History
PROVEN PERFORMANCE SINCE 1958
S&S Cycle offers premium high performance solutions for Harley-Davidson® and other v-twin motorcycles. Since its founding in 1958 S&S has become the most respected name in v-twin high performance aftermarket, with an American made product line that includes engine components, exhaust and fuel systems, engine upgrade kits, and complete engines.
THE RACE TO START IT ALL
1952
In the summer, the lure of a $1000 prize put up by the track promoter at Half Day Speedway, a local Chicago drag strip introduces George to the infant sport of drag racing. He convinces Marge that he can win the money and proceeds to campaign a 1939 80” Knucklehead Big Twin he modifies and names “TRAMP”. The motorcycle begins as a basket case 61”. Scrounging parts, Smith uses the same formula he did once before to make his Trusty 80, Flathead UL 4-9/32” stroke flywheels and 3-7/16” bore cylinders. This time he elects to modify the cylinder heads to improve his final speed at the “top end” by welding up each head to accept a separate Riley carburetor. Instead of using gasoline, he switches to a new fuel, nitro methane, a paint industry by-product that finds its way into racing. The highly explosive stuff provides massive amounts of instant power with sometimes unpredictable effects. By experimenting with other ingredients such as gasoline and alcohol, Smith is able to improve combustibility while stabilizing the new discovery to achieve maximum power. During the fall events, he wins race after race competing against other motorcycles and cars and speeds of 125 mph are common place. He wins the championship by defeating all competitors with an elapsed speed of 123.45 mph. When the promoter sees Smith will win, at the last minute, he withdraws the money denying him the prize.
SMITH & STANKOS
1953
After reading about early speed trials at the Salt Flats in Bonneville, Utah, George teams up with friend Stanley Stankos and a local Chicago Harley dealer who sponsors him. Smith’s goal is to enter Tramp and set a record at the event scheduled in the summer of 1954. Tramp is stripped of everything and fitted with a K model front fork. While the 80″ engine proved good enough for earlier competition, he feels he needs more horsepower. Big bore 3-11/16″ steel cylinders are machined from solid steel slugs. Pistons have to be made from scratch. His knowledge from his job at Ingalls-Shephard enables him to build patterns and piston molds to cast his own pistons for the special big bore, long stroke motor. Young Ken Smith, seven years old at the time, remembers going down to Stankos’ upholstery shop to watch. The fumes from the molten aluminum are stifling and send the youngster swaying into the street for fresh air. After trying again and again to make good castings, George and Stan are finally successful. The home brewed pistons are ready for final machining on a lathe in Stan’s upholstery shop. Using the 4-9/32″ stroke UL flywheels from before and the 3-11/16″ bore cylinders and piston, the displacement increases to 91″.
Paul is an industry veteran, having spent a decade and a half with Harley-Davidson and possesses an intimate understanding of the powersports space. His experience spans multiple disciplines including retail, dealer and product. Paul also spent several years running Harley’s operations in Australia and New Zealand and is an avid rider and motorcycle enthusiast. In addition to riding, Paul enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, fishing and running.
Alec is an up and coming financial executive with solid experience in the public accounting, manufacturing and distribution sectors. He’s spent the last decade using analytical insights and a strategic mindset to help leaders make sound business decisions day in and day out.
Karl brings several decades of boots on the ground style of leadership to the manufacturing floor and a level headed approach to his work. His methodical and detail oriented methodology provides the perfect balance to the complex world of manufacturing.
Tim spent nearly two decades at Harley-Davidson and more recently a substantial tenure at Hayes Performance Systems where he was instrumental in new product development for the powersports market.
Jon is originally from Southern California where he held marketing leadership roles in the apparel space before coming to S&S Cycle in 2017. He has since helped transform the brands B2C and B2B facing marketing into class leading efforts, streamlined GTM strategies, and created a top tier and scalable events program. Montgomery brings with him a deep well of skill sets, including a keen understanding of social media channels, content creation, e-com strategies, events management, and the ability to properly leverage the analytics behind each tool.
JJ is a true power sports enthusiast and industry veteran with over 15 years of experience in both the on and off-road market. He is a Wisconsin native and spent the majority of his career at Harley-Davidson Motor Company in Milwaukee holding various operational, sales and marketing roles, before relocating to Minnesota to work within the off road business. He eventually moved back to the Viola WI area with his wife and 3 young boys to his wife’s family farm where they raise “kids and cattle”. JJ has been riding since the age of 10 and loves “horsepower”. When not riding motorcycles or side-by-sides he can usually be found on his horse checking cows. The unique opportunity to combine his leadership, talent, and experience makes S&S the perfect fit.
Danny grew up in the small town of Carver, Oregon where he enjoyed riding horses, dirt bikes, and racing motocross eventually transitioning to a smoother ride on the highways. He has held key HR, safety and operational leadership roles in both privately held and publicly traded companies in the public service, technology, engineering, quick serve restaurant, and manufacturing industries, both domestically and abroad.