Protolabs supports Harley Davidson Factory Racing with fast 3D printing for better racing results

Digital manufacturer Protolabs is a key contributor to the success of the Harley Davidson Factory Racing Team in the King of the Bagger motorcycle race. By using advanced 3D printing technologies, the team is able to react quickly to race day findings and make continuous improvements to the motorcycles.

The King of the Bagger series is based on touring motorcycles from Harley-Davidson and Indian, which are converted for races where speeds of over 290 km/h are reached.

Says Harley Davidson factory team racing boss Jason Kehl, “For us to be successful we need to respond rapidly to what we are learning on the racetrack and we need a partner that can bring these ideas to life in just a few days. As a digital manufacturer, Protolabs allows us to make those weekly incremental improvements that lead to season-long success.”

One major difference between the motorcycles produced is their weight. While the production version of the Harley-Davidson Road Glide weighs up to 435 kg, the racing bikes come in at just 280 kg. Protolabs supports the team by quickly producing new parts that improve speed and performance without increasing the racing weight. One example of this is a 3D-printed exhaust that allows the team to take tighter turns and save time. The ability to realize individual designs plays a decisive role here.

The collaboration with Protolabs allows the racing team to create prototypes after each race, test them and quickly transfer them to production. This leads to continuous performance improvements and has already resulted in numerous podium finishes. By utilizing digital manufacturing processes, Harley Davidson Factory Racing is not only optimizing the development of their motorcycles, but also setting the standard for the integration of 3D printing into racing.

The partnership between Protolabs and Harley Davidson Factory Racing impressively demonstrates how additive manufacturing technologies can advance motorsport. The ability to react quickly and flexibly to technical requirements gives the team a clear advantage in the tough competition of the King of the Bagger series.