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Over thirty years
ago, Harris Performance Products Limited was established by brothers
Steve and Lester Harris and third director Stephen Bayford. The
Harris company now designs, develops, manufactures and markets road
and racing motorcycle chassis and components that are marketed in
the UK and exported worldwide. The enthusiasm of the trio for
motorcycle sport is as strong now as it was in 1972, they are great
supporters of the adage "racing improves the breed".
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Their Hertford
based workshops have the facilities and undoubted expertise for
working with ferrous and non ferrous metals, machining and welding,
plus the design, development and manufacture of fiberglass and
carbonfibre products, they produce a varied and extensive range of
motorcycle components and accessories. However, their skills go
further, Steve and Lester Harris who are still responsible for the
design and technical aspects of the business also act as consultants
and manufacturers for other companies both in and out of the
motorcycle industry. Stephen Bayford is responsible for the
financial aspects of the company, the day-to-day administration and
the marketing of both the Harris marque and the non-Harris products
distributed by the company.
Harris policy has
always been one of constant development and improvement of their
road and racing components, many after market accessories have been
developed for standard motorcycles marketed by the major
manufacturers. In addition to these, over 2,200 road bikes have been
produced and sold from one-off specials to the famous Magnum range.
On the racetrack,
Harris machines have enjoyed success in all classes of road racing
including Grand Prix, World Superbike, World Championship Endurance,
Isle of Man and top Irish road races. Teams ranging from the top
works equips to the smallest club set-up have come to Harris for
winning machinery for more than three decades. In 1991, Harris were
paid the ultimate compliment of being one of only two companies
world-wide to be licensed by Yamaha Japan to buy factory race
engines for installation in Harris designed and built chassis for
the blue ribbon 500cc Grand Prix World Championship class.
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The efforts made by
Harris Grand Prix to compete with the "big boys" in the 500 class
with what in 1995 was the biggest individual team with 3 x 500 GP
riders, not only attracted the praise and enthusiasm of the
motorcycle media and enthusiasts, but also attracted the attention
of Suzuki. In 1995, Harris were invited to create, organise and
manage the official Suzuki factory World Superbike Team and to race
the latest Suzuki flagship, the GSX-R750 WT. In addition to managing
this totally autonomous project, Harris were contracted by Suzuki to
distribute the GSX-R750 factory type race kit components worldwide
to Suzuki Superbike customers. The development of the GSX-R750
completed during the racing seasons '96/97/98 through the
partnership between Suzuki Motor Corporation and Harris established
the GSX-R as a formidable race winner at all levels of the sport.
Through 1999 and 2000, Harris retained their association with world
championship, the hands-on aspect of racing was maintained through
an involvement with Kawasaki Motors UK Superbike Team in 1999, and
in 2000 the formation, running and management of the Harris Honda
Britain Superbike team, developing the VTR1000 SP-1. Both of these
teams included a "Scholarship" aspect to help young Superbike stars,
a policy Harris are anxious to continue.
In 2001, Harris
declined various offers to race with their own team at both national
and international level. Mid 2001 the company was invited by Sauber
Petronas Engineering AG to join them as their chassis partner in
developing a 4-stroke Grand Prix racer using the SPE developed
engine. The first phase culminated in a complete new racer being
presented at the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix in October 2001.
Harris have maintained their association with SPE and there is a
mutual desire for further development of the Sauber Harris Moto GP
project. During 2002, there was concentration on further development
and expansion of the core business, new products were designed and
developed and more non-Harris products introduced into the catalogue
of "Parts for Pros". This expansion necessitated a move of the
administration, sales, marketing, warehousing and dispatch aspect of
the company to a new premises in late 2002. Traditionally, Harris
products have been developed through the involvement and association
with racing. This policy continued during 2002 with many new
products evolving as a result. Many products benefiting from the
information gained as technical support and product sponsors to the
Virgin Aiwa Yamaha Team and from the association as Öhlins importers
with the Crescent Racing Rizla Suzuki Team. Toward the end of the
year, Harris were approached by WCM to design, develop and build a
moto GP machine to accommodate an engine unit they were to develop.
This motorcycle contested moto GP during 2003 and Harris look
forward to continuing their association with the team. Harris has
been the official UK importer and race representative of Öhlins
suspension for approaching 20 years, representing this technical
suspension company in all aspects of road and race, on and off road
motorcycling.
Harris continues to
diversify and is a technical partner to the official Yamaha UK
Supermoto team in this exciting racing discipline. The company is
also expanding its marketing operation of non Harris branded
products, and are proud of their association with the respected
motorcycling names and products to be found in this catalogue. With
regard to product range and service, the Harris policy is one of
constant development and improvement. These products, like those
designed and manufactured by Harris, whether supplied for road or
racing applications are all... "Race Proven"!
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