AS3 Performance Parts

Explore all factory and aftermarket dirt bike products directly engineered by AS3 Performance.

Technical Authority Guide Brand Engineering & Heritage Guide

AS3 Performance — Precision Motocross & Enduro Engineering

### Brand Heritage & British Engineering Philosophy AS3 Performance is a premier British manufacturer of high-performance aftermarket motorcycle components, headquartered in the United Kingdom. Founded by dedicated off-road motorcycle racers and precision mechanical engineers, AS3 Performance was established to solve a persistent vulnerability in factory motocross and enduro machines: standard OEM cast aluminum controls, stamped protection plates, and rubber hydraulic hoses that bend, fracture, or fail under the punishing demands of competitive racing.

Operating from advanced design and manufacturing facilities in the UK, AS3 Performance combines cutting-edge 3D CAD modeling, finite element analysis (FEA), 5-axis CNC machining, and high-pressure forging to engineer components with unmatched structural integrity. The brand's development program is rooted in real-world British and European off-road competition, collaborating directly with national motocross championship contenders, British Extreme Enduro riders, and international rally teams. Every component bearing the AS3 Performance badge is designed to survive rock-strewn riverbeds, brutal jump casings, and abrasive mud races that reduce stock parts to scrap.

  • Braided Stainless Steel Brake Lines: Front and rear hydraulic lines constructed with low-expansion PTFE internal cores, high-density 303/304 marine-grade stainless steel wire braiding, and UV-resistant protective PVC sleeves.
  • Heavy-Duty 4mm Aluminum Bash Plates: Full-coverage engine and frame cradle skid plates precision CNC-formed from 5083 aircraft/marine aluminum plate with wrap-around water pump and ignition cover protection.
  • Forged Replacement Control Levers: Brake and clutch levers hot-forged from dense 6061-T6 aluminum with CNC-machined pivot interfaces, reach-adjustable hardware, and radiused finger contact zones.
  • Billet Aluminum Accessories & Protective Hardware: Anodized radiator braces, case savers, axle blocks, oversized footpegs, and engine plug kits engineered for maximum durability and factory aesthetics.

### How AS3 Performance Components Differ from Stock OEM Factory production motorcycles are engineered to balance assembly cost, production speed, and broad consumer use. As a result, OEM bikes feature several notable material compromises that AS3 Performance directly addresses: 1. Hydraulic Braking Feedback & Modulation: OEM rubber brake hoses expand radially under hydraulic pressure, especially when fluid heats up during downhill descents or aggressive braking into ruts. This volumetric expansion creates a spongy, vague brake lever feel and causes severe brake fade. AS3 Performance braided lines feature zero radial expansion, delivering a direct 1:1 hydraulic transfer from the master cylinder to the caliper pistons, resulting in crisp lever firmness and shorter stopping distances. 2. Engine & Case Armor: Stock skid plates are either thin molded plastic or minimal stamped aluminum brackets that leave water pumps, ignition covers, and lower frame rails completely exposed to boulder strikes. The AS3 Performance 4mm 5083 aluminum bash plate provides full wrap-around structural armor, absorbing crushing rock impacts and deflecting sharp obstacles away from fragile magnesium cases. 3. Control Lever Metallurgy: OEM levers are mass-produced from brittle cast aluminum containing microscopic porosity. When a bike tips over in a turn, cast levers snap off at the perch, ending your moto. AS3 Performance levers are hot-forged from dense 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, aligning the crystalline grain structure to resist fracture and allow slight ductile bending rather than catastrophic snapping.

### Manufacturing Standards & Material Excellence AS3 Performance utilizes only aerospace and marine-certified raw materials. Their aluminum bash plates are crafted exclusively from 5083 structural aluminum—an alloy renowned for its exceptional work-hardening characteristics, high shear strength, and superior corrosion resistance compared to common decorative alloys. Control levers and billet accessories undergo multi-stage CNC profiling before being treated with deep-immersion anodizing that resists chemical etching from brake fluid, contact cleaners, and acidic track mud. Every braided brake line is pressure-tested to 4,000 PSI before leaving the UK facility, ensuring 100% safety and leak-free hydraulic performance.

  • Brake Line Installation: Always install AS3 Performance braided brake lines using new copper crush washers on both sides of each banjo fitting. Torque banjo bolts to 18-20 Nm. Flush with fresh DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 glycol-based brake fluid annually.
  • Bash Plate Care: Periodically remove the bash plate during major deep-cleaning cycles to wash out trapped gravel and dirt from the frame rails. Reinstall mounting hardware with medium-strength thread locker torqued to 12-14 Nm.
  • Lever Adjustment: Utilize the stainless steel reach adjustment screw to position the lever blade to your natural finger reach, ensuring the locknut is securely tightened to prevent vibration loosening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are AS3 Performance braided brake lines street-legal and race-certified?

A: Yes. AS3 Performance braided lines exceed all DOT, TUV, and FMVSS-106 safety standards, making them fully approved for professional competition and dual-sport applications.

Q: What is the benefit of 5083 aluminum over standard 6061 aluminum for bash plates?

A: 5083 aluminum possesses higher ductility and superior resistance to fracture under sudden high-velocity impact, making it the premier choice for heavy-duty skid plates that absorb rock strikes.

Q: Do AS3 Performance brake levers require master cylinder modifications?

A: No. Every AS3 Performance lever is engineered to match the exact pivot geometry and pushrod pocket of the factory master cylinder, ensuring direct bolt-on installation.