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You really have to take a look at this machine. Jerry Romano has managed to fit an Ariel Square Four into a Norton Featherbed frame. Just the fact that he massaged the engine into the frame speaks volumes about his skill with motorcycles. This is one of the most incredible customs to come along in a while - it even looks factory-made. The 997cc Ariel Square Four engine is the design of Triumph legend Edward Turner and is a classic all by itself...take the link and be impressed!
Ducati has made it official, the factory will be returning to the Isle of Man TT with full support for Michael Rutter and his BSB team. Rutter will use Ducati motorcycles in four of five races he plans on challenging. It has only been about seven years since Ducati was last on the Island, but motorcycle technology has changed a great deal in those years. It will be another good reason to attend the event...if you are able!
http://tinyurl.com/yb52h7w
Harry Altena is a big fan of his VW R32 cage and he also operates a custom bike shop. Well, those two added up to the Suzuki GSX R R32, a custom Suzuki GSX-R1000 which has been matched to the car, believe it or not. The wheels look very much the same and the single-sided swingarm is actually an interesting piece. To understand the project, though, you really need to see it. So, please take the link...
http://tinyurl.com/ybc9ovj
Here we have a report from the 2010 Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show which took place at and during Daytona Bike Week about two weeks ago. They were much more ambitious this year as they scheduled five shows over the week and added some new categories. Many of the bikes are not to everyone's taste - often overdone and way too much chrome - but the ideas presented were worth attending for everyone. For the details, please take the link...
http://tinyurl.com/yl3bvx8
The new Michelin Power Pure motorcycle tire is being lauded as the lightest motorcycle tire ever produced. Of course, they are the ones making the claim, but they do back it up with evidence. We will also see for certain once they hit the streets - both figuratively and literally. They will use Michelin's Two-Compound Technology (2CT) and their Light Tire Technology (LTT) for better performance all around. Check out the press release for more information...
http://tinyurl.com/ykj8hax
Honda's former Goldwing factory in Marysville, Ohio, has now become a parts center for the auto factory next door. The factory has been in the city for over 30 years now...and, it really was a shame when they moved production to Japan. But, they have to do what they have to do...
http://tinyurl.com/y8zbmzv
Well, it is not my dream machine, but it is certainly creative! The Shifcustom Duster hails from Eastern Europe and the fabrication is done all in house. The builder is using it as a showpiece. A Ducati Monster S4 provides its engine for the machine. It's got its strong points, but white?
http://tinyurl.com/y9bvlfl
Former AMA Chairman of the Board is now serving time behind bars as opposed to in them. After the lengthy trial and some wrangling, he has plead guilty and will serve at least 30 days of an eight month sentence - he can apply for early release after his first month. Considering his crimes, it seems a fair sentence...but, he did pay the money back.
http://tinyurl.com/yho9ofj
Designer Oberdan Bezzi has worked with the great motorcycle marques - Ducati, Cagiva, Aprilia, Benelli and Moto Guzzi - during his time. And, it is very likely that you have seen some of his sketches on various motorcycle websites and in many magazines. He is a very creative and makes some designs which demonstrate perfectly the passion he has for motorcycles - just look through them! For a quick interview, please take the link.
http://tinyurl.com/yaw3lgz
Dirico Motorcycles has teamed up with Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler to create three Aerosmith 'Dream On' Pro-Street custom motorcycles for the Ohio Lottery. Each will be emblazoned with Aerosmith logos and the signatures of the entire band. They will be given away in a special scratch-and-win lottery game in Ohio. For all the details, please take the link and get your tickets when they are available!
http://tinyurl.com/y8brvz5
Aaron Zanotti is getting ready to tackle the 2010 British Superbike Championship Evo Class. However, he severed ties with his former race team, Red Viper Racing, and is looking to taking on the series as a privateer. But, he has yet to get the sponsorship he needs to take his Suzuki GSX-R1000 to the track. It's always about money...
http://tinyurl.com/yfhktgn
This machine is famous - and you have certainly seen it in some moto magazine somewhere. It is the Carpy Honda CB750 Cafe, and it is one of a kind. Of course, the people offering it up for sale on eBay are quite proud of the machine and seem to have added some extra value simply due to the bike's popularity. However, it does appear that anyone who has thrown a leg over on this one has enjoyed it very much. Take a look and, if you have US$25,000 or more, it could be yours.
http://tinyurl.com/yz6659c
Troy Lee Designs has signed on with Chad McQueen to create McQueen Racing. The company will produce performance parts by working with top designers, engineers and designers. McQueen's new partnership will also support the TLD racing effort. They will also produce several limited-edition custom project bikes end even special parts to be sold in very limited quantities. For more information, take the link.
http://tinyurl.com/yd2jxwm
Freddie Spencer will star at the Vintage Motorcycle Club's Festival of 1000 Bikes - which is coming up this July at the U.K. track Mallory Park. He will be riding a three-cylinder Rothmans Honda NS500 GP race bike. This is only first of what should be many legendary racers and motorcycle personalities which will be attending the event, so take the link and make your plans now!
http://tinyurl.com/yza84wg
Now, another very coll piece of news is the Yamaha YZR500 replica; you can actually build one for around £18,000 (currently around US$28,000). This is all thanks to Mico Products of Australia. In fact, they have a number of bikes from which you can choose to re-create and ride at your own leisure. You may have seen their bikes before and not even known it...take the link and watch the video.
http://tinyurl.com/yh5hw6b
Ace Cafe London will be hosting a motorcycle and custom show 26 - 28 February 2010 which they call the Ally Pally 10. It will be held at Alexandra Palace, Wood Green in London, U.K. Expect some very interesting custom bikes and some incredible historic and vintage machines to be on display. It is not to be missed!
http://tinyurl.com/ydqos6n
And, more attendees: http://tinyurl.com/ygh2ouv
The 2010 Suzuki Gladius has been panned and praised. Most say that the machine could use some styling work and some stronger suspension, but the video after the link below is the wrap-up of a long-term test with the machine. If you really want to know what living with this bike is like, take the link and watch the video.
http://tinyurl.com/y9e5a99
This machine is a real work of art from Englishman Chris Barber of (his own shop) Crossbreed Cycles. He has taken an Alpha Romeo 156-horsepower 2.5 liter V6 and plopped into a Harley-Davidson hardtail frame and a H-D four-speed gearbox (would have put a better tranny on it myself) - and he calls it the Alphabeast. Take the link and you will see why. Finally, an auto engine from Italy stuffed into a custom! Who else is tired of 350 V-8 engines being stuffed into a bike frame?
http://tinyurl.com/yj2co3c
The 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 was the product of some of the most intensive engine development that Ducati has ever done (I wonder if that means fewer warranty claims on this model?). It is said that the new Multistrada will go for 15,000 miles between services; if true, it will be a phenomenal leap for the Italian marque. Maybe owning a Ducati - leaving out the initial purchase price - will start to cost more in line with the Japanese manufacturers...we can hope!
http://tinyurl.com/ylzhtul
There is a great deal of activity in the MotoGP series this week. The teams are already on location and have set up for practice at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia. The overseers of the series will also be on hand as they continue to firm up rules for the new 1000c.c. displacement rules, which should go into effect in 2012. And, we also hear that every single rider on the MotoGP grid will be wearing Ohlins suspenders - can someone say spec-suspension? And, new Ducati team manager, Vittoriano Guareschi, actually took 10 of the 2010 Ducati Desmosedici bikes out on the Sepang track for some practice - all on his own; talk about dedication. Of course, Guareschi was also factory test rider for Ducati before taking his current position.
Teams - http://tinyurl.com/ycbu9zw
MotoGP rules - http://tinyurl.com/yc953jx
Ohlins - http://tinyurl.com/yb8jxnj
Vittoriano Guareschi - http://tinyurl.com/ye6tels
Bongothedude has just released its first ever custom trading card service for motorcyclists. There are several packs already available online and they will even make a custom card for you or custom cards for your entire club or organization. As with baseball trading cards, there is a color image of the motorcycle on the front and a detailed information panel on the back. It's a good idea for any riding group - and, it could be fun to use them as business cards as well. Take a look and get some for yourself.
http://tinyurl.com/yaurnyl
Italian designer Pietro Figini of TPR Italian Factory has taken his eyes and hands to the modern Triumph Scrambler. He has taken it and turned it into a retro-looking machine worthy of a museum display, but it is simply a modern take on the classic look - it will still be under warranty and will perform like a modern motorcycle. Take the link and have a look for yourself.
http://tinyurl.com/ygmluda
BMW has created a special edition of its R1200R for the 40th anniversary of their Berlin plant and auctioned it late last year. It is a Roadster with special parts and pieces from the BMW accessory catalog - and there are plenty of them. The proceeds from the sale went to Save the Children Deutschland. They managed to raise €14,951 for the great cause.
http://tinyurl.com/ycmbs43
AMA Pro Racing and MavTV have signed on to actually air the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship on TV. You may or may not have the station, so you need to check with your satellite or cable TV provider. But, if you do have it, you will get to see 5 of the 21 rounds this year - and, the agreement will be in effect for three years.
http://tinyurl.com/yeykdt3
Remember the Suzuki TL1000? It had a great engine, but was let down just a bit by its chassis. Well, Dutch chassis man Nico Bakker has taken the engine from that Suzuki machine and placed it a frame of his own design - it is destined to become a Triumph Speed Triple competitor, but it is a bit more expensive. Take the the link to see for yourself...
http://tinyurl.com/y97xeg2
We have heard endless articles written about the Aprilia RSV-4 engine recall...but, we have not heard much about Kawasaki's recall of their 2009 Super Sherpa KL250G9F. Apparently, there is an issue with plastic pieces - from the painting process - getting into the engine and seizing a camshaft. You need to get that one checked quick!
http://tinyurl.com/yzhzllh
Over at the former Buell plant the liquidation of the factory has now started. There were many interesting items available on the first day, but there were only a few 'great deals' available at this time. The vehicles, for instance, were all at Blue Book value. It must have been a rather sad day for fans of the marque...but some got good deals and some will get them later.
http://tinyurl.com/yfwxlue
FB Corse has officially announced that John Hopkins will no longer be their rider for the select rounds of the MotoGP series in 2010. Instead, they have selected another high-profile rider whose name we have yet to know. They insist that all is still on track for their first race, so they should be getting to testing very soon.
http://tinyurl.com/ybscz92
Could the replacement be Garry McCoy: http://tinyurl.com/ydy53fb
So, the VFR1200F was not as spectacular as we all expected it would be - Honda missed the mark a bit with that one. But, some Belgians have brought to us something Honda should have considered a rather long time ago. A 1999 VFR800 has been modified with Fireblade (CBR1000RR) suspension and a special engine adaptation which allows the bike to run on bio-fuel. Bio-fuel! And, it still turns out a respectable 134 HP and only weighs 212 kg (full of fuel). Honestly, if it is ever built and sold, I will buy one! Take a look at the VFR800RR Bioblade.
http://tinyurl.com/yazx7gt
At the upcoming MCN London Motorcycle Show, iconic race bikes from seasons past will be on display. These include Valentino Rossi's 2009 YZR-M1, Barry Sheene's Yamaha OW53, Kevin Schwantz's 1993 RGV500 and more. For all of the information, take the link.
http://tinyurl.com/y87f6cx
This is a rather short one, but very interesting. Paul Zuniga decided to build a Norton similar to the one Kenny Dreer originally designed as the Norton rebirth. His Norton has a single-shock rear end and inverted Kawasaki forks. It will have an 880c.c. over-bored Norton twin in it as soon as he is finished. But, now it looks just fine as it is. It looks very good and it starts my mind to wandering...
http://tinyurl.com/ya7qtuq
A builder and designer in the U.K. has actually managed to turn the Buell 1125R into something which has a far superior aesthetic value than the stock model. The bike is called the Magpul Ronin, and it just may be a model for future products. As it is now, it is merely a prototype, but the Buell owners will likely push them to produce some of the cool bits on this machine for the public to buy. If Magpul does not, they will be losing some serious money.
http://tinyurl.com/ykvge96
And, it is from the same source that we get the first real look at the new Harley-Davidson 48. It is based on a Sportster 1200 (the second most common H-D) and it has fatter tires and a single seat. Not sure what is supposed to be so special, but then I am not an obsessive H-D fan like some are...
http://tinyurl.com/ykljt9u
US review: http://tinyurl.com/y93gugm
And, here is some important news for U.K. residents; the Aspire charity group which does work for people with severe spinal injuries, allowing them to live normal lives. They will be having what they call a D-Day Ride Out, which will take place in France on 12 - 13 June 2010. Head on over to the website for more details.
http://www.aspire.org.uk/bikers/
Gino Rea, European 600cc Superstock Champion, and Leon Camier, British Superbike Champion, have taken off to Spain to do some testing - and to get away from the English winter. Both riders are getting some practice in and enjoying the warmer weather.
http://tinyurl.com/yhd6afx
Honestly, I do not know how to title this, but here is the story as I can understand it. Eighteen-year-old Ryan Mackey has built a replica/real/custom Harley-Davidson WLA and won a contest for it, or unrelated to it, and another motorcycle. He did win the AMCA Youth Program Giveaway Bike, which is an honor of some sort. Honestly, the quality of writing leaves something to be desired, but you can go and check it out for yourself.
http://tinyurl.com/ylgjb5l
The Aprilia RSV-4 (R or Factory), which we heard yesterday was recalled in Australia, is now also being recalled in the US. The article does not specify which version (another poorly written piece), but we can probably assume it was among the earlier generations, thus is likely the Factory model. Keep in mind that there have been NO reports of any failures in the field, none at all.
http://tinyurl.com/yhoyy4e
http://tinyurl.com/ykmotux
And more detail - a complete engine exchange: http://tinyurl.com/ybczceq
Yep, you too can have a motorcycle which sips fuel at around 214 mpg (91 km/liter). Dutch designer/builder Allert Jacobs has built a streamlined machine which achieves that incredible fuel efficiency - though, he did miss his goal, so far, of 235 mpg (100 km/liter). He used a Honda Innova ANF125i, a 125c.c. motorcycle out of Asia, and turned it into a recumbent motorcycle, but made very few changes to the engine itself. Check it out!
