Last week a mutual friend arranged a visit with Barry Willey, President of National Cycle. Barry's company is a manufacturer of windscreens and accessories to the world and does it all from their base in Chicago, right here in the U.S.A.
Founded as Nation's Cycle Center by his father, Gordon, back in 1937, the company produced motorcycle windscreens and accessories for a "new" enthusiast market. Things took off after WWII and the family business has been looking to the future ever since.
National Cycle is an OEM supplier to manufacturers from Harley-Davidson to BMW. The consumer line includes replacement and aftermarket screens featuring innovative quick-release mechanisms for motorcycles, scooters and ATV/UTVs. Their successful ZTechnik brand is a full line of screens and accessories for the BMW rider. Other products include luggage, lighting, trim pieces, even exhaust pipes.
Barry is a businessman, a forward thinker and a rider. He and his wife have ridden the U.S. and Europe — he knows his stuff. He's coined the phrase RIDER*CENTRIK, the company's product design philosophy that states that everything they do is about the Rider.
For a gearhead like myself, a few hours spent talking bikes and touring the factory with Barry was a day well spent. And, I got an up close look at how my ST1300's VStream windscreen was made.
Founded as Nation's Cycle Center by his father, Gordon, back in 1937, the company produced motorcycle windscreens and accessories for a "new" enthusiast market. Things took off after WWII and the family business has been looking to the future ever since.
National Cycle is an OEM supplier to manufacturers from Harley-Davidson to BMW. The consumer line includes replacement and aftermarket screens featuring innovative quick-release mechanisms for motorcycles, scooters and ATV/UTVs. Their successful ZTechnik brand is a full line of screens and accessories for the BMW rider. Other products include luggage, lighting, trim pieces, even exhaust pipes.
Barry is a businessman, a forward thinker and a rider. He and his wife have ridden the U.S. and Europe — he knows his stuff. He's coined the phrase RIDER*CENTRIK, the company's product design philosophy that states that everything they do is about the Rider.
For a gearhead like myself, a few hours spent talking bikes and touring the factory with Barry was a day well spent. And, I got an up close look at how my ST1300's VStream windscreen was made.
I didn't get to meet this gal.
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