For many
years, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) motorcycle drag racing has been dominated
by non-American bikes. Not so long ago it was not uncommon for the top American
bike to post qualifying times as much as five seconds below the nearest competitor.
Well, that is all changing now, largely due to a small company in Viola, Wisconsin
that is raising the bar for speed and performance of American motorcyles on the
racetrack.
When George J. Smith founded S&S Cycle, Inc. in 1958, his goal was simple:
To make American motorcycles faster. Currently S&S stands as an industry
leader
among after-market
engine manufacturers as a company relying completely on their own design and
manufacturing
for 100%
of their engines. For 45 years S&S Cycle has been setting the standard for
high
performance engines and engine parts for American motorcycles.
Return of the American Bike
Today Dave Feazell and Tom Bradford proudly ride S&S Cycle-powered bikes
in the NHRA. A single second on the NHRA drag circuit can be the difference between
first
and last place. S&S is pushing the limits of 3D Systems technologies.
"When Dave or Tom are at a track preparing for a race, it's not uncommon
for them
to work with our engineers on the spot to develop a new idea to shave some time
off their
runs.“
"Our engineers leverage our 3D-CAD system to create a model and
we build it on the SLS machine. 3D Systems' DuraForm™ material has worked
great for this."
I need that part NOW!
Traditional design and manufacturing schedules are perfect for traditional
applications. To increase speed with American bikes, S&S Cycle teamed
with 3D Systems to think outside the box. 3D Systems’ DuraForm GF (glass-filled)
material was evaluated under extreme conditions and performed beyond expectations.
In Denver at the Mopar Parts Mile-High Nationals, Dave Feazell ran his race
with a new port on his bike built in the DuraForm material. "The
design was less than 48 hours old and thanks to 3D Systems, S&S Cycle,
Inc. in Viola, and U.P.S., Dave's team was able to get the part on his bike
in time for his qualifying rounds, to shave over .003 seconds off his time."
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