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Bugatti Shows Off World’s First 3D Printed Titanium Caliper

Bugatti uses 3D printing technology to produce this titanium brake caliper.
3D printing produces intricate parts which cannot be milled or forged.
Bugatti did a demonstration video on how the caliper could withstand heavy stopping forces and extreme heat.

French supercar maker Bugatti has been working on 3D printing technology. This 3D printed titanium caliper is the stunning result.

But hang on, why is a supercar news making an entry here? Let’s look at it this way. Many, if not all braking technologies started out in cars and later adopted to the motorcycle industry. For example, ABS was developed by Mercedes-Benz, but pioneered by BMW Motorrad in the 1987 K 100.

Ten Innovations by BMW Motorrad

So, back to Bugatti’s 8-piston titanium caliper.

3D-printing technology takes over where a part could not be forged or milled from solid billet (aluminium alloy in the case of brake calipers). The Bugatti caliper is made from Ti₆Al₄V (titanium-aluminium-vanadium) alloy, which is impossible to create or mill the intricate parts.

Indeed, its organic, bone-like appearance is only possible through this technology.

To make the caliper, Bugatti employs lasers to melt titanium alloy powder. The “printing” process takes 45 hours to “stack” 2,213 layers of the melted powder.

The caliper is heat- and chemical-treated for additional strength after printing. Next, it is milled to create a surface for finishing and threads. A five-axis milling machine takes 11 hours to complete the job.

Of course, the real proof is in how it works. Check out the video below. A Bugatti supercar is capable of going from 0- to 400- back to 0 km/h in 42. The brakes can generate up 1025^oC.

Will we see the technology in motorcycles? VW owns Bugatti and Ducati, after all.

Will brake manufacturers such as Brembo, J. Juan, Nissin et al employ 3D printing too? They may soon, we think.

Christmas Cheer For Harley-Davidson Fans and Owners

What do you do on a weekend before the New Year? The same thing you have done consistently throughout the year, throw a leg over your bike and go for a ride of course. And the usual solo morning ride took me to The Gasket Alley today to check out an event that was apparently put together specially for Harley-Davidson owners.

Called ‘The Big Weekender’, the exclusive but not so exclusive event is open for HD owners and non-owners alike. For fans of the brand, there is a 60% discount on apparel, riding gear and accessories, perfect for those who like to show their brand affiliation.

And for owners of HD bikes, there is a special 20% discount on bike parts and accessories. But if you are a member of the legendary Harley-Davidson Owners Group, you get to enjoy a further 5% discount for a total discount of 25% to beautify your bike. It would be worth mentioning now that this promotion is not applicable for servicing and motorcycle repair.

I ended up spending time browsing around Harley-Davidson Petaling Jaya, but ended up riding home empty handed since I had just bought a new HD jacket and t-shirts just a few weeks ago. But I figured that sharing such great discounts with fans and owners alike would bring me good karma. I did however sign up for the latest Sportster service campaign called “Beli Satu, Dapat Dua” (Buy one, get two) where owners just have to spend RM549 for one major and one minor service. Click here for more information on this superb service campaign.

I was told that ‘The Big Weekender’ takes place today and tomorrow from 10am till 7pm. Probably worth the visit if you have not bought a Christmas gift for someone who loves HD’s, or like me, just had some time to kill.

Petronas Station Reopened After Causing Vehicles to Break Down

The Petronas Solaris Besraya petrol station at Serdang has reopened.
A number of vehicles broke down after refueling there.
Water had seeped into an underground storage tank.

The Petronas Solaris Besraya petrol station at Serdang has reopened for business.

In news that made waves in social media, around 20 vehicles broke down just yards after filling up at the station. A number of owners had also complained online about their vehicles stalling after refueling there.

Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB) issued a statement later that day. They soon found that water had leaked into the underground storage tank. The carried isolated the contaminated tank and flushed it.

Petronas carried out further integrity tests after remedial works and a team is available on-site for further assistance.

PDB apologized and added that they will bear full responsibility for the incident, and will compensate the affected vehicle owners. They also gave assurance that other Petronas stations are not involved.

On another hand, the Director of the Enforcement Unit at the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hel Ehwal Pengguna – KPDNHEP) Datuk Mohd. Roslan Mahayudding told Utusan Malaysia that he had sent a number of officers to the station following the complaints online.

His officers found the same problem as Petronas did. But Datuk Mohd. Roslan added that “KPDNHEP have obtained petrol samples. We will look at this incident from the side of the law. We will take action if laws were broken.”

Habits to Excel in the Automotive and Motorsports Industries

There are certain habits to be successful in the automotive and motorsports industries.
Here we spoke to Harun Zainal, one of TOC Automotive College’s Trainer in the Superbike Technician Course.
Do you have what it takes?

It’s just like reading the book “Millionaire Success Habits.” There should exist certain habits to be successful in the automotive and motorsports industries, too.

We decided to speak to Harun Zainal, a Trainer in the Superbike Technician Course at TOC Automotive College.

Bikes Republic: Surely TOC Automotive College welcomes every student. But what do these students need in order to excel?
Harun Zainal: First of all, it’s passion and patience, especially in motorsports. It’s because we don’t know how our team will be. A team is made of different personalities and attitudes, so we need to be strong.

Other than that, as a technician, we should love to look at machinery in motion. We can’t take it when we see a broken or motionless vehicle. In motorsports you want to see the vehicle become faster.

It is the technician’s mission in making that vehicle go faster. But how do we do that? You need to work with the team.

There must also be a willingness to learn. There’s no such thing as you stop learning in the industry. There is always something new that you will learn. You learn at every single race.

Bikes Republic: What make motorsports tough?
Harun Zainal: It’s not just about making the vehicle go fast. We need to learn about the regulations and make it work within that set of rules. Not adhering to the rules means disqualification. (Getting DQ’d wastes everyone’s effort, time and money – Editor.)

Bikes Republic: What kind of motorcycle racing is TOC involved in?
Harun Zainal: TOC is involved in racing the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK), the TOC-Ducati Desmo Cup and Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF).

We supply the pit crew to these teams involved (so the students may learn).

Bikes Republic: How about the TOC students who are graduating? What qualities should they have when entering the workforce?
Harun Zainal: Based on my own experience, it’s not about the salary, it’s about loving what you do. It’s about having a vehicle running optimally.

To me a technician is like a motorcycle or car doctor. You should not think about money, instead you should focus more on helping people. That shouldn’t only apply to my students, but also to all the technicians in the country.

Bikes Republic: There are many workshops that still lack in proper workshop practices. Does TOC inculcate the correct workshop practices?
Harun Zainal: Yes, of course. We already teach the students about proper workshop ethics from their very first classes on the first day. It’s about training up self-discipline good attitude.

We hope that they could spread this culture among other technicians. I think a big number of workshops are gradually beginning to change their ways.

Vehicle owners are increasingly aware about sending their vehicles to workshops that are clean, have proper tools, etc. This is a good culture. I can foresee that the workshops in our country will head towards being better in the next few years.

Please click here to find out more about the TOC Automotive College. Please click here if you are interested in the Superbike Technician Course. TOC has a programme called Bina Bakat to assist potential students in need of an education loan.

TOC Automotive College can be reached at (+603) 7960 8833

Boon Siew Honda Introduces New Colour for 2019 Honda X-ADV

Boon Siew Honda rolled out a new colour for the 2019 Honda X-ADV.
The X-ADV is a cross-platform motorcycle.
It features a 750cc engine and Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).

Boon Siew Honda introduced a new colour for the 2019 Honda X-ADV line-up called Matt Moonstone Silver Metallic. It complements the present Grand Prix Red and Matt Bullet Silver colours.

The Honda X-ADV is a groundbreaking cross-platform motorcycle. It incorporates a number of features that are only found in individual motorcycles in the body of a scooter.

First up, the liquid-cooled, 745cc engine produces 54 bhp (40.3 kW) and 68 Nm of torque. It means that the bike isn’t a run-of-the-mill scooter.

Secondly, it is equipped with Honda’s proprietary Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). The DCT is a 6-speed manual gearbox but can be operated in Drive and Sport full-automatic modes or in fully manual model.

Thirdly, the X-ADV has a Gravel model for off-road riding, hence the knobby tyres. There’s no other scooter which boasts such capability. The front wheel is a 17-inch unit for tackling the rough.

With such engine power and capabilities, the Honda X-ADV makes for both a practical daily commuter and long-distance tourer. We have ridden the bike all the way to Kuantan and back in comfort. The adjustable windscreen it tall in its highest adjustment, keeping windblast off the rider’s torso.

The underseat storage compartment is large and supplemented by cubby holes up front.

The new colour is available from December 2019 onwards at Honda Big Wing Dealers. The Honda X-ADV is priced from RM 63,229 for standard colours and from RM 65,499 for special colours.

Boon Siew Honda Announces New Colours for the 2018 Honda Rebel 500

The Honda Rebel 500 is a lightweight cruiser.
The engine is punchy and smooth, making the bike accessible to most riders.
Boon Siew Honda has introduced two new colours to the range.

The 2018 Honda Rebel 500 lightweight cruiser gets new colours, as announced by Boon Siew Honda.

The Rebel 500 made its debut in Malaysia in 2017. Many have taken a liking to it since then. Priced from just RM 32,399.00, it represents a great value for money.

It is a good-looking bike by any account. Styled like a bobber with a wide front wheel, owners can look forward to customizing it to their hearts’ content. The 471cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-Twin engine provides punchy torque yet linear in its response.

Being small in size also means the bike is accessible to a wide variety of riders. The Rebel 500 features a seat height of only 690mm and a kerb weight of just 191 kg.

Front and rear disc brakes take care of braking duties. The rear Showa shocks are adjustable for two-step preload.

Boon Siew Honda have added new colours to the 2018 Honda Rebel 500 range. The new colours are Matt Axis Grey and Pearl Cadet Grey. The existing Graphite Black and Millennium Red are retained.