Oscar Eliminator

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History of a Legend : WLA

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Via the Southsiders-mc



The WLA is a model of Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was produced to US Army specifications in the years during and around World War II. It was based on an existing civilian model, the WL, and is of the 45 solo type, so called due to its 45 cubic inch engine and single-rider design. The same engine, in a slightly lower state of tune, also powered the three-wheeled Servi-Car (the "G" family), leading to the "solo" distinction.

Harley-Davidson began producing the WLA in small numbers in 1940, as part of a general military expansion. The later entry of the United States into World War II saw significantly increased production, with over 90,000 being produced during the war (along with spare parts the equivalent of many more). Harley Davidson would also produce a close WLA variant for the Canadian Army called the WLC and would also supply smaller numbers to the UK, South Africa, and other allies, as well as filling orders for different models from the Navy and Marine Corps.

this is a civilized military model, fresh from the barn and is the next restoration project for "Olive" at POP RACING.





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Moleskine Notebook

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Moleskine (mol-a-skeen’-a) is a popular brand of notebook manufactured by Moleskine Srl, an Italian company. Although the name implies otherwise, the notebook is not bound in moleskin, but in oilcloth-covered cardboard. Other distinct features include an elastic band to hold the notebook closed, a sewn spine that allows it to lie flat when opened, rounded corners, a ribbon bookmark and an expandable pocket inside the rear cover.



The modern Moleskine is fashioned after Bruce Chatwin's descriptions of the notebooks he used and is not a direct descendant of the original Moleskine. Chatwin used similar notebooks constantly throughout his travels, and wrote about them glowingly. His original source of notebooks dried up in 1986, when his Paris stationer informed him that the last moleskine manufacturer, a small family-run firm of Tours, had discontinued production that year after the death of the owner.



Aside from Moleskine, there are now a number of companies that produce notebooks similar to Chatwin's description, including Lama Li Travel Journals, Derwent, and Hand+Book Journals.
Although Moleskine srl claims their notebook has been used by well-known artists and writers, such as Picasso, Matisse, Kurakin and Hemingway, the brand Moleskine was officially registered only in 1996. Francesco Franceschi, head of Modo & Modo's marketing department, was quoted as saying, "It's an exaggeration. It's marketing, not science. It's not the absolute truth."



In 2006, Modo & Modo, the old Italian publisher, began looking to sell the company or partner with someone to help it expand. According to a 2006 article in The Daily Telegraph, the company reports that its small staff was unable to keep up with demand. In August 2006, the French investment fund Société Générale purchased Modo & Modo for 60 million euros.
The Moleskine products are assembled/stitched in Italy, printed in China since 2006. Details printed on the external label band indicate these changes.



The below only refers to the USA: On notebooks released up through 2006, the band read: "Kikkerland Design Inc. 423-427 West 127th Street New York, NY 10027 - www.kikkerland.com." As of 2006-2007, the band now adds the following: "Printed and bound in China" and "Designed and assembled in Italy".

Mine

In late 2006, Laura Kellner, a representative of Kikkerland Design, Inc., the U.S. distributor of Moleskine products, confirmed changes to the product label and packaging, elaborating "...the changes that have occurred are the labeling to include Made in China, the [label] band has changed in the last couple of years (color coding the different styles), and the insert story has been updated from time to time with new product information, the newest books now have a quality control number."


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More Free Motorcycle Wallpapers

Just a quick blog entry to let you all know I've added two more great free motorcycle desktop wallpapers to the inter-bike wallpapers gallery for you to download.

They are the Rieju MRT50 Enduro Wallpaper and the updated 2010 Moto Morini Granpasso Wallpaper.

They are free for personal use, hope you enjoy them?

Ride safe.


Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Ride from "Bikers Point" on the Grossglockner

Just though I'd let you know we've recently added the video below of our ride down on a BMW R1200 GS from "Bikers Point" on the Grossglockner in Austria to the inter-bike Channel on YouTube. The ride down was in near zero visibility cloud cover on a cobble pavement road with 7 hairpins!




Ride safe.


Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Attacking the Track

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CARLO PRATI

CAPPELLOTTO FERNANDO

BRUNO MALOSSI

BONERA

ANGELO DI BARTOLOMEO

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The Sunday Movie : Early Drag Racing 1950 1960

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BMW ISDT Enduro Racer

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Via our good friend Bike Exif



BMW’s profile in the racing enduro market seems to be slipping of late. (Which is a pity, because the G450X offers promise, as well as BMW’s usual 24-month warranty.) But this factory-endorsed, 900 cc boxer endurofrom almost thirty years ago shows what could have been. In 1980 it won the German and European enduro championships, plus the prestigious ISDT.



The bike apparently sports 50 bhp and weighs just 132 kg, and inspired the cultish BMW R80 G/S (Gelände/Straße, or off-road/street) built from ’81 to ‘87. That machine married the 800 cc R80/7 engine to a strengthened R65 chassis, and was the only BMW twin to be unaffected by the launch of the K series. For more obscure BMW off-roading goodness, check out this gallery from German BMW race preparation expert HPN.


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2010 Moto Morini Granpasso details released

Italian motorcycle manufacturer Moto Morini have released details of the improvements to their adventure sport bike the Granpasso for 2010. These include:-

• The handlebars have been upgraded with risers that allow greater adjustment
• The redesigned seat decreases the riding height and is fitted with a moulded alloy heat shield underneath
• Morini have homologated the Granpasso for use with knobbly enduro style tyres
• Fitted high strength iron alloy motocross style footpegs too, these have removable rubber inserts.
• New software for injection engine control has been developed
• The lambda sensor has been moved to the front cylinder exhaust pipe, delivering smoother response, particularly during the initial opening of the throttle

Ride safe.


Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Rieju MRT50 released

Rieju the Spanish motorcycle manufacturer have released details of their new Rieju MRT50 series.

They will be available in Enduro or Supamoto form.

Manufactured near Barcelona they feature Yamaha Minarelli 6 speed motors combined with KTM radiators, Domino grips, AJP calipers & levers, IRIS Digital clocks. Michelin tyres.

The standard model is available in colours Red White or Black and the pro editions in White or Green.

The Pro editions feature race graphics, Marzocchi 40mm inverted forks, remote reservoir rear shocks, alloy bars and silencer and Galfer wave discs all round.

Ride safe.


Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Texas Vintage Racing Club

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Picture courtesy of : Craig Knight

Talking about " serious " guys, you will find here one of the best social vintage motorcycle network on the web.
The pictures, videos and events are simply amazing, so if you're a Texas rider ( ... and not only Texas )please take time to visit this great website by clicking : TVRC you wont be disapointed.

Picture courtesy of : David Maclaskey

The very first TVRC race was October, 1988. Since then it's been Old Dudes, Old Bikes (both getting older!), Old Stories, and New Fun!


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Preparing For a Long Ride with your KZ200

Before all of merzymania going to Bali ride to attending the Bali Merzy Rendezvous in December I will give you suggestion how to Preparing For a Long Ride

Word of warning: This ride is an endurance trip, not a race. You get no prize for taking less than the allotted time.

Let's do a little math. 1500 miles divided by 24 hours equals 62.5 miles per hour. Now that's not an unreasonable speed, and maybe once you could average that if you got a good night's sleep beforehand, and arranged to end the 24 hours before it got dark. Pretty hard to do, and out of the question if you want to do more than one in a row. (Yes, some very healthy, tough, insane folks attempt the three of these rides on three consecutive days.)

So let's give ourselves a little sleep, shall we? 1500 divided by a long day in the saddle, 18 hours, gives 83.3 mph. That's your average, not counting gas and potty breaks. That means you want to pick your highways pretty carefully, lest you receive any performance awards (bikerspeak for speeding ticket) and their attendant delays. What if we compromise and do a really long day, say 20 hours on the road? The average becomes more reasonable at 75 mph. You should be able to get away with that on a lot of open interstates Not too many empty roads.

That leads me to the Three Phases of the Long Ride.

Permission, Preparation, and Production.

Phase One-Permission. (nb-if you're a woman rider, please change all the gender references that follow.) You will not complete this ride without some kind of support group. Unless you're leaving your wife for good, I suggest that you need her support. Moral support, and maybe logistical. Presumably she's your most loyal fan, and more willing to help out than others would be, especially if it calls for weird hours. My motorcycle was a birthday gift from my dear sweet wife, so I have a pretty good start on the permission angle.

You should take her needs into account. Get yourself some really good insurance for the trip, but don't make too big a deal about it. This is to help her over the hump if you mangle yourself; it is not a way to persuade her to let you do it. Unless you're having the problems I alluded to above. Have a serious talk, and find out her actual worries. Your wife is the best person in the world for knowing your weaknesses, and if she has any worries, those are your most important preparation tasks. If she's worried about you being eaten by rattlesnakes if you sleep on the ground next to your bike, arrange to crash (metaphorically) with someone in a motorcycle club. Promise to observe your body's tiredness signals, and describe them to her, so she'll know you're not bluffing. Show her the route. Promise to call. Do some practice trips; get her used to the idea-whatever she needs. They will turn out to be things you also need. Do them, and you, the ride, and she will all be happier. I'll get into some of these things in more detail later, because they fall into the preparation category. A ride is more likely to succeed with a cheering squad at home.

Phase two-Preparation Preparation has three parts-you, your bike, and your logistics, not necessarily in that order.

Logistics: If you want proof that you really rode 1500 miles in 24 hours, If you are is called an extreme ride, You need to have someone (not you), say that you actually started on the ride, and actually finished. Doesn't have to be the same person on both ends of the ride, and doesn't have to be an member of KZ200 clubs, but your witnesses do have to sign the form and be willing to answer a phone call from the Clubs about the ride.

Bike: You're riding a Kawasaki KZ200 or similar touring bike with . Do not attempt this ride on a crotch rocket. Have someone who knows your type of bike give the bike a thorough going-over. And have him do the repairs he suggests. Motorcycles, good as they are, are not as dependable as cars. Sorry, but them's the facts. You can pretty well count on most cars nowadays going 100K miles with nothing but an occasional oil change. Not so motorcycles, even KZ200's. You're about to put a lot of stress on that bike, and nothing ruins a good ride like an unexpected breakdown. Except an accident, but that's different. If you put on new tires, put a couple hundred miles on them before the ride. Gets the manufacturing oil off. If your mechanic's checkup involves any new parts, ride a while to be sure everything's okay, and you're comfortable with the changes. Same thing with new accessories. You want to be sure that new tank bag doesn't have a tendency to slide left all the time. the issue of carrying extra gasoline. An auxiliary tank can reduce the number of stops. Plan out the ride, and include alternatives to your route. Print out maps. Memorize the route. Calculate where you might stop for gas. Program the GPS. Print maps even if you have a GPS. Do not depend on the GPS. Figure out the timing so you're not going through major metro areas during rush hour. If something happens that ends the ride prematurely, you might still have a Saddlesore in there. That's a decent consolation prize. Plan alternative start dates, If you get unexpected bad weather, it's okay to start a day later.

KZ200 Riding and Ownership - What You Need to Know

Motorcycles are a popular means of transport today, especially of kawasaki kz200 and for those who crave a little danger in their lives, as they are great fun to own and ride. If you are considering getting a motorcycle for yourself, you will find the following tips useful.

Cost - Motorcycle prices vary from dealer to dealer depending on the brand and its specifications. Used motorcycles can be accessed at a cheaper price. However, it is advisable to first have a reliable mechanic evaluate the second-hand bike before you buy it.

Handling - A motorcycle's handling is mostly a matter of personal preference or rather what feels right for you. Here are some basic things to remember when choosing your bike.

• You should be able to have both feet touch the ground while seated on the bike
• The seat should be comfortable and big enough to fit two
• It should have foot rests that allow moving of the feet for added comfort
• You should be able to lift the bike easily in the event of tire changes
• The bike should start easily and without any smoking.

Helmet - Motorcycle helmets come in a variety of shapes and colors. Most dealers offer a free helmet for every motorcycle purchase, but you will want to buy a second one for your passenger as well. For maximum protection go for the full-face helmet that covers your entire head and also comes with a face shield to keep out flying debris and bugs. Some helmets have a venting system which will keep air flowing in and a quick switch face shield so you can easily switch from a clear to a tinted shield. Ensure that the fit is snug enough such that the helmet can not be turned when it's on your head.

Gear - Protective leather is the most highly recommended material for riding apparel as it is stronger, moderately flexible and much tougher than others. Protective leather for motorcycle gear such as jackets and pants is usually pre-tested for impact abrasion, cut, tear and burst resistance. The jacket is also usually fitted with heavy padding on the spine, elbow and shoulder regions to provide added protection in the event of an accident. Some gloves come with carbon fiber for knuckle protection, while boot heels are designed to fit on the bike's footrests so as to provide ankle support.

Maintenance - Regular maintenance and occasional servicing will ensure that your motorcycle remains safe for both you and your passengers. Ask the dealer's mechanic to teach you how to change the oil, filters and brakes. Learn how to lubricate the bike's chain and check fluid levels.

Riding with a passenger - It's advisable to have enough solo riding experience before carrying a pillion. When you're ready, try practicing in a low-traffic area with an experienced passenger weighing 50kg or less to get a feel for how a motorcycle handles with two people on it. Once you feel comfortable enough to take on a passenger, remember the following:

• If required, modify the suspension to handle the additional weight of your passenger and be sure to add the recommended amount of air to your tires.

• Give complete instructions before you start off even if your passenger is an experienced rider. To help communicate during the journey you may want to devise some signals beforehand such as a tap on the leg could mean "hold on tighter" or should your pillion need you to slow down, a firm squeeze around your middle can signal that.

• Always provide your passenger with a helmet.

• Raise the stand, securely brace the bike, start it and point it in the direction you want to go then have your passenger get on.

• Ask your passenger to sit as far forward as possible without crowding you. He should then hold tightly around your waist and stay directly behind you, leaning as you lean and avoiding any unnecessary motion that could affect your ability to safely control the motorcycle.

• Instruct your passenger to keep both feet on the footrests at all times.

• Adjust to the passenger's weight. Notice that the extra heaviness changes the way the motorcycle balances, turns, speeds up and slows down. Operate at a lower speed particularly on curves or bumps and start slowing down earlier than usual when approaching a stoplight.

(source : ezine articles)

New range of zero-emission electric scooters launched in the UK

New brand e-motive has launched a range of zero emission electric scooters into the UK market place. This new british-based brand is hoping to make electrically-powered vehicles a real option for ordinary people in the UK.

Full details of the new range can be found in the inter-bike site here.

Ride safe.


Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Doxa Watches

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Doxa S.A. is a Swiss company, founded in 1889, that manufactures watches. Doxa is best known for its dive watches.Doxa, founded in 1889 by George Ducommun, began as a maker of fine dress watches and other timepieces. Over the years, Doxa gained in size and branched out into other timekeeping markets.
In the late 1960s Doxa realized that diving was becoming more popular—especially given the success of early innovators like Rolex and Blancpain in the early 1950s.

Picture courtesy of : lesmala.net

In fact the success of Rolex's Submariner and Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms helped originate a market for followers such as Doxa. This may have been due to the efforts of Jacques Cousteau and increased general awareness of the sport. Doxa decided to devote resources to create a watch to be used for diving. Tests indicated that an orange face was more visible in murky water. Doxa also consulted with divers, including Cousteau, then chairman of "U.S. Divers," and Claude Wesly (a Cousteau companion and the first man to spend seven days thirty-three feet underwater). A staff of engineers and professional divers was assembled to create a watch with features important to the diving industry. The Sub300t was purchased in quantity by U.S. Divers, who resold the watch in the United States. It was an instant hit with divers and quickly sold out upon its introduction.

The Doxa Sub300t features an orange face to make it more visible in the water. It has a rotating bezel with the official US Navy air dive table for no-decompression dives engraved onto its surface. The watch could be used to calculate decompression times, and other information useful to divers. It was rated to work 300 meters below sea level, and later versions were introduced that could work up to 750 meters below sea level.

Other watchmakers then followed with similar bezels, as well as colorful and bright faces.
Soon after the introduction of the Sub300t, the Swiss watch industry was hard-hit economically by the quartz watch revolution. Accurate, reliable and small timepieces could now be made without the mechanical movements that the Swiss specialized in constructing. In response, Doxa joined a group of Swiss watchmakers to consolidate resources. This eventually failed and Doxa, after being sold, ceased operations in about 1980.

Picture courtesy of : lesmala.net

Recently, Doxa has been revived by the Jenny family of Switzerland, who owns the brand. Since August 2002, Doxa has introduced re-editions of its well known watches and timepieces in limited quantities. Many are faithful to their original models in design and construction, and all use Swiss movements.



First Orange Faced dive watch, Sub300t in 1967.
First watch with a rotating bezel to compute no-decompression times, Sub 300t, 1967
First Publicly Available Dive Watch with Helium Release Valve named the Conquistador. In certain diving situations, helium can penetrate the watch seals and cause a pressure buildup in the watch, eventually blowing the crystal off the watch face. Rolex, invented and introduced the first dive watches with a helium release valve in 1969, which prevented this helium buildup. While this was a major advance at the time, few actual watches with this feature were produced. Doxa introduced the Sub300t Conquistador in 1969 featuring a helium release valve.



According to the sales brochures and advertisements in Skin diver magazine, DOXA was the first watch company to introduce this device to the public for general sale. Rolex was manufacturing watches with the Helium Release Valve at the same time, but was only selling them to Commercial Diving Companies such as COMEX. Rolex offered the Sea Dweller with Helium Escape Valve to the public in 1972. Omega also eventually introduced a helium release valve, in its Seamaster watch.



In the media
The hero of the Dirk Pitt book series by author Clive Cussler wears an Orange faced Doxa watch and also in the movie Sahara an orange faced Doxa is worn by Dirk Pitt. In recognition of this Doxa have officially recognised Clive Cussler and presented him with a special watch.

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United States Vintage Motocross

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Today i found this website and the only thing i can say is that those guys have the spirit, the only one as they say, " The two primary guiding principles are to keep it simple and to keep it fun. The rules are few and the smiles will be plenty and the best part is you only have to be a member of the human race to participate. Come along for the ride. You'll be glad you did."



The United States Vintage Motocross series is a culmination of all that is good about vintage motocross in America. The sport started about 20 years ago and has continued to grow and evolve. A major component in its growth and health has been the independent regional clubs and organizations that have been able to "define" vintage racing in their own unique styles. It is that "local flavor" that is the essence of this national series.



The USVMX National Series brings together one race from each of the established independent scenes and clubs across America. The race in Texas will be a real "bigger is better" Texan affair, while the gorgeous Great Pacific Northwest will host an event with a natural ambiance that is not to be missed. Throw in Southern California, the Arizona desert, the loamy soil of Missouri or Illinois, Budd's Creek Maryland and Hi Point Raceway and you can quickly see that every venue will be a road trip worth taking.




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Vintage Maico

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Maicowerk A.G. began in 1926, originally assembling 98 and 123 cc Ilo two stroke motors. After World War II the West German motorcycle manufacturer began producing its own unit construction two stroke engines, selling engines and complete motorcycles. Maico made a brief foray into the automobile business with their own line of microcars in the late 1950s. Maico have also made Go kart engines.



The road motorcycles were named after winds... 'Blizzard' 'Typhoon' etc, but the company was better known for its purpose-built Motocross and Enduro machines, and for its 'Maicoletta' motor scooter, both of which sold in higher numbers than the road motorcycles.

Picture courtesy of : rageracing.com

Maico motocross (MC) and enduro (GS) racing models proved very successful in both European and American competition throughout the 1970s. While lacking the financial capital and big money race-team backing like that of the Japanese factories of Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki, Maico riders such as Adolf Weil, Åke Jonsson and Willy Bauer proved to be a serious challenge to the Japanese factories and produced numerous top three finishes in both World and US Championship motocross competitions.

Picture courtesy of : virginiabritishmotorcycleclub

U.S. publication Motocross Action called the 1981 Maico Mega 490 the greatest open-class motocross bike of all time. The 1974.5 400cc and 440cc GP, and 1981 490cc models along with any year 501cc motocross bike are some of the most sought-after vintage MX and twin-shock motorcycles to this day.

Picture courtesy of : kramer-sportsmotorcycles

Maicowerk AG filed for bankruptcy in 1983 but continued to produce small numbers of motocross and enduro models (re-badged as M-Stars in the United States due to legal issues) up through 1986. Subsequent manufacturers have purchased the brand name and applied it to their own limited production motorcycles. Modern open-class dirt-bikes are still being produced under the Maico brandname[2]. The ATK Intimidator dirt-bike (reportedly the most powerful production 2 stroke motorcycle available aside from Maico's own bikes) features a Maico motor.



One of the largest contributions to the world of motocross suspension technology came in the 1974 season when the Wheelsmith Motorcycles team in the USA and the Gunther Schier teams in Europe forward-mounted the rear shocks on the Maico works bikes, immediately increasing the travel and ability to trump the competition. This initiated a frantic effort on the part of factory teams and privateers alike; chopping up their frames in a desperate attempt to remain competitive.



Also check out this excellent website : http://www.vintagemaicos.com/