More Afternoon Moto News - AHRMA, Honda Australia & Scams, Cheats and Hoaxes

And attorney in Steamboat Springs, Rob Stricker, has won the AHRMA's 2009 Vintage Trials Series in the Rigid Heavyweight Intermediate Class. His ride in the event was a 1952 BSA Goldstar. Stricker is a long-time rider with a long history in trials riding. Check out the article...

http://tinyurl.com/yftf7dh

Honda Australia has announced that they are restructuring and will cease operations of the Honda Riders Club of Australia effective immediately. As with the American version, which is still barely active, its activities spanned the entire range of sports associated with Honda motorsports products. All of that work will now be done in-house at the Australian HQ.

http://tinyurl.com/ylxz7zw

MCN (UK) has produced a very cool read about scams, cheats and hoaxes in the motorcycle world. Some are quite amazingly interesting and others are just plain laugh out loud funny. The one about the FP1, though, I would like to research more just to find the truth - not to hurt anyone, but to finally know what actually did happen. OK, so take the link and read them, you will enjoy it!

http://tinyurl.com/ye2qu7h

Saturday Afternoon Moto News - Brittown DVD & WSBK Practice Day 2

A DVD chronicling part of the life of vintage Norton racer and mechanic Jeff "Meatball" Tulinius from his homebase, his Hell On Wheels shop in Anaheim, California. The film is called "Brittown" and it covers his time racing a BSA and just being himself. There is a video preview after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yfny4e4

We now have some more reports from the World Superbike Championship testing taking place at Portimao in Portugal. Jonathan Rea was the fastest on this day, but it was a wet session - good for testing, though. Leon Haslam, yesterday's leader, was close to Rea in second. There is plenty more for the teams to do, so expect yet another leader tomorrow.

http://tinyurl.com/ylzy6xf

http://tinyurl.com/yghj74u

http://tinyurl.com/yzt5e6l - From Haga and Fabrizio

Thursday Morning Classic Bike News

The first part of this post is another eBay find - a 1941 Indian Sport Scout. It looks to be un-restored and the owner claims only 19,000 miles. It is also said that the engine turns over and has good compression, but no other details are mentioned. At last look, the auction was at US$10,100 and the reserve price had not yet been met. Take a look at history and imagine being able to buy this one...

http://tinyurl.com/ybvu22d

Next, we have a story about a tour through Texas on British singles, believe it or not. Given the extensive road network and huge distances between places in the state, it is hard to imagine driving so far on such small motorcycles, but the author and some friends did just that. They spend a great deal of time enjoying the Texas Hill Country...and so should you!

http://tinyurl.com/y96w8u4

Thursday Morning Moto News Part 3 - General News

First up is a list - complete with photos - of some of the most extreme and insane motorcycles ever built. Though most of them are prototypes or concept vehicles, many are also production and could have been purchased after they were built. However, some of them are just simply insane. Either way, you are bound to find something which gets your heart pumping! (Mind you, though, that some choices here you will not agree with.)

http://tinyurl.com/ybfjddz

Husaberg brings you highlights of the 2009 ISDE in Figueira da Foz in Portugal. The videos are posted to YouTube and they are all about the Husaberg riders, so take the link and enjoy.

http://tinyurl.com/yb39lcy

Now we hear that Kenny Eggers has passed away at the age of 80 - natural causes, they say. He was part of the "BSA Wrecking Crew" from 1950's era racing in the US. He took fifth place in the Grand National Series opener at Daytona, riding a BSA Shooting Star. That launched him into fame as every racer who finished in front of him was also on a BSA. He will be remembered as a great racer, a talented builder and an all-around nice guy.

http://tinyurl.com/y9g3klk

Australian Ivan Casson Has an Impressive Collection of Historic Motorcycles

Casson lives in Australia and has a very nice, reinforced and secure garage in the back of his house there. Inside the garage is an enviable collection of some very fine motorcycles. A jaw-droppingly well-maintained 1933 Matchless Silver Hawk, and bikes from BSA, Brough Superior, Vincent, Ariel, Sunbeam and four Triumphs, a Speed Twin, Tiger, 3T and Thunderbird - all are in his garage, but that is not all. From the modern age, a mint-condition 1982 Honda CB1100R, a Benelli Sei six-cylinder and a BMW R100RT. Check out the story after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9ukmoz

“Spirit of the Motorcycle” Exhibition in Mildura, Australia

The city is not that far from Adelaide and the display will be incredible. Historic motorcycles from Ducati, Vincent, Triumph, BSA, Velocette and several others along with many rare competition models will be on display; over 100 motorcycle will be shown. It will be held at the Wooden Eye Estate Winery on 5 December 2009 starting at 12 Noon. If you can, you should go! All proceeds go to local charities.

http://tinyurl.com/ybntclr

eBay Find: 1963 BSA Thunderbolt for Sale

It's not like these just pop up for sale every day. No, this is a rare machine we have here. The BSA featured here is even more uncommon in that it only has 23,000 miles on the clock and it is a daily rider. It looks as if it has been well taken care of. So, if you are interested in a classic motorcycle which you could ride just about anywhere, take a look:

http://tinyurl.com/yha7akj

Massachusetts Vintage Motorcycle Auction

Massachusetts auctioneers J. Wood & Company will be auctioning off the The Bettencourt Collection on Saturday 21 November 2009. Over 180 historic and vintage motorcycles will be up for sale - with NO reserve - to help Mr. Bettencourt raise funds to fight his leukemia - of course, as this is the USA, health care is only for the wealthy. Hondas, Norton, BSA, Bultaco, CZ, Triumph, Harley-Davidson, Indian, Suzuki, Ossa, Yamaha, Jawa, Francis Barnett, Rickman, Vespa, Laverda, Yankee, NSU, MZ, Bridgestone, Montessa motorcycles will be sold at the event. I can honestly say that I wish I could make it!

http://tinyurl.com/yaotq4z

http://tinyurl.com/yjhrx84

Prescot Museum in Merseyside is Running British Motorcycle Exhibition

Over in the U.K., just outside of Liverpool, the Prescot has opened ‘Megaphones and Magnetos: A history of the British Motorcycle Industry’ and it will run through 4 January 2010. Admission is free, so ride on over if you are close enough - or, don't and miss this excellent display of classic and historic British motorcycles.

http://tinyurl.com/yfkbaay

WOW! Awesome Classic Motorcycle Auction!

You will not believe the wonderful, classic and historical items up for sale in this auction. There are plenty of old Hondas, Kawasakis, BSAs, Ariels - and it just goes on! Plus, there are some NOS (New Old Stock) parts available as well. In fact, I have been looking at the auction for about 15 minutes now and I still have not seen all of it yet...go on and have a look!

http://tinyurl.com/yh29hjn

P.S. If you live here in Oregon and want to get together and purchase some of these machines, please let me know. I have storage and I can fix these things up or part them out...

Classic Bike Show at NEC in Birmingham (UK) to be Bigger than Ever

The Classic Motor Show to be held in Birmingham at the NEC will go off 13 - 15 November 2009. Don't miss it! They have added even more space and clubs to the event; this year the BSA Bantam Club will show 2008’s Best Bike In Show and a BSA/Triumph hybrid...Other clubs attending the show will be the Vincent HRD Owners’ Club, the Kettle Club, and the MPC Ural/Dnepr riders club. The main event, though, will be the Ace Café Racer Concours, which will be front and center at the exhibition hall. Really, this is worth a trip from anywhere...

http://tinyurl.com/yfk2s7v

Jim Norris Estate Motorcycle Auction in Muscatine, Iowa

If you are looking for a motorcycle project, a classic bike or a historic off-road machine, you do not want to miss this auction. Given the economic climate these days, there will be some very good deals available at this auction. There will be a Honda CBX, several Honda Trail bikes, BSA dirt-trackers and much, much more! Over 80 motorcycles will be up for auction as well as other motorcycle-related memorabilia. Get to Iowa any way that you can - and buy that CBX for me (it counts as a tax write-off)!

http://tinyurl.com/yhovw7w

Former Dirt Track Tuner C.R. Axtell Dies

In yet another bit of sad news, the dirt track community mourns the loss of C.R. Axtell. This short notice does not do the man justice...but, it is a start:

http://tinyurl.com/nbhdtu

US Automakers Should Look Back to British Motorcycle Industry

This may fall slightly off the subject matter here, but it is a very interesting read. This is a short summary of what killed off the British motorcycle industry, and why. This should read as a cautionary tale for America's auto industry - if you become irrelevant, you die.

http://tinyurl.com/mg9d3s

2009 TR3OC Beezumph Motorcycle Rally in England

I have to say that I wish I were overseas to attend this event! A celebration of everything BSA/Triumph triple, the Beezumph rally will take place this weekend (14&15 August, 2009) in Cadwell Park, UK.

http://tinyurl.com/p6pusb

BSA B.40 350 - Memorable Motorcycles With Poor Design?

Frank Melling has a treasure trove of memories in his head. Having raced in Britain for many years, he has become acquainted with some of the most famous motorcycles in history. Of course, his memory of the BSA B.40 here is one of poor design and horridly dull manners, despite being a beautiful machine to restore and gaze upon.

http://tinyurl.com/kwjwk2