Jay Eshbach of APE passes away

Jay Eshbach, 1944-2024
We at Dragbike.com are deeply saddened by the recent news of the sudden passing of Jay Eshbach, the President and founder of APE (American Performance Engineering). Jay's journey began in 1974, operating the business out of his garage in Torrance, California. From these modest origins, Jay propelled APE to remarkable success, emerging as one of the most ardent champions of motorcycle drag racing the sport has ever known.

RIP

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Bummer.  I always enjoyed Jay's comments on this board and others he participated on.  He was a no nonsense guy, of high credibility.  

Truly a pioneer in  motorcycling 
He will be remembered 
RIP  Jay

APE has been my go to for quality machine work for heads and cylinders. Thanks to guys like him and others it makes it a bit easier to do the things we dream up. RIP

Was really sorry to read this, but thanks for posting it and letting us know. Hard to believe he started 50 years ago in his garage.

Sad news for sure,

Yes, sad news, indeed.  RIP Mr. Eshbach.

R.I.P. Sir..
You will be missed.

R.I.P. Jay,a legend in the industry. 

A very recent interview with Jay about 50 years in business.

 I am so sorry to hear about Jay. He answered the phone late one night when I was desperately looking for parts for my Busa. Then at the Mojave Mile he came by the truck and and stickered up my bike. he just hung out for a while like a regular guy. I have a pic of him and I and the Busa on my shop wall. All I can say is he was a Great Man and will be missed by everyone that ever met him.  
Steve

I knew of his passing however what I didn't know was that he was the only one who was doing all of the valve jobs for the Z1 heads I had been sending in over the years. I sent a head in last month and I got a call telling me that they are not doing those heads anymore as Jay was the only one who could get it right on the Serdi machine and he never taught anyone else.

Lucky I have a guy who has done some work on other heads for me and is out of Portland by the name of Schumann Motor Works. He is finishing the stuff APE had waiting on the shelf. Not a lot of shops out there who you can trust with these old heads.