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

Roland Sands' Custom 2009 Ducati 1098

Out of MCN (UK), we get this story about the Roland Sands custom Ducati 1098. He has done beautiful work to the Italian race machine - and even went on to add a very fat rear tire on an extended swingarm. The bulk of the work is detailed in this week's MCN, but we do get some photos...

http://tinyurl.com/yf734sg

Sweet Yamaha YZF-R1 Rossi Motorcycle Auction for Riders for Health

The project was started by Don Emde, publisher and ex-racer and much more, and includes Yamaha USA, Roadracingworld.com, Aldo Drudi and Valentino Rossi. The YZF-R1 was donated by Yamaha, the bodywork was designed and painted by Drudi - he of Rossi helmet fame - based on the 'Five Continents' Rossi/AGV helmet and approved by Valentino Rossi. Many others are involved and adding services and parts, including Roland Sands Design, AGV, Ohlins and Akrapovic. No photo has been released as of yet and the auction time and location are also still up in the air. All proceeds will benefit Riders for Health.

http://tinyurl.com/yzhgntg

P.S. You may see the Riders for Health logo on my blog; from here you too can donate to the cause or just get to their site for details on the charity, its projects and much more...

This bike was shown at the Long Beach IMS: http://tinyurl.com/yj6oc6u

A better photo of the bike: http://tinyurl.com/ycpd7w8

Even more information on the bike itself and how it was prepared/modified: http://tinyurl.com/ygswt5j

Roland Sands Designs Another Honda for Ride for Kids Raffle

This is perhaps his best one yet; at least I think it is. American Honda and Advanstar Communications provided the motorcycle and the funding, but Sands provided the imagination. The bike is a true 'hooligan' and is based on the 2009 CBR1000RR. Sands created this street-fighter to honor what many consider the toughest fighters of all - the children who fight brain cancer every single day! Buy your raffle tickets at the International Motorcycle Shows (11 are to be held this season) or at http://www.rideforkids.org/.

http://tinyurl.com/yen4cga