One of the younger names in British motorcycle braking has assumed the mantle of one of the oldest names. HEL Performance, based in Exeter, Devon, has taken on Harrison Billet brakes, set up by the late Ken Harrison in the mid-1980s.
Kent-based Harrison Billet has a strong reputation in the performance aftermarket world, where its multi-piston billet calipers feature on many one-off specials and hand-built custom machines, as well as competition machines. The Harrison brand will continue as normal, with staff being retained and operations moving to Exeter. HEL also says the name will remain in the future.
Simon Lane, HEL ownerAnnouncing the news, HEL owner Simon Lane, paid tribute to Ken Harrison and thanked the current owners, Janine and Peter Jarrett, who are retiring.
“Ken was one of the very first people to sell our lines – as an engineer, he understood what we were doing, that it was better to have permanently attached brake line fittings and that stainless steel was the optimum material for the fittings. Ken unfortunately passed away a while ago, but he made such a huge impact on HEL Performance that his name will always be front and centre here. I remained in contact with Harrison Billet’s current owners, Janine and Peter, as well as staff members, throughout the years.
“When Janine and Peter spoke to me about the fact that they wanted to retire, the conversation obviously came around to what would happen to Harrison Billet. Very proudly, and in the most amazing way, we have been very fortunate to have been offered to continue the Harrison Billet brand to make sure the name and the memories are kept strong in the marketplace.
“I hope that Ken would have been over the moon with this outcome – a true engineer who was the first true ‘disruptor’ in our industry.”