The acronym "CNC" and the phrase "billet aluminum" get tossed around a lot in motorcycle accessory catalogs. To clarify, CNC stands for Computer Numeric Control, a computer-driven machining system of exceptional precision and consistency, while billet aluminum is a raw form of the purified metal, produced as bar stock. Combine those two with a visionary artisan and here's what you get.
Sato Rearsets
Although they result from nearly a decade's experience in Japanese roadracing, Sato's billet-aluminum rearsets aren't just for racebikes. Available for most streetbikes, sport-tourers, Buells and even Harley-Davidson Sportsters, Sato's intricately machined rearsets are a step above the rest. Deep knurling provides excellent grip, while multiple peg positions let you tailor the fit. Sloppy shift feel? Not here: Both the shift and brake lever pivot on stainless steel ball-bearings for smooth, precise movement. Priced from $425, they're available in anodized black, silver or gold.
www.satoracing.com
Woodcraft Case Covers
Nothing says "built engine" like sandwiching your cylinders between the functional beauty of Woodcraft case covers. A direct replacement for bland and brittle OEM bits, Woodcraft's creations are artfully CNCed from sturdy 6061 aluminum billet and offer stunning looks and exceptional strength. A replaceable, internally bolted skid pad (in durable stainless steel or double-thick aluminum) helps keep the cover oil-tight and looking good in the event of a crash. Woodcraft offers its wares in ano-dized black or raw (great for polishing), and has covers to fit all modern sportbikes. Prices range from $69.99 to $299.99.
www.woodcraft-cfm.com
Swatt Clip-Ons
Love your sportbike's look, but don't dig the torturous ergonomics? Swatt's got the solution. Swatt clip-ons-with CNCed clamps, bar blocks and masts-come in four variations, allowing you to raise control height up to 3.5 inches. The simple design lets you swap out risers ($69 per pair) in 5 minutes, so you can commute in comfort all week and then tuck in on the twisties come Sunday. Clip-ons are priced at $139 per set, and are available to fit fork tubes from 38 to 53mm in your choice of anodized silver or black.
www.swattmotorcycle.com
GSG Moto Headlight Bracket
Headlight brackets don't usually get a lot of attention, but yours will if you've got one of GSG Moto's machined pieces mounted up. Replace your stock stamped-steel bits with something worth looking at. Made to fit a broad range of fork tubes, GSG Moto's brackets are available in short (125mm, priced at $180.00) and long (155mm, $190.00) to accommodate a variety of headlight housings. Matching turn signal mounts are available for an additional $10.
www.streetfightersinc.com
Yana Shiki Triple Clamps
The triple clamp is the breastplate of the streetfighter, and should be adorned as such. This exquisite top triple clamp is machined from a solid block of aluminum and slotted to reduce weight. Significantly stronger than stock, it offers improved front-end rigidity and better handling, as well as kick-ass looks. Yana Shiki's triple clamps start at $149 and are available for most modern sportbikes in your choice of anodized black, polished or chrome.
www.yanashiki.com
Two Brothers Performance Exhaust
More than two decades of chasing horsepower have resulted in Two Brothers Racing's latest line of performance exhaust systems. Quality and style abound, from the CNCed inlets and outlets, X-lite retaining ring, mounting bracket and header flanges to the sleek cast-magnesium tip. Not only that, TBR now has an online tool that lets riders design their own custom exhausts. Choose canister type, badge design and component colors, all the way down to the bolts. Slip-ons start at $399.98, while custom systems vary based on options.
www.twobros.com
Vortex Reservoir Covers and Fuel Caps
These could be the only aftermarket additions to your bike, or only the beginning. Vortex's billet reservoir covers and fuel caps are an easy way to add some personalized style to your motorcycle, replacing an often-overlooked plastic or cast item with an eye-catching machined piece. Reservoir caps are milled from aluminum and come polished or anodized in a variety of colors, starting at $26.99. Fuel caps (bases and caps sold separately for $39.95 and $66.95, respectively) are keyless, so better save them for your track bike.
www.vortexracing.com
Cycle Cat Clutch Covers
It starts as an 8-pound cube of aluminum. After being "digitized, CADed, CAMed, and machined to hell and back," it winds up as less than a pound of stylish Ducati dry clutch protection. Yes, it looks beautiful and lets the rhythmic chatter of your clutch plates be heard by all, but cosmetics come second to crash tolerance. Every Cycle Cat billet clutch cover is designed to withstand impact and abrasion, or any other force that might end your track day or weekend ride. These $136.50 covers fit all dry clutch models and are lighter than stock steel, stronger than carbon-fiber and undeniably attractive.
www.oncycles.com
ISR Radial Brake and Clutch Master Cylinders
This is it: the Holy Grail of hand controls. We'll give you a moment to take it in. From a small workshop in Sweden come the ISR master cylinders, meticulously machined, beautifully complex and oh so cool. These 440-gram gems are fully adjustable for lever reach and pressure ratio, and their modular design allows parts to be swapped in moments. Lever replacement is a brisk, 20-second affair. Two models are available to be used for hydraulic clutches or with four- or six-piston calipers. They're certainly not cheap, retailing for $495.99 apiece, but perfection rarely is.
www.desmoworks.com