KTM

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KTM Sportmotorcycle AG is an Austrian motorcycle manufacturer. The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz in Mattighofen. It started out as a metalworking shop and was named Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. In 1954 KTM began producing motorcycles.
KTM is most commonly known for its off road motorcycles though in recent years it has expanded into street motorcycle production.


The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz in Mattighofen. It started out as a metalworking shop and was named Kraftfahrzeug Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. It wasn't until 1953 that KTM began production of motorcycles. With just 20 employees, motorcycles were built at the rate of three per day. In 1955, a businessman Ernst Kronreif became shareholder of the company, on acquiring a sizable portion of the company. It was then renamed Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. Trunkenpolz died unexpectedly in 1989. During these early years of motocycle production at KTM, almost all components for the motorcycles were built in-house by KTM.



Throughout KTM's history, they have been on the leading edge of motorcycle technology. They were the first manufacturer to produce a liquid-cooled four-stroke motorcycle engine for an off road motorcycle, a design which has since been replicated by all other manufacturers (KTM even supplied radiators to Suzuki in their early water-cooling days. In 1986, KTM became the first motorcycle manufacturer to include both front and rear disc brakes on an off road motorcycle. In 1998, they offered a linkless rear suspension, dramatically reducing the un-sprung weight of the bike (KTM was the first major manufacturer to do so, although ATK, a small market, niche brand did so as early as 1987). They were also the first to offer hydraulic clutch mechanisms on all models of motorcycles, and were the first to offer a competition-ready supermoto bike.

Off-road

The term off-road refers to a driving surface that is not conventionally paved. This is a rough surface, often created naturally, such as sand, gravel, a river, mud or snow. This type of terrain can sometimes only be travelled on with vehicles designed for off-road driving (such as SUVs, ATVs, snowmobiles or mountain bikes) or vehicles that have off-road equipment. The KTM is well equipped for these environments and is popular among many off-road riders. The design of this motorcycle is well suited to this sport and the weight of the motorcycle is another advantage. KTMs come stock ready to race, with a hydraulic clutch, full adjustable WP front and rear suspension and powerful engines requiring no modifications prior to racing. The KTM has won every Dakar Rally since 2001.



Motocross - The 2008 SX line includes 65, 85, 105, 125, 144 and 250 cc two-stroke models, and 250, 450 and 505 four-stroke models. In 2005 KTM released the new 250SX-F to the general public. For the 2007 model-year, all of KTM's four-stroke SX motors were re-designed similarly to the 250 SX-F, in a dual-overhead cam 4-valve line dubbed the "RC4". The SX-F's are KTM's new racing motocross range introduced in 2007.
KTM now produce a 150SX (144 cc), which was developed to take advantage of AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) rule changes in the amateur classes. KTM and TM are the only manufacturers to develop a 144cc motorcycle.



Cross-Country The XC line includes 65, 85, 105, 200, 250 and 300 two-strokes, and 250, 450 and 505 four-stroke models. The XC line updates and replaces their old MXC bikes. They feature a close-ratio gearbox, stiffer suspensions, and the four-strokes have a shorter-stroke design, mimicking their SX line. In 2007, they introduced the 250XC-F which is based on the 2006 SX model.



KTM's XC-W offroad bikes are 200, 250 and 300 two-strokes, and 250, 400, 450 and 530 (actually 510cc) four-strokes. They feature plusher suspension and a wider-ratio transmission than their XC line counterparts. The XC-W replaced their old EXC two-strokes, a move the company made in order to comply with EPA restrictions in the United States. Two-strokes are still designated as EXCs in Europe markets.
Enduro The 2009 EXC line consists of 250, 450, 530 (actually 510 cc) four-strokes, and 125, 200, 250 and 300 cc two strokes. The EXC line has been a long-time favourite for Enduro market, and outsell other larger-volume brands to Enduro racers. The RFS motor (2000-2007) was replaced with the XC4 motor for the 2008 model year.
Super Enduro consist of 690 cc and 950 cc machines, mix between an enduro and a trail bike.



Supermoto KTM produces several supermoto race bikes with displacements ranging from 450 (a supermoto version of the 450sx-f) to 565 cc. They also make four non race-oriented models in 625, 654, 950 and 990 cc displacements. KTM was the first manufacturer to offer a competition-ready Supermoto bike to the public, and their sponsored racers currently sit atop the US Supermoto racing circuit. The new LC8 SuperMoto 950 has received rave reviews from all the bike magazines and newspapers in the United Kingdom.
Dual-sport Adventure bikes offered with both the LC4 Engine (Adventure 640, 640R) and the LC8 Engine (Adventure 950, 950S, 990), the 640R is the base of the Rally 660 which has won many Dakar Rallies.




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Dan Cooper

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Dan Cooper (comics), a fictional character featured in Tintin magazine between 1954 and 1977


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Annual Russell Home Charity Poker Run, Jan.10th

Charity Poker Run & Benefit Auction for the Russell Home - “Ride Home” with Orlando HOG and Make a Difference

Orlando, Fl, January 10, 2010 - Get your motorcycles ready and ride to raise money for the Russell Home for Atypical Children. Join Orlando Harley Owners Group on January 10, 2010 at Cypress Grove Park on Holden Avenue in Orlando to kick off the days’ festivities. Registration starts at 8:30am, a $15 donation per person includes a poker hand and an event t-shirt to the first 500 registrants. Last bikes out at 11am. The ride ends at Cowboys, but the party is just beginning with live music from Johnny Bulford and Thomas Wynn & The Believers, a live auction, silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, food and more.
The Russell Home and the Orlando Harley Owners Group with the assistance of the Central Florida Motorcycle Community raised $37,200 for the Home in 2009. The fundraising goal for 2010 is $40,000. All are welcome to ride and make a difference.

The Russell Home is the only private, non-profit facility of its kind for severely handicapped children in Central Florida. The facility is run 100% on monetary support from the community. They do not receive government funding, so they need our help!

For more information contact Susan Trembley at 407-446-3912, Russell Home Chairperson for the Orlando HOG Chapter. Non-riders, registration at Cowboys begins at 11am.

Just a Pic

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Giorgio Storchi on his Ducati

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Motorcycle Scramble

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3D Artwork

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This guy from Israel is just simply amazing. Take time to visit his website, 3D-Files, and ... dream



Copyrights © 2009 Amir Glinik


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Harley Davidson FL

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FL is a model designation used on motorcycles manufactured by Harley-Davidson from 1941 to present. Mostly applied to Harley's large-framed bikes, including the current Touring series, the FL designation is also used with their Softail series, especially on Softails with traditional styling, 16" front wheels, and either Springer forks or large-diameter telescopic front forks.



Early FL models

The FL was introduced to the Harley-Davidson model line in 1941. It used a 74 cu in (1,210 cc) version of the "Knucklehead" OHV engine that powered the EL in 61 cu in (1,000 cc) form. The FL shared its frame with the EL and with the U and UL, which used a 74 cubic inch flathead engine. The FL replaced the UH and ULH, which used the same frame with 80 cu in (1,300 cc) flathead engines.
The FL continued relatively unchanged until 1948, when it and the EL were given redesigned "Panhead" engines of the same capacities as before. These engines had several improvements over the earlier "Knuckleheads", including aluminium cylinder heads to reduce weight and improve cooling and self-adjusting hydraulic lifters. The U and UL flathead twins were discontinued in 1948, leaving the OHV EL and FL models as Harley-Davidson's large-frame motorcycles.



Hydra-Glide

In 1949, a year after receiving the "Panhead" engine, the FL was given a new front suspension and a model name to go along with it. In honor of their first production motorcycle with hydraulically-damped telescopic forks, the FL was officially called the Hydra-Glide. This name would change twice in the history of the basic large-framed FL bikes, each time signalling an improvement in the bike's technology. In addition, the Glide ending would be used on other models, based on both and FL and FX formats.
In 1952, the Hydra-Glide's transmission format was reversed from hand-shift/foot-clutch to foot-shift/hand-clutch, although the original format continued to be offered as an option until 1978. 1952 was also the last year of the 61 cu in (1,000 cc) EL, making the FL the last remaining large-frame model.
A more highly-tuned engine with high-compression heads, higher-lift cams, and polished ports, was offered with the FLH version of 1955. The FLH designation has continued up to the present.



Duo-Glide

The FL model was given a new frame in 1958. This frame included a rear swingarm suspended by a pair of coil-over-shock suspension units. In honour of this fully-suspended chassis, the FL's model name was changed from Hydra-Glide to Duo-Glide.
Unlike OHV configuration, aluminium heads, and telescopic-fork front suspension, however, this improvement in technology was applied to the small-frame bikes first, the K-series having received rear suspension in 1952.



Electra Glide

The third and final change given to the name of the basic FL model would occur in 1965, the final year of the "Panhead" engines. These last "Panheads" were the first "big-twin" Harley-Davidson engines to be equipped with electric starters, the Servi-Car having received electric start the year before. This innovation for Harley-Davidson was greeted with the new model name of Electra Glide.
In 1966, the "Panhead" gave way to the "Shovelhead," gaining a ten percent increase in power in the process.


A fork-mounted fairing became available on Electra Glides in 1969. This became unofficially known as the "batwing" fairing. Although the batwing fairing was an easily removable option on early Electra Glides, it was not removable on later machines, as the instruments were moved from the fuel tank into the fairing.
The FL frame was the basis for the 1971 FX Super Glide. The FX mated the FL frame with the forks of the XL Sportster, with buckhorn handlebars and a large fibreglass tailpiece completing the Super Glide specification.
The FL was given a front disc brake in 1972.
The three speed plus reverse option was discontinued in 1977.
An 80 cu in (1,300 cc) engine was made optional on the Electra Glide in 1978. However, the FL designation was not changed as a result. By 1981, the 80 cubic inch engine was the standard engine; the 74 cu in (1,210 cc) engine being discontinued.



Tour Glide

The FLT Tour Glide was introduced in 1979. Sold alongside the existing FLH Electra Glide, the FLT had a larger frame with rubber engine mounts, a five-speed transmission, the 80 cu in (1,300 cc) engine, and a frame-mounted fairing. In order that the FLT frame, which was larger and heavier than the large and heavy FLH frame, would handle acceptably, the front forks were given radical steering geometry which had them mounted behind the steering head, with the frame behind the steering head being recessed to allow adequate steering lock.
The FLHT was introduced in 1983. This was an Electra Glide based on the FLT Tour Glide frame, but using the Electra Glide "batwing" fairing instead of the Tour Glide frame-mounted fairing.



Except for the base FLH, all 1984 FLs were equipped with the new rubber-mounted Evolution engine and a five-speed transmission.
All "Shovelhead" engines were discontinued by the 1985 model year. In that year, the four-speed solid-engine-mount FLH was modified to accept rubber mounting and the Evolution engine. The FLH was discontinued in 1986; all Touring models thereafter used the FLT/FLHT frame. Ironically, the FLT Tour Glide, which introduced the current Touring frame, was dropped from the lineup in 1996. The frame-mounted Tour fairing would return with the FLTR Road Glide in 1998.
The Evolution engine was replaced by the Twin Cam 88 engine on all large-frame Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 1999.
The low-compression FL engine was discontinued in 1979, as was the option for hand-shift/foot-clutch transmission controls.


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