Sport Motorcycles
Motorcycle Modif
Motorcycle News
Beauty Motorcycles
Sexy Motorcycle

Friday, April 30, 2010

Cops and Choppers


Cops interacting with choppers, a never ending struggle. Bill Ray LIFE photos from 1965.


This shot brings up a couple of things. 1. It's 1965 and that's a brand new first year Electra-Glide, so the biker could be getting one of his first up close and personal looks at Milwaukee's latest. 2. Some cops really dug their rides and took pride in their machines. The non standard chrome kicker lever, brake lever, and regulator cover means someone has customized this ride. Now I doubt the department would spring for such options (many P.D.s went for blacked out standard models), so what it may suggest is, the cop owns this bike and leases it to the city. This was once a fairly common practice with many Police Departments.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Rieju MRT50 Pro Competition being launched


Spansh motorcycle manufacturer Rieju launch their new 50cc European Enduro series Blegium roun winner the Rieju MRT50 Pro Competition is being launched next week for the public to buy. Its features include:-

50 cc 6 speed Pre Mix Yamaha LC motor with special head & Cylinder by Top competition, Front floating wave disc 260 mm. Rear Wave 200 mm.
Upside-Down adjustable Marzocchi 40 mm forks. Adjustable rear gas monoshock. Aluminium swing arm. Hand made exhaust with competition silencer. Hydraulic clutch. Race clutch with straight cut teeth & reinforced discs. Tommaselli tapered handlebars with anodised duraluminium brackets. Dual radiator, Michelin FIM tires, Racing quick twist throttle.
Mikuni 24 mm carburettor. Racing CDI with variable curve. Oversized footrests. NGK Platinum BR10ES spark plug, Team Rieju Race Graphics, Hand & fork guards plus sump guard as standard.

It's claimed to be a very serious road legal race machine.

Ride safe

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

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Le Mans

.



via : pipeburn.com


German bike builder Axel Budde has been modifying Moto Guzzi Le Mans for over 14 years, and it definitely shows. These two Moto Guzzi's have been built with meticulous attention to detail. Axel told us "to describe all the modifications would take too long, so here are the most important ones... The streetbike (above) is a 1985 Le Mans 4 and is basically only the housing of the engine (1040ccm, 90hp). Frame has been cleaned and cut.

Fork is stock with improved springs and damper. Aftermarket wheels, tank and exhaust. The rest is selfmade or modified, including finish and paint. The racebike (below) is a 1979 Le Mans 2 frame, cleaned and cut. Engine is a modified Le Mans 4 (1040ccm, 93hp). Improved stock fork, stock wheel, aftermarket tank and exhaust. Like the street bike everything else is selfmade or modified, including finish and paint". These bikes are jaw-dropping examples of Guzzi Cafe Racers. If you live in Europe and you want Axel to build you one of these Italian masterpieces he can be found at Roll-it.org.




.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Doctor's Orders?

I was out of town and also got sick so I haven't been very active with the blog.

A strict medicinal regiment for wellness.

So where does the image of a medicine man/witch doctor with Top Hat originate? The latest Disney animated film "The Princess and the Frog", (set in New Orleans), features such a character as the villain.

The flip side is even cooler.

Mo better now.

A Tribute to Don Brown

.



Don Brown has spent a lifetime in motorcycling, first as a desert racer, later as the editor of Cycle magazine, creator and host of one of the first motorcycle radio shows, co-author of a popular off-road motorcycling book, and then as general sales manager for Johnson Motors, the original franchised Triumph importer.
He went on to hold executive positions with U.S. Suzuki and BSA, before becoming one of the best known and most widely respected industry analysts and consultants in the business. Brown was born in Wichita, Kansas, on September 19, 1929. His father was a noted pilot and sales manager for airplane maker Travel Air. As a child during the Depression, Brown and his family lived for a time with his dad’s best friend, the famous aviator Jimmy Doolittle and his family in St. Louis.





After Don's father, Ray, joined the Navy in 1941, the family moved to Grand Prairie, Texas, in order to be near the Dallas Naval Air Station where his father frequently landed while ferrying bombers to Dakar, Senegal, in Africa.
In Texas, Don worked on a ranch and learned to love horses and the cowboy’s life. When his father returned from military service in the South Pacific and was assigned to California, Don left home at 14 and found work as a ‘wanna-be’ cowboy in Texas. When his father was killed in an airplane crash in 1946, Don joined the Army at 17 and volunteered for special occupation forces in Germany.
the full story : HERE


Don Brown has died in his Irvine, Calif., home. He was 80.



.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

BIKERPICS.ORG, New E-Magazine

Congrats Jack Mcintyre and top model, Michelle Laksh!
The New Star Studios in Philadelphia & New BIKERPICS.ORG!




The Worlds Greatest Biker E Magazine

I have long been a fan of Jack Mcintyre's Photography! So it is with double pleasure that I can announce, "Motorcycle Event News" - BikeweekNews.Blogspot.com - is the ONLY event news feed on the new BIKERPICS.ORG  E-Magazine.

These are the incredibly talented professionals that I turn to whenever I need something special put together for a client to promote a brand, event or new product in the motorcycle industry... and Jack can usually create an event flyer or calender in 15 minutes or less! Seriously...
When it came to finding a studio assistant, who could model daily at the new Star Studios in Philly, Michelle Laksh was Jack's first choice. "She is the best model I have ever worked with in terms of pure beauty and knowing how to get the shot right the first time," he said.

Michelle has been working with Jack Mcintyre for several years -- and she has been to more rallies than most bikers! Her images are extensive and show her versatility as a model, working at events all over Philly and at bike rallies from Daytona Beach to Sturgis. In fact, her image went out on 500,000 WMMR Radio Station, Philadelphia Calendars in 2008. And her image has graced many custom bikes and other products across the country...

JOIN THE CELEBRATION - You can have an 11 x 17 Poster of Michelle - Click & Download - FREE!

BIKERPICS.ORG
The Worlds Greatest Biker E Magazine

jack@bikerpics.org

Bikers Inner Circle - Frog Jumps Bash

Fans of the Charlie Brechtel Band & Bikers Inner Circle will once again pack Lake Tulloch Resort in Northern California - May 14 & 15th for a weekend that is all about biker music & fun!


Full Bar, Swimming pool, Lake, Rooms, Food, Vendors & Bands, Tattoo Contest, Biker Games and the almost famous Bikini Contest! BOOK YOUR ROOM ASAP! 2 night minimum  (209) 785-8200

Brand New 1975 Nortons

.


by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider"

We all know what a barn find usually looks like, some rusty hulk stuck in the back corner of some out building comes to light, the original pieces intact but usually in very poor condition. This "barn find" is a bit different. The owner of Motoshop Podevyn in Aalst, Belgium passed away and the contents of the shop are going up for auction. It turns out it's quite a collection, among the discoveries are 11 1975 Nortons, brand new, unassembled, still in their original crates, that's about as original and unmolested as you can get.


Along with the Nortons, there's a Matchless still in the crate, too, plus lots of other bikes and parts. As the fellow got a bit older, you might think he would have gradually wanted to sell these off or at least make sure they went to owners of his choice, but whatever the case, these are going to be an interesting purchase for the future owners who can assemble them and put those first miles on them, something I would encourage them to do. Interesting.

Here are the other 10 Nortons, still in their original, unopened packing crates.


.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Kimmy Cruz, "Bikers Are The BOMB!!!"

This is the "Official Blog" for Kimmy Cruz ... on the road to the biggest, baddest rallies in the USA - You can check out her totally awesome NEW website at KimmyCruz.com.

SIK - The Texas Home Grown Metal band from Dallas, Fort Worth sets the stage for an experience that is off the chain... to say the least.

Maybe you know Kimmy Cruz from Daytona Bike Week, Arizona Bike Week, Bike Blues & BBQ in her native Arkansas, or Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

"This is my 10th year working as a promoter, model, photographer and bartender, and I love it," said Kimmy, who will be at 20 rallies this year.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Today's Cost of Bobbing

I found this H-D product announcement a few weeks ago and thought it was kind of amusing. Is it just me?

Combine Chopped Rear Fender and Solo Spring Saddle for Classic Style

MILWAUKEE (March 26, 2010) – Owners of most 2006-later Harley-Davidson Dyna® models can achieve the hot bobber look with the installation of three new items from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories that are easy to install with no cutting, welding, or fabrication necessary (and no fun!), my words.


The new Chopped Rear Fender Kit – Dyna® Models (P/N 59860-10BEO Primed, $349.95; P/N 59860-10DH Vivid Black, $449.95) is a complete “bolt-on” chopped fender kit. The chopped fender eliminates the traditional tail lamp and center-mount license plate, replaces the original equipment rear turn signals with the included stop-turn-tail lights for a clean, stripped-down appearance. Installation requires the separate purchase of the new Side Mount License Plate Kit (P/N 60938-10, $194.95), finished in brilliant chrome, with a durable steel mounting bracket that incorporates license plate illumination.



Complete the bobber transformation with the new Solo Spring Saddle – Black Leather (P/N 54373-10, $269.95), a 10.5-inch-wide solo seat with the minimalistic “just enough to ride” look. The torsion-style springs are designed for the optimal balance between spring suspension and support. The smooth metal seat pan and the simple frame cover leave a clean, finished appearance. The seat can be removed and replaced with a touring seat for a two-up riding. Installation requires separate purchase of Spring Seat Mounting Hardware Kit (P/N 54075-10, $229.95), sold separately.

Add it up and it only costs $1045.00 (plus $100 for black only), to bob your Dyna's fender , change seat and to relocate the license plate. Not counting tax or paying the dealer to install the kit. (we wouldn't want you to break a nail).

You too can have a unique customized bike... just like everybody else's.

Remember the days when Bobbing was done with a hacksaw, a file, surplus parts, some imagination, and little or no money?... me neither.

Factory Bolt ons? - Not a Bobber!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Detroit Symphony: The Dodge Super Bee

.


by Eric Johnson



The original Super Bee was Dodge’s low-priced muscle car and little brother of the Plymouth Road Runner. The Muscle Car was priced $3,027. During the period, both divisions were competing to be the "Chrysler Performance Division". Various young and talented designers were dispatched to the project of creating a name and identity for the Dodge version. When all was said and done, the name Super Bee and a new logo were created around the Dodge "Scat Pack" Bee medallion.



Although the two cars are nearly identical external appearance - the Super Bee was slightly heavier (approx 65 lbs) and rode on a 117-inch (3,000 mm) wheelbase compared to the Road Runner's 116-inch (2,900 mm) wheelbase - the Super Bee sported actual diecast chrome plated "Bee" medallions. These three-dimensional medallions were prominently mounted in a raised position in the grille/hood area and the trunklid/taillight area of the car throughout the first three years of production and added a touch of class and panache. The interior of the Super Bee borrowed the race car–inspired and more sophisticated gauge and speedometer dash cluster from the Dodge Charger while the four-speed cars received an actual Hurst Competition-Plus shifter with Hurst linkage, compared to the budget-minded Road Runner's less expensive Inland shifter and linkage.



All these niceties did add to the higher purchase cost of the Super Bee compared to its Plymouth cousin and ultimately affected its sales numbers over the years it was produced. The 1968 model only came as a two-door coupe and two engine options, the base 335 hp (250 kW) 383 Magnum, and the 426 Hemi rated at 425 hp (317 kW). The Super Bee included a heavy-duty suspension, an optional Mopar A-833 four-speed manual transmission, and high-performance tires. Outside, a stripe (with the bee logo) was wrapped around the tail.
In1969 a new optional twin-scooped air induction hood was now available and became known as the "Ramcharger". The Super Bee's "Ramcharger" hood featured forward-facing scoops which were far more efficient than the Road Runner's "twin vents" which merely lay flat on the hood, not forcing air in to the carburetor(s) as the Super Bee's. The 1969 model year gave Chrysler customers several engines to choose from. The base 383 hp (high performance), 440 Six Pack, and the 426 Hemi.



Engines:
- 1968–1970: 383 in³ (6.3 L) Big-Block V8, 335 hp (250 kW)
- 1968–1970: 426 in³ (7.0 L) Hemi V8, 425 hp (317 kW)
- 1969–1970: 440 in³ (7.2 L) Big-Block V8, 390 hp (291 kW)

Production:
1968: 7,842–7,717 (383), 125 (426 Hemi)
1969: 27,800–25,727 (383), 1,907 (440 Six Pack), 166 (426 Hemi)



.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Flat Track

.


Originally Posted by Ron Peck

" I was digging thru some old pictures of my racing days and came up with this collection, first this was my last race I think a quarter mile. (loved that Triumph) "


" same triumph this was a half mile (biggest trophy I ever won) "


" same Triumph on a quarter mile TT "


" I did the Bultaco route for a few years (short track) young and dumb "


" I did this too many times "




.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The Long Ways

.


Long Way Round


Beginning in London, Ewan and Charley chased their shadows through Europe, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia; across the Pacific to Alaska; then down through Canada all the way to New York. Long Way Round is the result of their four-month, 20,000-mile joyride. Featuring original diary entries, travel maps, mileage charts, and dozens of photographs, this is a freewheeling, fully charged, and uproariously entertaining book about two world-famous individuals who chose the road not taken...and made the journey worthwhile.


Long way down.Two bikers. One amazing adventure...


After their fantastic trip round the world in 2004, fellow actors and bike fanatics Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman couldn't shake the travel bug. Inspired by their UNICEF visits to Africa, they knew they had to go back and experience this extraordinary continent in more depth.

And so they set off on their 15,000-mile journey with two new BMWs loaded up for the trip. Their route took them from John O'Groats at the northernmost tip of Scotland to Cape Agulhas on the southernmost tip of South Africa.

Along the way they rode some of the toughest terrain in the world -- and met some of the friendliest people. They rode their bikes right up to the pyramids in Egypt and visited Luke Skywalker's house in Tunisia. They met people who had triumphed over terrifying experiences -- former childhood soldiers in Uganda and children living amidst the minefields of Ethiopia. They had a close encounter with a family of gorillas in Rwanda and were nearly trampled by a herd of elephants in Botswana.



.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Howard Hughes' Sikorsky

.


via : www.airportjournals.com


Howard Hughes' Sikorsky at Brazoria County Airport, Texas

Jesse Bootenhoff settles into the same seat from which legendary aviator and eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes once planned to fly around the world.

"For its day, when it was built, everything was first class," Bootenhoff said from the thickly padded pilot's seat in the cockpit of the amphibious Sikorsky S-43. "He had movie stars like Gail Russell and Greta Garbo on here, and he would fly people to Houston and have business meetings on board."
The fuselage boasts wide, tan leather seats, a tall aisle and a large, four-compartment drink dispenser. The 10-ton "flying boat" features a full kitchen, bathroom and teak wood walls. You can still see many of the original instruments installed when the twin-engine, heavy-gauge aluminum plane was built in 1937.


The smell of leather, age and mechanical parts mixes with mustiness and memories inside the propeller-driven aircraft. Bootenhoff, 76, a retired Delta Airlines pilot now living in Alvin, Texas, said that it's just a few tweaks away from being air-worthy.
Outside, the only access to the plane is through a hatch on top, near the rear of the massive machine. The giant wings join in the middle and look like a single wing, sitting atop of the craft and spanning 86 feet, holding the 1,200-hp piston engines.
Round porthole windows line both sides of the plane, and landing gear extends from each side like two giant locust legs. On one side of the nose is painted "Pilot Howard Hughes, 1937 S-43 Sikorsky," and on the other, the names of the five pilots who've flown the plane, including Hughes and Bootenhoff.


"It's a unique machine," he said, almost reverently. "It's in good shape, and people come from all over the United States to see it."
At 54 feet long and about two stories tall, the Sikorsky is the largest of three planes in a 10,000-sq.-ft. hangar at the Brazoria County Airport.
It also is certainly one of the most remarkable in the opinion of airport manager Jeff Bilyeu.
"Fascinating," said Bilyeu, who's been in Brazoria County more than a year but had not climbed into the tightly locked Sikorsky until just recently. "This is aviation history. I had no idea this existed when I got here. It was one of those out-of-the-blue surprises."



Hughes' personal plane

The reclusive Hughes died in April 1976, his passing surrounded by as much mystery as his life.

It's no secret the plane's fuselage once was all fuel tank, rigged to hold 2,100 gallons for the magnate movie producer's trip around the globe.
"He bought the Sikorsky in 1937 to fly around the world," Bootenhoff said. The story goes that WWII short-circuited the attempt, which Hughes never did make. Hughes had the fuel tanks removed and the inside decorated with the top amenities of the day. The Sikorsky was one of the shining stars in the aviation aficionado's fleet and is the only one of its kind still in operable condition.
"It's the only flying one in the world," Bootenhoff said. "There's a non-flying replica in a Tucson, Ariz., museum."


Hughes' final flight in the Sikorsky came in the early 1950s when he took it across the country, making numerous stops to refuel the 300-gallon tanks that allowed just less than three hours in the air at a time. His last stop was home in Houston.
"He kept the plane at Hobby under guard and never flew it again," Bootenhoff said. "He would take it out and hold business meetings in it, but he never flew it after that."
California entrepreneur Ronald Van Kregten bought the plane after Hughes' death. Van Kregten and his wife have since passed, and the plane now is owned by their estate. It likely will be sold soon. The plane is now worth between $5 million and $24 million, depending on who's asking.

"It's Howard Hughes and his reputation," Bootenhoff said. "Something is only worth what someone will pay for it, and this was Howard Hughes' personal plane."

Off the ground

Amenities such as individual lights and a small, round, adjustable air conditioning vent at each seat help make the plane impressive, said Doug Banks, Brazoria County base manager for Air Logistics. He's one of a handful of people who've toured the plane in the last few years.
"This was high-tech when it was made," Banks said in a hushed tone, peering from the galley into the black-painted metal cockpit featuring a pair of escape hatches over the pilot and co-pilot seats. "I'd love to fly it. You had to be quite affluent to even get this close to Hughes back then."


Bootenhoff doesn't claim to have known Hughes, but he has flown the enigmatic entrepreneur's aircraft slightly more than Hughes did. When he first took over the log book, it registered 499.1 hours. It now has about 1,000, he said.
In late 1974, the engines were removed for overhaul along with the wings. The craft was trucked to the La Porte Airport, where it was stored in a hangar until 1988, when it was moved to Wolfe Air Park in Manvel.
Van Kregten had crews reassemble the plane, and Bootenhoff's involvement with it was chance. He kept a Cessna 310 at the La Porte hangar and overheard a conversation between the airport manager and Van Kregten, who wanted the plane trucked to California.


"I opened my big mouth and said, 'Ron, why don't you just put it together and I'll fly it out there for you?'" Bootenhoff laughed.
In 1990, Bootenhoff moved the craft to a hangar at Houston Southwest Airfield near Fresno, Texas. He flew the plane to a few shows around the country, including California and Florida. Its last flight was in May 2001, when Bootenhoff made the 12-minute trek from Fresno to Angleton.
"We kept it here because he had me to take care of it for nothing," he said. "Well, and I get to fly it."



Flying high again

Bootenhoff hasn't had the plane in the air since 2001, but said the Sikorsky could be ready for its next trip on short notice.
"It could be made flyable again without too much trouble," he said. "Somebody just needs to spend the time and money to get it going. And that's the plan right now, I think. It will make it easier to sell if it's flying."
He hopes the historic plane will be used and not placed in a museum, which was the fate of Hughes' most-famous plane, the gargantuan, wooden Spruce Goose. That plane, with a wingspan of 320 feet, is in its own hangar at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in Oregon, according to information at www.SpruceGoose.org.


When that time comes for the Sikorsky's final flight from Angleton, Bootenhoff will be more grateful than sad that it flew into his life.
"It'll be a real fond memory," he said, looking from the cockpit into the galley. "I've been there and done that. I've never taken a nickel for flying it. I do it because it's a piece of history, and aviation is what gave me such a beautiful life. I'm sure it's not flown its last. I feel pretty confident I'll see it in the air again."

Reprinted with permission from the Texas Department of Transportation, Spring 2009 "Wingtips" feature.




.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Le Mans 24 Hours for Motorcycles


BikeTourGermany took a crew of riders to camp out at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto (24 Heures Moto,) April 17 & 18, 2010.

In keeping with tradition, the 33rd Le Mans 24 Hours for Motorcycles is the first round of the FIM Endurance World Championship consisting of five races in 2010.

The race has been held annually since 1978 on the Bugatti Circuit Le Mans, Sarthe, France.


The weather was warm when the riders rolled in. "Le Mans is a famous race and a famous track and it’s always exciting to be here," said tour guide-owner, Joerg Wenzel. "We are 30 meters from the track. That is how we enjoy 24 hr motorcycle races!"

TJ and the gang in France ( Le Mans. )






"The evening is getting cold here at the race track, a fire and enough alcohol will bring us through the night. Race ends in 18 hours ( tomorrow at 15:00 ). Will be a long night."

TJ and the gang in France ( Le Mans. )


HELDEN Fruehstueck :-)

Breakfast for HEROES :-)

Slept at 2 am, got up at 7 am and breakfast at 9, what else can you ask for ( and yes we are kinda sober, laugh ) 4 hours to go until the winner will run his last lap.

The winners: #11 Kawasaki, (GSR) #1 Yamaha  and #41 Suzuki


1/ GSR - KAWASAKI / DA COSTA J - FOUR O - LEBLANC G / KAWASAKI / 24:00:47.253 / 828

2 / YAMAHA AUSTRIA R.T. / JERMAN I - MARTIN ST - GIABBANI G / YAMAHA / 24:02:22.100 / 817 / 11 T

3 / RAC41 - CITY BIKE / JUNOD G - BLACK G - DEPOORTER O / SUZUKI / 24:00:52.743 / 813 / 15 T

Honda France, which made its return to endurance last year, was out to take its revenge on Yamaha that was again counting on 2009 World Championship racer Gwen Giabbani. Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers - Suzuki was runner-up in 2009 - finishing less than 20 seconds ahead of Suzuki RAC41. - But this year, top honors went to Kawasaki. 


The 24 hr European Moto Tour, planned by BikeTourGermany - April 15 to 19.

Joerge loaded up his GSX 140 Suzuki on April 9, 2010 and first headed to Cologne for 3 days of "Motorcycle Safety Instructor" training. Then it was on to France for the most exciting motorcycle race of the year. "If you ever wonder where our Tour Guides get some of their training, check out the video from "Enduro Park" in Hechlingen (Germany).

"If YOU want to go there for one or two days of training with a rented motorcycle, let us know. We can make it happen - BikeTourGermany.com"