice President Gary Glass said: "With over 70 years of combined industry experience, this merger brings it all together."

General manager and head of plating operations, Frank Martin, added: "Since the acquisition, we've been able to invest in chemistry and equipment like never before. Making things shiny just got a whole lot easier for me!"


If you're interested in sparkling up some of your precious parts, check out www.chromeplating.com.

Tragedy Strikes Stunt Community
Feri Potzner Dies In Car AccidentA black day fell on the stunt world on May 27, 2007, as famous Hungarian stunter Feri Potzner was killed in a car accident while on vacation from competition. He'll be remembered as the originator of the "no-handed high-chair circle wheelie" that impressed fans across the globe as well as being an approachable and admirable character. Potzner took second place at the 2006 Stunt Wars event where he showed off his signature move.

SSB Wants You!
Do you love sportbikes and know the scene? If so, we might havea spot for you at Super Streetbike as Associate Editor. Send yourresume to david.sonsky@sorc.com. Your dream job awaits