Sunday Afternoon Diversions - Blue Ridge Parkway Turns 75!

The Blue Ridge Parkway's first pavement was laid on 11 September 1935; it's 469-mile length started at the Cumberland Knob right next to the North Carolina and Virginia border region. Many local events will be held in honor of this milestone including the Blue Ridge Bike Fest, 9 - 11 April 2010, and the Wheels Through Time Museum will hold an exhibit entitled “Motoring the Blue Ridge Parkway." It would be a great ride for your summer trip. For more details, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yb3fkm9

Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - RFK, Sturgis and TTXGP

A new press release from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Ride for Kids lets us know that even the tough economy did not keep the generous spirit of motorcyclists from doing what they do best - earning money for the cause. In 2009, the charity raised over US$4.4 million. They have also added another event for 2010. To learn more, click the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ygcvozg

The Sturgis Rally will turn 70 years old in 2010 and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame is getting ready for the celebration. So, take the link and learn about what to expect if you are heading to the event in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yl5otw6

There is news that another team has signed up to ride in the 2010 TTXGP series - 666 Road Racing Limited. They will be campaigning a Mavizen TTX02 eSuperbike with co-founder Nick Potts piloting the machine. They have even provided a video for your viewing pleasure.

http://tinyurl.com/y8rmxza

Monday Morning Moto News - Back to Work Edition, Part 2

Had to have a part two...unfortunately. The host of this blog only allows so many tags and I keep exceeding that number so I have to start a new post. Here we go, more 2010 moto news...

It looks like youngster Scott Redding may be close to inking a Moto2 deal for 2010. He may be riding for the new Belgian Moto2 team (Marc VDS Racing) led by former factory Kawasaki boss Michael Bartholemy. There is not a confirmation as of yet, but it is known that the two have been in talks since December.

http://tinyurl.com/yel8pps

More about the MCN Motorcycle Show coming up during 4 - 7 January 2010 at the ExCel London. You could win a wearable camera, the X170 Action Camera, which will debut at the event. Check it out!

http://tinyurl.com/yc8zmvu

Out in Sacramento, California, the California Automobile Museum (2200 Front St.) will have a show entitled "Born to Ride" which will feature several significant motorcycles from last century. Included will be an H-D once owned by Steve McQueen and the very rare 1942 Crocker. If you can get there, please do!

http://tinyurl.com/y8f4vgf

The New Year's Eve Afternoon - News from the Moto World

Yep, even more news on this 31 December 2009...

English Triumph dealer Jack Lilley has now finished his usual custom line-up for us. With this one, he took a 2009 Triumph Bonneville SE and Scrambler and painted and upgraded them for sale to the public. The paint on these machines is worth the extra £, which is not much anyway. He has also changed items like the exhaust, tires, seats, and much more. Really, you should take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yaplv3f

And, there is another custom (featured before on this blog) which Roland Sands will be donating for the PBTF as he does every year. This one is a CBR1000RR (Fireblade in the rest of the world) Streetfighter which he has chopped, cut and painted to look just spectacular. It even maintains its huge power characteristics. You will see it up for auction in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yby3vl6

There is also news from the TT organizers, the Auto Cycle Union, and the Isle of Man Department of Tourism about the Isle of Man in 2010. There are plenty of events lined up - enough to even make you miss the races - for 2010, so make sure to make your arrangements yesterday - well, as soon as you are able!

http://tinyurl.com/ydm4o3n

And, to finish off this post we have a look into the Honda Collection Hall at the Twin Ring Motegi in Japan. The author was fortunate enough to get a chance to see it while in Japan for the press introduction of the 2010 VFR1200F. It's worth a visit and, if you cannot get there anytime soon, a read.

http://tinyurl.com/yd8g9lm

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum Offering Free Admission

The IMS Hall of Fame will offer free admission to their incredible collection - currently including Kevin Schwantz's 1993 World Championship-winning Suzuki RGV500 - along with a narrated tour of the track. This part of their “12 Free Days of Indy Christmas.” Live nearby? Then, get your rear end to IMS on 23 December 2009, the day of the event!

http://tinyurl.com/yg67g4w

UK eBay Find: 1920's Era Triumph ND Deluxe

This Triumph is a very rare machine indeed. It is a 1920's era ND Deluxe - and it is in the middle of restoration. So, if you can make the purchase, you are already on the way to turning it in to a show bike. At my last look at the entry, it was at £5,000.00 with no bids and the reserve price not met (of course). If you live nearby, this might be your only chance to get your hands on a museum-worthy motorcycle which you can enjoy!

http://tinyurl.com/yayxgqs

Incredible List of Italian Motorcycle Museums (in Italy)

Some of the collections are only available to view via appointment, so check the details to be sure. This list is quite inclusive and includes some of the rarest and most beautiful machines on the planet. The only problem...all of them are in Italy. But, that is a good reason for a vacation!

http://tinyurl.com/yfa4mlp

Willy Neutkens' Extensive BMW Collection Now 100% Sold

Bonhams handled the auction - and it is good that they did as the bidding was frantic and there were interested parties from all over the world. The original estimate for the total value of the sale was at €590,000 (US$884,145); in the end, though, it turned out to be a €1,038,400 (US$1,556,094) auction - almost double the estimate. Neutken's collection was vast and included just about every important model of BMW since the marque was born. Now it is all in the hands of some very satisfied buyers...the sour economy is not holding everyone back, some are doing just fine. You have to take the link as there is just too much information for me to post it all here...

http://tinyurl.com/yk8cvqq

http://tinyurl.com/yf734q4

Even more information - and a picture! http://tinyurl.com/yaoec3s

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

2010 Isle of Man TT to Feature Suzuki 50th Anniversary Exhibition

At next year's Isle of Man TT it will be 50 years since Suzuki first participated in the TT, so they are celebrating it. There will be a display at the Manx Museum in Douglas. Most of the thanks should be given to Suzuki Great Britain. There will be historic machinery, accessories, racing leathers, and memorabilia marking the highlights of Suzuki’s participation in the world-famous TT races. If you are going, why not stop by and see it!?

http://tinyurl.com/ya2v66c

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

Harley-Davidson Team with Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design for 'Helmet Project'

What an odd pairing - a design school and H-D, who hardly do anything new to their motorcycles. The school, MIAD (Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design), and Harley are teaming up for the 'Helmet Project' - which had over 100 students create new helmet designs which stretch the boundaries of what a helmet should be. It will be on display at the H-D Museum during 23 October to 8 November 2009. Yeah, I know, the irony is not lost on me; H-D riders are usually the ones NOT wearing helmets...

http://tinyurl.com/yhukm7n

http://tinyurl.com/yllrlqf

Another Trip to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Alabama

Not much I can add to the words said about the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. If you know about it, then you know it is an amazing destination which every gear-head in the world should visit. If you know next to nothing about it, please take the link and have a look! After all - it is a paradise!

http://tinyurl.com/yezj246

Take a Tour of the Honda Museum at Twin Ring Motegi

Graham Rahal, son of Bobby, took a video crew to the Twin Ring Motegi Honda Museum for your viewing pleasure...

http://tinyurl.com/yba7z6b

South Africa's First Historic Motorcycle Museum Opens

In the sleepy village of Deneysville in South Africa, the Historic Motorcycle Museum has set up shop. It is the first of its kind in South Africa and, most likely, the only one on the entire continent. Given the large number of racers, tuners and motorcycle fanatics from the region, the new museum should not be missed if you travel or live in the area!

http://tinyurl.com/lf24u7

Art Exhibit in New York to Display 12 Aprilia Motorcycles

Eleven Aprilia RSV-1000Rs and one RSV-4 will be on display from 2 - 11 October at the 26x3 gallery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The exhibit is called "Stop/Action" and is presented by Hell for Leather magazine.

http://tinyurl.com/nzo95w

Time is Short to Register for 5th Annual Barber Vintage Festival

Over at the Barber Motorsports Park, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum will host the Barber Vintage Festival on 8 - 9 October 2009. If you plan on riding your classic two-wheeler at the event, or even selling some awesome historical motorcycle, you should get in touch with them ASAP. Only a few weeks remain to plan travel for those who wish to attend.

http://tinyurl.com/m5qmx4

"Golden Era Run" Vintage Rally in Yorkshire, UK

Meeting at the Yorkshire Air Museum at 9AM on Sunday 27 September 2009 will be the Yorkshire Vintage Motorcycle Club. They will hold the "Golden Era Run" which will feature motorcycles from as far back as 1904! In fact, none of the machines included in this rally were produced after 1930...this is really not to be missed!

http://tinyurl.com/mvsxeo

The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft Presents "The Wind in Your Hair: Vintage Motorcycles"

Actually, the exhibit is already in progress at the Louisville, Kentucky museum. However, on Thursday, September 17th at 6:00pm, local photographer Sarah Lyon will give a lecture about her series "Women Motorcycle Mechanics." If you are a member, the event is free; if not, it is only US$5 to join it.

http://tinyurl.com/p7hkzw

Art of the Chopper to be at Appleton Museum of Art

In central Florida, Ocala to be exact, the Art of the Chopper exhibit will make an entrance on 10 October 2009. The traveling exhibition of 30 custom motorcycles will be accompanied by many photos of the build process and background information on each builder. I expect it to do well while in Florida!

http://tinyurl.com/rbe26r